Utopia Vanilla Coco | 21 by Kayali

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Utopia Vanilla Coco 21 is one of the more popular scents from the Kayali lineup.  Probably not the top of the list, but it is a sought after scent. Being one of the vanilla perfumes from the brand, it often comes down to deciding between this and Vanilla 28. How does this one smell? Does it last long? Is it worth a try?

What does Utopia Vanilla Coco Smell Like?

Notes include: pear, jasmine, coconut, sandalwood, vanilla Bourbon

Click here to try: Utopia Vanilla Coco

My Full Review

Utopia starts off without it focus being on the vanilla note. Instead, this one is lighter and sparkles with a lovely pear blossom note and some assorted citrus, lurking in the background.

Aside from those notes, the coconut is playing a stronger role in this opening act, while jasmine joins the citrus in the background.. At first, it’s more of a secondary role, but will gradually take over for that pear blossom.

About 30-45 minutes in, the fruitier aspects of this will wane. Vanilla and coconut are now the leaders and the other notes are simply providing a freshness to keep it from becoming a thicker and creamier scent.

Sweet, fresh, and dry. Sandalwood is basically the only other note that has any real effect on how this smells. It’ll basically be a vanilla and sandalwood mix, with coconut, and mostly the jasmine still hanging on.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Like others from Kayali, this one isn’t going to be a heavy, scent trail leaving bomb. For the first hour or so, it does have a nice amount of projection and can leave some scent hanging in the air in your wake.

After that, it’s going to be sticking closer to the 3-5 foot range. Not too bad and I didn’t find Utopia to be completely weak. But, it will be a fairly light perfume for most of the wear.

The longevity is somewhere in the 5-6 hour range for me. Not going to be an all-day affair, if you want longer, be sure to bring some more with you for re-application. It’s pretty mid-range like the others in the line.

Seasonally, this is a vanilla fragrance that can work in the summer. I’d say it’s probably best in the warmer temperatures of late spring than the absolutely sidewalk melting days. Though, it’s still pretty good there as well. Can absolutely venture into the fall.

It’s a versatile wear. Good with other perfumes as a part of a layer, while being able to stand alone. It’s fine during the daytime as a casual wear or even one that can be used in the office. Very pleasant and likeable.

Overall Impressions of Utopia Vanilla Coco

Overall, do I like Utopia Vanilla Coco? Yes, I think it’s one of the better perfumes from Kayali. However, I prefer the smell of Vanilla 28 to this one. Between those two, I’d go with that before choosing this.

But, I do think that this one is a good pickup for those who want a lighter, fresher, and less vanilla dominant scent. Or, for those who want something which is a great candidate for layering with other perfumes.

The pear blossom with the coconut and lighter vanilla in the opening is lovely and the sparkling lightness is a joy to have around. The latter stages are more focused on that vanilla note and not as inspiring.

The performance is pretty mid. Don’t expect to be dealing with an absolute beast. It’s passable, just not great.

Utopia Vanilla Coco is one to try from Kayali. Not their absolute best, but in the upper half of their offerings for sure.

Light Blue Pour Homme Living Stromboli by D&G

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Light Blue Pour Homme has spawned off about a dozen flanker fragrances since its release. One of the earliest ones was 2012’s Living Stromboli. I had never tried this scent out, but as I’ve been working my way through this D&G series, I sought it out. I was able to find a bottle for $50 to test out. How does it smell? Does it last long? Is Living Stromboli worth a try?

What does Light Blue Living Stromboli Smell Like?

Notes include: pink pepper, citrus, water notes, geranium, vetiver, amber, patchouli

My Full Review

Living Stromboli opens up with it’s pink pepper note out, in full effect. Yes, it’s a warmer and spicier type of aquatic fragrance, especially early on. It is interesting, however, how vetiver and patchouli are the two notes that I also get a lot of in this beginning.

The patchouli isn’t nearly as heavy, just giving this a light earthiness, sitting underneath the calone aquatic notes. Vetiver and the pink pepper are pretty dominant on my skin giving this a drier freshness, with some almost smoky elements.

