Love for Him EDT by Tiffany & Co.

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Love for Him is a release by Tiffany & Co. that came out back in 2019. It’d been a while since the jewelry company had put out a men’s fragrance and this was right before LVMH bought the brand. I hadn’t tried this one out, but recently got a sample to test. How does it smell? Is it long lasting? Even worth a try?

What does Tiffany & Love for Him Smell Like?

Notes include: mandarin, ginger, cardamom, cypress, juniper, vetiver, sequoia, sandalwood

Click here to try: Love for Him EDT

My Full Review

The opening of Love for Him is bright, fresh, and quite pleasant. The mandarin orange takes the lead up top, but isn’t allowed to overpower the other notes.

Ginger and cardamom are giving this a light spiciness to develop that freshness. The cardamom here is the type with the lemony finish, which accentuates the orange note. Not at all massive in the mix and the ginger note is definitely favored.

So, yeah, this does have a similar style to the Bleu de Chanel fragrances. Not the same exactly, but with citrus and ginger and woods…you’re going to get that kind of vibe.

The mandarin will begin to take more of a back seat, as does that cardamom. Love now becomes a woodier scent, with a drier freshness rather than juicy and spicy.

On my skin, the cypress comes through more initially. Then, the vetiver will be the focus. None of the woody notes really break up the balance of the scent, but some have a heavier weighting versus others.

Not a lot of sandalwood or juniper here. I was hoping that the sequoia note would have some more power, to make this a more distinct sort of cologne, but even that is relegated to the background.

Surprisingly, the ginger doesn’t completely fad away early on. I can pick it up really deep into the wear. The scent feels like a sparkling and slightly sweet woody cologne. The remaining citrus and ginger floats around an increasingly indistinct mass of woods.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

This one is pretty middle of the road with the scent trail it’ll leave behind or how far it tends to pop off of the skin. You do get a nice 30-45 minutes, with some decent reach. Ultimately, this Tiffany & Co cologne is a lighter one.

That’s not to say it completely disappears and isn’t detectable. Just expect something that’ll be intimate instead of heavy and bold.

The longevity is actually pretty good in that sense. Yes, it’s lighter but it keeps going for up to 7.5 hours, on my skin. Is it super sheer at that point? Yep, though that doesn’t mean that it isn’t there.

Seasonally, this is a spring and summer wear. The brightness, the citrus, and the freshness of the woods all scream to be worn during the warmer months of the year.

Within that context it is pretty versatile. Any age can wear this. Any occasion wouldn’t be too much of a problem. Love for Him is pleasant, likeable, and will draw complements when it is detectable to those around you.

Could easily be a daily wear for this stretch of the year. You’d want to go with something else, if you want a bold nightlife kind of cologne. Outside of that, you’re good.

Overall Impressions of Love for Him

Overall, do I like this fragrance? Yes, I think that it smells very nice. It’s nothing super unique or complex, but the aroma itself is attractive and something that can easily fit into your spring and summer lineup.

The mandarin orange note with the ginger and cardamom is a great opening act. Mandarin is usually one of my least favorite citrus notes, but it works here. Not too strong, but also doesn’t get annoying.

The brightness and ginger transitions into something woodier, giving Love for Him a different sort of freshness.

The performance is kind of a let down. If you want a strong and bold cologne, this one isn’t going to be it. Longevity is actually good, just not with a lot sillage behind it. Which, for a refreshing summer fragrance, I don’t have a problem with.

My only reservation with this one, is the price point. If you can get a nice discount, Love for Him is probably worth it. However, I’ve also seen it retail for over $100. To me, that’s a stretch.

Sure, it’s a nice fragrance but nothing that you need to really need to acquire at a high cost. It will probably be considered to simple or not unique enough for some people either. In the $50-75 range, I’d be a lot more comfortable picking up a bottle.

Uomo Born in Roma Intense by Valentino

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Uomo Born in Roma Intense is the 2023 flanker to the ongoing fragrance series by Valentino. I haven’t been a particularly big fan of Born in Roma entries thus far, especially the original release. As such, I wasn’t all that excited to try this Intense version out. How does it actually smell, though? Does it last long? Is it worth a try?

What does Uomo Born in Roma Intense Smell Like?

Notes include: vanilla, amber, lavender, vetiver

Click here to try: Born in Roma Intense

My Full Review

Here’s how Valentino describes it: A fougere ambery fragrance combining the intensity of lavandin with an addictive vanilla.

Intense opens up with a fresh sweetness about it. The original was sweeter to me and had more of an Invictus style, but there is similarities here. One major difference is the lavender note that is present throughout.

It sort of tempers things from venturing too far into the candy-like sweetness realm. Though, it still flirts with it. I also appreciate the lack of mineral oil/saltiness in this Intense version. That gave me a headache while testing the original.

