i am always a huge fan of House of Dior in general and Sauvage lineup in particular. Sauvage is the most well-known designer perfume name. Dior cashed onto the success of original Sauvage EDT and then introduced EDP and Parfum variants. And then in 2021, Dior launched Sauvage Elixir in a surprising move.
The name Sauvage is associated with a fresh category, and mainly aimed towards citrusy opening. Elixir is nothing like that.
And my curiosity to try this perfume further increased once it got the fragrantica award of 2022.
Although I had tested it before, but, after that, I bought and lived with it to know what I am missing. And what I was doing wrong was comparing it with EDT, EDP, and Parfum variants. It is an elixir and although it is sharing the name of Sauvage, it is nothing like its earlier siblings.
A heavy and niche-oriented perfume, priced at a higher bar (60ml bottle only) and suitable for winters. Do not expect monstrous compliments as the projection is not much due to heavy accords. But be ready to mesmerize those who come near you.
This perfume needs a separate appreciation of its own and this review would tell you why it is unique and why it is different.
Summary of Dior Sauvage Elixir Review
If you are a perfume lover and always searching for ones with a nice smell, Dior Sauvage Elixir should be your pick. Once you go to any gathering wearing this perfume, you can make your presence noted with its strong scent.
Let’s go through the summary of Dior Sauvage Elixir to find out why it should make its place in your collection and whether it has the capability to be your signature fragrance.
- The aromatic, rich, deep, and seductive fragrance was launched in 2021 by the house of Dior.
- It is quite different from the original Dior Sauvage, so one can not expect it to be similar to its original.
- Best for all seasons, but ideally, wear it for winter, fall, or cool spring evenings. Not ideal for hot summer days.
- It has excellent longevity, and one to two sprays can last you for a day.
- The opening note is quite strong, but don’t let that scare you. After it dries, the real magic starts.
Dior Sauvage Elixir Notes
The top notes defining Dior Sauvage Elixir are Nutmeg, Cinnamon, Cardamon, and Grapefruit.
When I first came across this perfume, the opening seemed sweet to my nose, with cardamom coming out nicely.
A warm and spicy opening with a little bit of freshness coming from grapefruit is the perfect description of the opening notes of this scent.
The middle notes are Lavender, which is the heart of the perfume, subtly balancing the top notes and adding a softer touch.
Licorice, Sandalwood, Amber, Patchouli, Haitian, and Vetiver are the base notes adding richness and depth to the scent.
I would advise you to go through the comparison article of Sauvage EDT, EDP, Parfum, and Elixir variants to know the differences and similarities.
Bottle And Box Presentation
Dior Sauvage Elixir comes in an elegant black box. You lift up the lid, and the beautiful black bottle is placed upright. The first glimpse of the box looked impressive to me, and it complimented the rich notes of the perfume quite well.
Now coming toward the bottle. It is a midnight blue glass bottle shaped like a vial featuring multiple sophisticated designs.
The name ‘Sauvage Elixir Dior’ is written in shiny silver on a label engraved into the glass. The cap has a CD logo on the top, marking the silhouette. The look of the bottle is not so old school yet not so trendy. However, it looks considerably well placed on my dressing table.
And if you are confused about buying the counterfeit in the market then go through the differences between the original vs fake Dior Sauvage ELixir so that you know what to look for in the original bottle.
How Does Dior Sauvage Elixir Smell Like
The Opening Of Dior Sauvage Elixir – Sheer Magnificence
Mentioning again, the opening notes of Dior Sauvage Elixir are nowhere near the original Sauvage by the House of Dior. If you are expecting this scent to be similar to the original one, it’s not!
Go through the Sauvage EDP review to know why Elixir is nowhere like its earlier siblings.
The first notes that build the scent are Nutmeg, Cinnamon, and Cardamon. It can be a little overpowering for those who are not into strong spicy scents.
However, the grapefruit in the opening notes neutralizes the spice and adds a hint of freshness. Grapefruit beautifully compliments the spiciness of nutmeg, cinnamon, and cardamon, but you get to feel it after the drying-out phase.
For the first time, you may feel a little bit choked by the strong spicy scent, but when the grapefruit balances it, it becomes your go-to scent.
The strong and magnificent opening notes make this scent a perfect to-wear perfume for men who want to make a strong presence, as it defines maturity and masculinity.
Heart Notes Of Dior Sauvage Elixir – A Breath Of Freshness
The heart note of Dior Sauvage Elixir is Lavender, which is a great surprise after the strong and spicy opening.
As the smell lingers, you start to feel the freshness and softness of Lavender. And to my surprise, it goes so well with the opening notes. The transition is smooth and seamless, gathering a lot of compliments from people near you.
Lavender brings a touch of sweet freshness, which adds to the depth of this scent. It carries the freshness introduced by the grapefruit in the opening notes and makes it even more dramatic.
While not being much overpowering, Lavender still makes a strong impact on the heart notes. Another fragrance from the same house where Lavender is masterly used is Dior Homme Intense.
Base Notes Of Dior Sauvage Elixir – A Woody And Earthy Touch
The base notes of Dior Sauvage Elixir truly depict maturity. The earthy accord of Vetiver combined with the sweet woody scent of Sandalwood does the magic in the dry-down phase.
I can also smell a burnt caramel sweetness for which licorice is responsible. Patchouli and Haitian add to the depth and richness of this scent and make it addictive even after several hours. It is the phase that makes Dior Sauvage Elixir a signature scent for mature men.
If you are a Vetiver fan then do not miss out on reading the review of Dior Eau Sauvage, which is among the best Vetiver-based perfumes according to me.
Projection And Longevity
Dior Sauvage Elixir is one of the most long-lasting perfumes from the House of Dior. It can last on your body for 18–20 hours outdoors and up to 24 hours indoors.
Most importantly, 1–2 sprays are enough, or you can go for 3 max. More than that will be too much and may cause choking.
The opening notes remain lingering for 1 hour with excellent projection and sillage. The powerful impact of the scent makes you noticeable in a room filled with people because of the strong projection and sillage.
When wearing this perfume, you can smell great for the rest of the day as the base notes, when fully settled on the skin, cast their magic.
Sauvage ELixir is also on my list of best Dior perfumes for dominant men.
Dress And Occasions
According to me, Dior Sauvage Elixir is specially designed for men aged around 30. You can wear it comfortably to the office or to the dinner party.
I would prefer dressing up nicely to carry this scent gracefully. As it is a warm spicy scent, it is not for casual wear and is also a big no-no for hot summer days.
For summers i would recommend you to go with either Sauvage EDP or try out Blue De Chanel EDP.
Pros And Cons – Dior Sauvage Elixir
Pros
- Long-lasting
- Excellent projection
- Masculine and manly scent
- Perfect for cooler months of the year
- Good sillage
Cons
- Not suitable for young boys
- A bit expensive
- It can be too spicy for some people
Final Thoughts On Dior Sauvage Elixir
If you are an alpha male looking for your signature scent, Dior Sauvage Elixir can be your first choice.
It is the cult classic that can land you a thousand compliments from women around you.
Although it is a bit expensive, the price is worth it according to me. The features you get in Dior Sauvage Elixir are worth every penny, and you won’t want to replace your scent once you get comfortable with it.
