Christian Dior

Y by YSL vs Dior Sauvage EDT Comparison

by

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. The ultimate question is, which 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.

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 projects far. Then, it becomes more moderate, as the wear moves along. Still, it is above average with its projecting ability for almost all of the time it’s on your 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.

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. Some people seem to get better performance than me with this cologne, but it’s still a fairly good performer.

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.

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.

Winner: Sauvage

Mr. Burberry vs Dior Sauvage Cologne Comparison

by

For this comparison, I want to breakdown two very popular eau de toilette scents for men: Sauvage by Christian Dior vs. Mr. Burberry. Which one of these colognes is the better bet for most guys to try out? I am only comparing the EDT versions of these fragrances (which are the best sellers) and not the EDP’s, so keep that in mind. As usual, I will cover what’s inside, how each smells, performs, which is more versatile, and which is ultimately the winner.

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

Mr. Burberry

Notes include: tarragon, cedar, birch leaf, grapefruit, cardamom, sandalwood, vetiver

Click here to try: BURBERRY Mr Eau De Toilette Spray for Men, 1.6 Ounce

Read my original review: Mr. Burberry EDT

Opening

Sauvage opens up with a bold and rather sharp bergamot note that is joined by calming lavender and a peppery kick. Within about 20 minutes, the warm smoothness of the ambroxan, takes the edge off of the pepper and the citrus notes settles down as well.

Mr. Burberry also opens up with a citrus note, this time, it is grapefruit. That is blended with woody notes, sandalwood and cedar, to create a subtle and super smooth aroma. There is also a cooling sensation from mint, that is brought in but isn’t too heavy. It’s quite clean and crisp. Plus, has an herbal undertone that emerges more later in the wear.

Which is better? Well, I’m not in love with either. Sauvage seems somewhat harsh to my nose at first but it settles down. Meanwhile, Mr. Burberry is pleasant, but isn’t all that interesting. Sauvage definitely captures my attention more and just has a better smell.

Edge: Sauvage 

Projection

I’ve always felt that the Dior fragrance was on the upper end of the moderate scale in terms of sillage and at times it can definitely be quite strong. With Sauvage, if you spray too much, it does have the ability to consume a room.

Mr. Burberry doesn’t do that. It is moderate and really completely average in how it projects off of my skin, definitely not as strong as Sauvage. I actually wish that the Mr. Burberry fragrances had more power, I don’t find either of them to be great.

Edge: Sauvage 

Longevity

For me, they are almost the same in terms how long they last, but Sauvage is just a little bit better. I get 5-7 hours from Mr. Burberry. Sauvage is usually 6-7. However, plenty of folks say they get all day wear from Sauvage, so it’s got the edge versus Mr. Burberry.

Sauvage EDT isn’t great but it’s a winner, in comparison. Sauvage Parfum and EDP are much better in this regard.

Edge: Sauvage

Versatility

There’s no real separation between these two fragrances in this category. Both of them are highly versatile and can be worn in a wide variety of situations and climates. That is one of the main selling points of each, is that, they aren’t limited to one specific time of year or situation.

Edge: Push

Overall Scent

Mr. Burberry is a pleasant scent to wear. It is low key and has a nice freshness from the grapefruit, woods, and herbal blend. It is a solid everyday wear and a totally non-offensive fragrance. I like it, but it never interested me, whenever I wore it. The whole thing felt rather flat and uninspired. I always wanted to wear something else before reaching for this.

I’m also no Sauvage fan boy, as I’ve made that clear in other posts. However, I do like it more than Mr. Burberry, and would prefer to wear it between the two of them. I think the overall fragrance smells better, has more energy, better performance, etc.

If it came solely down to price, I might pick Mr. Burberry, if I could get a better deal. But even that’s not a guarantee. Sauvage is the winner in this contest. If you want something that smells quite similar to Sauvage, that can usually be purchased for cheaper, try Luna Rossa Carbon.

I think Sauvage EDP is better than either. Mr. Burberry EDP smells good, but the performance is bad. So, I’d go with any of the Dior offerings before Mr. Burberry.

Winner: Dior Sauvage

Sauvage EDP by Christian Dior Review

by

For this review, I am going to be taking a closer look at another Christian Dior cologne, this one from the insanely popular Sauvage line: Sauvage Eau de parfum. I was interested to see if this would be an improvement or a complete dud. How does this fragrance stack up versus its competitors and even the EDT original, that has been a best seller since its release. How does it smell? Does it perform? How’s the sillage? Is EDP worth a buy?

What does Sauvage Eau de Parfum Smell Like?

