Solarissimo Levanzo by Azzaro

by

I reviewed another of the fragrances from this Azzaro series, many months ago, and never got around to doing the review of Levanzo. I remembered enjoying how this one smells, at the end of last year, but still needed to do some full testing of it.

So today, I am going to share my thoughts on Solarissimo Levanzo. How does it smell? Perform? When should it be worn? Is it worth a buy?

What does Solarissimo Levanzo Smell Like?

Notes include: basil, citrus, tea, mint, lavender, and cedar

Click here to try: Azzaro Solarissimo Levanzo Cologne for Men 2.5 fl. Oz Eau de Toilette

My Full Review

Before I begin my review, here’s what Azzaro has to say about this fragrance: Levanzo, an ode to the awakening of a nature drenched in sunlight. This aromatic and woody eau de toilette evokes the green and natural energy of the Mediterranean. 

The opening of Levanzo hits with a burst of lemon, basil, mint, and an herbal tea. It is sharp while being, cool, green, and spicy.

The citrus note isn’t too powerful, but adds a nice upbeat sort of feeling, to the spice which is dominated by basil. The top for me, in terms of strength is: basil, lemon, tea, and then mint.

As it moves along, Levanzo becomes a smoother green herbal, and less of a spicy scent. Though, the basil is still hanging around. It feels like a summer scent, without being an aquatic or having any real sea notes.

It’s coastal and warm, like being in the Mediterranean, without being super close to the water. Very fresh, with the emergence of cedar coming through.

Ultimately, it is a lemon tea, with fresh basil, woody cedar, and some calming lavender thrown in. That’s about the extent of the development of this cologne.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Projection wise, the sillage on this stuff is light. The initial sprays, lure you into thinking that this might have some power, but that quickly fades. Which sucks.

The longevity on this on is pretty pitiful. 3 full sprays in the same spot, is completely gone, by 2 hours in. Plus, most of that time is spent as a total skin scent.

Seasonally, I’d like wearing this in the warmer months. It’s such a lovely change of pace, from the usual summertime faire. It has a great blend between fresh spice and cooling mint, with the citrus tea top notes. This would be a great casual, daily wear during the summer.

Overall Impressions

Unfortunately, the performance is terrible. I really do like the smell a lot. The opening is pretty fantastic, as I enjoy scents which utilize, a basil spice.

If this stuff had any staying power, this would be an excellent low cost cologne, for the warmer weather.

It’s unique, quite balance, fresh, and entirely interesting. It just dies so utterly quickly, that it’s just not worth much of anything. Shame. There’s really not too much to say about Solarissimo Levanzo. It was a part of this series of forgettable fragrances from Azzaro, smelled nice, but just not up to par.

Dior Homme Sport (2017) by Christian Dior

by

I’ve put off trying out, this newer edition of Dior Homme Sport for long enough. So, I grabbed a mini sprayer of the stuff, to finally give it a whirl. I enjoyed the older versions, of this fragrance, and came into this thinking that I’d like it. However, I wasn’t completely sure, if the reformulation would make things better or completely ruin the Sport name.

In this post, I want to share my thoughts and experiences with Dior Homme Sport 2017. Whether or not it is worth a buy? How long it lasts? What it actually smells like?

What does Dior Homme Sport (2017) Smell Like?

Notes include: citron, vetiver, grapefruit, pink pepper, blood orange, sandalwood, nutmeg, and more

Click here to try: Christian Dior Dior Homme Sport By Christian Dior for Men 4.2 Oz Eau De Toilette Spray

My Full Wear Review

I’m a pretty big fan of Christian Dior fragrances, but man, do they ever get annoying with their name changes or reformulations. Obviously, this is a different Dior Homme Sport, from the 2012 release.

Which was different from the 2008 one. Yep, same title, mostly the same ingredients, but with enough differences to make it an entirely new thing.

If you think that’s bad, the Miss Dior line, can be an even bigger nightmare to figure out which release is which, under what title, and what year.

