Rave Citrus Perfume Guide: Now for Men vs Au Soleil

If you're in Kuala Lumpur and you've got a date night coming up — dinner in the city, drinks with a view, or just a relaxed evening out — and you've been eyeing Rave perfumes, this guide is for you. We're looking at two 100ml bottles from the brand: Now for Men and Au Soleil. They don't smell alike at all, but they do share one thing: both open with a citrus lift, which is exactly what you want in our hot, humid weather.

Now for Men: fresh, woody and aromatic

Now for Men is Rave's (by Lattafa) fresh aromatic woody fragrance for men, and the whole vibe is confident and youthful. It opens with bergamot, lemon and mint — that clean, fresh kick. In the heart you get lavender, cardamom and amber, and the base settles into cedarwood, musk and patchouli for a smooth, masculine finish.

Who's it for? Guys who want something easy to live with every day. The store tags it for everyday and casual wear, and its seasons lean towards warm weather, which fits KL just fine. If your date night is a casual one — mamak supper, a laid-back dinner, an evening walk — this is the kind of scent that keeps things fresh without trying too hard.

Au Soleil: bright, clean and unisex

Au Soleil plays a different game. It's a floral fruity EDP in the same 100ml size, and it's unisex, so anyone can wear it. The opening is sparkling citrus with fresh herbs and light fruity touches. The heart brings soft florals and smooth woods, and the base is musk, warm woods and a touch of soft sweetness.

The store description calls it bright, clean and modern, and says it suits Malaysia's climate. Its occasion list is long too: daily, office, casual and even the gym. So if your date night comes right after a full working day and you don't have time to go home and re-spray, this is a practical pick.

So which one for your KL date night?

Both perfumes list casual among their occasions, and honestly, most date nights in KL are casual. Here's the simple way to split them:

Pick Now for Men if... you want a fresh, woody, masculine scent. The bergamot, lemon and mint opening feels crisp, and the cedarwood, musk and patchouli base gives it a classic masculine edge.
Pick Au Soleil if... you want something lighter and fruitier, or if you and your partner might end up sharing a bottle, since it's unisex. The soft sweetness in its base also gives it a warmer, friendlier ending compared to Now for Men.

One more difference worth knowing: Au Soleil is an EDP (eau de parfum), while Now for Men's concentration isn't listed, so with Au Soleil you know exactly what you're getting.

Quick recap of the notes:

Now for Men: bergamot, lemon and mint on top; lavender, cardamom and amber in the middle; cedarwood, musk and patchouli at the base. Family: fresh, woody, aromatic.
Au Soleil: citrus, fresh herbs and fruity notes on top; soft florals and smooth woods in the middle; musk, warm woods and soft sweetness at the base. Family: floral fruity.

Whichever way you go, both are 100ml, both work with Malaysian weather, and both keep things casual and easy — which is really all a KL date night needs. Happy picking, and enjoy your date.