Tom Ford Tuscan Leather vs Creed Aventus Comparison

by

In this edition of our head to head cologne comparisons, we have to competitors that are best sellers for their respective brands: Tuscan Leather by Tom Ford vs. Aventus by Creed. Which one of these popular fragrances smells the best? Which one gives a better performance? Is more versatile? Please continue below, for my full take after wearing both of them for a long time.

Tale of the Tape: Aventus vs. Tuscan Leather

Tuscan Leather

Notes include: leather, suede, raspberry, jasmine, olibanum, saffron, amber

Click here to try: Tom Ford Tuscan Leather Eau De Parfume Spray for Men, 1.7 Ounce

My original Review: Tuscan Leather

Aventus

Top: Blackcurrant, Italian bergamot, French apples and pineapple

Middle: Rose, dry birch, Moroccan jasmine, and patchouli

Base Notes: musk, oak moss, ambergris, and vanilla.

Click here to try Aventus: Creed Aventus Creed 4 OZ Millesime Spray For Men

My original Review: Creed Aventus

Opening

The start of Tuscan Leather is a mix of the leather note and saffron, which gives it a striking similarity to Godolphin by Parfums de Marly. However, the Tom Ford separates itself with the inclusion of a raspberry note, which adds a sweet juiciness to the composition.

It’s super rich and smooth, with an additional inclusion of black suede that really amps up those elements.

Meanwhile, the opening of Creed Aventus, is one that I’ve never really been a fan of. Pineapple and black currant together at the top, cause the cologne to be quite sharp, and this is played off of dry birch wood.

Plus, additional apple and citrus, make the opening of Avenuts a tad to intense for my taste.

Edge: Tuscan Leather

Projection

Creed Aventus isn’t insanely powerful, but the sillage is strong, and you can indeed overdo it if you’re not careful. Tuscan Leather matches that power at first, but after an hour or so, it turns into a more moderate scent with sillage commensurate with that.

Edge: Aventus

Longevity

With Aventus I average about 6 hours of wear on warm and humid days. On colder days, it will last for 8-9 hours, on my skin.

Older bottles of Tuscan Leather seem to have better longevity than Aventus, but the latest batch, gets around 8 hours of wear for me. So, with that in mind, I don’t currently see an advantage here.

Edge: Push

Versatility

In terms of what occasions each can be worn on, these two are very similar. Both are great dressed up, at the office, or for a night on the town. Heck, I wear them casually too. I think the difference comes in, when the seasons are considered.

Tuscan Leather is a autumn/winter scent, it’s not awful in moderate temperatures, but it shines in the colder air. Aventus, on the other hand, has much better ability to be worn year round. It’s not great in the middle of the summer, but is great during the rest of the year.

Edge: Aventus

Overall Scent

This is actually a really tough head to head to decide on, because these two colognes are actually quite different, but people seem to love comparing them for some reason. Which smell I enjoy better, can often depend on what day I’m asked, and what I’m in the mood for.

While I don’t like the opening of Aventus, I do like the dry down period much better. It becomes softer, has a dry smoky quality, and is quite well done. It also has better projection at this time and can hold up in warmer weather better.

Tuscan Leather, has an amazing leather note. It’s warmed by amber, really dark and smooth, with added raspberry and jasmine. It’s simpler but is very good within that simplicity.

Most of the time, I will enjoy wearing this Tom Ford more than the Creed. I happen to enjoy its aroma more than Aventus overall, even if Aventus can do better in certain aspects.

So, while I’m going to give the nod slightly to Tuscan Leather, it might not be the best option for you. If you don’t particularly enjoy leather, you won’t like wearing it.

If you want citrus and dry woods, among other things, Aventus will better serve you. Maybe you get a bottle of Tuscan Leather and try out one of the imitations of Creed Aventus for cheaper.

Winner: Tuscan Leather (slightly)

La Nuit de l’Homme vs. Sauvage EDT Comparison

by

Today, I am going to be taking a closer look at two of the best selling men’s fragrances out there, and comparing what sets them apart. The two contestants? La Nuit de L’Homme vs. Sauvage EDT. Which smells better? The Dior or the YSL? Which cologne lasts longer? Has better sillage? Is the better buy? I have tried out and reviewed each of them, now it is time to see which is the winner.

