Men’s Fashion

Stronger With You Intensely vs. Absolutely

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Stronger With You is a series that keeps marching on for Emporio Armani. Among the two highly rated and sought after versions of this formulation are: Intensely and Absolutely. Each has some memorable aromas and comes with great performance.

However, the question is, which of these colognes is better? Which lasts longer? Which one should you buy? I’ve tested and reviewed each of these scents and will break down the competition below.

Quick Overview

🏆 My Verdict

Stronger With You Intensely wins on opening, projection, and overall scent, while longevity and versatility are basically tied.

Buy Intensely if you want the sweeter, smoother toffee-vanilla-sueded scent with slightly better sillage and the stronger full-wear experience.

Buy Absolutely if you prefer the glazed chestnut middle act, rum, elemi, and a more resinous nutty profile.

Category Stronger With You Intensely Stronger With You Absolutely Winner
Opening Pink pepper, cinnamon, sage, toffee, caramel sweetness, and spice Bergamot, sweet fruity notes, rum, cinnamon, elemi, glazed chestnut, and resinous warmth Intensely
Projection A bit more powerful with slightly better reach and sillage Very good projection with room-crossing reach, then a 4–5 foot scent bubble Intensely
Longevity Excellent, around 11–12 hours Excellent, around 11–12 hours Push
Versatility Autumn/winter, nightlife, casual wear, and date nights Autumn/winter, nightlife, casual wear, and date nights Push
Overall Scent Sweeter, smoother toffee, vanilla, suede, spice, and lavender with the better full wear Great glazed chestnut middle act with cinnamon, rum, elemi, and later lavender Intensely
Best For Those who want the sweeter, smoother, better overall pick Those who want glazed chestnut, rum, and a nuttier profile —

Tale of the Tape: Stronger with You Absolutely vs. Intensely

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

Stronger With You Absolutely

Notes include: glazed chestnut, rum, lavender, cedar, vanilla, elemi

My Full Review: Stronger with You Absolutely

Opening

The opening spray of Absolutely provides the short-lived citrus burst of bergamot and some other sweetish and fruity background notes, that I believe are apart of the initial lavender accord.

This is met with some spice and warmth. Not overly so, however. Arman’s description mentioned  pink pepper being here, I think that may be a part of this initial mix, since that is in Stronger Intensely as a note also.

But, this one also strikes me as being quite resinous from the get go. Elemi or the ‘glaze’ of the chestnut note is something that really sticks out after that top blast.

Notably, there is cinnamon in addition to the rum accord. Yes, there is some warm spiciness and booziness , but this is a lot smoother composition than a heavily spiced boozy rum note. It never really hits that level.

With Intensely, starts with its spiciness. Here, it is warmer and doesn’t last long (like the bergamot in Absolutely). The pink pepper is now the stronger note, joined by cinnamon and sage.

I get a sweet influence earlier with Intensely. The toffee accord with the cinnamon and caramel notes really gives Intensely a more dynamic feel. It is much less resinous and doesn’t have the same ‘glazed’ aroma as Absolutely.

Which do I prefer? I consistently have favored the opening of Intensely. Absolutely is nice, but I think once its chestnut note gets fully going, that’s when it is at its best. However, that’s not entirely in the opening act.

Intensely, gives me a better blend of sweetness and spice initially, and that’s what gives it the win in this category.

Edge: Intensely

Projection

The projection of Absolutely really good, able to reach well across a room. Then, it’ll become a 4-5 foot scent bubble, and finally a skin scent. Not the heaviest or most beast mode projection out there, but I wasn’t disappointed.

Intensely, is a bit more powerful than that. Now, it isn’t completely overwhelming either.

However, I do notice it further away from Absolutely, when I tested each on clothing and walked to the other side of the living room.

Not a convincing win, but Intensely does have the edge. It’s not going to be the reason I’d buy one versus the other, however.

Edge: Intensely

Longevity

The longevity of both of these scents are really great, on my skin. But, there’s also no distinction between them, and they perform equally.

Both Intensely and Absolutely, outperform the original EDT. Total longevity is 11-12 hours, which is great for this sort of mainstream fragrance.

No winner here, just awesome performers.

Edge: Push

Versatility

Another category in which they are equals. Autumn and winter wears. A bit more mature than the original EDT, but still suitable for younger men as well.

Each is great for the nightlife, casual, or date night. Neither is something that’s completely formal or going to be an office scent for most folks.

Edge: Push

Overall Scent

Overall, this is a pretty evenly matched competition. I enjoy both of these fragrances and they are among my favorites from the Stronger with You lineup.

