Higher Energy by Dior

Top fragrance, fresh and woody with just the right touch of sweetness. The balance is perfect, though the longevity is a huge letdown.

Jaime, exactly the same. My favorite scent has turned watery. What a pity.

Highly recommended! Deep and fresh, ideal for summer. Starts fruity with mentholated melon and pineapple in the background, then evolves into wood that intensifies over time. I don’t detect frankincense or pepper, but I think they’re there to support the wood until the end. There are moments of deep wood, like when you brush the knot of a tree trunk, perhaps from the cedar and sandalwood. Don’t underestimate it: at first it seems light, but it’s present without being intrusive. You don’t need to overspray, though too many sprays might make people give you the stink eye. I’ve worn it in the heat, and the temperature activates it; that’s when it really shines. Moderate projection, fresh and pleasant. The fruity opening can charm girls. The best part is the dry down: 3D wood, you feel like a carpenter. The base notes make it stand out. Buy blind? Yes, you can’t go wrong. Lasts about 5 to 6 hours on skin with that lovely wood. Very versatile, more for day than night (though it works in a hot night). Morning and afternoon wear. Price: expensive in Argentina, but wood lovers won’t regret it. Shares a dry down with Chanel Egoïste Platinum, but this one wins for me.

Dior’s HIGHER ENERGY is an obscure perfume that never became a huge success, perhaps due to its restraint and bet on traditional classicism, without breaking boundaries like Fahrenheit or Dune Pour Homme. It’s fundamentally citrusy with solid woody and labdanum undertones. The hesperidic notes open pungent, sharp, and incisive, creating an unstable equilibrium that seems on the verge of overflowing but never does. Nathalie Gracia-Cetto and Carlos Vinals set a strict limit. The 2003 quality is evident. What stands out is the mix of pineapple and grapefruit with wild white musk that makes them dance, like Peter Ustinov in Lola Montès. It confuses me: I don’t know if I like it or if it overwhelms me. It’s insistent and intrusive. In between, I detect spicy pepper and nutmeg that infuriate those citrus notes, like a Valkyrie’s cavalcade. The base is labdanum, leaning toward Cyprus. Cedar, oakmoss, and labdanum cling those resins to the citrus, creating a complex work where no one wins, but everyone creates something vigorous, with a powerful trail and very long-lasting. There’s a similar but domesticated and calmed MOSCHINO FOREVER, available in Spain at a good price and serving as a substitute. Both smell like they’re about to be discontinued. When a good perfume comes at bargain prices… I remember the VAN CLEEF men’s line, which had supermarket prices in Spain and now costs astronomical amounts on eBay.

It’s a fragrance that tends to disappear (still available though). I find it youthful but very Dior. It was never famous from the house, along with the original. It bursts out with sweet, summery, high-quality pineapple and melon, then alternates between green notes, woods, and smoky incense. Depending on pH, but for me, it worked from weak to strong. For a young man (or one with that spirit) in summer. A line that steps away from Dior’s finery but keeps its education. It could disappear soon. Not mass-produced or popular. The Cinderella of Christian Dior, no doubt.

Big fan of Higher, I bought Higher Energy without hesitation. It differs in the dry down with a more sober focus. 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 distills freshness, energy, and positivity; at times it reminds me of Serge Lutens’ 5 O’Clock or Mancera’s Cedrat Boise. It’s a hit in both scent and performance: 2 hours of effective projection and long-lasting skin longevity with wake-ups that don’t clash with sweat for another 6 hours, almost fraternizing with 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’ll treasure it like the legendary pound of garbanzo beans.

Simply impressive. I’m addicted to perfumes. I discovered this fragrance years ago, and after trying many others, none come even close to this Christian Dior masterpiece.

Higher Energy is Dior’s hidden gem: it looks like a cheap generic, but it’s a timeless classic. What really hooks me is how it blends three rare worlds together: citrus-fruit, spicy oriental, and aromatic wood, with ferny hints here and there. It’s not that usual ‘fresh’ vibe; it’s complex, evolves, and its phases visit each other. I checked the trail and longevity, and sometimes the incense with mint gives a bitter edge, but it’s well-balanced and far more interesting than it appears. It sticks to my skin and smells rich. Perfect for everything, day or night, cold or hot. Rating: 7.5/10 scent, 4.5/10 sillage, 5/10 longevity, 9/10 versatility.

Starts sweet with pineapple, melon, and citrus, creating a curious gourmand vibe. Then it shifts to spiced greens with juniper that smells like ferns and herbs. The classic dry-down features woods and soft sandalwood. The dry phase reminded me of V&A’s Tsar; in fact, they share 5 out of 6 base notes. It’s timeless, suitable for any season. The opening might appeal to younger crowds, but the finish is truly classic. Moderate sillage that lasts well on the skin. Forget the name ‘Energy’—it’s not a sport scent; it’s for a different style.