Pacific Chill vs City of Stars

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City of Stars and Pacific Chill have ended up being two of the more popular Louis Vuitton fragrances since their releases a few years back or longer. That being the case, they can often be the final choices that people have to make a decision on, in terms of which they should buy.

I have reviewed and tested each of these perfumes and in this post, I will compare and contrast each, and share which one of them I prefer.

Tale of the tape: City of Stars vs Pacific Chill

City of Stars

Notes include: red mandarin, bergamot, lemon, lime, blood orange, musk, tiare flower, sandalwood

My full review: City of Stars

Pacific Chill

Notes include: blackcurrant, lemon, orange, ambrette, cedar, coriander, basil, carrot seeds, peppermint

Read my review: Pacific Chill by Louis Vuitton

Opening

Pacific Chill opens cold, sharp, and intensely fresh. Citrus leads the charge, but there’s also a strong greenish quality running through it.

Peppermint, coriander, and basil shake things up, making for a really distinctive first impression.

On my skin, peppermint takes control among those three, with the others playing more of a support role. This shifts as time goes on and the  basil starts pushing forward and eventually takes over from the mint.

Blackcurrant brings out the sweet and tart side that Chill projects and stays pretty strong for a decent stretch. But both the mint and blackcurrant eventually begin to fade

Pacific Chill transforms into something more citrus and basil-driven. On me, orange and citron come through clearly, joined by this apricot-like smell that develops.

The opening of City of Stars is obviously going to be citrus-heavy just from the listed notes. Lime really jumps out as the main focus. You can pick up some blood orange and bergamot too, but it mostly reads as a blended citrus mix for most of the wear.

The citrus here doesn’t completely take over like it does in Afternoon Swim, for example. Instead, the tiare accord and musk claim their own strong territory right from the start.

Louis Vuitton calls this a nighttime fragrance, but it honestly feels quite beachy. I guess night could work too. The citrus and tiare give it this tropical vibe that seems more sunny and daytime to me.

One thing you’ll notice during the wear is this ongoing balance between powdery and creamy qualities. The musk, tiare, and sandalwood keep trading off to create that effect.

Which do I prefer? I like what’s going on early with Pacific. It’s cool and fresh, which plays well off of the fruits.

But, I think Stars has the better opening between these two Louis Vuitton fragrances.

Edge: City of Stars

Projection

City of Stars has pretty moderate sillage. It does hang in the air and creates a nice scent trail behind you for about the first hour.

The projection probably peaks around seven feet. After that, it settles into a 3-4 foot range for most of the wear. It’s a personal bubble of fragrance for you to enjoy.

I think that Chill is slightly more substantial and has a further reach than does City of Stars. At least, initially. Pacific Chill is stronger out of the gate then it compatriot.

It doesn’t blow out City of Stars, but it has an advantage.

Edge: Pacific Chill

Longevity

With City of Stars I get in the 6-7.5 hour range. It’s capable of hitting that upper band, but doesn’t always do so. It’s pretty mid with how long it lasts.

Pacific Chill I also get around 7.5 hours, but it seems to be more consistent with that outcome versus City of Stars. I didn’t notice this LV fragrance quitting very much before that and it might be more capable of going into the 8-ish hour range.

Not a huge difference, neither is spectacular, but I think Chill takes this category.

Edge: Pacific Chill

Versatility

Seasonally, both of these are in spring and summer territory. Definitely warm weather fragrances, that aren’t overly serious.

Pacific Chill is unisex, but leans more feminine. It doesn’t go completely into that zone, but those fruity shampoo qualities certainly push it that direction.

It also feels much more youthful than the other LV summer fragrances. Not particularly mature.

This one’s more for daytime casual wear anyway. Not something you’d reach for during nightlife or even formal summer occasions. So even if it reads somewhat immature, it shouldn’t be much of an issue.

City of light is also unisex territory, leaning feminine. Tiare usually shows up in women’s perfumes, so, it does lean that way.

Again, I’m not sure why this gets marketed as nighttime wear. Maybe for warm summer evenings out, but this really reads as casual to semi-formal daytime territory.

