Men’s Fashion

Tom Ford Noir Extreme vs. Parfum

by

Noir Extreme has become an absolute classic fragrance from Tom Ford. It’s one of my own personal favorites, that I wear quite a lot of. So, the release of a Parfum version in 2022 was something that I looked forward too and I grabbed a bottle ASAP.

But, how does it stack up to the original? Which Noir Extreme smells better? Lasts longer?

Quick Overview

My Verdict

Tom Ford Noir Extreme is the better fragrance, in my opinion. Noir Extreme Parfum is very good, and it does last longer, but it does not improve enough on the original. Though, I often wear both scents.

The original has the better opening, better projection, and better overall scent. The vanilla, amber, pistachio, kulfi, spice, and floral depth make Noir Extreme the more attractive fragrance.

Category Tom Ford Noir Extreme Tom Ford Noir Extreme Parfum Winner
Opening Floral, spicy, sweet, and gourmand. Neroli, orange blossom, nutmeg, saffron, cardamom, vanilla, and kulfi create a richer opening. Starts with citrus, neroli, ginger, cardamom, and guaiac wood. It is warmer, drier, rougher, and smokier than the original. Noir Extreme
Projection Strong start with a solid scent trail. It projects a little better than the Parfum. Dense and strong at first, but it does not project farther than the original. Noir Extreme
Longevity Lasts around 6.5-8 hours, which is above average but not elite. Can reach up to 9 hours and has the better staying power. Noir Extreme Parfum
Versatility Best for autumn, winter, nights out, semi-formal wear, and some daily use. Slightly more unisex. Also best for autumn, winter, nights out, semi-formal wear, and some daily use. Tie
Overall Scent Sweeter, creamier, more floral, and more gourmand. The vanilla, amber, pistachio, and kulfi accord make it the better scent. Adds leather, smoke, spice, tonka, and a dirtier feel, but does not surpass the original. Noir Extreme

Tale of the Tape: Noir Extreme vs Noir Extreme Parfum

Noir Extreme

Notes include: Cardamom, vanilla, saffron, amber, sandalwood, nutmeg, neroli, orange blossom, kulfi, rose

Click here to try: Tom Ford Noir Extreme Men Eau De Parfum Spray, 3.4 Ounce

My Full Review: Noir Extreme

Noir Extreme Parfum

Notes include: Shimoga ginger, cardamom, amber, tonka bean, guaiac wood, leather

Click here to try: Noir Extreme Parfum at Sephora

My Full Review: Noir Extreme Parfum

noir extreme parfum review

Opening

The opening of Noir Extreme is to my nose, a floral spice blend. Neroli and orange blossom serve as the initial floral notes, with a light citrus juiciness.

But, the spice is a blend of nutmeg, saffron, and cardamom. The trio when paired together give Noir Extreme a very attractive intensity.

Yes, the spice is fairly strong at first, but it quickly moves into something that is much sweeter. Vanilla is the main culprit for that, with the overall Kulfi dessert accord. There is a pistachio note as a part of that and it really comes through with the vanilla about 10-15 minutes into the wear.

This opening act has a fantastic smell. It is a great gourmand aroma, with ambery warmth, and a nice balance of floral notes.

Noir Extreme Parfum starts off with the citrus and neroli notes, like the original. But, the overall floral aroma doesn’t have the same level of strength in the mix.

White florals outside of that opening neroli, aren’t a major factor in Parfum. Though, I get more citrus with this opening than its predecessor. Sparkling with a warm spice with ginger and cardamom.

You also get guaiac wood, which gives this one a rougher, drier, and somewhat smoky aroma versus what you get in Extreme.

Which is better? It’s pretty close to me. There is a lot that I like in Parfum, particularly the citrus notes. But, on the whole I enjoy the sweeter aspects, nutmeg and saffron gives Extreme a different smell than Parfum.

Edge: Noir Extreme

Projection

I came in expecting that the Parfum version would really step up the sillage when compared to the original. But, they’re kind of the same. Actually, the original has better projection than Parfum.

It’s not by much, but that’s been my experience so far.

