Our take
What does Dune smell like?
Dior launched Dune in spring 1991, composed by Jean-Louis Sieuzac, Dominique Ropion and Nejla Barbir. The house now files it under floral amber. The opening is unusual. Aldehydes, bergamot and rosewood suggest salty air more than citrus. The heart is a big bouquet, though it reads as blurred rather than detailed. Broom leads with its dry honey and hay smell, while lily and peony stay back. Jasmine, rose and ylang-ylang thicken everything. The base recalls an empty beach in September. Sandalwood, benzoin and vanilla warm up together, and patchouli and musk add shade. It's more of a mood than a flower perfume. Dune is still sold as an eau de toilette, reformulated over the years, and it remains an outlier in the Dior range.
When to wear it
Late summer and autumn, day or night. Two sprays and no more, as it projects hard.
It belongs to the Floral, Oriental / Amber family. Dune is one of 72 creations by Dior in our encyclopedia.
