Fragrance Reviews by Max1mu51

Strikingly familiar to the original HUGO, as much as I like the original I could deal with just one bottle of it. I will say this version is less aggressive, less playful, and laced with a bit more grapefruit to distinguish them one from the other. Energise, in my opinion had a bit more to offer, but Element sticks close to the skin, doesn't last long, and seems as if though it has a pinch of floral. If you like HUGO but don't like how long or how projected it is, this could be a good alternative, I guess. As for me, I'll stick with the original. Not a bad smell, just doesn't have as much to go off of.

I must say I do like this stuff, however as Sir Slarty had mentioned something that really stuck out to me "rich amber base". I found that I really like amber. It's a very calming, very smooth scent that adds life. But the amber coupled with vanilla makes it a bit too sweet for me. Pardon me for a moment... Hey Zegna! strip that vanilla out of there and I would go buy a bottle right now. I digress! I will have to admit because of this fact I do prefer polo black over this. They both follow the same lines but where that sweet smoothness of intenso gets to become somewhat of a bother to me, the sharpness of polo black carries itself over. Now for the plus points. Intenso is very well executed, the light and dark theme they are going for has been mission accomplished. Great longevity, lasted on my skin for about 8-10 hours but the only thing I smell at that point is the vanilla and amber before mentioned.

Irish Springs!!! This is a good thing, the only thing I think could be added is a shot of rich dark leather. The cologne in itself is very linear, however I tend to like it for something like this. Very clean, shower clean in fact. Lasts a good 4 hours and doesn't break away much at all. I like it.

Recieved as a christmas present, it's ok. There is absolutely nothing in this that would make me want to buy it again. its very boring. The grey is most suitable as it is very grey in the way it smells. Only two things really come to mind when wearing this cologne, U from ungaro, and Pencil shavings. A slightly fruitesque opening with the mandarin and grapefruit, other than that. I can only say I'm not impressed.

Many people here have commented on how this cologne doesn't project and doens't have any longevity. I personally do not understand where they get this from I sprayed this stuff one time on my arm then rolled my sleeve back down and walked into the house my wife immediately asked me what I was wearing and that she really liked it. It's not a longevity issue because I can smell this on myself clear throughout the entire day with 4 sprays. Subtil is a surprisingly smooth. It's spicy and almost woody yet there are no woods found in the pyramid. Clean, energetic and sophisticated, yet not afraid of proverbialy getting down and dirty. I get a huge cardamom note, and at the end of the day cardamom and patchouli still run that race strong. Good stuff, not great! but I'll probably be keeping this in my arsenal for some time to come.

A much better choice than the original, I'm not sure what it was but the original allure is so cloying and headache inducing. I really tried hard to like it twice, (my wife really likes allure!!!!) and I couldn't help but getting a headache, and cavity because of it's sweetness. Well I then tried Vera Wang for men, and it seems to be very similar without all the aditional headache inducing sweetness. But I digress this is a review for the Blanche edition. Blanch really surprised me, fun, energetic, citric, and zesty. I clearly get the pepper but I think there may be just a touch of cinamon in there too. I like it.

I think I would say that I prefer this to Black Diamond, however neither really strike me as a must purchase cologne. I like the energy and playfulness of this cologne but the powder is really what draws me back (I can't stand to be on the verge of sneezing all day long). Canali clearly have there quality formulas, longevity and sillage never seem to be a problem. I could easily give this a thumbs up if they would just get rid of that pesky powder.

Not bad. Not my favorite, but not bad. I must commend this cologne on its longevity. It's been on my skin for two hours now, and has not broken away at all. A cross between Joop! pour homme, and the Canali Men. I would say I prefer Canali Men, but both have much to offer. though I don't think I would add either to my collection. Black Diamond is Iess sweet, more mature, very italian. Canali Men is more accented around the pineapple, a bit younger and more energetic, but also has that powdery finish. (I personally can't stand the baby powder notes in many of the upscale colognes, this may be the reason as to why I can't give this one a thumbs up.)

Anything but linear, good clean scent with touches of herbs to really give some character. My one drawback is sillage, this stuff does not project. L'homme is slightly sweet, well rounded, and full. Notions of vanilla - due to the tonka bean, and amber. It's like rubbing a fleece sweatshift, ever so soft and soothing. Nice but not really for me, it might do a little better in heated seasons, its winter right now, so that may explain the projection issue.

