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Prada Paradoxe vs. Intense Comparison

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Prada released Paradoxe in 2022 and it has already become one of the more popular fragrances out there. Obviously, they were going to follow it up with subsequent flanker releases. The first being, 2023’s Paradoxe Intense. I suspect more will be following. However, until then, I want to do a comparison post between these first two. Which smells better? Lasts longer? Is the right one to buy?

Tale of the Tape: Paradoxe vs. Paradoxe Intense

Paradoxe

Notes include: neroli, pear, tangerine, bergamot, orange blossom, white musk, jasmine, vanilla, amber, benzoin

Click here to try: Paradoxe by Prada

My review: Paradoxe EDP

Paradoxe Intense

Notes include: pear, neroli, bergamot,  jasmine, moss, ambrofix, vanilla

Click here to try: Paradoxe Intense by Prada

Opening

Paradoxe opens up sweet, fruity, and bright. The neroli is going to be a major factor in that first 20-30 minutes, as the floral note.

But, on me, that quickly shifts more into the orange blossom’s direction, as we enter the middle act.

The fruitiness comes across more like a candy flavoring versus a pure natural fruit. Some sparkling pear is in the mix, but lots of citrus influence (tangerine is the strongest fruit, early) for the opening of the original Paradoxe.

This will become more floral after the opening burst. Again, for me I get more orange blossom, even versus the jasmine. Neroli still has a presence, but the orange blossom is stronger at this point.

With Intense, you get a bit of a different start. It is still sweet, but it lacks the tangerine and orange blossom aspect. More neroli, with a balance between the pear and bergamot.

The other very noticeable differences are the jasmine and the moss note. The fruitiness is toned down, but between that and the moss, I do enjoy this initial fresh quality versus the candy fruitiness of the first Paradoxe.

It’s clean and you have hints of the substantial amber accord already popping up.

Which is better? It’s a close call. While I enjoy the orange blossom and the sweetness of the original, I have tended to favor the opening of Intense during testing.

It’s simpler and I enjoy the light fruit notes with the neroli, jasmine, and moss. All together, that smells quite nice.

Edge: Intense

Projection

I don’t find either of these fragrances to be particularly massive with how they project, hang in the air, etc. I’d say that each is well above average in the first hours.

Then, they’ll be more moderate. Noticeable to you, just not screaming for attention from anyone who’s not very close.

Between them, Intense does have a bit more power behind it. Not much more, but it is noticeably stronger, when I spray it on a shirt sitting across the room from me.

Edge: Intense

Longevity

The performance of each of these perfumes is great. Paradoxe seems to have a wide range of outcomes, in terms of hours that it lasts on skin.

For me it’s like 8.5-10 hours of wear before it completely goes away. The last 3-4 hours are just a slight musk, floral, and some amber. But, it is still there.

With Intense, it can go 11 hours and maybe a little past that. But, it hit double digit hours, each time that I used it. So, maybe an extra hour or two on the skin. That moss really hangs around.

Edge: Intense

Versatility

Not much difference here. They cover similar use cases, which is fairly vast, as both are solid daily wear options for a lot of people.

Seasonally, Intense is better in the winter. Paradoxe is better in the summer. However, neither are built specifically for those seasons. Slightly cool temperatures to slightly warm, is the sweet spot for each.

Edge: Push

Overall Scent

So, overall which Paradoxe fragrance do I prefer between these first two entries of the series?

To start, I don’t think either is amazing. But, I find them both enjoyable and above average across the board.

While I do slightly prefer the opening of Paradoxe Intense, I’m going to have to go with the original, based on the whole experience.

The Intense opening isn’t a massive difference, but I think that Paradoxe smells better in the middle and dry down periods, than its flanker.

Intense goes mossy, jasmine, amber, with some vanilla to finish things off. Clean, kind of soapy, with that moss and amber really coming through. Actually, its the ambrofix, a lot have brands have been using which adds a further woody aroma to the scent.

Paradoxe Intense sort of reminds me of a Cartier release, during the back half of the wear. Like, one of the La Panthere perfumes (not as good), can’t remember which specifically though.

Meanwhile, Paradoxe dries down with more of a balance than that very sweet opening. It’s soapy, but goes with orange blossom, as its floral centerpiece. Though, more of that jasmine will come into play.

