Tuscan Leather vs Oud Wood Comparison

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For today’s head to head cologne comparison, we have two Tom Ford fragrances: Tuscan Leather vs. Oud Wood. Which of these popular fragrances from the brand smells the best? Which gives the best performance? Is there a clear winner when deciding between the two?

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

Read my original Review: Tuscan Leather

Oud Wood

Notes include: rosewood, sandalwood, oud, vanilla, tonka bean, amber, cardamom, and vetiver

Click here to try: Tom Ford Private Blend Oud Wood Eau De Parfum Spray – 50ml/1.7oz

Read my original review: Oud Wood

Opening

Tuscan Leather opens up with leather, saffron, and a touch of raspberry. The leather is very rich and smooth, paired to great effect with the saffron. Plus, the raspberry note isn’t to intrusive, but plays the background sweetly.

Meanwhile, Oud Wood, starts off with oud and cardamom. Also, there is a pepper quality at the beginning of the wear. The rosewood, sandalwood, and eventually vetiver come along after a few minutes and really amp up the woodsy quality of this fragrance.

Which do I prefer? Tuscan Leather. Oud Wood is good, but I really love the leather note in Tuscan, and the raspberry is quite well done.

Edge: Tuscan Leather

Projection

Tuscan Leather starts off strong and then becomes moderate for the duration of the wear. Oud Wood starts off moderate and ends with a whimper.

I cannot say that either of these has fantastic sillage, but at least Tuscan Leather gives you something worthwhile.

Edge: Tuscan Leather

Longevity

The new formulations of Tuscan Leather don’t seem as long-lasting as the once were, but it still lasts around 7-8 hours, on my skin. With Oud Wood? I get about 4-5 and that’s it. Meh.

For what Oud Wood costs, that’s pretty terrible. A $15 bottle of Nautica cologne will last longer, in most cases.

Edge: Tuscan Leather

Versatility

Both of these scents are suited for colder weather. Both can be worn formally or during business hours. Both lean more masculine, but Tuscan Leather is the one that can be more aptly described as unisex. Also, it has a sexier vibe, and can be put on to great effect in the nightlife arena. This category is closer than the others.

Edge: Tuscan Leather

Overall Scent

For me, this is a clean sweep. Tuscan Leather just strikes me as the more appealing fragrance. Admittedly, I do enjoy leather scents over oud, but even when you break down the performance of each; a weak Tuscan Leather still outshines Oud Wood.

I don’t hate Oud Wood. I think that it has its moments, but it can also be pretty sour at times. Overall, I think it’s a nice scent, just one that under performs at such a high price.

Tuscan Leather still has solid performance and a very pleasant aroma throughout. It is very well blended, hyper-smooth, and has an intriguing darkness to the composition. I enjoy it’s warm amber and hints of floral notes such as jasmine that come through during the dry down.

I’m reaching for Tuscan Leather before Oud Wood. Not a massive fan of either, but this is an easy call.

Winner: Tuscan Leather

Versace Eau Fraiche vs. Pour Homme

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Versace has a whole host of popular fragrances for men to choose from. They definitely have a distinct and usually quite a bold style. Two of the more popular options for the summer months are Versace Pour Homme and Eau Fraiche. In this post, I am going to give my run down of the differences and how they compare head to head, before declaring a winner. 

Tale of the Tape: Versace Pour Homme vs. Eau Fraiche

Versace Man Eau Fraiche 

Notes include: Lemon, Rosewood, Carambola, Cedar leaves, Tarragon, Sage, Musk, Amber, Sycamore

My original review

Click here to try: Versace Man Eau Fraiche By Gianni Versace For Men Edt Spray 3.4 Oz

Versace Pour Homme

FullSizeRender (40)

Notes include: bergamot, bitter orange leaves, geranium, sage, oud wood, mineral amber, tonka bean, musk, neroli

Click here to try: Versace Pour Homme Eau De Toilette Natural Spray 3.4 fl. oz.

