Versace Eros vs Pour Homme Cologne Comparison

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Here is my latest installment of cologne comparisons on this website. Today, we have another battle of Versace scents between, Eros and Versace Pour Homme. I have already reviewed both of these fragrances individually and now will break down each for those trying to decide between these colognes.

I want to give an overview on how each one smells, how it performs, when it can be worn, and which scent is better overall. So, let’s get into Eros vs Versace Pour Homme.

Tale of the Tape: Eros vs. Versace Pour Homme

Versace Eros

Notes of Eros: mint, green apple, tonka bean, madagascar vanilla, vetiver

Read my Eros review

Shop Amazon for: Versace Eros Eau de Toilette Spray for Men, 3.4 Fluid Ounce

Versace Pour Homme

Notes of Pour Homme: bergamot, bitter orange leaves, geranium, sage, oud wood, mineral amber, tonka bean, musk

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Read my Versace Pour Homme Review

Click Here to try: Versace Pour Homme by Versace for Men – 3.4 Ounce EDT Spray

Opening

Versace Pour Homme is really intense up front. The bergamot and bitter orange really pack a wallop from the very start. It’s honestly too much for me.

I do think that Pour Homme gets better, thereafter. I’ve just never been a fan of the opening act.

Eros, is also strong out of the gate but it feels much more well done than Pour Homme. Versace does calm down minutes after spraying but it definitely goes hard and it isn’t amazing enough to compensate.

Newer bottles of Eros seem to go harder with the lemon than the original. To me, there used to be a greater use of the tonka bean, vanilla, and mint up top. Still, I prefer Eros over Pour Homme.

Edge: Eros

Projection

After the opening, Pour Homme calms down into something more on the moderate side of things. It still projects itself better than most colognes, though.

Eros is a beast in this regard, I cap myself at two sprays when I wear it because more than that and it just seems overbearing.

Eros has lost a step, over the years, but it still has an edge.

Edge: Eros

Longevity

Again, I’ve always gotten good wear out of Eros, and it usually lasts for a long time (update: now, it’s like 8 hours).  Pour Homme, is good for 6-7 hours, and then fades out.

Versace Pour Homme isn’t as heavy of a scent as Eros, so I would expect it to not live up to it in this department. Although, it does still perform quite well.

Update: Eros doesn’t last as long as it used to, but will still get a few hours more than its competitor.

Edge: Eros

Versatility

Here’s where it gets more competitive. Eros isn’t an office wear in my opinion, in fact, it is best in the colder weather and more geared to romantic wear. Although, it could be still pulled off casually when applied lightly.

Versace Pour Homme, could be worn in lots of situations and works in pretty much every season. It’s a citrus cologne that can totally be worn in spring/summer and still feel right at home in winter.

Edge: Versace Pour Homme

Overall Scent

I really like Eros, as a smooth and complex gourmand type of fragrance. Yes, it is loud and heavy but there is definitely something quite appealing about its rich blend of mint, vanilla, tonka, and green apple.

Versace Pour Homme, is a pretty good citrus based cologne. It feels a lot like Eau Fraiche but I think that one is better. I also like Dreamer from Versace, better than Pour Homme.

Update: I’m changing my decision on this one. Over the years, Eros has been diminished in a lot of ways performance wise. Add to that, the scent itself has changed somewhat, as has my enjoyment.

Heck, even the aforementioned Dreamer is a newer formula.

Factoring in all of that, I’ve also come to like Versace Pour Homme, a bit more than I used to. I used to really love wearing Eros. Now, I can do without. Still, not a massive Pour Homme fan, but I’ll give it the nod here.

Winner: Versace Pour Homme

Ambre Sultan by Serge Lutens

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I’ve been meaning to get around to writing this review for months, but just never buckled down and did it, for some reason. Well, here we are, and I am going to be taking a closer look at Ambre Sultan by Serge Lutens.

This is a fragrance that came out back in the 1990s and has had fans ever since. As usual, I will cover: what the notes are, how it smells, how it performs, when it should be worn, and if it is even worth a purchase.

What does Ambre Sultan Smell Like?

Notes include: amber, resin, benzoin, sandalwood, bay leaf, coriander, patchouli, vanilla, oregano

Click here to try: Serge Lutens Ambre Sultan Eau De Parfum Spray for Women, 50 Ml

My Full Review

Ambre Sultan opens up with the amber note, that is joined by quite a resinous aroma, and a healthy dose of spice. Coriander, bay leaf, and some herbal spices are fairly heavy at the start of this fragrance.

