Men’s Fashion

Armani Stronger With You vs Code Profumo Comparison

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For this entry into the men’s cologne comparisons, I want to take a closer look at two wintertime wears, from the Armani collection: Stronger With You vs. Armani Code Profumo. Which smells better? Which has the greater performance? Sillage? Ultimately, which is the better buy?

Tale of the Tape: Profumo vs. Stronger with You

Armani Code Profumo

Notes include: leather, amber, tonka bean, cardamom, lavender, and nutmeg

Click here to try: Giorgio Armani Code Profumo EDP Spray for Men, 3.7 Ounce

Read my full review: Code Profumo Review

Stronger With You

Notes include: vanilla, mint, cardamom, chesnut, amber, pink pepper, sage, violet leaf

Click here to try: Emporio Armani Stronger With You for Men Eau de Toilette Spray, 1.7 oz

Read my full review: Stronger with You

Opening

Code Profumo begins with amber and tonka bean. It also has a top of citrus, nutmeg, and cardamom. It’s warmly sweet, a bit spicy, and has a certain fizziness to it. Sort of like a cream soda.

Stronger With You starts off with cardamom, pink pepper, and mint. It strikes me as being more along the lines of something like, Azzaro Wanted. It is really fresh and has a nice personality, before the sweet vanilla, comes in.

Which is better? Code Profumo. I don’t particularly like the cardamom heavy start of Stronger, though, it does get much more enjoyable as it dries down. Code Profumo is a bit more interesting and the tonka/amber combination smells better, at the start.

Edge: Code Profumo

Projection

Stronger with You has a strong sillage. It’s not insanely powerful, but it will create a large scent bubble around you, as you wear it. Profumo is also strong, probably about the same sillage as its competitor. I don’t really see much of a difference here.

Edge: Push

Longevity

Stronger with You will go for about 9 hours, but it can go over 10, at times. It’s got a very good performance. With Code Profumo, I always get 10+ hours of wear. It’s doesn’t have a huge amount of extra staying power, but Code Profumo is a slightly better.

Edge: Profumo

Versatility

Both of these fragrances, are more suited toward cold weather, and for the nightlife. You can wear them at the office or at school, but these should be sprayed lightly, in those scenarios.

I wouldn’t be wearing either of these, when it gets warmer out, as they don’t hold up too well. There is no clear distinction, in this category.

Edge: Push

Overall Scent

Stronger With You, doesn’t have the best opening act, and it made me worried that it wasn’t going to be a good fragrance. However, it improves greatly throughout its development, and ultimate is a very nice cologne. It ends up with a dry woody aroma, led by vanilla, and a great chestnut note.

In my mind, the chestnut note, holds this one together. The cedar, sage, and amber that comes through gives it a much different vibe than its opening. The performance is also quite good.

However, it isn’t quite as good as Code Profumo, in my opinion. There are aspects that I enjoy more from Stronger, but it isn’t as consistent during the entire wear. Profumo is sweet, creamy, and bold. The amber, tonka bean, and leather are rich and super smooth together. It’s fantastic in the winter.

For that, I’m giving the win to Code Profumo. Actually, the newer Code Absolu, is better than both but in this limited match up Profumo takes it.

Winner: Profumo

Azzaro Wanted vs. Versace Eros Comparison

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For this entry, into the men’s fragrance comparisons, I am going to do another one with Azzaro Wanted. This time, it’ll be put up against the ever popular Versace Eros, to see how it fares. Which one of these colognes smells better? Which lasts longer? Ultimately, which scent is the better buy?

Tale of the Tape: Eros vs. Wanted

Versace Eros

Notes of Eros: mint, green apple, tonka bean, madagascar vanilla, vetiver, Italian lemon

Shop Amazon for: Versace Eros Eau de Toilette Spray for Men, 3.4 Fluid Ounce

My review: Versace Eros

Azzaro Wanted

Notes include: tonka bean, lemon, cardamom, vetiver, juniper, ginger, geranium, mint, amber wood

Click here to try: Azzaro Wanted Eau De Toilette Spray, 3.4 Ounce

Read my review: Azzaro Wanted

Opening

Wanted starts of with lemon, ginger, mint, and woods. The lemon and mint are of course similar to Eros, however, this starts off smelling more like Invictus. It’s got a bit more spice and is woodier, but the real heart of the fragrance kicks in, when the cardamom and tonka bean fully emerge. It’s got a warm fruity sweetness, with wood, and that enveloping tonka bean aroma.

