Gucci Guilty EDT vs. Parfum

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Gucci keeps coming out with new versions of their Guilty line. Some, are wildly different from the originals. While others, share a pretty similar overall vibe. Guilty Pour Homme Parfum, falls in that latter category. So, with that being the case, how does Parfum compare to the original EDT? Which lasts longer? Smells better?

Tale of the Tape: Guilty EDT vs Parfum?

Gucci Guilty

Notes include: lemon, orange blossom, lavender, patchouli, cedar, pink pepper, neroli

Click here to try: Guilty By Gucci EDT spray for Men, 3 Ounce

Read my original review: Gucci Guilty

Guilty Parfum

Notes include: juniper, orange flower, cistus, lavender, nutmeg, lemon, patchouli, musk

Click here to try: Guilty Pour Homme Parfum by Gucci (Macy’s)

Opening

Gucci Guilty opens up with a blend of lemon, pink pepper, and lavender. It’s a light, warm, and calming fragrance with added base notes of cedar and patchouli.

While it feels basic, it’s actually fairly unique in how it comes across when compared to other scents. At least when compared with non-Guilty fragrances.

With Guilty Parfum, you get a fresh and aromatic fragrance early on. The lemon is more peel than juicy fruit. It has a colder and woodsier feeling versus EDT. The juniper and nutmeg, really are pretty dominant at the opening stages, on my skin.

Which is better? I like EDT. It’s quite nice to smell. Straightforward and attractive.

But, I prefer the opening of Parfum more so. It’s a better mix, with some more depth, and a different profile. Plus, I like that juniper and nutmeg blend.

Edge: Parfum

Projection

Comparing an EDT to a Parfum, it’s pretty clear that the latter should have the greater sillage, just based on the perfume concentration. Parfum, for sure does. But, it isn’t a total beast, however.

Guilty EDT is moderate for the first few hours of the wear. Then, it will be pretty light and airy for the rest of the way. Not a huge performer, but it generally stays above skin scent level right up until the end.

With Guilty Parfum, it hits the upper end of the moderate range. Not massive, but it will project itself 4-6 feet for a while. Then, it too will begin to lighten up after a few hours. Still, it maintains more than Guilty and reaches a higher high.

Edge: Parfum

Longevity

Guilty EDT isn’t a workhorse. Anytime that I’ve used it, I’ve only gotten 5-6 hours of wear from it. It’s pretty average and doesn’t simply disappear. But, it’s not something that keeps going.

Is Parfum better? Yes, but it’s longevity is in the 7-8 hour range. Solid, but it also isn’t a complete performer. 7-8 hours is good and about what I would expect with something like this.

Parfum has the clear edge here. 

Edge: Parfum

Versatility

Both of these are extremely versatile. They can be worn nearly year round…accepting the hottest and coldest days. Both are great daytime wears, with the ability to handle the nightlife. 

These two Guilty fragrances are kind of no-brainers. Not the most formal occasions, but fit in fairly well most other places.

But, I think that Parfum has more maturity in comparison. Older guys can enjoy it, as well as younger ones, who are more the target audience for EDT. Very easy to wear, either way, but Parfum gets the nod.

Edge: Parfum

 

Overall Scent

Gucci Guilty EDT has always been something that I liked, but never really had much attraction to wear. I’ve always preferred its flankers.

It is a simple and clean fragrance, that is a good go to for a wide variety of situations. The main focus is simple and are the lemon, lavender, and pink pepper note.

It has a slight woody/earthiness to the aroma, but also some nice floral sweetness. By no means a bad one, just nothing that jumps out.

Guilty Pour Homme Parfum? It’s a very good scent. Not a complete classic, but one that I’ve enjoyed wearing in this short time since its release. It’s just an across the board better cologne than the original EDT.

It has similarities to Guilty Intense, but even feels like an improvement upon that. You get balance between citrus, freshness, floral notes, and woodsiness in the dry down. I just like wearing it more so than the original. Plus, better performance.

It’s a clean sweep for Parfum.

Winner: Parfum

Baccarat Rouge 540 vs. Grand Soir

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Maison Francis Kurkdjian has some major hits in its lineup. Notably, Baccarat Rouge 540 and the subsequent Extrait version. But, it also has a very popular amber based perfume, Grand Soir, that has plenty of fans. For many, these two will be the last two under consideration before purchase. What’s the difference? Which lasts longer? Which perfume is the better buy?

