Polo Black vs. Acqua di Gio

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For this entry into the men’s fragrance comparisons, I want to take a look at two fragrances from Giorgio Armani and Ralph Lauren, respectively. The two colognes in question, have been very popular for a long time now, Polo Black vs. Acqua di Gio.

Which of them is the better smelling scent? Which has better longevity?

I am going to break down my experiences with each in a variety of categories, before declaring a winner. Also, my original review of each, is linked below for further reading.

Tale of the Tape

Acqua di Gio

Notes include: bergamot, tangerine, neroli, jasmine, rosemary, patchouli, rock rose, hyacinth, persimmon, marine notes

Click here to try: Acqua Di Gio By Giorgio Armani For Men. Eau De Toilette Spray 3.4 Ounces

Read my review: Acqua di Gio 

Polo Black Tale of the Tape

Notes include:  mango, sandalwood, tonka bean, tangerine, sage, lemon, patchouli

Click here to try: Polo Black by Ralph Lauren for Men – 4.2 Ounce EDT Spray

My review: Polo Black Review

Opening

Polo Black opens up with a very nice mango note that is flanked by spicier notes of sage and patchouli. There are further citrus notes of tangerine and lemon, which aren’t as strong but do have a presence in the composition.

Acqua di Gio also has citrus notes of bergamot and tangerine, but is instead joined by the marine note accord, making it an aquatic fragrance. It’s slightly salty and has a great chilled freshness.

It also features jasmine and neroli, among other floral notes, sitting underneath of that. I get a lot of jasmine coming through the last few times, that I’ve tried Acqua di Gio. That, with the citrus is still awesome.

Which is better? I like Acqua di Gio, but I really enjoy how Polo Black starts off. Coming back to AdG after a long time away, I was tempted to give it the edge. But, Polo Black takes it still.

It is a great blend of fruits and spice, but uses mango, which is a rather unique note versus what you’d find in other men’s fragrances. It’s quite well put together and very enjoyable.

Edge: Polo Black

Projection

The projection of either of these fragrances is pretty moderate. Neither produces an extreme sillage, but you will indeed, notice that they are there. So, will those around you. However, there’s no real advantage here.

Lighter on the moderate scale for either. Mostly going to sit in that 3-4 foot range, as a radius, around where you sprayed the fragrance.

Edge: Push

Longevity

Again, the performance of these two colognes, track extremely close to one another. With either of them, I get 6-7 hours of wear, on my skin. No more than that and it’s a consistent result.

The older bottles of AdG could go a bit longer, but that hasn’t been the case in a long time. Some of the latest times that I’ve tested it, it might go 5-6 hours. But, these two are still basically equal.

Edge: Push

Versatiltity

Both of these scents can be worn for nearly any occasion and can go year round pretty much. However, the Armani holds up better in the summer, than does Polo Black.

I’m talking about the really hot days, more moderate temperatures, and Black is fine. Doesn’t do as well in high heat and humidity.

Edge: Acqua di Gio

Overall Scent

These fragrances are very close in terms of their uses and performances. I honestly enjoy wearing both of them, but, I do need to make a choice of which one I would reach for most of the time.

Acqua di Gio is an absolute classic, that has been imitated countless times, and is still a best-seller. It smells good, has solid sillage and longevity, and it is a great starter cologne for guys. It’s just one that does everything well.

In fact, there are times where I do actually prefer to wear Acqua di Gio. Yet, I don’t think it’s enough to top Black.

Polo Black is the better smelling of the two fragrances, for me. The mango and citrus top notes are paired fantastically with the spicier notes, at the start.

Then, the dry down period reveals a more woodsy and tonka bean-laden heart. It’s just got a more unique profile and has a very enjoyable wear. It’s not miles ahead of AdG, but I think that this Polo scent, tops its competitor.

Winner: Polo Black

7 Best Smelling Ylang Ylang Perfumes

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Ylang-ylang is a floral note that is featured in a whole lot of different perfumes. But, that’s usually as a feature or supporting note, instead of being the star itself. However, for some folks out there, the yellow flower is something that they love and want it front and center in their fragrance. This page is going to serve as my running list of the best of the bunch.

What are the Best Smelling Ylang-Ylang Perfumes?

