3 Best Kenneth Cole Colognes (2023) Full Review
Kenneth Cole.
An affordable but quality brand.
This review will describe the three best Kenneth Cole colognes for men. It will detail their smell, performance, and anything else you need to know. For smaller collections, Kenneth Cole fragrances are great additions.
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Table of Contents
#3 – Kenneth Cole Mankind
The opening starts with a fruity pineapple that brings a touch of sweetness with it. It is paired with equal parts dark greens from a tarragon note. It mainly gives the fragrance an aromatic accord.
Within a few minutes, it gets “inky” from the depth of the oakmoss. In the background is the addition of a metallic accord supported by soft dark spices and suede. The general idea in the mid is woody, deep, and earthy.
The base simplifies even further. It is all about woody vetiver. The above notes mix and mingle until the rest of the wear settles on dark, aromatic woods.
Mankind lasts five hours on the skin with light to intimate projection. In the first hour, it pushes out up to two feet. After this period, it becomes a skin scent. This is all-season and occasion wear.
#2 – Kenneth Cole Black
The opening starts bright and citric with a prominent orange note, a hint of grapefruit, and equal-mint freshness. In the background is a slight aquatic feel, but it is fleeting. Within a few minutes, the mint gets noticeably more aromatic and green.
As the scent progresses into the mid, the orange is still at the forefront while the mint weakens. There is a semi-sweet and dry powder addition from a lotus flower. A slight musk nuance and a woody, amber, and slightly smoky incense rest in the background.
The dry-down simplifies. It is musky and aromatic with the lingering woods, amber, and slightly smoky incense nuances in the background, giving the fragrance depth.
Kenneth Cole Black lasts four to five hours on the skin with light projection. It pushes out two feet in the first one to two hours, then becomes a skin scent. This is all-season and occasion wear – one of its best aspects.
#1 – Kenneth Cole Reaction
The opening starts very fruity and fresh. It’s all about the watermelon note with the sweeter melon playing second fiddle. There is a slight apple and citric tinge, but neither amount to much. The watermelon smells, as you would imagine, watery and ozonic.
There are a bunch of notes in the scent profile, but this is a linear scent. The fragrance has no mid; it is solely a transition from the ultra-fresh opening to the slightly denser base.
The dry-down has a prominent musk with glimpses of florals and woods. The sweetness weakens as the scent develops. The rest of the wear is fresh, fruity, and musky.
The longevity is in the four-hour range with intimate projection. The first half an hour is present. After this period, it recedes to a skin scent for the rest of the wear. This is exclusively late spring and summer wear. The warmer the temperatures, the better this performs.
As for occasions, it is casual. This is a simple and playful scent. My only warning about this fragrance is that it’s slightly youthful. Not that an older gentleman can’t wear it, but they’re less likely to enjoy it.
Final Words
The final burning question is, are Kenneth Cole colognes worth it? Yes and no. I appreciate having these scents in my collection, but I have outgrown them as my collection has grown.
Well, why? Kenneth Cole colognes are slightly synthetic but also extremely affordable. It’s not fair to compare these to high-end designer fragrances because they are significantly more expensive. For their price point, Kenneth Cole colognes are worth it.
If you’re a collector, they probably won’t satisfy you, but always give them a try.
After you try a Kenneth Cole cologne, I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments.