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Guess 1981 Los Angeles Men 2019

7.8 / 10 204 Ratings
A popular perfume by Guess for men, released in 2019. The scent is sweet-spicy. It is being marketed by Interparfums.
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Main accords

Sweet
Spicy
Woody
Fruity
Fresh

Fragrance Pyramid

Top Notes Top Notes
PlumPlum BergamotBergamot Black pepperBlack pepper
Heart Notes Heart Notes
SpearmintSpearmint GeraniumGeranium Red gingerRed ginger
Base Notes Base Notes
TobaccoTobacco AmberAmber SandalwoodSandalwood VetiverVetiver

Perfumers

Ratings
Scent
7.8204 Ratings
Longevity
7.0196 Ratings
Sillage
6.5195 Ratings
Bottle
7.5203 Ratings
Value for money
8.8140 Ratings
Submitted by Franfan20, last update on 11/07/2025.

Smells similar

What the fragrance is similar to
Eros (Eau de Toilette) by Versace
Eros Eau de Toilette
Eros (Eau de Parfum) by Versace
Eros Eau de Parfum
Eros Parfum by Versace
Eros Parfum
Romamor Uomo by Laura Biagiotti
Romamor Uomo
Colors de Benetton Man Black by Benetton
Colors de Benetton Man Black
F by Ferragamo pour Homme (Eau de Toilette) by Salvatore Ferragamo
F by Ferragamo pour Homme Eau de Toilette

Reviews

12 in-depth fragrance descriptions
GeorgeReid

37 Reviews
GeorgeReid
GeorgeReid
9  
Like an Open Art Gallery without Condescending Snobs
One day, I considered blind buys for affordable fragrances. By pure chance, I came across Guess 1981 Los Angeles for Men. After hearing mostly positive reviews, I pulled the trigger on the fragrance.

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The opening notes of bergamot, black pepper, and plum are sharp and hit the nose quickly on the initial spray with sweetness and spiciness.

As the fragrance develops and the heart notes of ginger and spearmint blend in with the base notes of vetiver, sandalwood, and amber, the sweetness fades in favor of a slightly mature spiciness and a hint of freshness.

1981 LA is like walking through an art gallery—except you do not have to whisper, and you can touch the art. It gives off a vibe of a person wanting to become more mature and trendy, without being snobbish.

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In terms of overall performance, 1981 Los Angeles performs about as expected for an Eau de Toilette.

The initial projection and sillage are strong at the opening, but after 15 minutes, it essentially calms down to a skin scent where one would have to be intimately close to smell. While there is nothing wrong with scents that project only as far as to intimate range, the opening sets up a massive letdown for anyone expecting a fragrance with superstar projection and sillage. This would absolutely suck for someone who is doing a store test, believing one thing, and getting something else.

The longevity is also typical for an EdT—it should last about four to six hours. The usual EdT rules apply; if one wishes to use the scent all day instead of a specific situation, expect to reapply it once or twice.

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In terms of the best situations for Guess 1981 Los Angeles, it is useable as a daily fragrance—the lack of sillage and projection makes it a safe office, gym, or leisure scent. In addition, it is a fragrance that smells good throughout the year. The scent is ideal for winter and cooler weather, but it does not become annoying or overbearing in the summer months or in a warm climate.

With that in mind, the fragrance shines brightly as an intimate date night fragrance, where a date or significant other is likely to get cozy and enjoy the fragrance.

That said, this is a scent that is meant for when a man has established the date, whether it is preparing for the first date, or dating a significant other in a relationship.

If a man tries to use this fragrance to help get a date at a club, bar, or any other event with many people, 1981 Los Angeles will disappoint. The fragrance already does not stand out from the crowd, as there are similar fragrances to it. However, the lack of projection and sillage means few will notice the fragrance unless a person is actively trying to smell it. That is not an ideal situation for a man looking to seek attention like a superstar.

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Overall, Guess 1981 Los Angeles, while not unique, is an amazing masculine smell with a solid blend of youthful sweetness and mature spiciness. Anyone, regardless of age, can pull it off with little thought.

That said, if someone is looking for a fragrance that stands out as a unique fragrance, or one that projects and announces their presence when entering a bar or a club, 1981 Los Angeles is not for you, as disappointment (and possibly consumer rage if you store tested it) is inevitable.

However, if someone wants a great value fragrance that smells amazing and stylish and will last through the end of a date or a solid fragrance that is subtle enough to provide versatility as a daily scent with little thinking, I would heavily consider 1981 Los Angeles.
1 Comment
KimJong

64 Reviews
KimJong
KimJong
5  
Perhaps Guess's Best Cologne
The idea of balancing sweetness with mint, is very similar to Versace Eros. Indeed, 1981 LA has an impressive atmosphere reminiscent of Eros. But it's not just copying. Anyone can easily spot the difference. It's well blended with fresh peppers that tap into the rich plum flavor from the opening. Not too sticky, not too sweet. After the Eros-like heart note, tempting red flower hints blend in amber and sandalwood that feels like vanilla ice cream. It seems to last 8 hours for spray 3, but I still don't know if it will do so in cold weather. The sure thing is: This is a very sexy, very harmonious cocktail.
0 Comments
DragoIvanov

