Sauvage Elixir vs. Bleu de Chanel

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Sauvage Elixir has quickly become a very popular flanker from the top selling Sauvage line by Dior. Bleu de Chanel has been a long time favorite from Dior’s French competitor and these two can often be the final choices of men looking to buy, even if the formulas are quite differenct.

In this post, I want to compare the two colognes. I’m going to use the Eau de Parfum version of Bleu, as I think that’s probably the best of them overall. How does it compare to Sauvage Elixir? Which lasts longer? Which is the better buy?

Tale of the Tape: Bleu de Chanel vs. Sauvage Elixir

Sauvage Elixir

Notes include: grapefruit, wood, lavender, nutmeg, cardamom, cinnamon, patchouli, vetiver

Click here to try: Sauvage Elixir at Macy’s

Read my review: Sauvage Elixir

Bleu de Chanel EDP

Notes include: grapefruit, sandalwood, amber, vanilla, tonka bean, ginger, mint, and more

Click here to try: Bleu De Chaneâ…¼ Eau De Parfum Pour Homme Spray 1.7 Fl. OZ. / 50ML.

Read my Review: Bleu de Chanel EDP

Opening

Bleu de Chanel EDP kicks things off with citrus, including lemon, but the grapefruit note is actually the stronger of the two.

Bleu will also start to show off its mint note. However, the ginger and pink pepper, have a stronger spiced influence. A little later, you get a smoky incense, and warm amber.

With Sauvage Elixir, you get a ton of spice. In the Dior fragrance it’s: cardamom, cinnamon, and nutmeg. At the top, there is a lighter grapefruit versus the EDT version’s heavier use of citrus.

And especially less citrus than Bleu de Chanel.

The next phase will have more of the lavender and some sweetness from licorice and amber. Sauvage Elixir is spicy, woody, with enough sweetness to change it up. Lots going on in the mix.

Which is better? The opening of Elixir is rather unique and super bold. However, I do prefer the more balanced use of citrus and spice with the Chanel cologne.

Edge: Bleu

Projection

Bleu EDP, is strong, but doesn’t have a crazy powerful projecting ability. In fact, as it wears on, it’s pretty moderate. You’ll get a nice scent bubble, a few hours of creating a scent trail. Bleu de Chanel just isn’t going to overpower a room.

Elixir just might, however. Elixir starts off very powerfully, with a large projection radius, and it maintains a high level for hours on end. Yes, it does settle after that first punch, but it’ll stay stronger than the Chanel for the duration.

Edge: Elixir

Longevity

This category is a clear win for Elixir. It’s one of the best performing mainstream designer fragrances out there. When I’ve worn it, I’ve easily gotten to 12 hours of wear.

It goes further than that, but I take a shower before I find out exactly where it tails off. Elixir is well into the double digit hour mark without issue.

Bleu de Chanel EDP definitely isn’t a bad performer, it just gets overwhelmed by the heavier monster from Dior. With Bleu EDP, I get about 8 hours, each time I’ve worn it.

Honestly, good enough for almost any purpose, just not to the same level.

Edge: Elixir

Versatility

Bleu EDP can go year round, with when you can use it, but is just okay when it’s really hot. Nonetheless, Bleu is better in a variety of climates than is, Sauvage Elixir.

Elixir is built for the autumn and winter months. It’s not like the original Sauvage with its ability to to pair well with warmer weather.

Bleu is also much better as an office scent or a formal-type of fragrance. It isn’t just limited to that, though, as it also fits while wearing a t-shirt and jeans.

Sauvage Elixir works in casual or nightlife scenarios, versus the office. Bleu is more of a daytime fragrance, but wouldn’t be out of place at night, since it is an attractive scent.

Between the two, Bleu has the greater versatility.

Edge: Bleu

Overall Scent

Overall, which is better? I actually like each of these a lot. However, I do think that Bleu de Chanel EDP will be a better buy for most people versus Sauvage Elixir.

Mainly, Bleu just has a wider appeal. Elixir is the more unique of the two, but that spice and licorice won’t appeal to everyone, especially at that high concentration.

Bleu while not able to match the power and longevity of the Dior, is no slouch itself. Which combined with its more expansive use case makes it a pretty easy pick.

Finally, I do kind of prefer the actual scent of Bleu de Chanel to Sauvage Elixir. I enjoy the massive spice of Elixir and can even get into the sweeter licorice accord. You don’t get to much of a similar perfume to Dior Sauvage, in smell, but the notes are mostly rearraigned.

