Quick answer: California is the more aromatic and refined of the two, with lychee, rosemary, cardamom and lavender over teak wood, vetiver and tonka, and it is listed for work. California Blue is fruitier and saltier, with pear, grapefruit, pink salt and rhubarb over moss, soft wood and caramel. Both are moderate citrus extraits for summer.
Mykonos California and Mykonos California Blue share a name, a lavender note and a summer mood, so it is easy to assume one is simply a variation of the other. They are built quite differently: one is aromatic and woody, the other fruity, salty and marine.
California vs California Blue at a glance
| California | California Blue | |
|---|---|---|
| Family | Citrus | Citrus |
| For | For Him | Unisex |
| Concentration | Extrait de Parfum | Extrait de Parfum |
| Intensity | Moderate | Moderate |
| Seasons | Spring, Summer | Summer |
| Occasions | Daily, Sport, Work | Daily, Evening, Sport |
| Top notes | Mandarin Orange, Lemon | Lavender, Pear, Grapefruit, Pink Salt |
| Heart notes | Lychee, Rosemary, Cardamom, Lavender, Geranium, Aquatic Notes | Rhubarb, Water Blossoms, Marine Notes |
| Base notes | Tonka Bean, Teak Wood, Vetiver | Moss, Soft Wood, Caramel |
| Sizes | 50 ml / 100 ml | 50 ml / 100 ml |
| Rating* | 5.0 / 5 (1 review) | 4.43 / 5 (7 reviews) |
*Verified reviews at the time of writing.
What they have in common
Both share lavender in their note pyramids. Both are moderate citrus extraits de parfum in 50 and 100 ml, both have a watery side (aquatic notes in California, marine notes and water blossoms in California Blue), and both are listed for summer, daily wear and sport.
How California and California Blue differ
California opens with mandarin and lemon, then moves into an aromatic heart of lychee, rosemary, cardamom, lavender, geranium and aquatic notes. Teak wood, vetiver and tonka bean give it a dry, woody finish. The brand describes it as crisp and refined.
California Blue puts the lavender at the top, with pear, grapefruit and pink salt, then rhubarb, water blossoms and marine notes. The base of moss, soft wood and caramel is softer and a little sweet. It is the more playful, beach-day scent of the two.
California is in the For Him collection and is listed for spring and summer, and for work. California Blue is unisex, listed for summer only, and for evenings rather than work. The brand handbook lists 9+ hours for California and 10+ hours for California Blue.
Which should you choose?
- Choose Mykonos California if you want an aromatic, woody citrus that also works at the office and in spring.
- Choose Mykonos California Blue if you want a fruity, salty, marine scent for summer days and evenings, in a unisex style.
There is a third California: Mykonos California Club. It is a unisex citrus extrait with bergamot, lemon and violet leaf over rose, violet and iris, finishing on amberwood, ambrette and sandalwood. It is listed for spring and summer, for daily wear, evenings and work, and comes in 50 ml. Choose it if you want the most floral and formal of the three.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better for the gym, California or California Blue?
Both are listed for sport. California Blue feels fruitier and more marine; California is more aromatic, with rosemary and lavender. See our guide to perfume for the gym and sport.
Which is better for the office?
California, which is listed for work. California Blue is listed for daily wear, evenings and sport instead.
Can women wear California?
California is in the For Him collection and California Blue is unisex, but fragrance has no rules. If lavender is what draws you to both, see our guide to lavender perfumes.