Azzaro Wanted vs. Versace Eros Comparison

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For this entry, into the men’s fragrance comparisons, I am going to do another one with Azzaro Wanted. This time, it’ll be put up against the ever popular Versace Eros, to see how it fares. Which one of these colognes smells better? Which lasts longer? Ultimately, which scent is the better buy?

Tale of the Tape: Eros vs. Wanted

Versace Eros

Notes of Eros: mint, green apple, tonka bean, madagascar vanilla, vetiver, Italian lemon

Shop Amazon for: Versace Eros Eau de Toilette Spray for Men, 3.4 Fluid Ounce

My review: Versace Eros

Azzaro Wanted

Notes include: tonka bean, lemon, cardamom, vetiver, juniper, ginger, geranium, mint, amber wood

Click here to try: Azzaro Wanted Eau De Toilette Spray, 3.4 Ounce

Read my review: Azzaro Wanted

Opening

Wanted starts of with lemon, ginger, mint, and woods. The lemon and mint are of course similar to Eros, however, this starts off smelling more like Invictus. It’s got a bit more spice and is woodier, but the real heart of the fragrance kicks in, when the cardamom and tonka bean fully emerge. It’s got a warm fruity sweetness, with wood, and that enveloping tonka bean aroma.

Eros starts off with a bang of ingredients, including: lemon, mint, and apple. Its weird how it shares two of those main opening notes with Wanted, but the two don’t have a very similar smell, at all. Eros is a crisp blend of warmth and coolness provided by the mint, with a bright and sweet profile.

Which smells better at the opening? I’ll take Eros over Wanted. Wanted can start off like a sharper version of Invictus and kind of just be too much. Eros is bold, but it is way more enjoyable to my nose.

Edge: Eros

Projection

This isn’t even a close contest in terms of sillage, Eros wins easily. Eros is strong and can be an absolute bomb, if you over spray. Wanted starts off strong, but settles pretty quickly into a moderate cologne, for the rest of the wear.

Edge: Eros

Longevity

Wanted actually has solid longevity. It will last for me for between 7-9 hours, so, a full work day without issue. Eros, however, wins this category because it gives me over 10 hours of wear. Wanted doesn’t crap out early, but it cannot match Eros.

Edge: Eros

Versatility

Both scents are pretty versatile in their uses. However, neither is really one that does well when it gets hotter outside. Eros is a casual scent that can also double up as a nightlife wear.

Wanted probably fits in better, in an office type environment, because it isn’t too loud and it dries down with a woodier aroma. The Azzaro probably has a slight edge.

Edge: Wanted 

Overall Scent

To me, Wanted is a decent, but not amazing fragrance. There’s parts of it, that I like, and others that I really don’t. It’s a fresh scent, with some spice, and when the wood and tonka bean get going…I enjoy it.

The opening is like a worse version of Invictus and can be too sharp. Overall, it’s not a terrible fragrance, but not something that I want to wear often.

Eros, on the other hand, is just a better scent. I always loved how bold it was, right out of the bottle, and the interplay between the mint, lemon, and vanilla notes. Yes, it’s loud, but the sweet creaminess of the blend can be absolutely great on the right day. It also has better performance.

I’m going with Eros, and I don’t know if I’d honestly pick to wear Wanted before Eros, if I had to pick between them.

Winner: Eros

Encre Noire Sport by Lalique

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Encre Noire from Lalique has been a low-key best seller for a long time now. Assuch, it’s only natural that the brand released flanker fragrances, to follow. One such flanker is Encre Noire Sport, which is the subject of today’s review, and on that I’ve been testing out recently. In this post, I will cover how it smells, when it should be worn, how it performs, and if it is worth a buy.

What does Encre Noire Sport Smell Like?

Notes included: grapefruit, aquatic notes, lavender, cypress, vetiver

Click here to try: Lalique Encre Noire Sport Cologne for Men 3.3 oz Eau de Toilette Spray

My Full Review

Before we get into my personal review, let’s see what Lalique says about it: Encre Noire plays the game of invigorating sensuality, adorning the Lalique man in a dynamic elegance.