It’s fresh with it’s light musk note, still has some sweetness, less of the amber and vanilla (still present, though). I just like the orange blossom more than the jasmine note. And fruity sweetness to the moss.

There isn’t a large gap between them. If you don’t like sweet, you might consider going with Intense and it’s stronger performance. But, how everything plays out, I like the original.

Winner: Paradoxe

Luna Rossa Ocean EDP by Prada

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The Luna Rossa series from Prada continues with the recent additions of the Ocean flankers of this line. For 2023, the brand released Ocean Eau de Parfum, a follow-up to the fairly popular EDT entry. I recently purchased a travel sprayer size of this fragrance to test out. How does it smell? Does it last long? Is it better than the original?

What does Luna Rossa Ocean Eau de Parfum Smell Like?

Notes include: grapefruit, wood, incense, vanilla bean accord, amber extreme

Click here to try: Ocean EDP

My Full Review

Here’s how Prada describes it: Luna Rossa Ocean Eau de Parfum combines intense sophistication and sensuality through pioneering technology and nature’s finest ingredients. Opening with an invigorating burst of grapefruit essence, contrasted with the woody vibrancy of incense and a rich Vanilla Bean accord.

The opening of Ocean EDP gave me high hopes that this version would take the highs of the original and flesh things out more. It opens up somewhat like that initial release.

However, we get a grapefruit note to start things off, as our citrus ingredient. Not the same as the original, still, there is a closely related blue-ish sort of aroma here.

Not as sweet, lacking the caramel and suede influence, but I like the way it kicks things off. Still smooth and a bit powdery. Tonka bean and iris aren’t listed as notes officially, but there’s enough of that Ocean EDT influence to make me believe those notes are present.

But, that opening is short-lived, after a few minutes it really shifts into a slightly smoky vanilla and amber fragrance.

Initially, this will be a sweet, smoky, and spicy blend with some woody freshness. The spice will fall first, then the smoke, and you’re left with what this one is really all about.

That being, an amber and vanilla blend with woods and a general sweetness about it. Warm and it gets smoother as you go deeper into the dry down.

There does seem to be a phase where Luna Rossa Ocean EDP is sort of screechy with its sweet/amber mix, but seems to resolve itself.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

The ability to project and leave a scent trail, in your wake, is pretty much the same as with the original EDT. Now, that first initial 20-30 minutes might be a tad stronger, and the first hour might be a bit more steady. Outside of that, not much of a difference.

Though, EDP does have a slightly heavier feeling due to the amber extreme and vanilla notes, versus the iris dry down of the EDT.

The longevity here is also about the same. On my skin, it sticks around for 5-6 hours of total wear. Like its predecessor, Ocean Eau de Parfum isn’t a great performer. It’s about average and nothing more.

I tried again and again, in different conditions with this one, and still only hit around that six hour mark.

This one is still very versatile with its use cases. I’d say, it’s not as good as the original in warmer weather. I like this more in the chilly temperatures or something more temperate.

It’s good for daily wear, casual situations, or going out at night. Ocean EDP doesn’t strike me as being all that formal, but it’s fine pretty much anywhere else.

Overall Impressions of Ocean EDP

Overall, do I like Luna Rossa Ocean Eau de Parfum? I do to some extent. I’m not enthralled by it, it smells fine, and I don’t want a full bottle.

The Ocean lineup thus far is annoying with its performance woes. Plus, I’m tired of getting lured in by that opening act, just to be unimpressed by the rest of it.

Seriously, every time that I’ve worn this or the EDT, I enjoy how they start and think I may want to wear it more often. Then, the back half comes in and it’s completely middling.

I also think the ‘oceanic’ theme could have been done differently with these to make the name fit. Though, the EDT’s blue-ish opening is better suited to that name.

The amber and vanilla thing has been done a million times before…and much better. Coach Platinum, Invictus Victory, probably some of the Armani Code’s are all sort of like Ocean EDP’s dry down. Luna Rossa Black has a similar style, but way better.

It’s fine, a nice enough fragrance, that is overpriced at retail level. With a substantial discount, I wouldn’t be opposed. But, I do think this is one of the weaker Luna Rossa scents, that Prada has put out.