Tale of the Tape: BR 540 vs. Grand Soir

Baccarat Rouge 540

Notes include: saffron, ambergris, cedar, fir resin, jasmine

Click here to try: Buy from Saks

Grand Soir

Notes include: amber, vanilla, tonka bean, benzoin, labdanum

Click here to try: Grand Soir from Saks

Read my full review: Grand Soir

Opening

Baccarat rouge goes with the saffron and jasmine, front and center in the beginning. It’s clean, sweet, and presents a lemony tinge to it from the hedione (jasmine).

Sitting under that, is the amber and wood notes giving this a invigorating and resinous quality early on…which will become greater as it develops.

Grand Soir, on the other hand, reveals its main amber note immediately. You do get the softness of vanilla, and a bit of that medicinal quality from the benzoin note. The amber is smooth, with a nice spicy kick in there, very warm.

Which is better at the start? I do like the way that BR 540 kicks off. Both of them have a resinous quality to them, with Grand Soir being more so. BR also has a lighter and fluffier aroma, after its initially super clean freshness.

But, in the opening, I think I lean more towards Grand Soir. But, I don’t think the opening is either perfume’s strong suit.

Edge: Grand Soir

Projection

Rouge kicks off strong, goes moderate, and then has a stage wear it is pretty airy and light. It does hang around, but doesn’t have a heavy or overwhelming presence.

The same is true for Grand Soir. I get a fairly strong opening and then it’ll hang 2-3 feet from the skin, for most of the way.

To me, there isn’t really a noticeable difference here.

Edge: Push

Longevity

Meanwhile, BR 540 will land anywhere from 8-12 hours. It will land usually around 10 hours total, but it can vary somewhat depending on the day.

Grand Soir will also last over 10 hours. It can go just as long as Baccarat and sometimes longer. It also, hasn’t gone away on my skin, prior to that double digit hour mark. So, it takes this category.

Edge: Grand Soir

Versatility

While both of these fragrances are technically unisex, Grand Soir does lean much more masculine than does BR 540. Baccarat is more feminine. So, for some out there, that may be a distinction that can effect which you choose.

Seasonally, Grand Soir’s amber and vanilla richness is suited for the autumn and winter months. But, Baccarat Rouge 540 can be worn pretty much anytime outside of the height of summer.

Neither is a super sexy or night club beast kind of perfume. Both are attractive, daily wears for casual or semi-formal situations. Maybe Grand Soir is a bit dressier.

However, I think the seasonality of BR 540 gives it a bit more versatility and it will have a greater appeal than to those who love amber-laden fragrances.

Edge: BR 540

Overall Scent

Between these two, which do I prefer? It is a close call for me. Neither is an absolute love, but I like them each well enough.

Grand Soir is a very nice amber fragrance. You get soft spicy highlights and vanilla and tonka bean sweetness. Warm, enveloping, and resinous. The dry down is more powdery with lovely creamy highlights and the spiciness has subsided.

I like the way it dries down. But, I also get kind of bored with Grand Soir. It’s nice, but it feels pretty linear at times. Yes, you can wear it by itself, but I almost feel like you should find an appropriate scent to layer along with it.

Baccarat Rouge gets better and feels more dynamic. I like the smooth and candy-like sweetness, that can overcome the cold cleanliness of fir and cedar. Also, I am a big fan of saffron getting used in perfumes and it complements this Francis Kurkdjian fragrance well.

Yes, BR 540 has been mimicked to death and is everywhere nowadays. So many fragrances are trying to be a Baccarat Rouge 540 copy.

The performance isn’t too far apart either. I think many people will probably prefer to go with BR 540, even if Grand Soir is also damn good. Not a huge margin of victory, but I’ve just enjoyed Baccarat Rouge more in testing than its competitor.

Winner: BR 540

Good Girl vs Very Good Girl Perfume Comparison

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Good Girl’s success has allowed Carolina Herrera to come up with more newer and newer versions of this popular perfume. One of the more recent one’s released in 2021, is Very Good Girl. As such, these two often get compared or can be the final decision as to which a woman wants to purchase. How do they smell? Which lasts longer? Which actually is the better buy?