Anyway, the main difference right off of the bat with the 2017 edition, is the lack of ginger. The ginger note in the 2012 version, was really great. I loved the way that it blended with the citrus notes.

Also, this newer one, features blood orange and doesn’t have iris. I am going to be reviewing this version, as a completely separate entity from the rest, but wanted to lay out the differences up front.

The 2017 edition, opens up with some bold and sharp citrus notes. It’s familiar, but the blood orange note, really takes up the intensity. It is blended with citron and grapefruit, which flank the orange ingredient. It noticeably doesn’t have the same spiciness, at the top, but the citrus makes up for it.

These notes smell freshly natural and quite juicy. Dior Sport is utterly simplistic upfront, and the citrus, doesn’t get crowded out by the other ingredients. The rest of the lot will ramp up in intensity, but keep fairly quiet, in the beginning.

The second wave, is my favorite, and it is that of the spices. When I first sprayed this edition on my skin, I didn’t think it was as good as 2012, as I really dug the ginger note.

But, when the pink pepper and nutmeg kick in fully, I absolutely love this fragrance. The pink pepper is absolutely wonderful and becomes entwined, first with the citrus, and then the creamy sandalwood note.

Sure, I don’t get the iris note in this, but I really do like the way the pink pepper and nutmeg make up for the ginger’s absence. Really works to give Dior Sport, a fresh spice.

Finally, we come to the dry down. Sandalwood really takes over completely. Vetiver is hanging around, but it doesn’t come in as noticeably, for me. At this point, it is a slightly spicy woody cologne, with some vague hint of citrus. It’s cool, but not as good as the middle act.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Dior Homme Sport starts off pretty powerfully. It has great strength and projects itself very well for the first hour or two. Then, it slowly weakens until, it just hovers above the skin. The first 3-4 hours are quite good, then, it slowly dissipates.

I get somewhere in the 6-8 hour range, depending on how long it hang on, as a skin scent. Is the performance amazing? For some of the wear, yes. The rest of it, is just okay.

It’s great in the spring/summer. I could wear this year round, honestly. Dior Homme Sport is a very versatile scent, that is safe for work, can go casual, or more dressed up.

I will wear it on nights out, however, it isn’t a club beast. The fragrance itself, is super attractive, and this one will get complements. This is especially the case within those first couple of hours.

Overall

Do I like Dior Homme Sport 2017? Yes, I like it overall, and love parts of it. This is a very good fragrance for when it is warm out, it gets noticed, and is really pleasing to wear.

Do I like this better than the 2012 edition? I can’t decide between them, really. I think the 2012 edition, is more consistent throughout the wear, at being great. This one, has periods of brilliance, in which it exceeds its predecessors.

Update: I’d probably lean towards 2012, but it’s harder to come by now. Luna Rossa Eau Sport, is a great alternative to the Dior options.

On its own? I absolutely recommend this. I do with the sillage was better, for the entire wear. Also, if I could get that middle section extended for a period of time, I’d be happy. Nonetheless, this will be something that I wear a lot, over the next few months.

Nautica Voyage vs. Voyage Heritage Comparison

by

After recently purchasing a bottle of the newer release from Nautica, Voyage Heritage, I knew that I had to do a comparison with its famous predecessor. Would this one finally be the flanker scent that could compete head to head with the original?

Well, after wearing both, I am going to break it down for you. Which smells better when comparing Nautica Voyage vs. Voyage Heritage? Which lasts longer? Ultimately, which is the better buy?

Tale of the Tape: Voyage vs. Heritage

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

Voyage Heritage

Notes include: rosemary, peppermint, sandalwood, lavender, ginger, bergamot, vetiver

Click here to try: Nautica Voyage Heritage by Nautica

Read my original review: Voyage Heritage Review

Opening

Right from the start, these two fragrances have nothing in common, outside of the shared name. Voyage Heritage opens up with a blend of warm spices and cooler ones. It is somewhat herbal with rosemary leading the way and being paired with peppermint.

Also, a slight bergamot sits underneath. Then, after some minutes, ginger begins to take some of the strength of the rosemary away.

