Curve Crush for Men by Liz Claiborne

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In this review, I want to take a closer look at Curve Crush for Men by Liz Claiborne. I recently picked up a mini bottle with an order, to give it a fair shot, and see how it stacked up versus the other Curve fragrances.

I didn’t know that there was also a women’s version available also. But, this men’s cologne was released by the brand in 2004.

Note: I’ve updated this page since the initial posting.

I’ve worn it around, for a few days, and collected my thoughts about this scent. How does is smell? What’re the notes? How does it perform? Is it actually worth a purchase?

What does Curve Crush Smell Like?

Notes include: apple, mandarin, cedar, geranium, and amber

Click here to try: Curve Crush for Men Cologne Spray, 4.2 Fl. Oz.

My Full Review

Curve Crush opens up with a fruity presentation of orange and apple notes at the top. These two are given the shine for about 10 minutes or so before the cedar really starts to come on strong and assert itself.

That opening ten minutes brings to mind the style of Nautica Blue, with a detergent/shower gel clean, but that fragrance is much sharper and harsh than is Crush. It clear early on, that this isn’t a higher end cologne, but it does a better job than many others at this price.

The wood note is what brings this cologne together and kind of dominates. It’s pretty unusual to have cedar be this dominant of a note, in most fragrances, particularly those designed for young men. But, it isn’t that uncommon in freshie body washes and the like.

Beyond that, Crush stays fairly linear and simple. However, there is a sweet and warm amber note, that surrounds the main ingredients. There is also a earthy and spicy geranium, that really makes itself apparent for the first hour or so, and kind of fades thereafter.

Again, very simple scent. What you get is cedar with mandarin orange and a lighter apple. Plus, the amber. Very clean, with a shower gel vibe. This one is woody with citrus undertones, when these will usually be flipped the other way.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Projection wise, the sillage is moderate for a bit, then quite airy and light. This one only projects itself a few feet from the skin, it’s very low key. I didn’t expect this to be a powerhouse based on the notes and the other offerings by Liz Claiborne.

The power that it does have, will fall of usually in 30 minutes or so after application. After that, it’s a pretty intimate scent bubble.

The longevity, however, is pretty darn good for how inexpensive Crush is. I can get it to last 6-7 hours on my skin, at times. Others, it’ll go for about 5. Not bad. There are plenty of higher end designer scents that don’t last as long as this one.

Seasonally, Curve Crush seems to fit in the mild to warmer temperatures. It doesn’t feel at all like a wintertime scent, but it’d still perform just fine. This is a fragrance for teenage boys.

I liked the smell well enough, but it doesn’t fit me at all, in my early 30s. It’s one of those inexpensive starter colognes, that young guys can wear on a daily basis. Maybe up to college age, if you need something super affordable, but you can do better than this.

Not professional or a nightlife wear, pretty much just casual or something to wear to class, and skews to the younger crowd.

Overall Impressions of Curve Crush

Overall, do I like Curve Crush? It’s okay. I mean, barely okay, but I can tolerate it for a while.

I still like the original Curve, much better than this one. It’s a clean and inoffensive scent, that has good performance for cheap. The cedar and fruit mix is pretty good, but not amazing.

There’s nothing really that stands out about Crush. It’ll give you a very workmanlike performance and a decent, though mostly forgettable aroma.

However, this Liz Claiborne scent, wouldn’t be a bad choice for middle or high school aged young men. It’s wearable and not going to dominate a room.

There’s plenty of colognes worse than this, but also others that are much better at the same time. It’s not one of the best inexpensive men’s fragrances. The most positive thing about it, is the price level. But, all Claiborne offerings are like this, and many are better.

Eros Pour Femme EDT by Versace

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Going through the samples of many different fragrance to do a review on, I have today, another entry from Versace. This is one for women, named, Eros Pour Femme Eau de Toilette. It was released in 2016.

