Gentlemen Only by Givenchy

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I’ve been trying out more and more colognes over the past few weeks and I recently got a hold of a couple scent by Givenchy. Gentlemen Only and Gentlemen Only Intense. In this post, I want to take a closer look at the former, and give my opinion and rate how this fragrance measures up.

What is it composed of? What is the opening like? How does it smell? How long does it last? Please continue reading below for my full review of Gentlemen Only.

What Does Gentlemen Only Smell Like?

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Notes include: Birch wood, patchouli, vetiver, cedar, pink pepper, mandarin

Click here to try: Givenchy Gentlemen Only Eau De Toilette Spray for Men, 100ml, 3.3 Ounce

My Full Wear Review

My first impressions of Gentlemen Only is that it is a dry and slightly sweet woodsy scented fragrance. It is simple and refined. I was really digging this scent when I first applied it, and enjoyed the interplay between the vetiver and birch/cedar notes, that I could pick out.

This Givenchy fragrance is one in which I could completely imagine myself applying while wearing a suit and even though I was wearing a t-shirt and jeans, I definitely felt quite fresh with it on.

Also, the opening has a citrus aroma provided by the mandarin note, that fades away during the dry down period. This mandarin and pink pepper give it the sweet/spicy undertones which helped to make Gentlemen Only quite appealing to my tastes.

As the citrus fades, it takes on more of a smoky type of aroma (think less of tobacco or a whiskey cask and more towards incense). Birch really becomes prominent on my skin, at this point.

The top is a citrus mix of that mandarin and bergamot, the latter being quite light. Pink pepper joins in to add some warm spice, to the very dry composition. It’s nice to have that juiciness on top of what is ultimately going to be a fresh woody fragrance.

As it moves further along, the smoky wood aromas, really start pouring out of this. Vetiver starts to take over the composition, with the lingering mandarin still hanging around. Under that, is the birch wood and some cedar.

Ultimately, Gentlemen Only is a somewhat spicy and smoky woods-based fragrance, with enough sweetness to change things up. Very nice and refined.

Sillage and Longevity

Projection wise, Gentlemen Only starts out pretty good in that regard. For the first few hours, I could notice it on myself and liked it a whole lot. In many regards, I though that I had found a new potential casual fragrance for me to wear.

It’s not going to leave a huge scent trail. It will be noticed for a little while, but isn’t going to take over a room. Then, it’s not going to even do that.

However, the longevity on this one is really disappointing.  After three hours or so I could no longer even detect it on my skin, I had sprayed some on my forearms, and got absolutely nothing from it. It’s so hard to find a good long lasting cologne sometimes.

This Givenchy isn’t one of them.

When Should it Be Worn?

Surprisingly, this isn’t too heavy of  a scent. Smoky and dry woods, sounds more like a winter thing, but here it isn’t really. I would say that Gentlemen Only works best in moderate temperatures. It’s not terrible in winter, but I wouldn’t wear it in the summertime.

It can be a daily wear at the office, or something you put on for semi-formal to formal occasions. It is attractive enough for the nightlife, but again, the performance isn’t great. It’s actually got a pretty wide use case.

Overall Impressions

Overall, is this Givenchy product worth a try? I definitely like the scent, although, I seem to enjoy the Intense version more… BUT Gentlemen Only just does not last. Plus, the Intense version isn’t really ‘intense’ and is quite a different fragrance all together.

If you want a woodsy/smoky/spicy cologne in this price range, consider: Burberry London or perhaps, YSL L’Homme Libre, both of which have much better longevity.

Gentlemen Only might not be a bad buy, if you can get it at a discount on the secondary market. Perhaps, it will last longer on your skin, versus my own. The scent itself, is worth it. The question is, how much performance can you wring out of this cologne?

It is interesting and has its moments, but ultimately probably not worthwhile for many guys.

Omnia Crystalline by Bvlgari

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In today’s review, I am going to be covering a popular ladies’ fragrance by Bvlgari, Omnia Crystalline. I’ve had a sample vial of this for a few months now, so I figured that it was about time that I try it out and report back with how it smells, performs, etc.

As usual, I’m going to cover my impressions and it longevity and whether or not I think that it is worth picking up a bottle.

What does Omnia Crystalline Smell Like?

Notes include: bamboo, lotus flower, nashi, musk, tea

Click here to try: Bvlgari Omnia Crystalline for Women Eau De Toilette Spray, 2.2 fl oz

My Full Wear Review

The opening of Omnia Crystalline is a rather interesting and somewhat unique experience, at least when compared to other popular perfumes. It’s light, clean, and has a bit of a soapy quality to it but with a distinctly Asian influence.