Each of them has a strong start with a solid scent trail behind it. But, the original gives me a bit more.

Update: Every time I’ve tested this out or worn either of them, I still get the same experience. Noir Extreme Parfum may be denser, but it doesn’t project itself any further than my bottle of Noir Extreme. They may be about equal, but it still seems like Extreme has an edge.

Edge: Noir Extreme

noir extreme review

Longevity

Things actually flip in terms of longevity.

With Noir Extreme, I get between 6.5-8 hours of wear, on my skin. I’ve seen some people complain about poor performance, but it’s always been good in my experience. Not elite, just above average.

With Parfum, I can get up to 9 hours of wear. Again, these two are very close with the performance, but the greater concentration helps Parfum with the longevity.

Edge: Parfum

Versatility

The versatility is about even. You might say that Noir Extreme is the more unisex option, but that’s probably the only real distinction.

Both are built for the autumn and winter months. Not necessarily for a formal occasion, but semi-formal is fine. Nights out. Some daily wear, etc.

Edge: Push

Overall Scent

Overall, which of these fragrances is better?

I like the additions in Noir Extreme Parfum. I like the spice, the smokiness, leather, and dirtier feel that you get with this newer formulation. It’s warmer and has a nice citrus touch in the opening.

Nonetheless, I don’t personally think that it exceeds the original. Noir Extreme is still one of my favorite scents and topping it wasn’t going to be easy.

The sweetness, the amber, and that pistachio and vanilla kulfi aroma are all selling points. It’s a delightful dessert fragrance with a masculine edge.

I even like the greater floral depth with Noir Extreme.

The performance is about even. So, Parfum doesn’t even blow the original away in that department.

You might go with Parfum if you want more of the vanilla/tonka bean blend, leather, and smokiness. It’s a nice scent, that I’ll be using, but it doesn’t do enough to elevate itself past Noir Extreme.

I actually have been using both of these together. 2 sprays of Noir Extreme for every 1 spray of Parfum. Creates a different experience.

Winner: Noir Extreme

Who Should Buy Tom Ford Noir Extreme?

Buy Noir Extreme if you want the sweeter, creamier, and more gourmand fragrance. It is the better choice if you like vanilla, amber, saffron, cardamom, nutmeg, florals, and that kulfi dessert accord. It works best for autumn, winter, nights out, semi-formal settings, and romantic wear.

Who Should Buy Tom Ford Noir Extreme Parfum?

Buy Noir Extreme Parfum if you want a darker, smokier, and slightly more rugged take on the Noir Extreme DNA. It is better if you prefer leather, tonka bean, guaiac wood, ginger, cardamom, and a drier warmth. It also makes sense if longevity is your top priority.

FAQ: Tom Ford Noir Extreme vs Noir Extreme Parfum

Which is better, Tom Ford Noir Extreme or Noir Extreme Parfum?

Tom Ford Noir Extreme is better overall. Noir Extreme Parfum lasts longer, but the original has the better opening, projection, and scent profile. I like the sweeter/spicy blend a bit more than the smokier leather.

Does Noir Extreme Parfum last longer than Noir Extreme?

Yes. Noir Extreme usually lasts around 6.5-8 hours, while Noir Extreme Parfum can reach up to 9 hours.

Does Noir Extreme project better than Noir Extreme Parfum?

Yes, slightly. Both start strong, but Noir Extreme gives a better scent trail and projects a little more than the Parfum.

Is Noir Extreme sweeter than Noir Extreme Parfum?

Yes. Noir Extreme is sweeter, creamier, and more gourmand, with vanilla, amber, pistachio, and kulfi standing out.

Is Noir Extreme Parfum darker than Noir Extreme?

Yes. Noir Extreme Parfum is darker, drier, smokier, and more rugged due to the leather, guaiac wood, tonka, ginger, and cardamom.

Which one is better for dates?

Noir Extreme is the better date fragrance. It is sweeter, smoother, creamier, and more seductive overall.

Which one is better for winter?

Both are great for winter. Noir Extreme is better if you want creamy sweetness, while Noir Extreme Parfum is better if you want more smoke, leather, and darker warmth.