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

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

My Full Wear Review

I’ve never been a huge fan of the EDT release of Sauvage. One of my biggest complaints about it, was the sharp bergamot/pepper opening, and the amount of lavender that was in the composition. So, I really wasn’t too excited to try the eau de parfum version, and have held out up until now.

I have to say, the EDP’s opening gets it right. It leads off with the famous ambroxan note at full strength, which subdues the harshness of the citrus and Sichuan pepper. The opening isn’t really all that spicy and definitely way smoother than its predecessor.

The added vanilla and a lower amount of lavender, team up with that ambroxan, and give the scent a fresh warmth. The vanilla is quite dark and smoky, which makes for an interesting aroma.

After the opening, Sauvage EDP really begins with the spices. Again, it’s still not as sharp as the original EDT fragrance from Dior, but it does have a well rounded spice. The Sichuan pepper, is joined by nutmeg, and star anise.

Both of those additional spices are a lot less in your face. The bergamot note, comes into its own during this time for me, as it isn’t overshadowed completely by that amber-laden opening. Very clean, somewhat sharp, and juicy.

The citrus is there at the start. But, on my skin, it doesn’t seem to really emerge on its own until later. That could just be how it reacts to my body chemistry.

Ultimately, from this EDP, I get the ambroxan, a host of spices, bergamot, and some lavender. It’s super fresh and smooth. The dry down is great. I like how chill and confident this cologne comes across. My opinion of the original has gotten lower, over the years, and I hated having it on the last time I tried it.

This, I don’t get that feeling. It is an enjoyable wear throughout. Fresh, crisp, with periods of absolute smoothness and depth.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Projection wise, the sillage of Sauvage EDP is beastly. Seriously, this stuff can project itself like crazy, and doesn’t require you to spray it a lot in order to create that effect. This is what you’d expect from an eau de parfum, but I can tell you, that is definitely not always the case.

Sauvage EDP has the power that it should have, though.

How long does it last? Well, the longevity is also fantastic. It hit double digit hours on my skin, with any hint of slowing down. Awesome value. Somewhere around 12 hours, seems to be the norm for this cologne.

Seasonally, I can’t quite pin it down. I think that it would work well year round and in a variety of climates. It is a solid blend of different notes, which can operate in so many different types of situations.

Sauvage EDP has wonderful versatility, as it can be worn casually, dressed up, at the office, and especially out for the evening. It is more mature than the original, but still retains a high energy, about it.

Is Sauvage EDP sexy? Yes, this is one that is going to draw the complements, particularly from the ladies. Toning down the sharpness was an important step for Dior, toward making the eau de parfum, a real crowd pleaser.

Overall Impressions of Sauvage EDP

Overall, is Christian Dior’s Sauvage EDP version worth a buy? Yes. I like it a lot, and again, I am someone who is pretty indifferent with regards to the EDT. I still have a sample vial of that and never choose to wear it (and would rather wear, Luna Rossa Carbon).

This, I almost certainly will. It took what was right about the original and improved upon it. Then, more importantly, fixed its short comings. EDP performs extremely well and is one of those highly versatile year round colognes. Bravo, Dior.

I like how much better the citrus is in this blend. Also, the Sichuan pepper, having to share the stage with anise and nutmeg makes it work perfectly.

Updating this initial review, having also tried the Parfum version of Sauvage, I can definitely say that the EDP is the best. I like that newer release also and would rank it second.

Best Vanilla Scented Colognes for Men

by

Vanilla is a popular note used in fragrances for both men and women. Frankly, I love the way it can add a sweet smoothness when used correctly in scents. Vanilla can be a very seasonal type of note when it is predominately featured in a fragrance and I think you’ll find most of the colognes on this list would probably best serve you during the cooler months of the year.  I have included 8 selections on this list and of course there are more out there but I feel that these are the best of the bunch.

Vanilla Colognes: What are the Best Perfumes for Men?

Top Luxury Vanilla Fragrance

Creed Sublime Vanille Cologne for Men 8.4 oz Eau De Parfum– So, let’s start out with this hyper-expensive entry from Creed. Sublime Vanille has one of, if not, the best vanilla notes that I have ever smelled in a fragrance. It’s fantastic.

It’s sweet and creamy, mixed with tonka bean during the dry down period. Sublime Vanille opens with citrus notes, which gives it a nice orange creamsicle vibe.

The citrus note fades a bit as it moves on and there is an emergence of a soft musk note which adds depth to the composition. Sublime Vanille is more of a unisex scent and once it gets going, it’s pretty linear in its aroma throughout the rest of the wear.

This Creed is soft and airy, good for casual or dressed up styles. Again, this one is a high end scent, but the vanilla doesn’t get much better (if at all) than what’s in here. Here is my full wear review.