I was expecting it to be a warmer and sweeter fragrance than it is, but I instead get, a lot of sandalwood and the aforementioned spice notes. It does get somewhat sweeter, as it wears on, but it’s nothing super dramatic.

Ambre Sultan actually has a oriental smokiness to it (incense) and the distinct smell of myrrh. I pick this up, at about 10 minutes after spraying, and it reminds me a lot of other scents that I know I’ve review on this site but cannot recall the name of.

Anyway, as it dries down, it actually does become drier and a hint of vanilla peaks through to make things feel creamier with that sandalwood.

After this first hour or two of wear, you pretty much know what you’re going to get from this Serge Lutens fragrance, as it is pretty linear from here on. It is a dry and smokey resinous smell from the base notes, with some sweet vanilla, a sandalwood, and spice led by a dominant bay leaf note.

Seriously, the bay leaf is much stronger than I figured it’d be in this composition, so be aware of that before you buy.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Projection wise, the sillage isn’t huge but it’s solid. Ambre Sultan is strong enough to get noticed, by people close by, but not across the room.

The longevity is also quite good, clocking in at around 7-8 hours, on my skin. No performance issues with this scent.

Seasonally, this is cold weather all the way. Not necessarily dead of winter, but at least a brisk fall day.

Wearing Ambre Sultan outdoors in such conditions, was a great experience. It has enough power to hang in the air around you, not getting completely blown out by the surrounding smells of the environment.

It has a refined and classy aroma, one that is appropriate for business, semi-formal, or formal occasions. This is a unisex scent and has a certain appeal to it, but I wouldn’t really call it sexy.

It is cozy enough to throw on, if you’re just lounging around the house and are in the mood. Especially, when you get to the dry down phase of the wear.

Overall Impressions of Ambre Sultan

Overall, do I like Ambre Sultan. I do. It’s a really good amber based fragrance and one that is quite different from the norm, in this category. I think it is much more substantial than something like Grand Soir by MFK.

Is it for everyone? No, it’s not a mass market crowd pleaser, but isn’t so niche that everyone around you will hate it.

The bay leaf was a surprise with how much it popped, on my skin. Not anything crazy, but I enjoyed that along with the resinous and smokier aspects of this Serge Lutens perfume.

That opening spice, herbal quality and resin are an interesting start that will transition into a smoother and calmer finish. Plenty of depth and different facets to enjoy here.

It’s just a very well put together scent, for those who want an amber scent with some spice and ‘dirtiness’, but not to the extreme.

4 Fragrances that Smell Similar to Polo Blue EDT

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Polo Blue has been a massive hit for the brand over the past decade. That being the case, it is only natural that people start looking for scents that smell similar to this cologne. Either, to find a slightly better take on the composition or to provide a cheaper alternative which can come close to the Polo Blue smell. In this post, I am going to suggest some options which can do just that.

Colognes that Smell like Polo Blue

If we’re talking  fragrances with nearly the same aroma or cheaper options versus buying Polo Blue EDT, I’ve only come across one real alternative, that satisfies this question specifically. Update: I’ve found a few more that closely matches what we want.

The Inspired By Option

Another Blue Dua– The Dua Brand’s Another Blue Dua is your best bet if you want something that tries to match what you get from Polo Blue EDT. It’s inspired by the original vintage formula of Blue.

Eternity Aqua, listed below, is similar but ultimately a different fragrance. So, this is going to take over as the best option for a lot of people.

I haven’t tried Another Blue Dua, as of yet. I have owned 10 or so other inspired fragrances from Dua and they all hit very close to the mark. I can’t imagine that they don’t get Polo Blue correct. Very affordable and in a more concentrated Extrait de Parfum.

Melon Madness

Aromatic Watermelon– This is a newer entry to the list, as Dossier has now put out their interpretation of the Polo Blue DNA.

Aromatic Watermelon seems to take a bit of a different tact to accomplishing this. Noticeably, suede and cucumber are not listed in the notes here.

Instead, you’ll get cardamom, orris, and verbena in support to accomplish something that smells akin to the Ralph Lauren scent.

Does it accomplish this? I’m not sure, as I haven’t tested this fragrance out. But, I’ve tried Dossier in the past and they’ve done a good job with their versions of designer scents. It’s just another option for a good price to choose from.