The citrus here, isn’t out in front, as it is in many of the other Light Blue flankers. It’s there, just in a supporting role, seemingly diluted in the watery aspects of this cologne.

Further along, Stromboli moves into its more aquatic phase. The patchouli and vetiver really back off in this part. Geranium and amber emerge to join that pink pepper note, which is present throughout.

This isn’t oceanic and salty, as something like Swimming Lipari is. No, more of a thinner ‘blue-ish’ aquatic smell. Clean and synthetic, just not a marine-like sea water.

The final dry down is a mix of the water and amber. It’s much less spicy on the skin, more of an aromatic fresh feeling. Still a sense of dryness from those note, just much less intense.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Sillage wise, it’s a lighter moderate scent. About 45-60 minutes of wear, in which it will project well, and leave a scent trail in one’s wake.

After that, it’s a lighter cologne that’ll project about 2-4 feet from the skin. It’s about what I expect with these Light Blue flankers. Even if, this one is constructed differently, the EDT still have about the same strength.

On my skin, Living Stromboli will stick around for about 6.5, maybe 7 hours in total. Again, in line with the others from Dolce & Gabbana.

Seasonally, we’re going late spring and summer for this one. Obviously, as a refreshing aquatic, this is when it’s going to be at it’s best and most useful. Outside in the warmth, Living Stromboli has a lively and blue ozonic aroma that is nice to catch a whiff of.

Mostly going to be a casual one to wear around during this season. Stromboli is a daytime wear, that could venture out into the evening, even if it’s not a nightlife beast in its main use case.

Overall Impressions of Living Stromboli

Overall, do I like Living Stromboli? It’s fine. It’s a fairly simple spicy fresh aquatic fragrance. Something pretty different from the rest of the entries in the Light Blue Pour Homme lineup.

The pink pepper note works fairly well, but I’m not too enthralled by it leading the way. I do like this sort of calone-laced aquatic, but I probably would’ve preferred a citrus-led formula with the spices playing support, instead of what it actually is.

Still, the dry down is pretty appealing, when the spices are somewhat muted. An ambery aquatic aroma that hangs lightly in the air. Somewhere in the middle of the pack, as far as Light Blue Pour Homme editions go.

It’s not too amazing, but may be worth a try for guys who this formula sounds interesting to. There aren’t a ton of bottles left floating around. Though, the one’s that are, have been priced affordably. Better options exist, but this isn’t a massive disappointment for the $50 I paid.

Le Male In The Navy by JPG

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In the Navy is one of the multitude of Le Male flankers to have been put out by JPG, over the years. It came out back in 2018 and I had come in contact with it back then. But, once I saw it again, I scooped up some samples in order to give it a proper review. How does it smell? How long does it last? Is In the Navy worth a try?

What does Le Male in the Navy Smell Like?

Notes include: vanilla, peppermint, oceanic accord, ambergris

Click here to try: Le Male in the Navy

My Full Review

Here’s how JPG describe it: An aquatic fougere. A splash of icy peppermint, invigorated by the salty freshness of an oceanic accord and contrasted with a vanilla note.

The opening is cold and fresh with that peppermint note leading the way. Right from the jump, you will notice the light and water accord running through the middle of In the Navy.

Actually, pretty nice. With the vanilla, mint, and ambergris notes; it can become easy to compare this to Eros. Sure, there’s some overlap, but they’re not the same fragrance by any means. Especially, sans citrus.

Once some of that peppermint has worn off, this becomes more about that vanilla and ambergris. Saltier and warm, with less of the initial oceanic freshness that defines the opening act.

Le Male In the Navy, isn’t a complicated scent. It’s pretty much a watery blend of vanilla and amber for the rest of the way. Basically, take three of the notes from the original and add an aquatic accord.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Sillage wise, I can say that this is at best, middle of the road. Maybe you’ll get a scent trail going with heavy sprays. But, past that first hour and this one is a light and intimate fragrance.

The longevity doesn’t help matters. On my skin, I get about 4.5 hours of wear. Even in that lighter state, it just doesn’t want to stick around.

Some of these Le Male flankers are pretty weak. In the Navy is one of the worst, in my experience.

