Starwalker by Mont Blanc

by

Having already done a few other Mont Blanc cologne reviews (see: Individuel) and a best of list from the brand, I thought that it was time to put up a review of Starwalker.  The name is what initially had me wanting to give this a try, as I found it to be a rather unique and interesting moniker. Turns out, it is named after one of the pens which the company also produces.

Nonetheless, this was still a review that I was looking forward to doing and seeing how Starwalker stacks up versus the rest of the Mont Blanc line. Please continue below for my full impressions on how it smells, its performance, and if it is a good bet to buy.

What does Starwalker Smell Like?

starwalker

Notes include: amber, mandarin, musk, bamboo, bergamot, sandalwood, ginger, and more.

Click here to try Starwalker: Mont Blanc Starwalker Edt Spray 1.7 Oz By Mont Blanc [Misc.]

My Full Review

Starwalker isn’t one of the most well known fragrances out there. In fact, it isn’t even the most popular cologne for men by Mont Blanc (see: Legend). However, this under the radar scent is rather unique and that is one of the reasons that I wanted to give this one a closer look.

The opening of Starwalker is mostly dominated by the citrus notes, but, it isn’t a bold and overwhelming citrus like some other colognes. This one is more subdued and surrounded by woodsy and floral aromas.

Enough juiciness, but more of a fresh and somewhat sweet aroma coming through.

The wood in this case, is bamboo, which is what I think gives Starwalker its unique sort of vibe; as bamboo isn’t a frequent ingredient found in most colognes. The orange and bergamot, aren’t really allowed to become overly sharp, as the wood keeps it in check.

There is a very slight spice with nutmeg and ginger, but that’s more of a temporary experience, even if it were bolder in how each note presents.

As it dries down, this cologne smells very smooth and refined. In many citrus fragrances, you’d expect it to really come to the forefront. Instead, what you’re left with is something that is very light, clean, and beautiful.

Sandalwood, bamboo, and a muskiness floating in the background alongside the fading citrus in these latter stages. Even the sandalwood, doesn’t last for that long it seems. Musky bamboo with cedar and citrus highlights, in the end.

Quite freshly clean and low key.

It does seem to have some similarities with other citrus/woodsy fragrances out there, mainly, Versace Man Eau Fraiche. I do enjoy the Versace cologne more than Starwalker but this fragrance is really nice as well.

However, I don’t think that it smells exactly like that cologne. After all, the lemon and star fruit in Eau Fraiche, are very strong and dominate the scent. It has a cedar note, but the wood in that fragrance, aren’t nearly to the same extent as it is in Starwalker.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Projection wise, Starwalker is light and non-intrusive, you’ll smell it but you won’t be enveloped in its aroma. It starts off decently strong, but quickly settles into having a 3-4 foot radius, around the wearer.

It is pretty steady, for the entirety of the wear, at least until the 4th or 5th hour.

The longevity is pretty moderate in my opinion and it’s usually good for about 4-5 hours and sometimes longer. It’s definitely not a top notch performer, in that regard. Many Mont Blanc scents, seem to have this longevity issue. Many of them are decent, but few are truly outstanding.

Starwalker isn’t one of them. But, if you can get past needing to have an all-day wear, this could be a scent that you enjoy.

It’s really a spring/summer type of fragrance, the light citrus aspect of it, draws it into that category. I like it as a versatile daily wear, during these months.

Starwalker can be worn to work, casually, or for semi-formal events. It’s a well put together scent, but not completely stuffy or anything like that. It’s attractive, rather than being super sexy and begging for attention.

Overall Impression of Starwalker

Overall, is Starwalker worth a purchase? I’d say yes, if you’re looking for something light, casual, and relatively inexpensive, then this one could be right up your alley. It’s by no means the greatest cologne on the market but it’s very good for what it is.

I like the bamboo and citrus mix. Later, the woody notes of sandalwood and cedar, give it a nice finish. There is also a great addition of ginger, in there as well, even if it is ephemeral.

