Best Men's Colognes

Best Men's Colognes started back in 2013, as a way to share my learning experiences with the different fragrances that I've owned, as I dove head first into the hobby. Since then, that new hobby grew into a consistent passion, helping millions of readers along the way. I have personally test out and written reviews for well over 800 perfumes and colognes for both men and women. This is along with writing hundreds of other in-depth fragrance guides. You can also follow me on: YouTube, Instagram, and Tiktok!

Dior Sauvage EDT vs. Elixir

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Sauvage is a line that keeps printing money for Dior, and so, they’re obviously going to keep putting out new flankers for the foreseeable future. The latest, is Sauvage Elixir, an expensive and more concentrated take on the name.

It’s enjoying early success, but how does this new fragrance compare to the original EDT. In this post, I will compare each in a variety of categories, before declaring an ultimate winner.

Quick Overview

Sauvage Elixir is the clear overall winner because it smells more balanced, distinctive, and refined while also delivering far stronger performance.

Instead of the EDT’s sharp bergamot, Sichuan pepper, ambroxan, and lavender opening, Elixir uses cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, grapefruit, lavender, licorice, amber, and woods for a smoother but still intense start.

The EDT does win on versatility because it works across a wider age range and climate range, including warmer weather where Elixir can become overwhelming. But if scent quality and performance matter most, Elixir is the better fragrance by a comfortable margin. You can also try the inspired by fragrance: Savage Elixir by Dua

Category Dior Sauvage EDT Dior Sauvage Elixir Winner
Opening Opens sharply with bergamot, Sichuan pepper, lavender, and ambroxan. Intense and fresh, but the pepper-citrus combination can feel harsh before it settles down. Starts with cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, grapefruit, and lavender. Strong and spicy, but smoother and better balanced, with licorice and amber adding sweetness. Sauvage Elixir
Projection Strong at first and still above average after it settles. It creates a noticeable scent trail without being a light fragrance. Extremely powerful and one of the loudest mainstream designer fragrances. It projects strongly throughout much of the wear. Sauvage Elixir
Longevity Usually lasts around 6–8 hours, with cooler weather sometimes pushing it toward 8–9 hours. Easily lasts beyond 12 hours and can continue well past that point. A major step up in staying power. Sauvage Elixir
Versatility Works across a wider age range and more climates. It is easier to wear casually and handles warmer weather better. More mature and better suited to cooler weather. The heavier concentration and strong projection make it less flexible in heat or casual situations. Sauvage EDT
Overall Scent A bergamot, pepper, lavender, and ambroxan fragrance that becomes smoother after the opening. Still crowd-pleasing, but less interesting than later Sauvage releases. A richer blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, lavender, licorice, patchouli, vetiver, and woods. More distinctive, smoother, and better composed overall. Sauvage Elixir

Sauvage Elixir or EDT? Tale of the Tape

Sauvage EDT

Notes include: Bergamot, Ambroxan, Sichuan Pepper, lavender, pink pepper, and more

Click here to try: Sauvage by Chrisitan Dior Eau de Toilette Spray for Men, 3.4 Ounce

Read my review: Sauvage EDT Review

Sauvage Elixir

Notes include: grapefruit, wood, lavender, nutmeg, cardamom, cinnamon, patchouli, vetiver

Click here to try: Sauvage Elixir at Macy’s

Read my review: Sauvage Elixir

Opening

Sauvage EDT starts off sharp with the citrus bergamot and Sichuan pepper notes out in full force. This is joined by that lavender note that is found across the Sauvage offerings. It’s intense and not all that great to my nose, especially when ambroxan gets thrown into the mix.

It does settle down and become more enjoyable and smooth. However, I’m not a fan of the pepper and bergamot combination. The lavender and ambroxan are nicer when they take the lead, as is the now faded citrus note.

Meanwhile, Elixir opens up with a lot of spice. Though, it doesn’t use the Sichuan pepper. Instead, you get cinnamon, nutmeg, and cardamom with a much lighter citrus note in grapefruit. This blend is wonderful and intense without the same sharpness.

