Which is the Best Dior Sauvage Fragrance?

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Christian Dior’s Sauvage is probably the most popular men’s fragrance line in the world, right now. However, when you are given three options with the same name, it can be difficult to discern the differences and which you should choose.

In this post, I am going to rank these colognes, and break down which smells the best. I’ve thoroughly tested and reviewed each Sauvage scent, so, the rankings are very clear in my mind.

Dior Sauvage EDP vs. Parfum vs. EDT vs. Elixir

The Best Sauvage

Sauvage Elixir at Macy’s– The newest release is now the best of the bunch. In terms of smell, it’s slightly ahead of the EDP version, but this concentrated Elixir is an absolute beast performer.

It does go in a different direction from the other Sauvage fragrances. However, it retains is central lavender note and the same structure of citrus, spice, and woods.

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 new blend is absolutely great. 

Yes, it’s more expensive, but it lasts all day and actually brings a new interpretation to the line. Sauvage Elixir Review

Update: Coming back to this one, a few years after its release, and I do still really like it. The dry down with the lavender is even more appealing to my nose than before. It’s really powerful, but I think it is the top pick in this Dior line.

The Close Second

1. Sauvage by Dior Eau de Parfum Spray, 2 Fl Oz– Sauvage EDP was (before 2021) my favorite offering from this lineup, without a doubt. I was pretty much indifferent to the original EDT, but this edition, really grabbed my attention and I thoroughly enjoyed wearing it.

It opens up, as a much smoother wear. The warm ambroxan leads the way and calms down the sharper elements of Sichuan pepper and bergamot. Beyond that, you get a dark and smoky vanilla note, and the EDP is less of a lavender bomb than its predecessor.

It’s clean, well put together, and has depth. The anise, pepper, and nutmeg trio are introduced later on to give Sauvage EDP some more spice, but it’s never overwhelming.

Finally, the performance is top notch. The sillage is huge, it can project itself very well off of my skin, and lasts all day without quitting. For those who don’t want to pay the high price of Elixir, this is still a great option.  Sauvage EDP Full Review

Darker and Woody

2. Dior Sauvage Parfum 100 ml 3.4 oz spray– Parfum really strikes me as the middle ground fragrance of the Sauvage line. It opens up with a citrus blast, like the EDT, but with an added juicy mandarin orange note. It also doesn’t have the same spice.

It differs from the EDP version, with way less of the ambroxan note. You do get vanilla, but it is paired with tonka bean and sandalwood, giving this a creaminess that is more pronounced than the others. 

Later on though, Sauvage Parfum develops its own identity. It’s dark, dry, woody, with a some sweetness. Sandalwood and cedar are in a leading role, along with vanilla, and some of the citrus juiciness.

It doesn’t have the same strength as the EDP, but it is still a powerful fragrance, and will last 10+ hours. I do enjoy this one, it’s just a notch below EDP, in my opinion. Though, if you want a less ambroxan heavy version, this is it. Sauvage Parfum Review

 

The Original

3. Sauvage by Christian Dior Eau de Toilette Spray for Men, 3.4 Ounce– To me, the original Sauvage is the least compelling of the bunch. Not that it is a bad fragrance, it’s just been outdone by its successors, and other colognes on the market.

Luna Rossa Carbon, for example, smells very similar to Sauvage EDT but is a better version. 

Sauvage EDT is much more geared toward the citrus notes. The opening is a mix of sharp bergamot and spicy pepper. It is intense and not my favorite aspect of the scent.

Later, the signature ambroxan note comes in, along with lavender to calm down the composition. The longevity is good, but not as long lasting as the EDP. Though, this is a good performer when the climate is warm. Sauvage EDT Full Review

5. Sauvage Eau Forte– It’s not as bad as everyone seemingly made it out to be. But, Eau Forte is my least favorite fragrance in the series. Though, I actually liked parts of it.

I like the cold almost misty sort of aroma that it gives off early. This is an alcohol free version of this scent and I’ve always gotten the mental impression of being near a waterfall in a forest with the opening sprays.

The spice here feels more generic and is held back somewhat by the resinous elemi note. Lavender and woody notes are the main thrust of Eau Forte for much of the wear. 

But, having tested this one out plenty, the back half becomes muskier and much less remarkable than the rather enjoyable start. Mostly just lavender and musk. The weakest and worst performer of the Sauvage lineup too. Eau Forte review

Alien Goddess Supra Florale by Mugler

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Alien Goddess has been a successful part of the designer’s long-running Alien line of perfumes. Goddess has been spawning newer flanker fairly consistently over the past handful of years, including today’s review subject: Supra Florale. This edition came out in 2023.

