Christian Dior

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

11 Best Smelling Christian Dior Colognes

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Christian Dior is an iconic fashion brand that has been going strong from way back in the 20th century. We have already completed a list of the best ladies Dior perfumes and now it is time to present a top offerings from Dior list for men as well. Dior fragrances are usually very elegant, complex, seductive, and masculine.

Quite frankly, I consider it to be among the top of my favorite designer lists along with names like YSL. For this list, I have selected eleven scents for guys which all offer something different for the different personalities.

Note that Dior isn’t a brand that comes out with endless flankers for their men’s line each year (compared to others). Sure, some come out here and there, but the offerings tend to stay relatively the same for a while.

Favorite Dior Men’s Fragrances

Best Dior for Summer

Christian Dior Cologne Spray for Men, Dior Homme, 4.2 Ounce– Dior Homme Sport 2012, was my previous pick, but that’s been reformulated twice now. So, here on this update, I’m giving the nod to Dior Homme Cologne.

Dior Homme Cologne is a very simple scent, that is perfect for the warmer months of the year. It also shares a lot of overlap with Allure Homme Sport Cologne by Chanel. But, I think the Dior is slightly better.

Bergamot citrus, grapefruit blossom, and musk. Very juicy, cold, with a light floral aspect and musky base. Almost sort of a lemonade-like aroma, for parts of the wear.

Very well put together and fresh to wear around in the summertime. Decent performance, just not a complete beast. As far as I can tell, the newer update of this, is simply a new bottle design and nothing changed about the fragrance itself. Dior Homme Cologne Review

Intense Aroma

Christian Dior Dior Men Intense Eau de Parfum Spray, 3.4 Ounce– Outside of Sauvage, this is probably the next most popular Dior fragrance for men.

Dior Homme Intense is still around as of this year and didn’t get the complete overhaul that Dior Homme did (see further down on the list).

So, if you want the older formula of the Homme series, this is the easiest to find.

However, this is a fantastic fragrance that can have a spot, in any man’s rotation. The opening act is still among my favorites ever.

Smooth lavender, cedar, vetiver, along with pear and the signature iris note. It’s warm, seductive, woodsy, with an ambrette note that gives it a chocolatey sort of aroma. For a lot of people, this is the best Dior scent in the lineup.  Dior Homme Intense Review

Classic Dior Scent

Eau Sauvage By Christian Dior For Men. Eau De Toilette Spray 3.4 Oz.
A classic fragrance which dates back to the mid-1960s. Eau Sauvage is crisp, fresh, and fruit yet still retains an aura of total masculinity.

Eau Sauvage uses lemon and bergamot top notes with dry and spice herbal ones sitting underneath.

Bright, spicy, clean citrus with an old school style. There have been new variants released by Dior recently, which have a more modern approach to the original scent (like Parfum, below). So, perhaps that would be a better choice for some guys.

eau sauvage

Newer Better Eau Sauvage

Eau Sauvage Parfum– This one is harder to come by than the original Eau Sauvage. However, this 2017 update to another older flanker, is one of the best from Dior. Again though, bottles are scarce.

I had a travel sprayer full of this stuff last year, along with other entries in the Eau Sauvage series. But, this was my favorite.

Eau Sauvage Parfum kicks things off with citron, bergamot, and a resinous aroma to it. Bright, juicy, with a cold and refreshing feeling. The woods from the base already come up early on and add to the experience.

Jasmine, lavender, and vetiver play a larger role as we move the the dry down and the citrus will be more of a background player. If you can get some of this at a reasonable price, Parfum is for sure worth checking out. Eau Sauvage Parfum Review

Top Unisex Pick

Ambre Nuit Eau de Parfum– From the La Privee collection, but you could also give the nod to Fève Délicieuse. Ambre Nuit is the slightly better and wider appealing of the two, in my opinion.

Ambre Nuit features rose, amber, and pink pepper. It settles down as a lightly spiced scent, with a somewhat powdery aroma. The rose here isn’t super powerful and it never veers into coming across as a woman’s fragrance. Quite unisex indeed.

The scent itself actually does give a rather powerful performance, while the composition itself isn’t too complex.