The next phase will feature more of the lavender and some sweetness from licorice and amber. Sauvage Elixir is spicy, woody, with enough sweetness to keep it interesting. The licorice is a great addition to the composition, which helps this one stand out from the other Dior offerings. 

Which is better? Elixir. This newer concentration is just all around more balanced and pleasant to smell upon the initial spray. It is stronger while simultaneously being more tolerable. 

Edge: Elixir

Projection

The original Sauvage always had a strong sillage starting out and wasn’t ever weak at projecting. It does moderate after, but the EDT isn’t exactly a light cologne.

When compared to Elixir, the EDT is no match. Elixir has a very powerful ability to project and will be noticed throughout the entirety of the wear. Dior didn’t skimp out on the quality with this new release and it easily takes this category.

Elixir is one of the loudest mainstream fragrances out there and has a great ability to leave a scent trail in your wake. EDT definitely won’t be a disappointment, it can’t keep up with the heavier concentration of Elixir.

Edge: Elixir

Longevity

With Sauvage EDT, it lasts about 6-7 hours on my skin when it is warm and the humidity is higher. When it’s colder, I can get about 8-9 hours of wear from it. Some people get better performance than I do, but that’s been a consistent outcome for me.

Sauvage Elixir goes a lot longer than the EDT version. It really is a much more concentrated fragrance. I called it 12+ hours in my review, but it seems to go well beyond that 12 hour mark, during my testing of it.

Update: Even coming back to newer batches of EDT, it still hits that 6-8 hour range mostly. Elixir still goes heavy into the over 12 hour range without issue. It’s a beast as keeping things going.

Edge: Elixir

Versatility

Here’s where I think the EDT may have an edge over Elixir. For one, the EDT can venture into the summer months a lot better than Elixir can. Neither is a summertime fragrance, but the EDT won’t be overbearing in the heat, like Elixir.

Secondly, I think that the EDT can fit a wider spectrum of age range. Not many teens are going to be willing or able to rock the more mature Elixir, but they can and do wear the EDT version. 

Elixir is the more mature, but it’s not really a formal wear. Daily wear and more well put together, but I think the EDT could fit for a wider demographic.

So, the edge really comes down to a wider climate range, age range, and just overall versatility. Not to say Elixir is limited, it isn’t, just that Sauvage EDT fits a lot of situations.

Edge: Sauvage EDT

Overall Scent

Sauvage EDT is a perpetual best seller. To me, it’s become just a decent scent. Sure, it kicked off a whole trend in the industry, but fragrances like Luna Rossa Carbon have done the concept better. Also, the later Sauvage EDP and Parfum were also greater than the original.

That being said, I do like the middle and final acts of the EDT a lot better than how it opens. The performance is solid and it’s still an easy to wear crowd pleaser. For many guys, it’ll do just fine.

However, in this contest Sauvage Elixir is the clear winner. It smells better, outperforms, and presents a unique take on the DNA of this line.

The lavender, patchouli, and vetiver are the only commonalities in terms of notes versus the other Sauvage colognes. The structure of spice, citrus, and woods holds true…but they substitute newer ingredients.

Elixir has a great mix of spices. The cinnamon and nutmeg just work amazingly well within the composition. The lavender feels more natural, the amber smoother, and the licorice note adds a further distinct character.

Sauvage Elixir is easily better than the EDT. The price is where a lot of people will draw the line. It’s not cheap, but if that’s not a concern go with Elixir. If you can, you might consider buying Elixir and something else that tries to copy Dior Sauvage for cheaper. Like, Savage Elixir by Dua.

Winner: Sauvage Elixir

Coco Mademoiselle EDP vs Flowerbomb Perfume Comparison

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Coco Mademoiselle is one of the more popular fragrances for women by Chanel. Citrus, floral, and patchouli help to make it approachable and dynamic. Another fruit-chouli scent, is the best selling Flowerbomb by Viktor & Rolf.

With these similarities, it is no wonder that these perfumes often get compared as potential options. However, which one is actually better? Which lasts longer?