L’Homme L’Eau by Prada

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In today’s fragrance review, we have a flanker fragrance from Prada’s L’Homme line of scents: 2017’s, L’Homme L’eau. The question begs, how does this one stack up? What are the notes? What does it smell like? Does L’eau perform well? Pease continue below, for my full take, after wearing this one around.

What does Prada L’homme L’eau Smell Like?

Notes include: iris, amber, cedar, sandalwood, neroli, ginger

Click here to try: Prada L’homme Prada L’eau for Men Eau De Toilette Spray, 3.4 Ounce

prada l'eau review

My Full Review of L’Homme L’eau

The opening of L’Homme L’eau is really quite fresh and features iris, neroli, and the wood notes also peak through at the start. To my nose, it doesn’t have as much iris as the original L’Homme, but it is fairly strong towards the beginning of the wear and is present throughout.

I get more wood in this one than its predecessor, with less amber, and some added ginger. I will say, on clothing, the ginger really pops and L’eau has a spicier kick than on my skin.

The is a cleaner and more refreshing take on the original cologne, the powdery accord is heightened, and it’s not as light of a fragrance as one might expect.

L’eau is an airy sort of scent but isn’t insubstantial and actually hangs around with its other L’Homme mates, quite well for the first 3-4 hours of wear. The amber in this flanker is light and doesn’t create a warm cloud of scent, like in others.

As it dries down, more I can pick up some of that light ginger spice, but I still get that baby powder/make up powder smell, that it has a few minutes in. L’eau is definitely a floral led scent, with the neroli and iris, becoming more balanced within the composition as it moves forward.

It’s a very straightforward cologne and you know what you’re going to get from this one in short order.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Projection wise, as I said, the sillage isn’t bad but its not particularly strong. L’eau is a fragrance that you can spray plenty of and not really worry about choking out a room. It does eventually work its way into a skin scent.

It floats around with a refreshing quality that is better than its predecessors in warmer weather.

The longevity for me was somewhere around six hours. Again, not great, but serviceable. Although, I expect a bit more a Prada prices. That’s probably my main gripe with this cologne. I wish it lasted longer. I understand that it’s not a heavier fragrance, but six hours isn’t great.

L’Homme L’eau is sort of a year round scent for me. It doesn’t feel out of place nor does it get ugly in any particular season. Again, I do like it when it’s warm out, and I’ve been wearing this in the early days or summer to great effect.

It’s a very pleasant fragrance, that is great for office wear or more formal occasions, and could easily become a simple go to on the daily. If you want a light and fresh fragrance to wear to work, Prada L’eau really fits the bill.

Is it sexy? Eh, it’s clean, and inoffensive but not really ‘sexy’. This isn’t one to really reach for when heading to the club. But, it is attractive enough that one will receive complements and inquiries as to what it is you’re wearing. 

 

 

Overall Impressions of L’Homme L’Eau

Overall, do I like Prada L’Homme L’eau? I do. It actually smells very nice, if you’re into powdery scents. It’s yet another Prada, with iris and amber, so you might already know what to expect from it.

The performance is okay, but not anything amazing, and it is pretty linear also. It would be a really good office scent. As a daily wear, I’d also be into wearing it for much of the year.

Is it worth the price? Probably not for me, but if you really want a slightly different take on the Prada L’Homme line, it might be for you. For the price and performance, I like it, but probably not going to be worth it.

Update: I’ve come back to this one in 2023. I had a store credit at Macy’s, so I bought a full bottle with that. I like it a bit more now. Still, not my favorite, but I did want another clean and simple wear for the warm weather. This fits a similar role as YSL L’Homme does in my collection, but more refined and with better performance.

The performance hasn’t changed and everything is as I remember it during the first incarnation of this review, from years back. 

I don’t think this is one I’ll wear everyday. Though, I have really enjoyed it in the past week or so. Great versatility and stays low key.

Luna Rossa Ocean by Prada

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Prada is continuing its releases under the Luna Rossa line and its latest addition is called Ocean. This is one that I wanted to try out for a while and so I finally got a hold of a sample, to put it through some testing. How does it smell? Does it last long? Is it actually worth a buy?