The La Privee bottles are usually much more expensive than the standard bottles of Dior fragrances. The scents are more niche and some of them are well worth a shot.

1980s Powerhouse

Fahrenheit By Christian Dior For Men. Eau De Toilette Spray 6.8 Oz.
This fragrance is one that most people will either love or hate. It can be too intense for some people to handle but for the right guy, this becomes a signature scent.

Violet and honeysuckle open Fahrenheit and give off what has been described for decades now, as a gasoline like aroma.

I’d say it’s pretty accurate in my testing of this one.  It does settle down to have an emergent leather accord with the violet, which is much more pleasant than how many will find that petrol start.

There have been many flanker releases of this over the years, some are still available and take this formula in different directions. Some more bold, some lighter for summer, etc.

Fahrenheit Parfum has a really awesome opening half, but I’m less enthusiastic about the dry down. Still, it’s probably the best, that are still fairly available.

People who tried this in the 1980s, say it’s not nearly as strong as it once was, but it can still pack a punch. Reformulations happen with older scents, this one hasn’t been completely diminished, though. Notes include: honeysuckle, balsam, and sandalwood. Read my Fahrenheit review here!

fahrenheit

My Personal Go To

Dior Homme By Christian Dior For Men. Eau De Toilette Spray 3.4 Ounces– Light, fresh, elegant, and classy. Dior Homme is a modern classic and the scent that I wear on most days, when I’m not testing others for reviews. Dior Homme is light with floral notes like iris, on top of a woodsy base. Then, there is the sweet and raw cacao ingredient, which is lovely.

When it dries down, that’s when this one really shines for me. The leather note and how it interacts with the powdery iris and soothing lavender. It can have a makeup bag-like aroma, at times, which some folks don’t like.

For men, it’s not like that but for a short time, and never feels feminine. Iris can hit your nose, differently, on occasion.

I absolutely love this stuff, the first time I tried a sample, I went out and bought the biggest bottle that they had.

It is quite dry and fresh with an awesome balance between the wood notes and the floral. Semi-sweet, with a classy vibe, that is also very versatile and gets me plenty of complements. Dior Homme Full Review

This is another one Dior has updated for 2020. The newer version doesn’t have the same style as this one, but does share some overlapping notes. Mainly, the difference is the lack of iris and cacao. That can be a good or bad thing depending on who you are. It really is a completely different fragrance.

See below, as the newer version was good enough to make the list.

The New Dior Homme

Dior Homme at Macy’s– As I wrote above, the newer 2020 version of Dior Homme is a distinct fragrance from its predecessor. Not as good, in my opinion, but is still very well worth a try.

This one kicks off with a light bergamot citrus, pink pepper, and vetiver coming through early on. It’s a bit spicy, with some resinous qualities underneath, but is mostly fresh and clean.

The vetiver will have its run near the top, but the other woodsy/earthy notes will begin to have more of a role to play. Iso E Super, cedar, and cashmere wood. It becomes less spicy, more of a woody musk, with a certain amount of sweetness to it.

Again, not my favorite of the list. But, this one is very easy to wear, versatile, and has a pretty good performance as well. Dior Homme 2020 Review

Most Unique Dior Cologne

Dune By Christian Dior For Men. Eau De Toilette Spray 3.4 Ounces
An underrated cologne, Dune has an oriental and woodsy profile. It is fresh, sexy, and earthy with notes of mandarin, moss, sage, basil, and cedar wood. Airy and masculine sandalwood and fig leaf, lead the way for this late 1990s release.

Can be quite green and herbal at times with the sage and basil mix, but never heavy. A unique find that is very different from most of what you’ll find on the market.

It works insanely well in the spring and summer months, but not like the usual aquatic fare. It’s getting harder to come by, but Dune Pour Homme is still absolutely brilliant, if you happen to fall under its spell. Dune Pour Homme

dune m

Top Sauvage Pick

Sauvage Elixir at Macy’s– Sauvage Elixir is a new release for 2021 and immediately got the edge above the eau de parfum as the best of the Sauvage line. It smells really nice and is a monster, in terms of its performance.

Lavender is still the main attraction here. However, Elixir is pretty different from the others in most of its notes, while still holding onto that spice, citrus, and woods DNA.