Tale of the Tape: La Nuit vs. Sauvage

Sauvage EDT

Notes include: Bergamot, Ambroxan, Sichuan Pepper, lavender, pink pepper, and more

Click here to try: Sauvage by Chrisitan Dior Eau de Toilette Spray for Men, 3.4 Ounce

Read my review: Sauvage EDT Review

La Nuit

Notes include: cardamom, bergamot, vetiver, lavender, cedar

Try it out: Yves Saint Laurent La Nuit De L’homme Eau de Toilette Spray, 3.3-Ounce

Read my review: La Nuit de l’Homme

Opening

The opening of Sauvage EDT is a spicy citrus blend of bergamot and Sichuan pepper. It is strong and fairly sharp, but is quickly joined by a calm lavender, and the ambroxan note. The ambroxan will become more prevalent as it settles on the skin.

La Nuit de l’Homme kicks off with cardamom and bergamot. It is also a somewhat spicy citrus blend, but the spice is fresher, smoother, and the bergamot is lighter in this YSL. La Nuit is warmer than it is spicy and the lavender note here, eventually takes over most of the citrus.

Which is better? I think that I prefer the start of La Nuit versus Sauvage. Sauvage can be too sharp at the beginning for my nose and I like the cardamom note better than the Sichuan pepper.

Edge: La Nuit

Projection

La Nuit starts off pretty moderate with its sillage, before becoming a much lighter cologne. Actually, newer bottles are fairly light for the entirety. It was never a heavy fragrance, but now it’s got even less punch.

Meanwhile, Sauvage EDT, starts off with a powerful burst and gradually becomes more upper moderate. The sillage is an easy win for the Dior.

Edge: Sauvage

Longevity

La Nuit will last in the 6-8 hour range, on my skin, but it’s usually more towards the six hour end. Update: newer bottles of this YSL don’t hit that 8 hour mark anymore. I can still get six, usually.

Sauvage will go 6-9 hours, but usually towards the nine hour mark. Sometimes, they’ll be equal, but more often than not it’s Sauvage winning.

Edge: Sauvage

Versatility

Both of these fragrances have a lot of versatility and can excel in a variety of situations. I think that the distinction comes in, with the climate. Sauvage can work year round, better than La Nuit, which holds up in cold to moderate temperatures but not so much in heat.

Also, Sauvage is better suited for the night club kind of environment. They are pretty equal in other respects.

Edge: Sauvage

Overall Scent

As you can see, Sauvage performs a bit better and is somewhat more versatile, than is La Nuit. However, I have to say that La Nuit de L’Homme smells better than Sauvage EDT.

Sauvage starts out with that intensity, that I’m not too fond of, and it becomes smoother over time with its lavender and ambroxan note. It is warm, spicy, and crowd pleasing with its citrus.

La Nuit is very clean and masculine with a lavender and cardamom blend, leading the way. Under that, you get woodsy cedar and vetiver. It is fresh with a really nice aroma.

I’m going to give La Nuit the win over Sauvage, because I do think that it is better smelling fragrance. It’s performance is good enough, to make up for lagging behind Sauvage in area, by just having the better scent.

Update: The performance has suffered with Nuit recently. It still smells like a better fragrance. I wouldn’t pay full price for either, but I enjoy La Nuit much more.

Remember though, I’m talking about the more popular EDT version of Sauvage versus La Nuit. I would actually go with the EDP version over either. This is how I’d rank them: 1. Sauvage EDP 2. Sauvage Parfum 3. La Nuit 4. Sauvage EDT.

If it’s between just these two, go with La Nuit. Otherwise, I’d pick Sauvage EDP. If you want EDT, there are plenty men’s perfumes like Dior Sauvage.

Winner: La Nuit

Code Femme Absolu by Giorgio Armani

by

Armani Code is a best seller in both the men’s and women’s space, with each respective version. Usually when the men’s Code spawns a flanker, the women’s gets one as well with the same title. In 2019, we got the Absolu versions of Code, include Code Femme Absolu. I received a sample of this perfume, when I put in my last order with Armani. How does it smell? Perform? Is it worth a buy?

What does Code Femme Absolu Smell Like? 

Notes include: ginger, tuberose, jasmine, orange blossom, orange, tonka bean, vanilla, sandalwood

Click here to try: Code Femme Absolu Eau de Parfum Spray 50ml/1.7oz

My Full Review

Code Absolu Femme kicks things off with a hefty dose of ginger, the floral blend, and citrus. All of this together with vanilla undertones.

At first, I pick up mostly orange blossom, with tuberose and jasmine following. Together it feels slightly waxy and like it has a sweet fizziness. I can certainly recall smelling portions of this fragrance in the original Armani Code.