The Best Alternate

Calvin Klein ETERNITY for Men AQUA Eau de Toilette, 3.4 Fl Oz– Eternity Aqua is the closest thing you will get to the aroma of Polo Blue EDT. Actually, it comes quite close to replicating it exactly, but there are a few differences.

Mainly, the opening act, is what is so similar to Blue. Eternity shares the cucumber note and that aquatic type of scent, but also features a plum note and citrus, to separate it from the Polo. It turns into a citrus spiciness with Sichuan pepper, with elements from the original Eternity for Men.

Is it better than Polo Blue? In terms of smell, they are really close, but I’m actually partial to Aqua. The longevity of Polo Blue is better, but I get 5-7 hours from this Calvin Klein. It would ultimately come down to price.

Right now, you can find full bottles of Eternity Aqua at some places for under $30, which is a saving versus Blue. If you can get one of the cheap bottles, go with this on over Ralph Lauren. Eternity Aqua Review

Tommy Bahama Option

Maritime Deep Blue– Maritime Deep Blue is one of the more recent releases from Tommy Bahama and it smells quite a bit like a batch of Polo Blue.
There’s not nearly as much of the aquatic-like elements and the citrus notes are toned down. Still present, just not with the same opening intensity.
It’s base has a certain dryness to it, with a really solid juniper note, which is the main distinction from the Polo Blue’s of the world.
As it dries down, it becomes a bit more unique with its cardamom and fresh juniper. It feels dry, fresh, and spicy. Plus, the nice floral and woody touches. Maritime Deep Blue Review

Any Other Alternative Choices?

There aren’t really any other choices for a one to one experience from cheaper brands. However, another option from just the popular EDT version of Polo Blue, is to go with the EDP. I actually enjoy the EDP Polo Blue more, as it has a spicier edge than does the EDT.

To me, it is underappreciated, and provides a similar yet different enough experience from the original to be a great alternative.

Alright, this is my list as it stands of similar men’s fragrances to Polo Blue. I will update this page, as needed, if I happen to come across any other options of colognes that could fit the bill.

10 Best Smelling Bvlgari Perfumes for Ladies

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When considering the top scents for women by Bvlgari, I wanted to both get the best smelling perfumes on the list but also to include some actually variety in the compositions. That way, there would be a list of different options based on one’s own personal tastes, as well as, based on the time of year or particular style you may be searching for. In the end, I have selected 10 perfumes from Bvlgari’s lineup which I think stack up as the top option.

What are the Best Bvlgari Fragrances for Her?

High-End Beauty

Baciami by Bvlgari– The Allegra line is one of Bvlgari’s latest offerings over the past few years. At a higher price point then their usual mainstream perfumes, they create something special for those looking for a scent that is more niche.

Baciami might be the best of the bunch. To me, it’s certainly in the top three thus far (along with the two others on this list).

This one gives you a creamy/milky sort of vanilla blend with a rich use of gardenia, that will all settle into a more powdery aroma. It kind of hits like a coconut, but not quite. It’s sweet with a great amber base note and the vanilla blend.

The gardenia will go back and forth with the vanilla, as to which is more dominant. Sometimes, it feels balanced, while others one will really come through off of the skin. Very nice to wear. Expensive, but worth trying.

A Lovely Myrrh 

Spettacolore by Bvlgari– A second Allegra fragrance. Though, I might go with Riva Solare before this one, Spettacolore is also worth a spot on the list.

This one is about the myrhh and iris notes. Early, you get an earthy and powdery iris note, that has a light citrus brightness to it. Not a complete powdery overload or anything, there also might be violet here, especially early on.

This has a great warmth, some sweetness, but a really fresh and interesting use of the myrrh note. Like a cooling freshness kick emerging from that warm pool of amber. It’s got such a great balance and it’s completely clean in the dry down, once that earthy aspect has faded completely.

Probably going to be one that will only interest a small percentage of people, but give it a try if you can.

Floral Bouquet

Bvlgari By Bvlgari For Women. Eau De Parfum Spray 3.4 Ounces– The brand’s namesake fragrance which features a floral bouquet of rose, iris, violet, and others. A very soft and feminine perfume yet still retains really good staying power (over 8 hours).

I’m personally not that into the smell, as I don’t particularly enjoy the heavier floral based perfumes. However, for those who do, Bvlgari Pour Femme is a solid choice. It opens with iris and violet leaf, then, you get more rose and violet during the drydown.