As usual, I will cover how it smells, what’s inside, how it performs, when it should be worn, and even if it’s worth a purchase. Please continue below for my full wear take on this edition of Eros.

What does Eros Pour Femme EDT Smell Like?

Notes include: lemon, mandarin, raspberry sorbet, white currant, freesia, magnolia, jasmine, orange blossom, ambrox, wood, patchouli, and musk

Click here to try: Versace Eros Pour Femme Eau De Toilette Spray 3.4 Ounce

Full Wear Review

This is a review of the eau de toilette version of Eros which was released after the popular EDP and so it’s quite a different composition. This Eros Pour Femme opens with a sharp lemon and orange which pairs with a cold raspberry sorbet.

The iciness of the sorbet reminds me of the cold lemon note in the men’s Versace cologne, Eau Fraiche. It is a very fresh and crisp aroma that has an underlying floral accord playing a support role to those three fruits.

After about 10 minutes, the citrus tartness drops significantly, and the perfume is solely headed by the raspberry sorbet. It’s sweet and sugary and the floral notes that I pick up are mainly the freesia and jasmine.

Musk and patchouli are there but along with the wood, serve merely as a base to hold things together.

Later, magnolia makes a stronger appearance and I can also get the impression of orange blossom, but it’s kind of hidden underneath the raspberry and lemon aroma.

In the end, you’re going to be left with a raspberry-centered perfume with citrus flanking it while sitting on a bed of flowers. It’s cheerful and uplifting.

It can be an experience like a cold lemonade blend at times, with a sugar rush, but then the layers of floral, ambroxan, and wood notes hold the hold thing together.

The base notes give Eros EDT some actual substance. That icy raspberry is definitely my favorite part. Definitely a pleasant experience and one that really works well, within this sort of sweet summertime scent context.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Projection wise, it can be strong in the right climate, more so when the humidity is low. To me, it’s not a sillage bomb, but it could easily be over-sprayed. It really doesn’t take that much to be effective. This is true for the first couple of hours with Eros EDT.

While it has a rather strong sillage, I didn’t find the longevity to be all that great. Not that it was poor, but I think I got about 5-6 solid hours out of it, and maybe a little bit longer as a weakened skin scent.

It was kind of strange to start with that kind of power, and then peter out, but it could’ve just been my chemistry with it. ( update: I’ve tried it out again, after this initial review posted, and same results).

The men’s Eros releases have been such beasts when they were brought to market, that I would’ve thought you would’ve gotten the same with Pour Femme. But, nope.

Seasonally, Eros Pour Femme just screams sunny days and warm weather. Late spring into the summertime, is when this feels most at home. It is also a versatile fragrance that can be worn casually, at the office (if lightly sprayed), and even for more formal occasions.

Mostly, it’s a daily wear with a bit more personality than the usual fare, that gets sprayed on.

Is it sexy? As a man, I find it really attractive, not in a seductive way…but I think it’s really ‘pretty’ and would definitely love smelling this on a lady. Because of that, Eros could venture into the nightlife, and garner plenty of complements.

The freshness and sweetness of the fruity notes, really do draw you in, and are a joy to be around. It’s a very upbeat and just generally lovely perfume to smell in the air.

Overall Impressions of Eros Pour Femme

Overall, do I like Eros Pour Femme Eau de Toilette? Yes, I like it a lot. The raspberry and lemon combo is great, like, I cannot get enough of that aroma. The floral notes are great as supporting elements, but never take over the composition as a whole.

I’ve also reviewed Eros EDP, but I like this one a lot more.

It is versatile and gives a good enough performance to make it a decent value. Eros is balanced, has a sunny presentation, and just puts out a positive vibe.

It’s a very nice fragrance. Eros gives you a candy-like scent, without going overboard with a sugary heaviness/stickiness feeling.

This is a really good choice for women, who live in a tropical climate, or just want something seasonally that will smell fantastic.

The longevity could be better, but isn’t terrible, especially for a fruity summer wear. If you’re not into fruity/citrus fragrances with a big dose of sweetness, this one won’t be for you.

