I admit it. I’m a sucker for Versace fragrances. I have quite a few of them, and I love wearing them. So when Versace released Eros Flame back in 2018, I immediately bought a bottle.
In this blog post, I’ll be comparing the original Eros with the newer Eros Flame and discussing their similarities and differences. Spoiler alert: there are a lot of differences. So keep reading to find out which one I think is better.
Versace Fragrance fans, this post is for you. Read till the end to find out which one is my favorite.
Versace Eros
Versace Eros is the aromatic fougere-like fragrance debuting in 2012. If it isn’t for the striking turquoise-colored bottle with an embossed image of Medusa, the scent will captivate you from the first spray. Why? Because the scent is insanely powerful.
Now, a strong perfume isn’t always a good thing and there are times that fragrance can be so in your face, it makes you feel sick. But that isn’t the case with Eros. Yes, it’ll instantly get you noticed in a room or even as you waft past someone in the street, but it won’t offend.
If anything, Versace Eros will draw attention because of its many contrasts.
What Does Eros Smell Like?
There is a very specific balance here between fresh notes and warmth. While it opens with mint, green apple, and lemon, Eros quickly turns sweet and rich at the heart with notes of ambroxan, tonka bean, and geranium.
But what I love is that, despite this warmth, those zingy top notes linger throughout, especially when you spray it on clothing. It definitely lasts a long time.
As Eros dries down to the base, it remains very warm and almost feels snug. The sweetness of vanilla is blended with woody notes of cedar, vetiver, and oakmoss. This is a fragrance that perfectly suits winter wear as it is very strong. I feel that if you wear this in summer, your body heat is going to seriously boost the strength and it’ll be too much.
I find that Eros is an excellent perfume when you’re blind buying. While you can very easily tell it apart from other fragrances, it’s got the characteristics of a classic popular perfume. This makes it very easy to wear. It’s youthful, vibrant, and distinctly sexy.
My Verdict On Versace Eros
I think that Versace Eros would make a great signature scent. It’s timeless and yet modern all at the same time and with excellent strength and longevity, it’s certainly a true performer. That said, I do think that this could be a little too much for some people, especially if you prefer a more delicate fragrance.
While it is advertised as an aromatic fougere, there’s a definite Oriental feel to Eros that cannot be denied.
Versace Eros Flame
In 2018, Versace released its flanker to Eros known as Eros Flame, or Flame in short. This fragrance comes in a very similar bottle but is now red, and there’s a deep, rich, almost sinful feel to it.
Inside, however, you find something much less devilish. Flame is a woody spicy perfume that leaves me feeling confident and outgoing when I wear it.
One of the points that Versace makes about Flame is that it’s there to show contrasts between light and shade, hot and cold, sweet and spicy. I can confirm it does this effortlessly. The composition is much more refined than Eros. Therefore, these contrasts are apparent.
What Does Eros Flame Smell Like?
I find citrusy scents of mandarin orange, chinotto, and lemon appearing at the head with rosemary and black pepper. The smell is like a whirlwind for the olfactory system.
This diversity is not surprising. A different perfumer created Versace Flame to Eros. While Eros was the creation of Aurelien Guichard, Flame was brought to life by Olivier Pescheux. The fragrance has a distinct personality due to the different approaches.
The heart releases pepper, geranium, and rose. If you aren’t a fan of floral fragrances, I wouldn’t recommend this as the rose is very heady. It certainly sets Flame apart from its older cousin, Eros and gives this a slightly more sophisticated and mature character.
At the base, there are a lot of similar tones to Eros, like cedar, vanilla, and oakmoss. You’ll also find tonka bean, sandalwood, and patchouli here, so it’s very warm and almost feels comforting.
Due to its slightly less intense scent, I believe that Flame is better suited to those who want a versatile fragrance. In terms of longevity, I find that Flame performs just as well as Eros. A couple of sprays will see you through a good six hours. But since this is a synthetic fragrance, you may need to reapply if you’re moving from daytime to evening.
It might still overpower somewhat during summer but wouldn’t be anywhere near as cloying as Eros. It’s strong enough to get you noticed without being drastically in your face. And that’s a nice balance right there.
My Verdict On Versace Eros Flame
Versace Flame, for me, feels like a much more passionate, classy, and mature fragrance compared to Versace Eros. It’s full of character and kind of makes me the gentleman sitting in a leather chair, speaking about the good old days while sipping on a glass of red wine.
It’s not a perfume for people who want something crisp, fresh, or almost aquatic; there’s definitely a much spicier feel to it.
I also think that the addition of rose could be too much for some, but that’s very much down to personal preference.
The Verdict: Versace Eros Vs. Versace Flame
It’s tough to choose my favorite scent for Versace Eros vs. Versace Flame. They’re two totally opposing fragrances that are vastly suited for two very distinct tastes. However, if I’m having to choose, then I have to lean slightly more towards the scent of Flame. It feels much more inviting to me, which I enjoy a lot in a perfume.
Now let’s talk about performance. If you want something that’ll make you an instant hit wherever you go, Eros is the obvious choice. It’s loud, it’s outgoing, and it is not afraid to stand out. The projection on this is wild. Even as it fades, it’ll stay on your skin and clothes for what seems like an eternity.
When I wear Eros, I feel liberated and vibrant. It’s a fragrance as sexy as it is playful, yet there’s an apparent depth to it. On the other hand, Flame has me feeling much more relaxed, nostalgic, and kind of makes me feel mature. In much the same way that it’s hard to choose between the two scents, these feelings have me conflicted. I guess it’s all about mood and occasion.
Speaking of occasions, is there better versatility in one of these scents compared to the other? I’d say that Flame slightly takes the crown here as you could wear this as a daytime fragrance more easily than you would with Eros. Moreover, it’s not quite as in your face, allowing you get away with wearing it at different times of the year.
Where designer perfumes are concerned, Versace is pretty generous with its prices. Moreover, both Eros and Flame come in at the same price which means you’re left to choose based on preference rather than the damage they’ll do to your wallet. These fragrances are both affordable options, so you won’t have to worry about breaking the bank when choosing one.
I found it difficult to choose between Versace Eros and Versace Eros Flame, they are two equally impressive fragrances. In the end, it was up to me to declare a winner, and I think Flame meets my expectations better than Eros. Versace Flame is a more versatile, timeless, and easy-to-wear fragrance than Eros. Its beautiful array of contrasting notes just does it for me, and that’s why it’s my favorite.