Ylang, Fruits and Vanilla

Ylang in Gold– Ylang in Gold from Micallef is a very popular pick out of the ylang-ylang offerings. It’s actually quite fruity and has a nice vanilla/coconut creaminess to it. Then, even a light floral powdery undertone.

Ylang is the strongest within the composition, but it doesn’t stand alone. The peach note is probably the most noticeable fruity aspect of this fragrance, but even early on the coconut and some citrus gives it a slightly tropical feeling.

The latter stages are vanilla, sandalwood, ylang-ylang, and just a general mix of the sweet and floral notes. Really, those notes smell like an impression, rather than being anything distinct.

There are other editions of this perfume. For a woodier, less vanilla and fruity based version, try Ylang in Gold Nectar.

Sunny, Salty Floral

Embruns d’Ylang by Guerlain– This one is a high-end ylang-ylang fragrance from Guerlain. The company itself, seems to be the only one selling full bottles right now. With the price, you’d do well to track down a sample on eBay or somewhere else.

Anyway, Embruns d’Ylang is a bright and beach yellow floral fragrance. It has a coastal sea salt/sea spray note that gives this one a nice dynamic with how it plays off of the ylang-ylang note. Though, I didn’t feel this was super salty when I smelled it once.

It’s a bit sweet, but that saltiness seems to pair with the wood, upon first applying. Then, some jasmine. The ylang-ylang feels pretty thick in this and it has a rather strong sillage, at least early. Still, I’d try before buying to see if it vibes with you.

Citrus Spice and Ylang-Ylang

Ylang Ylang Nosy Be– Nosy Be opens things up with a spice and citrus blend up top. Grapefruit and cardamom seem to be the two main attractions. But, with some lemon and orange blossom thrown in.

The floral heart and vanilla note will really help to smooth this one out and give it a creamier sort of texture to the aroma. Ylang-ylang does dominate the floral aspect of course, but the orange blossom sticks around along with a bit of jasmine.

Yet, even with the vanilla Ylang Ylang Nosy Be doesn’t feel super thick or heavy. It’s fresh with a naturalistic sweetness. Drier once the vetiver and woods show up later on. This is the EDP version. There is a pricier Extrait de Parfum, but I haven’t tried, so it may be somewhat different.

Ylang and Carnation…with some Vanilla

Aqua Allegoria Ylang & Vanille by Guerlain– So, this offering from Guerlain is actually a fairly simple affair. The ylang-ylang is joined by the title vanilla, but also: jasmine and carnation. Just, those two will come in stronger at different times.

First, the ylang-ylang and jasmine. Later, that carnation really shows up. Even though, it’s actually a top note…whatever.

I don’t find the vanilla to be all that heavy versus something like Ylang in Gold or Nosy Be, even if it’s been given a title listing by Guerlain. Sharp aroma upon opening, but this perfume will soften up within a pretty short time frame.

I think that this has been discontinued now. So, you may need to dig for a bottle.

Sweet Creamy Ylang-ylang

51 Pour Femme Parfum– 51 Parfum from Roja Dove isn’t a pure stand alone ylang-ylang fragrance, but it does have a strong ylang note and is a fantastic wear.

Up top, you’re going to get raspberry and bergamot, giving it a fruity sweetness. This is joined by our target note, vanilla, and a host of white florals. Early on, it feels more like a bouquet than specifically focusing on the ylang-ylang.

But, as it dries down the white floral mix will take a step back. The dry down will be creamy and smooth, with hints of woods and spice. Vanilla and cashmere wood are here, maybe some light amber and musk.

Another expensive one, though, 51 Parfum is a great fragrance with enough ylang-ylang to grab a spot here.

Gucci Bloom

Profumo di Fiori– This is one of the entries from the Gucci Bloom series. Profumo di Fiori isn’t a pure ylang-ylang stand alone, but has a definite role within a blend of other floral notes.

Jasmine, tuberose, and Rangoon creeper are all there, as with most of the other scents from the Bloom lineup.

The jasmine has a bigger role early on, in my experience. The Rangoon creeper is lighter. Then, it will be more of the tuberose and ylang-ylang. It’s floral, but has a thicker substance to it, with a tropical vibe from our yellow flower.

