Stronger With You is one of those universal colognes I just had to get around to trying. Friends of mine swear by it, so I knew I had to see what the fuss was about for myself with a Stronger With You review.
I was not disappointed. This fragrance is comfort in a bottle. Sweet warming notes of cardamom and vanilla rest on top of a woodsy base of cedar and chestnut. It swerves aggressive notes and instead represents refined, gentlemanly masculinity.
A sweet, warm fragrance packed with vanilla and aromatic spices.
Strong projection and longevity. Lasts for at least 8 hours.
Reasonably priced for the quality - particularly when you buy a larger bottle.
First Impressions
The standard Stronger With You bottle looks like it was taken from the dresser of a renovated Italian high-rise. It presents a sleek and refined brand of masculinity and is available in 30, 50, and 100 ml denominations.
My tester tube didn’t quite conjure the same effect, but I was able to glean this emphasis on minimalism and status by flipping through the promotional material.
What Does Stronger With You Smell Like?
I’d bracket Strong With You as a sweet scent, but it’s not overwhelmingly so. There’s lots of vanilla and fruits in the opening that keep things bright, but it’s neatly moderated by warm spices that emerge throughout the lifetime of the fragrance.
The way the cardamom and vanilla combine is wonderfully cozy and comfortable. It feels powdery, teetering on gourmand. It smells more expensive than it is, that much is for sure.
The lighter sweet notes take center stage for the first few hours, before making way for a woodier, nuttier denouement. The projection here is reduced, but it’s a gorgeous, amber-heavy skin scent up close.
| Top Notes: | Cardamom, Pink Pepper, Violet Leaf and Mint |
| Middle Notes: | Pineapple, Cinnamon, Melon, Sage and Lavender |
| Base Notes: | Vanilla, Chestnut, Amberwood, Cedar and Guaiac Wood |
How Long Does Stronger With You Last?
Stronger With You works pretty strongly on me. In my experience, it packs enough punch to carry me through an 8-hour office day pretty comfortably.
That’s from 3 sprays in the morning; two to the neck, one on my wrists. If you dialed it up a bit (4 – 5 sprays), you could probably crack 10 hours.
For the first 3 hours after application, you’re rocking a serious little scent bubble as you wander through town. Sure, it fades throughout the day, but it’s still noticeable.
Just a quick tip – don’t spray Stronger With You on your clothes if you plan on using a different fragrance the next day.
On fabric I’ve noticed Stronger With You can last between 12 – 24 hours, and you don’t want a fragrance clash if you’ve sprayed it on your go-to jacket, for example.
When you are spending a decent chunk of change on a designer cologne, you want something that has a bit of staying power.
Plus, it means you need fewer sprays per application, extending the lifespan of your bottle
When Should You Wear Stronger With You?
For me, Stronger With You is a nailed-on winter fragrance. That combination of vanilla and spice is so cozy, that you can’t help but imagine a couple of scotches by the crackling fire blazing in the hearth.
It’s like a perpetual hug from a beautiful girl in your favorite sweater. Okay, maybe not that far – but I think you get the idea. My GF absolutely loves Stronger With You, and is always noticeably nicer to me when I’m wearing it.
I think this fragrance works best for someone young, or at least young-ish. Somewhere in the range of 20 – 40. It’s not about energy and exuberance, bouncing off the walls. This suits the 35-year-old day-to-day or the 22-year-old who is making a special effort on date night.
And, it certainly works for both of them in the run-up to Christmas, as the cold nights draw in.
Can You Wear Stronger With You to Work?
When I’m at work I prefer to wear something fresh and light, which is not necessarily what Stronger With You offers. It’s more of a wrap-around blanket that a refreshing breeze, let’s say.
Also, I cannot overstate the fact that girls love this fragrance. It may genuinely prove to be a bit of a distraction to your female colleagues, or open certain avenues of inquiry that you might prefer to remain closed.
A sweet, warm fragrance packed with vanilla and aromatic spices.
Strong projection and longevity. Lasts for at least 8 hours.
Reasonably priced for the quality - particularly when you buy a larger bottle.
Is Stronger With You Worth it?
Overall, Stronger With You represents great value for money. It’s a high-quality, enthralling fragrance, so picking up a full-sized bottle for a mid-range price is a win, for sure.
I’d be hesitant to bracket it with the top-tier niche designers (Tom Ford’s Tobacco Vanille springs to mind), but Stronger With You definitely holds its own against some of the more established brands in the mid-range. Your Versaces and your Calvin Kleins, for example.
Where to Buy Stronger With You
I’ve used Nordstrom for a couple of years, and so far every product has been authentic and shown up when I expected it to. Their returns policy is also second to none, which is handy.
Beyond that, Amazon is probably the most stocked place to buy colognes online. You can search for reviews for each vendor so you know exactly what you’re getting.
Plus, delivery with Amazon Prime is crazy quick. It’s great for impulse buys that you need in time for the weekend.
A sweet, warm fragrance packed with vanilla and aromatic spices.
Strong projection and longevity. Lasts for at least 8 hours.
Reasonably priced for the quality - particularly when you buy a larger bottle.
Similar Fragrances to Stronger With You
If you’re looking for something similar to Stronger With You, check out my recommendations below.
Versace Eros
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Boss Bottled
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Versace Eros – Stronger With You Alternatives
If you took out some of Stronger With You’s soft fruits and replaced them with a livelier mint and citrus, you’d have something approximating Versace Eros in my estimation.
A vibrant, youthful party-banger cologne that women can't resist.
Masculine woodiness in the base (cedar) paired with sweet fruits and mint.
Beast mode performance- will last a full 8-hour day with no problems.
- More attention-grabbing than the EDP, and better for a party atmosphere.
- Not as expensive as the EDP – about 60 – 70 % of the price.
Plus, it has that same female-friendly effect that has to be experienced to be believed.
This vanilla flavor bomb is delicious. It is creamy, rich, and sweet to the perfect level. This fresh and vivid cologne reminds me of mint choc-chip ice cream without the chocolate.
It works really well. The interplay of freshness and dessert flavors is just as addictive as it is unusual.
| Top Notes: | Mint, Green Apple and Lemon |
| Middle Notes: | Tonka Bean, Ambroxan and Geranium |
| Base Notes: | Vanilla, Cedar, Vetiver and Oakmoss |
Boss Bottled- Stronger With You Alternatives
Boss Bottled
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Boss Bottled shares the smoky vanilla and cinnamon DNA, but with the addition of the iconic Hugo Boss apple accord.
The result is like a hot apple pie with touches of cinnamon and spiced cloves. It rests on top of a warm, masculine base of sandalwood and cedar.
Not too sweet, not too dry – Boss Bottled is a versatile winter warmer, perfect for smelling great in the office or at the local coffee house.
Check my full Boss Bottled review to learn more about its impressive longevity in testing.
| Top Notes: | Apple, Mandarin, and Cinnamon |
| Middle Notes: | Patchouli, Rosemary, and Lavender |
| Base Notes: | Olivewood and Sandalwood |
What’s Changed?
We updated this guide in January 2024 to reflect the most recent pricing information.
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