The term “cool blue” isn’t just a color when it comes to men’s cologne —it’s a vibe. It conjures thoughts of crisp skies, deep oceans, fresh linen, and the modern man who balances ambition with effortless cool. Blue fragrances have become a genre unto themselves—fresh, versatile, and widely appealing. It’s the category of men’s fragrances that I tend to gravitate towards the most. “Cool blue” men’s colognes can trace their roots back to scents like Davidoff Cool Water (1988), and Calvin Klein’s Eternity (1990) – both of which were in my regular rotation for years.
In this comparative review, I break down five different “blue” fragrances I have experience with, each occupying its own niche on the spectrum of “cool blue”:
- Bleu de Chanel Eau de Parfum (EDP)
- Versace Pour Homme Eau de Toilette (EDT)
- Polo Ultra Blue by Ralph Lauren (EDT)
- YSL Y Eau de Parfum (EDP)
- Ralph Lauren Polo 67 (EDT)
Let’s explore their scent profiles and performance, and I’ll add my thoughts on each.
- Bleu de Chanel EDP – The Refined Alpha
Scent Profile:
- Top: Grapefruit, Lemon, Mint, Pink Pepper
- Heart: Ginger, Iso E Super, Nutmeg
- Base: Incense, Vetiver, Sandalwood, Patchouli
Impression:
Let me start by saying that I really, really wanted to like Bleu de Channel. If you consult the YouTube “influencers” in the men’s cologne space, chances are most will have this one listed in the Top 5 All Time Favorites. Bleu de Chanel EDP is luxury in a bottle—smooth, sophisticated, and quietly powerful. While the EDT leans brighter and fresher, the EDP takes a darker, warmer turn with incense and sandalwood weaving through the citrus. My personal experience is that smells entirely too much like classic baby powder…not the scent I’m looking for. I’m struggling to use the bottle I picked up.
Performance:
8+ hours on skin. Moderate projection for the first few hours.
Recommended?:
Do find a retailer that carries Channel before buying it. Because Chanel doesn’t wholesale to third-party discounters, and Channel ain’t cheap. But probably worth it if you like it. I won’t be buying it again.
2. Versace Pour Homme EDT – The Italian Charmer
Scent Profile:
- Top: Lemon, Neroli, Bergamot
- Heart: Hyacinth, Clary Sage, Cedar
- Base: Amber, Musk, Tonka Bean
Impression:
This is my 1st Versace cologne and despite the fact that this cologne came out in 2008, I’ve only recently tried it. I really like it! If only it lasted longer it would be a perfect choice. Because it’s been out for a while, you can easily find it at a substantial discount.
Performance:?4–6 hours – not bad for an EDT, but not great. Projection is noticeable but not aggressive, so over spraying is an option to increase longevity. Or just pick of a second bottle from a discount outlet (widely available) and keep a bottle in your office desk.
Recommended?:
It’s a great value from a great house. Definitely worth a try.
3. Polo Ultra Blue EDT – The Sporty Minimalist
Scent Profile:
- Top: Citron, Lemon, Basil
- Heart: Mineral notes, Ambertonic
- Base: Musk, Woody Notes, Salt
Impression:
I started buying this one about 3 years ago when I picked up a bottle at my local Polo Outlet store. This was easily the best Polo scent I had ever tried, and I’ve gotten lots of compliments. Here again, it suffers a bit from the typical EDT performance, or lack thereof. It’s also been discontinued so supply will start drying up. But it can definitely still be found on eBay.
Performance:
3–5 hours. More subtle than the others, so it may require a mid-day refresh.
Recommended?:
I definitely like it. It’s tough to recommend as it’s been discontinued, but you can find it for cheap on eBay as of this writing.
- YSL Y EDP – The Modern Maverick
Scent Profile:
- Top: Apple, Ginger, Bergamot
- Heart: Sage, Juniper, Geranium
- Base: Vetiver, Tonka Bean, Amberwood
Impression?:
YSL Y EDP (2018) is what happens when a fragrance decides it wants to win at everything. It opens with a juicy green apple note that hits you like a confident handshake, followed by aromatic sage and warm amberwood. It’s bolder than Versace, cleaner than Bleu, and arguably the most dynamic of the bunch. I’d wear it every day of the week and twice on Sunday were it not for the fact that, despite being an EDP, the performance is horrible. I mean like I can’t smell it after 2 or 3 hours. There’s some speculation online that a reformulation has happened as I’m definitely not the only one to experience the abbreviated half-life of this scent as compared to early batches. Obviously there’s a lot of variables like body chemistry that can impact performance. Your mileage may vary.
Performance:?8–10 hours (supposedly). Maybe 3 hours in my experience. Y EDP Intense (2023) is supposed to last longer. It’s said to have more depth, stronger projection, and leans slightly darker but still fresh. Y Le Parfum (2021) is heavier, smoother, more aromatic and ambery— but has beastly longevity.
Recommended?:
I won’t be buying a second bottle, but I hope to try some other longer lasting YSL colognes. But it is widely available through discount channels, so it might be worth trying a bottle to see if the longevity is better with your body chemistry than mine.
- Polo 67 EDT – The Throwback Rebel
Scent Profile:
- Top: Citrus, Marine Notes
- Heart: Spices, Violet Leaf
- Base: Musk, Amber, Woods
Impression:
Polo 67 has a slightly retro feel – both in the scent and packaging. It brings together fresh marine notes with just enough musk to keep it grounded. Not as polished as Polo Blue or as sporty as Ultra Blue, but charming in its own way. This one came out just last year – March of 2024. I happened to be shopping at my local Polo Outlet the week it debuted. I tried a sample – it was middle of the road nice, but I was shocked by the longevity (this is an EDT???). I was literally smelling it on my wrist the next morning. So I picked up a bottle. This has pretty much been my go-to ever since – I’m almost through the 1st bottle and have a 2nd ready to go.
Performance:
5–7 hours. Shockingly good for an EDT. I can make it through most of a work day and still smell it.
Recommended?:
Definitely. Especially for the price..IF you can, like me, pick it up at your local Polo Outlet. Technically speaking I don’t think they’re supposed to discount fragrances (which are I believe a noted excluded item when Polo send you emails or texts with discount codes..but my Outlet has never refused to discount it). I typically get it at 30-50% off. Great daily driver.
Final Thoughts: Which One Is Right for You?
Need one fragrance to rule them all? Go with Bleu de Chanel EDP. It’s the gold standard per all the “expert” fragrance influencers.
On a budget or want something youthful and clean? Versace Pour Homme delivers premium freshness at a great value.
Looking for a casual, sporty vibe? Polo Ultra Blue is a grab-and-go summer staple. But hard to recommend due to it being discontinued.
Want a signature scent that turns heads? YSL Y EDP is bold, modern, and made to impress. Just buy two bottles and plan on re-applying.
My current favorite? Give Polo 67 a spin—it might surprise you. Particularly with the longevity.
All that said, I’m still on the hunt for “the one to rule them all.” Here’s what’s next on my try list:
- Giorgio Armani Acqua di Giò Profondo.
- One of the YSL “Y” variants which are supposed to last longer like Intense or Y Le Parfum.
- Chanel Allure Homme Sport Eau Extrême
- Versace Dylan Blue
- The Blue Conclusion
Blue fragrances are so popular for a reason—they’re flexible, wearable, and tend to please both the wearer and everyone nearby. And hey, if anyone tells you cologne is just a vanity thing? Politely point them to science—smell is one of the strongest memory triggers we’ve got. Why not make sure your scent says something good?
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