Intense becomes more of a lavender and vanilla combination after about 20 minutes or so. Very balanced and almost unisex with how it comes across. Could be a unisex version of the YSL Libre line.

They don’t seem to go into much detail regarding all of the notes. But, I think this has some of the same sage note, as the original and Coral Fantasy. Not to the same extent, however. Possibly some tonka bean? This fragrance totally has Luna Rossa Sport vibes.

The final dry down is like a lavender and vetiver blend on my skin. The vanilla and amber are in support, but this is much less sweet, and more of a floral/fougere aromatic for the rest of the way. Clean and easy to wear.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

The sillage opens up even stronger than Born in Roma. With that, I got 5-8 feet of projection off of where I sprayed. This seems to hit an extra foot or two for that first hour. Not massively more powerful, but it does take things to a slight higher level.

After that, it settles into the same sort of moderate performance. That being said, I still could detect it for a good long while without having to press my nose in closer.

It sticks around for 8.5-9 hours, on my skin. Very nice for a mainstream designer cologne like this. That should be a boost for its popularity.

Seasonally, this is going to be an autumn through springtime wear. It’s fresh, but just a little too heavy/thick for the summer months. In cold or moderate temperatures, Born in Roma Intense comes off well.

The versatility is one of its main strengths, if not the biggest selling point. Day or nighttime wear. You can wear it casually or more dressed up. It has mass appeal and an attractiveness that can work on dates.

For the non-enthusiast or collector of fragrances, you won’t need much more than something like this in your rotation.

Overall Impressions of Born in Roma Intense

Overall, do I like Intense? I do. It’s my favorite of the Born in Roma line thus far. It’s still nothing groundbreaking or anything, but Intense delivers a good experience overall.

I like that initial sweetness, in its more tolerable form versus the other entries in the series. That blended with a strong lavender, vanilla, and the amber coming from the base is nice. Not sickly and has a great freshness.

The back half of the wear is kind of boring to me. Doesn’t smell bad, but Intense gets pretty linear and the development is basically non-existent.

This isn’t too original. Similarities with the other Born in Roma’s, Luna Rossa Sport, and some of the Most Wanted by Azzaro fragrances. Not exactly like any of them, but takes cues from them all.

While it doesn’t hit the ‘great’ level for me, it does everything well enough that I think this one is pretty safe to grab a full bottle of for most guys. Unless you’re not a big fan of lavender, this probably won’t ever be a complete waste.

Personally, it’s too borderline for me to want a full bottle, but I’m glad that Valentino finally put out a good Born in Roma for men.

Light Blue Eau Intense Pour Homme by D&G

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I just posted my write up of the original Light Blue Pour Homme, and of course, I had to grab a decant of Light Blue Eau Intense to try out as well. This one was released back in 2017, after years of the original being a best seller and a staple of warm weather wear. How does this one stack up? Does is actually deliver intensity? Does it still smell good? Is it worth a purchase?

What Does Light Blue Eau Intense Smell Like?

Notes include: mandarin, frozen grapefruit, juniper, aquatic accord, amber woods, musk

Click here to try: Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue Intense Eau de Parfum Spray for Men, 1.6 Ounce

My Full Wear Review

The opening of Eau Intense starts off quite similar to the original, in many ways, but also as a standalone fragrance. The grapefruit and mandarin are still there, this time without the bergamot note, but the grapefruit is in a ‘frozen’ state.

It is chilled, bright, and sharp. Also, while the original had a peppery note, it is absent here and in the opening I pick up more of the juniper note instead.

One big difference, is the aquatic accord that is present in Eau Intense. It is slightly salty, but much less like an oceanic note, and more of like sitting by a pool with a slight chlorination.

Not to say that it smells strongly like pool water, but there is a familiar hint of that on a summer’s day. This version is chilled and refreshing and I really enjoy that aspect of the cologne.

Update: Coming back to this one, I now recognize the aquatic note to be the same one found in Living Stromboli. That one goes spicy and dry to pair with the aquatic accord, which ultimately isn’t as good as Eau Intense.

I think that it’s the way the juniper berries super fresh aroma, is interacting with the aquatic accord. It becomes heightened, and when paired with the citrus notes, creates a clean and refreshing scent.

Update: New batches seem to be the same. No degraded quality. This part of the wear smells really balanced between that grapefruit, juniper, and the aquatic notes. 

There is a feeling of slight spiciness, but not the same sharp pepper, as found in Light Blue Pour Homme. More of a blend of juniper and the emerging musk, stemming from the base of the composition.

As it dries down, more amberwood and musk, come out more and solidify the base of Eau Intense. However, the grapefruit, juniper, and aquatic notes dominate the composition throughout.

It’s a fairly linear and simplistic scent, which is to be expected for a summery aquatic such as this. Nonetheless, the citrus does tamper down a bit towards the end, and the marine notes are able to smell much more oceanic.