But, which is the cologne that I actually prefer to wear?

With Absolutely, the opening is enjoyable, but I really like the glazed chestnut middle act that it provides. It’s one of the nuttier versions in this line and that core ingredient is really done well with Absolutely.

The cinnamon, rum, and elemi all give it further depth but is mostly limited to the opening. The dry down, though, comes on stronger with lavender.

It’s not terrible, but Absolutely really starts to lose a lot of its distinction from the rest of the series and the lavender doesn’t do much to boost it.

Even at that early stage, which with the heart of the fragrance is my favorite part of SWY Absolutely; it doesn’t hit the same level for me, as does Intensely.

With Intensely, I love the toffee, vanilla, and suede with periods of spice and lavender. Great, just without the same chestnut note, but also the vanilla reminds me of the EDT (just blended way better)

It’s sweeter, smoother, and gives me slightly more sillage than Absolutely. So, it’s my pick in this contest. I enjoy it from start to finish, even with Absolutely’s enjoyable middle act.

I would select it over Absolutely, unless you can find Absolutely for significantly cheaper for some reason. Maybe if you’re a bigger lavender fan, you might also want to go with Stronger With You Absolutely.

Winner: Intensely

Who Should Buy Each?

Choose Stronger With You Intensely if:

You want the better overall fragrance in this comparison
You prefer toffee, vanilla, suede, cinnamon, pink pepper, and amber
You want the stronger opening blend of sweetness and spice
You care about slightly better sillage and projection
You want the version that stays enjoyable from start to finish

Choose Stronger With You Absolutely if:

You prefer glazed chestnut, rum, elemi, cedar, vanilla, and lavender
You like a nuttier, more resinous Stronger With You style
You want excellent 11–12 hour longevity
You enjoy the middle act more than the opening
You can find it significantly cheaper or prefer lavender-heavy dry downs

Stronger with You FAQ

What is the best Stronger with You fragrance?

What I consider to be the ‘best’ of this line or maybe just my favorites are: Intensely, Leather, Absolutely, and the original EDT. I haven’t tried every single edition as of yet, but here’s my list and rankings: Best SWY Colognes.

Does Stronger With You Absolutely project more than Intensely?

No, not in my testing of it. There isn’t a huge gap between them, but Intensely does have the edge in terms of its strength.

Are Intensely and Absolutely very similar?

They are quite similar, but still different enough. To me, the main difference is the stronger use of the chestnut note in Absolutely. The rum note also distinguishes it, though that isn’t super strong in the mix.

9 Best Smelling Axe Body Spray Fragrances

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Axe has been a popular brand of cheaply priced fragrances for decades now. I used to wear different body spray scents in high school, will still use the body washes and the deodorants, to this day. They’ve come out with seemingly endless scents under different names, but what are the best smelling Axe Body Spray scents for guys?

Quick Overview

🏆 Quick Overview: Top Picks

Best Overall — Kilo

Kilo is the best overall Axe pick because it has the most balanced profile of these scents and smells great. It is fresh, slightly spicy, sweet, smooth, calming, and masculine without becoming overly fruity or too sweet.

It also has the strongest nostalgia factor, since it was one of the standout Axe scents from the brand’s earlier era.

Best Newer Release — Golden Mango

Golden Mango is the best newish Axe release from the Fine Fragrance Collection. It blends mango, mandarin orange, and vetiver for a juicy tropical scent that still has a fresh woodsy backbone.

It feels more polished than a typical sweet body spray and has the best balance among the newer Axe scents that I’ve tried.

Best Sweet Scent — Dark Temptation

Dark Temptation is the best sweet/gourmand option if you want something warm, creamy, and compliment-friendly. The chocolate note gives it a delicious sweetness, while the vanilla undertone keeps it smooth.

It is one of the most memorable Axe scents because it feels more dessert-like and attention-grabbing than the cleaner fresh options.

