Finding a cologne that you like makes you feel very lucky – but sometimes you cannot get your hands on the exact same fragrance, or you just want something similar but not exactly the same.
Today, I will be covering the ultimate alternatives for a relatively new but great scent – Prada Luna Rossa Black.
So, if that’s what you are looking for, then you are in luck – just keep reading till the end to know what are the best colognes similar to this Prada scent.
What Does Luna Rossa Black Smell Like?
Luna Rossa Black is one of the recent launches by Prada, as it was released in 2018. Black is the second flanker of Prada Luna Rossa, which was released much prior to it back in 2012 and gained quite hefty popularity.
While the original Luna Rossa had an aromatic essence to it, Black lacks the floral notes and has a more ambery and musky scent.
As the name Luna Rossa Black suggests, the scent has a dark, mysterious vibe, which draws a lot of attention.
When you initially spray it, the fragrance opens beautifully with a fresh, slightly spicy, clean scent of bergamot, closely followed by a soft, powdery touch.
There is a subtle sweetness that feels like the best part of the cologne to me. The heart notes of patchouli, coumarin and angelica are evident quite early on as the scent settles quickly.
You can feel the base notes grounding the fragrance and combining the other notes seamlessly.
Overall, the woody and the ambery scent are classy and pleasant, with excellent performance, especially in terms of longevity.
What Fragrances Are Similar to Prada Luna Rossa Black?
Created by Daniela Roche Andrier, Luna Rossa Black is an excellent fragrance to own for any man – but there are many colognes in the market that can impressively duplicate its scent.
Some have added touches of their own, which make them even more appealing, in my opinion.
After a thorough market search, I have shortlisted the best contenders and listed them with all the necessary details.
So, here are the 5 best alternatives to Prada Luna Rossa Black:
Midnight in Paris by Van Cleef & Arpels
Top Notes: Leather, Bergamot, Amalfi Lemon, Holly and Rosemary
Middle Notes: Tea, Styrax and Lily-of-the-Valley
Base Notes: Tonka Bean, Incense, Benzoin, Almond and Amber
Midnight in Paris by Van Cleef & Arpels was launched around 8 years before Luna Rossa Black in 2010. While this cologne has some unique touches and notes, there is a marked similarity between these two scents.
For instance, the opening of the two scents is very much alike, with the fragrant and somewhat spicy bergamot.
It has a similar dominance of amber in the base notes area, which makes them smell very much alike, as well as the sweet and spicy combination.
Besides that, there are some notable differences. I would say that this fragrance is much more intense and smokey owing to the incense and leather.
However, these notes help this cologne attain a similar dark mysteriousness which is quite sensual.
When To Wear
The useability of Midnight in Paris is also similar to that of Luna Rossa Black – it is best for winter and fall. I would also recommend getting the most out of this cologne during evening events, as it beautifully complements the wearer in the dark.
Why You Should Buy
- Similar scent to Luna Rossa Black.
- Intriguing scent.
- Excellent longevity.
- Less expensive than Luna Rossa Black.
Black by Bvlgari
Top Notes: Green Tea, Bergamot and Rose
Middle Notes: Sandalwood, Cedar and Jasmine
Base Notes: Leather, Vanilla, Amber, Musk and Oakmoss
Black by Bvlgari is an old classic by the brand. Annick Menardo created it, and the aroma has a resemblance to Luna Rossa Black, which is why it’s on this list.
Overall, this scent is spicy, warm, woody and ambery. It has an excellent leather and amber base, which sustains throughout its timeline.
The key differences to my nose were the floral notes and sandalwood. These additions give the fragrance its own twist of aroma but do not take away from its pleasantness.
Due to the floral addition, this scent can also be used by ladies, it’s unisex. However, I feel like it leans much more toward the masculine side.
The scent has really good longevity and decent sillage.
When To Wear
This smokey, woody aroma is perfect for the cooler seasons, so that you can wear it effortlessly during winter and fall. It’s great for both day and night occasions. It’s a great choice for formal events.
Why You Should Buy
- Similar scent to Luna Rossa Black.
- More floral and sweet.
- Good performance.
- Alluring scent.