But, the clean citrus and amber of Bleu EDP is a tad more appealing. Even if it too, has seen a host of Bleu de Chanel ‘clones’ come to market.

Winner: Bleu de Chanel EDP

Naturally Fierce by Abercrombie & Fitch

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Naturally Fierce is a sample that I kind of just got randomly with another order. I hadn’t ever heard of this Abercrombie & Fitch scent and initially thought it was a flanker to the men’s version. Nope. This women’s perfume was released by the company back in 2021. How does it smell? Does it last long? Is Naturally Fierce worth a try?

What does Naturally Fierce by A&F Smell Like?

Notes include: cactus, agave, sunflower, coconut, plumeria, vetiver, sandalwood, orange blossom, moss

Click here to try: Naturally Fierce

My Full Review

The opening of Naturally Fierce will bring the coconut out, front and center. However, it does have somewhat of an odd presentation. It’s sweet and greenish, with a milky and syrupy sort of aroma.

Obviously, you’re going to get the milky scent from the coconut, but the agave and cactus add to it early on. I really wasn’t sure what to make of it. It’s not something that I enjoyed very much, I didn’t hate it. Though, I just don’t think it works to well in the beginning.

As you move forward, things will become more familiar. The frangipani tropical flower (plumeria) joins its usual tropical partner in coconut. Along with, a fairly light orange blossom.

The greenish aspect and thicker syrupy sweetness will abate. Naturally Fierce will take on a bit of a powdery smell, with some woodsy/earthiness from the vetiver and moss notes in the base. The moss, doesn’t have too strong of a presence, however.

Mainly, though, this is about coconut and sandalwood. That’s what’ll dry down to and that’s what the other notes have to surround for the rest of the way.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

This one doesn’t feel heavy, pretty average with the scent trail and how it will just project off of the skin. That first hour, is honestly pretty good. I can spray it on a shirt and detect it from maybe 5-7 feet away.

The power of Naturally Fierce will begin to subside quickly, though.

The longevity is basically 5 to 5.5 hours on my skin. The back half of that, is basically a skin scent. That middle of the road projection dies out and this one is going to be pretty intimate, without a heavier application.

Naturally Fierce will be at its best in the warmer temperatures of spring and summertime. It felt a bit off, when I wore it on one colder evening.

And yeah, it’s also a daytime sort of wear. It can actually fit in rather well for most occasion and even to work, since there’s nothing too off-putting here.

Unlike some A&F fragrances, this one doesn’t come across as just something that teenagers would wear. It’s coconut and sandalwood blend never feels too juvenile.

Overall Impressions of Naturally Fierce

Overall, do I like Naturally Fierce? It’s okay. I think the opening act is sort of weird and not all that appealing, but it settles into something much more pleasant.

That being said, it’s not much more than an average performer. So, even that fairly nice middle and dry down periods are short lived.

If it’s on sale for really cheap, it might be worth a pick up. It does have sort of a ‘poor woman’s’ version of Crystal Noir going for it (they aren’t the same, though). The Versace is better, but this could be a similar enough substitute (in the dry down), especially with a massive price break.

This perfume does have some unique aspects, especially early on. Agave, sunflower, and the like aren’t typical notes. I don’t think those non-typical notes work extremely well, but at least it offers up a change of pace for a while.

Naturally Fierce is a good enough release from Abercrombie. Nothing spectacular on the whole, but it has its moments where I think it’s a good little fragrance.

Twilly d’Hermes Eau Ginger by Hermes

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Twilly d’Hermes Eau Ginger is a sample that I picked up along with the Eau Poivree version. Eau Ginger was released in 2021 as a flanker to the very popular original release from Hermes. I’ve been putting this fragrance through its paces to see what it’s all about. What does it smell like? How long does it last? Is it worth a try?

What does Twilly d’Hermes Eau Ginger Smell Like?

Notes include: candied ginger, peony, cedar

Click here to try: Twilly d’Hermes Eau Ginger

My Full Review

Here’s how Hermes describes it: The joyful spirit of a luminous fragrance revealed by candied ginger, generous peony, and tender cedar

The opening is a blast of the sugary and spicy candied ginger note, along with the peony. To me, the candied ginger has a slight orange-like aroma to it. Fresh, sweet, and a similar floral aspect to the original Twilly.

Eau Ginger is a very clean fragrance, the peony is well balanced with the ginger note itself. I think it becomes more of a standard ginger smell versus the opening, where it has a sugary smell.

Closer to the ginger in Un Jardin Apres la Mousson, also by Hermes. Less of the overall spiciness, but some of that same aquatic-like freshness (not to the same extent either).