Fragrance Best For Scent Profile Key Notes Vibe
Kilo Best overall Axe fragrance Fresh, slightly spicy, sweet, smooth Vanilla, light citrus, mint, possibly lavender Classic, masculine, balanced
Golden Mango Best new Axe release Juicy tropical fruit with fresh woods Mango, mandarin orange, vetiver Fresh, tropical, modern
Dark Temptation Top sweet/gourmand scent Warm creamy chocolate with vanilla sweetness Chocolate, vanilla undertone Sweet, delicious, compliment-friendly
Black Vanilla Alternative to Dark Temptation Smooth citrus-vanilla with sandalwood Black vanilla, sandalwood, orange essential oil Sweet, smooth, powerful
Aqua Bergamot Fresh aquatic body wash style Fresh aquatic citrus with herbal-green freshness Bergamot, sage, juniper Clean, energetic, blue-ish
Anarchy Best fruity warm-weather spray Masculine tropical fruit with amber and woods Amber, sandalwood, coconut, bergamot, fruit notes Youthful, smooth, tropical
Gold Fresh Iced Mint & Leather Top fresh Axe deodorant Crisp cold mint with smooth leather Iced mint, leather Clean, understated, cool-weather fresh
Excite Energetic cold-weather scent Sweet gourmand with nutty caramel warmth Coconut, hazelnut, caramel, woody base Warm, easy, cocoa-butter sweet
Gold Citron Great citron release Bright citrus with clean white woods Citrus blend, white woods Zesty, low-key, clean

Favorite Axe Body Sprays or Deodorant Scents

Best Overall Axe Fragrance

AXE Body Spray for Men, Kilo 4 oz (Pack of 6)– This is what I wore back in 10-11th grade. Kilo was utterly great, and got me complimented like crazy, from girls when I wore it.

Axe was popular back then, but there didn’t seem to be many guys around, that were wearing this particular scent…but it was my favorite, at the time. It was fresh, slightly spicy, and sweet.

As I recall, Kilo had a vanilla, light citrus, mint, and possibly lavender lineup of ingredients. It had an aromatic sort of freshness, with enough spice to give the spray and edge. I never see this one in stores locally anymore, but you can get it online still.

Kilo was like the perfect balance, out of the Axe collection of fragrances. Very smooth and calming, while still being masculine. Not overly fruity or sweet. Classic and still one of the best body sprays ever.

Best New Axe Release

Golden Mango– Axe has released some newer scents recently, under their ‘Fine Fragrances Collection’ banner. Golden Mango is my favorite of them, so far.

Mango, mandarin orange, and vetiver adding some fresh woodsy aroma to the mix. It’s actually got a good balance between the orange and mango notes, more of a juicy/tropical kind of aroma, than just generic sweetness.

The Fine Fragrance releases are supposed to last longer than the regular Axe scents. It seems to be the case, at least with the body wash. Body washes aren’t going to be perfume level performance, but it’s very good for the price.

Also, these higher-end and improved Axe scents use natural essential oils. So, here it is mandarin orange and vetiver oils.

top axe body wash

Top Sweet/Gourmand Scent

Axe Body Spray Dark Temptation– Warm and sweet, creamy chocolate with a vanilla undertone. Dark Temptation is delicious and this was one of the anti-perspirants that I wore, once I grew out of the body sprays.

Girls have always seemed to respond really well to this, the chocolate note just breeds complements. I used this deodorant a lot a number of years ago. I think that the body spray or the gel deodorant is better than the white stick deodorant.

Interestingly, if you want a cologne The Dua Brand now has their ‘inspired by’ take, available as a fragrance called: Temptation of the Dark.

The latter, seems to have more of a sweet powdery aroma, versus the other options.

I haven’t been seeing the gel deodorant around, but that was my favorite option. The white stick, could feel too sweet, at times. The body spray was on point, however. A potential alternative, could be Gold Temptation.

An Alternative to Dark Temptation

Black Vanilla– Black Vanilla is another newer one that I like from Axe. This one gives you a different type of sweet gourmand than that of the chocolatey Dark Temptation.

Here, it is less of the sweetness but the vanilla is surprisingly good, and the scent itself is pretty powerful for a body spray. The black vanilla is joined by sandalwood and orange essential oil.

A good mix of citrus and vanilla, giving it a smoother profile than the fragrance listed above. It’s still not my favorite of the newer releases, but it’s easy to see why Black Vanilla has become popular for an Axe spray.

Fresh Aquatic

Aqua Bergamot– This is another entry from the Fine Fragrance Collection. Aqua Bergamot is the second one that I enjoy, behind Golden Mango.

Aqua is a fresh, energetic, and somewhat aquatic blend. The citrus note here is bergamot and is not nearly as potent as those fruits in Mango.

This gets is freshness from a blend of sage and juniper. A bit of that sour bergamot, more juniper coming through for me versus the sage.

The style is a very classic ‘blue-ish’ sort of body wash. Basically, what most people think of with body wash. I don’t think I’d use the body spray, as my main go to, but I like the scent for taking showers.

