Bleu de Chanel EDT vs Dior Sauvage

I have already done some comparison posts between the various flanker editions to these fragrances. However, I never got around to doing the comparison post between the original best sellers. Chanel vs Dior, their top EDT product. Which is better? Bleu de Chanel vs Sauvage EDT? Which lasts longer? Which is the top buy?

---

Tale of the Tape: Bleu de Chanel vs. Sauvage

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

---

Bleu de Chanel EDT

Notes include: lemon, grapefruit, ginger, mint, pink pepper, incense, cedar, vetiver, patchouli, jasmine, and more

Click here to try: Bleu De_Chanel for Men Eau De Toilette Spray 3.4oz NEW in BOX 

---

Opening

The opening of Sauvage is a sharp and somewhat spicy blend of Sichuan pepper and bergamot. The citrus note can be pretty intense when blended with the spice of the pepper. This is later calmed by the emergence of the prevalent ambroxan note, as well as, lavender.

Up top, it really is about that bergamot note and the pepper. Personally, I prefer the smell once the pepper has had time to burn off.

Bleu de Chanel EDT also opens up with its citrus ingredients. In this case, lemon and grapefruit. For spice, you get in the opening a blend of: ginger, mint, and pink pepper.

To my nose, the ginger is the largest contributor to the composition. Not to mention, the inclusion of smoky incense. Though, up top, that isn’t all that powerful.

I will say, in some bottles I’ve encountered, the mint can come across as the stronger note ahead of the ginger. I really depends on the blend.

Which is better? I’ve never been a fan of how Sauvage EDT starts off. Not that I hate it, just not my cup of tea. Bleu de Chanel does a much better job of being more balanced. Plus, I just think that the aroma smells more attractive.

BdC doesn’t have the same level of harshness that I can get from Sauvage and that Sichuan pepper note.

Edge: Bleu

---

Projection

For me, Sauvage EDT starts off pretty darn strong. The sillage will create a nice perimeter around you, but it does become a more moderate scent, during the rest of the wear.

Yet, it is one that you could indeed overspray, especially during its early phases. It was never a complete powerhouse throughout, however.

Bleu EDT? For me, it is a moderate sillaged fragrance, for the entirety. It never feels like it would take over a room, but it isn’t weak, either. Subtlety with some limited range. Sauvage is the stronger of the two. 

Bleu just never hits the same levels and is softer for most of the latter wear in comparison.

Edge: Sauvage

---

Longevity

Sauvage EDT lasts anywhere from 7-9 hours, on my skin. The exact time, will be dependent on the particular climate conditions that day. 

BdC will go in the 5-7 hour range, usually. It can be equal to Sauvage, at times, but ultimately doesn’t have the same level of staying power.

Older bottles of Bleu de Chanel could do better than the current incarnation. It’s upper end is currently about what you get with the Dior.

Edge: Sauvage

---

Versatility

Bleu de Chanel is one of the most versatile fragrances out there. It can go from the office, to a date, to nightlife, to formal, and anywhere in between. It smells nice, is attractive, and doesn’t ever really feel out of place.

With Sauvage, it does have good versatility also. However, it can have a more youthful vibe than the Chanel, and doesn’t fit into office or formal wear nearly to the same extent.

Climate wise, this strike the same chord. Both are better in warmer weather, but can go year round.

Edge: Bleu

---

Overall Scent

So, in terms of the categories presented, these two colognes have been pretty evenly split. Though, which one is ultimately a better wear?

Sauvage has become an insanely popular option for guys, even more so than BdC, when it was released years earlier. I’m not a great fan of how this fragrance starts off, but it does get better, in my mind.

The lavender and ambroxan calm things down. Particularly, the ambroxan, and the pepper gets less intense. With a calmer bergamot and ambroxan pairing, Sauvage is a nice wear. You get really good performance and a wide range of potential circumstances in which to wear it.

However, I think Bleu de Chanel smells better. Between, these two EDT’s that’s my pick. Personally, I think the EDP versions of each, are better than either of these two. Although, the EDT versions are the best sellers.

Bleu de Chanel is very fresh and clean, with a lovely ginger note, and a nice additional smokiness. Then later on in the composition, cedar and vetiver, give it an addition boost of smooth freshness/woodiness.

It is the kind of fragrance that could potentially be, the only one a man wears. Overall, it is just superior to Sauvage. I don’t think Sauvage is terrible, by any means.

It is pretty solid all around, even if it has become overplayed in the past decade. Actually, both have been copied to death, but there are too many Dior Sauvage inspired perfumes on the market to even count. To be fair, there are plenty of supposed Bleu de Chanel substitutes too.

Winner: Bleu de Chanel