It’s pretty and appealing. Not super seductive or attention-grabbing. More about clean powder and musky cream.

I might give a slight edge to Pacific Chill for its shampoo-like clean in the dry down. But, there’s not too much of a difference here.

Edge: Push

Overall Scent

Overall, which of these two LV fragrances do I prefer?

I was excited to try Pacific Chill back when it came out. I was looking forward to the perfume based on the notes and came away somewhat underwhelmed. I like the fragrance well enough, but I am somewhat puzzled as to why it became so popular.

I guess I’m more in the minority who just thinks that its fine. The early stages are interesting, but it’s nothing special in the back half.

I’m going with City of Stars versus what I get with Pacific Chill. Since the performances are basically the same, it comes down to how each smells and City is just better to me.

The mix of the citrus and the tiare flower is fantastic. I really enjoyed wearing this one while I made my way through the sample.

That’s my pick. They’re extremely close in every other way, but the scent itself really separates them, in my opinion.

Now, if you don’t want something that has that creaminess or that more traditional beachy sort of aroma, you should probably go with Chill versus City of Stars.

Winner: City of Stars

8 Best Smelling Perry Ellis Colognes for Men

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Perry Ellis doesn’t usually come up when talking about the ‘best’ designer fragrances on the market. However, this is one of those houses that definitely plays a role within the industry. You will find that most Ellis colognes are available for under $30 and almost universally smell good.

This is a brand that presents so much value for the guy looking to smell fantastic without having to break the bank. In this post, I am going to present what I feel are the 8 best Perry Ellis colognes that have been released thus far.

Favorite Perry Ellis Fragrances for Men

Warm Spice for Winter

Perry Ellis M for Men, 3.4 fl oz Eau de Toilette– Sweet vanilla meets spice from cinnamon and anise to create a fragrance that is sneaky good.  Very warm and fresh, wintertime kind of cologne, that does a solid job at filling that niche.

M is a very nice inexpensive option, as it has a similar scent to Chanel Allure. Not exactly the same, but you do get a close vibe. Creamy vanilla/tonka bean, with spices, and dries down with a bit of a powdery finish.

Citrus and Wood

Perry Ellis Night By Perry Ellis for Men Eau-de-toillete Spray, 3.4 Ounce–A citrus/woody scent that delivers blood orange and lemon notes in a very pleasant presentation. It has a woody dry down that has mossy elements. Don’t really get the ‘night’ moniker, but it is a damn nice cologne.

I really like blood orange in fragrances, it doesn’t get used often enough. The citrus is the star, but, the woodsy base brings it all together with a fresh and somewhat spicy kick. Also, a bit of an amber in there, as well.

Not super complex or one that’s going to stand out with its boldness. But, it gives you a nice experience at a low price.

Reach for the Sky

Sky by Perry Ellis– If you can get this one for fairly cheap, it’s worth checking out as an easygoing daily wear.

Citrus and a light mint note kick things off up top. It’s clean, bright, and sitting on top of a further watery base thanks to the aquatic notes and a touch of violet leaf.

Style wise, this is a lot like other scents like Polo Blue or even Sauvage to some extent. But, Sky is more aquatic and less woody than the Dior in particular. Though, in the dry down there is a good bit of ambroxan.

I will say that it doesn’t smell exactly like any of them, just you know along the lines of what you’re getting here, if you’ve smelled those types of colognes before.

Crisp and watery with some lavender, but mostly that citrus aquatic vibe is what this one is all about.

Midnight Amber

Midnight by Perry Ellis– Not sure if this is a flanker of Night or the brand just continued the theme in their naming. Either way, Midnight is another great release from Perry Ellis, this time giving you an amber and citrus blend.

The opening is an orange note with the ever-present amber and some spiciness provided by cinnamon and rosemary. Beyond that, vanilla gives it a further delicious creaminess, particularly in the dry down when it pairs with the amber.

The thing is, Midnight is not a heavy cologne that will bog you down, it does have a great freshness to it. The citrus, spice, and geranium make sure of that.

