Luna Rossa Ocean EDT vs EDP

Luna Rossa Ocean has been a fairly successful flanker for Prada. Enough so, that they have released an eau de parfum version of it. Ocean EDT, while it smelled very nice, was not without its faults in the performance department. Has the EDP solved the issues? Which cologne smells better? Which is the better buy?

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Tale of the Tape: Ocean EDT vs. EDP

Luna Rossa Ocean EDT

Notes include: bergamot, iris, pink pepper, artemisia, lavender, sage, suede, saffron, musk, vetiver, caramel, patchouli

Click here to try:  Luna Rossa Ocean at Macy’s

My Full Review: Ocean EDT

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Ocean EDP

Notes include: grapefruit, wood, incense, vanilla bean accord, amber extreme

Click here to try: Ocean EDP

My Review: Luna Rossa Ocean EDP

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Opening

Ocean EDT uses bergamot and some other light citrus notes, in the opening. It’s fresh and juicy.

The usual Luna Rossa lavender note, is actually lighter in this composition. You get a smooth sweetness of suede, caramel and tonka bean. I don’t think those notes are officially listed, but their aroma is definitely in there. Perhaps, as a part of the ‘saffron accord’.

The main floral note here is the iris. Along with that suede quality and juicy citrus, you will get a fresh and aromatic aroma, with a touch of the lavender.

Smooth, sweet, spicy, but actually not an aquatic, just a ‘blue’ impression.

Ocean EDP begins somewhat like the original. This time, this citrus is a grapefruit note, but for a few minutes I still get a very similar blue-ish vibe out of this newer release.

Still smooth and a bit powdery, though the tonka bean and iris aren’t listed as notes here.

But, that opening is short-lived, after a few minutes it really shifts into a slightly smoky vanilla and amber fragrance.

Which is better? I was excited upon initially spraying the eau de parfum. I thought that I’d get a similar and hopefully longer lasting start than the EDT. That’s not how it worked out, however.

I think that the original Ocean is still better, as it gives me more time with it’s awesome opening act versus EDP.

Edge: Ocean EDT

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Projection

Both of these start out with a sillage in the upper moderate end of the range. Nice projection and very noticeable for those around you. Yet, each will also collapse much closer to the skin within an hour or two.

Very light with how they project thereafter. Sure, you can still detect them, but both Luna Rossa Ocean’s are more intimate wears. EDP did not improve upon this.

Edge: Push

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Longevity

With the original Ocean, I get a total of 4-6 hours of wear on skin. Now, it gives me 2-3 hours wear it is noticeable, the last few are purely a skin scent.

Is the EDP an improvement? Not during my testing. If anything, it matches what you get with the EDT at best. But, it might even undershoot it. Though, I’m not entirely sure that I’m not just going ‘nose blind’ with EDP. I don’t think so, as it does project much off clothes I’ve sprayed it on either.

Spraying on clothes, it will hold up better, much more in that six hour range. Nevertheless, it’s basically an even draw again between these two.

Edge: Push

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Versatility

Both of these colognes are very versatile and can work in a multitude of seasons. Maybe EDT has a slight edge, as I think it’s somewhat better in the warmer weather than is the vanilla and ambermax combo found in Ocean EDP.

Otherwise, each is safe and can fit in to scenarios day or night. Neither is really going to offend anyone or come off as being inappropriate to a given situation.

Edge: EDT (slightly)

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Overall Scent

Overall, which of these do I prefer? Honestly, I think the EDT is better than this newer release. Even if, there isn’t too much separation between them. Sure, different smelling fragrances, but the experience is similar.

The opening act of the EDT only lasts around an hour on my skin. The back half of the wear is quite weak and not very exciting. Iris, lavender, and a soapy clean musky aroma is what to expect. Not great and held me back from making a purchase of it.

The EDP doesn’t do much for me, beyond that opening 10 minutes or so. It goes really quickly into the vanilla, amber, and light woods blend. It’s not all that powerful and doesn’t seem to last any longer than its predecessor.

The amber and vanilla thing has been done a million times before…and much better. Coach Platinum, Invictus Victory, probably some of the Armani Code’s are all sort of like Ocean EDP’s dry down. Luna Rossa Black has a similar style, but way better.

Ocean EDP does smell nice. I again liked the opening, but there’s nothing here that keeps me interested.

For the price, I don’t really care for it. Ocean EDP doesn’t smell bad, it’s just not worthwhile, in my mind.

If you absolutely want to have one of these colognes, I’d go with Ocean EDT. At least you’ll get a nice smooth and sweet wear for an hour out of it. I really wanted each to be better than they actually are. Both are fine, just never can touch that elite level.

Winner: Ocean EDT