Which one is more versatile?

Versatility is about even. Both are best for autumn, winter, nights out, semi-formal wear, and cooler weather.

Is Noir Extreme Parfum worth buying if I own Noir Extreme?

It can be worth buying if you want a smokier, leathery variation with better longevity. But it does not replace the original.

Should I buy Noir Extreme or Noir Extreme Parfum?

Buy Noir Extreme if you want the best scent overall. Buy Noir Extreme Parfum if you prefer darker, smokier fragrances or care most about longevity.

7 Best Smelling Cartier Colognes for Men

by

Cartier is a world famous jeweler. However, it is also a very good fragrance designer for both men and women. For this list, I have selected seven of those colognes for guys, and what I consider to be the best of the bunch.

The brand doesn’t seem to have too many new releases in comparison to most of the other major designers out there. Jewelry is their main focus still.

They do have a wide variety of choices, though, some of which have gotten discontinued and more difficult to find over the years.  As always, each scent is linked to its page on Amazon for both ease of purchase and further information.

What Are the Top Cartier Perfumes for Him?

Citrus Clean 

Eau De Cartier By Cartier For Men and Women, Eau De Toilette Spray, 6.75-Ounce Bottle
This is a unisex fragrance, so it won’t be a good choice for guys who want something wholly masculine. However, this is a good and light choice for those who like a citrus based fragrance that settles down into something more earthy.

Eau de Cartier opens up with it lemon and bergamot, that is joined by the fresh spiciness of coriander.  From there, you get lavender and violet, giving it the floral edge. Cedar sits at the base for a touch of woody freshness. Clean and one that is extremely easy to wear.

eaucartier

Honey Woods 

L’Envol de Cartier Eau de Toilette Spray, 2.7 oz.– I’m adding this one to the list because it is great. Pretty unique and simple in its presentation, L’Envol, features top notes of ambrosia and citrus.

Beyond that, the thick warmth of honey comes through to balance out the initial citrus aroma. It’s a sweet fragrance with a powdery finish and base notes of Gaiac wood and musk. Actually isn’t as heavy of a scent as you might think and can indeed venture outside of the winter months.

Not too complex, but one that might have a limited audience, as it is a floral and sweet cologne…while still being entirely masculine.

Most Popular Cartier Fragrance

Declaration By Cartier For Men. Eau De Toilette Spray 100 ml
This is one is much more manly. It has a spicy scent to it yet also woodsy notes and some bitter orange.

That note is similar to Terre D’Hermes (which I dislike) but this one is done much better in my opinion, as the orange and presentation isn’t overwhelming and off putting.

Declaration is deep and spicy, right from the jump, and there is dry smokiness provided by birch. Cardamom, caraway, and pepper are all here, which can be off-putting for some.

However, there is still the softer side with floral notes, including neroli. An interesting fragrance and definitely an original from decades past.

declaration

Warm, Woody, and Spicy

Cartier Pasha De Cartier Eau de Toilette Spray for Men, 3.3 Fluid Ounce
Masculine, fresh, a bit sweet, and a crispy spice. Pasha De Cartier is a great fragrance that projects well and lasts long, especially in the colder months.

Oakmoss and mint, give it a dry freshness, and then the same caraway note is here as it was in Declaration.

The scent warms up, while retaining its green outdoorsy depth, and the coolness of the mint. When you hit the base notes, Pasha becomes quite woody, and laden with lavender. Nice development.  Notes include: mint, citrus, amber, caraway.

pasha

A New Declaration

Declaration EDP– It’s definitely a flanker of the original, with plenty of overlap, but this one ramps up the spice, particularly early on.

Cinnamon is massive in the opening act, which is nice for me, as I love that note. You also still get ginger and a cardamom note. Cardamom will become more heavy in the mix, once the other two have burned off.

So, yes, this is a warm and spicy sort of cologne. Yet, you will still get enough freshness in the blend to keep it light. The black tea note here is nice, the aroma feels somewhat smoky, but it’s a clean spicy blend that enhances aspects of the original Declaration.