I’ve recently been testing out a sample of this scent. How does it smell? Does this Alien Goddess perfume last long? Is it worth a try?

Alien Goddess Supra Florale Review

Notes include: cactus accord, jasmine, everlasting flower absolute, musk, amber, desert rose

Click here to try: Supra Florale

My Take

Here’s how Mugler describes it: Alien Goddess Eau de Parfum Supra Florale turns the signature solar jasmine of the original scent into a monumental, otherworldly supra flower. The new bloom, crafted by principal perfumer Marie Salamagne and master perfumer Nathalie Lorson, symbolizes the augmented femininity embodied by Alien Goddess. More than a scent, this supra-sensorial experience encompasses the future of floral essence, infused with a daring and avant-garde eau de parfum.

This one has sort of a strange aroma up top. It’s a full cactus accord from the prickly pear fruit to the plant itself. So, it’s sort of sweet, greenish, and has a sort of herbal finish to it with that everlasting flower note (immortelle).

Alien Goddess Supra Florale is fresh and has a syrupy sweet combination in this opening act that is interesting and to my nose smells much better a bit away from me versus having it closer.

With that, you’re getting more of the floral notes here, as the name suggests. The jasmine, immortelle, and desert rose. The desert rose can actually tend to smell somewhat like jasmine, so here this Alien Goddess edition really starts to take on a jasmine heavy aroma.

Coming from the original Alien Goddess and even Intense by Mugler, you’ll notice the lack of the coconut water and citrus and general beachy aroma from this one. Yet, it still does manage to come across as like the others, closer to Intense while remaining distinct.

As this one moves along, I get a lot less of the greenish influences here. Jasmine, desert rose, amber, musk, and the remaining prickly pear.

It’s still has a balance between a light sweet syrup, clean freshness, occasionally bordering on creamy, with a rich amber and musk in the base.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Supra Florale is a substantial fragrance, while not being too heavy. You get the freshness to keep things wearable when it’s warm. While also, leaving a nice scent trail and having good ability to project from your skin.

Would probably call it in the upper range of moderate to slightly strong with its reach.

On my skin, I get somewhere in the 8.5-9 hour range. Maybe it can go a little longer than that. The performance presents no issues, so, if you like the scent it’s a good buy.

Seasonally, I would just stay away from the extremes, hot or cold. Outside of that, this can work well in spring and autumn especially, with winter and summer being possibilities depending on the climate of your region.

In terms of the versatility of Supra Florale, it’s probably not going to be one you reach for on formal or dressy occasions. It’s not really a club beast. But, it can fit in well in a lot of scenarios, even while being a laid back sort of gourmand scent.

Overall Impressions of Goddess Supra Florale

Overall, do I like this Mugler scent? I do. I still think that I prefer Intense to Alien Goddess Supra Florale, however. The EDP? It’s neck and neck.

I don’t think that this is an amazing perfume, but it is a good one, that also delivers a worthwhile performance.

The cactus accord is a nice edition, giving Alien Goddess Supra Florale a distinct and fairly memorable aroma, while still fitting into the series’ overall vibe. More desert sands versus beach sands, but still.

The balance is good, I do like it more once some of the greenish influences have softened, but nothing here was offensive. I think that this perfume is worth a try, the changes might be enough if you didn’t like the other editions, and I think if you did enjoy those, this will work just fine too.

Lipstick Rose by Frederic Malle

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Lipstick Rose is one of the Frederic Malle fragrances that I had yet to try throughout all of the years that I’ve been running this site.

It’s a perfume that was released back in 2000, so it’s no new by any means, but we might as well get into what makes this one so well-loved. Lipstick Rose was designed by Ralf Schwieger.

What does it smell like? How long does it last? Is it really worth a try?

Lipstick Rose Review

Notes include: litchi, raspberry, galbanum, grapefruit, lemon, iris, rose, heliotrope, clove, amber, leather, musk, cedar, and more

Click here to try: Lipstick Rose by Frederic Malle

My Take

Right away, you can tell that this Schwieger creation is going to live up to its name. The lipstick like aroma of the perfume is apparent, as is the well-blended rose note.

What I wasn’t expecting here was the lightness of this scent, especially early. I didn’t check the notes until later, but the fruitiness while subdued, is doing a lot of the work of helping to bring out the greenish and slightly dewy smell at the start.

Litchi is the strongest of the lot to my nose. However, it’s not ever dominating. The fruit here are just part of the mix and aren’t making themselves known with a sugary sweetness or tart presentation. Even the citrus, is just a faint hint, but it makes the opening sparkle.

Underneath that, galbanum is very prominent on my skin for a while. Greenish, woodsy, earthy, and slightly bitter. It’s playing off that somewhat dirty red rose, the iris, and lily of the valley. The latter, will gradually be replaced by heliotrope in the middle of the wear.