Best Overall Cologne with a Vanilla Led Blend

Giorgio Armani Code Absolu EDP Eau de Parfum For Men 3.7oz– Code Absolu has become my favorite issuance from this Armani line. The vanilla, comes along heavier later in the wear, and is joined by a host of smooth and spicy ingredients. 

Code Absolu opens up with nutmeg, rum, suede, and tonka bean. There is also a hint of citrus and crisp apple, in the background. The spice of the nutmeg is dominant for a few minutes, before the suede and tonka bean really take over.

The fresh spice here is great, nutmeg and rum, are surprisingly great together. The fruit notes, are also just strong enough, to prevent it being a completely dark fragrance.

This one is fresh, warm, with a nice sweetness from vanilla and tonka bean. The projection is strong, but not absurdly so, and the longevity consistently hits 10+ hours, on my skin. Code Absolu Full Review

Top Nightlife/Youthful Vanilla Blend

Jean Paul Gaultier Ultra Male Eau de Toilette Intense 40ml Spray– Originally, I had Le Male, on this list. However, that was before the release of Ultra Male by Jean Paul Gaultier. This flanker fragrance to the original, takes what was great about it, and does it even better.

A warm and spicy aroma highlighted by vanilla and pear notes, which gives it a sweet and candy-like edge. I have a full bottle of Ultra Male and it is a fragrance that I wore pretty much all winter in 2018.

The mint and cinnamon combination adds a very nice spice to the uber sweet arrangement. This JPG scent delivers very good sillage and I’ve always gotten around 9 hours of solid wear from it. This is a colder weather scent, that is sexy, and built for the nightlife. Ultra Male is great, upbeat, and a worthy successor to the original Le Male. Ultra Male Full Review

Best Vanilla and Tobacco Blend

TOM FORD Tobacco Vanille Eau de Parfum 50 ML(1.7 OZ)– A high performing giant in the world of fragrance. Tobacco Vanille is obviously highlighted by those two notes, but it’s excellent blend of sweetness and spiciness is what really sets it apart.

Expensive? Yes, but it delivers an experience that is all its own. This is masculine, refined, and a fragrance that really shines in the winter time.

This is another one, like Sublime Vanille, that features an absolutely divine vanilla note. It’s very realistic and smells utterly perfect to my nose. Add to the two main notes, you get a lovely cacao, fruits, and creamy tonka bean.

The scent is also quite dry and doesn’t have a ‘juicy’ fruit sensation. Overall, it is super sweet and spicy, while being a performance scent that will last and project for ages. Tobacco Vanille Review

Best Daily Wear Designer Vanilla

Pi By Givenchy For Men. Eau De Toilette Spray 3.3 Ounces– A sweet yet woody fragrance with vanilla and almond notes. It has a fresh and somewhat powdery dry down with the tonka bean note and a resinous benzoin.

Pi can be a great go to fragrance for a guy who wants something affordable that can be worn every day (outside of the hottest months). What I really like about this Givenchy cologne, is it’s subtle earthiness and herbal qualities that lie just underneath the vanilla sweetness.

Pi is a rich and very cozy scent to wear on the coldest days. It’s sensual powdered dry down and that great little almond addition, always seem to draw complements. It has been around for a few decades at this point and still has legions of fans, who swear by the power of Pi.

pi

Great Exotic Use of Vanilla

Opium By Yves Saint Laurent For Men. Eau De Toilette Spray 3.3 Ounces
A spicy and oriental type of fragrance which is soothed by the vanilla note that plays a supporting role to the anise and peppery elements. Solid performer and one of the first colognes I ever bought.

There are those warm sort of smoky elements that create an interesting take on the usual, sugary kind of vanilla colognes.

It’s profile overall, is that of the orient. Opium is mysterious and has a sort of ancient charm to the aroma, its resinous and spicy. The whole thing envelopes you skin and the vanilla note is in the heart of it all. I wish that I had more of my vintage bottle of this Yves Saint Laurent classic. My Opium Pour Homme Review

opium

The Easy to Wear, Crowd Pleaser

Hugo Boss Men’s Boss No. 6 Eau de Toilette Natural Spray, 3.3 fl. oz.

A moderate fragrance with woodsy notes that is great for casual wear. The apple, cinnamon, and vanilla give Boss No. 6 a sweet yet crisp aroma. This is a good one for those who want a vanilla based scent that is blended with other notes and can be worn as an everyday sort of cologne.

Boss No. 6 is a fairly inexpensive choice and has a gourmand sensability. Its sweetness is like that of baked goods: warm and tasty. The wood notes emerge led by sandalwood and mahogany to give this Hugo Boss scent, more masculine depth.