There are lighter fruit notes, in the background, but are none too strong. Again, this one is more for floral lovers, but it hits the mark in that category. Bvlgari Pour Femme Review

Beautiful Unisex Fragrance

Bvlgari Au The Blanc Unisex Eau De Cologne Spray, 2.5 Ounce– Au The Blanc from Bvlgari is an herbal, musk, and tea blend that is highlighted by a fresh spiciness. The opening act features pepper and artemisia for a bold and unique aroma.

Yet, this one doesn’t overpower, and has a more soothing aroma. The white tea and ambrette really play well off of the top notes and the musk ties it all together. It ends up warm, freshly clean, and a bit sweet.

Truly a unisex fragrance, that will give a change of pace from the usual perfumes.

Best Fresh Spicy Scent

Bvlgari Omnia Eau de Parfum Spray for Women, 2.2 Ounce– Omnia changes up the pace and brings the spice (but not too much) with notes like ginger, cinnamon, and nutmeg. It’s a unique experience that isn’t overpowering but still very good.

You get the warm and comforting spices, joined with a chai tea note, and some sweet almond and chocolate notes. The base is quite woody and supports the cardamom, ginger, and other assorted spices. The spices aren’t too sharp nor are they very powerful.

It’s a lighter scent, that wraps you in its warm coziness, versus beating you over the head with its projecting ability. Nice casual pick for the colder months.

Jasmine Blend

Jasmin Noir By Bvlgari Eau-de-toilette Spray, 3.4-Ounce– Jasmin Noir is a different kind of floral fragrance. While it opens up with jasmine and gardenia, these notes are surrounded by, almond and licorice. With a bit of patchouli, for good measure.

It’s floral, sweet, and slightly spicy. Jasmin Noir features a woody base, with a creamy tonka bean note, adding to its sweetness. It’s well put together, and the jasmine note, isn’t overwhelming within the composition. It’s quite moderate in its performance and a versatile pick for the autumn and winter months.   Jasmin Noir Review

Fresh and Powdery

Bvlgari Blv By Bvlgari For Women. Eau De Parfum Spray 2.5 Ounces–Very no frills, simplistic, and unique. Fresh, powdery, with a nice spice to it, and enough sweetness to intrigue. Blv opens up with a citrus bergamot note, joined by the main attraction of ginger.

No worries, the ginger isn’t completely dominant, and is tempered by the soft floral notes like wisteria. A light musk adds a bit more to the overall composition, but you still ultimately, get a clean powdered spice with a soft disposition.

Note: The women’s version seems to be discontinued now, as of this update.

Most Popular/Best Seller

Bvlgari Omnia Crystalline for Women Eau De Toilette Spray, 2.2 fl oz– Another from the Omnia series, Coral is another good scent, from that line. Crystalline is a light fragrance with lotus, tea, bamboo, and musk being the highlight notes.

It’s a simple and straightforward wear, that is a good pickup for daily use. It’s a clean blend of the lotus, tea, and a pear-like aroma. Quite clean, with a light soapy quality. Bamboo and musk sit at the base, but Crystalline, is headed up by the lotus flower.

Omnia Crystalline is a choice for those who want something to wear casually or to the office, that won’t offend or overwhelm, but smells fresh and delightful.

Sheer Rose Perfume

Bvlgari Rose Essentielle by Bvlgari 3.4oz 100ml EDT Spray– A must-have for rose lovers. Soft, sweet, and deliciously feminine. The two rose ingredients are paired with juicy blackberry, musk, and violet. A sandalwood base, adds a smooth creamy quality, that pairs well with the floral notes.

The rose smells freshly cut and not overpowering, the blackberry does a magnificent job at balancing things out. It isn’t too powerful, but, helps the rose and violet feel even more beautiful.

Rose Essentielle has a sheer and clean aroma, with good performance, that’s never too in your face about it.

Great Newer Bvlgari Perfume

Riva Solare by Bvlgari– Riva Solare Allegra is described by the brand as an Italian Vacation. It’s easy to understand why, when you get top notes of mandarin orange, and Calabrian bergamot. Along with, a lovely neroli note.

With that neroli, you get orange blossom, and osmanthus to round out the floral notes. Obviously, this is going to be a summertime citrus wear for the most part, but it is an absolutely beautiful one.