To me, the strength of the juniper and the woody notes really help to separate this version from the original. Everything is geared toward being super fresh, intense, while still being usable for when it gets hot.

Yes, the aquatic accord creates distinction, but the juniper really stands out to my nose. I like the grapefruit and mandarin, in the start, and they feel well blended.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Projection wise, Eau Intense lives up to the name. The sillage is strong for this type of fragrance, it’s not insane or anything, but it’ll be noticeable in the 4-6 feet range around you.

The longevity is also very good, I get about 9 hours of solid wear with it on my skin, but on an old t-shirt it kept right on going along.

For me, the sillage quiets down after an hour or two. It’s not a skin scent, at that point, but feels much lighter and airy. Still, I really dig how this fragrance performs on my skin.

It’s better than all of the other Light Blue Pour Homme fragrances, in terms of performance. It not only outlasts them all, it has more consistent sillage, in the process.

Seasonally, once again it is mainly for spring/summer, but like the original it can be worn year round without any issue. It’s got that same versatility. It can be worn casually or at the office or out on a date. It’s not really limited and is a good all around cologne.

Now, I probably wouldn’t make it a go to for more formal occasions or be a daily office wear. Plus, there are better options for romantic wear, but it can cover plenty of bases otherwise.

Though, in it’s most basic form, it is best used on a warmer day. It’s refreshing, and one that I have been loving to wear casually, during this summer.

So, while it has versatility, I’m going to stick to daily wearing it during spring/summer. It’s been occupying the same role that Eternity Aqua has, for me.

Overall Scent

Overall, do I like Light Blue Eau Intense? I actually like it a lot for a summer scent. It is really great while being utterly simple and easy to love.

I am digging it more than the original Light Blue, as D&G took what was working with that, and then made it better. I like how cold and smooth this one feels versus the spicier original.

The aquatic accord and juniper really add a fresher summer vibe. Not the same spiciness and woods as the original Light Blue has.

Update: To me, this is still the best of the Light Blue Pour Homme line. The more recent releases have given it a run for the top spot, but Eau Intense just does everything better in aggregate. 

It also has better strength and staying power. I can recommend and it is a good inoffensive scent for guys who want a fragrance to cover many bases with one bottle.

The dry down, can be fairly musky and has a dose of amberwood, which some might not like. That’s probably the main drawback with this one. It can be pretty synthetic smelling, at times.

However, most people seem to have positive feelings toward Eau Intense. It’s a very good aquatic, that delivers a pleasant smell, and does a fine job at not quitting early.

Nirvana Black by Elizabeth and James

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Nirvana Black was one of the Elizabeth and James fragrance releases back in 2013. It’s been a while since I’ve had this one around, never wrote a full review of it, and decided that I should get a sample to do so. How does this Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen scent perform? How long does it last? Is it worth a buy?

What does Nirvana Black Smell Like?

Notes include: violet, sandalwood, and vanilla

Click here to try: Elizabeth & James Nirvana Black Edp Spray Womens Perfume Nib, 1.0 Ounce 

My Full Review

Let’s see how this one is described: Elizabeth and James Nirvana Black is an addictive blend of alluring violet, sensual sandalwood, and rich vanilla that strike the perfect balance between masculine and feminine.

Nirvana Black opens up with a sweet blend of vanilla and violet. The violet note here is less of a dirty/earthy aroma and more toward the powdery side of the equation. These two come together with an air of smokiness surrounding them.

The early stages are where the violet is going to come through the most. It’s honestly not one of my favorite floral notes, but I really like it within this composition. It comes across as dark and a bit candied when paired with the vanilla.

As it moves along, Nirvana Black starts to get woodier with the sandalwood coming into its own. Very fresh, with a smokiness. I’m pretty sure the vanilla here is the Bourbon vanilla, found in the other Elizabeth and James fragrance, as it does add to that quality.

The final dry down is a powdery and slightly creamy aroma, as all of the notes have fully developed. Others seem to get more of a musky finish with Nirvana Black. On my skin, that doesn’t really come across. Sure, some is present, just most of it is our three main ingredients.

Nirvana Black isn’t highly complicated, which isn’t a bad thing, as this one delivers a great experience.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

The sillage with Black isn’t huge, pretty standard issue and middle of the road for me. It hangs around nicely and it can project itself somewhat, but it’s not a monster.

Initially, it actually projects pretty far and casts a decent radius around the wearer. After an hour, it’ll be more in that 3-5 foot range, getting closer during the duration.

On my skin, I can get about 6-7 hours of wear from Black. It’s solid, though, it doesn’t deliver a marathon performance. Maybe an extra half hour or so, if you spray a bit more. I can’t imagine that it would go much further than that.