Sole di Positano by Tom Ford

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I have come to realize that, I still have so many Tom Ford fragrance reviews to post up on the site, even months after beginning the task. Well, better late than never, I suppose. In this edition, I want to take a closer look at the unisex fragrance, Sole di Positano.

This one was released in 2017. What does it smell like? How does it perform? Is it even worth a purchase? Note: I’ve updated since the original posting.

What does Sole di Positano Smell Like?

Notes include: mandarin, lemon, bergamot, bitter orange, orange blossom, jasmine, neroli, ylang-ylang, moss, lily of the valley, shisho leaf

Click here to try: Tom Ford Sole di Positano Eau de Parfum Spray, 3.4 oz

My Full Review

Sole di Positano opens with a beautiful blend of citrus notes, but mainly consists of the orange ones. It immediately brings to mind Mandarino di Amalfi by Tom Ford, which is near identical to this fragrance, at the start.

However, Mandarino has much more of an herbal spicy profile, than does Sole di Positano which goes with a white floral blend later on.

I think that I prefer this one to Mandarino, as well as some of the Acqua di Parma line and other Tom Ford citrus/floral fragrances, like the Portofinos.

Sole di Positano has such a brilliant zesty aroma at the top, with only a slight herbal/spicy flavor, from the shisho leaf and neroli notes. The whole thing is super fresh and bright, like a summer’s day, and really does capture that Mediterranean coastal vibe.

After the initial citrus wave, the floral notes begin to emerge. For me, they never fully overtake the citrus, but do support those notes (particularly the orange blossom and neroli). What I really like about this blend, is that the dry down doesn’t go completely ‘soapy’ with the smell.

You get the jasmine and ylang-ylang, but that beautiful citrus stays around, even if it becomes greener and more floral.

In its final stages, what I mainly get from Sole di Positano is: the mandarin/bergamot blend, jasmine, neroli, some oak moss (love this added touch), and the other floral notes battling it out. It is a very clean and attractive scent, which sits very well when out and about, in the sunshine.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Projection wise, the sillage isn’t too strong, but it was more than a skin scent for me. It starts in the 4-5 foot range from the wearer and moves progressively in from there. Decent, but by no means a sillage bomb.

The longevity is actually fairly good, for a citrus based scent like this. I’ve gotten 6 hours from it, and maybe, closer to 7 during a few wears. Again, not amazing, but very solid for this style. There are plenty of summer citrus perfumes that are lucky to last half of this.

Sole di Positano is a unisex fragrance and I had no problems wearing it, as a man. Yes, it is a citrus/floral, but doesn’t feel hyper feminine at all. Not to say, everyone would want to wear this, but you could. This Tom Ford is a spring/summer wear, all the way.

It is solid for office wear or casual or perhaps a formal summertime event. It is pleasing and is light enough, to fit in for nearly any occasion. Very middle of the road, with a near universal appeal and application.

Overall Impressions of Sole di Positano

Overall, do I like Sole di Positano? I do. It does have plenty of similarities with other fragrances of this ilk, from both Tom Ford, and other designers. However, the overall composition, performance, and smell is such that I have to give it a high grade.

Is it an amazing must have? Probably not a ‘must have’, but it is a very good perfume across the board. It is worth the high price of admission.

I love the citrus opening, along with the orange blossom. The performance is actually quite good for this sort of summertime wear.

There are so many other examples of this style of scent, that only bring it for 2-3 hours, that Sole di Positano kind of seems like a beast in comparison.

It comes across as a clean citrus, but with those underlying base notes of oak moss and what I take to be, shiso leaves; Sole di Positano does take on a distinct character of its own. Yes, similar to others, but it does its own thing quite well.

This is an easy pickup for almost anyone looking for a great summer fragrance. It’s not one that’s going to cover all of your bases, as a year round perfume, but it’s one that’s an awesome add-on for when the temperatures heat up.

