Honest perfume comparisons: find the one worth sampling.

Clear explanations, honest trade-offs, and side-by-side comparisons to help you choose a sample before buying a bottle.

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Comparison Dior · 2015 / 2018

Sauvage Eau de Toilette vs Eau de Parfum

Same bergamot-and-pepper start. The EDT stays sharp and dry; the EDP turns rounder and warmer.

Dior Sauvage Eau de Toilette bottle

fresh / spicy

  • bergamot
  • pepper
  • ambroxan
Sauvage EDT
Dior Sauvage Eau de Parfum bottle

aromatic / amber

  • bergamot
  • lavender
  • vanilla
Sauvage EDP

Dry-down

Brand description
Dry, mineral ambroxanWarmer, with a trace of vanilla

How they differ

Editorial inference
Brighter and sharper, with more edgeSmoother and rounder, a little sweeter

You might prefer it if

Editorial inference
You want it fresh for warm days and don’t mind an edgeThe EDT felt harsh, or it’s for evenings and cooler months
Read the full comparison → Notes from Dior’s published descriptions

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  2. 02

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  3. 03

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Forty-four of the best-known perfumes to start from, with the notes each brand lists and a one-line summary of how they wear. Use the search above to filter by perfume, brand, note or perfumer.

Listed notesBrand description SummariesEditorial inference

Marketed to men

  • Sauvage Eau de Toilette

    Dior · 2015

    Dior Sauvage Eau de Toilette bottle
    • Fresh / spicy
    • Bergamot
    • Pepper
    • Ambroxan

    Sharp pepper and bergamot over a dry, mineral base. Loud for an EDT, so one or two sprays is plenty.

    Perfumer: François Demachy

    Compare Sauvage Eau de Toilette with EDP

  • Sauvage Eau de Parfum

    Dior · 2018

    Dior Sauvage Eau de Parfum bottle
    • Aromatic / amber
    • Bergamot
    • Lavender
    • Vanilla

    The Sauvage opening with lavender and a trace of vanilla underneath: smoother, warmer and a little sweeter than the EDT.

    Perfumer: François Demachy

    Compare Sauvage Eau de Parfum with EDT

  • Bleu de Chanel Eau de Toilette

    Chanel · 2010

    Chanel Bleu de Chanel Eau de Toilette bottle
    • Woody / aromatic
    • Citrus
    • Cedar
    • Sandalwood

    Bright citrus over smooth, clean woods. Polished, and easy to wear to work.

    Perfumer: Jacques Polge

    Compare Bleu de Chanel Eau de Toilette with EDP

  • Bleu de Chanel Eau de Parfum

    Chanel · 2014

    Chanel Bleu de Chanel Eau de Parfum bottle
    • Woody / amber
    • Amber
    • Musk
    • Sandalwood

    Soft citrus over sandalwood, amber and a little incense. Smoother, warmer and longer-lasting than the EDT, and just as easy to wear.

    Perfumer: Jacques Polge

    Compare Bleu de Chanel Eau de Parfum with EDT

  • Acqua di Giò Eau de Toilette

    Giorgio Armani · 1996

    Giorgio Armani Acqua di Giò Eau de Toilette bottle
    • Aquatic / citrus
    • Marine notes
    • Bergamot
    • Cedarwood

    The ’90s marine template: salty, citrusy and clean. At its best on hot days.

    Perfumer: Alberto Morillas

    Compare Acqua di Giò Eau de Toilette with Sauvage

  • Terre d’Hermès Eau de Toilette

    Hermès · 2006

    Hermès Terre d’Hermès Eau de Toilette bottle
    • Woody / mineral
    • Orange
    • Flint
    • Vetiver

    Orange peel over dry, flinty vetiver. Earthy and bitter-fresh rather than sweet.

    Perfumer: Jean-Claude Ellena

    Compare Terre d’Hermès Eau de Toilette with Man Wood Essence

  • Y Eau de Parfum

    Yves Saint Laurent · 2018

    Yves Saint Laurent Y Eau de Parfum bottle
    • Aromatic / fougère
    • Bergamot
    • Ginger
    • Sage
    • Geranium

    Crisp apple and ginger over sage and a warm, sweet amberwood base. Fresh enough for daytime, rich enough for the evening, and often named among the most complimented men’s scents.