Tale of the Tape: Good Girl vs. Very Good Girl

Good Girl

Notes include: jasmine, coffee, bergamot, tuberose, almond, rose, tonka bean, cocoa

Click here to try: CAROLINA HERRERA Good Girl Eau de Perfume Spray, 2.7 Fl Oz

Read my Review: Good Girl by Carolina Herrera

Very Good Girl

Notes include: litchi, rose, red currant, vetiver, vanilla

Click here to try: Very Good Girl 30 ml Eau de Parfum, 1 fl oz

Read my review: Very Good Girl

Opening

Good Girl is about the white floral notes and citrus up top. Lemon, jasmine, and almond are the main attention grabbers, but some tuberose will come through.

That opening is short-lived, the citrus fades, and you get coffee to pair with the almond. At first, it’s more of a nutty gourmand, but cocoa and tonka bean will play a greater role.

With Very Good Girl, the litchi is a powerhouse up top. Yes, I do get the comparisons to Angel Nova, but that was even fruitier and sweeter with the raspberry. The red currant doesn’t pack the same punch.

Quite sweet and tart with the rose becoming more prominent, as things move along. Litchi and rose are going to be your main stars.

Which is better at the start? While I like the fruity sweetness that Very Good Girl provides, I actually think I prefer the citrus and jasmine of the original up top. 

That litchi and rose of Very Good Girl is fine, but probably isn’t as good as Angel Nova at that point, if you want the real fruitiness. The calmer blend of jasmine and almond with that sparkling citrus is better in the original.

Edge: Good Girl

Projection

Neither of these fragrances are super strong. They each project themselves above average for the first hour or so and then gradually become softer.

The sillage overall is moderate. Neither feels heavy and each has enough fresh aspects to keep from getting bogged down.

I will say, neither is weak. They actually do a nice job at hanging around without feeling completely obtrusive with normal amounts of spraying. 

But, I really don’t notice a distinct difference in this category.

Edge: Push

Longevity

With the longevity, Good Girl lasted on my skin for around 8 hours during testing. It was pretty much like clockwork, in this regard. No more and really no less, either. It’s a solid performer among the more mass appealing options.

With Very Good Girl, it’s close to that. But, I’d say it leans more towards the 7 hour mark than 8 hours. 

Good Girl is just a tad bit better than its flanker, but not a major difference. It’s strange, as I would’ve thought going in to testing each of them, that Very Good Girl would’ve had the edge based on the notes and structure. Nope.

Edge: Good Girl

Versatility

Seasonally, Good Girl is best served in the autumn and winter months. Much more of a pure cold weather perfume, that can sort of venture into moderate temperatures. Meanwhile, Very Good Girl is good pretty much year round. It doesn’t have the same limitations.

Good Girl isn’t strictly a nighttime fragrance but leans that way or for more casual situations. It’s built more like an attractive or sexy sort of perfume.

Very Good Girl isn’t formal either, but it is soft and doesn’t scream to be worn on a night out. It’s a versatile day or night wear.

So, Very Good Girl takes this category, as the more versatile of the two Herrera perfumes.

Edge: Very Good Girl

 

Overall Scent

This is kind of a close race for me. I’m not a super fan of either of these fragrances, but I do enjoy aspects of each, and think that they can be good selections for the right person.

With Very Good Girl, the litchi really lets itself be known early on. So, if you’re not a fan of that sort of tart sweetness (along with the red currant), then you might want to skip it.

However, it does soften up as it goes along. You will get more of the rose note, some vanilla, and a light powdery touch. It’s more pretty and low key than a sexy night club beast. Delina and Mugler’s Angel Nova are quite similar in many regards to Very Good Girl.

But, I actually like Nova better than this Herrera perfume. The raspberry is a nice offsetting note from the litchi, which can be intense here up front.

Back to this comparison, I think I like the original Good Girl more here. Again, not a major victory, but a pretty clear favorite. I like the balance of the gourmand ingredients and the jasmine/tuberose. 

It’s a warmer, more limited choice, but I think the fragrance itself smells a tad better. They’re not the same fragrance, which is a good thing, as it should be pretty obvious as to which you should try based on your personal preferences.

Me, I’ll pick Good Girl. Or, maybe you try one of the Good Girl ‘dupe’ perfumes and a bottle of Very Good Girl for not much more.

