acqua di gio

Light Blue Eau Intense vs. Acqua di Gio Comparison

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Today’s fragrance comparison is going to be a battle between two popular summertime aquatic colognes: Light Blue Eau Intense vs. Acqua di Gio. Which of these scents is the better performer? The still highly popular 90s cologne or the Intense flanker to Light Blue? I will break down both by different metrics, before ultimately crowning a winner overall.

Tale of the Tape: Eau Intense vs. AdG

Acqua di Gio

Notes include: bergamot, tangerine, neroli, jasmine, rosemary, patchouli, rock rose, hyacinth, persimmon, marine notes

Click here to try: Acqua Di Gio By Giorgio Armani For Men. Eau De Toilette Spray 3.4 Ounces

Read my review: Acqua di Gio 

Light Blue Eau Intense

Notes include: mandarin, frozen grapefruit, juniper, aquatic accord, amber woods, musk

Click here to try: Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue Intense Eau de Parfum Spray for Men, 1.6 Ounce

My review: Light Blue Eau Intense

Opening

Acqua di Gio starts off with a now famous citrus aroma of bergamot and tangerine, which is then paired with an aquatic accord, which has an oceanic quality to it.

Underneath that, there are floral notes, which consist mostly of jasmine and some neroli. It is a fresh and quite pleasant.

It’s a sea breeze of the usual citrus fruit and persimmon with the jasmine note, which sits amazingly well in that initial juicy blend

I’ve come back to AdG over the past year, while testing out the Profondo’s from Armani, and it still is absolutely pleasant. Those opening minutes take me back and are still great after however many years.

It can be difficult to find something special about it after all these years and so many wears, but AdG’s mix of citrus and jasmine with the light sea breeze manages to do it.

Light Blue Eau Intense also starts off with citrus notes, instead opting for mandarin orange and frozen grapefruit. It actually does have a great cold feeling to it, that is refreshing to wear. The aquatic note is less of a salt marine type, but is joined by a nice juniper note.

Which is better? While I quite enjoy AdG and the way that it starts off, I think that Intense, is a bit better. The cold crispness of the fruit and the smooth aquatic note is really great.

Edge: Eau Intense

Projection

Both of these fragrances are pretty moderate in their sillage. Eau Intense will leave more of a trail. They can be pretty strong for the first few hours, then, sit closer to the skin but aren’t ever weak.

I’d say that Eau Intense probably hits a higher point for a period of time, but after that they are pretty equal.

Intense can definitely feel heavier up top, than Acqua di Gio ever does. Maybe the projection hits a few feet more, but Eau Intense has never been a beast-mode fragrance for me.

Edge: Intense (slightly)

Longevity

AdG gets me 6-7 hours of wear, on my skin. It’s a solid performer, in that regard. However, Intense will go for 9 hours for me, easily.

Acqua di Gio used to be a bit better than it is now, but newer bottles don’t have the same intensity, as they did upon initial release.

Update: Testing newer samples of AdG that I received with other purchases, it seems to be in the 5-7 hour range, depending on the day. Definitely, taken a step back from the original, but not terrible.

Edge: Intense

Versatility

Both of these fragrances are pretty much equal with when and where, they can be worn. They are great for the warmer months of the year, but can actually be worn any time, without issue. Neither is a more formal cologne, but for any other purpose, they’re great.

Update: Ehhh, I think I’ll give the edge to Acqua di Gio here. It probably is better for daily wear at school or an office. Coming back to Eau Intense, it is much more of a summertime fragrance.

Edge: AdG

Overall Scent

Acqua di Gio has been a great scent for men for over two decades, at this point. It is a fresh citrus aquatic with a masculine spice and smooth floral undertones. The performance is solid, it is highly popular, and smells fantastic.

However, Light Blue Eau Intense is the better of the two. Its take on the aquatic fragrance, is awesome. The frozen grapefruit and crisp aquatic accord are wonderful to smell.

Then, the juniper berry floating around the composition, and a solid amber wood base which keeps it all together.

The performance is better than AdG’s and the fragrance is just more interesting. If the longevity of the Armani was still high level, it would be a very close consideration for me.