What does Luna Rossa Ocean Smell Like?

Notes include: bergamot, iris, pink pepper, artemisia, lavender, sage, suede, saffron, musk, vetiver, caramel, patchouli

Click here to try:  Luna Rossa Ocean at Macy’s

My Full Review

Before we get into my review, let’s see how Prada describes Ocean: Prada Luna Rossa Ocean has a unique neo-fresh olfactory signature that reinvents the emblematic fougère family. Sublimating notes of aromatic freshness mixed with the sophisticated sensuality of bergamot, a contrast is created with the sophisticated essence of vetiver. Everything intertwines in the heart notes with an elegant iris accord.

Ocean opens up with what I would term an impression of a ‘light blue’ color. It uses bergamot and some other light citrus notes extremely well in the opening. It’s fresh and juicy.

The usual Luna Rossa lavender note, is actually lighter in this composition. You get a smooth sweetness of suede, caramel and tonka bean. I don’t think those notes are officially listed, but their aroma is definitely in there. Perhaps, as a part of the ‘saffron accord’.

The main floral note here is the iris. Along with that suede quality and juicy citrus, you will get a fresh and aromatic aroma, with a touch of the lavender.

Smooth, sweet, spicy, but don’t expect an aquatic based on its name. Less of the ocean and something that would smell very pleasant while on the boat or shore.

Pink pepper gives it a nice warmth, but isn’t all that heavy. Personally, I don’t really get much of the artemisia note, not too much of an herbal bitterness to my nose.

That’s what much of the initial wear will consist of. Then, Ocean will begin to shift away to a drier and muskier clean.

Iris and lavender take on a larger role, along with vetiver and the musks. The opening citrus fades by a lot, and so does much of that initial sweet character. It has a certain soapiness, not over the top with it, maybe call it a ‘general cleanliness’.

The dry down is nice, a basic dry floral and musk. Yet, Ocean seems to retain some of its own unique character.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Ocean starts off with pretty good power. The sillage trail is there and it will project itself with a nice radius off of you. I’d call it the upper end of moderate sillage, at its peak.

The problem is that doesn’t stay near that level for all that long and this is a softer cologne for the rest of the way.

In terms of how long it lasts, Ocean only hits the 4-6 hour range, on the skin. It’s not great and that’s this fragrances, biggest weakness.

Beyond that, the power is really only sticking around for 2-3 hours of that, while quickly declining. The rest of the time, this Luna Rossa scent will be very close to the skin.

As far as what season to wear Ocean, pretty much any. Probably worst in the colder weather by moderate to warmer temperatures, this one pairs very nicely with.

One good thing is, that it can be worn pretty much anywhere, by anyone. Maybe not the most formal scent or one that’s going to be a night club banger. However, it is super versatile outside of that.

Other people seem to enjoy this one and it’s already gotten itself a mass appeal vibe to it. Ocean is an east to wear and easy to like cologne. It does seem familiar in many ways, but I cannot think of any scent in particular that it smells like.

Overall Impressions of Ocean

Overall, do I like Luna Rossa Ocean? Yes, but it does have its issues.

I think the opening hour or so is absolutely beautiful. I love the way that is smells early on. After that, it’s nice, but a pretty standard soapy clean kind of fragrance. Not bad, but doesn’t capture my attention to the same extent.

Though, overall the aroma is something that I’m certainly attracted to and I dig the experience as a whole.

Update: Even with the newer releases in the series, this is my favorite scent of the bunch. The EDP didn’t really last much longer for me. The Parfum has good performance, but is a different sort of smell from the first two, it’s my second pick.

The main problem with this one, is the performance. Ocean becomes a skin scent much more quickly than the other Luna Rossa fragrances. I don’t mind a softer scent, but this is one the makes you spray a lot, just to get any sort of projection and sillage.

The longevity when you do spray a lot, will get around six hours. Again, that’s not great, in a world wear there are designer colognes in this price range that can hit double digit hours.

Luna Rossa Ocean is a great fragrance at the start, that turns into a rather middling kind of cologne. Which, can make it a tougher decision, as to whether or not one should buy a bottle.

I lean towards yes, because I do think the start is great. Plus, I’ve already seen it go on sale a few times. At a discount, it could be a solid pickup.