The performance isn’t all that great, so, I’d say definitely pick up a discounted bottle if you can. I wouldn’t go full price for this. It’s actually not a very complex fragrance, just nice and simple with how it develops.

The style itself is pretty common, but Starwalker is a unique take on this sort of simple citrus and woods cologne. The smell is among my favorites from Montblanc, if the performance was beefed up, this would’ve been borderline great.

Tag-Him by Armaf

by

Tag-Him is one of the most popular releases from Armaf and one of its multitude of ‘blue’ colognes for men. It gets attention for its similarities to Bleu de Chanel, but how does this fragrance actually smell? Does it last long? Is it worth a try?

What does Tag-Him Smell Like?

Notes include: lemon, pink pepper, bergamot, nutmeg, mint, ginger, vetiver, sandalwood, patchouli

Click here to try: Tag-Him by Armaf

My Full Review

The opening here is a citrus and freshness explosion. Obviously, lots of similarities to Bleu de Chanel EDT, but not a one to one rendition. This is actually when it seems the least like it. I’m not a massive fan of how Tag-Him starts off.

Pink pepper and ginger are more pronounced in Tag-Him versus a Chanel scent that can have a minty opening. Also, the citrus notes here, aren’t as juicy and penetrating as I get with Bleu.

The freshness here has a soapy and somewhat less distinct note pyramid in comparison too. At some point, the pink pepper, ginger, mint all just seem to run together and the citrus just doesn’t stand out.

Also, a lack of smokiness is noticeable with Tag-Him versus the incense note that runs through its Chanel competitor.

The opening 30 minutes has a lavender note, adding to that cleanliness, and is really responsible for that somewhat soapy aroma. Along with the vetiver, which will be a bigger factor as that lavender fades.

On my skin, the pink pepper takes a dramatic step back at around 30-45 minutes in. Ginger to a greater degree takes up that space, along with mint, and the aforementioned vetiver.

Tag-Him isn’t all that complicated. Once past the first hour, you pretty much get into the final dry down. Sure, it’ll be woodier in the actual last stages, but a lot of this is already developed by this point.

Cedar, sandalwood, and vetiver. With some ginger and citrus notes. The citrus and spice will be more prominent earlier and the woody notes, come through more later. That’s essentially all that is left at the end.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Tag doesn’t strike me as being a weak fragrance. I can easily smell it floating off of the skin for pretty much the entire duration of the wear. If I spray it on a shirt, I can pick it up from about 7 feet away, at it’s peak. A 3-5 foot distance, after the initial burst subsides somewhat.

All in all, it’s above average and certainly provides your money’s worth in terms of sillage.

The longevity, on the other hand, is simply okay. I get about 6 hours total. With it’s power, I was expecting to probably hit the 8 hour mark, but it really starts to fade quickly in that fifth hour.

Again, it’s not terrible, by any means. However, the performance doesn’t really go above and beyond what you’d expect at this price point.

Seasonally, it’s more of an all-climate sort of fragrance. I would still skip it, if it is extremely hot or cold outside, as I don’t think it’d hold up too well. Beyond that, it should be fine.

Since I don’t think it has the same quality or refinement as Bleu de Chanel, I’d go a lot easier on Tag-Him, as an office wear or more formal sort of wear. If you want that, just buy the Chanel.

Casually or as a cheaper alternative for younger guys, this can work pretty well. It does have a synthetic type of vibe at times, can be sharper, etc. Though, you can get plenty of wear from this Armaf, just not to the same extent as Bleu.

Overall Impressions of Tag-HIm

Overall, do I like this Armaf scent? Sure, I don’t think that it is as good as Bleu EDT. The quality isn’t the same and the smell is somewhat different structurally. But, for the price, I don’t think that it is all that bad of a substitute.

To me, the biggest weakness is the opening. It’s still similar, but I don’ think that Tag-Him is  that great in this phase. Once the spices shift around some and the woodsy notes come in, this is a nicer fragrance.