Quick Overview

Flowerbomb is the narrow overall winner because its sweeter, fruitier opening is a little more enjoyable. Osmanthus gives it a jammy, almost peach-like quality alongside bergamot, tea, patchouli, and vanilla, creating a warm and immediately appealing start.

Coco Mademoiselle is less sweet and more citrus-floral, with orange, neroli, jasmine, rose, ylang-ylang, musk, and patchouli. It has the advantage in longevity and versatility, reaching beyond 12 hours in testing and handling spring or warmer conditions better than Flowerbomb.

Projection is essentially even, with both sitting well above average. Flowerbomb lasts around 10–12 hours and wins on overall aroma by a small margin, while Coco Mademoiselle is the better pick for someone who wants a less sweet fragrance with stronger jasmine and slightly broader use.

Category Coco Mademoiselle EDP Flowerbomb Winner
Opening Opens as a citrusy fruity-floral with orange, neroli, jasmine, rose, ylang-ylang, musk, and patchouli. Bright, polished, and less sweet. Starts sweeter and fruitier with jammy osmanthus, bergamot, tea, patchouli, and vanilla. Rose and orchid appear more as it develops. Flowerbomb
Projection Well above average and strong enough that over-spraying can become excessive. Also well above average and possibly a touch stronger, though the difference is too small to call confidently. Push
Longevity Can last beyond 12 hours and has excellent staying power on both skin and clothing. Usually lasts around 10–12 hours on skin and can linger on clothing for days. Coco Mademoiselle
Versatility Works through fall, winter, and deeper into spring. Its lower sweetness also makes it slightly better for warmer weather and dressier situations. Best during fall and winter, though it can work day or night. Sweeter and less flexible once temperatures rise. Coco Mademoiselle
Overall Scent A bold orange, jasmine, patchouli, and vanilla fragrance with no major weaknesses. Better for those who want something less sweet. Sweeter and fruitier, with osmanthus, tea, patchouli, florals, and vanilla. More immediately appealing if you enjoy a rich, mass-appealing floral gourmand style. Flowerbomb

Tale of the Tape: Flowerbomb vs. Coco Mademoiselle

Coco Mademoiselle

Notes include: jasmine, rose, orange, patchouli, vetiver

Click here to try: Coco Mademoiselle

Read my review: Mademoiselle

Flowerbomb

Notes include: Centifolia Rose, Sambac Jasmine, Cattleya Orchid, India Osmanthus, tea, bergamot, patchouli, musk, and vanilla

Click here to try: Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb Eau De Parfum Spray for Women, 3.4 Fl Oz

Read my review: Flowerbomb EDP

viktor rolf review

Opening

With Flowerbomb, you get an initial burst of sweetness and fruitiness. The osmanthus flower gives you a jammy sort of aroma, sweet almost-peach like that is paired with bergamot citrus.

Tea, patchouli, and vanilla are also present coming from the heart and base notes. The rose and orchid will have their moments, but very early stages it is osmanthus, tea, and patchouli taking turns.

Meanwhile, Coco Mademoiselle begins more as a fruity floral fragrance. More specifically, it is a blend of citrus, neroli, jasmine, rose and ylang ylang peaking through. A little more musk, but it also has about the same level of patchouli, maybe a stronger presence early on.

Which is better?

I actually like both of them a lot in their early stages. It’s not too easy of a call. But, I really have always loved the opening act of Flowerbomb. The sweetness and fruitiness is great, also tea and patchouli really helps to tie the whole thing together.

Edge: Flowerbomb

Projection

These two perfumes are well above average in terms of sillage and projection. Strong enough to be over-sprayed, just not absolute monsters with how they do with normal application.

Really, I don’t notice much of a difference here. Maybe Flowerbomb is a bit stronger, but I’m not entirely sure that it’s the case.

As such, I’m going to call the category even.

Edge: Push

Longevity

Both of these fragrances have great longevity. Really, it’s a nice change of pace to compare two popular perfumes with such staying power.

With Flowerbomb, it will go over 10 hours, on my skin. On clothes, it goes for days. The actual amount of time falls somewhere between, 10 to 12 hours. That’s where it seems to max out at.

Coco Mademoiselle also does all that. However, I’ve actually tested it to over 12 hours before, something which Flowerbomb doesn’t seem to reach.

Again, you won’t be disappointed with the performance of either, but the Chanel does have a slight advantage.

Edge: Mademoiselle

Versatility

Seasonally, I think that Coco Mademoiselle has some advantage. Both of these can work in autumn and winter, with Flowerbomb being much better in those seasons.

But, Mademoiselle can go deeper into the springtime and holds up better when it is warmer out. Neither is a summer fragrance, but the Chanel has more flexibility.

Both can go day or night just fine. They each have a level of sexiness. I think that Coco Mademoiselle, not having the same level of sweetness might be better in some more formal situations than Flowerbomb. Though, neither is a formal type of fragrance.

Not a massive distinction here, either. Coco Mademoiselle does take the category, anyway.

Edge: Mademoiselle

Overall Scent

Really, this is a tough comparison post to do, as these fragrances are just about neck and neck by almost all attributes.

With Mademoiselle, I like the bold orange opening act and the vanilla notes in the dry down. The jasmine and patchouli are also awesome. Really, the scent doesn’t have any glaring weaknesses.

It lasts longer than Flowerbomb and has about the same peak in strength, with better sustainability.

At the end of the day, I think I personally prefer the aroma of Flowerbomb (get from Amazon) more so than the Chanel. Not by much, but I like the sweetness and fruitier facets of this perfume versus Mademoiselle.

If you want a less sweet, fragrance with a great jasmine note, you might go with Mademoiselle.

If you like the sweetness and the mass appealing nature of the patchouli and floral notes, you should probably go with Flowerbomb. Me, I fall more in the latter camp, while not thinking you can go wrong with either.

Winner: Flowerbomb

Le Male Elixir vs Ultra Male Comparison

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Le Male is a series from Jean Paul Gaultier that has been going on strong for nearly 30 years, at this point. Every year or so, we get ourselves a new take on the name.

In 2023, that new edition is Le Male Elixir. But, how does it compare to another classic from the series, Ultra Male. Both are two of the bolder, warmer, and sweeter colognes…but which is actually better?

Quick Overview

Le Male Elixir is the overall winner because it has the more interesting scent development and a little more versatility. It opens with cool mint and lavender before becoming warmer and sweeter with honey, tonka bean, vanilla, benzoin, and light tobacco, giving it more depth than Ultra Male.

Ultra Male is still the stronger performer. Its pear, vanilla, cinnamon, amber, and woods create a sweeter, bubblegum-like profile, while projection is slightly louder and longevity can regularly reach 9–10 hours or more.

Both are bold, youthful fragrances built mainly for cooler weather and nightlife, so neither is especially versatile. Elixir gets the slight edge for casual daily wear and overall aroma, while Ultra Male remains the better choice if maximum projection and longevity are the priority.

Category Le Male Elixir Ultra Male Winner
Opening Opens with cool mint and lavender before tonka bean, honey, benzoin, and vanilla begin adding a warm syrupy sweetness. Fresh and sweet at the same time. Starts with pear, vanilla, cinnamon, and light citrus. Sweet, spicy, and almost bubblegum-like, with less of the powdery quality found in the original Le Male. Le Male Elixir
Projection Projects very strongly and leaves a noticeable scent trail. It starts bold and gradually settles rather than dropping off suddenly. Even more powerful at first, with a large projection radius before settling into the upper-moderate range. Ultra Male
Longevity Usually lasts around 8–10.5 hours, with about 9 hours being a common result. Regularly lasts at least 8 hours and often reaches 9–10 hours, with 12-hour wear possible. Ultra Male
Versatility Best in colder or moderate weather for nightlife and casual wear. Its warm, cozy sweetness makes it slightly easier to use during the day if sprayed lightly. Also best for colder weather and nightlife. Its louder and sweeter character makes it less subtle for school, work, or ordinary daytime use. Le Male Elixir
Overall Scent A rich blend of mint, lavender, honey, vanilla, tonka bean, benzoin, and light tobacco. Sweeter, deeper, and more interesting across the full wear. A powerful pear, cinnamon, vanilla, amber, and woody fragrance with a playful sweet-spicy character. Excellent, but slightly less nuanced overall. Le Male Elixir