Encre Noire Sport starts off with a bit of citrus fruit mix, which is led by grapefruit. It’s a pleasant smell, with a slight aquatic aroma, floating around in the background. Immediately from the start, I do pick up a lots of vetiver and wood, a mix of cypress and cashmere.

The scent has a fresh and somewhat dark profile, but Noire Sport isn’t heavy at all, it’s got a great outdoorsy/green/woodsy smell. However, it feels like a warm weather fragrance.

Sort of like walking around a forest, early on a spring or summer’s morning. There is a tad bit of herbal spice, but it isn’t all that strong, to my nose.

As it moves further along, Encre Noire Sport, loses most of its citrus top and goes further woodsy/vetiver. The vetiver, is the star here, but it is joined at this stage by fir.

It’s a clean vetiver cologne, with a mix of woody notes (mostly fir), and a nice dose of lavender underneath. From here, that’s pretty much what I get. This isn’t a super complex fragrance.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Projection wise, I don’t find the sillage to be super strong here. It’s not a weak, but Noire Sport, isn’t one that fills up the room. It’ll project itself to a small radius around you, which is good enough for most purposes, but this isn’t a club beast.

The longevity is actually quite good, it’ll hang around for 7-9 hours, which is nice for a non-powerhouse cologne.

Seasonally, I liked how this wore in the warmer weather. It wasn’t the usual summertime fragrance, but the wood and vetiver have a nice aquatic accord, joining them.

This allows Encre Noire Sport to fit the season, but still deliver something that isn’t the normal oceanic and super fruity blend.

It’s a versatile scent that can be worn to the office, casually, or out for an evening. Not particularly, a sexy fragrance, but a fresh masculine one that is enjoyable.

Overall Impressions of Encre Noire Sport

Overall, do I like Encre Noire Sport? I do, but it isn’t a love for me. I like the grapefruit opening and how the aquatic notes complement the vetiver and woods. If you liked the original Encre Noire, this will be enjoyable for you, as it shares a lot of the same traits.

It smells good, performs well, but never quite wows me. It would be an easy daily wear to grab and not have to think about. For that, I’d give it a try.

Nautica Voyage vs Nautica Classic Comparison

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In this edition of the head to head fragrance comparisons, I’m going to be taking a look at two cheap options, from the brand Nautica. The two colognes are best sellers still, but which is the top wear: Nautica Classic vs. Voyage? I have worn each and will break them both down by category before declaring a winner. Which smells better? Which lasts longer? Which is the better buy?

Tale of the Tape

Nautica Voyage

Notes include: apple, musk, cedar, lotus, amber, mimosa, and oak moss

Click here to try: Nautica Voyage Eau de Toilette Spray for Men, 3.4 oz

Read my original review: Nautica Voyage Review

Nautica Classic

Notes include: lime, sage, cedar, sandalwood, jasmine, lemon, amber, musk, and more

Click here to try: Nautica Classic for Men by Nautica 3.4 oz 100ml EDT Spray

Opening

Voyage opens up with notes of apple, musk, and mimosa. It’s clean and has an aquatic feeling, but it isn’t oceanic, in its aroma. The crisp apple and mimosa create a watery sort of smell and this is layered with musk and some lotus flower.

Nautica Classic starts off with a clean blend of citrus with a fresh sea-like breeze to it. There is also a prominent jasmine note and some musk, which gives the scent a soapy sort of quality. Underneath this top is a woodsy/spicy blend with notes of sage, tarragon, and cinnamon.

Which is better? Nautica Classic has been reformulated and doesn’t really smell like how I remember it.

Nonetheless, I like how it starts off better than Voyage, which I never particularly enjoyed the first few minutes of. I like the citrus and spice blend and the soapy aroma isn’t too front and center, from the start.

Edge: Nautica

Projection

The sillage on Vyoage is pretty moderate. It is never loud or very bold, yet, it is quite consistent on my skin. It doesn’t just crap out, an hour in. Meanwhile, Classic, starts off about the same but it does weaken pretty darn fast. This is a case, where it was probably better in the past, but doesn’t compete now.

