Dior Eau Sauvage is a classic men's fragrance that was launched in 1966 by the French fashion house Christian Dior. It was created by perfumer Edmond Roudnitska, who was also the creator of other iconic fragrances such as Rochas Femme, Diorissimo, and Eau d'Hermès.
The scent of Eau Sauvage is described as fresh, citrusy, and elegant, with top notes of lemon, bergamot, and petitgrain, middle notes of lavender, rosemary, and basil, and base notes of vetiver, musk, and amber. The fragrance is considered a masterpiece of perfumery and has been described as a "citrus chypre" or "citrus aromatic."
Eau Sauvage was a groundbreaking fragrance when it was first released, as it was one of the first men's fragrances to feature a significant amount of citrus notes. It was also one of the first fragrances to use hedione, a synthetic molecule that has a floral and jasmine-like scent.
Over the years, Dior has released several flankers of Eau Sauvage, including Eau Sauvage Extreme, Eau Sauvage Parfum, and Eau Sauvage Cologne. Despite the changes, Eau Sauvage remains a beloved fragrance among men and continues to be a bestseller for the Dior brand.
Dior Eau Sauvage has undergone several reformulations over the years.
In the 1980s, a new formula of Eau Sauvage was introduced, which was said to be less oakmoss-heavy and more citrusy than the original. This formula was reportedly created in response to changing regulations on oakmoss content in perfumes due to concerns over skin allergies.
In 2011, another reformulation of Eau Sauvage was introduced, reportedly in response to changing regulations on the use of certain ingredients. The new formula featured less bergamot and more hedione, a synthetic molecule that gives a jasmine-like scent.
In 2017, Dior released a new version of Eau Sauvage called Eau Sauvage Parfum, which was created by Dior's in-house perfumer, François Demachy. This version features a more intense concentration of the original fragrance's notes, with a focus on the spicy and woody aspects of the scent.
While some fans of the original Eau Sauvage may prefer the earlier formulations, the newer versions of the fragrance continue to be popular among perfume enthusiasts.