Best Fruity/Warm Weather Spray

AXE Deodorant Body Spray Anarchy 150 Ml / 5.07 Oz (Pack of 6)– With notes of amber, sandalwood, and fruits (I pick up coconut and bergamot), Anarchy has a rich and smooth profile, much like Dark Temptation. It smells great while maintaining a fresh, youthful vibe.

Anarchy is a masculine tropical fragrance. It is youthful and does have the sharper bergamot note, at the start, but settles down into a delightful aroma. The amber is a great addition.

The fruit notes, give the top and opening creaminess, and light sharpness from citrus. There might actually be some other types of fruit in there, that’s too difficult to discern.

Nonetheless, the amber warmth, and woody base really does a great job at tying it all together. My Review of Anarchy

Top Fresh Axe Deodorant

Axe Gold Fresh Iced Mint & Leather– This is actually my current anti-perspirant deodorant, that I use each day (Update: was back in 2018 or so, don’t see it for sale much anymore).

A lot of people don’t seem to like the body sprays from Axe (or at least its associations with high school kids) and while I don’t wear those anymore, the deodorant sticks are great. They last all day and don’t quit.

Axe Gold Fresh is a crisp and cold mint with a smooth and rich leather aroma. I love it. It’s a relatively simple pairing, but one that doesn’t seem to happen often. Gold Fresh is an understated and clean option, that really shines, when the temperature drops.

There’s also another Gold Fresh option which pairs oud and leather. It’s more of a dry woodsy take, on this formula. I wore that one, for a while also, and prefer it in some ways.

 

Energetic Cold Weather Scent

Axe EXCITE Body Spray & Deodorant. 48 HOUR ODOR PROTECTION! Energized & Fresh! (6 Cans, 5oz each Can)– Axe Excite relies on coconut, hazelnut, and caramel to create a sweet gourmand fragrance with a woody base.

It’s sweetness has a cocoa butter vibe, in my mind. I like it and will use this body wash, when I can grab a bottle on sale.

Excite and Anarchy share that coconut ingredient. However, Anarchy is the fruitier fragrance of the two, with a lighter aroma. Anarchy feels more suited towards warmer weather, than Excite.

This one seems more appropriate in the colder months of the year. The coconut doesn’t make it too tropical versus the nutty and caramel notes. This one is really easy to wear,  as it isn’t too in your face or spicy. Axe Excite Review

Great Citron Release

Axe Gold Citron– This one isn’t super complicated, but it’s a very nice new release from the brand.

A citrus blend with white woods that is fresh and quite bright. Gold Citron does what so many popular men’s fragrances do, by pairing that chilled citrus aroma along with a woody base.

It’s a nice wear for the summer months and isn’t as ‘in your face’ as many others from the Axe line of scents.

Attractive, low-key, but one that is a great experience for those who want a zesty and clean fragrance throughout the day.

Axe Body Spray and Wash FAQ

Is Axe Dark Temptation a good scent?

Is a sweet and warm scent. The chocolate aroma does have a thickness to it and that sort of sugary appeal, without going too far into that territory. Nice powdery finish to it. I enjoyed wearing this when I was younger. Do you want to smell like chocolate? It’s a good scent for those who enjoy that.

Which Axe scent is best for teenagers?

All of them. That’s the main demographic of this brand. My picks for the best are all listed above.

How many sprays of Axe body spray should you use?

You probably don’t need more than 2-3, in most situations. Especially, if you’re inside in an enclosed area with other people all day. Axe projects more than you think it does and you don’t really have to overdo it.

Can Axe body spray replace cologne?

For teenagers, sure. There is a big difference in quality between most fragrances and a can of Axe Body Spray. Not just in terms of how each smells, the depth, how it develops, and the performance that you get from each. Axe is a very inexpensive solution to smelling better, but at some point, you’ll want to graduate to something of higher quality.

Cool Water vs. Drakkar Noir Cologne Comparison

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In today’s cologne comparison, I’m going to take things back to the 1980s for a face off between two scents, which were powerhouses then and continue to be best sellers into the present time. In one corner, we have Cool Water by Davidoff. In the other, Guy Laroche’s Drakkar Noir. Which one of these colognes smells better? Which has the better performance?

Quick Overview

🏆 My Verdict

Cool Water wins on opening, versatility, and overall scent, while Drakkar Noir wins on projection and longevity.

