Christian Dior

Sauvage EDT vs. Eau Forte

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Sauvage has become such a popular line, that it doesn’t appear that Dior will stop coming out with flankers of this fragrance any time soon. The latest one for 2024 is Sauvage Eau Forte. It’s a new scent, but how does it compare to the original Sauvage eau de toilette release?

Which of these colognes lasts longer? Smells better? Is the one to buy?

Tale of the Tape: Sauvage vs. Eau Forte

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

Sauvage Eau Forte

Notes include: elemi, spice, blanched lavender, wood, musk

Click here to try: Eau Forte from Sephora

Read my full review: Sauvage Eau Forte

Opening

Sauvage starts off with a strong kick of bergamot, pepper, and the ever-present ambroxan note. It’s super bright, energetic, and clean.

The Sichuan pepper is definitely strong early on, as is the bergamot note. The citrus here is much more noticeable and in your face when compared to the cool spicy freshness of Eau Forte.

The lavender will take on more of a role later on, but it’s presence is felt throughout.

Eau Forte starts things off with a cold and fresh aroma. The elemi note is a mix of waxy and resinous up top. There are spices, woods, and the impression of water from this alcohol free formula.

The Sauvage lavender note is present and there is a good balance of the ingredients early on. The musk isn’t too much, the spice and cold are wonderful.

I prefer how Eau Forte starts when compared to the original EDT. To me, it’s the best part of this newer Sauvage release. Not amazing. Though, it’s a really nice introduction to what they were going for.

Edge: Eau Forte

Projection

Sauvage EDT is a strong scent in terms of how it projects and can leave a scent trail. It’s not a massive beast or anything, but it is extremely noticeable and settles down into something that’s still above average.

Meanwhile, Eau Forte is in the lighter to moderate camp. Initially, it’s got some nice pop to it, but this Sauvage is going to be more intimate than other editions in the line.

Now, I don’t think it’s a weak fragrance and it does stick around. But, the EDT is for sure the stronger of the two.

Edge: Sauvage EDT

Longevity

Sauvage EDT has always lasted 7-8 hours for me, like clockwork. Other people seem to get a bit more from it, but I’ve never personally experienced it.

Eau Forte might not seem like it’s sticking around, when it enters its lighter phase. However, the fragrance is still there. I get somewhere around 8 hours during testing of this new Sauvage.

Not amazing, but still quite serviceable.

They’re about the same in terms of how long they last. Sauvage is stronger, but it doesn’t go any further than Eau Forte.

Edge: Push

Versatility

Seasonally, both EDT and Eau Forte can fit in during any season, but it’s probably best to not use them in either the extreme heat or cold. So, no real separation there.

Sauvage is good for casual wear, school, maybe some office wear depending on where you work. It’s good for a night out, but wouldn’t be my first pick. Although, I know I’ve smelled this on other people while walking through crowds.

I think Eau Forte has a slightly more mature profile and more of a low key vibe that can fit in better for more formalized occasions. Even if it’s not a powerhouse, it’s not out of place in most situations.

Not a massive difference here, but I lean more towards Forte taking it.

Edge: Eau Forte

Overall Scent

Overall, which of these Dior fragrances do I prefer versus the other?

It’s tough, because they are so close in terms of rating them for each category, not to mention that I don’t think either is a great fragrance.

With Sauvage EDT, I’m somewhat biased against it. I was never a huge fan and I frankly sick of it and every other scent smelling like it. The opening was always harsh and sort of off putting, though, I do like it better during the dry down.

With Eau Forte, the opening is more enjoyable for me than anything that the initial EDT throws my way. The dry down is also pretty good.

In terms of smell? I’d pick Eau Forte.

In terms of performance? Sauvage EDT takes it.

Everything being equal, I’m picking Eau Forte in this matchup and just spraying more of it to get some better performance.

The only other factor is price. Eau Forte is overpriced, in my opinion. Sauvage EDT can be found from discounters at something much more reasonable. That significant difference could really sway your own choice.

Otherwise, I’m going with the newer scent.

Winner: Eau Forte

Sauvage Eau Forte by Dior

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Sauvage Eau Forte is the 2024 release under the popular banner from Dior. I wanted to get a sample of this one as soon as I could t see what this different formulation could provide (if anything) versus the rest of the lineup.