It feels bright and has a creamy warmth to it, with enough woodiness to make things interesting. I don’t think that it’s ‘mind-blowing’, but this is a fantastic release from Gucci.

A Yellow Mix

Poeme by Lancome Eau de Parfum Spray for Women, Poeme, 3.4 Ounce– Poeme isn’t a pure ylang-ylang led scent. It’sa basket of floral notes, lots of yellow and white petals here. Right out of the gate, Poeme comes off strong and bold.

However, while it is quite floral, it doesn’t strike as a really ‘green’ bouquet because it is all tied together by the vanilla note and the inclusion of tangerine and plum.

The floral notes do indeed dominate, blend well together, but there is enough fruitiness in Poeme to keep it interesting. Peach really seems to survive for pretty much the entire run.

Lots of tuberose and mimosa fill up this scent, but when all the notes come together you have a clean, somewhat soapy, and sweet fragrance that can go all day.

Add to that, at times rose, ylang-ylang, and other floral ingredients will make an appearance. The ylang-ylang is mostly present past the opening act. Again, it’s a major player here, just not the sole star of the show.

So, if you want a blended use of ylang-ylang to use on other days, this Lancome can be a great fit.

Mon Guerlain vs La Vie est Belle Perfume Comparison

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Over the past few years, Mon Guerlain has become a very popular choice for women’s daily wear perfumes. La Vie Est Belle, has been a big shot, for a lot longer. Nonetheless, there a many ladies, who are trying to decide which one is the best option. In this post, I am going to compare the two in various categories, before declaring a winner as the better buy. 

Tale of the Tape: Mon Guerlain vs. La Vie Est Belle

La Vie Est Belle

Notes include: patchouli, vanilla, blackberry, iris, pear, tonka bean, praline, and more

Click here to try: Lancome La Vie Est Belle Eau de Parfum Spray, 1.7 Ounce

Read my Review: La Vie Est Belle

Mon Guerlain

Notes include: jasmine, vanilla, lavender, sandalwood, tonka bean

Click here to try: Guerlain Mon Guerlain Eau De Parfum Spray 100ml/3.3oz

Read my review: Mon Guerlain EDP

Opening

Mon Guerlain opens up with a sweet, candy-like aroma of vanilla and tonka bean. When paired with its other notes, it actually takes on a bit of a caramel sort of aroma.

With that is a light powder from iris and the brightness of a bergamot citrus note. Neither of them are too impactful, but they are present. 

Somewhat similar to Black Opium with how Mon Guerlain starts off Not the same, however. This is for about 15-20 minutes, before Mon Guerlain becomes a lavender and vanilla, based perfume. 

La Vie Est Belle kicks things off with a blueberry/pear combination. It is tart and somewhat sour, at the start. Then, the patchouli and iris, starts to take more control of the aroma. More of a fruity gourmand than a  sweet candy. It’ll be less fruity, in the dry down. 

Which is better? I really enjoy both. I think that the Mon Guerlain opening act, is probably more tolerable to most women. The tartness of the La Vie start, bothers some folks. I think I lean towards, Mon Guerlain, also.

Edge: Mon Guerlain

Projection

Mon Guerlain’s sillage is pretty moderate. Not weak, but definitely not a bomb. Very well balanced, overall. Meanwhile, La Vie can really come with the power, and take over a room. Not the strongest scent ever, but packs a punch, and wins this round easily.

Edge: La Vie Est Belle

Longevity

Both Mon Guerlain and La Vie Est Belle are all day wears. 8 hours seems to be the minimum, on my skin, and each are known to go for 10+ hours.

La Vie is stronger, but they are pretty equal in longevity. 

I tested both of these out, when they were newer to the market, so, I don’t know if either has been weakened since then. But, in my testing, they’re about the same.

Update: Changing this one to favor Mon Guerlain, after more testing. It consistently goes longer than La Vie Est Belle.

Edge: Mon Guerlain

 

Versatility

While both are seemingly better in the colder months, Mon Guerlain, can go later into the springtime than can La Vie Est Belle, in my opinion. Neither is a summertime wear.

They are both known for being versatile, in their uses. From casual to office to formal. Extremely popular daily wears. Neither is a club or nightlife scent. I think they’re both really pretty and attractive on a woman, though, not necessarily ‘sexy’. Not sure there’s much of an edge here.

