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9 Fragrances Similar to Versace Eros for Men

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Versace Eros has been an absolute best seller in the fragrance world, since its release in 2012. It’s still insanely popular to this day. As such, there are plenty of people who are looking for scents, which mimic or come close to what it smells like.

Either because they don’t enjoy one aspect of the cologne or are looking for a cheaper alternative. In this post, I am going to give nine options for men, looking for something that comes close to the aroma of Eros.

Obviously, there are variants of Eros now: EDT, EDP, Parfum, and Flame. I’ll note which of them each selection is closest to as needed. As a default, I’m referring to Eros EDT.

Favorite Scents Like Versace Eros

The Dua Throwback

Greatness by The Dua Brand– I haven’t yet tried this one from Dua, but it’s on my list. Update: I bought a bottle, here’s my review) Greatness is the brand’s impression of the 2012 version of Versace Eros. I really hope that the reviews are correct and this one strikes close to the old bottles of Eros I had in that era.

To me, the older bottles had more balance in the notes, more power, and was just top notch all around. Nowadays, I enjoy Eros much less than my initial love for the scent.

As far as alternatives go, this would be my number one to try, if you want to recreate the Eros aroma and power. I’ve had other bottles from this brand, which have all been very close matches to the designer originals.

Update 2: It did get better, as the months rolled on. Much closer now to the original Eros, than when I initially bought it. So, it can take some time to macerate.

Another Impression Option

Ambery Mint by Dossier- Dossier is another brand that creates impressions or alternative options to popular designer wears. Ambery Mint is their version of Eros. The advantage versus both the Versace and Dua, it’s cheaper.

The price with Ambery Mint is currently $29 (as of this update). So, it’s a steep discount and Dossier is another brand that I’ve had great experiences with.

You get all of the same notes as Eros with this version. The aroma is usually 90% + what you’d get with the designer, but with some slight differences.

If you want the cheapest of a high quality impression of Eros, the Dossier is probably for you.

The Third Impression

Lust by Alt Fragrances– Lust is another inspired take on the Eros sort of style. It’s actually pretty close and also hits for around $30 as of now, like the Dossier above.

It has a nice balance, maybe a bit more spice than its Versace inspiration, early on in the wear. But, after that it comes pretty close to what you’d want. Again, a lot of the inspired by scents don’t have the same depth nor the one to one match in how each note is weighted.

The performance while good, is also a notch below the Versace. Though, at the price point, you could always just add a tad more when you want to wear Lust. The citrus notes are strikingly similar with this one compared to Eros EDT.

Just a Squeeze

Mint Squeeze by Oakcha– Adding a fourth inspired take to the list. Mint Squeeze is Oakcha’s rendition of the Eros EDT formula.

This is one that I have yet to try out, but I’m adding it to the list for now, in case someone wants to give it a go. Oakcha does have a good reputation and this should be an easy cologne to mimic.

It’s price is also about $30 (as of posting).

The Other Eros

Versace Eros Flame for men EDP spray, 3.4 Ounce, Red– Let’s start out the list, with Eros Flame, a flanker fragrance of the original released in 2018. Obviously, this one shares plenty of DNA with its predecessor, but takes things in a different direction.

Flame also opens up with a bright lemon citrus note, but is joined by tangerine, instead of the apple found in the original. Flame has a warmer and woodsier profile, with strong notes of rosemary.

Plus, black pepper taking over for the mint note. I have done a full comparison, between these two colognes, but I do prefer Eros over Flame still.

This one never fully clicked for me. I bought it as soon as it came out, liked parts of Flame, but overall thought it was just fine. Others seem to have this as their favorite Eros release. So, I’ll add it to this list. My Eros Flame Review

The Closest Designer Scent

English Laundry Oxford Bleu Eau de Parfum, 3.4 fl. oz.– Probably the closest thing to a of Eros match, on the market. Similar ingredients yield a similar smell, but still not exact. Oxford Bleu opens up with the same lemon, mint, and apple.

However, the lemon isn’t nearly as strong as in Eros. Beyond that, the tonka bean is ramped up here, and mint is calmed down.

It’s like a quieter cousin of Eros, rather than, a twin brother. Nonetheless, this is a really nice cologne, but don’t expect the same level of performance.