Less woodsy and floral in comparison, while still retaining its similarities.

Top Springtime Pick

Roadster by Cartier for Men. Eau De Toilette Spray 3.3-Ounces
A fragrance which features notes of vetiver, mint, bergamot, vanilla, and patchouli. Roadster is a very ‘green’ type of fragrance, with mint as its main note.

It’s got a smooth lightness from the vanilla note and the vetiver gives it a masculine quality. Rather unique overall, but simple.

The opening is the mint with a spritz of the bergamot citrus and vanilla sweetness hanging in the background. As it develops further, the patchouli breaks through, giving Roadster more of an outdoorsy quality.

Finally, you get the vetiver note, which brings things all together and Roadster has an almost gourmand edible quality.

Patchouli is often used to give fragrances a candy-like or baked goods smell. Here when paired with the vanilla, vetiver, and mint; you do get a somewhat chocolatey vibe during some of the wear. The performance on Roadster is solid, but it isn’t a projection beast, by any means.

roadster

Best Cartier for Winter

Cartier Santos De Eau de Toilette Spray for Men, 3.3 Ounce
Throwback to the 1980s. On the opposite end of the spectrum from Eau De Cartier, Santos, won’t be mistaken for a unisex fragrance at all. Spicy and woodsy with notes of amber, pepper, and sandalwood.

Santos starts off with a bit of a different tone, than what it’ll eventually settle down into. There is citrus at the top paired with juniper, along with prominent basil, and lavender. It’s got a upbeat and bright freshness to it, that invigorates.

As it dries down, there is a smoky woody aroma, led by sandalwood and the pepper/basil combo. The spice here is prevalent, but not annoyingly in your face, because it gets subdued by the trio of sandalwood/lavender/amber.

Since this is an older cologne, all of the bottles out there won’t smell the same. Reformulations happen, so the exact composition, may be slightly different depending on what bottle you get.

santos

This is my current list of the top Cartier scents for guys. I will periodically come back and update the page, as newer fragrances are released, that I feel are deserving of a spot. As of now, this should get you started, since there are colognes which will suit almost anyone’s personal style.

Ranking the Best Spicebomb Fragrances

by

Spicebomb is the signature men’s line from Viktor & Rolf, the counterpart to the vast array of Flowerbomb releases on the women’s side of things. Since the release of Spicebomb EDT, the designer has steadily released different flankers to capitalize on that initial popularity.

But, now that we have so many options to choose from by V&R, which are the best? I am  going to use this page to keep a running tab on my favorites by ranking and to link my full reviews, as I release them.

Ranking My Favorite Spicebomb Colognes

Note: I’ll update the list once I’ve gotten to try out the new Metallic Musk flanker release.

The Top Spot

Spicebomb Extreme– This one is still the best Spicebomb in terms of how it smells. However, it might not be the best pick for everyone.

Extreme is very much a colder weather sort of fragrance and it can really be a massive tobacco and vanilla scent at times. So, if that’s not your thing you might want to go for something like Night Vision instead.

Extreme opens with that heavy tobacco, sweet vanilla, some lavender, and a touch of spice. Again, it’s not overly spicy, in comparison. Instead it’s smooth, warm, and sweet.

This fragrance is mainly about the tobacco note, more than any spices, which seem to just play backup. Tobacco, vanilla, spices, and saffron/lavender. Has this sweetish, somewhat gourmand quality.

Spicebomb Extreme has great performance and is well worth checking out. Spicebomb Extreme review

Original Appeal

Spicebomb EDT– Currently, the original is basically neck and neck to me with Night Vision EDP. I could easily swap these two on the list.

Spicebomb opens with that spice going strong already and a pretty noticeable mix of grapefruit and bergamot.

Beyond that, pink pepper comes through with the cinnamon blend in a pretty even split at first. Feels like a 60/40 split to me, but cinnamon will increasingly take over.

As it develops, that sharp spice blast settles down and gets smoothed out by the heart notes emerging. I get plenty of saffron and vetiver, which gives Spicebomb more maturity compared to that youthfully energetic opening.

Leather slips in very lightly during the middle, adding to the smoothness and character of this cologne.

