Men’s Fashion

Uden Overdose by Xerjoff

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Uden Overdose is the flanker to the rather popular Uden from Xerjoff’s Shooting Stars line of fragrances. This one was released in 2018. I finally got a sample of Overdose, after multiple attempts at ordering and being shipped the wrong thing. So, I really am glad to get to test it out.

How does Uden Overdose smell? How long does it last? Is it actually worth the price of entry?

What does Uden Overdose smell like?

Notes include: lemon, bergamot, ginger, tobacco blossom, coffee, amber, musk

Click here to try: Uden Overdose by Xerjoff

My Full Review

I am a pretty big fan of the original Uden, I bought a full bottle of it a few years ago. So, I was interested in what the Overdose version was like.

This one starts off with the same lemon note as the first, but, it is clear early on that this isn’t the same fragrance at all. It is blended with a slightly sour bergamot and the spice of ginger. It actually is a pretty big ginger kick, featured in this perfume.

What I do notice is the dryness of the tobacco blossom note. Not quite a grass or a vetiver note, but similar to some varieties of those ingredients. Smooth, but not a rich cured tobacco aroma.

I do actually understand the comparisons with Versace Dreamer. Not exact, as that is much more floral than this, but a similar vibe.

The ginger will tone down, as will the citrus. However, the citrus will stick around for the duration.

There actually is a slightly detectable coffee note at this point, but it is completely overshadowed and not nearly as strong as in Uden.

What I was expecting when I heard the name Overdose, was for the coffee to be ramped up and citrus toned down. Maybe a darker formula, but no, they went in another direction.

What is here is a citrusy tobacco blossom with a blend of amber and musk coming from the base. The amber is probably 60/40 with the musk, to my nose. This is basically what the scent is for the rest of the way.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

This isn’t a particularly heavy scent, you won’t get bogged down with it. However, it does have some above average reach with how it projects. Again, nothing that’s too strong, but with a normal amount of sprays it’s very noticeable in your wake for the first few hours at least.

Then, it’s much more moderate in the 3-4 foot range from where you sprayed, until it backs in before disappearing.

For me, this Xerjoff seems to hit exactly 8 hours each time. Doesn’t appear to go any further than that, but it’s good enough for most occasions. Maybe you might want something a bit longer lasting at the price point.

Seasonally, it’s mostly going to grab attention in the spring and summer months. Though, I don’t think that it’s stuck there. I might avoid the depths of winter, but more mild days and also in autumn is just fine.

It’s a well put together scent that can work as a daily wear, even if Overdose isn’t particularly formal. I do like it going about town and more casually in the daytime, versus being something I’d reach for in the evenings.

Overall Impressions of Uden Overdose

Overall, do I like Uden Overdose? I do like it. Though, I don’t think that it is anything special, especially at the Xerjoff price point. Also, even if it has a lighter and fresher blend, I don’t think it’s better than Uden. I’m glad that I bought the original instead.

It’s a good perfume. I like the ginger. The tobacco blossom is also interesting. The performance is good enough and it’s a very wearable scent.

There’s nothing particularly bad about this fragrance. Everything is fine to quite good, but that’s a problem for me, if I’m going to be buying a Xerjoff scent.

This is one that I would test out before buying, if you’re considering it. Make sure that it’s one you’re going to want to stick with for the long haul. Most people, can skip Uden Overdose, as it’s too much money for something of this sort.

Guilty Elixir de Parfum Pour Homme by Gucci

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Guilty Elixir Pour Homme was released by the brand in 2023. I picked up samples of it late last year to test it out and see if it lived up to its early hype. It sort of took the line in a new direction versus what you get with others in the series.

How does Elixir smell? Does it last long? Is it actually worth a try?

What does Guilty Elixir Pour Homme Smell Like?

Notes include: vanilla, orange blossom, nutmeg, ambrofix, pimento seeds, orris butter, benzoin, patchouli, osmanthus

Click here to try: Guilty Elixir

My Full Review

The opening of this Guilty fragrance is spicy, warm, balsamic, with the iris and vanilla notes already making themselves known. Interestingly, on my skin at least, the benzoin note really comes up from the base at this stage.