Sauvage Eau Forte Overview

Notes include: elemi, spice, blanched lavender, wood, musk

Click here to try: Eau Forte from Sephora

My Full Review

Apparently the innovation here is that this is a water based formula. Dior even says that it has a ‘unique milky composition’. I think that’s what it looks like in the full bottle.

I must say, it does sit on the skin a bit differently. It’s like a light stickiness when sprayed on and it does hang around.

Anyway, Sauvage Eau Forte starts off with cold feeling. A fresh and cold fougere, with a distinct elemi early on, and more of a generic spice. I wouldn’t be surprised if they blended some of the pepper used from other Sauvage entries.

The elemi note here is also found in Dior Homme Sport (2021). To me, the Dior elemi always seems to be more waxy than resinous, different from the one that Chanel has used in some fragrances. I do like it here, much more than in Sport.

Eau Forte does do a great job early on to capture the vibe of sitting by a waterfall in a forest. It’s more of an emotional impression to me, rather than the smell.

Although, the freshness with the woods and elemi, and emergent lavender to give you a naturalistic influence. There’s an earthiness here to the smell, the woodiness isn’t like a pine tree or anything just a resinous woody aroma.

I actually quite enjoy the opening act. It’s not too musky, you get a fresh and aromatic fougere, and there’s a good balance between the lavender and spices.

The next phase after the first 10-15 minutes is more influence from the lavender, musk, and the spices do hang around too. I get periods throughout the wear, when it seems the elemi is more heavily weighted than the musk.

But, ultimately the musk not is stronger. Lavender, musk, and spices. A bit of a different feeling than that waterfall impression, that I got immediately, still something enjoyable.

It’s clean with less of an intense freshness. It’ll shift into more of a laundry-like clean, as we move along, but it doesn’t fully stray into that territory as some others on the market.

The back half is where Eau Forte loses me. I get the first half, I like it. The back half is kind of a boring blend of musk and lavender. Elemi is still around some, a touch of wood maybe, no spice left on my skin.

Not a terrible smell. Just nothing really interesting.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Sillage wise, it’s not a powerhouse. It’s got a bit of a reach in the opening, but this is going to be more of a light to moderate fragrance. You can probably get a decent scent trail with some substantial sprays, but it’ll take more work than the other Sauvage perfumes.

That being said, the longevity is actually pretty good. It stuck around for just over 8 hours for me, on skin, despite this middle of the pack power.

Seasonally, I could wear this pretty much whenever. I might avoid the extreme cold or heat, but for the rest of the time, it’d be fine.

It’s not going to offend and probably won’t even stand out very much. Which, makes it safe enough to wear whenever, and basically fit in without problem.

Though, I would think of this much more as a casual or daily wear rather than something that is sexy or going to grab complements left and right. Although, I could see myself wearing this at night, if I wanted to.

Eau Forte isn’t too limited, for the most part. It’s not the sexiest scent nor the most formal. It’s good to go otherwise.

Overall Impressions of Sauvage Eau Forte

Overall, do I like Eau Forte? It’s pretty good, but nothing too spectacular. I do appreciate Dior actually taking the Sauvage line in a different direction and not just remixing the formula for another time.

Is that difference worth it? For me, not at this price point. It’s a fragrance that is worth trying out to see if you’re somebody it clicks with, but there’s no need to rush out and buy it.

Style-wise (not necessarily how they exactly smell),  Eau Forte reminds me of Rain Essence, H24, and a Narcisco Rodriguez fragrance (don’t remember exactly which one) in different ways.

Outside of Bvlgari Rain Essence, the other two are better fragrances than Eau Forte. Also, much cheaper than the $160 this one retails at as of now.

The opening 30-60 minutes of the wear is pretty nice. I like the coldness, the spice, and the balance of the notes. After that, it’s whatever.

It’s fine, on the whole. The performance is solid in terms of longevity, even if it isn’t a heavy sort of bomb that you may have come to expect from the series.

I would choose others in the line, if I wanted a Sauvage. I might pick this over Sauvage EDT, because that gets on my nerves now.

Eau Forte will probably get more hate for a while because it’s a Sauvage release. But, it’d be pretty mid-tier, if someone else had released it. A few years from now, people will probably be loving this edition.

I actually sprayed some Luna Rossa Ocean Le Parfum on my other arm, at one point during testing, and that cologne grabbed my attention more than this Dior. And I don’t even think that’s an amazing scent.

The truth is, this is a middle of the road scent. One that is overpriced for what you get in return.

