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)
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 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.
One of my favorites during the wintertime. This cologne is sweet and spicy and has the ability to draw women in it seems. 