I’m actually reminded a bit of Body Kouros by YSL in the undertones of Elixir, at this early stage.

The spices here are nutmeg, and for me, the more prominent pimento. Same sort of spice found in K by D&G and Xeryus Rouge.

After this initial burst, it does become more floral. I was expecting to get more of the orange blossom note before the iris came fully into play.

Actually, the osmanthus comes through more for me. It’s much less of the fruity smelling type, actually it gives a suede/leather scent to Guilty Elixir.

The spice tones down, this Gucci cologne is fully in its floral, powdery, vanilla phase. Less warm, smooth, fresh, with a touch of fuzziness. Here’s where I do pick up some more of the orange blossom, since the nutmeg and pimento have toned down.

Guilty Elixir isn’t fully a ‘baby powder’ type of fragrance. Orris butter, vanilla, and orange blossom do lend a creaminess here and this cologne does have more of a sweetness to it for a good portion of the wear.

The dry down is pretty simple. Orris, vanilla, the ‘Ambrofix’ amber note, some leftover benzoin and patchouli. Mainly, it’s the vanilla and ambrofix.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

This isn’t a heavy fragrance, it’s substantial, while having a definite light feeling to it. Guilty Elixir, does however, project quite far and creates a great scent bubble around you.

Not a massive reach, but well above average with just how far it will jump off of the skin. With a normal amount of spraying, I don’t think this Gucci disappoints.

Elixir performs well in terms of its longevity. I get somewhere in the 8-9.5 hour range, each time that I’ve sprayed in on.

It might be capable of more than that for some people, but it’s not elite status. Still better than others in the series, though.

Seasonally, I’d say this one can go autumn to pretty deep into springtime (depending on where you live). It’s not a scent for the hot weather, but Elixir can hold up on a reasonably warm day. Though, I’d mostly wear it when it’s chilly to moderate outside.

It’s very versatile outside of that. Not really a nightclub beast or necessarily one for romantic wear and not completely formal. But, as a daily wear and just about any other situation Guilty Elixir Pour Homme can fit in.

Overall Impressions of Guilty Elixir

Overall, do I like it? Sure, it’s different from the rest of the Guilty Pour Homme series, but it also doesn’t strike me as incredible. Likeable, for me. Other people might love this, especially if you are a fan of scents like Reflection.

I came back to this one after having the sample for a few months and forgetting about it. I’m a bit more positive on it than the first time, but I still don’t think it’s incredible. The opening act is my favorite part and the rest of it isn’t too exciting to my nose.

There’s no inherent weaknesses with Elixir. Performance is good across the board, its pleasant, and one that you can get plenty of use out of.

Since this is a higher price point than others in the Guilty series, I would try to test it out, to see if this one actually appeals to you.

The softer floral, powdery, vanilla scent isn’t going to be for everyone. This one is actually pretty unisex and if you want something more masculine, look elsewhere.

Dior Homme Intense (2011) by Christian Dior

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Seeing as I just reviewed Dior Homme, I of course had to do one for its flanker fragrance, Dior Homme Intense. Don’t worry, I’ll do a comparison post of these two in the near future. Until then, I want to focus singularly on Intense as a stand alone scent.

How does it smell? How does it perform? When should it be worn? Is it worth a buy? Update: I am revising and updating this post, as I’ve gotten more experience with it, and the original Dior Homme.

What does Dior Homme Intense Smell Like?

Notes include: pear, iris, vetiver, ambrette, lavender, cedar

Click here to try: Christian Dior Dior Men Intense Eau de Parfum Spray, 3.4 Ounce

My Full Review

The opening of Dior Homme Intense hits with a blast of lavender, cedar, and vetiver. It’s a smooth woody affair that pairs with the ambrette to create a warm woods feeling. The iris emerges for me, after about a minute of wear and gives off that familiar powdery floral aroma.