-MAX

This is one of those Grandpa smells, do yourself a favor if you are under the age of 60 and/or your nose still works steer clear of this stuff. Some have stated this is a refined gentleman scent. This smells to me like bitter, brash, lemonesque herbs. I made the mistake of going to perfumania yesterday and I smelled this, and instantly took it away, I gave it another five minutes on the strip before I smelled it again, just for the benefit of the doubt. Thank the LORD I didn't put it on my skin I would have had to use paint thinner or gasoline to get it off. Hey, wait a tick. Gasoline would have probably smelled better.

-MAX

I can now see why Cartier came out with the essence edition. I usually prefer the original to the successive scent. Essence and Declaration are the exact same, however the original declaration is being smelled out of the armpit of Andre the Giants after a wrestling match. Sorry guys but this is B.O. to the extreme, and I really like essence of declaration. I must admit essence had to grow on me a bit, the wood was a tad too sharp for me. But armpit juice will never change, it will not grow on me. Do yourself, and your wallet a favor just go with Essence of Declaration.

-MAX

TOP NOTES: Blood Orange
MIDDLE NOTES: Bergamot, Mandarin, and Saffron
BASE NOTES: Cedar, Vetiver, and Tamboti Wood

According to the fragrance pyrimid on the avon website, there should be alot citrus, I don't get too much. I get plenty of powder, not annoying just not what I like. Wood is very light and I detect no vetiver at all. In most cases I can agree with Sir. Slarty on colognes, however this one was a no go for me. I'm all about finding cheap colognes if they are quality. Try regular driven a much better cologne, and there is citrus in in.

-MAX

I'm sure people may beat me this post. But, this a great alternative to versace black jeans. You've got a great clean scent, certainly manly, nice soft wood undertones, and there's something something in this that has that same leather like qualities. It must be the ginger and iris/orris playing tricks again. I prefer this this one to black jeans as it is somewhat pointed and hollow. Noir is more rounded, playful, and refined. Great scent but it's lacking on sillage and longenvity.

-MAX

This is simply a copy of Gucci Envy. There are no distinctive diferences with the exception for the more appealing slightly sweeter topnotes that save envy a little. I feel like I've just had my diper changed. where did all this baby powder come from. Ginger is a no-no in my book. My next statement can be construed as a good thing or a bad thing, you be the judge. This stuff lasts for days! You can't wash it off if you wanted to. If for some reason you do like this, be at peace because it does have a great price tag.

What can I say about Carven Homme, excuse me, Gucci Envy. I smell no distinction whatsoever. Both are incredible dominated by this talcum induced ginger. Not my taste, last I check we no longer function with aristocratic whig judges. This is for the 50+ year old plus male. I also note that the only redeeming value it has, it's slightly sweeter to offset the "dust".

-MAX

This is a different one, different but I like it. Mugler has got nothing on this especially because this was made first (not to mention A*men smells like grandma - see my review). Sometimes its spicier than others, and other times those chocolate fingers rub me down. The trick with this one is how it is applied, if applied in close proximity there is a great deal more of spice and a burnt coffee beans, but if applied at a distance, a light mist - you've got great dark chocolate for days. One things for sure, it wears like a EdP. Two sprays on my neck lasts me a good 8 hours. (be careful it is easy to over apply). Very masculine, to me there are many more notes than what's listed, but I do agree with foetidus I can smell tobacco.

Funny, this and the original HUGO share none of the same notes. However, Energise smells like the preppy, clean cut, well behaved brother. Sillage is somewhat limited, but does make itself noticed. I only sprayed one squirt on my wrist over an hour and a half ago, and I catch a whiff every now and then. Wearing this to work certainly won't make many enemies. Me being 24 I prefer the energy and spur of the moment fun of HUGO while ENERGISE is still at home shaving in the shower. Not a bad scent I would've probably liked it a whole lot more if I never would've smelled HUGO.