Tale of the Tape: Ultra Male vs Le Male Elixir

Ultra Male

Notes include: vanilla, pear, amber, woods, cinnamon, cumin, sage, lavender, mint

Click here to try: Jean Paul Gaultier Ultra Male for Men Intense Spray, Eau de Toilette, 4.2 Ounce

Read my original review: Ultra Male Review

Le Male Elixir

Notes include: mint, honey, lavender, tonka bean, benzoin, tobacco, vanilla

Click here to try: Le Male Elixir at Macy’s

Read my review: Elixir

Opening

Elixir actually kicks things off with its mint note out in full force, giving it a cooling fresh spiciness. This is joined by the usual Le Male lavender note.

The other major factor early is going to be from the tonka bean. Elixir also has a vanilla note, it just gets stronger as the wear moves forward. Tonka is sweet and syrupy when paired with the honey note and the fuzziness of the benzoin.

Ultra Male is noticeably absent of the same powdery quality of the original Le Male and has a sugary sweetness like Elixir. But, with an added pear note.

What it does have is a burst of initial spice, mainly from the cinnamon note.  Pear, vanilla, and light citrus round it out and give it an aroma akin to bubble gum.

Which is better? I do like Ultra Male’s start a lot, I feel that it’s been overtaken by what I get with Le Male Elixir. Elixir has an initial coolness, that gets warmer, has great sweetness while being fresh, and you get the early hints of that honey.

Edge: Elixir

Projection

Elixir is definitely a powerfully projecting cologne that will leave a scent trail behind you and a warm sweet embrace around you.

It has that bold start, that will moderate as it dries down. Though, it is a steady decline rather than a sharp drop off.

Ultra Male also comes out with more of a bang before settling down into that upper moderate range. Ultra Male actually has a rather large projection radius at first, but quiets into a moderate.

Between the two, Ultra Male still has an edge. It has been the boldest release from Le Male for years now and that remains the case. I will say, I do have a bottle of Ultra Male from its initial release, so that what I am basing it off of. I haven’t heard anything about it being weakened, however.

Edge: Ultra Male

Longevity

Ultra Male always has gotten me at least 8 hours of wear. That’s baseline and it routinely goes over 10 hours, with 12 not being unheard of.  But, more likely in that 9-10 hour range.

Elixir is pretty close, but a notch below. 8-10.5 hours seems to be its range, thus far, while often falling right at 9 hours in total.

Both are long lasting designers scents. Though, Ultra Male still holds the crown as the boldest and best performing of this JPG line.

Edge: Ultra Male

Versatility

The versatility isn’t the strength of either scent. Being bold, sweet, and built for colder weather doesn’t lend itself particularly well for daily wear. At least for most guys.

Both of these skew towards the younger crowd. Playful and attention grabbing nightlife fragrances, without much subtlety or formality.

They’re about equal in terms of climate. Colder to moderate temperatures. In the heat, they melt.

I think that Elixir could be used better in casual daily situations and has a sweet/warm cozy vibe, that can lend itself to a couple of sprays, and not stick out like crazy. So, not a bad option for school, if you go light.

Not much difference, but Elixir has some more usability in more situations.

Edge: Elixir

Overall Scent

Overall, which fragrance do I prefer? It’s a close call either way. Ultra Male has the edge performance wise, but Elixir has depth and a bit more versatility.

Ultra Male gives you a nice sweet and spicy mix. The pear and cinnamon pairing together, with some of the familiar Le Male DNA, was something that really grabbed my attention back when it was released.

What really grabbed my attention, was how powerful it was. I can often spray it in one room of my house and smell the cologne hours later, in another. Not faintly, either, mind you.

For years, I considered Ultra Male to be the best smelling from the series. Though, as the years moved on, I started liking the original and even Le Parfum, slightly more.