Performance is okay. This one is available for cheap, so, don’t expect some complete beast or anything. For the price? I think Perry Ellis Midnight is well worth getting.

The Acqua Alternative

Perry Ellis 360 Red for Men, 3.4 fl oz EDT– Famously well-performing and great smelling fragrance that is available at a low price. Has a familiar blend of citrus with a bit of a spicy kick. Solid cologne all around.

360 Red by Perry Ellis gets compared often with Acqua di Gio. While they do share quite a similar structure, this one has much more of a citrus based aroma, with its lemon and lime start. Later, clove and cinnamon provide its spicy and more masculine edge.

Fresh and inexpensive, with guys swearing by this cologne for years.  360 Red Review

Fresh, Clean, Sporty

Perry Ellis Reserve By Perry Ellis For Men. Eau De Toilette Spray 3.4 Ounces– A softer, clean scent that has a hint of sweetness and almost soapy quality to it. A nice casual everyday wear, that won’t overpower, but has a intriguing aroma.

Reserve is a fresh blend with fruits, florals, woods, and musk all mixed together. A 90s throwback with a nice dose of lavender and juniper berries, after that citrus punch in the opening. Good energy and one that can be worn daily or in more casual situations.

The Other 360

Perry Ellis 360 White for Men, 3.4 fl oz Eau de Toilette Spray-The other 360 flanker fragrance on the list, 360 White,  has that Le Male vibe but seems much softer and different enough to stand on its own. Light with floral sweetness and a minty body.

The main difference is going to be the citrus notes up top and the powdery quality is a bit ramped up. Not too heavy and quite versatile for an inexpensive cologne.

It is harder to find a bottle nowadays, as I think that it’s been discontinued. 360 White is still around, so, I’ll keep it on the list but you’ll probably have to search a bit to find it at a good price.

A Bit Like Bleu

Perry Ellis Pour Homme, 3.4 fl oz EDT– Perry Ellis Pour Homme is a clean citrus and spicy fragrance for men, that does a close impression to Bleu de Chanel. At least, for something at this price point.

Beyond that, you get cardamom warmth, lavender, and a lighter woody base and musky dry down. It’s not a terrible performer and will get you plenty of use, just don’t expect a marathon runner. Quite a good cheapie alternative to Bleu, that gives you a nice orange note in lieu of the Chanel citruses.

Paradoxe by Prada

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Paradoxe eau de parfum is the first release in this series from Prada. It was released back in 2022. It has since spawned a number of flankers and has enjoyed a good amount of popularity.

I recently found a sample of this that I had initially tried a few years ago, but never got around to doing a full review for. So, let’s change that.

How does Paradoxe EDP smell? How long does it last? Is this Prada worth a try?

Prada Paradoxe Overview

Notes include: neroli, pear, tangerine, bergamot, orange blossom, white musk, jasmine, vanilla, amber, benzoin

Click here to try: Paradoxe by Prada

Full Review

Paradoxe kicks off sweet, fruity, and bright. Neroli dominates as the main note for those first 20-30 minutes of the wear.

But it shifts pretty quickly on my skin, moving more toward orange blossom, as it hits the heart.

The fruit here smells more like a candy flavoring than fresh, natural fruit. There’s some effervescent pear in there, but citrus really drives the opening. The pear smells more natural to me, than the citrus.

Sort of a less intense version of what comes with something like Devotion by D&G. Tangerine being the most prominent fruit note in this initial stage, but it won’t be too much of a factor, as it develops. 

After that bright opening fades, this Prada becomes more floral focused. For me, orange blossom takes the lead over jasmine. Neroli still lingers around, but orange blossom clearly has the upper hand at this point.

The vanilla will come through, the fuzziness of the benzoin, and amber too. However, none of these are super heavy in the mix. More of a support, sort of musky in the finish. Though Paradoxe is mainly a orange blossom and jasmine blend at this point.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Paradoxe isn’t a heavy fragrance. It’s moderate in terms of its sillage, that scent trail isn’t too massive, and I don’t feel like it’s too cloying. Yet, those first few hours of wear do have a pretty far and above average projection.