To me, the best part of Elixir comes from its newer spice accord, mainly the cinnamon and nutmeg notes. I never liked the Sichuan pepper very much in the original, but this newer mix is awesome with what it delivers.

Yes, it’s more expensive, but it lasts all day and actually brings a new interpretation to the line. The concentration here is really amped up, so, you’re going to have to pony up the cash for a smaller bottle. If you want something closer to the original Sauvage, go with the EDP (below).  Sauvage Elixir Review

Runner-Up Sauvage Fragrance

Sauvage by Dior Eau de Parfum Spray 100ml– I’m not a massive fan of Sauvage EDT. The original is fine, but I was never too into it, and it’s been copied to death by now.

However, Dior released the EDP version of Sauvage and changed up the composition. Everything that I disliked, went away. Not only that, they improved upon the performance and what worked well in the original release.

The result? A better performer, that is sexy, and gets complements.

The ambroxan led opening is smoother and the citric harshness is gone. It feels more refined, clean, and more pleasant to wear. It is joined by a dark and somewhat smoky vanilla note and a much quieter lavender, which add to the clean creaminess of Sauvage EDP.

The Sichuan pepper is also toned down and joined by lighter spices like anise and nutmeg. Has really great versatility and works well in different weather and climate conditions.

I really dig this variant versus the original EDT. It’s also still better than the more recent, Parfum version, which is now third in terms of Sauvage releases. Dior Sauvage EDP Review

14 Fragrances Similar to Dior Sauvage EDT (Elixir or EDP)

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Dior’s Sauvage EDT became one of the most popular, if not the most popular, men’s fragrance over the past five or so years. It is amazing how near ubiquitous, that this scent has become.

Once a cologne has achieved such popularity, it will no doubt spawn other fragrances which smell similar or very comparable.

In this post, I am going to provide 14 options for guys who want a scent which is close to Sauvage by Christian Dior, whether you want Sauvage EDT, Elixir, or EDP-like versions.

 

Similar Alternative Perfumes to Sauvage

The Prada

Prada Luna Rossa CARBON for Men Eau de Toilette Spray, 3.4 ounce– Aside, from Sauvage EDP listed below, Luna Rossa Carbon is the closest smelling men’s fragrance to Dior Sauvage at any price.

In fact, it is one which I actually prefer to the Dior fragrance. They share the bergamot, ambroxan, lavender, and pepper notes.

Carbon is smoother, less spicy with the pepper, but with more lavender. Carbon also has a slight metallic tinge, that Sauvage does not. I’ve compared these scents: here. Carbon has good performance and is a damn near clone of Sauvage, at times.

I recently wore both scents on back to back days. Honestly, my experience with Carbon was so much more enjoyable.

Plus, I can get 7-11 hours of nice wear from it. I’m not always in the mood for a lavender fragrance, but I cannot really say that I’m ever going to choose Sauvage EDT against this Prada cologne. Luna Rossa Carbon Review

The First Inspiration

Aromatic Star Anise by Dossier– Dossier is a brand that has become well-known for their fragrances which smell a great deal like popular designer perfumes. Aromatic Star Anise is their impression of Dior Sauvage.

With these, you don’t get a 100% accuracy, but to say that it is above 90% of the same smell wouldn’t be outrageous.

The same citrus, a focus one spicy star anise note (not the same Sichuan pepper, but a pepper note is there too), lavender, and the rest of the ingredients. 

All of that for the current price (as of writing) of $29. Beyond that, you can try it out and send the bottle back, if it doesn’t meet expectations. This is one from Dossier, I haven’t personally tried, but other options have been quite good.

Opening Salvo

Salvo Intense by Alhambra– I’m pretty sure that Alhambra has its own take on each of the Sauvage fragrances. The one linked is basically the formula for Sauvage EDP. Also, the Elixir version exists somewhere, but I haven’t tried it.

So, if you’re in the market for the Eau de Parfum of Sauvage and want a cheaper and well performing cologne that comes quite close to the original, Salvo Intense can do the job.

Bergamot, mandarin orange, vanilla, tonka bean, sandalwood, and more. A really good mimic overall, nice freshness, and a very inexpensive price point.

