A Drop d’Issey by Issey Miyake

by

Issey Miyake released A Drop d’Issey in 2021. I happened to get a sample vial of this fragrance with one of my orders, so I of course eventually tried it out, in order to do a review for the site. I had no clue, as to what I should expect with this perfume. How does it smell? Does it last long? When should it be worn? Is it worth a try?

What does A Drop d’Issey Smell Like?

Notes include: lilac, almond, damask rose, solar notes, jasmine, star anise, musk, vanilla, and more

Click here to try: Issey Miyake A Drop d’Issey for Women Eau de Parfum Spray, 3 Ounce

My Full Review

Here’s how Issey Miyake describes this perfume: A solar lilac accord enlightened by a musky note and an almond milk facet.

A Drop d’Issey opens up with a light and floral aroma. The damask rose and lilac are the main attraction up top, along with the solar notes. It’s light, musky, and the rose dominates on my skin for the first bit, before this fragrance starts to shift.

As it moves along, the lilac will become more noticeable and sort of split the strength with the rose note. Almond and vanilla come in and indeed give this perfume a milky creaminess. Definitely a clean lotion sort of vibe coming from this Issey Miyake.

However, the almond milk will fade out too. The jasmine note will rise with the lilac and this takes on more of a powdery quality. A musky/powdery floral, full of solar warmth and light creamy touches throughout.

For me, this dries down into a fresh musky floral with some sweetness. Much of the creamy and powdery aroma will subside. The lilac fully takes control, on my skin. So, if you’re not big into that note, this might be a skip.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

The sillage here is actually quite powerful. It will project itself extremely well. I can spray the sample vial on a shirt and smell it from 6+ feet away without issue. I was actually surprised by the performance of this one.

The longevity is also great. It seems to quit in the 8-9 hour range, on my skin. So, you’ll get about a full workday out of it. All in all, this one really delivers the good with how well it sticks around and let’s itself be known.

Seasonally, this is a spring and summer scent. Wear it in moderate to warmer temperatures during the daytime.

A Drop d’Issey is something to be worn casually, semi-formally, or maybe to the office. This isn’t a club beast or something that is particularly sexy. Probably best served for women in their late-20s and up.

But, the lilacs don’t strike me as old lady-ish either. Clean and pretty pleasant to be around.

Overall Impressions of A Drop d’Issey

Overall, do I like A Drop d’Issey? I do like it. I think that it’s a very good perfume all around and doesn’t have any particular weaknesses. Maybe originality?

I will say, that you’re going to have to know what you’re getting into with this one. It does have an aroma very much like soap or a fine face cream. Lilac is a big part and it’s not one that is particularly sexy or dynamic.

But, if this sounds like the type of scent that you enjoy, it is one that is well worth checking out. The smell is attractive, the performance is great, and it’s available at an affordable price point.

I do like the opening with the rose, solar notes, and lilac. As well as, that almond milk creaminess. I’m not a huge lilac fan, but I don’t completely dislike it either, especially with this perfume. Nice smelling, purple flowers, with a creamy/powdery finish to it.

6 Best Smelling Tommy Bahama Colognes

by

Tommy Bahama fragrances tend to stick to a maritime theme, as the brand image would suggest. Over the past decade plus, they have launched new scents consistently, and have put out some enjoyable fragrances that represent a quite casual and carefree lifestyle.

For this post, I want to explore six colognes from this line, which I consider to be the best and you can still readily find. I have updated this post, to include some newer releases, and to get rid of some that are no longer available.

What are the Best Tommy Bahama Fragrances for Men?

Best Overall Tommy Bahama Scent

Tommy Bahama St. Kitts Eau De Cologne Spray for Him, 3.4 Ounce– Keeps up with the aquatic theme of the Set Sail line but takes on fruitier notes. Star Fruit and citrus are the opening stars to go along with a nice salty sea water note and the underlying masculinity of cedar.

You get orange, lime, and the star fruit notes. This sits on an aquatic accord, with a salty aroma. Very light woods give St. Kitts a bit more substance, but overall, its a very simple and refreshing wear for the warmer climates.