As it moves along, I pick up more jasmine and tuberose versus the orange blossom. Still, there’s enough citrus fruit to keep the feeling of orange alive. Though, it’s not an overwhelming citrus type of perfume.

Still further, the ginger fades, as does the orange. Tonka bean and vanilla really emerge to join the floral bouquet that is dominating. Not too complicated: flowers, with vanilla and tonka bean, and the hint of a sandalwood base.

Actually, smells quite similar to Dior Addict, at times. That and the original Code. But, a creamier and more enveloping version of each of those perfumes.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Code Absolu Femme has a strong sillage, well above average, but not super extreme. I’d say it has the ability to venture across a room, with the right number of sprays, just not one or two. The strength and projection won’t disappoint.

Nor will the longevity. On my skin, it seems to stay in the 8-10 hour range. Which for most purposes, is all you will need. Again, not an elite performer, just a very good one.

Seasonally, colder to moderate temperatures and climates. I’d avoid higher heat and humidity with this one, as it does have a certain amount of thickness. Not a sheer beach wear or anything like that.

Absolu Femme also feels geared more towards adults rather than younger women. It’s well put together and confident. Less of a casual fragrance, but it could work well in the night, just as well as at work (so long as you go easy with the spraying).

Overall Impressions of Code Femme Absolu

Do I like this fragrance? I do. It not only reminds me of Code Femme and Dior Addict. But also, it has elements of the men’s version, which I love. This version? I only like. I’d certainly find it attractive on a woman.

Code Femme Absolu does everything well. It has an intensity that not everyone will find appealing. Very floral and when the vanilla/tonka bean comes in, it can be too sweet and creamy for the tastes of some folks.

Overall? It’s certainly a perfume that I’m not disappointed by. If you’re interested in getting this, do so now, as Armani has discontinued it. A very short run from its late 2019 release date. Kind of odd that they sent me a sample, as it was already being halted.

Tuscan Leather vs Noir de Noir Comparison

by

In this head to head matchup, we have to more entries from the Tom Ford Private Blend collection: Tuscan Leather vs Noir de Noir. Which of these popular Tom Ford fragrances, smells the best? Which has the better performance? Versatility? Which one is the better overall buy?

Tale of the Tape

Tuscan Leather

Notes include: leather, suede, raspberry, jasmine, olibanum, saffron, amber

Click here to try: Tom Ford Tuscan Leather Eau De Parfume Spray for Men, 1.7 Ounce

My original Review: Tuscan Leather

Noir de Noir

Notes include: rose, oud, patchouli, black truffle, tree moss

Click here to try: Tom Ford Private Blend Noir De Noir Eau De Parfum Spray Edp 3.4 Fl / 100 Ml

My original review: Noir de Noir

Opening

Tuscan Leather opens with saffron and a very good smelling and rich leather note. If one is a lover of how leather smells, Tuscan Leather is a fantastic example of it at its very best. Add to that, a smooth black suede note and the added touch of raspberry, and you have a delightful fragrance opening.

Meanwhile, Noir de Noir, opens up with rose and patchouli. It is a sweet smelling rose with a very earthy and slightly spicy patchouli. Oud sits underneath this combination and give it that familiar aroma.

Which is better? I like the way both of these fragrances smell at first, but I think Tuscan Leather has the better opening act. Noir de Noir is at its best once it starts to dry down, but Tuscan Leather tops it at the start.

Edge: Tuscan Leather

Projection

Tuscan Leather starts off with pretty heavy sillage and then becomes a moderate fragrance the rest of the way. Noir is moderate pretty consistently throughout the wear and never really goes that big. It will stay within 3-4 feet of your skin.

Edge: Tuscan Leather

Longevity

With the current incarnation of Tuscan Leather I get 8-9 hours of wear and I get about the same with its Tom Ford compatriot. No clear winner.

Edge: Push

Versatility

Both of these fragrances shine in cold weather. Tuscan Leather can probably take the heat better, but it’s not a warm weather scent by any means. They are both listed as unisex, but I think Noir de Noir can be worn by a greater number of people.

They are also both best served to be worn while dressed up or for a night out. However, I’d wear Tuscan Leather casually, but probably wouldn’t with Noir. I do also think that Noir is probably considered sexier. Again, this is a tough call but I think Tuscan Leather has a slight edge.

Edge: Tuscan Leather

 

 

Overall Scent

Noir de Noir is a great scent. The rose and oud notes, which I’m usually not a fan of, are actually something that I enjoy with this one. Beyond that the dry down actually does get earthy and a bit dirty with moss and patchouli, but also sweet and creamy with black truffle and vanilla.