Inspired 2

Selvaggio by Fragrenza– Fragrenza is another brand with cheaper fragrance impressions of expensive designer scents. It’s not too well known, as of yet, but I was impressed by the batch of samples that I bought from the company.

The perfumes really came close to what they were trying to mimic, not exact dupes, just very close and had outstanding performance. Also, you don’t have to buy a full bottle, you can buy a smaller sample to see if you’d like to go ahead with committing to the larger size bottle.

Selvaggio is the company’s Sauvage inspired cologne. It has the same basic structure as our target, including the citrus and Sichuan pepper start. The full bottle currently goes for $39, which is a really low barrier to entry in comparison to Dior.

Inspiration of All Sauvage

Savage Elixir by The Dua Brand– If you’re looking for something very close to Sauvage EDT, the Dua Brand has you covered. 

However, it goes further than Dossier and Fragrenza, because it also has its inspired versions of Sauvage Elixir, Sauvage EDP, and blends with other famous colognes.

It sort of depends what’s in stock at the time, but they’re usually really good a re-upping the popular fragrances.

I haven’t had a bad experience with any of the inspired perfumes that I’ve bought from them in the past. Every one has been pretty much what you get with the designer brand, just sometimes a bit more linear and not the same exact depth.

But, if you want something very similar to Elixir, EDP, or EDT you can try out the options from Dua.

Better Sauvage Option

Sauvage by Dior Eau de Parfum Spray 60ml– The eau de parfum version of Sauvage, is obviously going to smell very much like the EDT original.

However, this one is arranged differently and smells better, in my opinion. This would be my first option, if I wanted a Sauvage fragrance.

The ambroxan note is stronger here from the start and takes the sharpness of the bergamot and Sichuan pepper away.

It also pairs a sweet and smoky vanilla note with the lavender and ambroxan, which gives it a nice distinction. Sauvage EDP also has great sillage and lasts for over 10 hours.

Yeah, it’s a flanker of Sauvage, but it still gives you enough of that original experience while being better in every regard. I’d also go with the Parfum version, before the EDT. Sauvage EDP Review

The First of Many

Club de Nuit Urban Elixir by Armaf– So this brand has seemingly endless variants of fragrances that smell close to either Sauvage or Creed Aventus. 

Urban Elixir is a great option for those who want something that is close to Sauvage EDT with the way that it smells. Maybe, a bit of EDP thrown in too. 

The citrus doesn’t seem as potent at the opening and there is a saffron note in this blend, which gives Urban Elixir a somewhat distinct aroma from the Dior fragrances. 

Good performance, well-blended, and very affordable. This checks a lot of boxes.

Close Elixir

Asad by Lattafa– As an alternative perfume option to Sauvage Elixir, this one doesn’t try to be exactly the same. However, it gets a lot of the beats right, creating a very similar profile to the Dior.

Really intense in the opening act. Asad goes with black pepper and tobacco, it’s sharp and fresh, and probably not the best aspect of the wear. 

It gets softer and more palatable as it dries down. Coffee, vanilla, iris, and amber resins round things out here. It doesn’t have that licorice of elixir, so the vibe is different.

It’s still fresh in the back half, but this has more of the vanilla and amber tempering the excesses of the opening.

Sauvage Elixir is the better of the two, this one is just way cheaper and gives you a similar style without trying to duplicate it exactly. If you want that, you can go with the Dua Brand’s perfume that I mentioned earlier.

 

In the Same Vein

VERSACE Dylan Blue Pour Homme Eau De Toilette Spray Box Sealed, 6.7 Ounce– Dylan Blue is a close relative of Sauvage, as an aroma. This Versace starts off with a similar citrus pairing of bergamot and grapefruit, ambroxan, and pepper.

However, Dylan Blue also has a slight aquatic element to it, and a very prominent fig note.

If Dylan Blue, could have retained much of the opening act, with that fig note…I would be a much bigger fan. I like it, but it’s not a love. In most cases, I think I’d wear this before Sauvage EDT, but it’s more of a tossup.