Read my Review: Versace Pour Homme

Opening

Eau Fraiche is a total summer fragrance with a cool disposition. It opens up with a frozen citrus accord, led by lemon, and flanked by a wonderful starfruit note. The underlying rosemary gives it some dynamism with its herbal spice and then a super fresh cedar base.

Pour Homme also kicks things off with citrus. Instead of being chilled, it is bright and very clean, with grapefruit, neroli, and bitter orange leaf. I don’t think that this scent really ramps up until its later dry down period.

Between these two, I think that I prefer the opening of Eau Fraiche due to the starfruit note. They are both good and it’s not a clear cut winner, just a preference.

Edge: Eau Fraiche

Sillage

Upon initial spraying, they both have about the same strength and ability to project themselves. They are well above average, but neither is overwhelming. I think that the both ultimately get to the moderate stage, but Eau Fraiche settles quicker on my skin. 

Though, it’s not enough to give Pour Homme the definite win. It’s a tie here.

Edge: Push

Longevity

Neither of these fragrances are great with how long they last. They are both decent. Is there a clear winner? To me, Eau Fraiche can get me an extra hour versus Pour Homme.

Eau Fraiche lasts 6-7 hours and Pour Homme will get 5-6. Not a huge edge, but Eau Fraiche takes it.

 

 

Edge: Eau Fraiche

Versatility

I don’t see much distinction here. Each sort of is a summertime fragrance that can venture into the rest of the year. Though, that’s better served for people who live in a climate that is hotter and more humid year round.

Casual to office to semi-formal for both of these.

Edge: Push

Overall Scent

This is a tough one to call. Both are from the same brand, have a similar style, and performance. I like the dry down of Versace Pour Homme, when the tonka bean note comes out. It feels much smoother and less of a sharp citrus aroma. 

The downside? It has a musky/soapy quality. I can get a better smell from Chanel’s Allure Homme Sport. Plus, it doesn’t have great performance.

Really, I find Eau Fraiche to be a better wear all around. I’m never in the mood to wear either all of the time, but having had both, I can definitely say that I’ve reached for Eau Fraiche during the summer more often.

I like both, but Eau Fraiche is my pick.

Winner: Eau Fraiche

Journey Man by Amouage

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I found some more samples that other day, that I had stashed away some time ago. Among these scents, was a few Amouage vials that I purchased around 4 years back. I never got to posting my reviews of these scents, so I figured that I’d get to work on writing. Today’s entry is the 2014 release, Journey Man. How does it smell? Perform? Is it worth a try?

What does Journey Man Smell Like?

Notes include: cardamom, bergamot, Sichuan pepper, tobacco, leather, incense, juniper berries, and more

Click here to try: AMOUAGE Journey Man’s Eau de Parfum Spray, 3.4 Fl Oz

My Full Wear Review

The opening of Journey Man brings my nose a blast of the Sichuan pepper, incense, and bergamot. These are the main notes for the first few minutes. Flanked by dry tobacco, cardamom, and leather.

It’s quite spicy and smoky at first. Though, as it moves further along it will become much smoother and less harsh. The bergamot is bright and adds some initial juiciness, which develops into a very dry scent. 

After that initial couple of minutes, I really get a dry aroma of tobacco, with a cured smokiness. It’s a spiced warmth and freshness provided by cardamom and the emerging juniper berry. Juniper becomes more noticeable to me, as the scent develops on my skin. It is never the main focus, but I can pick up its smell throughout.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Sillage wise, Journey Man is quite powerful, much like the other Amouage fragrances. Though, this isn’t the biggest beast. It’s still in the upper echelons of projection, just not the elite of the elite. Nonetheless, it won’t disappoint with its power.

With the longevity, it hangs around on my skin for over 10 hours. Not sure the exact number, as I’ve always showered before it fades, but it’s a workhorse scent. 