The performance isn’t quite as good as it used to be, but still a useful scent to have in the rotation. Spicebomb review

Cool Vision

Spicebomb Night Vision EDP– Night Vision EDP is one that I liked wearing a lot, but it was never a complete love. Far and away better than the EDT version, though. Just a better balance and mix.

Nightvision EDP kicks off woodier and with cooler spiciness than the original or others in this line. I get some lemon essence and red pepper up top that gives it familiarity to the EDT, though this one isn’t as sweet to my nose.

The spices here seem to be a black and red pepper blend. But the clary sage note is what really jumps out to me after the opening starts to fade. It’s fresh and cool but also gets smoothed out by the woody base notes.

The wood is fir, but this is fir balsam, giving it that benzoin-like smell.

From here, it’s pretty straightforward. The spiciness fades and it becomes more about aromatic freshness, which lets some of the sweetness peek back through. Night Vision EDP review

The performance is pretty good, not great. The scent is good, not great. But, it gives you a cooler sort of fresh spice versus the more in your face spiciness of the original. Night Vision eau de parfum review

A Sweeter Spice

Spicebomb Infrared EDT– I bought a bottle of Infrared when it came out. I wear it on occasion, but not that often anymore. The red berry and tobacco mix with cinnamon is really bold and can be quite sweet.

I don’t think the eau de parfum really improved anything over this initial Infrared release. They’re about the same in terms of how much I enjoy them or if I want a leather note (the EDP).

Apparently this one has been discontinued. So, if you want to try Infrared EDT, you’ll probably have to find it online before the remaining stocks gets too expensive. Infrared EDT review

Second Infrared

Spicebomb Infrared EDP– Again, not really any better than the EDT, in my opinion. Some may prefer this, but to me they’re about the same in terms of my enjoyment wearing each of these.

This is a bit fresher and feels smoother in the dry down with its leather note. The leather is blended well and isn’t completely taking over the composition. It’s good, but I don’t need a bottle, since I already have EDT.

In the grand scheme of things, it’s near the bottom of the list for me, while still being a pretty good cologne overall.

More Leather

Spicebomb Dark Leather– Well, if you like leather but don’t want to go with the Infrared option, Viktor & Rolf came out with Spicebomb Dark Leather.

I’ve only tried this once, so, I don’t have a complete review on it. But, for now, this is where I’m putting this Spicebomb on the list. I like it, but wasn’t something that really grabbed my attention.

I remember it having a peppery start, with more of a softer cinnamon accompanying the leather and tobacco notes. Still, this one is more leather heavy than Infrared EDP, some nice spice mixture.  Yet, it didn’t seem all that powerful in terms of performance.

Another Night

Spicebomb Night Vision EDT– Night Vision EDT is my least favorite. The eau de parfum is much better, if you want this same sort of style, and every other cologne on the list is better if you don’t.

With this one, I tend to really notice the sage and geranium notes. For whatever reason, those two are really heightened on my skin.

The opening is some light grapefruit, spice, and tonka bean along with the aforementioned notes. The scent has some high points, but is fairly forgettable overall. Also, the performance isn’t great, I only get around 5 hours of wear from Night Vision EDT.

Le Male Elixir Absolu Vs SWY Intensely

by

Le Male Elixir Absolu follows on the heels of the very popular Elixir, as a part of the best-selling Le Male series from Jean Paul Gaultier. It’s entry as a bold and somewhat sweet cologne, is naturally going to draw plenty of comparisons with the other usual cold weather choices.

Stronger with You Intensely by Emporio Armani, is one of those usual choices. But, which of these men’s fragrances is actually better? Which lasts longer

Tale of the Tape: SWY Intensely vs. Elixir Absolu

Stronger With You Intensely

Notes include: pink pepper, cinnamon, toffee, lavender, sage, suede, amber, violet, vetiver

Click here to try: Intensely

My Full Review: Stronger with You Intensely

Le Male Elixir Absolu

Notes include: lavender, tonka bean, plum

Click here to try: Le Male Elixir Absolu

Read my review: Elixir Absolu

Opening

Stronger With You Intensely opens with spice as well, though it’s warmer here and doesn’t linger as long as in the original. Pink pepper really takes the spotlight, with cinnamon and sage rounding out the blend.