The lavender is in many ways the leader, but what I guess is the ambrette, gives this fragrance its warmth and adds to the cacao sort of aroma. Cedar and vetiver solidify the base. The latter two notes, will have a greater impact later on, but I can detect them from the start.

Honestly, I think that my favorite part is the opening 10-15 minutes with this fragrance. It’s just so layered and wonderful. To me, the opening beats out Dior Homme. That’s saying something, considering Dior Homme has become a staple in my rotation.

I’ve noted in subsequent comparisons between the two, that I enjoy Dior Homme more, overall. That being said, I will combine this two, and it’s essentially a 1A vs 1B scenario.

One of the main differences with Intense, is the lack of the leather note, when compared to the original. This is woodier, with a sweeter warmth.

The iris is still dominant, later on, but tempered when compared with Dior Homme. The lavender here, plays a pretty big role in how the iris gets to develop.

As it settles down, it draws more toward the powdery end of things, and there is definitely the cacao note that is found in the original Dior Homme lurking in this mixture.

It actually dries down into a rich, chocolate (somewhat vanilla) powder, gourmand and that’s how Intense separates itself from Dior Homme.

I get a fresh and semi-sweet fragrance, once it’s fully developed. This is all sitting on a dry base of cedar and vetiver. Powdery, clean, classy, and surprisingly seductive.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

The projection on Dior Homme Intense is quite good. It’s not nearly as loud as something like 1 Million but it definitely earns the intense moniker.

The longevity is excellent. Dior Homme Intense is an all day wear and then some. That’s one thing, that I really appreciate about this cologne.

On my skin, I can hit that 9-11 hour range of solid wear. Yes, towards the end of that set, it is much more of a skin scent. However, the performance is very good overall.

For wear, it’s a late fall and winter wear in my book. It has a really warm, sweet gourmand fragrance and just sits perfectly in the colder air.

I stay away from the two Dior Homme’s in summertime. Maybe, if I’m going to be indoors, during the evening. But, it has to be air conditioned, and low humidity.

In terms of versatility, it is another classy and dressed up kind of scent. Hell, I’ll wear it with t-shirt and jeans, but it exudes sophistication and is best represented when dressed to the nines.

I like Dior Homme Intense best for evening wear and romantic wear. It does a great job at filling that role.

It is a masculine fragrance, but not in a rough, or overbearing sort of way. This is a man who is well put together, not weak, but not boorish either.

I have gotten plenty of complements, wearing Dior Homme Intense. Several drivers, when I’ve headed out to the bars, have commented on how much they like it. Also, women, once I arrive in whatever nightlife venue respond really positively toward this scent.

Now, I do wear Dior Homme, over this usually. But, I do often combine the two, for greater effect. Maybe two sprays of Dior Homme for one spray of Intense. It brings out enough strength, blends well, while giving you some highlights of each of the colognes.

Overall Impression of Dior Homme Intense

Overall, would I recommend Dior Homme Intense? Yes, indeed I would. I enjoy wearing it and like it’s different take on the original Dior Homme.

You can totally have both of them, as they are different enough, to create their own experiences and have a slightly different personality, so to speak.

I absolutely love the opening act of this fragrance. It’s about as perfect, as I can imagine a scent to be, or that I have come across in all the hundreds of tests that I’ve done. It’s fantastic.

The performance overall is outstanding and there’s no overwhelming negative, that I can tell from, all of my time spent with this cologne. Dior Intense has achieved classic status, in my book.

Update: Intense is now the remaining Dior Homme with this formulation (outside of the scarce Dior Homme Parfum). The brand revamped the Dior Homme lineup, producing: Dior Homme 2020 review and the Sport variant. As such, DHI would be my number one pick from this line.

Acqua di Gio vs Polo Blue EDT Cologne Comparison

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I am back with another entry into the head to head men’s fragrance match ups, here on the site. Today’s battle is between two aquatic type of colognes, that are both very popular best sellers, Acqua di Gio vs. Polo Blue EDT.