Buy Cool Water if you want the fresher, cleaner, more versatile aquatic fragrance that works easily for daily wear and warm weather. You might also try the ‘inspired by’ the vintage formula alternative from Dua, called: His Dua Water

Buy Drakkar Noir if you prefer a darker, sharper fougère with stronger projection, longer wear, and more of that classic 80s masculine edge. You might also try an alternative: Black Viking Ship

Category Cool Water Drakkar Noir Winner
Opening Fresh mint, lavender, green notes, seawater freshness, and clean citrus energy Lavender, rosemary, bergamot, lemon, spice, and a darker fougère sharpness Cool Water
Projection Moderate and cleaner off the skin Stronger projection with a heavier masculine presence Drakkar Noir
Longevity Around 5–6 hours Usually 6–8 hours depending on skin Drakkar Noir
Versatility Excellent for spring/summer, office, gym, and casual daily wear Better for cooler weather, evenings, and stronger masculine styling Cool Water
Overall Scent Cleaner aquatic freshness with easier modern wearability Sharper classic fougère with darker old-school masculine character Cool Water
Best For Those who want fresher daily versatility Those who want stronger classic masculine performance —

Tale of the Tape: Drakkar vs. Cool Water

Drakkar Noir

Notes included: sandalwood, lavender, citrus, cinnamon, leather, vetiver, oakmoss, cedar, fir

Click here to try: Drakkar Noir By Guy Laroche For Men. Eau De Toilette Spray 6.7 Ounces

My original review: Drakkar Noir Review

Cool Water

Notes include: lavender, mint, tobacco, amber, musk, jasmine, sandalwood, neroli, coriander, rosemary, and more

Click here to try: Davidoff Cool Water Edt Spray for Men, 6.7 oz

My Original Review: Cool Water

Opening

With Drakkar Noir, the opening part of the wear gives me a very dry and smooth aroma. I particularly get the oak moss and lavender notes, which bring about that creamy/soapy vibe, and then there is the slight warm spice of cinnamon.

Cool Water is more oceanic. It also has a soapy lavender feel but with a crisp and cool mint note. It’s quite sharp to my nose at the start, but gradually settles into a fragrance with more amber smoothness.

Underneath is the greenish qualities, a good deal of uncured tobacco.

The opening of Cool Water is the most interesting part of the fragrance, to me. Plenty of tobacco and mint, with that underlying aquatic feel. Yes, it can seem somewhat sharp, but it comes across a different from many more modern fragrances.

Between the two, I think I enjoy the opening of Cool Water better. Yes, it’s more in your face than is Drakkar but the oceanic touch to the lavender, just seems more interesting to me.

Edge: Cool Water

Projection

Cool Water starts off with stronger sillage. However, as things move along Drakkar is more consistent over the course of the wear.

Neither of these scents is an absolute beast in terms of sillage. Both more towards the upper moderate end of the spectrum. There’s not really a clear winner.

Edge: Push

Longevity

Drakkar is good but not great. I’ve usually gotten 6-7 hours out of it. Meanwhile, Cool Water will deliver 8+ hours.

This is one of those aspects of these fragrances that can be effected by the reformulations. So, just judging by the bottles, I’ve recently sprayed from this is the conclusion I’ve drawn. The vintage bottles may be a different story.

I’m sure that the vintage formulas of each, had better performance. I do know that Drakkar had some natural ingredients in the past, that aren’t allowed to be used anymore. So, that effects the entire structure and performance of a scent.

Edge: Cool Water

Versatility

Drakkar is dry and for the colder months of the year. While Cool Water, performs great during the summertime.

Both have the same applications basically. They can be worn casually, at work, or for a night on the town. Neither is a club type of cologne.

Drakkar Noir strikes me as more mature as a scent. Cool Water seems more youthful and closer to an inexpensive version of Green Irish Tweed. I’m tempted to give Cool Water the edge, as it seems more universally like, but there’s not too much difference here.

Edge: Push

Overall Scent

Man, this is tougher than I thought that it would be to decide a winner. I’m not a huge fan of either one of these fragrances for my own personal style and tastes, but I do think that they’re both solid choices.

I like to dark and dry spice that Drakkar Noir offers and I think that it gets better during the dry down, when more leather begins to emerge.

With Cool Water, it’s like a more oceanic/summery Green Irish Tweed. I like the crispness of the mint and how it shifts into a more amber-laden cologne after an hour or so. Plus, Cool Water has the better longevity on my skin, and I enjoy the upbeat summery vibe.

With that in mind, I’m going to give the nod to Cool Water. I also think that it has more of a universal application than does Drakkar Noir. More guys will probably like the Davidoff scent and it will cover a wider range of styles than the Drakkar.

