Chanel Bleu de Chanel vs Dior Homme Intense

Two fragrances that often appear on the same list of first serious purchases but hardly touch. Bleu de Chanel is citrus-woody and fresh. Dior Homme Intense is powdery and built on iris, which makes it one of the most recognisable men's fragrances of the last twenty years.

Property	Bleu De Chanel	Homme Intense
House	Chanel	Dior
Concentration	EDP	EDP
Top notes	grapefruit, lemon, mint, bergamot, pink pepper, aldehydes, coriander	lavender
Heart notes	ginger, jasmine, nutmeg, melon	iris, ambrette, pear
Base notes	incense, amber, cedar, sandalwood, amberwood, patchouli, labdanum	virginia cedar, vetiver
Longevity (community rating)	7–10 hours	8–12 hours
Sillage (community rating)	Moderate	Moderate to strong
Full bottle	€150 / 100 ml	—
Price per millilitre	€1.50	—
Decant 5 ml	€13	€15
Decant 10 ml	€24	€23

Bleu de Chanel has grapefruit, lemon and mint up top, ginger and jasmine in the heart, incense, cedar and sandalwood in the base. It comes across as clean and smooth, and it's the incense that gives it a smoky foundation. Dior Homme Intense is the opposite: lavender up top, iris with ambrette and pear in the heart, Virginia cedar and vetiver in the base. Iris is its first accord and gives it a powdery, almost cosmetic character that people either love or don't get at all. They're close in price — a 5 ml decant is €13 against €15, and 10 ml €24 against €23. So the decision is purely a matter of taste.

Which is more universal?

Bleu de Chanel. Citrus and wood are widely accepted, while the powdery iris of Dior Homme Intense divides opinion.

Is Dior Homme Intense a women's fragrance?

No, in our database it's listed as masculine. The impression comes from iris, which many people associate with make-up — but the link is cultural, not olfactory.

Which is better for summer?

Bleu de Chanel. With its powdery iris, Dior Homme Intense is more of an autumn and winter fragrance.

Which leaves a stronger impression?

Dior Homme Intense, because it's more unusual. Bleu de Chanel is pleasant, but so many people wear it that it rarely surprises.

Which is the better first choice?

Bleu de Chanel, if you're just starting out. Dior Homme Intense is the better second bottle — by then you know whether powdery suits you at all.