Seasonally, autumn and winter all the way. This one thrives in the colder weather and I wouldn’t want to wear it in the heat at all. It sits perfectly in the air, when it is crisp and cold outside.

This is a unisex fragrance and doesn’t lean particularly feminine to me, versus some of the other E&J perfumes. Really can fit anyone’s style. That being said, I would prefer to wear this one out at night or casually versus having it be a daily office wear or something along those lines.

Overall Impressions of Nirvana Black

Do I like this fragrance? Yes, the whole Nirvana series is pretty underrated in my book. This one is simple, but great.

The performance isn’t insanely good, but it also isn’t bad. I had seen some people say things to the contrary. For me, the ability for Black to project was enough and felt really substantial at times.

But, the nuance of the aroma is a treat, especially only utilizing these three notes. I’m not even a violet fan in most cases, this one just works well. Not a violet leaf or too synthetically harsh. A good powdery representation.

It is kind of limited to cooler temperatures, but it sells at a very affordable price point, so you should still be able to get plenty of use out of it. Smoky, powdery, smooth, and somewhat sweet.

If the notes sound appealing to you at all, I would recommend giving it a try. This was one of the best of the Nirvana releases for sure.

Dolce Shine by Dolce & Gabbana

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Dolce Shine is one of the more recent releases from D&G’s Dolce collection of perfumes. This one came out in 2020, in a yellow bottle, with the standard black bow. I picked up a sample to test out recently for review. How does it smell? When should it be worn? Is it even worth a try?

What does Dolce Shine Smell Like?

Notes include: mango, grapefruit, quince, jasmine, solar orange blossom, salt accord, blond woods, white musk, and Australian sandalwood

Click here to try: Dolce & Gabbana Dolce Shine Eau De Parfume Spray For Women, Blue, 2.5 Ounce

My Full Review

Before we get into my personal review, let’s see how D&G describes Shine: The accords of colorful juicy mango and bright jasmine combine with sundrenched blond woods to create the new solar and fruity floral Dolce Shine Eau de Parfum.

Shine does indeed open up with a juicy mango note, which is also paired with a grapefruit note, giving it a bright tropical feeling. Parts of this perfume really has a beachy sort of vibe. There are solar infused notes, a creamy suntan lotion undertone, and a dash of salt.

Not to say that this is an aquatic or anything, it definitely isn’t. However, the vibe of a sunny day spent along the beach is totally there. The ‘solar’ notes have been used by a lot of fragrances over the past handful of years and the trend doesn’t seem to be slowing.

The creaminess of the floral notes and sandalwood is a really great addition to the composition. I know the jasmine is supposed to be the main attraction out of the floral notes, but I honestly get a fairly equal amount of the orange blossom. Particularly, early on in the wear.

Then, there is also a tuberose which seems to overtake the jasmine note, as well. By that point, the orange blossom for me is almost non-existent. Which isn’t great, since that is one of my favorite floral ingredients.

That’s about what I get for the rest of the way.  A somewhat tropical floral scent with a creamy/buttery finish and fruity undertones. Not a super complicated one, but I like the smell quite a lot.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Dolce Shine isn’t a heavy fragrance, nor does it really project itself all that far. It’s soft and sunny, but does manage to hang around, so that you catch whiffs of it during the wear.

But, on the whole, I’d say that it’s a touch above average, especially early on. You do get a 45-60 minute period of time, in which it does have decent amount of projection. Maybe 4-6 feet from the skin, at its peak. After that, much closer 1-3 foot radius for the rest of the way.

On my skin, it lasts 6-6.5 hours. Not great, but fairly standard. Shine isn’t a powerhouse or a workhorse, so don’t expect something that’s going to be an all day wear.

Seasonally, spring and summer. I’d go more with the summertime versus spring, as you’ll probably have a greater number of casual daytime opportunities to wear it. It doesn’t come across as something to wear in the colder months. Many other options for that.

It is a versatile wear. Shine isn’t going to offend nor blow out the room, so, you could wear it to work or school. It’s great as a casual daytime wear or for many other occasions. It’s pretty and attractive, just not a sexy nightlife monster kind of perfume.

Mostly going to serve as something to wear around town or whatever daytime function that you have to attend to.

Overall Impressions of Dolce Shine

Do I like this fragrance? I do enjoy the scent, particularly the opening act with the mango. I don’t have many complaints about the aroma itself, but the performance isn’t all that great.

I would’ve liked it to be a bit stronger and hang around for at least a few more hours. If that were the case, this would be an excellent value play for warmer weather. As it stands, it is interesting and has its merits, but not something that is a must have.

The good news, is that this will probably be on sale at some point fairly soon, and could be added to someone’s rotation. Good, but not something that I’d necessarily want to come back to again and again.

Shine is one of the better smelling D&G releases from this line. The performance is mid, but the aroma itself is worthwhile. Just don’t overpay and it should work out fine.