The D&G cologne, wins this round. I know that there are some folks who don’t like Eau Intense, so, AdG might win on mass appeal.

I would say, that in that case, you might do well with AdG Profumo or Profondo…which are both better than the original Acqua di Gio.

I think that the AdG series has better options overall in comparison than does the Dolce line of colognes. But, in this case, Light Blue Eau Intense takes it.

Winner: Eau Intense

Acqua di Gio Profondo Parfum by Armani

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Profondo Parfum was the Acqua di Gio flanker release for 2024. It is the third entry into the Profondo series, but how does it actually stack up?

I bought a sample of it and the original AdG Profondo EDP to see if there were major differences to take note of. How does this one smell? Does it last long? Is it worth a try?

AdG Profondo Parfum Overview

Notes include: lemon essence, bergamot, marine notes, mimosa (everlasting essence), patchouli, cistus, mineral accord, ambergris

Click here to try: Profondo Parfum

My Full Review

The opening of Acqua di Gio Profondo Parfum is in many ways like the original EDP. The distinctions between these two fragrances become a lot more noticeable during the dry down.

But, early on it’s a familiar scent.

Profondo Parfum is a bit sweeter in the opening and less tart. It uses more of the mandarin orange note, without the bergamot playing as large of a role.

So, it’s closer to Acqua di Gio EDP, in that regard. That one had that really powerful mandarin orange in it.

Armani lists the bergamot and a lemon essence, but it still comes across basically like mandarin. The two fragrances are quite a lot alike.

The resinous aroma that I get with EDP isn’t here early on and I do get more of the marine influence. Sort of salty, less woody, but overall a lot of the same things going on here.

The dry down is where some more differences become apparent. This is the stage where you might have a preference for one versus the other.

Profondo Parfum has more of an amber finish with a mineral accord coming through, as well. I don’t find it to be overwhelming, but it is a change of pace from the wood in the EDP.

It has a denser aroma, it’s a darker and somewhat oceanic feeling, as some of the citrus influence has burned off. The amber becomes quite noticeable and is all tied together with patchouli and metallic hints.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Profondo Parfum starts off strong within that first 30-60 minute window. Not massive mind you, but it will certainly project well and make itself known.

After that, it will moderate and still have a nice ability to leave a scent trail. However, I didn’t notice a real difference in how powerful this one is versus what I get with EDP. To me, it performs the same in this regard.

Now, the longevity is slightly better with Parfum. I get around 9 hours more or less from this cologne. So, an extra 60-90 minutes of wear versus the original AdG Profondo.

Seasonally, it’s spring and summer just like the majority of the Acqua di Gio lineup. There’s no real change in that regard.

If you’ve had one of these colognes, you know that they’re versatile daily wears. Not super formal, but are going to fit in easily, be well liked, and non-offensive. It can be worn by any age group, etc.

It’s another mass appealing blue-ish and amber fragrance. A well done example of it, but there’s nothing all that new going on here.

Overall Impressions of Profondo Parfum

Overall, do I like Profondo Parfum? Yes, but I don’t really see a point to having it.

The changes between this and the eau de parfum are there, but I don’t think the higher price tag is justified. It’s sweeter, less woody, and has more of an oceanic influence to my nose. Later it’s amber, with metallic and greenish hints.

However, the performance isn’t much better than what you get with the original. As such, I’m just sort of like, why bother? There is enough distinction to tell the difference, but not enough to really give this one a go, unless I can snag it for cheaper.

It’s certainly better than Profondo Lights, which is probably my least favorite Acqua di Gio or close to it.

Is it better than Profondo EDP? Probably not. I still prefer that formulation to this, but this also isn’t too bad. A bit lower rating for sure, but I don’t particularly have a need for this fragrance.

There’s plenty to enjoy here if you already like Profondo. If it ends up getting deeply discounted, you can probably grab a bottle and perhaps get a bit more longevity than the original.

D&G Light Blue vs Acqua di Gio Comparison

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For this edition of the head to head fragrance comparisons, I want to take a closer look at two very popular citrus based colognes, that have been best sellers for over a decade each: Light Blue Pour Homme vs. Acqua di Gio. Which smells better the Dolce & Gabbana or the Armani? Which has the better performance? Which is the better buy overall?