Voyage starts off with crisp apple, mimosa, musk, and a watery sort of aroma. It feels pretty green and the musk is too much, for my nose at times. Honestly, the start is my least favorite aspect of Voyage.

Which is better? Neither one of these colognes, starts off amazing. However, I think that I prefer Heritage, and its fresh spice versus the somewhat messy opening of Voyage.

Edge: Heritage

Projection

Both of these fragrances, start off as moderate, with their sillage. Neither is going to overwhelm the room. I will say that, Voyage, holds up much better than Heritage. Heritage gets noticeably weaker, much faster than the original.

Edge: Voyage

Longevity

After testing Heritage, I get a consistent 4-6 hours of wear. With much of that time, as a close to skin scent. Meanwhile, Voyage will get me 5-7 hours, with better strength.

Edge: Voyage

Versatility

These fragrances can both be worn year round, but really excel in the spring/summer months. Heritage gives you that cool and spicy fresh vibe, for the warmer weather.

They are both casual daytime wears, that can serve as daily colognes, for guys who want something subtle. No clear winner, here.

Edge: Push

Overall Scent

So, does Voyage Heritage, knock the original off of its throne? I’m going to say, no. I think that it could’ve, if the execution of this fragrance, had been better. When I originally read the notes of Heritage, I had pretty high hopes, that this one could be a new classic cheapie.

However, it just kind of falls flat. It smells nice enough, but the performance leaves much to be desire, and it feels like it’s missing something.

I said in my review of this scent, that I thought there should’ve been a stronger citrus top. I was also expecting more from the peppermint note. It’s a pretty good fragrance, that had lots of potential.

Note: You could also consider getting one of the ‘inspired by’ remixes of Voyage from the Dua Brand. Imperiale Ocean Mist, for example, takes this idea and their version of a Millesime Imperial like formula and blends them.

Voyage, is still the top draw of the Nautica line. The apple note is nice, the musk settles, and Voyage becomes much smoother as it wears on. Then, the dry woody notes come out, and Voyage really becomes a great inexpensive option for guys. It wins this match up.

Winner: Voyage

Fleur de Portofino vs Neroli Portofino Comparison

by

Tom Ford has released a good number of citrus floral fragrances over the years. Two of them, will be our competitive subjects today, Neroli Portofino vs. Fleur de Portofino. They obviously have a similar name, but which one stands out more? Which gives a better performance? Which is ultimately the better buy?

Tale of the Tape

Neroli Portofino

Notes include: neroli, orange flower, amber, mandarin, bergamot, jasmine, lavender, lemon

Click here to try: Tom Ford Neroli Portofino 1.7 oz Eau de Parfum Spray

Review: Neroli Portofino

Fleur de Portofino

Notes include: bergamot, Sicilian lemon, bitter orange leaf, tangerine, violet leaf, magnolia, white acacia, orange blossom, jasmine, vanilla, acacia honey

Click here to try: Tom Ford Fleur de Portofino Eau de Parfum Spray, 3.4 oz

Review: Fleur de Portofino

Opening

Neroli Portofino starts off with a blend of citrus notes, led by lemon, along with the neroli note and orange blossom. It’s aroma is upbeat and zesty with the floral ingredients providing a clean soapy quality.

Fleur de Portofino also starts with the citrus, but the blend is more of a mix of tangerine and lemon. It too feature floral notes of orange blossom and white acacia, but is joined by sweet honey, and a ‘green’ outdoorsy scent.

Which is better? I enjoy the opening of Fleur better. It has a similar citrus, with white floral notes like Neroli Portofino, but also features a nice honey note and more depth than its competitor.

Edge: Fleur

Projection

Neroli Portofino starts out as a moderate sillage perfume. It’s not super strong, but noticeable. After a while, it’s much softer, and sticks closer to the skin. Fleur de Portofino has a stronger sillage at the start, before becoming fairly moderate, in how it projects.

Edge: Fleur

Longevity

These two are pretty much the same, in terms of how long they last. I get 5-6 hours from either. Not great, but not terrible, as is fairly common with lighter citrus scents.