Eros starts off with a bang of ingredients, including: lemon, mint, and apple. Its weird how it shares two of those main opening notes with Wanted, but the two don’t have a very similar smell, at all. Eros is a crisp blend of warmth and coolness provided by the mint, with a bright and sweet profile.

Which smells better at the opening? I’ll take Eros over Wanted. Wanted can start off like a sharper version of Invictus and kind of just be too much. Eros is bold, but it is way more enjoyable to my nose.

Edge: Eros

Projection

This isn’t even a close contest in terms of sillage, Eros wins easily. Eros is strong and can be an absolute bomb, if you over spray. Wanted starts off strong, but settles pretty quickly into a moderate cologne, for the rest of the wear.

Edge: Eros

Longevity

Wanted actually has solid longevity. It will last for me for between 7-9 hours, so, a full work day without issue. Eros, however, wins this category because it gives me over 10 hours of wear. Wanted doesn’t crap out early, but it cannot match Eros.

Edge: Eros

Versatility

Both scents are pretty versatile in their uses. However, neither is really one that does well when it gets hotter outside. Eros is a casual scent that can also double up as a nightlife wear.

Wanted probably fits in better, in an office type environment, because it isn’t too loud and it dries down with a woodier aroma. The Azzaro probably has a slight edge.

Edge: Wanted 

Overall Scent

To me, Wanted is a decent, but not amazing fragrance. There’s parts of it, that I like, and others that I really don’t. It’s a fresh scent, with some spice, and when the wood and tonka bean get going…I enjoy it.

The opening is like a worse version of Invictus and can be too sharp. Overall, it’s not a terrible fragrance, but not something that I want to wear often.

Eros, on the other hand, is just a better scent. I always loved how bold it was, right out of the bottle, and the interplay between the mint, lemon, and vanilla notes. Yes, it’s loud, but the sweet creaminess of the blend can be absolutely great on the right day. It also has better performance.

I’m going with Eros, and I don’t know if I’d honestly pick to wear Wanted before Eros, if I had to pick between them.

Winner: Eros

Nautica Voyage vs Nautica Classic Comparison

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In this edition of the head to head fragrance comparisons, I’m going to be taking a look at two cheap options, from the brand Nautica. The two colognes are best sellers still, but which is the top wear: Nautica Classic vs. Voyage? I have worn each and will break them both down by category before declaring a winner. Which smells better? Which lasts longer? Which is the better buy?

Tale of the Tape

Nautica Voyage

Notes include: apple, musk, cedar, lotus, amber, mimosa, and oak moss

Click here to try: Nautica Voyage Eau de Toilette Spray for Men, 3.4 oz

Read my original review: Nautica Voyage Review

Nautica Classic

Notes include: lime, sage, cedar, sandalwood, jasmine, lemon, amber, musk, and more

Click here to try: Nautica Classic for Men by Nautica 3.4 oz 100ml EDT Spray

Opening

Voyage opens up with notes of apple, musk, and mimosa. It’s clean and has an aquatic feeling, but it isn’t oceanic, in its aroma. The crisp apple and mimosa create a watery sort of smell and this is layered with musk and some lotus flower.

Nautica Classic starts off with a clean blend of citrus with a fresh sea-like breeze to it. There is also a prominent jasmine note and some musk, which gives the scent a soapy sort of quality. Underneath this top is a woodsy/spicy blend with notes of sage, tarragon, and cinnamon.

Which is better? Nautica Classic has been reformulated and doesn’t really smell like how I remember it.

Nonetheless, I like how it starts off better than Voyage, which I never particularly enjoyed the first few minutes of. I like the citrus and spice blend and the soapy aroma isn’t too front and center, from the start.

Edge: Nautica

Projection

The sillage on Vyoage is pretty moderate. It is never loud or very bold, yet, it is quite consistent on my skin. It doesn’t just crap out, an hour in. Meanwhile, Classic, starts off about the same but it does weaken pretty darn fast. This is a case, where it was probably better in the past, but doesn’t compete now.

