H24 EDT vs. EDP by Hermes

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H24 is the newer fragrance series for men by Hermes. Thus far, we have gotten the first release, H24 EDT and the subsequent H24 eau de parfum. In this post, I want to compare the two colognes, and see what the differences are. Which smells better? How long do they last? Which is the better buy?

Tale of the Tape: H24 EDT vs EDP

H24

Notes includes: sage, narcissus, rosewood, sclarene

Click here to try: H24 by Hermes

Read my review: H24 EDT

h24 review

H24 EDP

Notes include: moss, sclarene, sage, rosewood, narcissus

Click here to try: H24 EDP

My Review: H24 eau de parfum

Opening

H24 EDT starts out like a sage bomb, on my skin. The sclarene note adds its metallic influence underneath that, but it feels warmer than the eau de parfum version. Like, the moss in that, has a cooling influence in comparison.

Narcissus is stronger in the early stages in EDT. There is also a lighter fruity touch to the blend, that doesn’t come through as much with the EDP.

H24 EDP opens up quite metallic and green with how it comes across. In this mix, the moss and sclarene are amped up from the jump. Not as much sage, as with EDT, but it is still there.

Oakmoss is also in the original, just a fairly negligible amount. In EDP, it’s massive.

Plus, the yellow floral aspect and underlying woods are detectable. A bit of sweetness under that, mossy metal aroma, and very cold fresh.

Which is better?

The greenish metal scent of EDP is interesting, but I like how H24 EDT kicks off somewhat more. The sage and the weighting of the other notes, is more likeable to me than the infusion of moss, with the eau de parfum.

Edge: H24

Projection

I don’t notice too much of a difference with how each projects or the sillage, overall. With the original H24, it would project 5-7 feet and come in closer from there.

Nothing massive, but I knew it was around pretty deep into the wear. With EDP, it might have an extra bump up top with the strength. But really, nothing super noticeable.

EDP does have a better ability to stay at it’s stronger levels than the EDT. For that, I’ll give it the edge.

Edge: EDP

Longevity

Again, there isn’t a huge difference in terms of how long each cologne lasts, either. With the original, I got 6-7.5 hours of wear from it, each time I tested the EDT.

Nothing amazing, but I found it to be solid.

With H24 eau de parfum, it was maybe a tad better. Up to 8.5 hours, mostly with the moss still hanging around. Though, about 7-ish hours, on average.

Edge: EDP

Versatility

There’s no difference in this category.

Both are more daytime oriented, work safe, and very easy to wear. Each is at its best in spring and summer. But, can extend into the autumn months too. Very versatile fragrances.

A slight age difference. Each can be worn by anyone, but EDP feels more geared towards an older audience, and EDT can work well for either.

Edge: Push

Overall Scent

Overall, which of these do I prefer?

H24 EDT and EDP aren’t completely different from one another, like some flankers can be. Add a much stronger oakmoss note to the original and fiddle some with the weightings of the other notes, and you have, EDP.

I’m probably in the minority opinion, but I like the original more than the stronger EDP. I’m not in love with either, I think they’re both likeable scents, but the EDT just smells better to me throughout the wear.

The dry down is pretty similar between them. EDT is more of the narcissus influence, both are much heavier with the rosewood, near the end.

Really, it comes down to whether you like moss and it’s fresher aspects. Hermes calls this a ‘high-tech moss’ and it doesn’t come across as naturalistic. There’s something slightly different about it.

H24 EDP feels better suited to older guys. It’s less sweet, less floral, and has a classic clean.

Personally, I’m going with the original EDT. I like the woody dry down with the narcissus. Nothing too complex, but a bit more enjoyable to me.

Winner: H24 EDT

Habit Rouge Rouge Prive by Guerlain

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Habit Rouge Rouge Prive, is a 2023 flanker to the original Habit Rouge, which has been popular for decades. I bought a sample of Rouge, after seeing so many positive comments about the scent.

I have been testing this Guerlain out and putting it through its paces for review. I must note, that I am not going to be comparing it to the original, as it’s been years since I’ve even smelled Habit Rouge. So, I really don’t want to try to do it based off memory alone.

How does Rouge Prive smell? How long does it last? Is it actually worth a try?

What does Habit Rouge Rouge Prive Smell Like?