YSL Myslf vs. Dior Sauvage EDP

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Myslf has become a popular fragrance from YSL in the relatively short time since its release. This is of course a short time when compared to the massive decade-long success of Dior’s Sauvage lineup.

Now that they are competitors, these two colognes will often be the final two scents that guys are deciding between which to get for themselves. I want to compare the two and give my own opinion on the better options, after having tested and worn each of them.

Now, since Myslf was released as an eau de parfum, I’m going to be comparing it with Dior Sauvage EDP, instead of the original EDT formulation.

Tale of the tape: YSL Myslf vs. Dior Sauvage EDP

Myslf

Notes include: bergamot, orange blossom, woods, patchouli, ambrofix

Click here to try: Myslf by YSL

My Full Review: Myslf 

Dior Sauvage EDP

Notes include: nutmeg, bergamot, ambroxan, vanilla absolute, lavender, Sichuan pepper, anise

Click here to try: Sauvage by Dior Eau de Parfum Spray 100ml

Read my original review: Sauvage EDP

Opening

Sauvage EDP starts things off with its ambroxan note, a smoky vanilla, and lavender. It’s warm, clean, and has a lot less of the lavender than the original Sauvage.

The bergamot, up top is lighter, and then you get spicy pepper later on in the wear.

But, that Sichuan pepper will share duties with both anise and nutmeg, which allows it to come across less harsh and more balanced than EDT.

I never expected to be too much of a fan of this opening, with the ambroxan. But, this formula really nails the weighting of all of the ingredients extremely well.

Myslf begins with bergamot and orange blossom, as it’s main combination.. It’s fresh and it also has a bit of a creaminess to how it smells, mostly due to the orange blossom note.

But, the very opening stage is a bergamot centered fragrance. That will change later on, but for the start it’s a fresh citrusy cologne.

If I were comparing Myslf to the EDT version of Sauvage, I’d give the YSL a pretty easy victory in this category.

However, the EDP is better. It has more complexity than the original and really sets a great tone early on. It’s a pretty close match, I do like the bergamot in the YSL cologne, but I’m going to go with Sauvage.

Edge: Sauvage EDP

Projection

Myslf for the first hour is actually fairly strong. Not a heavy fragrance, but it will create a substantial enough scent trail in your wake.

After that, it’s more of an intimate scent surrounding you. I’d say it sticks in that 1-3 foot range off of the skin, but it’s still noticeable.

Sauvage EDP is a beast. It will project itself much further and has a heavier feeling than you’re going to get with the YSL. Now, that might not be a great thing, depending on your tastes. However, it will provide some power.

Plus, after a few hours it will moderate, while still maintaining a high level of performance. It’s an easy win for the Dior scent in this category.

Edge: Sauvage EDP

Longevity

Myslf is an okay performer in terms of how long it lasts, it’s just not great. Every time that I’ve tested out the YSL fragrance, I’ve gotten around 6-7 hours worth of wear out of it.

With Sauvage eau de parfum, it will go for over ten hours on my skin. I’m not sure exactly when it quits, but it’s a much better performer than is Myslf EDP. Actually, any of the Sauvage entries seem to have a better longevity than the YSL.

An easy win for Dior.

Edge: Sauvage

Versatility

I think that this is where Myslf EDP has a distinct edge versus Sauvage EDP. And that’s not taking away from the versatility of the Dior, which is still quite good.

Myslf is just such an inoffensive and easy to wear fragrance, that it can fit in pretty much anywhere during any time of year. It’s an easy on to just spray on as an everyday wear, but is attractive enough to hit the nightlife, even if that’s not it’s main function.

Sauvage is less of a formal wear and something that works better in the autumn and winter months, the eau de parfum formula at least.

Overall Scent

Overall, which of these fragrances is the better buy? Again, since I’m comparing the two eau de parfum releases, I have a fairly distinct winner for most guys.

It’s going to be Sauvage EDP. If this were between Sauvage EDT and Myslf, the YSL would win easily, since I’m not too big of a fan of the original Sauvage. The eau de parfum really improved things, in my mind.

I think that it is the more interesting of the two fragrances. It has more depth and a greater variety of aromas to enjoy throughout. Beyond that, the performance of the Dior is much better.

That being said, I do like Myslf as a daily wear scent. While it is popular, not everyone already wears it like they do with Sauvage (the best selling fragrance on the planet).