That being said, it is a versatile fragrance. It’s fresh, non-offensive, and can work well from springtime through autumn in most places. I’d skip in winter, but this is at its best when it gets warm out.

Not really going to be a sexy nightlife beast. But, a daytime casual or semi-formal wear, when you want something light to put on in the heat. Not that it’s going to keep up the fight for long, but it’s a serviceable smell for that climate.

Overall Impressions of In the Navy

Overall, do I like In the Navy? Not particularly. I did think that this was one that I’d be more into, but this Le Male falls flat, and performs poorly. It sounded a lot better than it actually is.

The opening is the best part. Even then, the peppermint and oceanic accord aren’t all that amazing together. It’s a nice aroma, just nothing that really grabs my attention.

After that, In the Navy is a simplistic and linear experience, that smells okay enough. That alone would disqualify it from being a full bottle purchase for me. Throw in the fact that it only sticks around for a bit more than four hours and it’s a pass.

Most bottles that I’m seeing still floating around, aren’t heavily discounted. Seems like the stock that’s left is priced close to retail. No real value with In the Navy.

Light Blue Pour Homme Summer Vibes by D&G

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Summer Vibes is the 2023 issuance under the Light Blue banner. I haven’t gotten access to the women’s Summer Vibes yet, but I did manage to buy a few samples of the pour homme off of eBay to test out. It’s good timing, as I’ve been making my way through reviewing all of the old Light Blue flankers lately. How does this one smell? Does it last long? Is it worth a try?

What does Light Blue Pour Homme Summer Vibes Smell Like?

Notes include: lemon, cypress, amberwood

Click here to try: Light Blue Summer Vibes

My Full Review

Here’s how D&G describes it: The Italian holiday dream. The energy of summer by the sea. This fragrance captures the fresh energy of Italian holidays through an invigorating blend of Mediterranean citrus and woody notes.

Since this is one of the dozen or so Light Blue Pour Homme releases, I suppose that I’ll begin by comparing to other fragrances in the series.

It isn’t like the last two Forever or Italian Love, so, don’t expect the hyper grapefruit.

I’ll say that it is closest to Discover Vulcano and Swimming in Lipari, in terms of smell, while coming across as being fairly different. Both of those fragrances have a much more prominent use of citrus and are fairly sour in their openings versus Summer Vibes.

Luckily, I actually do have decants of both of those in my possession at the moment, to compare Vibes to.

Vulcano is the only other Light Blue fragrance with the cypress note. Dolce & Gabbana brings it back for this 2023 edition. You also get the same lemon note. While Vulcano was very heavily laced with cypress and tried to create a wearable volcano-like aroma, this is much more tolerable and sweeter.

The citrus note in Summer Vibes is led by the lemon note. There may be a touch of grapefruit for good measure, but it leans much more towards that lemon. Checking its ingredients versus Eau Intense, Summer Vibes has the same ‘citrus’ chemical ingredients. So, probably a yes to grapefruit.

That is the third comparison scent, Eau Intense. Mostly, it’s in the amberwood note, which is also found in Swimming in Lipari. I’d say Summer Vibes is closer to Lipari than Eau Intense. Sweeter than either.

The citrus accord here is subdued from the start. Summer Vibes doesn’t give you a super juicy or tart opening at all. It’s a bit watery, no saltiness or sea breeze, just a light aquatic feeling.

The cypress is going to be much less green than what I got from Vulcano. Summer Vibes still has a freshness, maybe a little spice from some unlisted note. But, it is much more focused on the wood of the cypress tree.

As we dry down further, the citrus is very faint. It’s a mix of the cypress and amberwood with some muskiness. Not really a complicated fragrance at all. In some ways, it’s got a style similar to a streamlined Costa Azzura EDP and the old Higher by Dior.

It wouldn’t shock me if there was cedar or vetiver in the notes pyramid, but D&G only gave us three notes. It smells like there’s something else in there other than amberwood and cypress.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

The sillage here is on the lighter end of moderate. This isn’t a heavy bomb, especially since that lemon note doesn’t come out with an initial punch. I’d say it’ll leave a nice scent trail for maybe the first hour.

Thereafter, expect it to project in the 2-5 foot range from the skin. Declining towards the lower end of that range by the second hour or so.