Lotus, tea, and a pear-like smell (provided by the nashi fruit) are the main attractions here, which gives this Bvlgari perfume a floral-plant type of outdoorsy scent.

Omnia Crystalline is quite a feminine fragrance and doesn’t seem to include anything that could be considered heavy or overwhelming, which should make this one a good choice for the warmer months of the year.

The tea note really reminds me of a men’s cologne that I cannot quite recall the name of (maybe by Roberto Cavalli?), it’s really distinct and green, in it’s aroma. I also detect a hint of Alien Aqua Chic in this composition.

However, the major player here is the lotus note…so, if you’re not a fan, look for another perfume. It does have a different feel than the usual rose, iris, violet notes that are so often found in other ladies’ fragrances.

There is a slight musk which gives it some warmth and body. The dry down is woody and green, with some remaining fruit sweetness, but mostly that lotus flower as the focus of it all. Bamboo and a bit of moss coming through.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Projection wise, it’s a light fragrance but does a pretty good job at projecting itself. You will know that it’s there while wearing; but it isn’t going to choke anyone out. A few feet away from the skin, is what I got for most of the wears during testing.

It’s not one to leave a huge scent trail or fill a room. But, while it’s got its power, it will be picked up by those around you.

The longevity is meh, but usable. 4-5 hours seems to be the norm, maybe 6 under the right conditions. This is by no means a powerhouse or a workhorse, which means you should probably get it at a good price and not at retail.

I’d save this one strictly for the spring/summer months, as a casual scent for a day out or the office. I don’t find it to be particularly sexy or something that would scream attention to itself, rather, it is a clean and simple scent that smells good in a low key way.

It’s a good no-brainer daily wear that isn’t going to offend. Omnia Crystalline can easily be a go to during the warmer months for the right lady.

Overall Impressions of Omnia Crystalline

Overall, would I recommend Omnia Crystalline? I mean, I like it well enough. It isn’t an amazing perfume by any means but it will get the job done for what it is. If you like the listed notes and need a good casual scent, then this might be right up your alley.

However, if you want a bold type of fragrance, then it’s best to look elsewhere for something with that kind of quality.

The opening act with the fruit, bamboo, and lotus is actually very nice. The tea note, is the one that tends to stand out and delivers a nice experience while its around. The dry down is fine. Not something I’m completely enthralled by, but it’s likeable.

It’s a very straightforward, elegant, crisp, and pleasing scent. No more no less. It would be a lot better, if the strength was boosted up some more. Still useful, just not incredible.

Scandal for Women by Jean Paul Gaultier

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As a part of my latest giant batch of sample fragrances, I bought a bunch of female perfumes in the lot. At this point, there are more and more perfume reviews on this site, and that trend will continue (not that I have slowed down on the men’s colognes side of things).

Today, I have another entry from Jean Paul Gaultier, an EDP called, Scandal. How does this perfume perform? What does it smell like? Is it worth a purchase? Continue below for my full take.

What does Scandal by JPG Smell Like?

Notes include: honey, blood orange, patchouli, gardenia, caramel, jasmine

Click here to try: Scandal by Jean Paul Gaultier Eau de Parfum Spray 50ml

My Full Review

First, I’m going to let the Eau de Parfum’s sample card describe this scent and what to expect from it: “A honey chypre. During the day, it’s a delicious, fresh honey with the wonderful scent of gardenia and blood orange. At night, it’s a sensual and scandalous honey combined with patchouli: an addiction that’s just so Jean Paul Gaultier.”

So, from the immediate spray, I’m obviously going to get a strong honey note…which I do. However, it isn’t alone, as there is a familiar note of beeswax and patchouli occupying the flanks.

I used to work at a place that had beeswax as a part of its inventory and that note really stood out to me.

There is a sweetness here, but it is more of a floral/honey kind of sweet, rather than candy-like. Although, the caramel note emerges later and adds a sugary quality to the mix.

A few minutes after the initial spray, I pick up a dose of gardenia, and a sprinkle of jasmine to boot. It’s a floral aroma that hangs around in the background throughout its life cycle.

Mostly, what I pick up on throughout are the honey, patchouli, caramel, and gardenia notes. The blood orange is definitely present but it feels completely bonded to the caramel note in this EDP.

With a name like Scandal, I was expecting something either bold, dark, hyper-sexy, or some combination thereof.