1981 Similarities

Guess 1981 Los Angeles, 3.4 Oz– Guess 1981 has a lot of similarities with its style in comparison to Eros EDT and EDP. It sort of leans more towards the latter.

It starts off with bergamot and plum, a bit sweet and tart. Then, an aromatic blend of ginger and pepper. So, the tartness is in the form of plum instead of lemon, and the bergamot citrus has more of a slightly sour aroma.

It’s fresh and cold at first with a pretty big dose of mint outshining the spices and geranium note. As it dries down, it will feel herbal and warm with an amber base. This is when it really starts to have its Eros-like qualities. Not exact, but still a nice alternative.

It retains its fresh spices, gains woodiness (vetiver and sandalwood), loses much of the fruity sweetness, then comes with an attractive powdery finish.

Creamy Citrus and Floral

Mandarina Duck Black Eau De Toilette Spray for Men, 3.4 Ounce– This is the original Mandarina Duck Black, I have the Extreme version, which I think is the better fragrance. However, it’s been discontinued and becoming harder to come by.

The good news, is that, both Duck Black’s are very similar to one another and do give you a related experience to Eros. Duck Black has a citrus opening act with a warmer profile than does the Versace. Pepper is in place of the mint and the other fresh spices.

Here, you get tangerine and grapefruit. The similarities come with the vanilla and tonka bean notes, which gives you a sweet and creamy balance of notes. Yet, this one can be used in the warmer months of the year.

You will get more floral notes with this cologne. Tiare and orange flower.


A Great Alternative

MONTBLANC Legend Night Eau De Parfum, 3.3 Fl Oz– Legend Night is still an underappreciated men’s fragrance, but does share many similarities with the subject of this post.

Legend Night is most like Eros, at the beginning, when it features the vanilla, mint, and candied apple trio.

Update: This seems to be limited as to which stores carry it now, but isn’t officially discontinued, I don’t think (as of this update). You can still get cheaper bottles online.

Don’t expect the same level of citrus, though, but there is still a nice bergamot top note. As it dries down, it becomes a warm and ‘green’ fragrance, with added sage and cardamom.

This is the least similar of the three options, but does occupy the same branch of the fragrance world, as Eros. They have overlapping ingredients and styles, but end up as fairly distinct scents. I do love this stuff and have a full bottle. Legend Night Review

There’s my list of potential Eros alternatives for men, for now. I will come back and update this list, as needed, if any other cheaper options show up on the market. For now, these are your best bets for an Eros-like experience, but if you want the real thing…just get the original.

Eros EDP vs Eros Parfum Comparison

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Eros has been a long-time best seller since its 2012 release. In 2020 and 2021, Versace decided to release and eau de parfum and parfum version of this popular cologne. Obviously, this creates questions about which one to get and how each of them compares in smell, longevity, and overall enjoyment.

On this page, I compare Eros EDP and Parfum to answer these questions. I have already tested and reviewed both of them, so, let’s break things down by category.

Tale of the Tape: Eros Eau de Parfum vs Parfum

Eros EDP

Notes include: candied apple, mint, mandarin, lemon oil, ambermax, cedar, clary sage, geranium flower, vetiver, patchouli, sandalwood, and vanilla

Click here to try: Eros by Versace, 6.7 oz EDP Spray for Men

My Review: Eros EDP

Eros Parfum

Notes include: lemon, mandarin, black pepper, elemi, tonka bean, Madagascar vanilla, litsea cubeba, pomarose, geranium, lavender, clary sage, benzoin, cashmeran, patchouli, vetiver

Click here to try: Eros Parfum

My Full Review: Eros Parfum

Opening

Eros EDP doesn’t have that same strong influence from the citrus notes as the EDT. They are still there, just softer. Instead, you get mint, geranium, and sage. This gives Eros EDP a cool freshness, which I find enjoyable.

Also, the green apple and vanilla notes have plenty of power and provide that delicious sweetness. The tonka bean isn’t there, but I actually prefer it that way, with this composition.

It reminded me of older bottles of the EDT, but with that colder and more herbal profile. After the opening, it kind of gets away from that and does its own thing.