That opening can be too sharp and unbalanced. It’s easier to wear and enjoy, as you move further along.

The performance is slightly above average, on the whole, but it is also not spectacular. I’m currently seeing the price at around $30 per bottle, so, it’s tough to complain too much about that aspect.

If you want Bleu de Chanel, buy that. If you can’t afford the Chanel, Tag-Him can be a useful substitute for some guys. It certainly has its limitations, but overall, I’m positive about this cologne.

Bleu de Chanel EDP by Chanel

by

The original Bleu de Chanel became and remains a very popular men’s fragrance. The next release from this line, and the subject of today’s review, is Bleu de Chanel Eau de Parfum. The EDP version, is obviously going to have a higher concentration of fragrance, but what does it actually smell like? How long does it last? Is the sillage good? Is this version even worth a try?

What Does Bleu de Chanel EDP Smell Like?

Notes include: grapefruit, sandalwood, amber, vanilla, tonka bean, ginger, mint, and more

Click here to try: Bleu De Chaneâ…¼ Eau De Parfum Pour Homme Spray 1.7 Fl. OZ. / 50ML.

My Full Review

Bleu de Chanel EDP opens up with a sharp blast of citrus fruit, led by grapefruit, and some fresh spicy notes. Mint, ginger, and pink pepper are there. Though, I pick up mainly ginger and pink pepper, with a bit of mint.

Underneath all of this, is the warm amber. Yes, this Chanel fragrance, is a lot like its predecessor and the newer BdC Parfum release. Nonetheless, it can stand on its own as a distinct scent.

The citrus notes, dominate the composition, but are joined by the spicier notes in the beginning. Then, it will transition more into a citrus, amber, and smoky incense aroma.

It strikes me as sharp and fresh at first, then, it is warmer and smooth. Grapefruit and lemon, when blended with these other notes, can give off almost an orange-like scent at times to my nose.

As we move further along, Bleu, starts to regain some freshness. Not from the spicy notes, rather, the wood begins to emerge. Cedar with some sandalwood.

It comes across as quite clean, with the citrus sitting on top, and floating in a sea of amber. There is some sweetness from tonka bean and vanilla, in the latter stages, that got overlooked during that opening act.

I will say, for having: tonka bean, sandalwood, and vanilla this doesn’t have the level of creaminess that you might expect. It is there to an extent, as noted below, but you’d might think it’d be more so.

The final part of Bleu de Chanel EDP, is a fresh citrus and woodsy scent. Not as much amber, in my mind, but the sandalwood is nice and creamy and still paired with that clean cedar.

I did once get sent an odd bottle of Bleu EDP by mistake once, when I had ordered Allure Sport Eau Extreme. The bottle was cracked, but the smell of the scent itself was also way off. Too heavily weighted with the amber and felt screechy.

Bad batch, but it did give me an idea, about how bad this could turn out without the refined balance of this formula.

Sillage, How Long Does Bleu de Chanel EDP Last, Versatility

The projection on this one, isn’t super powerful. I’d say that the sillage starts of pretty strong, but settles, close to the wearer. Bleu isn’t a monster with its sillage and won’t really take over a room. It has a nice performance, but it is nothing insane.

It is, however, more persistent than the EDT or Parfum versions of Bleu. Parfum does feel lighter once it gets into its woody phase, despite the higher fragrance concentration.

The longevity is good, but not incredible. I can hit 8 hours, with it on my skin, but the last few are close to the skin. This EDP isn’t a powerhouse, but will do just fine, in almost any circumstance. Unless, you really needed it to go for 12+ hours or something.

While I’ve worn this in the summer, I’m not too in love with it, in the heat. I think that Bleu is at its best, in a more temperate climate. Spring or autumn, is when this one will really shine. It can be worn year round, and won’t be a mess in any climate, but it does have a sweet spot.

It gets really hot and humid, where I live. For me, it’s not a year round option. Other men will have better luck, in that department.