After that, it’s still noticeable and very solid in comparison to a lot of the other mainstream designer perfumes, along these same lines.

The longevity is also above average. Not elite by any means, but I have been getting between 8.5-10 hours, on my skin. You should get your money’s worth with this one (and the Intense version is even better).

Paradoxe to me, is at its best in the autumn or springtime. It can venture into the summer and the winter too, but it smells better when it’s a moderate day.

This is going to be more of a daily wear scent. It is very versatile, not super formal, but not too sweet as to feel juvenile. It’s one of those fragrances that can hit a wide variety of use cases and not be too out of place.

You might use this as your main scent and then break out something else for evenings or more special occasions. This is more of a pleasant perfume, that smells nice, but isn’t truly going to stand out as being all that ‘unique’.

Overall Impressions of Paradoxe

Overall, do I like Paradoxe? I think that it’s pretty good. There’s nothing that is bad about this perfume from its smell to its performance, but it’s just not a great fragrance. Likeable and a good daily wear, just nothing amazing.

The pear and tangerine are nice and add some more personality to the opening act. Benzoin and the musk further deepen it. However, you’ve probably smelled plenty of other perfumes that are at least sort of like this Prada scent before.

I think that it’s worth a try. Paradoxe EDP is fresh and pretty and an overall enjoyable experience and it seems at this point, you can find it for a decent price. It may not be your absolute favorite, but this one can serve as a workhorse of your perfume collection.

D&G Devotion vs Burberry Goddess

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Devotion from D&G is their latest hit series of fragrances that will probably be expanded upon many times in the coming years. The EDP often gets compared to the original Goddess EDP from Burberry.

While both of these scents have already spun off newer versions of their original formulas, I wanted to compare both of these first editions, as they are still the most popular. Which smells better? Lasts longer? Which should you buy Goddess or Devotion?

Tale of the Tape: Devotion vs. Burberry Goddess

Devotion

Notes include: candied citrus, orange blossom, rum, pana cotta, vanilla

Click here to try: Devotion EDP

Read my review: Devotion EDP

Burberry Goddess

Notes include: lavender, vanilla, cacao, ginger, vanilla absolute, vanilla caviar

Click here to try: Goddess by Burberry

Read my review: Goddess

Opening

After first spraying of Devotion EDP, lemon dominates but it settles into a more balanced supporting role as we move forward.

Orange blossom provides the floral element, while there’s also what seems like a distinct orange note. To me, it’s more like fresh zest or peel.

The top is bright with a touch of spice and carries a slightly juicy feel, though the lemon leans more toward having that candied, synthetic quality.

This Dolce & Gabbana fragrance is essentially a straightforward sweet gourmand, but it does evolve through distinct stages.

The next phase brings together lemon cake vibes with the orange blossom. The spice notes retreat as vanilla starts making its presence known.

Goddess leans into its sweetness rather than tartness, leaving the fruity notes behind. Vanilla shows up early alongside cacao, but ginger brings this nice fresh lift right from the opening.

Even though vanilla leads the way, the fragrance feels surprisingly light and cool compared to what you’d normally expect from vanilla-heavy perfumes.

Which is better?

It’s a close call, but I think I’ll go with the D&G scent. The lemon, spice, and how it ultimately moves into its lemon cake phase is just a tad more interesting to me. Sugary? Sure, but Devotion is very likeable.

Edge: Devotion

Projection

Neither of these is a massive projector nor a super heavy fragrance. Devotion is substantial and has a good reach. It doesn’t bog you down, even though it is a gourmand scent. There is a freshness underneath that prevents it from being a thick cloud.

I’d say that the D&G perfume is on the upper end of what could be considered moderate, if not crossing over into ‘strong’ territory. Not a beast, but very solid.

With Goddess, it’s also a moderate, but a step down from what I get with Devotion eau de parfum. The first few hours are good, still more of an intimate scent bubble, and then devolves into a skin scent.

Pretty good, but Devotion easily takes this category.