Notes include: bergamot, leather, ginger, iris, vanilla, patchouli, orange blossom

My Full Review

Here’s how Guerlain describes it: The legendary bergamot-leather accord of Habit Rouge intensified by the sensuality of patchouli and modernized by the spiciness of ginger.

The opening of Rouge Prive comes out with a very strong use of its bergamot note. Juicy, sour, and quite good.

Immediately alongside of that, you’re already going to get the leather note showing itself. It’s already powerful, but will grow to dominate this Guerlain fragrance.

What’s interesting to me, is the mix of warmth and spiciness from the ginger note, and the patchouli peaking through. It’s kind of presenting a roasted and crispy bergamot aroma up close.

However, pulling back my nose, this has a light powdery/soapy aroma from the iris and very light orange blossom. The orange blossom, what little there is, seems to be gone in 20 minutes or so.

The transition away from the warmer spiciness of the opening is the first major change. That ginger becomes much weaker, leather and patchouli rise further. Still, the bergamot is playing a major role at this point in time.

After about an hour in, the powdery aroma has faded a lot. You pretty much get the same thing the rest of the way: luxurious and smooth leather, bergamot and patchouli jockeying for position, and a bit of vanilla to soften out the edges.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Habit Rouge Rouge Prive absolutely packs a punch. That opening is loud, fairly heavy, and projects extremely well.

The thing is, the party keeps on going for a long long time. The projection hours into the wear, is still very noticeable, and outdoes a lot of mainstream designer colognes at their peak. 5+ feet off of the skin or clothing, seems about right, after 3-plus hours.

It also is one that lasts over 9 hours and got up to 11 for me. For some people, Rouge Prive might extend beyond that. That wasn’t true in my case, but it’s a scent with fantastic longevity.

Seasonally, this works anytime outside of the height of summer. Just avoid having it on in the heat and humidity. You should be fine any other time. Rouge Prive is at its best, when it’s at least slightly cold, however.

One that can be worn day or into the night. It’s got a refined style, that’s suitable for ‘dressier’ wear, but not so completely stuffy that it’s unwearable in a more chill scenario.

I might goes easy on the sprays, if you’re wearing it to the office or elsewhere in close quarters. Though, it should still fit in, for a wide variety of situations.

Skews older. Not an ‘old man’ scent, but probably not something that most high school aged guys are going to be wearing to class, either.

Overall Impressions of Rouge Prive

Overall, do I like this fragrance? I do. I received this sample along with a decant of Ideal Platine Prive, also by Guerlain, and I like that one more than Rouge Prive.

But, this is still a very nice fragrance, if you’re into this sort of style. The Habit Rouge series does come across as a masculine version of Shalimar. Rouge Prive, is a modernized version of that.

I do like the opening with the ginger, bergamot, and leather. It’s a great start to the wear. The powdery touch are also nice.

I must note, that the bergamot and leather combination, does kind of get old to me after a number of hours. Just starts to wear on my nerves. Not completely awful or anything, but not something that I want to personally have on all day.

The performance is fantastic too. Rouge Prive will stick around for a long time, without completely diminishing in its strength until very deep into the wear.

Rouge Prive is worth a try, if you like the original or are a fan of leathery scents. This Guerlain does have pretty limited availability both geographically and the number of stores it actually sells in.

That being the case, you might have to just blind buy it, if you’re really interested. If this sounds like something you’d be into, I don’t think you’d be disappointed with what you get.

Hugo Red by Hugo Boss

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I’ll be making my way through plenty of reviews over the next few weeks and today I thought that I’d go with one from Hugo Boss, Hugo Red. I’ve already included this cologne on my list of best by Hugo Boss, however, I want to give it a closer look that I feel it deserves.

In this post, I will explore what makes up Red, what it smells like, how it performs, and whether or not I think it is worth a buy. Note: This page has been updated a few times since its original posting.

What does Hugo Red Smell Like?

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Notes include: grapefruit, pink pepper, rhubarb, amber, pineapple, tonka bean, cedar

Click here to try: HUGO BOSS Red EDT Spray for Men, 6.8 Fluid Ounce

Hugo Red Full Review

Hugo Red is quite an interesting scent to me. At times, it reminds me of some other fragrance that I’ve once smelled and at other times it seems wholly unique.

The opening is the usual citrus affair of pineapple and grapefruit notes which give it a spring/summer fruity vibe to it. The pink pepper and amber feel, has a Guess Seductive quality to it.

But, this is a fresher and less heavy kind of cologne.