Bleu de Chanel is more than a casual fragrance. I think the EDP is somewhat more formal than the EDT, but manages to retain plenty of versatility. It of course works extremely well, as a dressed up perfume, but I’ve worn it with t-shirt and jeans. It didn’t seem out of place.

The whole Bleu series is a basic, ‘can do everything’ sort of cologne. I’d say ‘almost’ everything, but the versatility here is absolutely great.

Is it well liked by other people? Yes. EDP is very attractive. Sexy while being mature and women will complement it.

Overall Impressions of Bleu EDP

Do I like Bleu de Chanel Eau de Parfum? Yes, I do. I think that I can safely say, it is my favorite scent from the BdC line, or at least the one I’d choose most of the time.

It is more complex and interesting than the EDT, while retaining more of the citrus when compared to, Bleu Parfum.

I really like the citrus notes here. The opening with the spice is cool, but I prefer the dry down, when I get my amber and woody notes. Parfum goes deeper into that direction, but I enjoy this more, as I get a greater representation of the other notes too.

I’m pretty sure nowadays, that Eau de Parfum is the best seller from the line. Just about every website has it ranked higher than the other Bleu scents, when you sort them.

That’s when this one is super smooth and just beautiful to wear. It’s a fragrance, that does everything well, from its ingredients to overall performance. Bleu de Chanel EDP, is kind of a no-brainer scent, it just works. Not really one you can go wrong with. That’s why there’s so many perfumes trying to clone Bleu de Chanel.

Is it going to be everyone’s favorite? Not necessarily. Some might find this boring. To me, it’s got more depth than it may be given credit for. There’s plenty going on here, but it still maintains an unreal ability to be mass appealing.

Acqua di Gio EDP by Armani

by

Acqua di Gio keeps rolling right along with the 2022 release of the eau de parfum version. This following on the heels of the Profondo flankers. It’s finally available for purchase here in the US. How does this one smell? How does it compare? Is it actually worth a try?

What does Acqua di Gio EDP Smell Like?

Notes include: green mandarin, patchouli, sage, vetiver, geranium, lavandin, marine notes

Click here to try: Buy from Amazon

adg eau de parfum review

My Full Review

Let’s see how Armani describes it: ACQUA DI GIÃ’ EAU DE PARFUM encapsulates a powerful, long-lasting freshness, where innovative marine notes blend with natural green mandarin, sage, vetiver, patchouli, and a woody mineral dry-down. The infinite horizon of the sea is captured in a new innovative refill bottle.

If you’ve tried it, you can post a review and score in the comment section below.

Acqua di Gio EDP starts off much like Profondo Lights and Profondo. I’d say it’s closer to the former, with the prominent green mandarin note, but thankfully none of the cardamom. That was the note, which made me not really care for Lights.

The mandarin feels more pronounced in this eau de parfum version. It’s bright and much juicier/sweet than the Profondo colognes.

A strong citrus start, some of the blueish sea notes, sage, and geranium. Another thing that it lack is, the cypress note of the Profondo scents.

Is this similar to the EDT? Yes, but the original AdG has more of a floral feel. But, you can obviously tell that all of these fragrances are related. I always get a lot of jasmine on my skin with the original.

After a while, that top will start to burn off. EDP becomes less citrus dominant and the patchouli, sage, and geranium really start to come in stronger. During this part, the eau de parfum will start to resemble Profumo, and less of the Profondo editions.

It’s interesting, Acqua di Gio EDP will do its own thing to an extent, but it closely mimics the other releases throughout the duration of the wear.

So, during the Profumo-like part, it lacks the incense smokiness and darker feeling of that fragrance…but it’s near identical outside of that.

That too, will start to shift. This becomes a drier fragrance as it moves on. You do still get that sweetness from the mandarin note, but patchouli, the fresh mix, and a touch of the mineral note is most of the rest of the development.

The mineral note is there, like in Profumo, just toned down. Especially towards the end, its a lot of patchouli, vetiver, and that mineral note. The sage, mandarin, and geranium are basically just an impression that you can vaguely pick up on.

gio edp review

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Sillage wise, this one starts off with a decent amount of power. But, it will go quickly into moderate territory, and follow that up being fairly light.