    Perfumers: Dominique Ropion, Claire Liégent

  • Man Wood Essence Parfum

    Bvlgari · 2026

    Bvlgari Man Wood Essence Parfum bottle
    • Woody / spicy
    • Sichuan pepper
    • Cypress
    • Vetiver

    Peppery spice over dry, dense woods. Warm, earthy and grown-up.

    Perfumer: Alberto Morillas

    Compare Man Wood Essence Parfum with Terre d’Hermès

  • Eros Eau de Toilette

    Versace · 2012

    Versace Eros Eau de Toilette bottle
    • Aromatic / sweet
    • Mint
    • Green apple
    • Vanilla

    Cool mint and green apple over sweet vanilla and tonka. Loud, sweet and built for nights out, so go easy on the sprays.

    Perfumer: Aurélien Guichard

    Compare Eros Eau de Toilette with Le Male

  • Aventus Eau de Parfum

    Creed · 2010

    Creed Aventus Eau de Parfum bottle
    • Fruity / woody
    • Bergamot
    • Pineapple
    • Birch

    Juicy pineapple and bergamot over smoky birch and musk. Famous, expensive and much copied; sample first, because batches vary.

    Perfumers: Jean-Christophe Hérault, Olivier Creed

  • Dylan Blue Pour Homme Eau de Toilette

    Versace · 2016

    Versace Dylan Blue Pour Homme Eau de Toilette bottle
    • Aromatic / fresh
    • Bergamot
    • Black pepper
    • Incense

    Bergamot, grapefruit and fig leaf over black pepper, ambroxan and a smoky incense base. A fresh blue scent with a darker, warmer dry-down than most.

    Perfumer: Alberto Morillas

    Compare Dylan Blue Pour Homme Eau de Toilette with Sauvage

  • Le Male Eau de Toilette

    Jean Paul Gaultier · 1995

    Jean Paul Gaultier Le Male Eau de Toilette torso bottle
    • Amber / aromatic
    • Mint
    • Lavender
    • Vanilla

    Cool mint and lavender over warm vanilla and tonka, like a barbershop that smells of cake. Soft, sweet and comforting, and a 1990s icon.

    Perfumer: Francis Kurkdjian

    Compare Le Male Eau de Toilette with Eros

  • Polo Blue Eau de Toilette

    Ralph Lauren · 2003

    Ralph Lauren Polo Blue Eau de Toilette bottle
    • Aquatic / aromatic
    • Melon
    • Cucumber
    • Suede

    Cool melon and cucumber, clary sage and basil, and a soft suede base. Clean, easy and affordable: the classic American summer cologne.

    Perfumers: Carlos Benaïm, Christophe Laudamiel

  • Paradigme Eau de Parfum

    Prada · 2025

    Prada Paradigme Eau de Parfum bottle
    • Amber / woody
    • Bergamot
    • Geranium
    • Benzoin

    Bright bergamot and green geranium over warm balsams and guaiac wood. A smooth, modern amber-woody scent that’s fresh at first and cozy underneath.

    Perfumers: Marie Salamagne, Bruno Jovanovic, Nicolas Bonneville

  • Man Aqua Eau de Toilette

    Jimmy Choo · 2022

    Jimmy Choo Man Aqua Eau de Toilette bottle
    • Aquatic / aromatic
    • Grapefruit
    • Cardamom
    • Salted moss

    Grapefruit and cardamom, a sea-spray accord and clary sage over salty moss. A light, easy summer cologne with a little spice.

    Perfumers: Paul Guerlain, Julien Rasquinet

  • Gentleman Society Eau de Parfum

    Givenchy · 2023

    Givenchy Gentleman Society Eau de Parfum bottle
    • Woody / floral
    • Sage
    • Narcissus
    • Vetiver

    Fresh sage and cardamom, a rich wild-daffodil flower and four vetivers over creamy woods and vanilla. Elegant and a little unusual.

    Perfumers: Karine Dubreuil-Sereni, Maïa Lernout

  • Million Gold Eau de Parfum Intense

    Rabanne · 2024

    Rabanne Million Gold Eau de Parfum Intense bottle
    • Woody / spicy
    • Mandarin
    • Cedarwood
    • Sandalwood

    Juicy mandarin and warm spice over creamy sandalwood and cedar. A smooth, woody take on the Million line, much less sweet than the original 1 Million.