On my skin, it lasts for 6.5-7 hours. About what I get from other Light Blue fragrances in the series. Aside from, Eau Intense. Summer Vibes doesn’t massively project itself, but it does stick around for a solid amount of time.

Seasonally, late spring and summer, obviously. It is versatile within that time frame, particularly during the daytime.

It fits for any age of man. More put together and mature than some of the others in the series. This could go casually or for work or some semi-formal event in  the summer.

I actually do enjoy the way it hangs on the light breeze outside. It was warm outside today and Summer Vibes had a great freshness while I was walking around.

Overall Impressions of Summer Vibes

Overall, do I like this release? It’s pretty good, but not great. It’s better than Vulcano and Lipari, for sure, just doesn’t blow me away.

The scent is a pleasant one that should work well in the summer. If you don’t want a heavy citrus scent or the opposite with a heavy greenish one, this can fit the bill, since it is balanced woody aromatic.

It is still very much in the Light Blue tradition, bringing back familiar notes, and changing up the weighting of them.

The performance is middle of the road. Not a projection beast, but the longevity is decent enough for one of these summer colognes.

At least the bottle looks cool, as a bonus. Summer Vibes is worth trying out, but not necessarily something that you have to rush out and buy. I’d say find a tester in stores, give it a spray to see if it works for you, assuming you’re in the market for a warm weather scent.

Light Blue Forever by D&G

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Light Blue Forever was the flanker release in the Light Blue series for 2021. Since I’ve been reviewing all of the men’s scents from this D&G lineup, I figured that I should do some more of the women’s as well. How does this one smell? Does it last long? Is it worth a try?

What does Light Blue for Women Forever Smell Like?

Notes include: lemon, apple, blood orange, musk, orange blossom, white flowers, cedar, cashmeran

Click here to try: Light Blue Forever

My Full Review

So, the men’s version of Forever changed things up with a hyper-realistic grapefruit note. I was expecting something like that with the women’s. However, it seems to be an updated remix of the original Light Blue.

The apple note and the cedar are toned down in Forever versus the original. But, up top you get that same lemon note, joined by blood orange, and a pretty prominent orange blossom. Very juicy citrus opening, that I actually like quite a bit.

The balance among the fruit notes is better here, than the original. Since the cedar note isn’t blasting your nose, it’s not as woody fresh, but that lovely citrus and apple blend is keeping the clean sunny vibes going.

The lemon will quiet down some and the blood orange with orange blossom emerge as the leaders of the pack. It feels sweeter, more floral, and less tart than Light Blue.

Further along, it will be more of a white floral scent, with fruity tones, musk, and some light woody notes. Cashmeran comes out some in the final act.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Sillage wise, this one starts to really approach the original and Intense, unlike some of the earlier flankers. Others in the Light Blue series could be pretty light with how they project. This one, is well above average and actually performs very well on my skin.

As far as longevity, it lasts 8-8.5 hours for me. Again, it’s not a scent that’s just going to fade away. Those other flankers could be in the 4-6 hour range, so you get some value with Forever.

Seasonally, obviously we’re going to be late spring and early summer. It’s built for the warmer weather and sits beautifully in the air.

It’s good for casual or just general daytime wear. If you go lightly with Forever, it can be pretty versatile with its applications. More of a pretty fragrance than something that’s super sexy. Yet, it certainly has its appeal.

Overall Impressions of Light Blue Forever

Overall, do I like Light Blue Forever? Yes, it’s nothing that’s super unique but it’s about what you’d expect from a Light Blue scent. Very clean and fresh summertime wear, lots of citrus, and neroli.

If you’re not into the citrus ingredients, you can pretty safely pass on this one. If you like the original Light Blue, you might actually prefer this, if the cedar bothered you in that one.

The performance is really good and the scent has some enjoyable moments. I like the dry down more so probably, since the fruit overload could get on my nerves at times.

Forever is probably a pretty safe blind buy, if you’re familiar with the Light Blue fragrances already. If intense citrus bothers you, this might. Yet, it’s pretty easy to wear overall. It’s already been discontinued, so supplies are going to be much more limited moving forward.