I wasn’t really sold on this cologne, when I first tried it out. However, I came around to liking the opening hour or two, the more I wore it. I’m still not completely impressed by the second act, nor the fairly standard performance, but it is a very good scent overall. Dylan Blue Review

 
 

A Cheaper Alternative?

F Armaf Ventana Pour Homme Eau De Parfum Spray for Men, 3.4 Fluid Ounce– Ok, so, Carbon is probably the best alternative fragrance at any price. However, if you want something similar down market, Ventana by Armaf is a really good affordable option.

Ventana has a spicy quality to it, but definitely not the same level of pepper intensity as our comparison.

This Armaf has a fruitier open with a nice amount of lavender. You get grapefruit and a light mandarin, with woody notes, and a weaker amber. Ventana isn’t as much of a sillage beast, as what we’re trying to replace, but it does have very good performance.

Plus, after the first hour it smells very very close to Sauvage, all for around $30 (usually).

Overall, Ventana is a more mellow and understated scent than the EDT version of Sauvage. It provides you a very good substitute for our target, at this price level, while still having enough of a personality to remain a distinct scent.

Cheaper Close Blend

ARMAF The Pride Eau De Parfum Spray for Men, Multi 3.4 Fl Oz– The Pride is another option from the Armaf line, with a bit of a creamier profile than Sauvage EDT and in some ways a closer to Sauvage EDP…but not quite.

The citrus opening is similar to, but not exactly the same as Sauvage. More of a pure lemon than bergamot. Beyond that, the spices here aren’t as intense as the Sichuan pepper note. It is fresher and has less of a warmth to it.

Nonetheless, for the price The Pride by Armaf is surprisingly deep and has a bit of its own personality versus just being another comparison of the best seller.

Bottom Priced Story

La Rive Extreme Story For Men Eau de Toilette 2.5 oz 75 ml Spray– Extreme Story has a nice amount going for it at such a low price. This one sells for around $10, at any given time. Just getting it out of the way, this isn’t as good as Dior.

However, it’s also not terrible like you might expect. Actually, it isn’t as sharp with its citrus notes, and doesn’t have that power kick from Sichuan pepper. It does still have plenty of spice, just in a different variety. Mainly, cardamom. 

This La Rive cologne is fresh and has a cleaner floral/soapier aroma than does the more expensive designer scent. Geranium, lavender, and vetiver notes will do that.

The overlap is going to mostly be in the lavender and citrus notes, add spices/freshness and you’ve got something pretty close.

Less Citrus, Fresh, and Surprisingly Good

Ajmal Kuro for Men Eau de Parfum Spray, 3 Ounce– I became aware of Ajmal as a brand, after finding some of their women’s releases that also were close comparable aromas of famous perfumes.

Does this one replicate Sauvage? Ehh, a lot of the DNA is there, but not entirely to my nose.

The citrus notes are brought way down in comparison. It’s like Sauvage stripped of much of its citrus, more focused on freshness (geranium is pretty strong here), woodier, but with a nice lavender (actually much like Luna Rossa Carbon).

Performance is solid for around 6 hours and it only runs about $25 currently. Kuro is worth a shot.

A Bluer Parfum

Faris by Kajal– This isn’t a cheaper alternative. In fact, it can be pricier than Sauvage. However, it is a great alternative and more so favors Sauvage Parfum, while still doing its own thing.

This still has a spiciness to it with a clove, but it doesn’t come across the same as the Sichuan pepper in Sauvage. Personally, I like the change. There’s a deeper lavender and a freshness coming from the top juniper note.

More floral at times, but less of the citrus and not an explosion of lavender for the entire wear. Great performance too. Not exactly like Sauvage, it still has its own personality, but it covers much of the same ground in a great way.

Dior Homme Intense (2011) by Christian Dior

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Seeing as I just reviewed Dior Homme, I of course had to do one for its flanker fragrance, Dior Homme Intense. Don’t worry, I’ll do a comparison post of these two in the near future. Until then, I want to focus singularly on Intense as a stand alone scent.

How does it smell? How does it perform? When should it be worn? Is it worth a buy? Update: I am revising and updating this post, as I’ve gotten more experience with it, and the original Dior Homme.

What does Dior Homme Intense Smell Like?