55 Reviews
DragoIvanov
DragoIvanov
4  
Take my money and give me another bottle!
Versace Eros for grown men. A bit less sweet, but 85-90% simular. Lasts 5-6 hours with decent sillage. Then becomes a skinscent for long. I spray on neck, clothes, but also on chest under the shirt and that way it lasts longer to 8 hours. Definitely not for hot day, but in the fall-warm winter-spring is delicious. Cap is high class, atomiser also very good. The bottle is stylish, but not convenient to carry because of the shape. Stays very cool on shelf.
Got 100ml for 15EUR and also got a very simular 50ml clone(lasts strong 8+hours and sillage is much better then Guess) of Eros EDT so i am OK for really long time, accord to my big collection. But this one deserve a backup one.
0 Comments
Guitar2016

232 Reviews
Guitar2016
Guitar2016
3  
Pleasant on Dry Down
Stunning Fragrance, Elegant, Classy and Modern. You can't go wrong with it, l bought it blind-buy after I read positive comments with reasonable price, It costs more than this price. It opens up with sweet fresh spicy, citrusy, fruity and spices notes in the background then dry down is sweet Ambery Woody. The Plum and Amber notes are dominant in this Perfume. This is perfect for the spring, fall and winter. I really enjoy it, Longevity is good. Highly Recommended.
Thumbs Up.
Rating : 8 / 10
0 Comments
MrHonest

118 Reviews
MrHonest
MrHonest
3  
Zara does Eros
There is something to be said about having a certain number of fragrances in your collection that just rub youthful noses the right way – somethin’ fo da laydies, somethin’ fo da cluhhh, blah blah blah, bling bling bling blah. 1981 Los Angeles is a clone of Versace Eros. That concludes our intensive 4-week course on contemporary logic.

Seriously though, LA was a total blind buy after eyeing the notes and thinking – hmmm, this looks like a more interesting D&G The One. After watching a couple of reviews online, my thoughts changed to – well ok, it might START OFF like Eros, but surely it evolves into its own thing? But no. Ok, sort of.

The opening is unmistakably reminiscent of a cross between Boss Bottled and something from Zara. Superbly generic and synthetic aromatic fruitiness that doesn’t quite smell like plum or apple to me, nor does it quite reach the depths of well-blended vanilla sweetness from Boss Bottled. Noticeable ‘cleaner’ vibes in the opening too the first couple of times I wore it. I can’t deny that I wasn’t initially disappointed.

However, within 2 minutes, there’s a clear warm ginger note that comes in and plays with a VERY modest mint that also doesn’t quite match the mint in Eros. But within those first few minutes, the sweetness from the amber finally surfaces and increases steadily over time, allowing LA to take on the unmistakeable garb of Versace’s creation, albeit without the same overwhelming brashness, robust vanilla or projection.

Don’t get me wrong – the projection isn’t terrible, but certainly nowhere near the strength of Eros. Think of a more “library appropriate” version. And that’s basically how it remains for the next 2.5 hours – a slightly warmer/woodier, watered down and muted version of Eros, until it morphs into a simple and generic (almost powdery?) amber-ginger combo by hour 3. Total longevity is about 7-8 hours and projection is surprisingly decent for the first 2.

All in all, I have to admit that I’m not totally disappointed with the scent – in fact, I always disliked Eros for its annoying persistence. It was just too juvenile, too pervasive, superficial and sweet – like the energizer bunny that follows you around all day, banging that goddamn drum. LA seems to fix those problems by replacing the vanilla with a muffled amber and the apple with “plum.” It's very pleasant to the average nose (compliments = yes), but a little too uninspired for my taste. In fact, to a niche head, this might be the stuff nightmares are made of. Absolutely nothing natural about the ingredients.

So to sum up, I would imagine that Guess 1981 Los Angeles is what an Eros clone by Zara would smell like – quieter, more humble, somewhat neutered, slightly more generic (plasticy almost?) yet still incredibly likeable. It could easily be mistaken for a modern flanker too – Eros Amber or something - and undeniably better than that dreadful ‘Flame’ nonsense. Longevity is decent, although the projection is more suitable for an intimate evening affair. Humid clubbing environments would just eat this stuff up.

Overall, it’s not a bad scent, but it’s certainly not a good one IMO – merely average, and probably a great gift idea for a horny teenager (aren’t they all horny though?) There are far better scents at this price point; but if you’re in the market for a modest and inexpensive Eros clone, Guess LA is suitable option. That is….until Zara actually comes out with their own version??? Here's not hoping.
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Statements

48 short views on the fragrance
3
A very nice warm perfume. *Update* the dry down is gorgeous. Don't underestimate this. It's a love from me.
0 Comments
3
Eros with light warm spices, that's it. Good quality, awesome price and a bit more mature than Eros. Everything done right
0 Comments
3
A more mature and less in-your-face version and less cloying version of Versace Eros. Also dirt cheap.
0 Comments
2
Little bit synthetic but is still a pretty good fragrance.
0 Comments
2
I get light root beer scent in a good way. A darker, warmer, fragrance but in a lighter, not as heavy, kind of way. I really like it
0 Comments
2
1
Scent can only be perceived up close, smells a bit fresh, minty, slightly spicy. Not really comparable to Eros, more mature.
1 Comment
2
I immediately noticed the Eros vibe, but with a more woody tone that gave it some balance. Very bubble gummy, but more mature.
0 Comments
2
Similar to Versace Eros, but cheaper and more synthetic.
Not bad for the price but too generic and bubblegumy to stand out. 23yo and below.
0 Comments
1
It’s fresh and cold at first with a pretty big dose of mint outshining the spices and geranium note. As it dries down, it will feel herbal
0 Comments
8
Very strong similarities to Versace Eros, but it brings out a much more masculine, woodier scent aura! Performance is also very good :)
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