It all comes together as light, a bit powdery, and spicy cologne with that lovable vanilla note sitting in the thick of it. Boss No. 6 Review

Awesome Sweet Smelling Vanilla Perfume

Acqua Di Parma Blue Mediterraneo Mandorlo Di Sicilia Eau de Toilette Spray, 5 Ounce–  Almond and vanilla are paired to create a warm and lightly enveloping aroma, that has a sweet candy-like quality. Mandorlo di Sicilia is a unisex scent, but can be a great colder weather wear for men.

This one reminds me of these little root beer candies, that I ate sometimes, as a child. Orange, almond, and the vanilla come together to give it a sweet, somewhat nutty, fizziness.

Akin to carbonation. Mandorlo is fresh and dries down, mostly as vanilla, with a powdered sugar quality. The sillage is fairly light, but it can last for 6-7 hours, on my skin.  My Full Review is Here

Dior Homme vs Dior Homme Intense Cologne Comparison

by

Yes, it’s time for another cologne comparison. Today’s head to head match up is between two Christian Dior scents: Homme and Homme Intense. Is the flanker Intense version better than the original? How does each hold up? Does one of these scents smell better than the other?

 

Tale of the Tape

Dior Homme

Notes include: vetiver, iris, cacao, bergamot, amber, leather, sage, and lavender

Click here to try: Dior Homme By Christian Dior For Men. Eau De Toilette Spray 3.4 Ounces

Read my Full Review: Dior Homme Review

 

Dior Homme Intense

 

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

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

Read My Full Review: Dior Homme Intense Review

 

Opening

The opening of Dior Homme is more of a floral with the introduction of iris and an underlying sweetness provided by the cacao. It sets the stage for the magnificence, that is to come with this fragrance.

The note that stands out, up top is bergamot. This juicy citrus, pairs very well with the powdery iris, clean lavender, and sweet cacao. Not to mention the sage and dry vetiver. 

Homme Intense has an amazing opening act. I absolutely love it. It’s warm and woody with the cedar, vetiver, and amber joining forces to create an aroma that is absolutely divine, in my opinion. This is also paired with the same lavender, as Homme.

I really enjoy the smell of Dior Homme at the start, but I once again, love the way Homme Intense opens. Both are extremely good, but Intense takes it to another level.

Edge: Homme Intense

 

Projection

Dior Homme is a softer/moderate kind of scent. Obviously, Dior Intense was made to be stronger, as it’s in the name. So, Intense is the winner here because it is strong (but not overpowering).

I will however say that, if you double spray Dior Homme, you get much better sillage and longevity. Like two sprays to each side of my neck, worked wonders. This isn’t always the case with weaker colognes, because you can get fragrances that are so weak, that even tripling up doesn’t really help.

It still won’t be as strong as Homme Intense, but it gets close.

Edge: Homme Intense

 

Longevity

Homme Intense wins. It lasts all day. In the 9 to 11 hour range.

My full bottle of Dior Homme, with the large sprayer, can get me 8-9 hours of wear out of this cologne. Which is great because you can buy large bottles for under $100, so you don’t really have to conserve the sprays anymore.

Nonetheless, it doesn’t go quite as long as Intense. 

Edge: Homme Intense

 

Versatility

Both of these scents are mature, refined, and work well in the colder weather. I could wear either one casually or for a night out. These are the kind of fragrances you dress up for while wearing.

Dior Homme is more versatile, due to the prominence of the floral notes, in its composition. This allows it to be worn further into the springtime and it holds up better in heat. Not extreme heat, but a nice warm day.

Edge: Dior Homme

 

Overall Scent

This is honestly a tough one. They are of course similar fragrances but they have enough differences to be distinct. I really do go back and forth between the two…and feel like I now need to purchase full bottles of both again.

However, I do seem to prefer Dior Homme overall when compared to Homme Intense. While the opening of Intense is better, it dries down into more of a chocolate powdery sort of aroma, that simply isn’t as pleasing to me as is the entire life cycle of Dior Homme.

Homme Intense gives better performance, though, that gap can mostly be closed by spraying a bit more Dior Homme. Dior Homme is so subtle, refined, and layered. It’s almost a perfect fragrance in my mind.

I love both of these scents and will gladly wear either one, based on my mood that day. Also, I’ll use both at the same time. In the end though, if I had to choose one, I’d pick Dior Homme.

Dior Homme is my main daily wear, on the off days, when I’m not doing reviews for the site. A lot of folks seem to prefer Intense, but I don’t think it’s a strong throughout, as Dior Homme is. 

Winner: Dior Homme (slightly)