Winner: Good Girl

Guilty Pour Homme Parfum by Gucci

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It’s a new year and that means that Gucci is going to come out with a new fragrance to add to the Guilty line. For 2022, we have, Guilty Pour Homme Parfum. I ordered a bottle of this new scent to try out and see if the brand is going to add anything new or if its just more of the same. How does Guilty Parfum smell? Does it last long? Is it worth a try?

What does Guilty Parfum Smell Like?

Notes include: juniper, orange flower, cistus, lavender, nutmeg, lemon, patchouli, musk

Click here to try: Guilty Pour Homme Parfum by Gucci (Macy’s)

My Full Review

Immediately upon spraying, I can already tell that the closest comparison to Guilty Parfum is the now discontinued, Guilty Intense.

They aren’t the same fragrance, but I do get a lot of the same DNA. Lemon, lavender, patchouli, orange flower, cistus (instead of amber), and nutmeg (instead of coriander).

But, the structure is different and this new release is much smoother and natural than the old Intense. It is a much better blend.

Guilty Parfum is fresh and aromatic early on. The lemon note isn’t a full juicy fruit, more of the peel itself. Very light, actually. Nutmeg and juniper are big players in the opening act. It has a colder and woodsier feeling coming from the base.

I love the nutmeg and juniper combo playing of the usual Guilty notes. The opening is probably my favorite aspect of this fragrance so far.

Yes, you get plenty of the signature lavender and orange flower note, but more of that later on. And really, not to the same extent as others in the Guilty series. One note that will really come into its own is the Spanish cistus.

Basically, a labdanum note, that gives Guilty Parfum its ambery qualities. Not as heavy as the amber note in Intense and just of a higher quality.

The dry down still has some of that cold freshness, but much of the nutmeg and juniper have burned off completely. The latter stages are about musk, patchouli, cistus, and the floral notes.

Lavender and musk with the amber/patchouli and some remaining aromatic notes. Still does have a bit of a spicy finish, but feels more musky/woody than anything. I like it. Not super amazing to me, but it’s a very easy to wear scent.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

The sillage here is on the upper edge of moderate, at its peak. Not going to leave a huge trail, but very noticeable in the first hour or so. After that, it’s pretty middle of the road and devolving into something that sits pretty close to the skin.

I would’ve liked more of a powerhouse, but this Gucci ain’t it. Not bad, just not a monster.

With these initial tests, Guilty Parfum lasts somewhere in the 7-8 hour range, on my skin. Again, not insane, but still well worthwhile. I’ll keep trying it out, to see if it can do more. But, that’s about what it’s looking like.

Seasonally, I do think that this one gives you plenty of opportunity to wear it. I would avoid the hottest days, but in the cold or more moderate temperatures, you’ll be good to go. Autumn through spring for most folks.

This one is very versatile and can be worn pretty much anywhere without offending anybody or feeling out of place. It’s got a more mature and refined aroma than something like Guilty EDT and older guys may want to go with this Guilty, if any.

Daytime or nightlife. It’s not a club beast, but one that I could easily wear (and will) to a bar or lounge to have a few drinks. Dressed up or even casual. Guilty Parfum is a good cologne to have in the rotation.

Overall Impressions of Guilty Parfum

Overall, do I like Guilty Parfum? I do. I think it is one of the better releases of the series. Especially, from the editions that actually stick to the main DNA.

Intense was one of my favorites, which I have a mini bottle of, and this one I might like a tad more…though, I’ll have to keep trying it out.

Update: The longer that I had this one the more indifferent I became toward wearing Parfum. It’s fine, still a good release in the Guilty line, but I don’t consider it to be a great fragrance. I eventually gave my bottle away, half used. If you can get a discount on it, it’s worth a try, I wouldn’t pay full retail for it.

It’s not a complete lavender bomb or strongly citrus. You do get a somewhat new direction with this version of Guilty and the juniper and nutmeg are awesome. Not too much in the floral notes, but a solid use of musk and wood in the dry down.

Very balanced scent, as a whole. It’s not a complete love for me, but one that I like a good deal so far. I wish it was a little more powerful, but it is still decent for what it is.

If you’ve liked the Guilty line, it is one to check out. I’m glad that I have a replacement for Guilty Intense and one that is cleaner and well put together.

