Higher Energy by Christian Dior

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I have already done some posts on this site about the top Christian Dior fragrances, along with a review of the companies’ latest offering, Sauvage. So, when I getting together my latest haul of cologne samples, I thought that I would revisit another Dior fragrance, Higher Energy.

How does this scent stack up to Dior’s other men’s colognes? Is it worth a purchase? Find out more by reading below. Note: This has been discontinued for over a decade, which is about the time frame of my initial review.

What does Higher Energy by Dior Smell Like?

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Notes include:  Cypress, rosemary, musk, melon, juniper, mint, grapefruit, cedar

Click here to try Higher Energy!

My initial reaction to Higher Energy is one of familiarity. I cannot quite think of what this scent’s opening smells like but I think it is a fragrance by either Hilfiger or Lacoste. Maybe a bit of Dior Homme Sport?

I get a definite summertime and sporty vibe from the fruit notes which come out smelling very smooth and wonderful.

However, it doesn’t take on an overly sweet or candy-like aroma, as it seems to be grounded by the woodsy and mint notes.

At first, it’s a combination of mint and grapefruit to my nose. Some other fruity notes and juniper. There’s a slight clean spiciness, but nothing overpowering.

Higher Energy is a very clean and fresh cologne which isn’t too loud or overbearing. Like I said, I get a sport type of vibe from it and it projects decently when outdoors in the warmth of the sun.

I definitely get more emergence of the grapefruit note as the time went on and it took on a less sweet and more woodsy aroma. Cedar, juniper, grapefruit, and musk is what I’m left with, once Higher Energy has fully developed.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Now, while I think this scent smells good and I would have no problem wearing it during the late spring or summer, it does have some issues. It’s not a long-lasting scent, after about 3 hours of wear, I had to press my nose against my skin to smell it.

Maybe you can get 4-6 hours out of it but it didn’t seem to hold well on my skin.

The projection starts out moderate and obviously fades, people won’t smell you from across the room, which is great but after a certain period of time, they may not be able to detect it unless they’re right up on you.

Also, this is definitely a seasonal fragrance which limits its appeal even further. Again, spring or summer. It is attractive enough and would probably draw some complements, it’s performance is just such a hinderance.

Overall Impressions of Higher Energy

Overall, I like Higher Energy. It’s a really nice and fresh cologne. It’s just not a big time performer for the price, lacks some versatility, and isn’t all that unique.

It has been discontinued, so, even trying to find a bottle nowadays is getting more difficult. Update: The Dua Brand has their own inspired take on Higher Energy, called #Energetic

The smell itself, is actually quite nice. Though, the performance isn’t really good at all.

Also, they’re quite expensive and aren’t a real good value proposition. Unless you really need a bottle to round out your collection, it’s not particularly worth a try, for a full bottle. If you can still find a sample vial or mini, it may be a decent experience.

Not a bad fragrance, though, not one of Dior’s best. The Higher line didn’t hang around too long before Dior came out with the Dior Homme series, which is still going on to this day. I’ve also reviewed the original Higher, if you’re interested.

6 Best Smelling Adidas Perfumes for Her

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Adidas has been a huge name in athletic wear for decades upon decades. Naturally, they’ve moved well beyond just shoes and equipment, and into other fashion ventures. One such detour, has led them into the fragrance world, over the past 20-30 years with some nice results.

In this post, I wanted to present six options from their women’s perfume lineup which could be considered the best smelling of them all. Each selection, presents something different, so there’s probably something on the list to fit any lady’s style. Also, check out my post on the Best Adidas Colognes for Men.

What are the Best Adidas Perfumes for Her?

Fresh, Clean, and Woodsy

ADIDAS MOVES by Adidas for Women EAU DE TOILETTE SPRAY 1.0 OZ & EAU DE TOILETTE SPRAY .5 OZ– The others on this list will either more on the fruity or floral side of things. However, Moves Her is a different sort of experience. It’s a fresh and outdoorsy perfume with notes of cedar and ginger.

The ginger gives it a bit of a kick and the cedar provides that stable and clean base. Underneath that, there are floral notes which prevent this scent from becoming too masculine…it’s almost unisex but leans feminine.

All of this is wrapped up in an aquatic/sporty vibe, that nearly all Adidas scents seem to share.