It’s all very warm, complex, and strikes a lot of different chords while wearing. It is definitely the more unique scent of these two.

Tuscan Leather is a fantastic leather fragrance with solid performance and an intriguing smell. It isn’t all that unique and does have a rather straightforward composition, so it won’t score high on originality, but it does outshine Noir in some respects or at least equal it.

In the end, I think I’m going to give the nod to Noir de Noir. While it doesn’t have beast sillage, it is good, and lasts all day. Most importantly, the dry down is outstanding, and has such an interesting development throughout. Even with ingredients that I’m usually not a fan of, it makes me enjoy wearing and smelling the fragrance.

That’s a pretty high complement in itself. Is it remarkably better? No, but I can get a similar experience with Ombre Leather or Godolphin, as I can with Tuscan Leather. I cannot say the same about Noir.

Winner: Noir de Noir

Paco Rabanne Lady Million vs Prive Perfume Comparison

by

Alright, so, I’ve already reviewed these two Paco Rabanne perfumes and now it is time to do a full head to head comparison between: Lady Million vs. Lady Million Prive. Which of these eau de parfums, is the better buy? What are the differences? Which performs the best? Please continue below for my full breakdown.

Tale of the Tape

Lady Million EDP

Notes include: jasmine, gardenia, patchouli, orange blossom, neroli, bitter orange, raspberry, honey, and amber

Click here to try: Lady Million by Paco Rabanne Eau De Parfum Spray for Women, 2.70 Ounce

Read my original review: Lady Million EDP Review

Lady Million Prive EDP

Notes included: raspberry, vanilla, patchouli, cocoa bean, honey, orange blossom, heliotrope, wood

Click here to try: Paco Rabanne Lady Million Prive Eau de Parfum Spray, 2.7 Ounce

Read my original review: Lady Million Prive EDP

Opening

The original Lady Million opens up with white floral notes like jasmine, gardenia, and orange blossom. These are paired with a juicy raspberry note. The raspberry isn’t super powerful and is tempered by the floral notes.

The honey and patchouli are hanging out in the background, but those really emerge 30 minutes in, and take over the composition.

Prive, on the other hand, has the same raspberry note except that it is really juicy and fully developed. Prive is darker than the original Lady Million and has much more of a fruity vibe.

The raspberry is paired with a creamy vanilla note and the same orange blossom. It is sweeter and has more warmth than does Lady Million.

Which is better? I actually prefer the opening of Prive more so than the original. I enjoy the raspberry top and the sweet darkness more than the floral opening of Lady Million.

Edge: Prive

Projection

These are both moderate fragrances overall. However, Prive does start off stronger, even if they are eventually both on the same level of intensity.

Prive feels heavier from the jump and then becomes a moderate, while Lady Million is pretty consistent.

Lady Million just doesn’t have that same initial pop that Prive can give you in the early stages.

Edge: Prive

Longevity

These two perfumes seem to be equal in terms of how long they last on the skin. In my testing, they both could hit 8 hours without issue.

Each of them are pretty good and will stick around for a standard workday. However, they don’t go beyond that. No clear cut winner, here.

Edge: Push

Versatility

Both of these perfumes can be worn on many occasions from casual to office to a night out on the town. However, Prive is much more limited to colder weather.

Lady Million is a cold weather scent, but it can venture into the springtime or early summer. In that regard, it takes this category.

It’s not much of a difference, but it could be useful those who live in a climate that takes a while to build up to summer temperatures.

Edge: Lady Million

Overall Scent

Ultimately, both of these fragrances are led by a honey note. In Lady Million, the honey note is paired with the white flowers, raspberry, and some patchouli. It is sweet but more of a floral/honey sweetness.

Prive, has that same honey, but adds more patchouli. The dry down is full of cocoa bean and a warm gourmand quality. It is rich and dry and there s even an emergent woodiness to the fragrance as it moves further along.

Which Paco Rabanne do I prefer? Ehhh, neither of these perfumes is amazing. Both are solid and have plenty of similarities.

However, I would lean more towards Prive than the original. I like the dark sweetness, the cocoa bean, and how it develops from juicy raspberry to dry woods.

If you prefer floral fragrances, then, Lady Million will probably be the better bet. It’s not a huge distance between the two, as they have solid performance, but I give the slight edge to Prive.

Winner: Lady Million Prive