Edge: Voyage

Longevity

What I like about Voyage, is that, you do get a pretty solid performance for a low price. It will last 5-7 hours, on my skin, and never feels all that weak to me. Classic will go for around 3-4 hours of wear. That’s disappointing.

Edge: Voyage

Versatility

These two fragrances pretty much occupy the same space, as to when they should be worn. Both are best in warm weather, but fine for year round wear.

Both are better for casual situations, school, or maybe the office. They aren’t nighttime, club scents, or romantic wears. There’s no real separation between them.

Edge: Push

Overall Scent

It’s difficult to do this comparison now. Nautica Classic isn’t the same as it was in the 1990s, from the actual smell, to the performance. I know that I smelled the old formulation, at the time, but it’s really hard to remember a scent from 25 years ago.

As such, I can only describe what it is now. The smell itself is nice enough. You get an upbeat citrus with aquatic elements up top. Herbal spice and jasmine, with some woodiness in the dry down. It is later pretty fresh and soapy.

The problem is, the scent really doesn’t perform well anymore. Yes, it’s only around $10 a bottle, but it could definitely be better than it is. For those reasons, I cannot give it an edge versus Voyage.

Voyage, still smells better in my opinion, and has the performance to back it up. I’m not a huge fan of how it starts, but I do like the dry down quite a lot. There’s a reason it’s basically the best selling cheap men’s cologne. It wins this match up, but honestly, you can grab a bottle of each for under $25…so it’s not too much of a stretch to just wear both.

Winner: Voyage

Azzaro Wanted vs. Invictus Cologne Comparison

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Two of the more popular fragrances for men over the past few years, have been, the two that we’re going to take a closer look at today. It’s pretty common for these two colonges, to be the final scents that a man will be deciding on buying. However, when it comes down to it between: Azzaro Wanted vs. Invictus by Paco Rabanne, which of these smells the best? Has better performance? Is the better buy?

Tale of the Tape

Invictus

Notes include: grapefruit, sea notes, mandarin orange, bay leaf, jasmine

Read my review

Click here to try: Paco Rabanne Invictus Eau de Toilette Spray for Men, 3.4 Ounce

Azzaro Wanted

Notes include: tonka bean, lemon, cardamom, vetiver, juniper, ginger, geranium, mint, amber wood

Click here to try: Azzaro Wanted Eau De Toilette Spray, 3.4 Ounce

Read my review: Azzaro Wanted

Opening

Invictus opens up with its citrus notes, bay leaf, and ambergris. It is fruity and sweet, with a grape bubble gum sort of aroma, and sea notes giving it an aquatic sensibility. Despite its sweetness, I really do enjoy the top notes here, and its probably my favorite part of the fragrance.

Wanted opens up with lemon, ginger, mint, and woods. It actually smells quite a bit like Invictus, which is why these two, so often get compared. Wanted is similar, but is spicier and woodier, than is Invictus. Then, the tonka bean and cardamom, come in and its becomes more distinct.

Which is better? I prefer Invictus. Wanted does a solid job at mimicking the start of Invictus, but I don’t think it does as good of a job. The lemon alone, can be kind of sharp.

Edge: Invictus

Projection

Invictus has a strong sillage for a decent amount of time, after first application, before it turns into a moderate cologne. Wanted starts off fairly strong, but it never seems to eclipse Invictus. Both are moderate, but Invictus is a bit bolder.

Edge: Invictus

Longevity

Invictus has better strength, for me, and will last about 6-7 hours. However, Wanted will go 7-9 hours, while not having the same sillage. Go figure. It’s actually a very steady fragrance, not a complete monster with its strength, but sticks around well.

Edge: Wanted

Versatility

Both are pretty versatile scents. I’d say, Invictus is better in the heat, and as a nightlife scent. Wanted is more mature and fit in as an office wear better. As a steady daily wear, I’d say that Wanted has a slight edge.

Edge: Wanted

Overall Scent

I’m not a huge fan of either of these fragrances. That being said, I like each, well enough. As it dries down, Wanted has a smooth fruitiness, with tonka bean, apple, and juniper berry coming in. It’s fresh, not super spicy but has a slight bite to it.