Citrus and Mango Energy

Unlsh by Adidas for Her– This one is a simple and energetic citrus based fragrance. Lots of orange, both mandarin and blood orange, with a tropical mango note which is quite captivating.

Beyond that, you do get a noticeable and decent peony note, later on in the wear. Mostly, this one is a fruity, fresh, and sporty fragrance that comes with a low price tag. Though, with a hint of a candy-like presentation. Nice performance, but not insane longevity.

Uplifting Citrus and Rose

Adidas Fragrance Fun Sensations Eau de Parfum Spray, 2.5 Fluid Ounce– A lighter, bubbly kind of perfume, Fun Sensations sticks to its name with a playful raspberry and lemon top.

The other main notes to be on the look out for are the rose and warm/slightly spicy pink pepper, that lurks in the background.

The base is solidified by the familiar aromas of sandalwood and musk. A good casual or activewear scent for warm days.

Sheer Floral with Aquatic Sensations

Adidas Body Fragrance Pure Lightness, For Women, 2.5 Fluid Ounce Spray Bottle– As the name suggests, this Adidas scent is very light and airy. Pure Lightness is a floral based perfume with notes of lily and violet.

There are some crisp fruity undertones supplied by apple and melon. However, most of what you’re going to get is the flower arrangement but more of an aquatic floral, than a heavy old-timey fragrance.

Very pleasant aroma to be around, still with enough of a sporty sort of vibe to make it an Adidas fragrance. Great balance and value for the price.

Carbonated Tropical Aroma

Adidas Fizzy Energy Women’s 1.7-ounce Eau de Toilette Spray– Fizzy Energy gives you a super blast of tropical notes like: papaya, pineapple, and grapefruit. Though, it’s mainly the pineapple and grapefruit combo that gives off a citrus sort of vibe.

It’s a bright and really clean sort of scent for an active summer day or just to freshen up when it gets too hot outside. Definitely one with an upbeat energy to it.

Raspberry and Freesia Goodness

Adidas Fragrance Body Fragrance Fruity Rhythm for Women 2.5 Fluid Ounce Spray Bottle– A heavily slanted blend of fruity notes and then florals, led by raspberry and black currant. Fruity Rhythm delivers a beautiful wear, for a small price.

The fruity is very juicy and sweet, before the fragrance dries down into a sporty sort of floral. Quite girly and feminine. Mostly, you’ll pick up the freesia note, in the dry down. Similar to Ralph by Ralph Lauren, for those wanting a super inexpensive alternative.

New York by Playboy

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I purchased two bottles from the Playboy line of scents produced by Coty, New York and London. I was already familiar with them but wanted to spend more time with each and since

I got them at a price of around $5 a piece, it wasn’t a major investment to do so. In this post, I am going to cover what’s in New York, how it smells, how it performs, when it should be worn, and whether or not I think that it is worth a purchase.

What does Playboy New York Smell Like?

Notes include: vinyl, vanilla, apple, tonka bean, lime, black pepper, and vetiver

Click here to try: PLAYBOY New York Men Eau De Toilette Spray, 3.4 Ounce

My Full Wear Review

The initial 15-20 seconds of Playboy New York is a heavy alcohol smell that quickly settles down (luckily). From that emerges an interesting yet familiar blend of mostly apple, vanilla, and the intriguing vinyl note.

I have to say that the vinyl note is very prominent in this fragrance, at least for a while after application.

The freshness of New York is a crisp apple note that seems to sit on top of the vinyl and while the vanilla is there it doesn’t always strike me as a more run of the mill vanilla scent.

Lime is present and it smells like a way weaker version of the lime note in Set Sail St. Barts. There is also a very faint spice, which I guess is the black pepper note, but there really isn’t too much to it.

From there on out, Playboy New York is pretty darn linear, and what you smell is what you get…the watery apple, vinyl, and vanilla blend.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Projection wise, it’s pretty moderate. It feels watered down when compared to many other more expensive colognes, which is to be expected when you can pick up a bottle for $10 more or less.

However, it isn’t bad at all in the performance department. Longevity ranges from 5-6 hours of solid wear and longer when it just sits as a skin scent. For what it is, that is pretty great. It’s not going to give you elite performance, just really good value.