All I smell is half rotted, sundried celery. This cologne is so highly praised here on BN, but I can’t with good conscience agree with anything these perfume smelling cohort friends of my say concerning this one. You know, I hate to say it because of the monotony value. But, thank goodness they came out with AdG, so far the one redeeming cologne that allows me to ever smell another scent from these characters.

Starts out lemonesque, with a tinge of herbs most likely basil. (This section is directly dependant on temperature) It's now about 31 degrees outside and it smells rather feminine, the licorice being the shining star. However, with a little heat the licorice subsides and allows a little spice to bleed through to toughen it up. By no means does this now have leather like skin, but for me, this is a bit too feminine for my liking. Funny because smelling it from the bottle gives a different feel. This is clearly unisex, and I won't be wearing it again.

Hugo Boss's more reserved alter-ego. Same essense with a touch of mint and without all the filler that makes the original so wild, mischeivious, unique. Pardon me, to all of those who like this sequel, but I'll stick to the tried and true

-MAX

With all the accolades received, I purchased a decant from a fellow BN member and gave it a shot. I am somewhat disappointed, I expected much more than what was delivered. Straight from the bottle I smell almost nothing, and as it hits the skin it then starts unfolding. After about 5-10 minutes it has a nice presence, full, but doesn’t project much (I sprayed 5 times on my neck and one on my wrist to write my review later). There’s not much past rose and pepper, it’s now been 3 hours and I now smell nothing but clean skin. Nice while it lasted but not worth purchasing a bottle.

I was so very excited to try this cologne, at this point good reviews and great notes. I tried it and everything was going great, a wonder scent, with all intentions of leaving the store with it in my hands, all the way until the five minute mark, after it settled down an eerie scent of play doh' emerged from the my arm. I like colognes that take me down memory lane, but I don’t want to go so far back as to my days at the preschool. This was a big letdown, but a great opportunity to save money. Thanks to perfumania, I now have an extra $35 to my name.

Everybody, meet Mr. Cologne Chameleon. He adapts to any and every environment, wore it to work yesterday and its smoothness blends in to make a great office wearable cologne. Then after re-applying, my wife and I went to church, and it changed its color once again. So chic and cutting edge. It’s good enough to wear with a suit. It's jovial, sexy, woody, sweet, slightly spicy, very aromatic, good silliage, average longevity. I used to wear this when if first came out, and forgot all about it, years down the line I got to thinking about how great is was and purchased a bottle. This is swiftly going to the top of my collection.

-MAX

Clean, Clean, Clean. On initial spray I get a clean version of A87 from Aeropostale. But it soon fades away about 5-10 minutes later. I really like how clean it is, like a bar of Coast soap being rubbed on you with a dash of pepper to spice things up. The only reason why I wouldn't buy a full size bottle is its lack of longevity or sillage. It sticks close to the skin. Perfect for office wear.

Clean, fresh, and manly. I agree completely with those that say there's leather. It may be a combination of the notes playing tricks on my nose, but I smell leather. Almost like a bar of soap wrapped in a chamois cloth. Unfortunately I don't smell the least bit of the vetiver, but all in all it's an ok scent. I probably won't be purchasing another bottle.

-MAX

Birch and Rosewood really stand out in this one. It's an interesting scent that keeps you smelling your wrist just to see what secrets it might whisper into your nose. You can certainly tell the high quality of this cologne, (price tag does accurately illustrate that) but It keeps itself in a class all of its own, very distinct, and poised. One drawback is the constant revolutions going back to the birchwood which is way too sharp for me (like ripe onions), almost headache inducing. The sharpness of the wood settles down a tiny bit during the dry down period at around the 1/2 hour mark. Becomes much more subtle almost an ambient fragrance. All in all Its an alright cologne. I personally can't how bright the wood is, wish it was a darker, richer, and fuller.

-MAX

Let me preface this review with saying, I really tried to like this cologne. Unfortunately you need to "work to get the payoff" in a manner of speaking. Before you can walk through the well watered plains of Jordan, Its awful that one must bury their face into Granma's chest heavily laden with scents that are strong enough to wake the dead. People around you must suffer through that just to reach that moment of bliss. Mugler, if would get rid of grandma, I'd go out and buy a bottle today. I am a huge fan of Chocolate, Tonka, Bergamot, and Coffee, but grandma should stay at home and read a book for this one.