Tale of the Tape

Light Blue

Notes include: bergamot, grapefruit, mandarin orange, pepper, oak moss, juniper, musk, rosemary, rosewood, incense

Click here to try: Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue Eau de Toilette Spray for Men, 6.7 Ounce

My review: Light Blue

Acqua di Gio

Notes include: bergamot, tangerine, neroli, jasmine, rosemary, patchouli, rock rose, hyacinth, persimmon, marine notes

Click here to try: Acqua Di Gio By Giorgio Armani For Men. Eau De Toilette Spray 3.4 Ounces

Read my review: Acqua di Gio 

Opening

Light Blue starts off with citrus fruits of bergamot, grapefruit, and mandarin orange. It immediately has a bright disposition and is joined by a spicy pepper note and rosemary.

A little beyond the initial spray, incense and rosewood emerge from the base, and a smoky wood quality.

AdG also starts off with a citrus blast of bergamot and tangerine. It has much more of an aquatic sea breeze element than does Light Blue. Plus, smooth floral notes, consisting mostly of the jasmine.

The jasmine really does help to separate these two, in my mind. The way that it plays off of that citrus mix in the beginning, has always been great.

Yes, many don’t think of floral notes within men’s fragrances, but it sets AdG apart from its competitor.

Which do I prefer? I think that Acqua di Gio has the more pleasant opening, it has the marine note, and lacks the peppery aroma that the D&G features.

The citrus notes are better, juicier, and the jasmine note ties it all together in a way nothing does in Light Blue.

It’s not a overwhelming choice, but I do prefer it.

Edge: Acqua di Gio

Projection

I consider both of these colognes to be moderate in terms of sillage. Neither is an absolute beast, nor are they weak. I actually don’t notice a difference between them.

At one time, that might have been different, but nowadays they are about the same.

Both have absolutely lost a step over the years.

You will spray them on and notice the scent of each. If sprayed enough, both will create a nice scent trail, but each will ultimately become a much more intimate fragrance.

Edge: Push

Longevity

With Light Blue, I get anywhere from 6-8 hours of solid wear, on my skin. It is slightly better than AdG, which I get 6-7 hours out of.

So, that extra hour, I can sometimes get with Light Blue gets the nod here.

Update: the 2021 batch of Acqua that I tried out usually only hits 6 hours. Seven, is more of an occasional outcome.

Update 2: 2024 batches are the same for each of these colognes. Light Blue still provides the same.

Neither is extreme. Acqua di Gio used to be better, but it doesn’t have the same power or longevity as the original bottles. Light Blue could probably pull a few more hours back in the day too, but it’s held up a tad bit better.

Edge: Light Blue

Versatility

Both of these scents sort of occupy the same space. Spring/summer wears mainly, but have the ability to go year round. Also, can go casual or office wear.

Neither are club scents, but AdG does seem to have a bit more ‘sexiness’ to it than Light Blue, and I’ve gotten more complements with that scent.

In both cases, these are highly versatile colognes, and will often be the only fragrance a guy will wear.

For younger guys and through mid-20s, either of these can be a great starter cologne, to use in most situations you’ll come across in your day to day life.

There’s very little separation in this category too, as each of them are basically ‘do it all’ sorts of perfumes.

Edge: AdG (slightly)

Overall Scent

Light Blue is a very good cologne. It’s very fresh and a nice starter scent for guys. It’s pretty straightforward, safe, and simple. Not too much development with the cologne, just a nice spicy and clean citrus fragrance.

There is some wood and herbal elements in the base, but it doesn’t reach the level of AdG, in terms of my personal enjoyment.

The winner in this head to head, is Acqua di Gio. It takes the citrus, adds wood, and has that great aquatic aroma that it has become famous for. Very pleasing to wear, balanced, and has awesome versatility.

The performance is solid, not amazing, but it is more than enough for most purposes. While I like AdG better, there are cheaper options that replicate the smell.

I will say, that I would actually either go with Light Blue Eau Intense or AdG Profumo, ahead of either of these two. Check out those reviews for further info. If I absolutely had to choose between the two in this post, I’d go with the Armani scent.

It’s not an overwhelming win, but I have come back to wearing AdG more often over the years.

Winner: Acqua di Gio

Acqua di Gio Profondo EDP vs. Parfum

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Profondo was a hit release for Armani’s long-running Acqua di Gio line. The followed that up with the short-lived Profondo Lights, but now have brought to market Profondo Parfum.

I recently bought a sample of Parfum, along with another sample of the original EDP, in order to test them each and compare them side by side. On this page, I will relay my findings and update them, as needed over time.

Tale of the Tape: AdG Profondo vs. Profondo Parfum

Acqua di Gio Profondo

Notes include: mandarin, bergamot, lavender, marine notes, rosemary, cypress, lentisk, patchouli, musk

Click here to try: GIORGIO ARMANI Acqua Di Gio Profondo for Men Eau De Parfum Spray 4.2 Ounces, blue

Read my Review: AdG Profondo

Profondo Parfum

Notes include: lemon essence, bergamot, marine notes, mimosa (everlasting essence), patchouli, cistus

Click here to try: Profondo Parfum

Opening

Acqua di Gio Profondo begins with its citrus notes out in front, bergamot and mandarin orange. The bergamot is the more dominant of the two ingredients.

Underneath that, you get the usual Acqua di Gio marine notes and rosemary spice. The difference here is the woodiness and the resinous quality that comes with the mastic.

Nonetheless, it’s all more of an aquatic impression versus being a pure oceanic scent.

Profondo Parfum is a bit sweeter in the opening and less tart. It uses more of the mandarin orange note, without the bergamot playing as large of a role.

Armani lists the bergamot and a lemon essence, but it still comes across basically like mandarin. The two fragrances are quite a lot alike.

The resinous aroma that I get with EDP isn’t here and I do get more of the marine influence. Sort of salty, less woody, but overall a lot of the same things going on here.

Which is better? Honestly, I don’t have much of a preference between these two fragrances in the opening act. The similarities don’t really permit too much distinction here.

Edge: Push

Projection

Both of these fragrances start off strong with a normal amount of sprays. After that, they will both moderate how well they leave a scent trail and project off of the skin.

Is Profondo Parfum stronger? If it is, it’s not too noticeable. I really cannot tell the difference while wearing either or spraying each on a shirt and seeing how far away that I can detect each.

This one seems even to my nose.

Edge: Push

Longevity

With the original Profondo, I’ve always gotten 7-8 hours of wear with it, on my skin. That’s held true with this latest sample.

Profondo Parfum is close to the same. It seems like it can hit about 9 hours, but there isn’t too big of a difference here either.

Edge: Parfum (slightly)

Versatility

No real difference here either. These are both built for the spring and summer months. Not too formal with either of them. Great as daily wears or something more casual for the warmer seasons.

As to be expected with a flanker of an Acqua di Gio flanker.

Edge: Push

Overall Scent

So, between these two Profondo colognes, which is better?

I’ve always liked the original EDP, didn’t care for Lights, and I do like the new Parfum.

The early stages are very similar. The latter stages there is more separation. The woodiness and herbal aromas of the original come out more.

Parfum is close to it, just sweeter and less of that woodiness. Still, they’re very close to one another. In their differences, I still like the original more.

All in all, I don’t see much of a proposition for Parfum versus EDP. I like Parfum, but the changes are pretty subtle. Less wood, some more amber, sweetness, some added aquatic infusion (not much more).

For that, a higher price tag. Performance gains? Negligible, if any.

Profondo Parfum is a good scent. I do like the somewhat mellowed vibes and the less woody presentation. And I do, like its amped up oceanic depth. Just not enough for it to make a difference in my choice.

At the same price? Sure, I might take a bottle of Parfum. Right now, the original works fine.

Winner: Profondo EDP

Acqua di Gio Absolu by Giorgio Armani

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In today’s review, I have another release from Giorgio Armani, and one that is a flanker fragrance to the best-seller Acqua di Gio called: Acqua di Gio Absolu. It was released back in 2018 and has flown under the radar, compared to some of the others in the series.