Eros Parfum opens up quite fresh, with the citrus notes playing a sparkling role, while being quite muted in the mix.

Lemon, mandarin, and the litsea cubeba (sort of a lemon verbena) seem to run together without any of them really taking over. The amber and resinous notes are apparent from the start.

Not just the amber from the original, but also benzoin and elemi, as well. The resin or medicinal sort of smell isn’t huge in the opening, but there. Sort of a fuzzy type of smell. Black pepper and sage really come through to my nose.

One big difference is lack of mint and green apple here. The apple is the ‘pomarose’ note, it is present but not to the same extent as the EDT or EDP versions.

Mint, seems to have been replaced by a stronger geranium influence and the general freshness of notes like clary sage and pepper.

Which is better? Both have a colder freshness to open. Parfum will warm up, later in the wear. I actually like the way each starts out.

However, I think I enjoy the opening act of the EDP more so. I like the classic 2012 EDT batch vibes that it has. Nice freshness, less citrus, and that vanilla and apple accord in effect. Plus, less of the amber.

Edge: EDP

Sillage

Both are strong. Neither are super powerful. You’ll get a nice scent trail with either of these. The projection seems to reach a tiny bit further with the Parfum. I’m talking like 1-2 feet maybe, when I sprayed each on clothes.

I did that a few times with each and Parfum was a little bit stronger. Not a massive difference in terms of projection and neither of them feels particularly heavy versus the other cologne. 

Edge: Parfum

Longevity

With Eau de Parfum, I got 8-9.5 hours on my skin. Not as good as the old EDT formulations, but very nice.

Parfum can hit just over 10 hours. One time, it was more in line with the EDP. But, it did get that extra bit, that I’ve never gotten with EDP. That extra level of fragrance concentration seems to work out somewhat.

Edge: Parfum

Versatility

Eros EDP was a bit more refined than the EDT. While it wasn’t a warm weather scent, it could venture further than the original, while still working best in the cold.

With Parfum, even warmer temperatures seem to work well. I’d avoid the extreme heat or cold with it, but outside of that, it wouldn’t be bad.

It’s smoothness and toned down use of the amber, really help it to have a more mature profile than EDP.

Those are the main distinctions, giving Parfum an edge.

Edge: Parfum

 

 

Overall Scent

So, this is a pretty tough call, as neither of these fragrances seems to stand out above the other to any real extent in terms of smell. They both have their pluses.

With Eau de Parfum, I like the beginning. I think that Eros EDP starts out great and had me really excited the first time that I tried it out. I was hoping I’d get a return to the classic EDT formulation, with slight tweaks.

But, that changed during the dry down, as Eau de Parfum goes in a different direction. The mint, apple, vanilla, and cedar notes end up being the main focus for much of the wear.

It’s colder and sweeter than Parfum. The sage and other fresh notes also begin to subside. My main gripe is the Ambermax note in EDP.

It gets louder during the dry down and reminds me too much of the harshness of Eros Flame (just to a lesser extent). It’s woody, minty, with a giant and loud amount of that Ambermax. Ruins the vibe for me, in the back half of the wear.

Yes, Parfum uses a greater amount of amber and resinous notes in the mix. However, it is just a smoother experience than EDP’s use of it. Those elements sit better in the vanilla creaminess and don’t screech as much as in the eau de parfum.

The two finish quite similar. But, I think that this is where Parfum may have a slight edge. It’s got a nice creaminess from the vanilla, a mix of cashmeran and vetiver, and more of the freshness from early on. 

Add in, a bit more longevity and projection, and I will give the narrow victory to Eros Parfum. EDP had promise early on, but doesn’t sustain it to the same degree.

I compared EDP vs. the original EDT, also. Between the three, it’s actually a pretty tight race. I’d go with Eros Parfum first, then EDP, and finally the original.

I did pick up a bottle of Greatness by the Dua Brand, which is inspired by the original Eros EDT bottles. That was my personal compromise selection, since there isn’t a far and away major winner among the Versace colognes.

Winner: Eros Parfum

Dior Sauvage vs Versace Eros EDT

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In this edition of the cologne comparisons, that I have posted on the site, we have a competition between two of the best selling scents on the market right now. Those being, Sauvage by Christian Dior and Versace Eros. I will be talking about both of the original EDT releases of each cologne.