As it dries down, this one feels soapier. The cedar and peony really team up and the ginger, while it hangs around, is less of a factor overall.

That’s basically it for the rest of the way.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Eau Ginger isn’t a massive projector nor a very heavy perfume. It is in the upper range of what could be considered average. It’ll leave a decent scent trail for a time and has a nice reaching scent bubble effect.

But, I never felt like it was going to be overwhelming, unless you really went nuts with the sprays. Even then, that might be only for a limited time.

On my skin, Eau Ginger lasts a little more than 7 hours on my skin. Call it, about 7.5 hours. It’s pretty good, but nothing elite in its performance.

Seasonally, this one can be a nice pickup for the spring and summer months. Or, any other time of the year that is mild to temperate. I feel like it’s better in the mid-range temperatures versus the hottest and most humid days of summer. Good, if indoors, however.

This is mostly going to serve as a daily wear. Something clean and fresh to wear around with a nice sweet and spice blend up top. It’s not really a nightlife fragrance or one that is particularly sexy. Can be quite likeable though.

Overall Impressions of Eau Ginger

Overall, do I like Twilly d’Hermes Eau Ginger? I do. I think that it’s one of the best entries so far in the series. Perhaps the best, depending on your tastes. I like it more so than Poivree.

I’m a fan of ginger as a note. I like the candied sugary version that is presented with this Hermes release. That, with the orange note is really great. The fragrance isn’t too complex, but it delivers a fairly beautiful experience.

If you liked the original, this one should also appeal to you. If you’re a fan of ginger and need a daily wear that utilizes that note, this can be a great option.

Now, I don’t think it’s going to be for everyone, but it certainly has a mass appeal. Eau Ginger is pleasant and never strays to far into niche fragrance territory. It’s worth a try, if it sounds like something that you’d be interested in.

Flowerbomb Dew by Viktor & Rolf

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Flowerbomb Dew was a flanker of the popular perfume line which was released in 2020. I got a sample of this as part of my progress of reviewing most (if not, all) of the Flowerbomb perfumes for this site. How does Dew Smell? Does it last long? Is it worth a try?

What does Flowerbomb Dew Smell Like?

Notes include: pear, dew drop, musk mallow, bergamot, rose, iris, heliotrope, musk, cashmeran

Click here to try: Flowerbomb Dew

My Full Wear Review

The opening of Dew, does indeed have a light watery freshness to it. Between the pear and the dew drop, it’s really to be expected.

While it is sweet, somewhat fruity early on, it’s never dominant in the mix. Musk mallow, musk, and the powdery floral notes are already a factor. Iris, seems to poke through more early, but in the dry down I get more heliotrope aroma.

Much of what you’re getting with Flowerbomb Dew, is already apparent in the opening act. The aquatic dew drop element will subside, as will any bergamot, and eventually the pear too.

It goes from being a sweeter musky floral (led by the iris) to a musky more generic powdery aroma, that’s a mix of the floral notes. I do get periods which the rose is somewhat of a factor, but it really doesn’t pop out, on my skin.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Sillage wise, this is average at its peak, and pretty darn light outside of that. It doesn’t completely disappear for me, but Dew is in skin scent territory a couple of hours into the wear.

That’s its main weakness.

How long does it stick around? Somewhere in the six hour range, for me, on skin. Again, it’s not a massively powerful scent at that point, but I do still detect it. Musk and mostly the iris note remain.

Seasonally, this is pretty much a year round sort of fragrance. It’s powder isn’t a heavy one, so, it doesn’t get bogged down much in the heat. That fresh opening really helps. Maybe not a pure winter scent and that’s not when Dew will be at its best.

This is very versatile as a daily wear perfume. It can go casual to semi-formal and be fine for most occasions. Another fragrance would be in order if you need a formal wear, nightlife, or something that is sexy.

Dew is pleasant and attractive, not one that is inherently seductive.

Overall Impression of Flowerbomb Dew

Overall, do I like Dew? Yes, I think that it is a solid flanker, on the whole. Not the best of the Flowerbomb lineup, but I’d put it in the upper half.

Dew is a very simple fragrance. The pear and dew drop add a lightness and aquatic sort of feeling to it. You get musky florals with powdery heliotrope and iris. It’s easy to wear and all around pleasant.

It’s just not going to be a massive performer. So, if you need something with more power, you might want to go with something else besides this V&R release.

I do wish it had some further reach and ability to stick around longer, at a stronger level. But, on the smell alone, I like this Flowerbomb. I prefer the original, Midnight, and Ruby Orchid to this for sure though.