Edge: Voyage

Longevity

What I like about Voyage, is that, you do get a pretty solid performance for a low price. It will last 5-7 hours, on my skin, and never feels all that weak to me. Classic will go for around 3-4 hours of wear. That’s disappointing.

Edge: Voyage

Versatility

These two fragrances pretty much occupy the same space, as to when they should be worn. Both are best in warm weather, but fine for year round wear.

Both are better for casual situations, school, or maybe the office. They aren’t nighttime, club scents, or romantic wears. There’s no real separation between them.

Edge: Push

Overall Scent

It’s difficult to do this comparison now. Nautica Classic isn’t the same as it was in the 1990s, from the actual smell, to the performance. I know that I smelled the old formulation, at the time, but it’s really hard to remember a scent from 25 years ago.

As such, I can only describe what it is now. The smell itself is nice enough. You get an upbeat citrus with aquatic elements up top. Herbal spice and jasmine, with some woodiness in the dry down. It is later pretty fresh and soapy.

The problem is, the scent really doesn’t perform well anymore. Yes, it’s only around $10 a bottle, but it could definitely be better than it is. For those reasons, I cannot give it an edge versus Voyage.

Voyage, still smells better in my opinion, and has the performance to back it up. I’m not a huge fan of how it starts, but I do like the dry down quite a lot. There’s a reason it’s basically the best selling cheap men’s cologne. It wins this match up, but honestly, you can grab a bottle of each for under $25…so it’s not too much of a stretch to just wear both.

Winner: Voyage

Azzaro Wanted vs. Invictus Cologne Comparison

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Two of the more popular fragrances for men over the past few years, have been, the two that we’re going to take a closer look at today. It’s pretty common for these two colonges, to be the final scents that a man will be deciding on buying. However, when it comes down to it between: Azzaro Wanted vs. Invictus by Paco Rabanne, which of these smells the best? Has better performance? Is the better buy?

Tale of the Tape

Invictus

Notes include: grapefruit, sea notes, mandarin orange, bay leaf, jasmine

Read my review

Click here to try: Paco Rabanne Invictus Eau de Toilette Spray for Men, 3.4 Ounce

Azzaro Wanted

Notes include: tonka bean, lemon, cardamom, vetiver, juniper, ginger, geranium, mint, amber wood

Click here to try: Azzaro Wanted Eau De Toilette Spray, 3.4 Ounce

Read my review: Azzaro Wanted

Opening

Invictus opens up with its citrus notes, bay leaf, and ambergris. It is fruity and sweet, with a grape bubble gum sort of aroma, and sea notes giving it an aquatic sensibility. Despite its sweetness, I really do enjoy the top notes here, and its probably my favorite part of the fragrance.

Wanted opens up with lemon, ginger, mint, and woods. It actually smells quite a bit like Invictus, which is why these two, so often get compared. Wanted is similar, but is spicier and woodier, than is Invictus. Then, the tonka bean and cardamom, come in and its becomes more distinct.

Which is better? I prefer Invictus. Wanted does a solid job at mimicking the start of Invictus, but I don’t think it does as good of a job. The lemon alone, can be kind of sharp.

Edge: Invictus

Projection

Invictus has a strong sillage for a decent amount of time, after first application, before it turns into a moderate cologne. Wanted starts off fairly strong, but it never seems to eclipse Invictus. Both are moderate, but Invictus is a bit bolder.

Edge: Invictus

Longevity

Invictus has better strength, for me, and will last about 6-7 hours. However, Wanted will go 7-9 hours, while not having the same sillage. Go figure. It’s actually a very steady fragrance, not a complete monster with its strength, but sticks around well.

Edge: Wanted

Versatility

Both are pretty versatile scents. I’d say, Invictus is better in the heat, and as a nightlife scent. Wanted is more mature and fit in as an office wear better. As a steady daily wear, I’d say that Wanted has a slight edge.