Which of these scents smells the best, the Giorgio Armani or the Ralph Lauren? Ultimately, which gives the best performance, and is worth a buy?

Tale of the Tape

Polo Blue

Notes include: amber, melon, patchouli, geranium, cucumber, tangerine, moss, musk

Click here to try: Polo Blue by Ralph Lauren for Men, Eau De Toilette Natural Spray, 4.2 Ounce

Read my original review: Polo Blue Review

Acqua di Gio

Notes include: bergamot, tangerine, neroli, jasmine, rosemary, patchouli, rock rose, hyacinth, persimmon, marine notes

Click here to try: Acqua Di Gio By Giorgio Armani For Men. Eau De Toilette Spray 3.4 Ounces

Read my review: Acqua di Gio 

Opening

Polo Blue opens with a chilled blend of melon and cucumber. It is quite crisp and joined by amber and tangerine. It’s a pleasant enough smell, but doesn’t really knock it out of the park.

Meanwhile, Acqua di Gio, starts with bergamot and a similar tangerine note to Polo Blue’s. It is a very nice citrus with a sea breeze accord and a bit of a floral aroma with jasmine.

The sea breeze and citrus is really quite nice to start things off with Acqua di Gio. I did enjoy, my last go round testing it out, the emergence of the jasmine note and how that plays off of the citrus.

Which is better? I like AdG more than Polo Blue, I enjoy the citrus notes and it has more of an aquatic feel than does Polo Blue. I just think it smells better overall.

Edge: AdG

Projection

Polo Blue is a very solid moderate with its sillage. Not huge or beasty, but it performs well throughout. Acqua di Gio is also a moderate projecting fragrance.

It was probably stronger when it was initially released. But nowadays, these two are seemingly on par with one another. Neither of them were ever massive with the sillage level.

If you want more intensity, you’ll have to go with one of the other flanker scents in these lines. Between them? You can pick either for the same result.

Edge: Push

Longevity

Acqua di Gio gets 6-7 hours of wear on my skin, as of the last batch I tried. Update: it can actually be 5-6 hours, now, for me.

Polo Blue does a bit better, with 7-8 hours of wear. It has always been consistent for me, at this level. I’m not sure if its lessened at all the past few years.

However, even if it isn’t a loud beast, Polo Blue EDT was always a decent performer.

Edge: Polo Blue

Versatility

Mostly, these two colognes shine in the spring and summertime. However, they both have the capability to be worn year round.

Beyond that, each is safe for both school and work. Also, they are attractive enough to be worn on dates.

Polo Blue and Acqua di Gio, seem to have been best sellers for long periods of time, because they both are so very versatile. Again, no real separation here.

Edge: Push

Overall Scent

I like Polo Blue EDT. It has a nice crisp and cool aroma from the tangerine and melon. The amber note is lovely and the aquatic bits, share a bit of overlap with Acqua di Gio.

That cucumber and melon do produce an interesting watery and crisp effect. I rather like it, even if it’s not amazing.

It’s a solid cologne, overall. I’m just not a huge fan of it and was never all that into it when I had it on. It does have its charm, but just doesn’t reach the same level of likeability.

Acqua di Gio, is the better smelling cologne in my opinion. To this day it still sells, it is still one of the classic aquatic fragrances on the market, and for good reason.

It’s probably a notch below, where it once was, but it still stands above Polo Blue EDT based on the scent. Polo Blue does have a bit better performance, but they are close to equal.

Honestly, I would go with Acqua di Gio Profumo first, before either of these two. I also enjoy Polo Blue EDP, more so than the EDT version.

Winner: AdG

Ultra Male vs Paco Rabanne 1 Million Comparison

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There are a lot of popular men’s fragrances out there, which get heavy use in the night life scene. Two of the more well known colognes are Ultra Male by Jean Paul Gaultier and 1 Million by Paco Rabanne.