I will say that it is a pretty fragrance and has a certain sexiness to it, I don’t really think the name fits particularly well. What’s so scandalous about it? Scandal isn’t a boring office scent, but it doesn’t have a real edge to it either.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Projection wise, this thing can definitely fill a room. You don’t need to overspray to get any type of real sillage. It’s loud, maybe that’s the scandalous aspect? If you’re looking for a bold sort of wear, Scandal can provide that kind of huge sillage.

Spray it on and it will follow…and leave a trail.

Also, it gives a great performance. This is an all day wear eau de parfum, that can easily hit the double digits. Anywhere from 10-11 hours at the max, is what I got from Scandal during testing. Outstanding, in this regard.

There are some crummy designer fragrances, with how long they last. But, this isn’t one of them.

Weather wise, wear it in the cooler months all the way up to moderate spring days. It doesn’t seem like it’d hold up well in the high heat. Just keep it in that cold to moderate temperature range and it should be just fine.

Again, I don’t think this is an office scent or one for school. Daytime casual on days off? Yes. Nighttime? Yes. Romantic wear? Yes. This does have an attractive and sexy kind of aroma, just not a formal perfume.

With that, it can be somewhat limited in its use when compared with some other popular fragrances. Bold and smells good, but probably not one to reach for on a daily basis.

Overall Impressions of Scandal

Overall, do I like Scandal by Jean Paul Gaultier? I really do. It’s not very unique in the female perfumes space with those honey, caramel, and orange notes but it also does everything well. It’s attractive and something that will get complements.

It performs extremely well and one would get good use out of it for the price. I’m not blown away by it, but this is something that I enjoy smelling and would like very much on a lady.

On all fronts, with its smell and its longevity it is at least above average. If you’re in the market for a loud nightlife or casual fragrance, this can be a great pickup. Not for everyone, but this is a great representation of this niche.

Scandal at least gives you some bang for your buck, with nothing standing out as being too much of a weakness.

Essence Musk by Ferrari

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I think that this is the last of the samples of Ferrari fragrances that I have to do a review on, since I’ve done about 6 of them in the past month or so. Today’s entry is Essence Musk and it comes in a white bottle. As usual, after giving it a full wear or two, I am going to discuss: how it smells, performs, when it should be worn, and if it is worth a purchase or not.

What does Essence Musk by Ferrari Smell Like?

Notes include: musk, grapefruit, watermelon, sea notes, cedar, mint, lavender, nutmeg, vetiver, and more

Click here to try: Ferrari Essence Musk Men’s 3.3-ounce Eau de Parfum Spray

My Full Review

Upon first spraying, Essence Musk, I noticed how much of the composition resembled Cedar Essence by Ferrari. Now, that particular scent has things arranged differently, and has it’s own unique aroma ultimately.

However, these two are pretty close, in terms of what makes each tick. The opening is a blend of grapefruit/watermelon that is mixed into oceanic water with musk permeating the whole thing. I actually like it.

Essence Musk to me, is like part Cedar Essence and part cheaper version of Imperial Millesime by Creed. It has that same salty melon aroma as does the Creed, which is why it strikes me as similar.

The Ferrari cologne is quite light but not weak and just sort of hangs in the air to provide a bright and uplifting scent.

As it dries down, I get more of a citrus and mint blend. The musk is still the highlight. Though, I think that the mint note plays quite nicely off of that, and gives it that bit of extra freshness that the cologne could’ve been lacking.

I also pick up on just a tad bit of lavender, but it is really only noticeable if I’m right up on my skin, trying to detect it.

It ends less salty and with the watermelon faded. It’s a musky fresh, lavender, with some general sweetness from the remaining fruit.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Projection wise, it’s not a heavy scent but Essence Musk does a solid job, in terms of sillage. It is a lighter and airy sort of cologne, but it is moderate and noticeable while wearing. It’s not designed to be a beast, and with these notes, it probably shouldn’t be.

It’s longevity is pretty good but not outstanding. I’ve gotten 6-7 hours from my testing of it, which is good enough for most occasions. None of the Ferrari scents are outstanding in this area, but they all seem to be at least decent.

Seasonally, this strikes me as one to wear during the spring and summertime. The bright citrus notes and the aquatic sort of elements, lend itself well to the warmer months. Also, as the musk isn’t really heavy it won’t fall apart in the heat, either.

I like this as an everyday wear or casually or even a business casual sort of scenario. It’s not a nightlife beast and I’d rather wear it during the daytime. Essence is something that is inexpensive and easy to wear, but won’t be an all-around workhorse. Yet, still useful.

