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Prada L’Homme vs Acqua di Gio

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For this cologne comparison entry, I want to take a closer look at two different Italian designer fragrances, Prada L’Homme vs. Acqua di Gio by Giorgio Armani. Which one of these popular men’s scents, smells the best? Has the better performance? Is more versatile? And is the top buy?

Tale of the Tape: AdG vs. Prada L’Homme

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 

Prada L’Homme

Notes include: iris, amber, geranium, patchouli, neroli, violet, pepper, cedar

Click here to try: Prada L’Homme Eau De Toilette Spray, 3.4 Fluid Ounce

My review: Prada L’Homme

Opening

Prada L’Homme opens up with a fresh and powdery blend of floral notes, led by iris. Violet and neroli play a fairly big part and this clean aroma is surrounded by warm amber. It is fairly sweet with a woody cedar and slight peppery base.

Acqua di Gio opens with citrus and sea breeze. Tangerine and bergamot lead the way and they are joined by jasmine floral aromas and marine notes.

Which is better? I like how Acqua di Gio opens, but L’Homme has a really great, and refined smell. It is really simple, but the execution is near perfect.

Edge: Prada L’Homme

Projection

Neither of these fragrances is a beast in terms of how it projects. They are both solidly in the moderate camp. You’ll know that they’re there, but won’t dominate a room with them. Pretty equal in my experience.

Edge: Push

Longevity

Again, both scents are pretty good, but not spectacular. I get 6-7 hours of wear with both of them, on my skin. Their performance is near identical. AdG has slipped a bit in the last few years and doesn’t have the same power as the older formulation. L’Homme, on the other hand, just never has been that powerhouse fragrance.

Edge: Push

Versatility

Both of these scents can cover a lot of the same ground. You can wear either of them year round, AdG, may be slightly better in heat but not significantly. They are solid daily wears, that can also venture into the evening.

However, the Prada cologne, is more of a mature scent. Younger guys can wear it, but it will fit better with those in their late 20s and up, than will Acqua di Gio.

Edge: L’Homme

Overall Scent

Acqua di Gio is a really nice fragrance and probably one of the better starter fragrances for younger guys. It’s got a classic citrus aquatic smell with nice woody undertones. The performance is solid and it is a well-known commodity, having been a best seller for two decades.

However, Prada L’Homme is a better smelling fragrance. It is a straightforward cologne, that could probably be a unisex scent, with a classy powdery aroma that is super fresh. L’Homme is a clean daily wear, that will fit in much more in a business environment, than will AdG.

Most younger guys, will want to go with the Armani scent. Honestly, if I were in my early 20s, I’d probably pick that one as well. Though, if you like a floral with masculine qualities, then go with Prada. The performance of both is about the same, but L’Homme just has a better quality and fragrance.

Winner: Prada L’Homme

Ultra Male vs Invictus Comparison

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Today, we have a head to head match up between two popular colognes, which are geared toward younger men: Invictus by Paco Rabanne vs. Ultra Male by JPG. Which one of these fragrances smells the best? Which gives a better performance? Ultimately, which is the better buy? Please continue below for my full take and experiences with both of these scents.

 

 

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

 

Invictus

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

Read my review

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

 

Opening

Invictus has an upbeat and youthful opening full of citrus that is very sweet and leans more towards being candied rather than a juicy fruit. The citrus is matched up with sea notes to help give Invictus a marine vibe that screams summertime.

Meanwhile, Ultra Male, is also candy-like in its opening. An intense blast of pear, vanilla, mint, and cinnamon. It is spicy yet sugary. Bolder, smoother, and doesn’t have the same powdered quality of the original Le Male.

Which is better? I have to give the nod to Ultra Male. It has more going on and I much prefer the spiced elements to that of Invictus’ sea notes.

Edge: Ultra Male

 

Projection

Invictus actually has really good sillage for the first hour or so on my skin. It’s not weak sauce at all, but it does quiet down into more of a moderate after that. Really good, but not great.

Ultra Male has huge sillage, I can spray it on a shirt, and smell it across the room from me. It is bold and an intense version of Le Male, which makes it an ideal wear for nights out at the bar or club. The Paco Rabanne puts up a good challenge, but doesn’t touch Ultra Male’s projection.

Edge: Ultra Male

 

Longevity

Again, Invictus is no slouch here, either. It’s not great, but I can get 6-7 hours out of it on my skin, which is enough for most purposes. Ultra Male routinely gets me 8-9 hours and can go longer, depending on the circumstances.

Edge: Ultra Male


Versatility

This is the category in which Invictus has the edge. It is more of a warm weather scent but it can be worn easily year round, while Ultra Male is reserved for the colder parts of the year. Invictus can also be worn more as a daily wear, since it isn’t as loud and bold, as Ultra is. Both can be worn as nightlife scents, but Invictus just has the ability to spray it on more occasions.

Edge: Invictus

 

Overall Scent

Invictus is a nice cologne, especially for the younger set. It has an attractive smell, nice sweetness, and aquatic notes which help make it a good all around scent. It’s really sweet and versatile, so I can see why so many guys enjoy wearing it.

However, Ultra Male is just a better fragrance to me, even with its limited wear. It is like a weapon in your arsenal that you break out on certain days or nights. It works extremely well in a nightclub and gives a great performance, plus, a unique vibe. It is my favorite Jean Paul Gaultier fragrance, without a doubt.

Now, this doesn’t mean that it is the right choice for everyone. It is warmer and heavier than Invictus. If you want more of an all around everyday fragrance, Invictus would be a better choice. For me, I have other daily wears, and keep a full bottle of Ultra Male for the right night. It’s just more appealing to me.

Winner: Ultra Male