However, Hugo Red becomes interesting in that there is this almost metallic aroma to it, sort of like Creed Himalaya (which I don’t enjoy) but in Red it is enjoyable.

The spice to this really isn’t really heavy and it’s kind of tough to explain. Red has a warm and woodsy heart that is only slight spicy and provided by the amber, pink pepper, and cedar.

It’s sort of unique because the rhubarb note isn’t all that common in many fragrances and I think that this note is what is setting Hugo Red apart.

This fragrance is quite clean, crisp, and refreshing. People also seem to dig it while I have it on, even if it can seem synthetic/generic at times.

There’s a very slight tonka bean after a while, but it isn’t all that noticeable during most wears.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

It is a moderate projection and I could detect it without having to get close to my skin. It stays moderate for 2-4 hours, before having a lighter sillage, but sticking around for a long while.

This fragrance has a reputation of not lasting long but I got really good wear out of it. I put it on the night before and it was quite noticeable still when I woke up the next morning.

Update: Upon wearing this for a while, I actually can get 8+ hours easily, but it fits in the 8-10 hour range mostly.

This would be a great choice for the warmer months, but I think it’d perform pretty well in wintertime, also. I like to wear it casually or for a night out during the summertime.

Hugo Red isn’t really an office scent, can have more of a youthful vibe. Not just for teenagers, but can work great for guys in their mid-20s. It just works in its simplicity, and has a unique enough vibe, to make it worthwhile.

Overall Impressions of Hugo Red

Overall, is Hugo Red a buy? It does smell good and it’s completely safe to wear for any occasion. I’d say that this could be an everyday summer wear for guys in the 18-30 range. It’s not too expensive and was a solid performer for me.

If you like citrus based scents with a woodsy/spicy heart, then Hugo Red is worth a look. I actually really enjoy this as a summertime citrus fragrance.

It’s unique and has a great blend of tartness and sweetness. That metallic finish is a great addition to making this Hugo Boss scent, stand out on its own.

Is it amazing? No, but it is all around a very good cologne, that has flown under the radar.

Update: Red has been discontinued by Boss. It’s harder to get a hold of bottles, but they do still exist, and usually for a great price. But, that’ll change as soon as the fragrance gets scarce.

I wouldn’t pay too much for a bottle, as it’s basically a fun summertime fragrance. Though, I’d enjoy having it again, if it were still a value.

4 Perfumes that Smell Similar to Prada Paradoxe

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Prada Paradoxe has enjoyed a good deal of success since its release. The formula is very familiar to other popular releases, but doesn’t exactly overlap any one in particular. Are there fragrances that smell like Paradoxe? This is my ongoing list of perfumes that are similar, cheaper, or just have a close style to the Prada scent.

What Perfumes are Similar to Paradoxe by Prada?

Inspired Alternative

Enigmoxe by The Dua Brand- Enigmoxe is The Dua Brand’s take on the Paradoxe formula. So, if you want a cheaper alternative that tries to mimic the Prada, this is your best bet at the moment.

With this, you’ll get the same note structure, while trying to nail the exact weighting. I haven’t tried this Dua fragrance, in particular. But, I have purchased over 10 of their other scents which were inspired by other designer perfumes, and they’ve all been extremely close.

I don’t see why this one would be an exception to that record. I’ll come back and update, if I end up giving this perfume a try.

Intensa Paradox

Voce Viva Intensa– As far as designer perfumes go, Voce Viva Intensa is the one that has the most striking similarities between it and Paradoxe.

However, they are not exactly the same, as Intensa is a thicker and heavier scent better for autumn and winter wear. Intensa sticks close to the original, Voce Viva, while doing some different things.

Mainly, that opening citrus accord is without the ginger spice and is an area where Intensa has a lot in common with Paradoxe. No pear note, but you get bergamot, orange, orange blossom, and jasmine.

I’ve described a lot of the wear of Voce Viva Intensa as a vanilla-soaked orange blossom, with some jasmine added. The dry down is much more vanilla based and has a slightly mossy finish.

The Prada perfume is fresher, lighter, and sweeter than this Valentino. But, Voce Viva Intensa could be a good alternative for those who want a more floral and vanilla heavy perfume. Voce Viva Intensa Review

voce viva intense review

Shocking Similarities

Black Opium Floral Shock– This is another designer scent that has a good deal of overlap with our Prada target, while having enough distinction to be wholly separate.