Acqua di Gio EDP isn’t a powerhouse, nor a beast performer. It’s been solid on my skin, for about two hours, then it enters its lighter phase.

How long does EDP last? In total, 6-8 hours. Keep in mind, those last hours are very much a skin scent, but I can still pick it up on me during that time period.

Update: After wearing this fragrance a large number of times, it skews much closer to the six hour range than it does the eight. It is still capable of hitting 8, EDP just isn’t consistent in this regard.

The performance here is just okay. Not going to blow the doors off or anything, just be pretty much serviceable in its wear.

Seasonally, this like the others in the series, is a spring and summertime fragrance. But, a super versatile daily wear within that timeframe. Plus, it wouldn’t be too out of place during the rest of the year, but there are better options for cold weather.

Also, the age range is wide. From younger men to older, no problems. It’s enjoyable, but not a club beast, and I’m not sure if it’d be classified as being ‘sexy’. I haven’t worn it around any women, yet, so I’m not sure.

acqua eau de parfum

Overall Impressions of AdG Eau de Parfum

Overall, do I like Acqua di Gio EDP? I do like it. Though, it’s not completely amazing, nor a must have. If you already have other AdG fragrances, you probably won’t need this.

I do like it more than Profondo Lights, but maybe a notch below Profondo and Profumo, during this initial testing phase.

I really like the opening act. That mandarin note is great, giving you that citrus juiciness without as much in the way, as with the Profondo scents. I also enjoy the fact that I get to experience the others in the series, all wrapped up into one bottle.

I already have my Profumo bottle and this will give me elements of the others, during this spring and summer.

I do wish that this was a stronger scent. The longevity is well enough, but if it could pack a punch for a longer time, this would be more worthwhile. Better than the EDT? Yes, but that’s been weakened over the years, and this isn’t a huge step up.

I like its aromatic freshness and the fact that it doesn’t go too heavy with the mineral note. I do kind of wish that it was more marine, adding more of that ‘sea note’ accord.

On the whole? I’m enjoying EDP thus far. Is it a buy? Sure. However, you might not need it, if you’re already someone who has bottles of the other.

Update: After almost a year of having it and using quite a bit during the last summer, I must say it still basically holds up, as far as me enjoying it. I still really like that opening hour or so way more than I do the dry down. Though, I’ve knocked a couple of points off my original score below, in this update.

Also, wearing Acqua di Gio EDP outside, it’s a much more likeable fragrance for the duration. Indoors, it starts to feel very casual and not all that compelling. I’m going to finish off this bottle and don’t think that I’m ever going to re-up.

If not? Give it a try, you might like it better than Profondo or Profumo. To me, it’s up there. Not necessarily a must have, but I don’t regret buying a full bottle, in the slightest.

Allure Homme Sport Eau Extreme by Chanel

by

Allure Homme Sport Eau Extreme is one that I came across on and off for many years, but really haven’t had any contact with for a long while. In fact, I’ve been rediscovering for myself, a lot of the Chanel men’s and women’s fragrances. I got a hold of a sample of Eau Extreme in order to finally do a proper review of this one for the site, using the latest batch. How does it smell? When should it be worn? Is it really worth a buy?

Allure Homme Sport Eau Extreme Overview

Notes include: mandarin orange, tonka bean, cypress, musk, sage, mint, sandalwood, pepper, cedar

Click here to try: ChaneI Allure Homme Sport Eau Extreme Eau de Parfum Spray 1.7 Fl. OZ. / 50ML.

My Full Review

Before we get into my review, let’s see how Chanel describes it: Allure to the extreme. A powerful, dynamic and invigorating fragrance for the man who thrives on extreme sensations and pushes himself beyond his limits. An intense Eau de Parfum, like a rush of adrenaline.