I was afraid that this might be like Guilty EDP, a strong start, and then pretty disappointing. However, I think that the back end of Parfum actually holds up well.

5 Best Smelling Guerlain L’Homme Ideal Fragrances

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L’homme Ideal has gained a ton of adherents to the fragrance line, for almost a full decade now. With so many options to choose from, it can be difficult to pick one out, if you don’t want to invest in the entire line. In this post, I want to break down my top five colognes that have been released thus far by Guerlain. Hopefully, to at least give you some idea about which of these scents will fit with your own style.

What’s the Best L’Homme Ideal Fragrance (Ranked)?

My Favorite

Ideal Cologne- I think my pick for number one has shifted a few times over the years. However, after giving it some more thought, I think Ideal Cologne was the best of the line. It is now discontinued, so, not great for those who want to try it out.

This one was a great summertime option. The focus here is going to be on the citrus notes, such as: grapefruit, bergamot, and orange. The Ideal almond note, plays a lesser role with Cologne, especially early on. But, it will come around with a nice vetiver.

Fresh and has an almost frozen profile to it, that’s perfect for the warmer weather. Lighter sillage, but it could last for around 8 hours. If you can find a bottle, for a reasonable price, L’Homme Ideal Cologne is worthwhile. Ideal Cologne Review

Best Available

L’Homme Ideal EDP at Selfridges (ships from UK)– Ideal eau de parfum has taken over the second spot on the list. Coming back to both it and Extreme, I now distinctly favor it versus the other.

Cherry and almond are the stars of EDP early on. The sweet warmth is very attractive, with some very light spiciness and other notes, like leather and vanilla. It’s not too sugary sweet or overwhelming with its sillage, just a nice balance, and a pretty similar aroma at times to L’Intense.

The main issue here, is getting a hold of a bottle in the US. They no longer sell it here, so, the best bet for getting Ideal EDP is to buy from the UK or grabbing a bottle from an eBay seller. To me, this is the best one that is still produced. Ideal EDP Review

Leathery Sweetness

Ideal Extreme-At times, Extreme has been my favorite. But, less so this time around testing out these fragrances. Though, it may again claim the top spot. This one gets me a ton of leather versus the others.

Extreme is actually pretty similar to the others, with the standard nutty almond note, but paired with fruity notes such as plum. Quite tart to me, rather than sweet, early on.  Add to that, Ideal Extreme has spicy notes and a tobacco finish. Still dry fruity sweet, but not overly sugary or unbearable.

Yes, the fragrance lasts all day and while the sillage isn’t insane, it’s a very solid wear all around. L’Homme Ideal Extreme is also very difficult to find, as of now it’s not even for sale on Guerlain’s website, so you’ll have to dig a bit. Another one, Americans will have to order from Europe. Ideal Extreme Review

The Original

Guerlain L’Homme Ideal EDT Spray for Men, 1.6 Ounce– Ideal EDT seems pretty underrated here in the number 4 spot, because it is a very enjoyable fragrance to wear.

Almond, citrus, and woody spice start this one off. To me, this has the most almond in it, especially in the early stages. You get leather in there as well, but mainly its a citrus blast with a nuttiness. Sweet, dry, and clean coming down the home stretch.

I like the versatility of EDT. It’s not purely a cold weather fragrance and can venture into the springtime or for summer evenings. Really easy to wear and all around a solid cologne. Also, it is a lot easier to find in the States versus Extreme and EDP.

Spicy and Smoky

L’homme Ideal L’intense By Guerlain FOR MEN 3.4 oz Eau De Parfum Spray, black– As I mentioned before, L’Intense has some overlap with the EDP versus the other fragrances on this list. But, it is distinct and a separate fragrance in its own right.

L’Intense opens with chili pepper and cardamom spices blending with the strong leather note, in this blend. It’s not as sweet as EDP, more leather, more spice, and a smoky finish. However, there does seem to be plenty of the same DNA.

It has a dry sweetness to it, almost tobacco-like at times, but this is ultimately a spicy/smoky blend that dries down into a leather/vanilla cologne. The sillage actually isn’t all that heavy and the fragrance lasts around 7 hours.

Not my favorite of the lot, but L’Intense is readily available and brings a somewhat darker and more mature vibe to the Ideal name. L’Intense Review