This is a good casual scent for the warmer parts of the year. I would say it’s best for guys in high school or in their early 20s, who need something inexpensive, that can be worn at work or school. It’s fresh and pleasant but I wouldn’t classify it as a bar/romantic/club wear kind of cologne.

Overall Impressions of New York by Playboy

Overall, would I recommend Playboy New York? If you’re in the market for a cologne in this price range, yes. If you can actually afford something beyond this, there are way better options out there.

For what this scent is, though (a nice cheapy), Playboy New York definitely gives you a decent bang for your buck.

It’s clean, fresh, familiar, and can trick people into thinking that it is something more expensive than it really is. There really aren’t too many solid scents for under $15, but this is one and one of the better scents from the Playboy brand.

Update: It has been discontinued since this initial publication. As such, bottle might not be so prevalent anymore. If you see it for more than $20, I’d pass and get something else.

Dior Sauvage vs 1 Million Cologne Comparison

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In this edition of my head to head cologne comparisons, I’m going to pit Sauvage by Christian Dior versus 1 Million by Paco Rabanne. People seem to want to know which of these colognes is better, even though they are very different from one another.

However, I’m going to try to make the comparison between the two to find out which one smells and performs better, and declare an ultimate winner.

Tale of the Tape: 1 Million vs. Sauvage EDT

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

1 Million

Notes include: grapefruit, blood orange, rose, mint, cinnamon, amber, leather, patchouli, and more

Click here to try: Paco Rabanne 1 Million Eau de Toilette Spray for Men, 3.4 Fluid Ounce

Read my original review: 1 Million  Review

Opening

The opening of Sauvage gives off an aroma of amber, pepper, and the sharp bergamot note. There is a bit of spice to it but I do get a lot of the ambroxan. It’s nice and dries down to a clean/soapy scent with some slightly spice wood notes and the ever present bergamot.

Meanwhile, 1 Million starts off with an aroma that is similar to grape flavored bubblegum, which not everyone likes, but it does eventually settle down into something more leathery and slightly spicy than that candy-like sweetness.

Update: To my nose, the spiciness of cinnamon and mint come on more strongly, as well as the leather. Especially with newer bottles. 1 Million is still sweet, but don’t feel as much so as I remember.

The more time that has passed the less I actually like Sauvage EDT. It’s still got a sharp opening, which is alright, but it does get better than the initial start.

Edge: 1 Million

Projection

Sauvage is a pretty strong cologne and can be loud at times. However, it pales in comparison to the strength of 1 Million. 1 Million is a nightlife kind of scent and has pretty much reached a classic status in that space, based mostly off of its performance.

Update: The newer bottles of 1 Million don’t have the same power that they used to. This used to be an easy win, but now, I’d say this two are about equal in the sillage.

Edge: Push

Longevity

Again, Sauvage is very solid, I usually get 6-8 hours of wear.

1 Million is somewhere in the double digits in terms of the number of hours it will keep going for. The Dior is good, 1 Million is amazing in this regard.

Update: 1 Million still is good, but no longer insane with how long it lasts. For me, the latest batches still slightly outperform Sauvage. It will be in that 8 or 9 hour range.

Edge: 1 Million

Versatility

OK, so, this is where I think Sauvage can have an edge against 1 Million. Sauvage is mostly a spring/summer wear, in my opinion, but it can also work fairly well during the rest of the year.

It is also probably more acceptable for office/school wear but can make the transition to the nightlife.

1 Million is mostly a cold weather scent for me.  If used lightly, it can be worn in formal or casual situations, but this fragrance really shines in the nightlife. This can give it a limited usability for a lot of guys.

Sauvage has the edge, there’s just more opportunity to wear it.

Edge: Sauvage

Overall Scent

Bottom line, I like the way 1 Million smells more than I do Sauvage. I think that it is a much more interesting scent and has a complexity during its dry down that makes me want to wear it again.

However, it’s not always appropriate to wear, while Sauvage has much more use as an everyday cologne.

Now, 1 Million’s scent isn’t far and away better than Sauvage, but I do give it the edge. Personally, I would take 1 Million Prive, over either of these scents…and there would be no hesitation.