This one is closest to St. Barts, in terms of smell, but comes across as less boozy/creamy. Sweet, fruity, with a tropical chill permeating the entire composition. St. Kitts Full Review

Simple, Clean, Musky

Tommy Bahama Martinique Men Cologne, 3.4 Fl Oz– I really wasn’t much of a fan of this stuff at first, but I must say that it’s grown on me as a casual option. An aquatic/sea water aroma with lavender, citrus, and a dose of musk. I think that it settles in nicely and works well in the warm weather.

It opens up with blue lavender and a nice sharp bergamot. It isn’t overly sharp, as the aquatic notes and lavender temper the citrus a bit. The sea breeze notes are salty, but not super intense. Then, you get a musk and pepper note, to round things out.

However, the main part of this is lavender and musk. It turns into a suntan lotion-like scent, floating in a sea breeze/sea weed. The sillage is light to moderate, but you get some pretty good longevity here.  Set Sail Martinique Review

Top New Release

Maritime Journey– I got the chance to spray this one on at the store, but haven’t had enough experience with it to do a full review. Update: Here it is.  However, I think it is good enough to make the list.

Maritime Journey has some light fruitiness from apple, a very crisp and somewhat cold sensation. This is offset by fresh cedar, warm cardamom, and dry oakmoss.

It is more of a fresh woods, than a tropical fragrance like some of the others, but with a light spiciness to go along.

Nice Citrus Aquatic Fragrance

Tommy Bahama St. Barts Men Cologne,3.4 Fl Oz– Often compared as a poor man’s version of Creed’s Virgin Island Water (sans coconut), Set Sail St. Barts opens up with a blast of lime and sea notes that transforms into a boozy lotion, that makes you feel as if you’re right on the beach. I think that this and VIW have similarities but they strike me almost completely differently.

The lime note and sea notes, are also joined by guava, giving Set Sail St. Barts, a truly tropical aroma. It’s salty, with a very juicy citrus profile, that is quite intriguing. I really do love this lime note.

Once that opening act fades, you get palm wood with sea salt spray, and agave. Like a clean shot of tequila, while sitting on an island. Fresh and creamy summer wear, that I can get 6-7 hours with, when I go heavier on the sprays. St. Barts Full Review

Best Fresh Spice Scent

Tommy Bahama Very Cool Eau De Cologne Spray for Men 3.4oz– Ginger and citrus notes are the main players here. This is another one that took time for me to really appreciate. It’s a nice, slightly spicy smell for casual use.

It’s masculine with a light touch. Wish it lasted longer but nothing a few extra sprays wouldn’t fix.

Very Cool opens up with the ginger being the star, it is joined by nutmeg, and paprika. Unlike the other fragrances here, the citrus notes sit underneath the ginger spice, and it doesn’t have that oceanic quality.

As it moves along, the citrus notes do come out more, and it’s kind of a 50/50 split with the spice. Together, it is a soft and cool spice, almost powdery how it comes across. Nice freshie to spray on, casually. Very Cool Full Review

Fresh Aromatic Woody Cologne

Maritime Deep Blue– Maritime Deep Blue is a good release from Tommy Bahama, but it’s not as unique as other offerings from the brand. This is fairly closely related to Eternity Aqua and Polo Blue, in terms of smell.

This one has less of the citrus or aquatic elements of those colognes, but with more woodsy notes. The citrus is still quite prevalent, but not to the same intensity, in my experience.

It’s base has a certain dryness to it, with a really solid juniper note, which is the main distinction from the Polo Blue’s of the world. Maritime Deep Blue Review

5 Best Smelling Vera Wang Perfumes

by

Vera Wang has been a very popular person in the world of fashion design for decades now. Along the way, she has of course expanded her wares into many categories, including the perfume market. She has scored some big hits, like the original Princess, and has overall enjoyed plenty of fans who dig the inexpensive fragrances.

In this post, I want to take a bit of a closer look into the brand’s releases, and choose five of what I feel are the best. Some are lesser known, while others are best sellers.

What are the Best Perfumes by Vera Wang?

Most Popular Scent

Vera Wang Princess by Vera Wang for Women – 3.4 Ounce EDT Spray– Princess has been a popular fragrance for a long time now. It’s a very nice blend of sweeter notes like vanilla and chocolate, with fruits such as, apple and guava.

This gives it a nice back and forth, as a gourmand scent. Princess has a yummy sweet profile, but not insanely sugary, the guava and floral notes give it a clean heart without the hyper-candy aroma.