Edge: Devotion

Longevity

With Goddess, I’ve only been able to ever get somewhere in the 6-7 hour range, while wearing it. Not great, but fairly decent.

Does Devotion outdo the Burberry? Yep. I can get around 9 hours of wear from the Dolce & Gabbana fragrance. It’s also nothing too crazy, but does the job well for the needs of most people.

Edge: Devotion

Versatility

Seasonally, both of these are autumn through springtime wears. If it’s too warm out, I’d probably opt for something else. Outside of that however, these will work quite well.

Neither goes too heavy and maintain a lightness that can move beyond just a standard winter gourmand fragrance.

Neither of them are a formal perfume either. They’re mainly going to fit into more of a daytime wear role, casual, and maybe some nightlife. I think either could be a potential signature scent, most like for a younger woman, or those who love the sweeter fragrances.

Not much of a difference here, as they really do overlap in terms of use case.

Edge: Push

Overall Scent

Overall, which of these two perfumes do I actually prefer more?

With Burberry Goddess, it’s a very pleasant mainstream fragrance. Nothing too bold or unique about it, but I like the use of vanilla and that light easy to wear feeling that I get while wearing it.

I never have thought that the name Goddess actually fit with what the scent actually is, but it’s a nice fragrance overall.

However, I like Devotion by D&G more than the Burberry option.

It’s not a massive preference for me, but I lean more towards Devotion being the better perfume. It does have better performance, so, that is another notch on its belt.

Devotion EDP isn’t as reliant on its vanilla notes and I think that the lemony baked goods and spice is just more interesting and smells a bit better, in my opinion.

You actually might prefer Devotion Intense versus either of these (I do). It’s not way ahead of either of these but the sugary citrus doesn’t have the same grip over the formula as it does in the EDP version.

Winner: Devotion

Best Le Male by JPG Fragrances (Ranked)

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Le Male by Jean Paul Gaultier is a series that has been going for about 30 years, at this point. In that time, the brand has released plenty of new editions or special bottles under this fragrance title.

While most of these scents are no longer available on the market, there are some which are more recent, that can be tracked down. On this page, I want to rank the Le Male colognes that I have reviewed on the site, and update it as newer releases emerge. 

Best Le Male Colognes (Ranked)

Still My Favorite

Ultra Male– This one is not going to be a daily wear for most. Even for me, it’s one that I only go to on occasion, and for that reason it may not be the one that you buy. But, I do still think it’s my favorite.

Ultra Male represents a lot of the qualities that I like about JPG colognes. It’s bold, out there, and doesn’t  need to be a signature scent. I’ll wear something else for the day to day, but I want some fragrances in my collection that hit hard and are borderline obnoxious.

Ultra gives you a massive pear and cinnamon combination. It’s sweet and spicy and fills up a room. I’ve got an older bottle, so, I’m not sure if they’ve toned it down in more recent bottles…but this is very potent juice.

Lavender, mint, and vanilla also come through. Later, the lavender and vanilla are the main attractions, along with some amber.

Ultra Male isn’t the Gaultier for everyone or every use case, despite its popularity. Though, it’s a very good release for what it is. Ultra Male review

A Better Elixir

Le Male Elixir Absolu– Yep, this has already climbed up to the second spot on my list of favorite Le Male fragrances. I’m not sure if this one has gotten a positive reception since its release, but I wear this one way more often than the original Elixir.

Admittedly, the opening is kind of shaky and not my favorite. Once we get into things, I think Elixir Absolu really starts to shine, and I thoroughly enjoy wearing this.

This one opens with lavender as the big player, along with some warmer spice, and the plummy sweetness. Now, it’s not a juicy plum note, it’s subtle but present.

Lavender, tonka bean, and some smooth sweetness highlights most of the wear. Performance is great and it’s a better formula than the first Elixir. Elixir Absolu review

Best Daily Wear

Le Male Le Parfum– This is the one to go with, if you want something that’s going to be an easy to wear and attractive cologne for day and night use.