Now, Elixir has taken a higher spot on the list. Based on the aroma alone, it might be my favorite, but I still think the original is the most wearable on a regular basis. Update: Elixir Absolu is better to me.

Elixir just has a great sweetness. I like the honey and light tobacco notes that come through. The vanilla and tonka bean only add to the sweet, sometimes syrupy glaze. Yes, it can be cloying at times, but so can Ultra Male.

To me, Elixir has the edge versus Ultra Male nowadays. Not by a wide margin, but it wins.

Winner: Le Male Elixir

Mont Blanc Explorer vs Sauvage

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Explorer has started to become one of the most popular men’s fragrances on the market. Sauvage, is and has been at the top for a while. Each has a similar profile: citrus, ambroxan, and woods. Yet, each retains a distinct aroma from one another.

Since they occupy a similar space, people often want to know, which is better? Which cologne lasts longer? Which has the better aroma? In this post, I offer my head to head comparison of these fragrances.

Quick Overview

Mont Blanc Explorer is the overall winner because it delivers a smoother, more enjoyable version of the same general citrus-ambroxan-woods style. Its bergamot, sage, pink pepper, leather, ambroxan, vetiver, and cacao create a bright opening that is noticeably less harsh than Sauvage EDT.

Explorer gets a slight versatility edge because it is easier to wear in low-key settings like the office, while still working for dates, daily wear, evenings, and a wide range of climates.

Overall, Sauvage is stronger, but Explorer wins because it smells smoother, costs less in many cases, and does not give up much in performance.

Category Mont Blanc Explorer Dior Sauvage EDT Winner
Opening Opens brightly with bergamot, sage, and pink pepper over leather, ambroxan, and woods. Sharp enough to feel fresh, but smoother and less aggressive. Starts with bergamot, heavy ambroxan, and Sichuan pepper. Much sharper and more intense, with the pepper hitting harder than Explorer’s spice. Explorer
Projection Above-average projection and definitely noticeable, but it does not maintain its strongest sillage as long. Reaches a higher peak and stays stronger for longer. Clearly the more powerful of the two. Sauvage
Longevity Usually lasts around 6–8 hours, most often closer to 7–8 hours but occasionally falling short. Regularly lasts around 7–8 hours and can sometimes reach about 9 hours, giving it the more consistent edge. Sauvage
Versatility Excellent for daily wear, dates, evenings, and different climates. Slightly easier to use in the office or other low-key environments. Also highly versatile and works across a wide age range, climates, dates, daily wear, and evening situations. Explorer
Overall Scent A smoother bergamot, leather, cacao, ambroxan, and woody fragrance. Not especially original, but easier and more enjoyable to wear overall. A stronger pepper, bergamot, ambroxan, lavender, and woody fragrance. It improves after the opening, but the initial pepper-heavy sharpness is a drawback. Explorer

Tale of the Tape: Sauvage vs Explorer

Sauvage EDT

Notes of Sauvage: bergamot, ambroxan, lavender, pepper, wood notes

Click here to try: Christian Dior Sauvage for Men Eau De Toilette Spray, 3.4 Fluid Ounce

My Original Sauvage Review

Explorer

Notes include: sage, bergamot, pink pepper, cocoa, vetiver, ambroxan, leather

Click here to try: MONTBLANC Explorer Eau de Parfum, 3.3 fl. oz.

Read my full review: Montblanc Explorer

Opening

Explorer opens up with its citrus note in full effect, this being bergamot. It also contains fresh spices of sage and pink pepper. These are the main notes, at the start. However, underneath these ingredients is mainly leather, some ambroxan and woodsy aromas.

If is a very bright beginning, somewhat sharp, but not too overwhelming. Explorer comes across very well.

It often gets compared to Aventus, which it certainly favors. Though, it doesn’t have the pineapple and birch wood notes that can be so heavy in that cologne.

Sauvage EDT has similar notes, but feels much sharper and intense when compared to Explorer. Ambroxan and pepper are heavier. Sauvage has the same bergamot as Explorer, as its citrus note.

The Sichuan pepper hits hard than does the sage and pink pepper in the Montblanc. The leather also helps to keep things from getting too spicy versus the bolder start of Sauvage.