Maybe the original vintage bottles would have yielded a different result, but I think Cool Water checks more boxes currently. Note: here are alternative options to each, that are cheaper and should give better performance: His Dua Water and Black Viking Ship

Winner: Cool Water

Who Should Buy Each?

Choose Cool Water if:

You want the better overall everyday fragrance
You prefer fresh aquatic scents with mint, lavender, green notes, and seawater freshness
You need something easy for office wear, gym use, or warm-weather daily wear
You want the more versatile and modern-smelling option
You prefer freshness over darker fougère sharpness

Choose Drakkar Noir if:

You want stronger projection and better longevity
You prefer lavender, rosemary, bergamot, spice, woods, and a classic fougère profile
You like darker, sharper, old-school masculine fragrances
You mainly wear fragrance in cooler weather or evenings
You want more boldness and vintage masculine character

1 Million vs Armani Code Cologne Comparison

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Over the past 10-15 years, two of the best selling men’s fragrances, have been our two competitors featured in this post. 1 Million by Paco Rabanne vs. Code by Giorgio Armani. They are extremely well known, well loved, but which option is the better cologne? Which lasts longer? Which should you buy?

Quick Overview

🏆 My Verdict

1 Million wins on opening, projection, longevity, and overall scent, while Armani Code wins on versatility.

Buy 1 Million if you want the bolder, sweeter, louder nighttime fragrance with better performance.

Buy Armani Code if you want the more flexible scent for office wear, casual use, nights out, and slightly more formal situations.

Category 1 Million Armani Code Winner
Opening Bold mint, blood orange, grapefruit, rose, leather, spice, and amber Citrus, apple, lavender, anise, tobacco, leather, and powdery spice 1 Million
Projection Very strong reputation, still stronger than Code EDT even in newer bottles Starts with some power, then becomes moderate for most of the wear 1 Million
Longevity Now around 8 hours; older bottles could go 10+ hours About 5–6 hours from newer bottles 1 Million
Versatility Best for colder months, casual wear, and nightlife; not ideal for workplace wear Works for office, casual, nighttime, and more formal events Armani Code
Overall Scent Bold sweet-spicy blend with amber, leather, citrus, spice, and strong personality Powdery, creamy, citrus-leather scent with apple, tonka, tobacco, and versatility 1 Million
Best For Guys who want a bold, sweet, loud cold-weather/nightlife scent Guys who want the more versatile daily and semi-formal option —

Tale of the Tape

1 Million

Notes include: Mint, Grapefruit, Rose, Patchouli, Amber, Cinnamon, White woods, Blond leather, Blood orange, Spice notes

Click here to try: Paco Rabanne 1 Million By Paco Rabanne For Men Edt Spray, 3.4 Ounce

Read my review: 1 Million

Armani Code

Notes include: citrus, lavender, apple, leather, tobacco, star anise, woods

Click here to try: Armani Code By Giorgio Armani For Men. Eau De Toilette Spray 4.2 Oz.

Read my review: Armani Code

Opening

The opening of 1 Million is a blend of notes, that is quite bold, and starts off with plenty of power. It’s a mix of mint, blood orange, leather, rose, and grapefruit. It’s a mix of spice and sweet, with warmth and cooler elements. All of this is surrounded by a nice amber note.

Armani Code kicks off with citrus and apple, being fairly strong at the top. It turns more powdery with some spiciness from notes anise, tobacco, and leather. The fruity notes start to fade, somewhat after the first minutes.

Which is better? I like how Code starts off, its quite nice. However, I prefer the beginning of 1 Million. It’s intensity and depth, is a bit more engaging, and the smell is better to me.

Edge: 1 Million

Projection

Armani Code has some power, at the start, but is really pretty moderate for the majority of the wear. The newer bottles, don’t seem to have the same strength. Meanwhile, 1 Million has a very strong sillage, and has always had the reputation of being able to fill up a room.

Update: Newer 1 Million bottles also don’t seem to have that same power and longevity, but are still better than Code EDT.

Edge: 1 Million

Longevity

Code used to be better, in this regard. I could get 8 hours of wear from it. Now, it seems to go 5-6 hours. Either way, it never hit the same level as the Paco Rabanne. 1 Million will go for over 10 hours. It pretty easily wins this category. Update: 1 Million is now around 8 hours.

Edge: 1 Million

Versatility

Due to its sillage and somewhat youthful vibe, 1 Million mainly gets relegated to nighttime use. Plus, it holds up better in the colder months of the year. So, a casual or nightlife scent. Not a workplace wear.