Overall Impressions of Essence Musk

Overall, do I like Ferrari Essence Musk? Yes. I actually wasn’t expecting to, as I’m not a huge fan of musky scents, but I think that they definitely did this one right.

It’s simple and straightforward, but the fragrance smells good, and gives a solid performance for a cologne at this price point.

Ferrari isn’t an amazing scent design house, but I think that they have carved out a niche for themselves in this space. Most of their colognes are solid and I think Essence Musk, is in that top tier.

I really enjoy the aquatic feel and that opening blend of watermelon and grapefruit. This one is a very pleasant wear, not incredible, just quite good all around.

The dry down isn’t as good to my nose, but it’s still a nice cologne and I never had any real negative feelings toward it.

It has overlaps with Cedar Essence and Imperial, but it really does its own thing outside of those two. Which it’s nice to get an inexpensive fragrance, that isn’t a complete clone of everything else on the market.

TH Bold by Tommy Hilfiger

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Today, I want to review a scent from Tommy Hilfiger’s line of men’s colognes, TH Bold. This fragrance was released in 2015 and as a semi-new entrant to the market, I hadn’t given it a try yet. Well, now that I have, I would like to share my thoughts on this casual summer scent and whether or not I think it’s worth a buy. How does it smell, perform, when should it be worn, and does it separate itself from the pack?

What does TH Bold Smell Like?

Notes include: tangerine, lavender, grapefruit, sandalwood, cedar, bergamot, jasmine, mandarin blossom

Click here to try: TH BOLD by Tommy Hilfiger 3.4 oz / 100 ml NEW, SEALED

My Full TH Bold Review

The opening of TH Bold is a strong burst of citrus. It gives off a very nice summery vibe, sort of how the original Tommy Hilfiger cologne did, but this is quite a different fragrance. Bold’s main note is the tangerine, at first, in combination with the grapefruit playing a supporting role.

I do love a good citrus and the opening here has that going for it. A very attractive start.

Underlying that is a soapy sort of vibe with the floral notes such as lavender and jasmine, giving it a clean freshness. The cologne is called Bold and at first, the tangerine is pretty bold, but after some time it falls back into something that is much less intense.

There is a light cardamom spice, within the composition, but this isn’t much of a spicy citrus at all.

After 20-30 minutes, the overwhelming citrus scent, fades into a more floral and woodsy aroma. In my opinion, it really doesn’t stand out as a fragrance, and seems really generic and like a body wash.

A soapy white floral fragrance that is borderline unisex with how it comes across.

There is cedar and some sandalwood, which does create some nice depth to a plain tangerine heavy citrus, but it isn’t enough to make TH Bold all that interesting.

What I ultimately get is: a juicy/fresh citrus heavy top, with lavender and jasmine cleanliness in the middle, with a light citrus dry down blended with the other notes.

Sillage, Longevity, When to Wear

Projection wise, it starts out pretty strong and like I said, fades into something that is much more moderate. It actually tends to be a pretty light cologne.

Hardly lives up to the Bold name, in terms of its sillage, or really the ingredients used. That strength will descend quickly into the lighter side of things. Not much staying power.

The longevity is borderline ok, but definitely isn’t amazing. I get probably 4-5 hours with a few sprays but doubling up can stretch that time frame out a bit more. Again, I did have greater expectations from this one than was actually delivered.

Especially since, much of those hours are completely weak.

This is a casual and very safe scent for work or school. It’s probably best worn by those in their 20s and 30s. I wouldn’t call this a date night cologne or something that will stand out at the club.

I’d say it is a summer or other warm weather fragrance but probably will feel out of place in other seasons. It’s real versatility lies in the fact that, it is light enough and non-offensive. Anywhere from casual to semi-formal environments. Beyond that, it’s fairly limited.

It’s attractive enough, clean, and just very wearable without totally grabbing attention.

Overall Impressions of TH Bold

Overall, TH Bold is decent but doesn’t stand out to me. I like the opening with the tangerine note and it doesn’t smell bad at all, though it isn’t great. The boldness is short lived, which is disappointing for those looking for an absolute beast performer.

I’d say that it’s a slightly above average scent in terms of how it smells and just average (to mediocre) in how it performs.

The white floral/woodsy/soapy dry down is just okay. If it had some better power during that part, I might enjoy it more. But, it just comes across a pretty boring and average.

It might be a decent pickup if you can grab it at a really good price, though, I wouldn’t go out of my way to own a bottle. Really, this Tommy Hilfiger cologne feels like a missed opportunity. I like the general idea of this fragrance, but feel the actual execution, was quite mishandled.

With a steep discount?  Fine. Full price? Pass.