    Perfumers: Christophe Raynaud, Quentin Bisch

  • Uomo Born in Roma Eau de Toilette

    Valentino · 2019

    Valentino Uomo Born in Roma Eau de Toilette bottle
    • Woody / aromatic
    • Mineral salt accord
    • Violet leaf
    • Ginger
    • Sage
    • Smoked vetiver

    Salty mineral notes and green violet leaf over ginger, sage and smoky vetiver. A clean, slightly sweet modern cologne that works almost anywhere.

    Perfumers: Antoine Maisondieu, Guillaume Flavigny

Marketed to women

  • N°5 Eau de Parfum

    Chanel · 1986

    Chanel N°5 Eau de Parfum bottle
    • Floral / aldehydic
    • Aldehydes
    • May rose
    • Jasmine

    Bright, soapy aldehydes over rose and jasmine, drying down soft and powdery.

    Perfumers: Ernest Beaux, Jacques Polge

    Compare N°5 Eau de Parfum with J’adore

  • Coco Mademoiselle Eau de Parfum

    Chanel · 2001

    Chanel Coco Mademoiselle Eau de Parfum bottle
    • Amber / woody
    • Orange
    • May rose
    • Patchouli

    Bright orange over rose and jasmine, then a clean, earthy patchouli. Polished, modern and easy to wear almost anywhere.

    Perfumer: Jacques Polge

  • J’adore Eau de Parfum

    Dior · 1999

    Dior J’adore Eau de Parfum bottle
    • Floral
    • Ylang-ylang
    • Damask rose
    • Jasmine

    A big, sunny bouquet of rose and white flowers. Rounded and polished rather than sharp.

    Perfumer: Calice Becker

    Compare J’adore Eau de Parfum with N°5

  • La Vie est Belle Eau de Parfum

    Lancôme · 2012

    Lancôme La Vie est Belle Eau de Parfum bottle
    • Floral / gourmand
    • Iris
    • Praline
    • Vanilla

    Powdery iris wrapped in praline and vanilla. Sweet, and it lasts all day.

    Perfumers: Anne Flipo, Dominique Ropion, Olivier Polge

    Compare La Vie est Belle Eau de Parfum with Black Opium

  • Idôle Eau de Parfum

    Lancôme · 2019

    Lancôme Idôle Eau de Parfum bottle
    • Floral / fresh
    • Rose
    • Jasmine
    • White musk

    Fresh rose and jasmine over clean white musk, with a touch of pear. Bright, easy and far less sweet than most rose perfumes.

    Perfumers: Shyamala Maisondieu, Adriana Medina-Baez, Nadège Le Garlantezec, Sonia Constant

  • Black Opium Eau de Parfum

    Yves Saint Laurent · 2014

    Yves Saint Laurent Black Opium Eau de Parfum bottle
    • Amber / gourmand
    • Black coffee
    • White flowers
    • Vanilla

    Coffee and vanilla softened by white flowers. Sweet, dark and made for evenings.

    Perfumers: Nathalie Lorson, Marie Salamagne, Olivier Cresp, Honorine Blanc

    Compare Black Opium Eau de Parfum with La Vie est Belle

  • Libre Eau de Parfum

    Yves Saint Laurent · 2019

    Yves Saint Laurent Libre Eau de Parfum bottle
    • Floral / fougère
    • Lavender
    • Orange blossom
    • Vanilla

    French lavender and Moroccan orange blossom over vanilla and musk. Polished and floral, clean enough for the office, warm enough for the evening.

    Perfumers: Anne Flipo, Carlos Benaïm

  • Light Blue Eau de Toilette

    Dolce&Gabbana · 2001

    Dolce&Gabbana Light Blue Eau de Toilette bottle
    • Citrus / fruity
    • Sicilian lemon
    • Apple
    • Cedar

    Sparkling lemon and crisp apple over clean cedar. A breezy summer classic.

    Perfumer: Olivier Cresp

    Compare Light Blue Eau de Toilette with Devotion

  • Devotion Eau de Parfum

    Dolce&Gabbana · 2023

    Dolce&Gabbana Devotion Eau de Parfum bottle
    • Gourmand / floral
    • Candied lemon
    • Orange blossom
    • Vanilla

    Candied lemon and orange blossom over creamy vanilla. Sweet, bright and dessert-like.