Polo Red Intense EDP by Ralph Lauren

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It’s been a few years, since I initially tried out Polo Red Intense, and never got around to doing a review of it. So, when I saw it online, I grabbed a sample vial to go along with the rest of my latest fragrance order. Intense was released in 2015.

In this post, I am going to finally give this Red flanker, a proper review and provide my full thoughts on its performance. Is it any good? Does it last a long time? Please continue below for the complete breakdown.

What does Polo Red Intense Smell Like?

Notes include: cranberry, grapefruit, coffee, leather, ginger, amber, lavender, lemon, cedar, sage, saffron

Click here to try: Ralph Lauren Polo Red Intense for Men 4.2 Oz Edp Spray By Ralph Lauren, 4.2 Fluid Ounce

My Full Review

Polo Red Intense opens up with a mix of spices and the familiar lemon and cranberry, that was found in the original, Polo Red. You definitely notice the similarities between the two fragrances, only with a heavier dose of: saffron, sage, ginger, and coffee.

It is a blend of citrus sharpness/sweetness and the herbal spices. The original goes really strong with the tart cranberry note, but it is much tamer, here.

As it moves along, I start to pick up more leather and lavender, in the mix. Intense is more of a fresh take on these notes, than the super sweetness, that is found with Polo Red. Intense especially, has less of the citrus notes, after about 15-20 minutes.

The cranberry is still there, but the fragrance, is strong with notes of amber, leather, and the coffee.

During the rest of the dry down, the cologne stays pretty consistent with the smell. You do get periods, in which the herbal notes reappear, where the coffee and fruit notes remind me of Red Extreme, and some other note combinations playing around.

Ultimately, what I get is a amber soaked cranberry note with warm coffee beans, and a smooth leather/lavender pairing. Everything else plays a bit part. It does have a really intense sweetness, at times, which can be hit or miss. However, it is generally pleasing.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Projection wise, the sillage of Intense is pretty strong at first, but mellows out into something that is more of a moderate. People close by, will notice, but it doesn’t fill a room, in my experience. That initial burst, will bring some power, but never completely hits beast mode.

The longevity is better than the original Polo Red, but isn’t insane. It seems to go somewhere in the 7-9 hour range, depending on the day, and climate. Not bad, but not a superstar, just a very solid wear.

In cooler weather, the performance holds up much better, and will go towards the 9 hour range more often.

Seasonally, I like Red Intense for all climates, except for the hottest days. When it gets too warm, it has a tendency to get a bit messy. Cold to warm weather. It is a very versatile fragrance, that tends to skew towards a younger man, wearing it.

This is one that can go casual or into the nightlife. It smells really good and has a certain sexiness to it. Women have responded well, when I’ve worn it around. That sweet and warm freshness, will have a lot of fans, and enjoy some wide popularity.

Red Intense isn’t one to spray on, for the office. It feels out of place, in a more formal setting. As such, I wouldn’t expect to use it as a daily wear, unless you’re a teenager or college-age.

Overall Impressions of Red Intense

Overall, do I like Polo Red Intense? I do. In my mind, it is better than the original, which I also enjoy. The longevity problems, that the initial release had, are made better. Plus, the warmer and spicier composition, is a joy to smell.

It’s not a fragrance that I want to wear, all of the time. The sweet and spicy blend, can become a bit too much, at times. But, generally, Red Intense is something that I can like wearing.

Update: Trying this again, after a few years, I’m not as high on it. The mix of notes does get on my nerves after a while. Still a nice cologne, but Polo Red Intense, isn’t one that I’d want a full bottle of personally.

(newer update: From what I can tell, Red Intense is now discontinued.)

I definitely do still like Polo Red Extreme more, but that is heavy with orange and coffee notes, which won’t be for everyone. Red Intense feels like it is more of the crowd pleaser and one that a lot of guys would gravitate to.

