Head to head
Dior Sauvage and Yves Saint Laurent Y Eau de Parfum are often compared by people choosing between the two. Both belong to the fougère family, and they share bergamot, geranium and cedar. They are close in style: much of the character of one is also in the other.
Sauvage stands apart with pepper, lavender and sichuan pepper, while Y Eau de Parfum brings apple, ginger and sage. They are rated the same for longevity (long-lasting), and Sauvage projects more (enormous against strong). Sauvage is the cheaper one: about $120 against $125 for a standard bottle.
How we picked. We put the two fragrances side by side using the data in our catalog: notes, olfactory family, longevity, projection, the seasons and occasions each one suits and its typical price. A fragrance smells different on each person, so try both on skin if you can. Prices are typical US retail prices and may differ at checkout.
| SauvageDior | Y Eau de ParfumYves Saint Laurent | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical price | $120 · 3.4 oz | $125 · 3.4 oz |
| Concentration | Eau de Toilette | Eau de Parfum |
| Launched | 2015 | 2018 |
| Family | Fougère, Aromatic | Fougère, Aromatic |
| Top notes | Bergamot, Pepper | Apple, Ginger, Bergamot |
| Heart notes | Lavender, Sichuan pepper, Geranium, Elemi | Sage, Juniper, Geranium |
| Base notes | Ambroxan, Cedar, Labdanum | Cashmere wood, Tonka bean, Cedar, Vetiver |
| Longevity | Long-lasting | Long-lasting |
| Projection | Enormous | Strong |
| Best seasons | Spring, Summer, Fall | Spring, Fall, Winter |
| Occasions | Everyday, Office, Date | Everyday, Office, Date |
| Style | Fresh, Seductive, Urban | Urban, Fresh, Seductive |
Dior
$120 · 3.4 oz · EDT · Men · Fougère
Raw, magnetic freshness. Calabrian bergamot meets the mineral warmth of Ambroxan in a versatile, powerful scent you recognize instantly.
Choose Sauvage if you want stronger projection and something better suited to warm weather.
Yves Saint Laurent
$125 · 3.4 oz · EDP · Men · Fougère
Fresh apple, sage and ambery woods. A modern, versatile fougère with a much-praised trail.
Choose Y Eau de Parfum if you want a quieter scent that stays close to the skin and something better suited to cold weather.
Answer 7 quick questions about the person and the occasion, and we will match the fragrances that fit best.
Take the quizThey are rated the same for longevity (long-lasting), and Sauvage projects more (enormous against strong). Longevity also depends on your skin and on how much you apply.
Sauvage is the cheaper one: about $120 against $125 for a standard bottle. These are typical US retail prices for a standard bottle and change often, so check the current price before buying.
They share bergamot, geranium and cedar. They are close in style: much of the character of one is also in the other.
For spring and summer, Sauvage is the better fit. For fall and winter, Y Eau de Parfum is the better fit. Sauvage is at its best in spring, summer and fall, and Y Eau de Parfum in spring, fall and winter.
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