Galbanum does bring out the musk note more here. But, we will begin to shift away from the sparkling greenish opening further into the lipstick scent that we were promised. I’m also getting violet in the mix.

The powder really increases, while this Frederic Malle scent retains that lightness and freshness. It sort of reminds me of L’Homme L’eau by Prada, in that respect, but this is a more complicated fragrance.

The dry down is a powdery lipstick with vanilla, some amber, and a vague woody and green finish to it. The rose and iris are more distinct, as the other floral notes aside from some remaining heliotrope have fallen away.

It’s sweeter to me, still not majorly, and slightly warm and waxy in the finish. It does so while keeping that clean brightness to some degree.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

This fragrance is pretty moderate with how it projects and the scent trail that it leaves in your wake. Lipstick Rose isn’t a heavy scent, but it’s not airy with how it presents either.

I always notice that I had it on and never had to press my nose up against the skin in order to detect it. Closer to the upper range of moderate than anything and not a complete beast with it either.

The longevity is actually really solid. I get somewhere around 8.5 hours on my skin from this fragrance. Again not elite, but you’ll get a full workday’s use out of it.

Seasonally, this is one that can fit in almost year round. It’s light enough for the spring and more mild days of summer, while also being substantial enough for when it gets cooler.

I would probably avoid it at the extremes of winter and summer, but you’re good outside of that.

It’s a very versatile perfume to wear too. While not inherently ‘sexy’ or a night club beast, Lipstick Rose can fit in just about anywhere else. It’s dressed up, attractive, without coming off as overly serious.

Casual, daily wear, or potential signature scent for the right person.

Overall Impressions of Lipstick Rose

Overall, do I like this fragrance? Yes, I think that it is a really great perfume of this type. It may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but if it sounds like you’d enjoy it, Lipstick Rose is one you should definitely check out.

I think the opening act is great. The mix of fruits playing off of the floral notes gives this one balance. It doesn’t have to stray too far into green stem territory or have a singular tone with the lipstick and rose theme.

That is there, but this Malle perfume develops quite a bit from that initial spray. It doesn’t ever lose me and I enjoyed the ride, even if this is a very feminine fragrance. Sure, I won’t buy a bottle for myself, though I can enjoy this sample for what it is.

The performance is good, not extreme or elite, but Lipstick Rose does its job well.

I don’t think that this is too challenging to wear or anything like that, but some people really don’t vibe with lipstick perfumes, even if they like the idea of it. That and the price itself, will probably prevent this from being a blind buy for most people.

However, this is actually is a great offering from this line for those interested.

Uomo Born in Roma Green Stravaganza by Valentino

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Valentino’s Born in Roma series continues to roll along on both the men’s and women’s side of their fragrances. Uomo Born in Roma Green Stravaganza was released by the designer in 2024, but I recently bought some more perfume samples and received this one as a part of the lot.

So, after testing this Green scent out, how does it smell? Does it last long? Is it actually worth a try? Below is my complete and updated review of this cologne.

Born in Roma Green Stravaganza Review

Notes include: bergamot, coffee, vetiver

Click here to try: Green Stravaganza

My Take

Here’s how Valentino describes it: A fougere ambery fragrance, uplifting your extravagance with the bright Calabria bergamot heart, a fresh aromatic complex, and an addictive coffee accord.

So, Born in Roma Green Stravaganza is a fairly simple fragrance. It’s paired down so that it can be the line’s go to option for the spring and summer months.

The opening is mostly about the bergamot note. It actually sort of reminds me a bit of YSL’s Myslf up top. Same use of citrus. However, here it doesn’t take on the same level of juiciness and intensity.

The bergamot is smoothed out by the inclusion of coffee. The coffee accord isn’t heavy or dominant, but it’s used to beef up the scent a bit while maintaining its freshness. It darkens the feeling of the wear compared to the usual bright and citrus-laden summer colognes.

As we move along, the bergamot will lose a good deal of its power, and Born in Roma Green Stravaganza will be much more of a balanced bled.

It’s fresh, somewhat earthy and greenish at times thanks to the inclusion of the vetiver note. The dry down has a soapy/amber finish to it. I think there is a light ‘amber’ note that isn’t listed and the greenish finish is pretty vetiver heavy on my skin.

Not much obvious coffee aroma left and I can still detect the citrus that prevents a complete domination by the vetiver.

That’s about it with this cologne.

Projection, Longevity, and Versatility

The opening here actually does have some weight to it and reach, as far as the projection goes. It will leave a fairly substantial scent trail in one’s wake for the first 30-60 minutes, with a decent amount of sprays.