So, if you want something more unique or that’s a better low key kind of daily wear that still smells good, you will probably want to go with the YSL scent.

Otherwise, just going off which of the two I think is better, it’s Sauvage EDP. I could enjoy wearing either, but I do have a preference for it versus Myslf EDP.

Winner: Sauvage EDP

Dior Homme vs Sauvage EDT Comparison

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The House of Dior has produced a lot of amazing fragrances over the years for both men and women. Sauvage, has over the past decade, become the best selling fragrance on the market. The first men’s cologne to do so.

It has certainly been a best-seller for the company, but how does it stack up against other colognes from this brand? Today, I am going to do a comparison post of Sauvage EDT vs Dior Homme.

Which one smells better head to head? Which one is worth a purchase? Note: I am updating this post, for the newer edition of Dior Homme instead of the 2011 edition, which had been previously compared. They are quite different from one another.

Tale of the Tape

Sauvage

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

Dior Homme

Notes include: bergamot, elemi, pink pepper, Haitian vetiver, Atlas cedar, musk, patchouli, cashmere, Iso E Super

Click here to try: Dior Homme By Christian Dior For Men

Read my Full Review: Dior Homme (2020) Review

Opening

Sauvage starts off with a really sharp kick of bergamot, pepper, and the ambroxan note. It’s bright, upbeat, and clean.

The Sichuan pepper is pretty strong early one as is the bergamot. The citrus here is much more noticeable and in your face versus what you’ll get with its competitor here.

The lavender will take on more of a role later on, but it’s presence is felt throughout.

Meanwhile, Dior Homme,  begins with a light citrus top note of bergamot. That’s a continuation from the previous entries in the series, but that’s most of what the overlap is.

Along with that, some fresh pink pepper spice, Hatian vetiver, and a bit of a resinous quality from the elemi note.

Dior Homme is very balanced. Not too spicy, not too citrusy, just enough sweetness to prevent it from being straight up woods throughout.

Which one is better? Homme (though, I’d say Homme Intense has the best opening of the three).

Edge: Dior Homme

Projection

Dior Homme is a softer scent than is Sauvage. Though, I don’t think Sauvage is some kind of monstrous fragrance.

Homme is much more moderate and Sauvage leans more towards the strong end of the spectrum. Other editions of Sauvage really do amp up the power.

Dior Homme isn’t weak by any means. You’ll notice it throughout and get a nice scent trail going. Though, it never reaches the same level as Sauvage.

Edge: Sauvage

Longevity

Again, if you’re talking single sprays, Sauvage wins. It’s not a crazy long-lasting fragrance but it will get you a solid 7-8 hours.

Dior Homme is usually around 6.5-8 hours with single sprays. It’s actually about the same as the 2011 edition, and sometimes, even better than I got with that.

Some other people seem to get more out of Sauvage EDT than I ever have. So, I think on balance Sauvage has the upper limit for the majority of wearers. Otherwise, it’s almost even.

Edge: Sauvage

Versatility

As far as the seasonal wear of each scent, Sauvage does have this ability to fit in during any season really. This newer edition of Dior Homme actually comes close to replicating that.

Dior Homme isn’t at its best in the depths of winter or height of summer. Though, it  wouldn’t be out of place entirely in either season. Mostly, autumn and spring.

Sauvage is good for casual wear, school, maybe some office wear depending on where you work. It’s good for a night out, but wouldn’t be my first pick. Although, I know I’ve smelled this on other people while walking through crowds.

Dior Homme is an awesome daily wear. It can fit in well for work, casual situations, school, dates, etc. It’s not a nightlife beast, but if you want to be low key, it’d work for that as well.

Dior Homme has the slight edge for me here, since it’s more of a well put together fragrance that can do it all.

Edge: Dior Homme

Overall Scent

Dior Homme smells better to me, hands down. I think Sauvage is pleasant to wear but it’s always struck me as a little bit boring and now there are so many clones of it coming out.

I don’t like this 2020 update as much as I enjoyed the 2011 version. Yet, I still think that it takes the cake versus Dior Sauvage. It’s simple and understated. Plus, more mature than is Sauvage.

The performance goes to Sauvage EDT. I like aspects of the aroma as well. I’ve never been too big on the opening act or the dry down, but there are moments in the heart of Sauvage that are really nice.

It’s really not a question to me, as to which one I would rather wear on a daily basis. If you’re younger, you might want to go with the more youthful Sauvage. Or, if you just want something that is energetic and stands out more.