I am going to explore, what it smells like, how it performs, when it should be worn, and if it is actually worth a try. Please continue below for my full take on Absolu.

What does Acqua di Gio Absolu Smell Like?

Notes include: patchouli, marine notes, labdanum, tonka bean, wood, bergamot, grapefruit, lavender, rosemary, apple, pear

Click here to try: Acqua di Giò Absolu Eau de Parfum Spray 4.2 fl oz Men

My Full Wear Review

Upon the opening smell, Absolu immediately smells familiar to me, and has quite a bit of overlap with Invictus Aqua. Namely, the share the woody notes, marine aspects, and grapefruit.

It’s mostly at the beginning that they smell alike and this Armani fragrance is much better in my opinion. Aqua can have this stinky dry down of the sea notes, but the Armani doesn’t.

Anyway, AdG Absolu, opens with the citrus notes, some pear/apple, wood, sea water, and tonka bean. It’s a very fresh aquatic, but is grounded with the woody notes, and doesn’t get too far into just being a citrus water fragrance; like so many others.

A few minutes in, Absolu begins to take on a resinous smell, thanks to the labdanum. There is also a hint of patchouli which brings in some earthy spice into the mix. The patchouli isn’t super heavy or anything, but it does play its part within the composition beautifully.

This is older than AdG Profondo as a release, but that resin, woods, and marine aroma have significant overlap between the two. Profondo is just a better scent overall.

Absolu really has that ambery sort of smell throughout, I know the labdanum is playing a big part of that, but I wonder if one of the wood notes is amber wood? I haven’t seen it listed, but I do think so. It is a harsher aroma versus the more naturalistic amber notes out there.

Another interesting aspect of this cologne is the herbal undertones that peak through during the wear. It doesn’t seem to be consistently there, but I catch distinct rosemary, at times and it plays off really nice in this aquatic fragrance.

Ultimately, what I get with AdG Absolu is a citrusy marine cologne with a woody base that is covered in amber resin. Then tonka bean and light spices peppered in.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Projection wise, the sillage starts out fairly powerful, but settles down into something that is more moderate but steady. You won’t need more than a few sprays for this stuff to do its magic. For an (semi) aquatic kind of cologne, it does have great power versus many others of this ilk.

Longevity is also quite good, but not amazing. 8 or so hours is what I get out of it on my skin, it can go a bit longer, depending on the climate that day. Update: Testing it out further, it can go up to 9, but that’s rare. Expect 7-8.

The versatility for Absolu is perhaps its biggest selling point. While it seems like it’d be one strictly for the summertime, it can actually fit in during any time of the year. So, guys who are looking for an all purpose scent, should give this one consideration.

It is also versatile in terms of when it can be worn. It can go casual or for something to wear at the office or out for an evening on the town.

It’s not really a mature scent, but not one that would only appeal to teenagers or college guys. I’m not sure that I’d wear this one on a formal occasion, but it would fit for everything else, no problem. Skews younger, but a cologne that can get a lot of use for that demographic.

Overall Impressions of AdG Absolu

Overall, do I like Acqua di Gio Absolu? Yes, I do. I get the similarities with something like Invictus Aqua, but it’s so much better than that, and doesn’t have the same level of synthetic smelling ingredients. I

t’s a very nice all-around cologne and one that should enjoy more popularity than it does.

It’s closest comparisons are that Invictus, Profondo, the original AdG, and I guess Absolu Instinct (but I haven’t tried that out).

Is it my favorite scent? Nope, but it is one that I could see myself wearing sometimes, even if it’s not really my style of cologne. Armani did a great job with this one and men in their 20s will probably really like wearing Absolu.

However, I’d would rather wear almost any other of the Acqua di Gio line (outside of Profondo Lights). Profumo, EDT, and Profondo are all better. As such, I don’t have a need to grab a full bottle.

I’d recommend any of those before this. Unless you really love this style of cologne, get something else. But, if you have one of those already and want something a little more unique, Absolu can be a very nice pick up.