Edge: Push

Versatility

Again, these two are very similar with their uses. They are spring and summer fragrance. Perfumes that can go casual or dressy and unisex. I’d say Fleur is a tad more feminine, but both really hit the same sort of notes.

Edge: Push

Overall Scent

Honestly, I don’t find any of these fragrances to be amazing. However, they both are nice fragrances, that are enjoyable in the warmer weather. I enjoy the zesty citrus scent of Neroli Portofino and it has a light clean floral drydown. It is simple and fresh.

Between these Tom Ford fragrances, though? I prefer Fleur de Portofino slightly more. I like the honey note, added to the composition. The citrus and the honey keep it from becoming overly floral and creates something distinct, that Neroli Portofino, doesn’t really have.

It’s not a major edge for Fleur, in this contest, but it is a bit better than Neroli is.

Winner: Fleur de Portofino

Valentino Uomo vs Uomo Intense Comparison

by

In this edition of the fragrance comparisons, I want to take a closer look at a popular scent, and one of it’s flankers. Today, it’s between two Valentino colognes: Uomo vs. Uomo Intense. Which of them smells better? Does the Intense version give you a better buy than the original? Which performs better? Ultimately, which is the better buy?

Tale of the Tape

Valentino Uomo

Notes include: myrtle, bergamot, leather, coffee, cedar, gianduja cream

Click here to try: Valentino Uomo FOR MEN by Valentino – 3.4 oz EDT Spray

My review: Uomo EDT

Uomo Intense

Notes include: sage, iris, vanilla, leather, tonka bean, mandarin

Click here to try: Valentino Uomo Intense by Valentino EDP for Men, 3.4 Fl Oz

My review: Uomo Intense

Opening

Uomo opens up with a bit of sour bergamot, gianduja cream, and myrtle. The cream is essentially a hazlenut aroma, when blended with the citrus, and myrtle it smells absolutely amazing. Seriously, it is one of my favorite openings to a fragrance, ever.

Intense starts off smelling like Dior Homme, with much more leather. However, it doesn’t have the same level of sweet cacao and the iris note, isn’t as good to my nose. It stays this way for about 10 minutes, then, Intense begins to take on a more leather/vanilla aroma with bits of mandarin.

Which is better? To me, it’s the original Uomo, without a doubt. I do like Intense a lot, but it feels like it wants to mimic Dior Homme (which I wear often), and doesn’t do as good of a job at it.

Edge: Uomo

Projection

While Uomo Intense, should have a better sillage than its predecessor in theory, it really isn’t that strong. They both start out on the stronger side of the spectrum, but both become moderate thereafter.

I don’t know if there is any real difference between the two. Both are solid and you’ll know you’re wearing them, but neither are complete beasts.

Edge: Push

Longevity

Again, not much difference here. The original consistently gets 7 hours, on my skin. While Intense, will go for 6-8 hours. So, it can get an extra hour at times, which is enough to give it a slight edge.

Edge: Intense

Versatility

They occupy the same space. Both are very versatile, during the cooler months, but not summer. You can wear these casually, at the office, or out on a date. Both are very fresh and attractive. Again, not club beasts, but can definitely venture out into the nightlife.

Edge: Push

Overall Scent

Uomo Intense is like a hybrid of the Dior Homme line. It starts off like Dior Homme and ends smelling more like Dior Intense. That’s great, as I like both of those colognes a lot, but it brings nothing new to the table. I like its creamy sweetness and the extra leather. It’s overall a very good scent.

However, Valentino Uomo, is better. It matches Intense almost exactly, in its performance. Plus, it has one of the best opening acts ever, in my opinion. Yes, it eventually, smells a lot like Dior Homme too; but it is distinct at the start. I wish the whole fragrance was the opening, as I love it.

To me, I’d rather wear Uomo, any day of the week versus Intense. It at least gives me something a bit different, from the norm, before mimicking a cologne I really enjoy.

Winner: Uomo