Which of these two men’s fragrances smells the best? Which is the top performer? Which one has more versatile of use? Please continue below for my full take and comparison.

Tale of the Tape: Sauvage EDT vs. Eros

Versace Eros

Notes of Eros: mint, green apple, tonka bean, madagascar vanilla, vetiver, Italian lemon

Click here to try: Versace Eros Men Eau De Toilette Spray, 6.7 Fluid Ounce

My original Versace Eros Review

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

Opening

The opening of Sauvage EDT 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.

Eros, is an absolute beast from the start. The main players at the beginning are the mint, tonka bean, and vanilla. The green apple and lemon provide support and give Eros that juicy/gourmand quality.

I think the mint is done very well and doesn’t overpower the composition, for my nose, at least.

Updated view: I’m going to edit throughout this post, 3 years after initially publishing. Eros seems to have changed slightly in smell and more so in performance. This happens a lot with fragrances. Now, the opening seems to have a stronger lemon than before. 

Eros is a very sweet kind of scent, while Sauvage lacks all of that. I think that Eros is much more interesting and has a better scent.

Edge: Eros

Projection

Versace Eros is quite a heavy scent and loud as all hell. This of course, could scare some folks off from wanting to wear it, and that’s completely understandable.

Update: The latest batches of Eros EDT don’t seem to be nearly as strong, as the original. When compared with Eros Flame, they seem quite weak…unfortunately, Flame is a worse fragrance. Still a little bit stronger than Sauvage.

It’s one that I can enjoy and while I never wore it on a daily basis, I would limit it to one spray, if wearing it to work. Eros is just that kind of bold cologne.

Sauvage, upon further use, is a lot stronger than I had initially remembered. No, it’s not on the same level as Eros, but it is on the strong side of things.

Edit: After years, Sauvage is still a strong, but not massive cologne. It has not as of yet experienced any reformulation that’s noticeable.

Edge: Eros

Longevity

Eros wins here, it’s an all day and into the night kind of cologne. Edit: Nowadays, it is much more mortal. Somewhere in the 8-10 hour range it seems. Still great, but not like it once was. 

However, Sauvage isn’t bad. The first time I reviewed this scent, I would get 6-7 hours of wear. Now, with a different bottle, I seem to get around 8. I don’t know, it could just be my body chemistry, but that is the range I get from Sauvage.

I will note that, other people do get a bit more wear out of Sauvage. So, in your own experience this may now be an equal comparison. For me, it’s still Eros.

Edge: Eros

Versatility

Sauvage isn’t a winter scent, in my opinion (The EDP is better for this). Though, it wouldn’t perform badly, just kind of seem out of place.

Meanwhile, Eros is very much a cold weather scent and becomes messy in the high heat. I think that this is where Sauvage has the edge, as a year round kind of cologne.

Both of these scents could work for many occasions. Just go lightly in the office or at school. As a club scent, I’d pick Eros, but I think Sauvage wins this category.

Neither of these is really a formal kind of fragrance. Eros also has a tendency to lean younger. Sauvage isn’t necessarily a mature scent, but it is more wearable for older guys, as well as younger ones.

Sauvage really kind of nails being an all-around scent, which is a lot of the reason why it became so popular in the first place.

Edge: Sauvage

Overall Scent

These are both highly popular colognes. Neither one is bad in my opinion and they are actually quite different from one another. If you want something bold and sweet, go with Eros.

If that’s not your thing, Sauvage might be a good choice. It’s a bright/fresh kind of cologne versus Eros’ gourmand sexiness. Edit: My opinion on the original Sauvage EDT has definitely gone down, over the years. I really don’t care to wear it.

It’s funny how many other scents have started to have Sauvage-like qualities, as this Dior release has grown in popularity (like Dylan Blue).

However, I think that Sauvage is still better than all of its ‘clone’ fragrances (update: Luna Rossa Carbon is better if you’re in the market for Sauvage EDT).