Notes include: pear, iris, vetiver, ambrette, lavender, cedar

Click here to try: Christian Dior Dior Men Intense Eau de Parfum Spray, 3.4 Ounce

My Full Review

The opening of Dior Homme Intense hits with a blast of lavender, cedar, and vetiver. It’s a smooth woody affair that pairs with the ambrette to create a warm woods feeling. The iris emerges for me, after about a minute of wear and gives off that familiar powdery floral aroma.

The lavender is in many ways the leader, but what I guess is the ambrette, gives this fragrance its warmth and adds to the cacao sort of aroma. Cedar and vetiver solidify the base. The latter two notes, will have a greater impact later on, but I can detect them from the start.

Honestly, I think that my favorite part is the opening 10-15 minutes with this fragrance. It’s just so layered and wonderful. To me, the opening beats out Dior Homme. That’s saying something, considering Dior Homme has become a staple in my rotation.

I’ve noted in subsequent comparisons between the two, that I enjoy Dior Homme more, overall. That being said, I will combine this two, and it’s essentially a 1A vs 1B scenario.

One of the main differences with Intense, is the lack of the leather note, when compared to the original. This is woodier, with a sweeter warmth.

The iris is still dominant, later on, but tempered when compared with Dior Homme. The lavender here, plays a pretty big role in how the iris gets to develop.

As it settles down, it draws more toward the powdery end of things, and there is definitely the cacao note that is found in the original Dior Homme lurking in this mixture.

It actually dries down into a rich, chocolate (somewhat vanilla) powder, gourmand and that’s how Intense separates itself from Dior Homme.

I get a fresh and semi-sweet fragrance, once it’s fully developed. This is all sitting on a dry base of cedar and vetiver. Powdery, clean, classy, and surprisingly seductive.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

The projection on Dior Homme Intense is quite good. It’s not nearly as loud as something like 1 Million but it definitely earns the intense moniker.

The longevity is excellent. Dior Homme Intense is an all day wear and then some. That’s one thing, that I really appreciate about this cologne.

On my skin, I can hit that 9-11 hour range of solid wear. Yes, towards the end of that set, it is much more of a skin scent. However, the performance is very good overall.

For wear, it’s a late fall and winter wear in my book. It has a really warm, sweet gourmand fragrance and just sits perfectly in the colder air.

I stay away from the two Dior Homme’s in summertime. Maybe, if I’m going to be indoors, during the evening. But, it has to be air conditioned, and low humidity.

In terms of versatility, it is another classy and dressed up kind of scent. Hell, I’ll wear it with t-shirt and jeans, but it exudes sophistication and is best represented when dressed to the nines.

I like Dior Homme Intense best for evening wear and romantic wear. It does a great job at filling that role.

It is a masculine fragrance, but not in a rough, or overbearing sort of way. This is a man who is well put together, not weak, but not boorish either.

I have gotten plenty of complements, wearing Dior Homme Intense. Several drivers, when I’ve headed out to the bars, have commented on how much they like it. Also, women, once I arrive in whatever nightlife venue respond really positively toward this scent.

Now, I do wear Dior Homme, over this usually. But, I do often combine the two, for greater effect. Maybe two sprays of Dior Homme for one spray of Intense. It brings out enough strength, blends well, while giving you some highlights of each of the colognes.

Overall Impression of Dior Homme Intense

Overall, would I recommend Dior Homme Intense? Yes, indeed I would. I enjoy wearing it and like it’s different take on the original Dior Homme.

You can totally have both of them, as they are different enough, to create their own experiences and have a slightly different personality, so to speak.

I absolutely love the opening act of this fragrance. It’s about as perfect, as I can imagine a scent to be, or that I have come across in all the hundreds of tests that I’ve done. It’s fantastic.

The performance overall is outstanding and there’s no overwhelming negative, that I can tell from, all of my time spent with this cologne. Dior Intense has achieved classic status, in my book.

Update: Intense is now the remaining Dior Homme with this formulation (outside of the scarce Dior Homme Parfum). The brand revamped the Dior Homme lineup, producing: Dior Homme 2020 review and the Sport variant. As such, DHI would be my number one pick from this line.