Vanilla and chocolate can make a perfume feel heavier, but this one remains pretty light and enjoyable to wear. The performance is also quite good. Definitely a younger feel to Princess, but a good option for those who love sweets.

I think most of its appeal, is that it doesn’t go too heavy with the thicker chocolate and vanilla notes. Those lighter fruits really give Princess a softer finish.

Sweet with Powder

Vera Wang Rock Princess By Vera Wang For Women Edt Spray 3.4 Oz– One of the many Princess flankers, Rock Princess, retains much of the sweetness of the original but with musky/woody notes.

This one starts off with coconut and raspberry, as the top fruity notes, but there is a powdery and slightly spicy quality that is also present. As it dries down, you get more of the cashmere wood, but still plenty of coconut goodness.

Not really as edgy, as the name and marketing would make it seem. Sweetish and interesting, though. There are periods, where a bit more spice comes through, and then that powdered aroma. The dry down is where it smells the most powdered, but the iris, heliotrope, and jasmine are a nice pairing.

Best Floral Perfume

Vera Wang Eau De Parfum Spray, 3.4 Ounces– The namesake fragrance, sets itself apart from the much more girly, Princess line. Vera Wang EDP is a floral affair. Lily, lotus, gardenia, and Bulgarian rose dominate the composition.

This is a clean classical sort of perfume, with a somewhat soapy/musky quality to it, but still light and wholly feminine. It’s not a complete flower bomb bouquet, there is a bit of sweetness here, and a great sandalwood note holding it all together.

Vera Wang eau de parfum is an awesome option for those who need a daily wear fragrance. It is inexpensive, low key, and gives you an old school feel with modern sensibility. A white floral, with some light greenish elements in the opening act.

Floral with Fruitiness 

Love Struck Eau De Parfum Spray for Women by Vera Wang, 3.4 Ounce– Lovestruck also goes with the guava note, as its main fruity attraction, along with a tiny bit of citrus. This one is pretty simple, but surprisingly great.

Lovestruck features a nice musky aroma, with floral notes of tuberose and lotus. The lotus brings about a somewhat aquatic element to the scent, sort of like the floral ingredients in the men’s cologne, Nautica Voyage.

As it dries down, it becomes muskier, but still retains that charming guava note. Very nice for the price.

At times, this does smell a bit like a less sharp Light Blue by D&G, or something along those lines. Different ingredients, but a fairly similar experience, for a little while. Then, the musky floral notes really take it over.

What’s cool is that it gives you those tropical/exotic fruits in the mix up top. This gives it a bit of a different feeling versus the typical musky floral scents. Plus, there a powdery aroma that peaks through at times.

Best Overall Vera Wang

Vera Wang Princess Night Eau De Toiletter Spray, 3.4 Ounce– This one could be the best Princess flanker, even better than the original. Princess Night, opens up with that familiar vanilla of the original, but it is joined by juicy berries, watermelon, and raspberry.

The perfume feels sugary, in the start, by dries down with a musk, rose, and a solid spiciness. It’s delicious, and then does, give off a nighttime vibe.

For much of the wear, it won’t feel like a ‘night’ fragrance, but the base notes can kick in and take it away from the Princess vibe. It gets some added light spiciness and a warmer and less fruity aroma. Berries, sugar, and then a vanilla embrace. There are some nice layers in this one.

Guess Seductive Homme by Guess

by

I first came across Guess Seductive Homme, many years ago, while shopping at my local Target. Immediately, I really enjoyed the scent, and purchased a bottle for myself. In fact, this sweet Guess fragrance, was one of the first that I ever reviewed on this site back when it launched.

Every so often, I come back to this post to update the review, and expand upon my thoughts on this scent.  This is the latest incarnation. Also see: Guess Seductive Homme vs. Seductive Homme Blue

What does Guess Seductive Homme Smell Like?

guess seductive homme review

Try it here: Guess Seductive Men Edt Spray, 3.4 Ounce


Notes include: Cardamom Milk, Pink Pepper, Orchid, Mandarin orange, Patchouli, Amber, Sandalwood, And Musk.

My Full Review

The opening of Guess Seductive Homme is warm and smooth. The top features a mandarin orange note which gives off the juicy citrus aroma and it is joined initially by cardamom milk. Now, this cardamom is more inline with Villain by Ed Hardy, rather than what is found in The One by D&G.