    Perfumer: Olivier Cresp

    Compare Devotion Eau de Parfum with Light Blue

  • Cloud Eau de Parfum

    Ariana Grande · 2018

    Ariana Grande Cloud Eau de Parfum bottle
    • Gourmand / musky
    • Pear
    • Coconut
    • Praline

    A fluffy, sweet musk of pear, coconut cream and praline. Easy to like, inexpensive, and softer than it first seems.

    Perfumer: Clément Gavarry

    Compare Cloud Eau de Parfum with Baccarat Rouge 540

  • Good Girl Eau de Parfum

    Carolina Herrera · 2016

    Carolina Herrera Good Girl Eau de Parfum stiletto bottle and box
    • Amber / floral
    • Jasmine
    • Tuberose
    • Tonka bean

    Jasmine and creamy tuberose over roasted tonka and cocoa. Sweet, warm and made for evenings, in the famous stiletto bottle.

    Perfumers: Louise Turner, Quentin Bisch

    Compare Good Girl Eau de Parfum with Black Opium

  • Miss Dior Eau de Parfum

    Dior · 2026

    Dior Miss Dior Eau de Parfum bottle with silver bow
    • Floral / chypre
    • Rose
    • Vanilla
    • Sandalwood

    Honeyed Grasse rose over creamy vanilla, tonka and milky sandalwood, with a little patchouli underneath. Dior’s 2026 version: a soft, sweet, romantic rose.

    Perfumer: Francis Kurkdjian

    Compare Miss Dior Eau de Parfum with J’adore

  • Flowerbomb Eau de Parfum

    Viktor&Rolf · 2005

    Viktor&Rolf Flowerbomb Eau de Parfum bottle
    • Floral / amber
    • Peony
    • Centifolia rose
    • Vanilla

    A big, sweet bouquet of rose, jasmine and orchid over patchouli and vanilla. Romantic, cozy and made to be noticed.

    Perfumers: Olivier Polge, Carlos Benaïm, Domitille Michalon-Bertier, Dominique Ropion

  • Donna Born in Roma Eau de Parfum

    Valentino · 2019

    Valentino Donna Born in Roma Eau de Parfum bottle
    • Amber / floral
    • Jasmine sambac
    • Cashmeran
    • Bourbon vanilla

    Three kinds of jasmine over a smoky, woody bourbon vanilla. Sweet and glamorous, but drier and less sugary than most vanilla perfumes.

    Perfumer: Not disclosed by the brand

  • Daisy Eau de Toilette

    Marc Jacobs · 2007

    • floral / fruity
    • wild berries
    • violet
    • jasmine
    • sandalwood
    • Floral / fruity
    • Wild berries
    • Violet
    • Jasmine
    • Sandalwood

    Strawberry, grapefruit and violet leaf over soft jasmine and clean musk. Light, fresh and sweet in a gentle way, with the famous daisy-topped bottle.

    Perfumer: Alberto Morillas

  • Her Eau de Parfum

    Burberry · 2018

    Burberry Her Eau de Parfum bottle
    • Fruity / gourmand
    • Dark berries
    • Jasmine
    • Violet
    • Amber
    • Musk

    A big basket of red and dark berries over soft jasmine, violet and a warm musky amber. Sweet, juicy and cheerful without being sugary.

    Perfumer: Francis Kurkdjian

  • Paradoxe Eau de Parfum

    Prada · 2022

    Prada Paradoxe Eau de Parfum bottle
    • Floral / amber
    • Neroli
    • Amber
    • White musk

    Bright neroli and orange blossom over a soft, glowing amber and clean white musk. Fresh, warm and polished, easy to wear anywhere.

    Perfumers: Nadège Le Garlantezec, Shyamala Maisondieu, Antoine Maisondieu

  • Vanilla 28 Eau de Parfum

    Kayali · 2018

    Kayali Vanilla 28 Eau de Parfum bottle
    • Amber / gourmand
    • Vanilla orchid
    • Jasmine
    • Brown sugar
    • Tonka
    • Amber woods

    Rich vanilla and brown sugar with tonka, a touch of jasmine and warm amber woods. Sweet and cozy, but warmer and more grown-up than a dessert perfume.