Edge: Wanted

Overall Scent

I’m not a huge fan of either of these fragrances. That being said, I like each, well enough. As it dries down, Wanted has a smooth fruitiness, with tonka bean, apple, and juniper berry coming in. It’s fresh, not super spicy but has a slight bite to it.

However, I still like Invictus more than Azzaro Wanted. The opening act is better than anything that Wanted, throws at me. The dry down of amber, jasmine, and sea notes is pleasing. I feel that Invictus is just a better blend of notes, overall.

There’s parts of Wanted, where I really don’t enjoy the smell much at all. Other parts of the wear, it smells nice, but Invictus just strikes me as the better scent.

Winner: Invictus

Coach Platinum vs. Sauvage EDT

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For this entry in the men’s fragrance, head to head match ups, we have two fragrances that often get compared: Dior Sauvage EDT vs. Coach Platinum. Which of these colognes smells better? Which lasts longer? Which is the better buy? In this post, I am going to break them down by category before declaring a winner. I have already tested and reviewed each, but which perfume for him, is the greater option?

Tale of the Tape: Coach Platinum vs. Sauvage EDT

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

Coach Platinum

Notes include: vanilla, sage, sandalwood, pineapple, leather, patchouli, black pepper, geranium, juniper berries

Click here to try: Coach New York Platinum Cologne for Men 3.3 fl.Oz Eau De Parfum Spray

My Review: Coach Platinum

Opening

Sauvage EDT opens up with a sharp bergamot note and spicy Sichuan pepper. This is quickly followed up by ambroxan and the latter emergence of lavender.

Coach Platinum begins with a great pineapple note, juniper, and black pepper. The pineapple top, burns off quickly, and more vanilla and leather come through in its place. After the pineapple moves on, its really about the juniper and spices, in the opening stages.

Which fragrance starts off better? I think I’ll lean toward Coach Platinum. The beginning of Sauvage EDT, has never really been a favorite of mine.

However, I don’t think Platinum is super great, either, just a bit better. The pineapple is gone too quickly and was a highlight of the top notes. Nonetheless, it takes this opening category.

Edge: Platinum

Projection

Sauvage starts off with a bang, before gradually becoming more moderate. It’s sillage is pretty darn strong at first, and overall, isn’t a weak fragrance.

Coach Platinum is decently strong at first, but pretty middle of the road, and its sillage stays in the 3-5 foot range. It never really gets to the level of Sauvage, though.

Edge: Sauvage

Longevity

With Platinum, I have been getting around 6-7 hours of wear. Sauvage has a wider range and one which goes longer. I get 6-9 hours, depending on the climate, on a particular day and what I’m doing. It does have the ability to go all day, in plenty of circumstances, and outdoes its opponent here.

Edge: Sauvage

Versatility

While both of these scents are pretty versatile and can be worn in almost any situation, I think that Sauvage has the edge in two ways. First, it is better in the heat, than is Platinum. Secondly, its stronger sillage, is probably better for nightclub sorts of environments. Though, Platinum is good for night wear, also. Otherwise, these are two quite well-rounded fragrances.

Edge: Sauvage (slightly)

Overall Scent

Coach Platinum is a nice scent. At times, it smells like Sauvage EDP, but more often like Luna Rossa Carbon. If you took that Prada scent, added vanilla and leather, and some different spices; you’d essentially have Coach Platinum.

Albeit, a version that I think, doesn’t smell nearly as good or as balanced. The pineapple note is great, but short-lived. The ultimate dry down of vanilla, leather, and sandalwood also works quite well. The rest of it? Is decent.

Sauvage EDT isn’t my favorite fragrance, but I like wearing more so than Coach Platinum. It has a lot of intensity up top, but the lavender and ambroxan dry down is smoother, and really pleasant. The performance is better than Platinum and already has an established track record of being pleasing.

Sauvage EDT is the winner here. However, could include other options, I’d go with: 1. Sauvage EDP  2. Luna Rossa Carbon. Then, I’d pick Sauvage EDT, and Coach Platinum as number 4.

Winner: Sauvage