Quick answer: Mykonos California Blue and Dumont Nitro Red are both fresh, fruity summer scents with lavender at the top, a watery heart and a woody base, and both have a link to Paco Rabanne Invictus, though Nitro Red's is looser. California Blue is the saltier, greener one, with pear, pink salt, rhubarb and a soft caramel finish; Nitro Red is the juicier, warmer one, with apple, watermelon, cedarwood, amber and sandalwood.
Mykonos California Blue vs Dumont Nitro Red: two summer scents for the same kind of day, from a morning at the beach to a warm evening out. Their occasion tags match exactly (daily wear, evenings and sport), both are rated moderate in intensity, and both put fruit, lavender and a marine facet up front. What separates them is the fruit they choose and where they land. We sell Mykonos and not Dumont, so we are not neutral, and notes on paper are only a guide to how a scent behaves on skin.
What they have in common
Mykonos California Blue is inspired by Paco Rabanne Invictus; that is the line printed on its product page. Dumont Nitro Red is described by some reviewers and retailers as inspired by Invictus as well. The caveat is that it is usually described as a hybrid rather than a single-reference scent: reviewers say it combines the Invictus direction with Maison Francis Kurkdjian Baccarat Rouge 540, and at least one reviewer does not hear the Invictus link at all. So the common ground is the Invictus side of Nitro Red, not the whole perfume. For what that kind of link does and does not mean, read what "inspired by" means on a perfume.
The note lists show where they meet. Both have lavender at the top next to a crisp fruit (pear in California Blue, apple in Nitro Red), both have a watery heart (marine notes and water blossoms against watermelon), and both finish on wood. Both are tagged for summer only.
Mykonos California Blue vs Dumont Nitro Red: notes compared
| Mykonos California Blue | Dumont Nitro Red | |
|---|---|---|
| Top notes | Lavender, pear, grapefruit, pink salt | Apple, lavender, bergamot |
| Heart notes | Rhubarb, water blossoms, marine notes | Watermelon, cedarwood, calamus |
| Base notes | Moss, soft wood, caramel | Amber, sandalwood, patchouli |
| Concentration | Extrait de parfum | Eau de parfum |
| Character | Citrus, aquatic, green; playful and carefree | Aromatic fruity; juicy, aquatic and woody |
| Intensity (as listed) | Moderate; projection rated strong | Moderate |
| Listed for | Unisex | Men |
| Best season | Summer | Summer |
| Best for | Daily wear, evenings, sport | Daily wear, evenings, sport |
Nitro Red's notes come from its product description, and its note tags add a marine facet and spice. The description credits the watermelon with the aquatic juiciness and the calamus with a subtle, spicy, ginger-like depth. Nitro Red was released in 2020.
Where they differ
- The fruit. California Blue uses pear, grapefruit and rhubarb, a mix that leans tart and green. Nitro Red uses apple and watermelon, which its description calls crisp and juicy. Pear is a note we explore in our pear perfume guide.
- Salt. Pink salt is California Blue's signature. Mykonos ties it to the thrill of a first dive into cool waves, and with the marine notes it gives the scent its sea-air feel. Nitro Red lists no salt.
- Spice. Nitro Red has calamus in its heart and spice among its tags. California Blue lists no spice; its heart is rhubarb, water blossoms and marine notes.
- The base. California Blue dries down to moss, soft wood and caramel, which Mykonos pictures as a golden beach sunset. Nitro Red dries down to amber, sandalwood and patchouli, which its description calls a warm, rich, woody trail.
- Label and concentration. California Blue is a unisex extrait de parfum. Nitro Red is an eau de parfum listed for men.
Which one should you choose?
- Choose California Blue if salty sea air is the feeling you want. Pink salt and marine notes make it the more coastal of the two on paper.
- Choose California Blue if you want a bottle to share; it is listed as unisex.
- Choose Nitro Red if apple and watermelon appeal to you more than pear and rhubarb.
- Choose Nitro Red if you like a warmer, woodier finish of amber, sandalwood and patchouli.
- For the gym or a hot day, both are tagged for sport. With either one, keep it light; our guide to perfume for the gym and sport explains why.
Dumont's Nitro line has more than one member. We compare another, which reviewers link to a different reference, in our Nitro Elixir comparison.
Wearing Mykonos California Blue
California Blue is an extrait de parfum in 50 ml and 100 ml, with a citrus, aquatic and green accord. Mykonos rates its sillage as moderate to strong, its projection as strong and its longevity at 10+ hours. One spray is enough before sport; two for a day out or a summer evening. It is tagged for summer and for daily wear, evenings and sport.
Mykonos describes it as the scent of the free-spirited drifter: bright, fruity and carefree. If you are deciding between it and the brand's other California scent, Mykonos California, which is more aromatic, with mandarin, lemon, rosemary and lavender, read Mykonos California vs California Blue. For more summer scents, browse the citrus collection and our summer picks, or see fresh and aquatic fragrances compared.
Frequently asked questions
Are Mykonos California Blue and Dumont Nitro Red the same perfume?
No. They share lavender, a crisp fruit, a watery heart, a woody base and a link to Invictus, but California Blue adds pear, pink salt, rhubarb and caramel, while Nitro Red adds apple, watermelon, calamus, amber and sandalwood.
Is Dumont Nitro Red inspired by Invictus?
Some reviewers and retailers say so, but it is usually described as a mix of Invictus and Baccarat Rouge 540 rather than a take on Invictus alone, and not every reviewer agrees. Mykonos California Blue names Paco Rabanne Invictus on its product page.
Which one smells saltier?
California Blue, going by the notes: pink salt at the top and marine notes in the heart. Nitro Red's watery side comes from watermelon.
Is Mykonos California Blue unisex?
Yes, it is listed as unisex. Nitro Red is listed for men.