Which is better? I prefer the start of Explorer. You get similar aromas, but Explorer isn’t as harsh, and is just smoother.

I think other editions of Sauvage have done a better job with the opening act. To me, EDT is the weakest in this regard.

Edge: Explorer

Projection

After the initial spray, both of these fragrances have above average strength and projection. But, Sauvage hits a higher peak and maintains that sillage for a longer period of time than Explorer. Explorer isn’t weak, just not nearly as strong as Sauvage EDT.

Edge: Sauvage

Longevity

In terms of how each of these lasts on my skin, it’s a fairly close race. With Explorer, I get 6-8 hours of wear generally. Most of the time, it is closer to 7-8 hours, but it can fall short.

Meanwhile, with the Dior, I get 7-8 hours regularly. The difference is, that with Sauvage it sometimes bumps up to 9 full hours.

Not usually a huge difference, but Sauvage is more consistent and it trends upward. In fact, other people report getting better results out of Sauvage than I do, so, I think that it pretty solidly takes this category.

Edge: Sauvage

Versatility

Both of these fragrance have very good versatility. It’s one of their strengths. However, I think that Explorer can fit in better in the office or some other environment, where you want to be low key. Other than that, they can be worn out on dates, in various climates, etc.

Each of these is a daily wear, that can pull double duty in the evenings. Plus, cover a full age range of men, who will appreciate wearing these colognes. This category is pretty close, but Explorer has a little bit of separation here.

Edge: Explorer (slightly)

Overall Scent

I’ve never been a huge fan of Sauvage EDT. Frankly, I think its the worst of the series, and I like it much less than when it came out about a decade ago. That being said, I don’t think it’s a bad fragrance. After all, it’s the best selling cologne in the world.

I’m not too big on the opening act of Sauvage, but I like it more when it settles down. The pepper can just be too much. The lavender really helps out when it emerges.

Still, I’d go with Sauvage EDP or Luna Rossa Carbon, if I wanted a better replication of this cologne’s style. Alternatively, you could try some other scents like Dior Sauvage.

Between these two scents? I’d go with Explorer. No, it’s not the most original scent, but I enjoy wearing it more so than Sauvage EDT. It’s performance isn’t too much of a downgrade and it smells better.

I like the bergamot, cacao, and leather. It will usually be cheaper than Sauvage, also. Not a massive advantage, though, Explorer is my clear winner.

Winner: Explorer

Light Blue for Women vs. Eau Intense Comparison

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Light Blue continues to be a top seller in the ladies’ fragrance space, well over a decade after its release. Obviously, it is going to spin off some flanker scents, most notably Light Blue Eau Intense. Is this ‘beefed up’ version, a better one? Does it actually outperform the original? Which one is a better buy?

Quick Overview

Light Blue Eau Intense is the overall winner because it keeps the fresh citrus-apple character of the original while making the opening smoother, bolder, and slightly more distinctive. Granny Smith apple leads over the lemon, while marigold replaces the original’s rose and amberwood takes the place of cedar, giving Eau Intense a cleaner but more synthetic freshness.

The original Light Blue is sharper and more citrus-forward, opening with lemon, apple, and rose before settling into a floral, musky, cedar-based dry down. It remains a very good performer and is still the more classic, familiar option.

Eau Intense projects more strongly, but longevity is essentially identical at around 9–10 hours for both. Versatility is also a push, since each works best during spring and summer as a fresh daily or casual fragrance; Eau Intense wins mainly because its boosted apple note and bolder composition smell better overall.