1 Million EDT has been going strong for nearly two decades, as a best-seller. Meanwhile, Ultra Male once looked as if it was going to be on the chopping block, but then got a new lease on life with its growing popularity.

The question is, which of these scents is the better option? In this post, I’m going to do a full head to head breakdown and declare a winner, in this contest.

Tale of the Tape

Ultra Male

Notes include: vanilla, pear, amber, woods, cinnamon, cumin, sage, lavender, mint

Click here to try: Jean Paul Gaultier Ultra Male for Men Intense Spray, Eau de Toilette, 4.2 Ounce

Read my original Review: Ultra Male

1 Million

Notes include: grapefruit, blood orange, rose, mint, cinnamon, amber, leather, patchouli, and more

Click here to try: Paco Rabanne 1 Million Eau de Toilette Spray for Men, 3.4 Fluid Ounce

Read my original review: 1 Million Cologne Review

Opening

Ultra Male opens up with a sweet candy-like intensity, with pear, mint, vanilla, and cinnamon. It also has a nice spice in addition to all of that is both bold and at the same time, smooth. Unlike the original Le Male, it lacks that powdery aroma.

Meanwhile, 1 Million also opens up sweet with citrus, rose, mint, and leather accords running through it. This composition gives off the effect of smelling like grape bubblegum, but is actually quite nuanced when smelled up close.

To me, the spices in the newer bottle seem a bit more prominent. The cinnamon especially warms up the 1 Million aroma. Still smooth and something I enjoy.

The overlaps between the top are apparent in their use of mint and cinnamon, but the outcomes of each is fairly different.

Which one is better? Eh, I like both a lot, but I lean toward how 1 Million opens because there is so much going on and I can catch a different aspect each time. Is it way better than how the Jean Paul Gautier cologne opens? No, but I’ll give it the edge.

Edge: 1 Million

Projection

Both of these fragrances are pretty well known as, ‘club beasts’, which means they are the loud and bold type of scents you can wear at a night club. As such, the sillage on both is going to be very good, and that is indeed the case.

Sometimes, I feel that 1 Million projects itself better, but I don’t think that’s entirely the case. In fact, I sprayed Ultra Male twice on a shirt across the room, and can smell it from my sofa. There isn’t really a clear winner here.

Update: Newer bottles of 1 Million don’t have the same power, that they once did. Ultra Male has been discontinued, so any bottle you get will be the same. As such, I’m switching this category from a tie to Ultra Male.

Edge: Ultra Male

Longevity

I usually get 8-9 hours of wear from Ultra Male. Sometimes, it can go an hour or two longer. However, I consistently get 10+ hours out of 1 Million when I wear it.

Edit: Again, 1 Million doesn’t have that same power. However, I still get 8-9 hours from it. But, now this category is a tie.

Edge: Push

Versatility

Due to the strength of both, neither is usually thought of as an everyday wear. You can wear them during the day, just go easy with both. However, each is much more suited to the nightlife than anything else.

Also, they are cold weather performers, but 1 Million can venture into warmer weather while Ultra Male doesn’t do so well. I’d avoid both during the summer but 1 Million, can take the heat better, and takes this category.

Edge: 1 Million

Overall Scent

I wear both of these colognes at times, so, I can say that both are enjoyable to wear in my mind. It’s not an either/or question for me, but more along the lines of what I’m in the mood for.

That being said, I think that I’ll give the edge to 1 Million here. It’s not a blow out and I love Ultra Male, but I think that the Paco Rabanne has a slightly better smell, more versatility, longevity, and will fit better for most guys.

In fact, I don’t smell 1 Million everywhere like I used to, so I don’t even believe that it is still overused.

Ultra Male is great and it’s a nice choice on cold nights out during the wintertime, but it is just a notch below 1 Million. I used to like it more than I currently do, but I’m not sure that it ever surpassed 1 Million for me. Close though.

Note: Even with the reduction in strength, I would still rather wear 1 Million more often than not. Actually, in some ways it makes 1 Million more wearable, to be toned down some.

Winner: 1 Million