The mandarin orange note is paired extremely well here with the other notes, especially for such a low cost cologne option. It can come together quite balanced, but I’ve always really dug that sweet juiciness up top.

It’s a slight spice with a very clear and upbeat citrus scent that is also flanked by the emerging pink pepper note, which becomes more noticeable as the cologne moves along.

After about ten minutes or so, the warmth becomes more enveloping as the amber takes its place as the main note along with a slight musky tinge. It is such a great blend of sweet and spicy. The sweetness is unique and the spicy isn’t overpowering, just warm and inviting.

None of the spice notes have that sharp black pepper vibe, pink pepper is much more mellow, as is patchouli and cardamom milk.

Seductive is just that, a seductive fragrance. It is not one that is feminine in its charms, rather, it is fresh and masculine. Although, there is a definite floral aspect to this cologne from the orchid note. The orchid isn’t overpowering but it does do an excellent job in support of the other aromas.

The drydown is so sweet and the whole composition become blended together, to create an aroma that is rather unique in the fragrance game. There’s a reason why this one has caught on to be a best seller, in this very affordable price range.

Finally, Guess Seductive Homme, ends its life cycle with a lightly musky amber, pink pepper, and a fruity air. Still retaining its warmth and glowing appeal.

It’s so clean and fresh without having a sporty vibe about it at all. Seductive Homme is reserved and workman-like with ability to stay close to the skin.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Projection wise, Seductive Homme is moderate. It actually works very well on my skin compared to some of the other offerings from Guess. It isn’t a beast or anything but it is much better than a skin scent.

It could always project itself in the 4-6 foot range, at its peak, on my skin. Not insanely impressive, though, quite useful.

I get good longevity out of this Guess cologne as well. 6-8 hours isn’t a problem to achieve at all and this is where the Blue version of Seductive fell apart.

Update: Newer bottles, are supposedly a bit weaker from what I’ve read. I haven’t experienced them, but that 6-8 hours was always very consistent for my old bottle.

I like this as a winter scent mainly although it does have year round wear capabilities. I’ve worn it in the summer and it held up decently, not great, but it wasn’t a slouch either. Seductive Homme is versatile in its uses, I’ve worn it both casually and out at night on dates. It works across the board.

Nowadays, I tend to wear it to the gym or just running errands around town. It’s a younger man’s fragrance, but I still have some of a bottle left, and I definitely like to spray it on from time to time.

Does it receive complements? Yes, I have gotten them often with this one. However, understand that it isn’t a loud or overpowering fragrance, and so it’ll usually come when someone is in close proximity to you.

It was always nice to wear this scent to a night out at the bar back in college during the winter time. That’s usually when it got noticed the most by women.

If you’re going to wear it during the summer, I’d probably do nights only. Heat and humidity aren’t amazing with this formulation. It’s much less enjoyable in that sort of climate.

Overall Impressions of Guess Seductive Homme

Overall, I am very happy with my experience with Guess Seductive. It is a warm, crisp, long-lasting, and great smelling cologne for men that is available for an inexpensive price. What more could you want from it?

I enjoy the citrus, fresh spiciness, and inclusion of saffron and amber. It does have a pretty unique mix, especially when it was released. To me, it’s really reached classic status in this price point. Is it the most incredible scent? No, but it really shines versus comparable colognes, and gives you something worthwhile.

I’m glad that I picked up a bottle of this for under $20 and much like a fragrance such as Nautica Voyage, it greatly exceeds its price in what you get in return.

It’s not nearly as well-made as many of the higher end designer scents out there, but Seductive Homme delivers a unique a deliciously sweet experience, for a third of the price. It’s still one of the better ‘cheapies’ on the market and probably will be for quite a long time.

Even if the newer bottles don’t have the same level of performance (and I’m not sure that’s the case), it’s still a solid option for those in the market.

Dior Sauvage vs Prada Luna Rossa Carbon Comparison

by

For today’s head to head cologne comparison, I am going to do two popular fragrances from higher end European designers: Sauvage by Dior and the flanker fragrance by Prada, Luna Rossa Carbon. Which of these scent’s smells the best? Which one lasts longer? What are the differences? Which one should you buy?

