Higher Energy by Dior

Top fragrance, fresh and woody with just the right touch of sweetness. The balance is perfect, although its longevity is a real shame.

Jaime, exactly the same. My favourite perfume has turned watery. What a pity.

Highly recommended! Deep and fresh, ideal for summer. It opens fruity with mentholated melon and pineapple at the base, then evolves into wood that becomes more pronounced over time. I don’t detect incense or pepper, but I believe they are there to accompany the wood until the end. There are moments of deep wood, like when you brush the knot of a tree trunk, perhaps due to the cedar and sandalwood. Don’t underestimate it: at first it seems light, but it is present without being intrusive. You don’t need to spray much, though if you exceed the sprays, people might have to take you to the cloud nine. I’ve worn it in the heat and the temperature activates it; that’s when it truly unfolds. Moderate projection, fresh and pleasant. The fruity opening can charm girls. The best part is the dry-down: three-dimensional wood, you feel like a carpenter. The base notes make it stand out. Buy blind? Yes, it’s impossible not to like it. Medium longevity of 5 to 6 hours on the skin, with that very pleasant wood. Very versatile, more for day than night (though it works well on a hot night). Morning and evening wear. Price: in Argentina it’s expensive, but wood lovers won’t regret it. It shares the dry-down with Chanel Egoïste Platinum, but in my opinion, this one wins.

Dior’s Higher Energy is an obscure fragrance that never quite took off, perhaps due to its composed, traditionally classic approach, refusing to break the mould like Fahrenheit or Dune Pour Homme. It opens with a solid, woody citrus and labdanum accord. The hesperidic top is pungent, sharp, even incisive, creating an unstable equilibrium that seems on the verge of spilling over, yet never does. Nathalie Gracia-Cetto and Carlos Vinals imposed a strict boundary. This 2003 Dior quality features a pineapple and grapefruit blend with a wild white musk, making the citrus notes dance wildly. I must admit it confuses me: it is insistent and intrusive. Behind the scenes, I detect spicy pepper and nutmeg that enrage the citrus. The base is labdanum, leaning chypre; cedar, oakmoss and tenacious labdanum hold onto those devilish citrus notes, creating a complex work where nothing wins, but all contribute to a vigorous fragrance with good trail and longevity. There is a Moschino wonder called Forever that is exactly this, domesticated and soothed, a very high-quality substitute. Both sell well in Spain at a good price and smell like they are about to be discontinued. When a good perfume sells cheap… I remember the Van Cleef men’s line, which had supermarket prices and now costs a fortune on eBay.

This is a fragrance that tends to disappear (though it can still be found). I find it youthful but very Dior. It was never famous from the house, alongside the original. It bursts forth with sweet, summery pineapple and melon of high quality, then alternates green notes, woods and smoky incense. Depending on skin pH, but for me it worked from weak to strong. For a young man (or one with such a spirit) in summer. A line that steps away from Dior’s exquisite offerings but retains its education. It could disappear in little time. Not mass-produced nor popular. The Cinderella of Christian Dior, without a doubt.

A huge fan of Higher, I bought Higher Energy without hesitation. It differs in its dry-down with a more sober approach. Energy is sharper and brighter, highlighting acidic and sweet fruits with cold mint. In its evolution, there seems to be a reverse sensation, a back-and-forth between top and base, passing through a cruise dominated by vetiver and disrupted by a subtle fruity incense. It distils freshness, energy and positivity; at times it reminds me of Serge Lutens’ 5 O’Clock or Mancera’s Cedrat Boise. It has been a hit in both scent and performance: two hours of effective projection and long-lasting skin longevity with awakenings that do not clash with sweat for another six hours, almost fraternising with the clothes. In short, if you see this discontinued specimen, buy it. If you don’t like it, a fan will surely buy it for you, but if you do, you will treasure it like the legendary pound of chickpeas.

Simply impressive. I am addicted to perfumes. I discovered this fragrance years ago, and after trying many others, none comes even close to this marvel by Christian Dior.

It starts sweet with pineapple, melon, and citrus, creating a curious gourmand vibe. Then it moves to spiced greens with juniper that smells like ferns and herbs. The classic finish features woods and soft sandalwood. The dry-down reminded me of Tsar by V&A; in fact, they share five out of six base notes. It’s timeless, suitable for any season. The opening might appeal to the young, but the finish is classic. Moderate trail but it lasts well on the skin. Forget the name ‘Energy’; it’s not a sport scent, it’s for a different style.