Allure Homme Sport Eau Extreme starts off with a fresh coolness and green quality that the original Allure Sport lacks. Eau Extreme doesn’t have the same mandarin or sea notes, but instead, goes with mint and sage as prominent players.

The citrus is definitely still there, just toned down. It’s a cypress, sage, mint, and peppery start up top. Musk is hanging around as well, but for me that really starts to show up more in the latter stages.

I have been going back and forth for years, whether I prefer the opening act of Sport or Eau Extreme. Having had samples of each in the past few months, Eau Extreme has taken the lead for me.

Some of that initial sage will then wear off and it’s more just about the mint and the cypress note. However, the tonka bean and musk notes also really begin to emerge and give this fresh scent an aromatic sweetness.

Eau Extreme does give you a different take from the original Sport, but during the dry down is when these fragrances really start to smell similar. Though, Eau Extreme strikes me as muskier and less of a sweet aroma with that spicy fresh kick.

The tonka bean really begins to take control of the wear, it feels sweeter and warmer. Together with the musk, it is super smooth and very appealing. Along with those two notes, I get the remnants of pepper and the wood accord, which it’s pretty tough to pick out just the cypress anymore.

The way things come together it does create a sweetish-powdery kind of aroma. Not like baby powder, but some people might not like the tonka bean note in this.

After coming back to this one during this past year, this reminds me of Luna Rossa Sport, in the dry down. Not the same, but that tonka bean is just so prominent.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Sillage wise, Eau Extreme starts out fairly strong on my skin, but not a complete beast. It actually will be pretty moderate throughout the wear, but an improvement on Allure Sport, especially compared to the newer batches.

Solid. Though, I still wish it was cranked up a bit more with its projection abilities.

On my skin, I get right about 8 hours each time I’ve worn it. Amazing? No, but very good. Again, a little more ‘extremeness’ would’ve been nice, but I can’t complain too much. Those last few hours are pretty light, which is probably one of the downsides here.

Seasonally, Eau Extreme can work pretty much whenever. I would prefer it in warmer weather and not the winter, but it’s not bad there. It is a ‘cold’ sort of scent, so, I’d rather go with something thicker and warmer in icy conditions.

To me, it’s best in the moderate range of temperatures from slightly chilly to a bit warm. At the far ends of the scale, it’s not as good.

Aside from that, Allure Sport Eau Extreme is very versatile. It can be worn by any age range, in a variety of situations. Sort of a jack of all trades and one that most guys could own as their only bottle of fragrance. It’s not really a formal fragrance, but not terrible there either.

The sportiness is there. Others in the category, seem to go a lot more dynamic or even skew the line between being an aquatic. Allure Sport Eau Extreme brings you a refined and energetic aromatic freshness.

It’s also got an attractive and mass appealing smell. Women like this and it does get complements. Maybe not a night club monster, though, it fits into the nightlife fine…just less ‘in your face’ about it.

Overall Impressions of Eau Extreme

Overall, do I like Allure Homme Sport Eau Extreme? Yes! I’m so glad I came back to this one. The long time away from it, really made me appreciate what it is. I’ve found that I like the original Allure Homme less, Allure Sport about the same, and Eau Extreme more so.

The opening freshness gives you a nice change of pace from Sport. The mint, pepper, and cypress is great. The mandarin is less intense, but adds a brightness to the cold feeling of the composition. Then, the tonka bean, musky/woody finish is super smooth and attractive, if also being a bit fuzzy/powdery.

This is an easy to wear, all around versatile sort of scent. The sillage isn’t amazing and it’s not really what I’d term extreme, but the performance is still pretty darn good. I think complaints on this front are overblown. That 6-8 hour range of the wear, isn’t strong, but it is still pretty well detectable.

Eau Extreme is one of the better Chanel fragrances for men and very useful in any guy’s collection. Very mainstream entry from their collection and easy to wear.

Again, some people are just not going to like the tonka bean note in Eau Extreme. As such, one of the Bleu de Chanel’s might be the better starter cologne from the Chanel line.