I notice the sweetness in Intensely shows up earlier. That toffee accord mixing with cinnamon and caramel really gives Intensely a more energetic personality.

Elixir Absolu opens differently yet familiarly compared to the original JPG Le Male Elixir. It drops the cooling mint note. Instead, you get plenty of lavender with some warmer spice and the new addition of sweet plum.

The plum actually isn’t too heavy at the start for me. It’s much less tart and sweeter than I expected it would be.

I’m not sure what the spice is here. It kind of smells like cumin mixed with a touch of cinnamon. The plum can carry a bit of spicy character too, but I’m personally getting cumin.

Lavender is the main focus with Le Male Elixir Absolu. What’s interesting is I get the sense of iris floating around in this mix. Haven’t seen anything from Gaultier mentioning this though.

Which is better? 

The opening for sure goes to the Stronger with You. While I like Absolu overall as a fragrance, the opening act is kind of messy and probably its worst part.

Edge: Intensely

Projection

This is a pretty close call. Both of these fragrances are quite powerful, have a large projection and a heavier dense feeling at times while wearing them.

I might give the edge to Elixir Absolu, as I think that it might have a slightly farther reach with how it projects. But, they’re about the same in my experience.

Edge: Push

Longevity

I get 11-12 hours with SWY Intensely. It’s a really great performer for a designer fragrance.

Does Absolu go beyond that? No, but it gets somewhat close, at least closer than many other colognes would. With the Gaultier, I get 9-10.5 hours of total wear from it. Still really good, just doesn’t hit the same level.

So, the Armani has the definite edge in longevity, with about equal projecting power.

Edge: Intensely

Versatility

Both of these fragrances are best worn autumn through early to mid-spring. Elixir Absolu isn’t as thick or cloying as the original Elixir can be, but it’s not exactly light either.

Within that, though, I think that SWY Intensely is the better option for date night or some other nightlife event versus Absolu. Neither is a formal sort of fragrance, but I think that the Armani can fit in better on a day to day basis.

Not a massive difference, but Intensely has the edge.

Edge: Intensely

Overall Scent

Overall, which of these two fragrance do I prefer?

Le Male Elixir Absolu has quickly become one of my favorites from JPG. The opening act is a bit rough, but the dry down is quite good and something that I have enjoyed wearing.

I started wearing it almost exclusively versus the original Le Male Elixir. It’s smooth, sweet, and the lavender with a touch of plum is great. The performance is also great.

However, in comparison to Stronger with You Intensely, I don’t the Absolu is as good. The Armani is more versatile, is more consistent, has a bit better performance, and I think smells slightly more appealing than the Gaultier cologne.

Intensely is the best from the SWY series, in my opinion, and is also going to be the better choice for most men here.

Winner: Stronger with You Intensely

Pacific Chill vs City of Stars

by

City of Stars and Pacific Chill have ended up being two of the more popular Louis Vuitton fragrances since their releases a few years back or longer. That being the case, they can often be the final choices that people have to make a decision on, in terms of which they should buy.

I have reviewed and tested each of these perfumes and in this post, I will compare and contrast each, and share which one of them I prefer.

Tale of the tape: City of Stars vs Pacific Chill

City of Stars

Notes include: red mandarin, bergamot, lemon, lime, blood orange, musk, tiare flower, sandalwood

My full review: City of Stars

Pacific Chill

Notes include: blackcurrant, lemon, orange, ambrette, cedar, coriander, basil, carrot seeds, peppermint

Read my review: Pacific Chill by Louis Vuitton

Opening

Pacific Chill opens cold, sharp, and intensely fresh. Citrus leads the charge, but there’s also a strong greenish quality running through it.

Peppermint, coriander, and basil shake things up, making for a really distinctive first impression.

On my skin, peppermint takes control among those three, with the others playing more of a support role. This shifts as time goes on and the  basil starts pushing forward and eventually takes over from the mint.