It does have very positive aspects, a pretty unique take on the Luna Rossa concept, and is a crowd pleaser. Full price might be too much, but if you can get a discount, it’s worth a shot.

Prada Luna Rossa vs Luna Rossa Sport Comparison

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I’m back with another head to head match up, to determine which is the best fragrance from the Luna Rossa line: Luna Rossa vs. Sport. I’ve already compared each scent to Carbon and these two came out as the winners. Now it’s time to pick between my two favorite Luna Rossa’s. Does the original smell better or does Sport exceed its predecessor?

Tale of the Tape: Luna Rossa vs. Sport

Luna Rossa

Notes include:  lavender, sage, spearmint, ambrette, ambroxan, and bitter orange

Click here to try: Prada Luna Rossa Eau de Toilette Spray for Men, 3.4 Ounce

My Review: Luna Rossa Review

Luna Rossa Sport

Notes include: vanilla, lavender, tonka bean, juniper berries, ginger

Click here to try: Prada Luna Rossa SPORT Eau de Toilette Spray 3.4 oz

Read my review: Luna Rossa Sport Review

Opening

Luna Rossa opens up powered by bitter orange to give the fragrance its citrus tone. It is blended with calming lavender and a refreshingly cool spearmint note, that adds a nice contrast to the bright citrus.

I like how bright and great the bitter orange blends with that fresh spearmint note. It honestly has a sporty aroma of its own.

Sport gives you an enveloping opening of tonka bean, lavender, and vanilla. It has some juniper berries, but lacks the citrus burst of the original. It’s actually really clean and fresh.

Which do I prefer? Ehhhh, it’s a tough call because they both share that lavender note, but I tend to lean toward Sport, as the tonka and vanilla combination is more appealing than the bitter orange. Even if I do thoroughly enjoy the spearmint kick in the original.

Edge: Sport

Projection

Neither of these fragrances have huge sillage. The radius of each is going to stick close to the person that is wearing it. Luna Rossa is on the lighter side, it is a moderate fragrance, but sticks toward the more airy end of the spectrum.

Initially, it seems much more loud, mostly due to that sharp citrus opening. Luna Rossa will settle down.

Sport isn’t heavy either, but it is pretty much a typical moderate, and has more projection than does its Prada compadre. It sustains it better, at least.

Edge: Sport

Longevity

With both of these scents, I can hit the 6-8 hour range. Sport is stronger, but it doesn’t last any longer than the original. No winner here.

Both of them are solid, for what they are. But, neither are going to be all-day marathon type of wears.

Edge: Push

Versatility

Again, both of these colognes match up well in terms of when they can be worn. Luna Rossa is pretty much a year round fragrance and has a better ability to hold up in the heat and humidity of summer than does Sport. Sport doesn’t completely fall apart or anything, it’s just not as good in those months.

Each can be worn casually, at the office, or in a more formal environment. Sport is probably better for date nights or evenings spent out on the town.

I’m tempted to give the edge to Luna Rossa, but it’s really not clear cut at all.

Edge: Push

Overall Scent

These are the two best Prada Luna Rossa fragrances that have been released, in my opinion. Which one is better?

Luna Rossa is a very simple fragrance. Clean, bright, and quite linear in its presentation. It’s a light and inoffensive cologne, that can be worn pretty much whenever. I like the citrus, lavender, and mint blend but it can feel kind of boring at times.

Luna Rossa Sport is the best, in my opinion. The creamy tonka bean/vanilla paired with the lavender is the main attraction, but, it doesn’t stop there. Ginger adds a spicy undertone, which keeps it interesting, and juniper gives it a touch of fruit.

It like, the original, is really crisp and fresh. Sport just took it to a higher level.

My rankings for the Luna Rossa lineup. 1. Sport. 2. Luna Rossa. 3. Carbon.

I’ve worn all of them a dozen times or more and I keep coming back to the same conclusion. I do, however, waver between these two. Some days, I’m feeling Luna Rossa more, but mostly it’s Sport that takes the crown.

When I’m not in the mood for tonka bean, that’s usually when I’d reach for the original. I just slight prefer the flanker to the first one.

Winner: Luna Rossa Sport