Bora Bora for Men by Liz Claiborne

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In continuation of my recent posts of cologne reviews, I’d like to take a closer look at an inexpensive fragrance by Liz Claiborne, Bora Bora. The men’s fragrance was released back in 2002.

How does this exotic scent stack up against other options within this price range? How’s the longevity? Is it worth a deeper look?

Read below to find out my full thoughts on this cologne. I am updating this post, a few years after the original publishing to revise and add more depth.

What does Bora Bora by Liz Claiborne Smell Like?

bora bora

Notes include: lemon, musk, woods, kiwi, leather, bergamot

Click here to try: Bora Bora Liz Claiborne Cologne for Men 3.4 Oz New in Box

My Full Wear Review

So, the first thing that I notice when smelling Bora Bora , is that it is a very tropical smell. The kiwi note is quite prevalent, along with the lemon note right off the bat. It doesn’t have the same kind of bright lemon note something like Aventus would have, rather, it is a tart and sort of sour note.

The kiwi is the main force behind the cologne, with the two citrus notes, playing more of a support role overall. The sweetness is there, but this doesn’t have a candy-like or even a really juicy aroma.

Kiwi is a very underutilized note, but it works rather well in Bora Bora. It captures that South Pacific island vibe. I can’t think of any other men’s fragrances off of the top of my head that use kiwi.

It is accompanied by musk and a faint hint of leather, which ties it all together. As it dries down, it feels like it becomes more of a woodsy sort of scent with some floral aspects.

However, at the top it is a very clean and light fruity affair. Not super sweet, mind you, but a nice kiwi with citrus scent.

During the late stages of the first hour or so of wear, it does begin to shift more away from the kiwi. The leather isn’t rich, but it is more noticeable than it had been earlier. Lavender seems to take on a role of dampening the other ingredients somewhat.

Hibiscus and woody notes, emerge more, and work sort of as a blend with the now weakened kiwi ingredient. The hibiscus, never really takes over as the dominant floral note when placed against lavender.

That’s kind of disappointing, because it is an interesting note. From there, it is pretty linear, and has fully developed into what it will be for the rest of the wear.

So, Bora Bora is a kiwi and lemon opening, that dries down into a clean leather and light woods scent. Fresh with a bit of a soapy smell.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

The projection and longevity of Bora Bora is pretty light to moderate in both categories. You’ll definitely notice it at first, but it kind of fades after an hour or two, into a more personal scent. At its peaks, probably a 3-5 foot radius of scent, off of the skin.

It’ll still be around at the 5-6 hour mark but I haven’t been able to get much longer than that. Honestly, for the price that this fragrance sells at, the performance is pretty darn good. Most other fragrances will quit a few hours in, this one is actually serviceable.

Also, this is probably best worn in the late spring to summer, with it’s more exotic notes. It feels out of place here in the winter time.

As a casual warm weather fragrance it works just fine. In a warmer climate, this would be a good cheapie, to hold up against the humidity.

Bora Bora could venture into the workplace, but it doesn’t have much refinement or formality. I’d mostly stick to this for just wearing around during the lazy summer days. It has a fairly attractive scent, but nothing that I would call ‘sexy’, and isn’t a nightlife powerhouse.

Very much a standard daytime wear, but nothing close to a signature scent.

Overall Impressions of Bora Bora

Overall, would I recommend this? I’m not that into it. It doesn’t really smell bad or anything…but it doesn’t feel like something I’d like to wear on a regular basis. It is a unique scent and very inexpensive, but Bora Bora seems pretty linear and boring, in its presentation.

This isn’t at the top of my list, as the best Liz Claiborne fragrance, but it definitely isn’t terrible either. It does work pretty well for something, at this price point, and gives you a different experience from a lot else out there.

Some guys might really like wearing this but it was just rather plain to me. That being said, the kiwi and leather notes are an interesting combination, and I do like its overall simple cleanliness. It ends up feeling like a missed opportunity at a lower price point.

It’s not going to blow anyone away, but Bora Bora is a good cologne for cheap.