Blackcurrant brings out the sweet and tart side that Chill projects and stays pretty strong for a decent stretch. But both the mint and blackcurrant eventually begin to fade

Pacific Chill transforms into something more citrus and basil-driven. On me, orange and citron come through clearly, joined by this apricot-like smell that develops.

The opening of City of Stars is obviously going to be citrus-heavy just from the listed notes. Lime really jumps out as the main focus. You can pick up some blood orange and bergamot too, but it mostly reads as a blended citrus mix for most of the wear.

The citrus here doesn’t completely take over like it does in Afternoon Swim, for example. Instead, the tiare accord and musk claim their own strong territory right from the start.

Louis Vuitton calls this a nighttime fragrance, but it honestly feels quite beachy. I guess night could work too. The citrus and tiare give it this tropical vibe that seems more sunny and daytime to me.

One thing you’ll notice during the wear is this ongoing balance between powdery and creamy qualities. The musk, tiare, and sandalwood keep trading off to create that effect.

Which do I prefer? I like what’s going on early with Pacific. It’s cool and fresh, which plays well off of the fruits.

But, I think Stars has the better opening between these two Louis Vuitton fragrances.

Edge: City of Stars

Projection

City of Stars has pretty moderate sillage. It does hang in the air and creates a nice scent trail behind you for about the first hour.

The projection probably peaks around seven feet. After that, it settles into a 3-4 foot range for most of the wear. It’s a personal bubble of fragrance for you to enjoy.

I think that Chill is slightly more substantial and has a further reach than does City of Stars. At least, initially. Pacific Chill is stronger out of the gate then it compatriot.

It doesn’t blow out City of Stars, but it has an advantage.

Edge: Pacific Chill

Longevity

With City of Stars I get in the 6-7.5 hour range. It’s capable of hitting that upper band, but doesn’t always do so. It’s pretty mid with how long it lasts.

Pacific Chill I also get around 7.5 hours, but it seems to be more consistent with that outcome versus City of Stars. I didn’t notice this LV fragrance quitting very much before that and it might be more capable of going into the 8-ish hour range.

Not a huge difference, neither is spectacular, but I think Chill takes this category.

Edge: Pacific Chill

Versatility

Seasonally, both of these are in spring and summer territory. Definitely warm weather fragrances, that aren’t overly serious.

Pacific Chill is unisex, but leans more feminine. It doesn’t go completely into that zone, but those fruity shampoo qualities certainly push it that direction.

It also feels much more youthful than the other LV summer fragrances. Not particularly mature.

This one’s more for daytime casual wear anyway. Not something you’d reach for during nightlife or even formal summer occasions. So even if it reads somewhat immature, it shouldn’t be much of an issue.

City of light is also unisex territory, leaning feminine. Tiare usually shows up in women’s perfumes, so, it does lean that way.

Again, I’m not sure why this gets marketed as nighttime wear. Maybe for warm summer evenings out, but this really reads as casual to semi-formal daytime territory.

It’s pretty and appealing. Not super seductive or attention-grabbing. More about clean powder and musky cream.

I might give a slight edge to Pacific Chill for its shampoo-like clean in the dry down. But, there’s not too much of a difference here.

Edge: Push

Overall Scent

Overall, which of these two LV fragrances do I prefer?

I was excited to try Pacific Chill back when it came out. I was looking forward to the perfume based on the notes and came away somewhat underwhelmed. I like the fragrance well enough, but I am somewhat puzzled as to why it became so popular.

I guess I’m more in the minority who just thinks that its fine. The early stages are interesting, but it’s nothing special in the back half.

I’m going with City of Stars versus what I get with Pacific Chill. Since the performances are basically the same, it comes down to how each smells and City is just better to me.

The mix of the citrus and the tiare flower is fantastic. I really enjoyed wearing this one while I made my way through the sample.

That’s my pick. They’re extremely close in every other way, but the scent itself really separates them, in my opinion.

Now, if you don’t want something that has that creaminess or that more traditional beachy sort of aroma, you should probably go with Chill versus City of Stars.

Winner: City of Stars