Code, on the other hand, can venture into the office. It is good for nighttime wear, casual, or even more formal events. It’s also better in the colder climate, but it has more uses than 1 Million.

Edge: Code

Overall Scent

Armani Code is still a really good pick for a daily wear. It’s got solid versatility and performance, even if it’s lost a step. The smell itself is still a beautiful composition. The powdery elements, the apple, citrus, leather, and creamy tonka bean are all great. For many guys, it will be the better choice, out of these two based on lifestyle and need.

However, which one is better? I still like 1 Million more than the Armani. Yes, it skews to a younger wearer, but this scent can still be a great wear. I’ve always loved its boldness and the awesome blend and balancing act between different aromas and styles.

Beyond that, the performance has always been great for me. Strong, bold, and something that I can throw on during certain occasions and completely love wearing it. Both of these scents are great, 1 Million, just a little more so.

Update: If you’re looking for Code, I would nowadays go with Code EDP for the closest thing to the original. Code EDT just doesn’t hold up anymore. You could also go with the other Code flankers, which are great, but smell somewhat different.

Winner: 1 Million

Who Should Buy Each?

Choose 1 Million if:

You want the stronger performer between the two
You prefer bold sweet-spicy fragrances
You like mint, grapefruit, blood orange, leather, rose, cinnamon, amber, and patchouli
You mainly want something for nights out, casual wear, or colder weather
You want the fragrance with the bigger personality and stronger overall impression

Choose Armani Code if:

You want the more versatile fragrance
You prefer citrus, apple, lavender, tobacco, leather, tonka, and powdery spice
You need something that can work in the office or semi-formal settings
You want a smoother, less loud scent than 1 Million
You care more about flexibility than maximum performance

1 Million vs. Code FAQ

Is Armani Code more versatile than 1 Million?

Yes, it is the more versatile fragrance of the two. 1 Million skews younger and more towards the nightlife. Meanwhile, Code is much more of an all-around or daily wear sort of cologne.

Is Armani Code still worth buying?

The original Code EDT? Maybe. It still smells great, even if the performance isn’t as good anymore. You can usually find bottles for cheaper nowadays too. However, if you want a better performer or potentially better scent for your tastes from the code line, try: Code Parfum or Code EDP.

Are 1 Million and Armani Code similar?

Not really in terms of how they smell. They often get compared to one another because they were both released in the same era and are the best-sellers that survived to this day. So, this has led them to being mentioned together somewhat often.

Does 1 Million project more than Armani Code?

Yes. The difference has always been there. The older bottles of 1 Million were truly quite powerful and Code was better also, just not nearly to the same level.

Versace Eros vs Eros Parfum Comparison

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Eros is one of the best-selling fragrances in the world. Eros EDT started things off and the line has now spawned three additional iterations, such as today’s competitor, Eros Parfum. Since both of these are closely related in terms of everything, how do they actually compare and contrast. Which fragrance lasts longer? Which smells better?

Quick Overview

🏆 My Verdict

Eros Parfum wins on opening, longevity, and overall scent, while Eros EDT wins on projection and slightly better versatility.

Buy Eros Parfum if you want the smoother, richer, and more refined version of Eros with stronger lasting power and a better dry down.

Buy the original Eros EDT if you prefer the louder mint-apple sweetness and stronger youthful club-fragrance energy, but overall Parfum is the better fragrance.

 

Category Versace Eros EDT Versace Eros Parfum Winner
Opening Mint, green apple, lemon, vanilla, and strong youthful sweetness Mint and citrus opening with smoother woods, amber, and a richer sweeter base Eros Parfum
Projection Very strong and louder off the skin Strong, but smoother and less aggressive Eros EDT
Longevity Around 7–8 hours depending on batch Usually 8–10 hours with a stronger dry down Eros Parfum
Versatility Nightlife, colder weather, younger crowd, but still wearable casually Nightlife, dates, cooler weather, slightly more mature versatility Eros EDT
Overall Scent Louder sweet mint-apple vanilla club scent with strong youthful appeal Richer, smoother, more polished Eros with stronger balance and refinement Eros Parfum
Best For Those who want the louder original club-fragrance feel Those who want the smoother, more mature, better overall Eros —

Tale of the Tape; Eros vs Eros Parfum

Versace Eros EDT

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 Full Review: Eros

Eros Parfum

Notes include: lemon, mandarin, black pepper, elemi, tonka bean, Madagascar vanilla, litsea cubeba, pomarose, geranium, lavender, clary sage, benzoin, cashmeran, patchouli, vetiver

Click here to try: Eros Parfum

Read my full review: Parfum

Opening

So, with the newer bottles of Eros EDT, I get a stronger opening of the lemon note versus what it was in the past. To me, it used to have more of a balance between the vanilla, mint, green apple, and that lemon.