Category Light Blue Light Blue Eau Intense Winner
Opening Opens sharply with lemon, apple, and rose. Crisp, slightly aquatic, and lightly sugary, with an almost lemonade-like quality. Starts with Granny Smith apple leading over lemon, while marigold and amberwood replace the original’s rose and cedar. Smoother and less sharp overall. Eau Intense
Projection Light to moderate projection. Fresh and noticeable, but generally stays fairly controlled. Clearly stronger and bolder, with more noticeable sillage while still keeping the same basic fresh style. Eau Intense
Longevity Usually lasts around 9–10 hours, making it an unusually strong performer for a mainstream fresh EDT. Also lasts around 9–10 hours. Despite the Intense name, it does not significantly outlast the original. Push
Versatility Best for spring and summer as a fresh daily fragrance. Works well for casual wear and similar daytime situations. Fills essentially the same role, working best in spring and summer for daily wear, casual settings, and other fresh-weather situations. Push
Overall Scent A classic lemon, apple, rose, jasmine, musk, and cedar fragrance. Clean and easy to wear, though the citrus-cedar combination can feel sharp. Keeps the familiar Light Blue DNA but boosts the apple and uses marigold and amberwood for a bolder, more modern freshness. Slightly more enjoyable overall. Eau Intense

Tale of the Tape

Light Blue

Notes include: rose, apple, musk, lemon, jasmine, and more

Click here to try: Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue By Dolce & Gabbana For Women. Eau De Toilette Spray 3.3 Oz

Read my original review: D&G Light Blue Review

Light Blue Eau Intense

Notes include: lemon, granny smith apple, amberwood, marigold, and jasmine

Click here to try: Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue Eau Intense For Women Eau De Parfum Spray 3.3 oz

Read my review: Light Blue Eau Intense

Opening

The original Light Blue starts off with lemon, a nice apple note, and some rose. It’s sharp, somewhat aquatic, crisp, with a decent amount of rose aroma, to give it some depth.

The lemon and the apple create a slight lemonade aroma to it. Slightly sugary, but not ever overwhelming with it, more like an undercurrent. 

Later, it will shift more floral and musky with less of the in your face impact of the fruit notes. But, they do start with a bang.

Eau Intense also begins with lemon and apple. It’s a Granny Smith apple and is actually stronger than the lemon, at first, reversing the original. Also, the rose is replaced with marigold, here.

This gives it a different feeling, while still being fairly familiar. The absence of the rose helps, as does the toned down lemon note. The amberwood note does appear too, early on, in place of the cedar from the original. It’s not massive, but the freshness is already peaking through.

Which is better? I actually prefer the start to Eau Intense. I like the apple note more, it doesn’t feel as sharp, and the marigold is a nice change of pace from the usual rose.

Edge: Eau Intense

Projection

Obviously, with the name Eau Intense, the sillage should be stronger than the original. It is. The original is pretty light to moderate, anyway, but Eau Intense does indeed have a bolder character to it.

Edge: Eau Intense

Longevity

While Eau Intense is certainly stronger, I don’t know if it actually lasts any longer on the skin. For both of them, I get somewhere in the 9-10 hour range, which is great.

Though, I really don’t notice Eau Intense going on beyond what I get from Light Blue. The original EDT has always been one of the better performers, as far as mainstream perfumes go.

They really didn’t need to do much and it doesn’t seem like they did anything to improve the longevity with Eau Intense.

Edge: Push

Versatility

Being two versions of the same basic scent, they’re really not going to be different, in terms of usage. Both are best in the spring and summer months. Both are suited to being a fresh daily wear, casual fragrance, or other events along those lines. No real distinction.

Edge: Push

 

Overall Scent

I do like Light Blue. I think it has some really strong positives about it, which is why it has become a classic. The lemon and cedar combination can be sharp, but it is ultimately fresh, and clean.

I enjoy the floral notes like rose and jasmine, and it provides really good performance. It’s a simple reach for daily wear.

That being said, I prefer Light Blue Eau Intense. I will say, it won’t be for everyone. It can be a bit too bold, and amberwood is an ingredient which can bother folks. It’s got a synthetic freshness, that I think can give it a unique freshness versus cedar, but some may not like it. 

Personally, I like the boldness of Eau Intense. I also really like the apple note getting a boost in this version. Yes, the lemon is stronger later on in the wear, but I enjoy that opening apple. 

It’s a close battle, but I’d take Eau Intense. There’s obviously a lot of overlap, but the composition just smells nicer in this version, versus the original. Plus, there are a lot more perfumes that are similar to Light Blue versus the Intense version.

Winner: Eau Intense