Dylan Blue vs Luna Rossa Carbon Cologne Comparison

Alrighty, it’s been a minute since I’ve done a head to head cologne comparison on the site. So today, we are going to do one between Versace’s Dylan Blue versus Prada’s Luna Rossa Carbon. Which of these scents smells better? Which one performs more impressively? Is there a clear winner out of either of these scents? Please continue below for my full matchup breakdown.

Tale of the Tape: Carbon vs. Dylan Blue

Dylan Blue

Notes include: black pepper, violet leaf, grapefruit, bergamot, tonka bean, ambrox, fig leaf

Click here to try: VERSACE Pour Homme Sealed Dylan Blue Eau de Toilette, 3.4 Ounce

Luna Rossa Carbon

Notes include: lavender, ambroxan, metallic notes, pepper, patchouli, coal, bergamot

Click here to try: Prada Luna Rossa CARBON for Men Eau de Toilette Spray, 3.4 ounce

Opening

The opening of Dylan Blue is a citrus affair with the grapefruit and bergamot notes taking center stage. However, it has a certain aquatic feel and a noticeable contribution from the black pepper note.

Meanwhile, Luna Rossa Carbon, has the citrus of the bergamot top note but it is joined by a more intense ambroxan and lavender. There is also a pepper note and a hint of that metallic aroma, which gives it it’s Carbon name.

Which is better? Well, both of these scents get compared to Dior Sauvage, and Luna Rossa Carbon is much more in line with that from the start. I like the more nuanced approach of the Prada fragrance over Dylan Blue.

The Versace is a typical citrus at the stage and actually has reminded me of Acqua Di Gio Profumo in the past. It’s nice, but I find Carbon to be better.

I have grown to enjoy the opening act of Dylan Blue more, over the years since its release. The fig note really stands out and it can be a nice fragrance to throw on.

Edge: Luna Rossa Carbon

Projection

They both start out fairly strong and perhaps Dylan Blue has better sillage at the start. However, it settles into something more moderate. It’s citrus and fig at the start, really gives it a good ability to project, but that subsides.

Now, Luna Rossa Carbon also turns moderate, it still has better and more consistent projection than that of Dylan Blue.

At their peak, it’s close to the same, but the Prada keeps things going for a longer time period.

Edge: Carbon

Longevity

No matter how many times I wear Dylan Blue, it seems to only last 5-6 hours on my skin each time. That’s okay, just not outstanding.

Carbon, on the other hand, can last all day on my skin and can get into the double digit hours on most wears. The Prada cologne just has better performance. Carbon just really works on me, for whatever reason. Performance is extremely good for a popular designer scent.

Edge: Carbon

Versatility

I don’t see either one of these fragrances having an edge in terms of when or where you can wear each. The are both very versatile fragrances that can be worn casually or out on a date or wherever.

Carbon is probably a bit more mature than is Dylan Blue. So, it might have a bit of an edge as to who will want to wear either.  I don’t consider either to be a truly formal scent, but I’d also go with the Prada if pressed.

Edge: Carbon (slightly)

Overall Scent

I’ve always found Dylan Blue to be decent at best. Although, I have enjoyed it somewhat more lately, than I used to.  It’s not a bad choice, if you can get a bottle for cheap.

However, I’m going to give the nod to Luna Rossa Carbon. It’s not a personal favorite of mine either, but it’s better than the Versace.  Carbon has a similar profile to that of Sauvage, but enough differences to make it distinct.

The citrus and ambroxan get downplayed as it dries down and Carbon gives you a lavender and metallic sort of vibe. It also has much better performance than Dylan Blue does.

Luna Rossa Carbon is a clear cut winner to me, in this head to head matchup. Both are really nice colognes, neither amazing, but Carbon is better.

Winner: Luna Rossa Carbon

Best Men's Colognes

Best Men’s Colognes started back in 2013, as a way to share my learning experiences with different fragrances, as I dove head first into the hobby. Since then, I have written hundreds of reviews and other pages about perfumes and colognes.