Edge: Push

 

Overall Scent

This really is a tough call. It essentially is going to come down to which type of smell you prefer, as the performance is really close.

Mon Guerlain, after its initial candy-like smell, becomes more of a sweet floral fragrance. Vanilla, lavender, and jasmine are the main players here. It’s simple, yet elegant, and beautiful.

La Vie Est Belle, gives you a powerful sillage, with a fruity opening act. Then, vanilla/praline/patchouli, come along to create a gourmand scent, that is surrounded by iris. 

I like the overall experience of the Lancome fragrance and it is a scent that I enjoy quite a lot.

When, I think of which is better, my mind tends to say Mon Guerlain. I really love the way this perfume smells. I sprayed some before this post, and now, my room smells excellent. When compared to the La Vie, I think the lavender paired with vanilla, is just a bit better. You get more floral notes and the Guerlain is blended amazingly well.

Winner: Mon Gueralin

Oud Fleur by Tom Ford

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I’m just about done with my batch of Tom Ford fragrances to review, finally. Now, I obviously still have some more from the collection to get a hold of, but I’ve made plenty of headway. For today’s entry, I am going to give my take on Oud Fleur, one of the oud based scents from this brand. How does it smell? Perform? Is it worth a try? 

What does Oud Fleur Smell Like?

Notes include: oud, sandalwood, resin, patchouli, rose

Click here to try: Oud Fleur by Tom Ford for unisex – 3.4 Ounce edp spray 

My Full Wear Review

Before we get into my thoughts on Oud Fleur, let’s see how Tom Ford describes it: Oud Fleur unfolds like a brocaded silk damask of two deeply iconic Arabian ingredients: Rose and Oud Wood. The gloriously rich and aged complexity that makes oud the most prized and noble wood in perfumery, is contrasted with a symphony of rose effects orchestrated to capture every dimension of the flower. 

The opening of Oud Fleur is much about the oud, at least to my nose. What I do get is a pretty strong use of sandalwood, but mainly rose, with a very resinous amber. That’s a positive for me, as I enjoy sandalwood and amber, more so than oud. 

There is an underlying spice which peaks through the composition, during the entire wear, but really feels at its strongest in the opening act. Most of that, is the patchouli note, though some of it is due to the wood notes interacting and the amber.

This first half feels very rosy to me. I’m not sure how many times, that I’ve had to test out a oud and rose combo fragrance, but it’s getting repetitive. This one, however, is actually one of the better examples I must say. 

As it moves further along, the oud does make a stronger appearance, sort of replacing the sandalwood. The scent really doesn’t develop all that much beyond that. It’s a rose dominant oud scent, with a dark resinous, and somewhat spicy vibe. Not really any smokiness, as you’d usually find in this sort of scent.

 

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

The sillage of Oud Fleur is pretty strong, but not insanely so. For a few hours, it will project itself very well, and is moderate thereafter. Definitely, wasn’t a weak perfume, on my skin. 

The longevity was also good, I got somewhere in the 8-9 hour range, during testing. Was it amazing, in that regard? No. Though, it does its job for almost any event or standard work day. 

Oud Fleur is of course, another unisex scent from Tom Ford. This one does lean much more feminine, in my opinion. Wearing it was closer to a standard female perfume experience, than any male cologne of the market.

That being said, it could still be worn, by anybody. Just be aware beforehand, what you’re getting. 

Seasonally, this is a colder weather scent. Though, in a temperate climate, it wouldn’t be too out of place. I would avoid the heat. It does have good versatility, as it can go formal, or serve as a romantic wear. It has more of an elegant profile, but I wore it casually, without it feeling too out of place.

Overall Impression of Oud Fleur

Do I like Oud Fleur? As much as I can, personally. Again, I’m not a big fan of rose or oud, and not at all the target demographic for this fragrance. I definitely don’t hate it and wasn’t at all put off by it.

It’s one of the better examples of this sort of perfume, but still not an amazing one. Most of these rose and oud based fragrances, are around this same Tom Ford level price point.

I like its darker and spicier aspects. I find it intriguing and the somewhat damp woodiness and rose note, was much better than I would normally find it to be. The resin and spice is a nice touch in Oud Fleur to create a more distinct aroma versus all of the others on the market.