I would probably want to get a significant discount, if I were going to give Flowerbomb Dew a try. At full price, the performance isn’t really worth the admission.

Aventus Cologne by Creed

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Aventus has been a best selling fragrance, for a long while now. Its popularity, was bound to spin off a flanker fragrance, at some point. Well, that moment came, and we have now been given Aventus Cologne. Sharing the name of Aventus, it is of course, going to be hyped and anticipated. However, is it actually worth a try? What’s it smell like? How does it perform?

What Does Aventus Cologne Smell Like?

Notes include: birch, ginger, baie rose, mandarin, musk, mint, pink pepper, apple, vetiver, styrax, patchouli, sandalwood

My Full Review

Aventus Cologne opens up different from its predecessor. The mandarin orange note is very nice and doesn’t have that same sharpness, that the pineapple had in the original fragrance.

I actually like the start, quite a lot. The orange is flanked by ginger and mint, which gives the scent a cooled freshness about it. It’s juicy and somewhat green, maybe a hint of the rose, but not much. There is a pink pepper note, but it honestly, gets buried underneath the ginger and mint.

One thing, that I noticed about Aventus Cologne, is that it doesn’t have that warm smoky quality. The original Aventus had it, but this one, just shares the dry woodiness of birch and sandalwood.

After about an hour, that’s when I really notice the similarities between the two Creed fragrances. They aren’t identical, but you can definitely get a sense of one, from the other.

The next wave is a blend of the birch wood, sandalwood, vetiver, and some patchouli. The patchouli isn’t all that heavy, to my nose, at least. At this point, it’s a citrusy aroma, with a very dry and fresh base.

It stays this way for a while longer, then, tonka bean and styrax, come through. Aventus Cologne becomes less fruity and has a green, woody, and a slightly different take from the original.

Finally, the musk begins to take over for the rest of the way home. It leads the way, with tonka bean, styrax, birch, mandarin and vetiver, following on its heels.

It’s a nice smell, at this point, and the Aventus comparisons really pop into my head. Just enough of a difference, to be distinct.

Aventus Cologne is less sharp citrus fruit fragrance, with dry undertones, and cooled fresh spices. Then, it becomes a musky/woodsy orange cologne, with a similar feel to its namesake fragrance.

How Long Does it Last? What’s the Sillage Like?

Projection wise, the sillage isn’t too powerful here. Definitely lighter than Aventus. It projects itself well for an hour or two, before becoming a light scent, for the rest of the way.

So, starts off with a moderate 4-5 foot projection. Then, sits pretty close to wear you sprayed it.

The longevity isn’t that great, either. On my skin, I got about 5 hours of solid performance, followed by a couple where I could detect it…if I pressed my nose to my skin. Total? 7, if you count its greatly weakened state.

That was the biggest letdown with this scent, the fact that it couldn’t even get close to the original Aventus’ performance.

If you double up on the sprays, it can go an hour or two more, but that’s it. Maybe, it just doesn’t work on my skin, but that’s all I’ve been able to muster during testing.

Versatility

Aventus Cologne is very easy to wear. It’s not going to offend anybody. It’s safe for work, casual, or even more formal events.

It’s not really a nighttime cologne. Aventus Cologne feels much more like a warm weather scent, especially in the opening.

The mandarin, other fruit, and ginger notes give it that light cleanliness and energy. It’s a very nice start to a daytime wear. Being a Creed fragrance, it obviously going to be well put together. Classy, elegant, and just a joy to wear.

Overall Scent

Overall, do I like Aventus Cologne? I do. It’s not amazing, but I do enjoy it. The opening is the best part, in my opinion. It loses a lot of the sharpness, that could put me off to Aventus, at times.

For me, the loss of the smokiness was no big deal; it still has that nice dry quality, without the heavy enveloping cloud. The performance isn’t as good as it should be. Not terrible, but for the price, I expect more.

If the orange, ginger, mint blend could have been a longer part of the wear…this could’ve been great. Or even, if it could get up to the 8-10 hour range of longevity, this would be a winner. Apparently, some other people do get that much out of Cologne, not even close to that level for me.

Still, I enjoy the aroma itself, even if it leaves much to be desired.

This is an expensive fragrance, so, I don’t think you need to pick it up if you already have Aventus.

That price has only risen since its release in 2018. It’s not better, to me, and it overlaps enough with the original to be superfluous for most folks. There are so many attempted Aventus ‘clones’, that maybe you pick up this one as a change of pace.

If you can get a cheap sample or decant, do so. You should consider buying, if the original Aventus was too powerful or had too much, pineapple and smoke.