Seasonally, Journey is best for the colder months, but is fine in more moderate temperatures. I wouldn’t wear during the summertime. However, it works autumn through early spring. 

 

This is a very traditionally masculine fragrance. It’ll most skew toward older guys. Not at all the typical teenager fragrance or what is usually on the best sellers list nowadays. It can be very bold and feel quite harsh, at times.

Mostly for semi-formal to formal wear. Go light with it at the office. Can be a nightlife fragrance, but it’s not a ‘club’ cologne. More niche, than popular.

My Overall Impressions of Journey Men

Do I like this fragrance? Somewhat. It really isn’t my style, so I’m not going to give it really high marks, but I also don’t want to disparage it.

The fragrance is okay, but not super attractive. It reminds me of a mix between one of the PdM fragrances (Shagya? Maybe?) and Noir Anthracite by Tom Ford.

It’s more enjoyable than either of those, but doesn’t really do it for me. If this is the type of fragrance that you like, it will at least perform extremely well for you. Whether or not that’s worth the $300 or so for a bottle, that’s your call.

I’d rather pick up multiple bottles of other scent. I’ll pass on Journey, but I don’t hate it. 

Light Blue vs. Marc Jacobs Daisy Perfume Comparison

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For this post, I want to get back into featuring some fragrance for the ladies, on this site. As such, I am going to do a head to head match up between two highly popular perfumes: Light Blue vs. Daisy. Which of these women’s fragrances, smells the best? The Marc Jacobs or the Dolce? I will break it down by category before declaring an ultimate winner between them.

Tale of the Tape: Daisy vs. Light Blue

Light Blue

Notes include: rose, apple, musk, lemon, jasmine, and more

Click here to try: Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue By Dolce & Gabbana For Women. Eau De Toilette Spray 3.3 Oz

Read my original review: D&G Light Blue Review

Daisy

Notes include: grapefruit, gardenia, jasmine, violet, musk, and vanilla

Click here to try: Marc Jacobs Daisy, EDT Spray, 3.4oz 100ml

Read my original review: Daisy Review

Opening

Light Blue opens up with a powerful lemon note along with a crisp apple. It is bright and refreshing, but also, the rose note lets itself be known early on in the wear. It can be somewhat sharp, but the juiciness and upbeat energy of the fruit notes is very nice.

Daisy opens with a burst of floral notes, but it is a watery sort of aroma, with a dash of grapefruit. The main trio is violet, gardenia, and jasmine. It is a light floral, with slight aquatic qualities, but quite pretty.

Which one is better? I prefer how Light Blue starts off, despite its ability to be too tart for some folks. The citrus/apple opening is probably its strongest and when this D&G perfume is at its best.

Edge: Light Blue

Projection

Light Blue is on the lighter side of the moderate range of sillage. More than a skin scent, but not an absolute monster of projection. Daisy is light all the way, not a skin scent either, just not as strong.

Light Blue, however, can start off feeling strong due to the sharpness of the citrus. The projection can be wide upon the initial spraying. Though, it levels off rather quickly.

Edge: Light Blue

Longevity

With Daisy, I have tested it out to about 7 hours, before it’s gone. Light Blue on the other hand, can go for over 10 hours. This is an easy win for D&G.

Edge: Light Blue

Versatility

Light Blue is great for casual or even office wear. It is more of a day time perfume, with more of a spring/summer vibe, but can go year round. Daisy hits the same beats as Light Blue and it isn’t what you’d call a nighttime scent either. No definite winner, here.

These two are hyper-popular in part because they can be worn in so many different situations without being out of place.

Edge: Push

Overall Scent

Daisy is a really nice classic floral fragrance. The composition is fairly green and slightly aquatic in its presentation of the floral notes.

The drydown period is nice, with its musk and the remnants of the grapefruit note. This is one, the pretty much demands that you like floral fragrances, but it has been very popular for years. I like it.