However, it really turns light and musky after that opening, with the impression of the bergamot really sticking around. To me, this felt very clean and just a complete vibe of being on the coast. It definitely captures those moments. The performance isn’t amazing, so you may want to try before you buy.

Eau de Lacoste L.12.12 Jaune (Yellow)

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One of the few things that I actually like about being in airports ,is the proliferation of duty free shops and luxury retailers, from which I can test out a few sprays of new colognes.

Today, while at El Prat in Barcelona, I got to sample Eau de Lacoste L.12.12 Jaune and thought that I’d post a one-time wear review of this fragrance. Update: I’m coming back to this one years later, with more on Jaune.

Now for those of you who don’t know French, this is the yellow bottle of the series, and was released back in 2015.  As usual, I’m going to give my thoughts on how it smells, performs, and whether or not I think that it is worth a purchase.

What does Lacoste Yellow (Jaune) Men’s Perfume Smell Like?

Notes Include: grapefruit, pink pepper, cyprus, tonic, golden delicious apples

Click Here to try: Lacoste Eau de Lacoste L.12.12 Jaune Eau de Toilette for Men, 3.3 fl. oz.

My Full Review

Upon first spraying Jaune, I immediately identified the first note as grapefruit. There is a slight spice to it, which when combined with the citrus overtones, creates an energetic and lively fragrance.

The opening is rather bold and instantly reminds one of a summer day with a hint of woodiness provided by the cyprus note, gives Jaune a somewhat unique feeling for this type of citrus fragrance.

There is a tonic note which gives this Yellow cologne, that slightly fizzy and upbeat kind of aroma. It’s like a cold drink paired with a peppery bite, with a fresh woodsy overtone consisting of cypress/vetiver.

One thing that I noticed about Jaune, is that, it doesn’t particularly develop beyond its initial scent. It’s very simplistic and straightforward. That initial burst is really quite good but this cologne lacks any real character, other than what it first shows you.

That in itself, wouldn’t be a problem. However, it becomes much more noticeable, when its other weakness is put front and center. Coming back to this perfume, multiple times, I still never really get any development so to speak of on my skin.

Jaune is sweet and citrusy, with a pleasant freshness that permeates the wear.

Sillage. How Long does it Last? Versatility.

The longevity of this one, like the other Eau de Lacoste scents I have reviewed, leaves much to be desired. Again, it starts off bold and seems like it’ll be a welcome addition to your cologne collection, but then fades relatively fast and is relegated to a skin scent.

It does project very well for the first 30-45 minutes of wear…which just ain’t enough. I also sprayed Polo Red Extreme, on my other arm at the same time, and that Ralph Lauren fragrance is still going strong. The difference is very noticeable in terms of performance.

As a weaker fragrance, it will stick around for maybe 4-6 hours, depending on the day. Not great for the retail price, but at a discount it could be a nice pick up, for those warmer days.

Update: Yep, right in that 4-6 hour range, is about what to expect from this one. This whole series from Lacoste, had pretty mediocre performance.

I don’t know that I like the scent of the Yellow bottle of Eau de Lacoste better than the White, but it might have the edge (or be tied) with Red.

Jaune is a bit different than the others, it’s a casual spring/summer scent, but I’d categorize it more towards the sporty end of the spectrum.

Again, it’s a simple scent. I’d say that it’s more geared toward younger guys, up through their 20s. It’s light enough to wear professionally. Smells nice, but isn’t sexy, nor does it have the power of a club beast.

Overall Impression of Lacoste Jaune

Overall, is it worth a buy? Maybe. If you can get a hold of a cheap bottle of Jaune, then, I would consider having a bottle. The scent is a really nice and energetic citrus, if that’s your thing, than this Eau de Lacoste edition is worth a look.

Again, I wish Lacoste would’ve beefed up the longevity of these scents because they are good casual colognes for the warmer months. Good smell, not so great performance.

I enjoy the grapefruit and the tonic, there are other summer colognes which do more of the straight lemonade vibe, so this was a slightly different take. An intense version would’ve been great, but that’ll probably never happen.

Update: This is still around on discounter sites, as of now, even if Lacoste discontinued it. I’m pretty sure they did, anyway. Jaune was one of the better editions of the L.12.12. lineup, in terms of smell.

The performance while not great, was also better than some of the others. Very pleasant, fresh, fizzy, and sweet. I just saw it for under $60 and somewhat cheaper with a promo code. In that $40-50 range, it might be worthwhile for some, while the stock of Jaune dwindles.