Dior Sauvage Eau de Parfum

What Sauvage smells like

Editorial inference

It opens on the same juicy bergamot as the Eau de Toilette, with softer pepper and a hint of nutmeg and star anise. Lavender comes forward within the first half hour, which gives it a smooth, slightly barbershop feel, and the dry-down is ambroxan warmed by vanilla. It still smells clearly like Sauvage, just rounder and less sharp.

Sauvage notes

Brand description Source: Launch press notes via Fragrantica.

Top notes

Calabrian bergamot

Heart notes

Sichuan pepper, lavender, pink pepper, star anise, nutmeg, vetiver, patchouli, geranium, elemi

Base notes

ambroxan, vanilla

Dior itself names Calabrian bergamot, Sichuan pepper, lavender, star anise, nutmeg, ambroxan and Papua New Guinea vanilla; the full pyramid is from the launch notes as listed on Fragrantica.

How long Sauvage lasts, and how it wears

Editorial inference Typical figures, not our own timing.

How long it lasts

7–9 hours

Projection

Moderate to strong for the first two hours, then a warm trail that stays close

Season

Autumn, winter and spring evenings; wearable year-round

Best for

Evenings, dates, going out and the office with one or two sprays

How much to spray

2 sprays

Estimate based on the concentration (Eau de Parfum), a base of ambroxan and vanilla that both last well, and the broad consensus of Fragrantica and Basenotes reviewers that it lasts a little longer than the EDT but projects slightly less. Skin, climate and how much you spray all move these numbers, which is one more reason to try a sample before a bottle.

Sauvage is one of our best men’s fragrances and best fall and winter perfumes.

To get more from a bottle, see where to spray and how to make perfume last longer, how to layer it with another scent, and how to store it so it doesn’t go off.

Should you sample it?

Editorial inference

Is the Sauvage EDP worth it over the EDT?

Editorial inference

The two are closer than you might expect. Both open on the same bergamot, and in the first ten minutes many people can’t tell them apart. The difference shows after that: the EDP brings lavender forward and adds vanilla to the ambroxan base, so it loses the EDT’s sharp, slightly metallic edge and ends softer and warmer.

That makes it the better choice for people who find the EDT too harsh or synthetic, and for cooler weather and evenings. It’s not the better choice if you love the EDT’s bright, peppery bite, because that’s exactly what the EDP smooths away. Performance is similar: the EDP tends to last a little longer, but it doesn’t project more, so don’t buy it expecting a louder Sauvage.

If you already own the EDT and like it, the EDP is a variation rather than an upgrade. If you’re choosing your first bottle, sample both on separate wrists and decide after an hour; our side-by-side comparison covers the details.

Versions of Sauvage

The same name covers several different perfumes. Here is how they relate, so you sample the right one.

If you like Sauvage, also try

Editorial inference

• FresherDior Sauvage Eau de ToiletteThe original: the same bergamot and ambroxan without the lavender and vanilla, so it’s sharper, fresher and better in the heat.
• SmootherChanel Bleu de Chanel Eau de ParfumThe other big warm-fresh designer EDP: citrus over amber, sandalwood and incense, smoother and less sweet than Sauvage EDP.
• CheaperVersace Dylan Blue Pour HommeBergamot, pepper and ambroxan with a darker incense dry-down; usually sells for less than either Sauvage.
• Same stylePrada Luna Rossa Carbon Eau de ToiletteBergamot, lavender and ambroxan with a clean, metallic freshness; close to the EDP’s lavender side without the vanilla.
• Less commonYves Saint Laurent Y Eau de ParfumFresh apple and ginger over sage, amber and tonka: the same fresh-then-warm idea, a little sweeter and less widely worn.

More cheaper alternatives to popular perfumes are in our perfume dupes guide.

Comparisons

• Sauvage Eau de Toilette vs Eau de Parfum
• Sauvage vs Bleu de Chanel
• Dylan Blue vs Sauvage

Sauvage questions

How long does Sauvage EDP last?

Most people get seven to nine hours, a little more than the EDT. The vanilla and ambroxan base is what lasts; the bergamot fades within the first hour. Reports vary from person to person, so treat this as a typical range rather than a promise.

Is Sauvage EDP sweet?

Slightly. The vanilla in the base adds warmth and a touch of sweetness, but it stays a fresh, lavender-and-ambroxan scent rather than a sweet one. If you want real sweetness, the Parfum and Elixir go much further.

Sauvage EDT or EDP: which should I buy?

Choose the EDT for warm weather and a sharper, fresher scent, and the EDP for evenings, cooler months, or if the EDT feels harsh on you. They start almost the same, so compare them after an hour, when the lavender and vanilla in the EDP come through.

Is Sauvage EDP stronger than the EDT?

It usually lasts a little longer but doesn’t project more. The EDT is the louder of the two in the first hours, even though the EDP has the higher concentration. A higher concentration doesn’t always mean a stronger-smelling perfume.

How many sprays of Sauvage EDP should I use?

Two sprays is plenty for most situations, one for an office. Like the EDT, it’s easy to overdo, so give it an hour before adding more.

How do I tell the Sauvage EDP bottle from the others?

All Sauvage bottles use the same dark blue-grey glass, so check the label under the name: this one reads Eau de Parfum. The Parfum and Elixir look similar at a glance, so read the words rather than going by color.

Key notes are from Dior’s published descriptions; the full note list is from the source named above. Longevity and season are typical figures, not our own measurements. Read how we compare perfumes, what EDT, EDP and Parfum mean, or the difference between perfume and cologne.