Sweet, fresh, rich, and bold. Now, it’s quite citrusy on my skin and has a sharpness to it, that just doesn’t have that same vibe.

Eros Parfum actually opens up being more fresh than citrus. Yes, the citrus does pop at the top and its sparkling quality is nice. But, it’s actually more muted in the blend.

The usual lemon, mandarin, and that verbena-like litsea cubeba. Pepper and sage are more apparent, as is the base of amber and resinous notes like, benzoin and elemi.

Sage is the leader, geranium is stronger in this composition, and I get very little of the mint note.

Which is better? As it stands currently, I prefer what Parfum has to offer versus what I’m getting from the original EDT. It’s different, but familiar, and utilizes the fresh notes very well.

Edge: Eros Parfum

Projection

Both are strong. Neither are powerful, anymore. You’ll get a nice scent trail with either of these.

The projection reaches a tiny bit further with the Parfum version. Older Eros EDT, would outdo both of these. The performance has taken a step back, but these are still good performers for mainstream designer fragrances.

Edge: Parfum

Longevity

Eros EDT used to routinely get me 10+ hours, with the older bottles. Now, it is basically hitting 8 hours and can on occasion, still be detected at the 10 hour mark.

With Eros Parfum, the longevity seems to be 8.5-10+ hours. Mostly towards the upper end of that range. One time that I wore it, Parfum did fade at the 8.5 hour mark.

So, while the longevity now overlaps. Parfum is a more consistent performer for me, than is EDT.

Edge: Parfum

Versatility

As far as use cases go, these are obviously going to be very similar. Both are mainly used in the colder months of the year. An advantage that Parfum has, is that it can extend its usefulness further into the springtime than EDT.

Neither is a summertime wear, but Eros Parfum just keeps it together better when it gets warmer out.

Secondly, I think that Parfum is the smoothest and most refined of the Eros line. It’s got more maturity than any of them and can be worn by older men, as well as younger guys.

These are the main differences to me and Parfum takes this category.

Edge: Parfum

 

Overall Scent

Overall, which of these two fragrances do I prefer? It’s tough, because I would prefer older bottles of Eros EDT to Parfum. However, even comparing what I can buy right now, I only slightly prefer Parfum to the current incarnation of EDT.

EDT is still fine. I don’t want to make it seem like it’s terrible, it isn’t. Actually, all of the main Eros variants are about the same in terms of how each smells. But, I do think that Parfum is currently the best of them.

I like the freshness that Parfum has, while keeping it smooth in the latter stages. The vanilla and amber are very nice here, getting paired with a prominent vetiver note. The amber is the most tolerable in the series, to my nose. Whereas, EDP gets annoying after a while.

Beyond that, the performance and versatility of Eros Parfum are also better. Even if its not by too much, I still give it a definite edge, and it’s the winner of this contest.

Winner: Eros Parfum

Who Should Buy Each?

Choose Eros EDT if:

You prefer the original loud Versace Eros DNA
You like mint, green apple, lemon, tonka, vanilla, and stronger sweetness
You want the bigger projection and youthful club-fragrance feel
You mainly wear fragrance for nightlife, parties, and casual colder-weather use
You prefer louder attention-grabbing scents over smoother refinement

Choose Eros Parfum if:

You want the better overall fragrance
You prefer smoother woods, amber, vanilla, and a more refined dry down
You want better longevity and a more mature take on Eros
You like fragrances that still perform well but feel less aggressive
You want the best full-wear experience rather than just the loudest opening

Versace Eros FAQ

Which Eros fragrance is the best?

They’re all sort of close in terms of likeability in my opinion. If I had to say right now: Eros Parfum. I might go Eros EDT or Flame (if you wanted something a bit different) from the ‘blue bottles’.

Does Eros Parfum last longer than Eros EDT?

Nowadays, yes. Parfum does have the edge in terms of how long it lasts on skin. Older bottles of Eros EDT were amazing with how they performed. Now, they’ve lost a step or two, in my experience.

Are Eros EDT and Eros Parfum very similar?

Eros EDT, Parfum, and EDP all have a lot of overlap. There are different notes between them, but mainly its about the strength of the main core of the ‘DNA’. So, it comes down to preference, and I lean toward Parfum first. Then, EDT.