It opens with a prominent cardamom note and some other spice (pretty sure it’s cinnamon). Lavender and vanilla already begin to emerge. However, early on the iris is the main focus of this scent.

The dry down? Lavender, vanilla, and amber.

This is a really good cologne for most guys. It’s an easy no brainer sort of wear. There are plenty of other iris fragrance options. A more recent release, Society Extreme, is one that I bought and like more than this Gaultier.

Yet, I have to give this one its due, even if I tend to like the bolder Le Male scents. Le Parfum review

First Elixir

Le Male Elixir– I’m going to put Elixir here. It’s still one that I like, but Elixir Absolu has pulled away as my favorite between them, to the point that I barely spray this one on anymore.

This is still likeable, but you’re going to have to appreciate a very sweet and loud sort of cologne. This one is warmer and thicker, with its honey note and amber. Yet, it has a cooling spiced opening act with mint.

Lavender, honey, amber, tobacco, and tonka bean are major players here. The scent does develop and has different facets to enjoy during the wear. I’d like Absolu more, but some of you might still want to go with this one. Le Male Elixir review

Lover

Le Male Lover– I don’t have too much experience with this one. But, when I tried it out, I liked what it does. If you don’t like the Elixir entries to this series, Le Male Lover could be a good alternative for you.

It’s a better version of Le Male In the Navy. More complex with a better use of vanilla and the oceanic accord. In the Navy feels much thinner and has less going on than does Lover.

Based on my limited testing with this, I’d put it about equal with the original Le Male. It’s good, maybe I’d find it to be a notch below, if I gave it some more time. But, if you find it at a discounter, I think it can be a good pick up.

The Original

Le Male– I’ve gone through so many periods over the years of loving this fragrance and then not wanting to wear it at all. That’s basically what happened again with my latest smaller bottle of Le Male.

Yes, it’s the original. Yes, it’s a classic. It still has its positives and can be worth it, but I’m not always enamored with the result.

It opens up spicy and with its vanilla already coming out and never leaving. It’s a mix of coolness and warmth, before the smoother lavender and vanilla blend really take hold. Orange blossom is another floral note in the mix.

At times, Le Male is creamy, but it does have more of a powdery finish overall. Still a nice buy. Le Male review

Not so Terrible

Le Male Terrible– You probably won’t find many bottles of Le Male Terrible still around, but just in case, I’ll put it on the list since I’ve already reviewed it. It came out back in 2010.

Overall? It’s pretty good. Quite similar to the original Le Male, but Terrible opens up with pink pepper in lieu of the mint note, along with a grapefruit.

Cardamom is also missing from the mix. Lavender and vanilla are still the leads with this one. However, vetiver, pink pepper, and amber also lend support to make it more of a unique blend.

If you can find this for really cheap and want a different take on Le Male EDT, it warrants a try. Anything above $50-60? I’d almost certainly pass. Le Male Terrible review

Fly with JPG

Le Male Airlines– Airlines had potential. The opening act with the cardamom is really attractive. Much of the time, this one feels like a relative of 1 Million Royal. Overall, it’s a nice cologne, just not one that you need to have.

My bottle was $30 or so, a few years ago. Even with that being the case, I don’t wear Le Male Airlines very often. I wore it a few times in autumn and winter, just to go walk outside with.

Light citrus and artemisia break up the usual Le Male pacing. The Cardamom is really amped up here, but it still has the familiar mint and cinnamon combination in the blend.

The back half is less fresh and spicy. It’s cooler and softer, with the lavender and some woods taking hold of the composition. Airlines review

On the Ocean

Le Male in the Navy– I’m not sure if bottles of In the Navy are still easy to find a decent price, but honestly, don’t bother. This isn’t a worthwhile fragrance and I would rather wear Airlines versus this, any day of the week.

Peppermint, vanilla, ambergris, and an oceanic accord. I thought that it might have some style with its simplicity, but was ultimately disappointed.

I do like the peppermint in the beginning, but the rest of the way its a watery mix of vanilla and ambergris. Nothing too spectacular here and not one to track down. In the Navy review