However, I still like Invictus more than Azzaro Wanted. The opening act is better than anything that Wanted, throws at me. The dry down of amber, jasmine, and sea notes is pleasing. I feel that Invictus is just a better blend of notes, overall.

There’s parts of Wanted, where I really don’t enjoy the smell much at all. Other parts of the wear, it smells nice, but Invictus just strikes me as the better scent.

Winner: Invictus

Coach Platinum vs. Sauvage EDT

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For this entry in the men’s fragrance, head to head match ups, we have two fragrances that often get compared: Dior Sauvage EDT vs. Coach Platinum. Which of these colognes smells better? Which lasts longer? Which is the better buy? In this post, I am going to break them down by category before declaring a winner. I have already tested and reviewed each, but which perfume for him, is the greater option?

Tale of the Tape: Coach Platinum vs. Sauvage EDT

Sauvage EDT

Notes include: Bergamot, Ambroxan, Sichuan Pepper, lavender, pink pepper, and more

Click here to try: Sauvage by Chrisitan Dior Eau de Toilette Spray for Men, 3.4 Ounce

Read my review: Sauvage EDT Review

Coach Platinum

Notes include: vanilla, sage, sandalwood, pineapple, leather, patchouli, black pepper, geranium, juniper berries

Click here to try: Coach New York Platinum Cologne for Men 3.3 fl.Oz Eau De Parfum Spray

My Review: Coach Platinum

Opening

Sauvage EDT opens up with a sharp bergamot note and spicy Sichuan pepper. This is quickly followed up by ambroxan and the latter emergence of lavender.

Coach Platinum begins with a great pineapple note, juniper, and black pepper. The pineapple top, burns off quickly, and more vanilla and leather come through in its place. After the pineapple moves on, its really about the juniper and spices, in the opening stages.

Which fragrance starts off better? I think I’ll lean toward Coach Platinum. The beginning of Sauvage EDT, has never really been a favorite of mine.

However, I don’t think Platinum is super great, either, just a bit better. The pineapple is gone too quickly and was a highlight of the top notes. Nonetheless, it takes this opening category.

Edge: Platinum

Projection

Sauvage starts off with a bang, before gradually becoming more moderate. It’s sillage is pretty darn strong at first, and overall, isn’t a weak fragrance.

Coach Platinum is decently strong at first, but pretty middle of the road, and its sillage stays in the 3-5 foot range. It never really gets to the level of Sauvage, though.

Edge: Sauvage

Longevity

With Platinum, I have been getting around 6-7 hours of wear. Sauvage has a wider range and one which goes longer. I get 6-9 hours, depending on the climate, on a particular day and what I’m doing. It does have the ability to go all day, in plenty of circumstances, and outdoes its opponent here.

Edge: Sauvage

Versatility

While both of these scents are pretty versatile and can be worn in almost any situation, I think that Sauvage has the edge in two ways. First, it is better in the heat, than is Platinum. Secondly, its stronger sillage, is probably better for nightclub sorts of environments. Though, Platinum is good for night wear, also. Otherwise, these are two quite well-rounded fragrances.

Edge: Sauvage (slightly)

Overall Scent

Coach Platinum is a nice scent. At times, it smells like Sauvage EDP, but more often like Luna Rossa Carbon. If you took that Prada scent, added vanilla and leather, and some different spices; you’d essentially have Coach Platinum.

Albeit, a version that I think, doesn’t smell nearly as good or as balanced. The pineapple note is great, but short-lived. The ultimate dry down of vanilla, leather, and sandalwood also works quite well. The rest of it? Is decent.

Sauvage EDT isn’t my favorite fragrance, but I like wearing more so than Coach Platinum. It has a lot of intensity up top, but the lavender and ambroxan dry down is smoother, and really pleasant. The performance is better than Platinum and already has an established track record of being pleasing.

Sauvage EDT is the winner here. However, could include other options, I’d go with: 1. Sauvage EDP  2. Luna Rossa Carbon. Then, I’d pick Sauvage EDT, and Coach Platinum as number 4.

Winner: Sauvage