Tale of the Tape: Carbon vs. Sauvage EDT

Luna Rossa Carbon

Notes include: lavender, ambroxan, metallic notes, pepper, patchouli, coal, bergamot

Click here to try: Prada Luna Rossa CARBON for Men Eau de Toilette Spray, 3.4 ounce

My Original Review: Luna Rossa Carbon

Sauvage

Notes of Sauvage: bergamot, ambroxan, lavender, pepper, wood notes

Click here to try: Christian Dior Sauvage for Men Eau De Toilette Spray, 3.4 Fluid Ounce

My Original Sauvage Review

Opening

Now, these two scents often get compared to one another and for good reason, they are extremely similar on the surface. For me, the similarity is most obvious when first applying, and up through maybe the one hour mark.

The notes that these two fragrances share are the ambroxan, lavender, pepper, and bergamot at the beginning. Sauvage opens with much more of an ambery scent that is covered by a sharp citrus note.

While, Luna Rossa Carbon has a strong bergamot note, it doesn’t have the same intensity as the Sauvage and the ambroxan isn’t as prominent. There is also a bit of a metallic note to Carbon, as the name would suggest, but it’s not too strong. Mostly, the bergamot fades and you get a soapy emergence of lavender.

Between the two, I think I like Luna Rossa Carbon’s opening a bit more. It still has the freshness and the citrus but it doesn’t come across as sharp or in your face.

Edge: Carbon

Projection

Neither one of these scents are complete monsters in terms of their sillage. However, I think because Sauvage has that sharper citrus, it seems to fill a room more than the more moderate Prada fragrance.

Luna Rossa Carbon isn’t weak, it just seems much more subdued than does the Dior. The lavender has that effect and it is much more prevalent in Carbon.

Sauvage for sure has the edge earlier on in the wear. After that, the gap does close somewhat, but Dior takes this round.

Edge: Sauvage

Longevity

Sauvage gives me 8+ hours of wear, as does Luna Rossa Carbon. Again, Sauvage projects stronger throughout than does Carbon, but the Prada cologne is still present.

Update: A few years following this initial post, I do feel like I get more of a consistent wear from Carbon. It’s been like clockwork, whereas Sauvage, sometimes doesn’t last well on my skin for some reason.

The longevity is still about the same most of the time, just the consistency isn’t always there with Sauvage EDT. Sauvage has more sillage and can last longer, it doesn’t always do it. But, that could just my personal experience.

Edge: Push

Versatility

Both of these fragrances really do deliver value in terms of when you can wear each. They both fit in during pretty much all seasons. You can wear them casually, on a date, at work, or on formal occasions. Neither scent has an advantage here.

These fragrances are daily wears for men of pretty much any age group. I would say I would rather wear Luna Rossa Carbon in a formal situation, but unless that’s an everyday occurrence, it shouldn’t be a problem.

Sauvage is a best seller for a reason, it’s easy to wear and has mass appeal. Carbon replicates this in its own way.

Edge: Push

Overall Scent

I think for most people, the decision between these two fragrances would come down to the price. I will say, if you can get one significantly cheaper than the other, go with that scent.

These scents can smell extremely similar at times, from a distance, and most people won’t know which you’re actually wearing.

For me, neither of these scents is a personal favorite of mine. However, I’ve been liking Luna Rossa Carbon a bit more, and I think that’ll be my winner. It does have more of a lavender aroma to it than does Sauvage, so, if that’s not your thing go with the Dior.

Update: I originally wrote this comparison a few years ago. Since then, Carbon has become by far the better fragrance, in my mind. I couldn’t stand wearing Sauvage EDT, the last time.

I prefer other Luna Rossa fragrances to Carbon and Sauvage EDP, is way better than the EDT. The eau de parfum version is an amazing scent. Much more balanced and deeper.

Personally, I don’t plan on wearing either Carbon or Sauvage EDT, in the future. But, if I have to pick it’s Carbon without question. It feels more balance to me, less of that opening citrus pop, and a nice subtlety with the lavender and metallic note.

Still, Sauvage sells more bottles than Prada, so I guess most people don’t know about Carbon or choose to ignore it. Also, there’s a ton of smell-a-likes of Sauvage, looking to get a piece of its success…here’s that list Fragrances similar to Sauvage.

Winner: Carbon