- Good value for the money.
Bois Doré by Van Cleef & Arpels
Top Notes: Black Pepper and Mineral notes
Middle Notes: Vanilla, Almond, Tobacco and Cedar
Base Notes: Tonka Bean, Teak Wood and Musk
Bois Doré by Van Cleef & Arpels is another unisex fragrance on the list. It was created by Fabrice Pellegrin and has a similar dark, mysterious and warm aroma.
Bois Dore opens with a similar spicy note but much more intensified. The warmth and sweetness of vanilla, almond, and tonka bean blend in beautifully with the spicy notes.
The presence of tobacco gives the cologne a smokey, masculine tone.
Moreover, the musk, cedar and teakwood make the overall scent very warm and creamy.
When To Wear
Much like Luna Rossa Black, Bois Doré is a great scent for cooler weather. I highly recommend wearing it during winter and fall. The scent can feel a bit overwhelming during warmer seasons. But it is quite versatile and can be used for any occasion, whether it is the am or pm.
Why You Should Buy
- Similar scent to Luna Rossa Black.
- Very long-lasting.
- Great value for the money.
- More woody alternative to Luna Rossa Black.
Armani Code Eau de Parfum by Giorgio Armani
Top Notes: Lavender, Lemon and Bergamot
Middle Notes: Tonka Bean
Base Notes: Suede, Vanilla, Musk and Cedar
Next on the list is Armani Code Eau de Parfum by Giorgio Armani, released very recently in 2021. Created by Antoine Maisondieu, this cologne is a star performer in terms of longevity.
It is very ambery and pleasant, just like Luna Rosso Black. However, I think its qualities are more in line with the original Luna Rosso than Black owing to the presence of lavender in the opening notes.
Nonetheless, Armani Code opens brilliantly with citrus, lavender, and spice. The delicious scent settles quite fast, giving rise to a smooth, creamy and musky finish.
The leather and suede act in unity, creating a dark and heavy vibe like Black. Overall, I’d say it is a great cologne to own.
When To Wear
Armani Code is perfect for men who like smelling intense. It is quite formal and can be worn to a variety of different events. It’s great for winter, fall and spring. If the weather is somewhat cool, you can wear it at any time of the day.
Why You Should Buy
- Similar scent to Luna Rossa Black.
- Strong resemblance to Luna Rossa.
- Great performance.
- Good value for the price.
212 Sexy Men by Carolina Herrera
Top Notes: Mandarin Orange, Bergamot and Green Notes
Middle Notes: Pepper, Flowers and Cardamom
Base Notes: Vanilla, Guaiac Wood, Sandalwood, Musk and Amber
Last but not least is a cologne by Carolina Herrera called 212 Sexy Men, and like the name, the fragrance is a sensual aroma.
Launched in 2006, this cologne was created by Alberto Morillas and Rosendo Mateu. The main reason it’s on this list is because of the opening and closing of the scent.
Yes, you read that right.
The fragrance opens with a familiar bergamot combined with multiple different citrus notes. Eventually, it develops into a similar powdery aroma as Luna Rossa Black.
The closing musk and amber again create a vibe that’s dark, sensual, mysterious and quite reminiscent of the Prada scent.
It has an interesting leafy, earthy touch to it that makes the cologne even more pleasing. Besides the similarities, it is also an excellent scent that performs really well.
When To Wear
Like all the other colognes mentioned in this article, this one also complements colder weather the best. It is very pleasant, and you can wear it to any formal or semi-formal occasion at any time of the day.
Why You Should Buy
- Similar scent to Luna Rossa Black.
- More citrusy than Rossa Black.
- Long-lasting fragrance.
- Great overall scent and performance.
Conclusion
Prada Luna Rossa Black is an excellent cologne to own, and if you really dig it, you can find many similar alternatives in the market. But finding the right one can be tedious, so this list will help you get the best Luna Rossa Black alternative for yourself.
All the fragrances mentioned in this article have two things in common: they smell like Rossa Black and perform really well!
So, whichever you choose to go for, I can guarantee you will not be disappointed by the cologne.
Let me know which one you choose and which cologne you’d like me to cover next.