In the battle between these two, I think Versace Eros has the edge. I enjoy wearing it more than Sauvage, any day of the week, it has better performance, is more unique, and just plain smells better. Again, that’s not to say that Sauvage isn’t a good choice for some guys, it just wouldn’t be mine.

2020 Update: Nowadays, I still have Eros ahead of Sauvage EDT. However, Sauvage EDP and Parfum are better than either in their current form. As such, go with those, unless you’re dead set on Eros…which is still good.

2024 Update:  Coming back to this once more. I guess I’d still choose Eros, when considering the EDT editions. My ranking of the other top variants would be something like:

I have lost a lot of my enjoyment from the Eros series. That being said, the original Sauvage EDT doesn’t do much for me either. I think it has the worst blend of any of the editions released thus far. EDP and Elixir are really great, in contrast.

The rest of the Eros line, is about the same as the original, as far as I like them. Parfum is the best of that series.

Winner: Eros

Versace Dylan Blue vs Eros Flame

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Versace has been releasing lots of popular fragrances over the past five or so years. Dylan Blue has been one such a release, that has gained traction with the younger set. Eros Flame is a newer release, which follows the huge popularity of the original Eros. It hasn’t enjoyed the same level of success, but seems to be growing. Which of these two colognes is better? Which one lasts longer? Which is the best buy?

Tale of the Tape

Eros Flame

Notes include: lemon, tangerine, chinotto accord, black pepper, wild mountain rosemary, pepperwood, geranium, rose, cedar, patchouli, vetiver, oak moss, sandalwood, tonka bean, and vanilla

Click here to try: Versace Eros Flame 100ml 3.4Oz Eau de Parfume For Men

My review: Eros Flame

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

My review: Dylan Blue

Opening

Eros Flame opens up with familiar lemon of Eros, but this time it is paired with tangerine. Along with that, is: black pepper, chinotto accord, with some vanilla and tonka bean. The latter two, will be heavier later, but now take on a smaller role.

I like the added citrus vibe to Eros Flame, a lot, as it is my favorite part of the wear. I think the pairing is fresh, bright, and has enough earthiness/spice to make it interesting.

Meanwhile, Dylan Blue kicks off with its grapefruit note leading the way. This citrus ingredient is flanked by ambroxan and an aquatic accord, giving this cologne a slight watery feel.

What sets this fragrance apart, is its use of the fig note, and is what really made me like wearing this scent sometimes.

Which is better? It’s close in my mind, but I prefer the way Dylan Blue starts off. It’s smoother, has a unique quality while being familiar to other scents, and the fragrance just comes together quite well.

Edge: Dylan Blue

Projection

Dylan Blue starts off with a strong sillage, but later becomes much more moderate. You could over spray this scent, though, most normal applications will be just fine.

Eros Flame has a very strong sillage. Like monstrous. This can absolutely fill a room, if you spray too much. I’d say stick to 2-3 sprays, max, with Eros Flame. It’s without a doubt, stronger than Dylan Blue.

I will applaud Versace for really delivering with Flame, in performance terms. I did have a bottle of the original batch and I’m not sure if it has been weakened in the intervening years.

Edge: Eros Flame

Longevity

I’ve worn both of these scents, plenty of times, and it’s really the same results each time. Dylan Blue goes 6-7 hours, with extreme consistency, on my skin.

Eros Flame, just keeps going on and on. It always go for over 10 hours and I’ve detected on my skin, even 15-16 hours later.

Just from pure longevity and strength, Flame is among the best on the market. Again, I’m not sure if this has been changed, but Flame could out do the original Eros EDT formulation.

Edge: Eros Flame

Versatility

Eros Flame is best used in cooler to moderate climates and temperatures. It doesn’t work well in the heat and humidity. So, limited there. Dylan Blue can be worn year round, without issue pretty much.

Eros Flame is better used for the nightlife or casual situations. Dylan Blue, can be used in a wider range of scenarios. It can be worn during the day: school or office wear, though, it is better suited for younger guys.

Flame can be so overbearing at times, it’s not really one to wear to work or school or really a daily basis.

Between the two, I’d say Dylan Blue has better versatility.

Edge: Dylan Blue

Overall Scent

Eros Flame is an interesting take on the original Versace Eros and has amazing performance. When I first got my bottle of Flame, I liked this cologne a lot more than I do now.