Winner: Dior Homme

Y by YSL vs Dior Sauvage EDT Comparison

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In this comparison post, I want to take a close look at two men’s fragrances that have been released over the past four years, Y by Yves Saint Laurent vs. Sauvage by Christian Dior.

Now, this will be a comparison of the eau de toilette versions of both of these colognes. Obviously, over the years each brand has come out with countless flankers of these original formulations. I’ve written about those elsewhere on the site and have sprinkled in links to those articles within this page.

The ultimate question here is, which of these colognes smells better? I will come to this conclusion by comparing them in different categories before declaring a winner.

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

Y EDT

Notes include: bergamot, ginger, aldehydes, violet leaf, geranium, sage, cedar, musk, incense, ambergris, fir

Click here to try: Yves Saint Laurent Y Eau De Toilette Spray 100ml/3.3oz

Review: Y EDT

Opening

Y opens with a very fresh aroma that is cool, crisp, and super clean. It has a nice top note of bergamot, which is light and juicy. The aldehydes provide a bright and sunshine-like feeling and that is met by a warm ambergris note. Later, ginger and violet leaf enter the picture.

Meanwhile, Sauvage EDT, also opens with a bergamot note but this one is really sharp and quite intense. Sichuan pepper and lavender are also there. It is strong and sometimes harsh to my nose at first, but ultimately settles down.

I’ve never particularly enjoyed that pepper note with Sauvage. It’s not a bad start, but it develops better than what it initially leads on.

Which is better? I think the opening of Y smells better than Sauvage. Sauvage can be overbearing at first, before really hitting its stride, but Y EDT is very pleasant right out of the gate.

Edge: Y

Projection

Sauvage starts off quite powerful and has a sillage that leaves a solid scent trail. Then, it becomes more moderate, as the wear moves along. Still, it is  well above average with its projecting ability for almost all of the time it’s on your skin.

At the start, the Dior is up there with almost any of the best-selling designer colognes, as far as how well it projects off of the skin.

Y, on the other hand, starts off as a moderate and then becomes a skin scent or thereabouts for much of the rest of the wear. Y EDT isn’t a strong scent, not awful, just not great.

Between the two, it’s a pretty obvious advantage for Sauvage EDT.

Edge: Sauvage

Longevity

Sauvage lasts anywhere from 6-9 hours on my skin. When the heat and humidity are low, it lasts longer, but during summer it’s much closer to 6 hours.

Maybe that’s just what happens on my skin. Some people seem to get better performance than me with this cologne, but it’s still a fairly good performer. Especially for an eau de toilette concentration. That upper bound of the range is higher than what I’ve gotten out of Y EDT.

Y is pretty consistent with close to 7 hours of wear. It doesn’t seem to go beyond that. Pretty good, but it never goes to an extreme extent. So, on the worst days of Sauvage these two are equal. Otherwise, it’s a pretty easy edge for the Dior.

Some of the other newer editions of Y, go beyond what you get with the EDT, but they’re different in terms of smell too.

Edge: Sauvage

Versatility

Both of these colognes are highly versatile. They can be worn casually, dressed up, at the office, or out for the evening. Sauvage is probably better for nightlife, with its greater sillage, and sexier nature.

At least when compared to the EDT version of Y. Nonetheless, I would give Sauvage a bit of an edge versus the YSL scent.

Edge: Sauvage (slightly)

Overall Scent

Y EDT from Yves Saint Laurent, smells really good, but it isn’t anything special. I really enjoy how fresh, clean, and simple it is. It also doesn’t have any of the harsh intensity that Sauvage does and is much more low key.

Also, while it doesn’t have great projection, the longevity is solid and doesn’t disappoint. It just isn’t a beast and it’s not designed to be. It is very balanced with light qualities of sweetness and spice from the ginger.

However, Sauvage EDT is better. Even if I’m personally not a huge fan of it. Once it settles down it can be quite nice and catches attention. It is highly popular for a reason, after all.

The performance is better than Y and it has the added dimension of being a nightlife wear, while Y EDT, is more of a simple daily wear.

Between the two? I’m picking Sauvage EDT. Though, I’d really prefer the Eau de Parfum version to either.

Updating this my ranking of the options would be (before either of these two): Sauvage EDP, Sauvage Elixir, Y EDP

Winner: Sauvage