If you’re dead set about choosing one of these two fragrances, consider whether you’d rather have a sweet fragrance or something that is bright and clean. Do you need a daily wear or are you looking for something to bring out for certain occasions?

These are two very different scents and have almost nothing in common aside from their immense popularity. I’d rather wear 1 Million, so I’d give it the slight edge, based on it’s scent and performance.

Update: So, with the performance, 1 Million isn’t quite what it once was. However, I still enjoy wearing it. Again, the more time with Sauvage, the less I enjoyed it. I know, it’s a bestseller, but the EDT is very overrated.

Sauvage EDP is great, though. Sauvage Elixir, also. If you want a Sauvage go with them. If you want a 1 Million besides EDT, go with Elixir.

Winner: 1 Million 

Dylan Blue vs Acqua Di Gio Profumo Cologne Comparison

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In this post, I’m going to do another head to head comparison between two popular fragrances that have been released in the past few years. One is, Acqua Di Gio Profumo. The other, Dylan Blue by Versace. Now, ADG Profumo is obviously a flanker fragrance of the orignial Acqua Di Gio, while Dylan Blue is its own stand-alone entity. How do these two scents stack up? Which one smells better? Which has better performance?

Tale of the Tape

Dylan Blue

Notes include: black pepper, violet leaf, grapefruit, bergamot, tonka bean, ambrox, fig leaf

Click here to try: VERSACE Pour Homme Sealed Dylan Blue Eau de Toilette, 3.4 Ounce

Read my Full Review of Dylan Blue

Acqua Di Gio Profumo

Notes include: bergamot, sage, patchouli, incense, and marine notes

Click here to try: Giorgio Armani Giorgio Armani Acqua Di Gio Profumo 75ml (2.5oz) Parfum Vapo., 2.5 Fluid Ounce

Read my Full ADG Profumo Review

Opening

ADG Profumo has a lot of similarities to the original ADG but is much darker, marine, and spicier. The bergamot note is the main player as far as the summery citrus notes go. Dylan Blue starts out quite similar to Profumo but much lighter and seemingly less intense.

The incense note in Profumo gives it that smoky aroma and puts more of an edge on the spice, while the pepper note in Dylan Blue is much more subdued.

I think ADG Profumo has more character and smells distinct. Dylan Blue starts out quite like Profumo and then morphs into a Sauvage-like scent, it doesn’t seem to have an identity of its own. The one thing that I do think that gives it a boost, is the fig leaf note. That is prominent in the begining and is my favorite aspect of Dylan Blue.

Edge: Profumo

Projection

Dylan Blue is a good starter, not overly powerful, but you’ll know that it’s there. However, at around an hour or so, it gets weaker and settles into something definitively average.

Meanwhile, ADG isn’t a beast, by any means, but it is really good in this regard. The fragrance performs well, sticks around, and doesn’t nosedive into some weakened state.

Edge: Profumo

Longevity

Dylan Blue gives me 5-6 hours worth of performance, which isn’t bad. Profumo usually will go 7-9 hours depending on the weather or other circumstances.

Edge: Profumo

Versatility

Here’s where I think Dylan Blue has an edge. While Profumo can be used on many occasions, it strikes more of a summery vibe. It can be worn in the cold but it just doesn’t have the same appeal, in my opinion.

Dylan Blue is more of a spring/summer scent that can be worn casually, at school/work, and out on a date. It’s similarities with Sauvage make it more of a crowd pleaser, especially for the under 25 year old set of guys.

Edge: Dylan Blue

Overall Scent

Dylan Blue has struck me as plain generic, ever since I first sampled it at an airport. I bought a mini bottle, just to make sure I wasn’t mistaken, and my opinion didn’t change all that much. I like it, I think that it’s pleasant, and will work for plenty of guys. It’s grown on me a bit, but I don’t love it.

Acqua Di Gio Profumo is an enhanced version of the original. It’s bold, spicy, smoky while retaining a citrus/aquatic character. It’s not my favorite scent either, but it is so much more interesting to me.  It has better performance than Dylan Blue and is more unique.

If you want a citrus/aquatic that is softer and not as dark, go with Dylan Blue. If you liked the original ADG and want something more mature, go with Profumo. I’ll take the latter.

Winner: Profumo