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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
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
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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.