This is still going to be a niche sort of wear. It is well worth checking out, if you’re a oud fan, as even I have to admit that this is quite a fine use of the note. I got solid performance and it smells good for what it is.

Is it a perfume for the masses? Absolutely not. Though, it’s not so niche, as to be completely polarizing. For those are into this style, I’d probably still give it a try before committing to a full bottle.

Guilty Cologne by Gucci

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Oh, Gucci, you never do stop with the Guilty flankers do you? For 2019, the subject of today’s review was released, Guilty Cologne. Not a very original name, nor does it have any real connection to the rest of the Guilty line of fragrances. But, how does it smell? Does this scent have good performance? Is it worth a buy?

What does Guilty Cologne by Gucci Smell Like?

Notes include: bergamot, juniper berries, rosemary, violet, cypress, cedar, patchouli, heliotrope, musk

Click here to try: Gucci Guilty Cologne by Gucci, 1.6 oz EDT Spray for Men

My Full Review

I first tried out Guilty Cologne back in August, while I was out shopping. My first overall thought upon smelling it was, why do they keep using the Guilty name for fragrances, that don’t smell at all like the original Guilty?

Secondly, I was actually kind of taken aback, as to what I was smelling. It felt unique and different, while having familiar elements. I wasn’t sure if I enjoyed this fragrance or not.

As such, I’ve put off doing any sort of review for months, until I could spend much more time with it.

Guilty Cologne opens up with a fresh and rather sharp burst. Bergamot comes out really strong, to my nose, along with a fresh juniper. The juniper brings to mind Luna Rossa Sport, without the layer of lavender on top. 

The second layer in the opening, I get a lot of rosemary, but it seems to be wed to the cypress note. The tree note, will definitely come more into play later on. However, the rosemary and bergamot dominate the opening 20-30 minutes for me.

After that, they relinquish much of their initial power. A lightly powdery heliotrope comes in, the herbal spice/citrus sharpness gets toned down, and the woody freshness is amped up. Cedar, juniper berries, and cypress will do that. It becomes quite a green and clean aroma.

Finally, I get a very woodsy fragrance in the dry down. On my skin, the cypress comes through as the strongest note, with violet working in conjunction. Juniper, rosemary, and heliotrope follow. It’s dry, somewhat herbal and powdery, with a light sweetness around the edges. 

Not a super complex fragrance, but it is an interesting one.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatilty

I find that Guilty Cologne starts off strong and the sillage, can cover a large area around you. This is the case for the first hour. Second hour, is still moderately strong. After that, it’s pretty average. You’ll notice it, but it isn’t going to be a cloud of fragrance.

That opening act will definitely leave a solid scent trail in your wake. 7+ foot radius at its peak, before settling more into that 3 foot range later.

Longevity, sits in the 6-8 hour range. It’s good, but not amazing. A lot of the other Guilty scents, don’t seem to have a long life either, but this is such a distinct scent from those. It’s sort of in the middle of the pack, out of the Guilty lineup.

Seasonally, I wouldn’t be opposed to wearing this year round. However, on mild to slightly warm days, this Gucci cologne seems to be in top form. I like the idea of this in spring and early autumn, the air isn’t too thick with humidity and it will be the right temperature for Cologne to do its thing.

I like it as a casual to semi-formal fragrance. If you don’t spray too much, it would be fine for office wear. Has a fresh and masculine disposition, but not really a club beast, nor romantic wear. It could work in a variety of situations, but not really built specifically for such a purpose.

Overall Impression of Guilty Cologne

Do I like this scent? The more time with it, the more I lean toward it being enjoyable. Yeah, that sounds weird, but this is a unique smell and not the usual style that I personally go for. 

The opening act is pretty sharp and if you don’t like rosemary, this one will almost certainly be a pass. I have grown fond of the cypress, I enjoy juniper, and the violet doesn’t bother me in this composition.

The performance is above average, also. The whole thing comes across as interesting, just not excellent. Guilty Cologne will for sure have its dedicated fans.

It’s overall a good fragrance. Not the best, but certainly one, which can be a solid wear for the right guy. I would check for this one, when it’s getting discounted way down and price. Then, I’d say it’s a buy, but probably not for full retail.