But, that will tone down into something that could be considered a lighter moderate scent for most of the wear. It’s noticeable for a majority of the wear, but isn’t going to be in your face about it, before it turns completely into a skin scent.

For me, I get somewhere in the 6-6.5 hour range of use out of Green Stravaganza. It’s about what I was expecting, something simple and for the warmer weather, and not a dense long-lasting powerhouse.

Seasonally, again, this one is spring and summer for most places. If you live in a warmer climate, I guess that will be more year round for your area. It’s fine in more moderate temperatures.

I don’t think that it would smell bad in colder weather, but maybe feel out of place with it’s livelier ‘greenish’ aroma.

This Born in Roma isn’t a serious fragrance or a nightlife scent. It’s not completely juvenile or informal. I’ve been wearing it around as a casual daytime fragrance when I’m running errands around town or just lounging around the house. Something along those lines.

Overall Impressions of Uomo Born in Roma Green Stravaganza

Overall, do I like this cologne? I do, even if I ultimately think that it falls short of being something that is truly great. In the end, I think it’s a pretty good scent that wouldn’t be a bad pickup at the right price.

The opening act with the bergamot at its peak, blended with the coffee accord giving the fragrance some more depth is really quite attractive. It works well on a warmer day and is my favorite part of the wear.

After that, it’s fine. The general woodsy aroma with some soapy touches in the dry down is fine. I’m not enthralled with the back half of Green Stravaganza and it really doesn’t hold much interest for me.

The performance is middle of the road, but still better than a lot of fragrances that are spring and summer wears.

I have finished out my samples of this scent for this review. I won’t personally be grabbing a bottle of this Valentino, but I do think that it’s a solid enough effort from this line.

Eilish No. 2 by Billie Eilish

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Eilish No. 2 is the follow up fragrance to the first Billie Eilish perfume release. It was then followed by a third entry into the series, each of which has nothing to do with the other in terms of how they smell. It was released in 2022.

Anyway, I finally got some samples of this woody perfume and have been testing it out recently. How does this Eilish scent smell? How long does it last? Is it worth a buy?

Eilish 2 by Billie Eilish Overview

Notes include: bergamot, apple blossom, wild poppy flower, black pepper, papyrus, palo santo, ebony wood

Click here to try: Eilish No. 2

My Full Review

Eilish 2 opens with a sharp hit of black pepper that’s brightened by bergamot’s subtle citrus scent. Apple blossom brings a bit of sweetness to the initial burst.

The florals stay pretty understated throughout, you’ll pick up traces here and there, but they never take center stage in this blend. You just get different facets of them at different times.

What really drives this fragrance is the palo santo wood running through from start to finish. Early on, papyrus kicks in with extra dryness and spice. The whole thing feels warm, grounded, and carries this gentle smoky quality.

What’s interesting is how Eilish 2 develops this slightly humid, almost dewy character as it moves into the heart and dry down phases. That’s from the poppy flower note, which is described as being ‘wet poppy flower’ by the brand.

The latter stages of the wear are much more woody and warm, versus floral and spicy. The sap and resinous qualities really come through and the composition will dry out versus what it was earlier.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Eilish 2 isn’t a heavy fragrance. It’s substantial and noticeable, but more airy than the first one and not as dense. It’s a moderate in terms of how it projects, it will leave a nice scent trail, but never really hits some insane level.

Longevity wise, this one is also pretty decent, just not great. I’ve been getting around 7 hours of wear from this perfume. Maybe an extra half an hour beyond that.

Eilish 2 is mainly for the autumn and winter months. It can venture into the spring, but I wouldn’t wear it out, when it gets too warm.

This Billie Eilish perfume is also much more unisex than the first one, which was a sweeter gourmand. This one can be worn by anyone and some would consider this to be much more traditionally masculine.

While it’s not a formal fragrance or one that is particularly sexy, it does have a wide use case to wear around. Eilish 2 could be a signature fragrance for the right person and it will fit in pretty much anywhere outside of a few exceptions.

Overall Impressions of Eilish No. 2

Overall, do I like this distinct sequel fragrance? I do enjoy it somewhat. The dry down is my favorite part, but it does have some interesting facets along the way.

Now, this second Eilish release isn’t going to be everyone’s favorite and the reaction to it seems pretty split. A spicy, smoky, and dry woody blend isn’t going to appeal to everyone…even if it is technically more unisex compared to the first release.

Still, even with its fairly unique presentation, I still think that this one falls short of being anything truly special. If it fits your style, it is an inexpensive pickup that should work rather well.

The performance is also a bit above average, but not by much.

The peppery start can be somewhat off-putting, but I do like the palo santo and ebony wood notes, particularly in the second half of this scent. It’s not too powerful, but it sits nicely on the skin.