The main differences will be with the coffee note in this YSL, the gardenia in lieu of the jasmine of Paradoxe, lack of vanilla,  and less of the citrus influence. But, you do get the pear and bergamot up top (teamed up with lemon).

This one is a creamier white floral, with fresh influence, both from the fruit notes and the light freesia. The base features amberwood and musk. The white floral ingredients, ‘solar’ notes, and the rest do give this a creaminess that sort of simulates a vanilla influence…just not the same.

Paradoxe is a tad lighter and fresher. More of that citrus sweetness. Though, both have a close structure and the great white floral heart.

One Intense Paradoxe

The Only One Intense by Dolce & Gabbana Eau De Parfum Spray for Women 3.4 Ounce– This D&G scent is somewhere in the realm of Paradoxe Intense and the original. Like, Intense if you stripped out the moss note and added coconut in its place.

A substantial difference, I know. But, this one is more about having a similar style than trying to be an exact copy of Prada.

It’s also like its predecessor, The One Desire. But again, distinct enough to be noticeable.

Sweet, creamy, white floral notes, with a light citrus/apple start. It’s got plenty of jasmine in there as the main flower. Vanilla, cashmere wood, and coconut give it that milky warm embrace.

Not too heavy and can actually venture into warmer weather. Maybe not the height of summer, but it’s not a bad reach in the spring. Fantastic performer.

London by Playboy

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In this review, I am going to dive into the ‘cheapy’ end of the fragrance market, with London by Playboy. Yes, the long-running men’s magazine, has had a line of colognes and perfumes for both men and women, for 10+ years or so now.

This line is currently being produced by Coty and most of the scents can be had for $10 or less. How does Playboy London rate? Please continue reading below for my full take.

Update: The ownership of Playboy has changed, since this was first published, and London is discontinued.

What does Playboy London Smell Like?

Notes include: brandy, cinnamon, tonka bean, galbanum, cedar, and mandarin

Click here to try: Playboy London Eau De Toilette Spray for Men, 3.4 Ounce

My Full Wear Review

The bottle of London features the Playboy Bunny logo colored by the British flag, which looks really cool to me as an image. The contents of the bottle start out with a blast of brandy and a somewhat muted cinnamon.

The cinnamon note isn’t all that spicy and feels more powdery due to its interaction with the tonka bean.

Playboy London is a very fresh and sweet scent punctuated by a boozy aroma that is surprisingly well done for such an inexpensive scent.

Don’t think of this as a super sugary kind of sweetness, more of a gourmand blend that is pleasant, warm, and just sort of hangs around the wearer gently.

Most of what you’re going to detect is the cognac warmth and the cinnamon with a supporting role provided by the tonka bean.

This isn’t a super complex fragrance by any means, but it does have some cedar and floral notes that are noticeable, and a bit of citrus to keep it balanced.

I will say that London is a well put together fragrance for something so low on the price spectrum.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Projection wise, it’s moderate and fades within a few hours to more of a skin scent. Longevity, again, 2-3 hours of decent wear and then fades for the next 2-3 into a skin scent. In total, London lasts 4-6 hours.

It’s not disappointing for the price. I’ve encountered plenty of designer fragrances with performances at this level or worse.

Luckily, it cheap enough to spray extra with no problems. I feel like they could have made this a stronger fragrance, as it seems watered down at least somewhat. Had they done that, Playboy London, might have been a sneaky little beast.

I like this as a casual fragrance during the fall and winter months. It’s got some level of sophistication and sexiness to it, as much as can be expected, but it is legitimately a nice aroma for something so cheap.

However, I will say that this is primarily going to be a fragrance for teens or guys in their early 20s. It’s not something that most older guys are going to want to wear around. Not good enough for a formal environment or anything like that.

Overall Impressions of London

Overall, would I recommend, Playboy London? If you’re in the market for a very very inexpensive scent, it’s worth a look. I bought my bottle for $5 and will probably use it for the gym or just randomly as a change of pace.

Update: I used it on occasion for a while, before giving it away to someone else. I had too many other better fragrances than this ultra cheapie. It’s a cheap but good cologne, not great.

Don’t expect some amazing high end designer cologne, rather, a fragrance that punches above its weight class and provides a good amount of value. I like the opening act, the booziness, and cinnamon/tonka bean.

Is it a great fragrance? No. Would this be my first option ever? Probably not. Only if I absolutely can’t afford anything else.