Now, it doesn’t smell as good to me. The dry down becomes much more woodsy and has rosemary coming through.

Plus, the vanilla and tonka bean combo, feels a bit off with the citrus and herbal woods ingredients. It’s not a bad fragrance, I just don’t want to wear it that often.

It can actually be headache inducing. It’s greatest strength, is the fact that it is so strong and long lasting…but it does hinder its ability to be worn in a variety of situations.

Dylan Blue, has never been my favorite scent. Though, I have warmed up to it more. The opening is still the best part, while the dry down still feels generic to me.

The performance isn’t amazing, but it’s solid. I think that it smells better than Flame, overall. Also, it is much more versatile.

I think both of these are decent, but flawed fragrances overall. Lots of people seem to like Eros Flame, more than I ever have, so I guess take that into account. Dylan Blue isn’t a great cologne, but it does enough in comparison, to win this.

Winner: Dylan Blue

Dylan Purple Pour Femme by Versace

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Dylan Purple is the latest release from the Pour Femme side of the series. It came out in 2022, without too much hype, but quickly became another successful entry from Versace. I’d been waiting to get a hold of this one for a review and finally bought a sample to test it out. How does Purple smell? Does it last long? Is it worth a try?

What does Dylan Purple Smell Like?

Notes include: bitter orange, pear juice, bergamot, purple freesia, pomarose, mahonial, cedar, ambrofix, belambre, sylkolide

Click here to try: Dylan Purple on Amazon

My Full Review

Purple opens up with a juicy blend of fruits. Mainly, it’s the pear and the bright bergamot. Bitter orange is present, but doesn’t ever seem to pop like the other two.

Underneath that, you’re going to get some of its floral notes from the start too. First thing that I notice, is the purple freesia. It adds a further aquatic kind of aroma to the top fruity notes.

Purple is another fresh and clean perfume. The muskiness here isn’t all that great, however, and it doesn’t veer completely into a straight body wash sort of wear. Though, it can straddle that line.

Purple is sweeter than I thought it’d be. Kind of balanced with a cedar freshness and the various types of ‘amber’ notes that emerge from the base. Never feel too heavy, but they are there.

Pear, bergamot, and ambroxan with the impression of floral notes. The middle notes never seem to become all that distinct in the mix. Yes, that freesia, but even that falls back into a floral blend.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

The reach of this one isn’t a ‘smell you in the next room type’ of perfume. Though, this does have a decent amount of projection, safe to call it a bit above average.

It’s not a heavy fragrance. Lighter to moderate without ever bogging you down with its scent.

On my skin, I get just above 6 hours. Like around 6.5, it just doesn’t go beyond that for me during the times that I tested this Versace out.

Dylan Purple does have a more youthful vibe. The clean, fruity, and simplistic scent tends to do that. As such, this could be a great option for the younger set. Probably a bit more towards that side of the spectrum than say Dylan Turquoise.

But, it’s not so immature that someone older couldn’t wear it. If you want this kind of clean-ish and borderline shampoo type of perfume, this is a good mainstream bet that isn’t super expensive.

Purple is a daily wear fragrance or one that you can put on casually. It’s not a super sexy nightlife wear or a serious formal affair.

dylan purple review

Overall Impressions of Dylan Purple

Overall, do I like Dylan Purple? Yes, I do. I’m not too high on any of the Dylan Pour Femme scents. However, I do like them all to some extent. This, might be my favorite (this or Blue).

None really stand out as being great to me, though.

Yes, it’s not all that complicated and the fruitiness comes doesn’t come across as naturalistic. But, I really do enjoy the way that it smells, way more than my first impressions. I kept right on wanting to smell Purple throughout the day.

I think the sweetness is what keeps me into it. That and the overall balance of the notes. It doesn’t feel hyper-fresh on me or ever like it’s too much to stand any longer.

The performance is pretty mid. Not going to be anything to write home about. It’s good enough for most purposes, so, if you like the smell of Purple it shouldn’t be too much of a disappointment.

If you liked the rest of this series, you’ll probably enjoy Purple. If you didn’t, I don’t think this will change your mind, since it doesn’t do anything radically different.