    Perfumer: Gabriela Chelariu

  • Yum Pistachio Gelato 33 Eau de Parfum Intense

    Kayali · 2023

    Kayali Yum Pistachio Gelato 33 Eau de Parfum Intense bottle
    • Gourmand
    • Pistachio gelato
    • Hazelnut
    • Whipped cream
    • Cotton candy
    • Marshmallow

    Creamy pistachio and hazelnut with whipped cream, marshmallow and cotton candy over soft woods and tonka. A sweet, nutty dessert perfume.

    Perfumers: Olivier Cresp, Sébastien Cresp

  • Yum Boujee Marshmallow 81 Eau de Parfum Intense

    Kayali · 2024

    Kayali Yum Boujee Marshmallow 81 Eau de Parfum Intense bottle
    • Gourmand / fruity
    • Pink marshmallow
    • Strawberry
    • Coconut flakes
    • Whipped vanilla
    • Pink musk

    Pink marshmallow and strawberry with coconut flakes, apple and freesia over whipped vanilla and musk. A fluffy, fruity dessert perfume.

    Perfumer: Not disclosed by the brand

Unisex

  • Baccarat Rouge 540 Eau de Parfum

    Maison Francis Kurkdjian · 2015

    Maison Francis Kurkdjian Baccarat Rouge 540 Eau de Parfum bottle
    • Amber / woody
    • Saffron
    • Jasmine
    • Ambergris

    An airy, glowing mix of saffron, jasmine and a salty ambergris accord with a burnt-sugar sweetness. Famous, expensive, and worth sampling before you buy.

    Perfumer: Francis Kurkdjian

    Compare Baccarat Rouge 540 Eau de Parfum with Cloud

  • Tobacco Vanille Eau de Parfum

    Tom Ford · 2007

    Tom Ford Tobacco Vanille Eau de Parfum bottle
    • Amber / gourmand
    • Tobacco leaf
    • Vanilla
    • Tonka bean

    Sweet pipe tobacco, vanilla, cocoa and dried fruit. Rich, boozy-smelling and very long-lasting: a cold-weather luxury scent for anyone.

    Perfumer: Olivier Gillotin

    Compare Tobacco Vanille Eau de Parfum with Vanilla Sex

  • Vanilla Sex Eau de Parfum

    Tom Ford · 2023

    Tom Ford Vanilla Sex Eau de Parfum bottle
    • Amber / gourmand
    • Vanilla
    • Sandalwood
    • Jasmine
    • Orris

    Creamy, almondy vanilla over sandalwood, with jasmine and orris. A rich, skin-close vanilla with no tobacco, and a warm animalic edge that divides people.

    Perfumer: Not disclosed by the brand

    Compare Vanilla Sex Eau de Parfum with Tobacco Vanille

  • Tobacco Chocolat Eau de Parfum

    Tom Ford · 2026

    Tom Ford Tobacco Chocolat Eau de Parfum bottle
    • Amber / gourmand
    • Tobacco
    • Cocoa
    • Orange
    • Patchouli
    • Peru balsam

    Dark chocolate and tobacco with a bright orange opening, over patchouli and Peru balsam. Tom Ford’s 2026 twist on Tobacco Vanille, with chocolate where the vanilla was.

    Perfumer: Daniela Andrier

    Compare Tobacco Chocolat Eau de Parfum with Tobacco Vanille

  • You Eau de Parfum

    Glossier · 2017

    Glossier You Eau de Parfum bottle
    • Woody / musky
    • Pink pepper
    • Iris
    • Ambrette
    • Ambrox

    Pink pepper and soft iris over ambrette and a warm, woody ambrox. A quiet “your skin but better” scent that wears close and smells a little different on everyone.

    Perfumers: Dora Baghriche, Frank Voelkl

  • Eilish Eau de Parfum

    Billie Eilish · 2021

    Billie Eilish Eilish Eau de Parfum bottle
    • Amber / gourmand
    • Sugared petals
    • Mandarin
    • Red berries
    • Vanilla
    • Cocoa
    • Soft spices
    • Musk

    Sugared petals and red berries over vanilla, cocoa and soft spices, with a base of woods, tonka and musk. A warm, sweet skin scent that’s easy to like.

    Perfumer: Not disclosed by the brand