Guerlain L’Homme Ideal EDP vs Extreme

Ideal Extreme and Eau de parfum are two of the most popular and sought after colognes from this Guerlain line. The question is, which fragrance is really better? Which lasts longer? Which should you buy? In this post, I break down and compare each cologne based on my experience in testing each.

Tale of the Tape: L’Homme Ideal EDP vs. Extreme

Notes include: cherry, almond, lavender, vanilla, incense, rose, rosemary, leather, tonka bean, and more

Click here to try: L’Homme Ideal EDP at Selfridges (ships from UK)

Ideal Extreme

Notes include: plum, almond, tobacco, heliotrope, leather, cinnamon, bergamot, pink pepper, patchouli, cedar

Click here to try: Ideal Extreme from Selfridges

Read my review: Ideal Extreme

Opening

Ideal EDP opens with its natural cherry and almond blend. The opening features a slight spiciness, but it is overall a very smooth and refined opening act. Leather, vanilla, and other warmer hints are coming through from the base.

I actually get a nice dose of leather with Extreme early on in the wear. It’s not a total dominant note, but it is there. With that you get pink pepper and cinnamon spice in the background.

The dried fruit aroma of plum, with a dash of citrus at the very beginning, and the signature almond note. The mix isn’t a juicy fruit and that plum note adds a tart quality versus something sweeter like EDP.

Which is better? It is a very close call for me. The opening of each, is my favorite aspect of both scents.

Yet, I think that I slightly prefer the cherry, almond, and vanilla blend more so than that of the plum and leather ingredients.

Edge: EDP

Projection

Before trying each out, I would’ve thought Extreme would’ve been an absolute powerhouse, based on the name. Not so much.

Both of these are actually pretty moderate with the sillage. Strong openers, sure. After that, noticeable and solid, just nothing beast mode. No clear winner here.

Edge: Push

Longevity

The longevity with both of these fragrances is in the 8-9.5 hour range, on my skin. There’s no real difference in this category. Each provides a nice, albeit not elite amount of wear.

Edge: Push

Versatility

Both of these are autumn and winter wears. Each can be versatile within that time frame. Casual and nightlife options are about equal.

However, I think that Ideal Extreme is a bit better for something like the office, with less of the sweetness that the EDP can have. It might also be better for dates, as cherry can be hit or miss for some people.

Edge: Extreme

Overall Scent

Overall, which of these colognes do I actually prefer? This is really neck and neck between them.

With Extreme, I like that opening act. That leather note, the later tobacco, and the presence of the Ideal almond. Everything about the fragrance is at least good. There’s no particular flaw with the scent.

But, I do like Ideal EDP just a tiny bit more. I’ve long gone back and forth between them, but after this last round, I can safely say that I like EDP more.

The cherry note is what does it for me. Vanilla, almond, and the floral accords only further seal the deal.

The performance of each is about equal, so this one really does come down to which scent you prefer. For me, it’s EDP.

Winner: Ideal EDP

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.