However, I think Light Blue is slightly better. It has the better performance for sure, but also, I like that opening act of lemon, apple, and rose. As it dries down, it’s not as good in my opinion, with the earthy/floral/woody aroma.

Luckily, the lemon is still there to carry things through. Even if I’m not impressed entirely with its latter stages, I think that it is still better than the Marc Jacobs fragrance.

Winner: Light Blue

Euphoria Men by Calvin Klein

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For the third installment of my review of the Calvin Klein line of fragrances for men, I thought that I would tackle Euphoria. It is a more recent creation than most of the designer’s big hits from the 1980s and 1990s, being first launched in 2006.

With a name like Euphoria, you would expect it to deliver an almost unforgettable experience of the senses and really draw people in…does it? Let us take a closer look at this CK cologne.

Update: I am revamping this review, after trying this cologne again. The Best CK Fragrances

What does Euphoria Men Smell Like?

euphoria men

Notes include: chilled sudachi, raindrop accord, solid amber, cedar leaf, black basil, patchouli, creamy suede, ginger pepper cocktail, Brazilian redwood

Click here to try: CK Euphoria Men Eau De Toilette Spray 3.4 fl oz / 100 ml

My Full Wear Review

I’m coming back to review this one again, after several years. I wasn’t crazy about this fragrance back then, I didn’t hate it, and was more or less indifferent toward Euphoria. I almost completely forgot about it. However, I’ve had a chance to retry it recently, and wanted to give this cologne a fair shake.

Euphoria Men opens up with it’s spiciness front and center. Ginger is the main attraction, which has really become a note, that I love wearing as of late (particularly in Burberry Brit).

It is joined by its ‘pepper cocktail’ note, which gives a spicy punch to what otherwise would be more of a lighter freshness.

The amber note adds a warm somewhat sweet aroma, that is joined by basil, a bit of smooth suede, and a solid woody base. Euphoria shifts toward being a ginger/herbal spice, with the amber, and wood (lots of fresh cedar).

I like it, the blend of ginger/pepper/basil with amber is really enjoyable. How this cologne smells, has definitely grown in esteem with me, since I’ve last encountered it. What I get most of the wear is the woods: cedar and redwood. Along with, a hefty dose of amber.

Sillage, Longevity, Versatility

The sillage on Euphoria is pretty moderate, at first, then quite soft. This was always one of my problems with this fragrance, the performance being sub par. It’s not completely weak, in terms of how it projects, but it isn’t a standout either.

The longevity is also, pretty mediocre. It’ll go for 3-4 hours, on my skin, and pretty much be completely evaporated by the time hour four starts up. Still disappointing.

I’ve even used the spray deodorant and it lasts about the same as the actual cologne.

Seasonally, Euphoria Men doesn’t really strike me as appealing to only one season. I think that it’s best in moderate climates. I don’t like it, in the heat of summer.

The rest of the year, seems about right. It is clean and fresh enough, to be versatile, as to what occasions you could wear it. It’s inoffensive, so work or school, is just fine. Though, I’d say that this one, seems like a better fit for guys in their 20s. Not really a nightlife cologne.

Overall Impressions of Euphoria Men

Do I like Euphoria overall? I like the smell. It’s much better than I remember, a nice spiciness, with herbal qualities, and wood. Simple and straightforward, but very pleasant. The aroma itself, isn’t the issue, it’s the performance.

It’s a simple sort of fragrance, but is pretty unique in how it smells. The performance is just lackluster and how good it smells can’t really save it entirely.

To this day, it doesn’t seem to work on my skin, but I’ve read other complaining about it as well. Is it the absolute worst? No, I mean, I could probably find a use for this stuff (if I didn’t have an endless line of options).

The smell is really nice, though, not amazing. If you can get a bottle for cheap, Euphoria Man, wouldn’t be a bad option. It’d be a limited option, but a nice wear, while it lasted.