Everything you needed to know about perfume dupes, explained:

We have a confession to make. While we are no strangers to indulging in artisan and premium limited-edition scents, we also delight in discovering affordable yet exquisite fragrances to add to our collection. We have especially developed a taste, or should we say a nose for dupe scents, which give us a whiff of luxury at a fraction of the price. 

PERFUME DUPES ARE WORTH YOUR ATTENTION, HERE’S WHY: 

Perfume dupes are fragrances that are not fakes, knockoffs, or imitations but rather duplicates that closely resemble popular perfumes. Despite their similarity, they are readily available and priced significantly lower than the authentic products they were originally inspired by. So what’s the catch? 

The catch lies in the art of perfumery itself. Allow us to explain a bit: Perfumers are artists who spent hours perfecting the final scent, and all of their hard work, ambitions, and skills are literally poured into the end product. The creation of perfumes doesn’t start with the mixing of the ingredients in the perfume vials, but with the vision of it. Every aspect, from the sourcing of the ingredients to the bottle design, is a meticulous process. And it comes with a price. 

The dupes are inspired by the end product and they are a tribute to that perfume. 

Unlike counterfeit designer goods or perfumes, which deceive consumers by falsely claiming to be affiliated with a particular brand, dupe fragrances are entirely legal and do not mislead consumers in any way. Although they’re not exactly identical, these perfume dupes closely resemble the original formula. This implies that the perfumer creating the duplicate may incorporate different top, middle, or base notes, yet the resulting fragrance will still have a scent that will remind you of the original perfume.

So why are perfume dupes worth trying? In addition to their reasonable cost, there are instances where you may not enjoy a specific note in a high-end fragrance, and discover that the duplicate has replaced it with something more to your liking. Alternatively, you may realize that despite changes to some or even all of the notes, the fragrance dupes are just as delightful as the scent they were inspired by. Nothing to lose and everything to gain.

Here are some perfume dupes that you should definitely have on your radar and your fragrance rotation: 

IF YOU LOVE

Maison Francis Kurkdjian BACCARAT ROUGE 540

To celebrate the 250th anniversary of the iconic crystal house, Baccarat, and Maison Francis Kurkdjian joined forces to create the distinctive Baccarat Rouge 540 eau de parfum. This exceptional fragrance boasts a blend of floral and woody notes that perfectly complement both men and women. The scent opens with jasmine notes that impart a delicate and breezy feel, while saffron adds a luminous touch. The fragrance is further enhanced with mineral accents of ambergris and freshly cut cedarwood that lend a natural, earthy quality to the scent.

It boasts outstanding longevity, and the most fascinating thing is that although it has a trademark aroma that is easily distinguishable, Baccarat Rouge 540 manages to smell differently on everyone. And this is where its true mastery lies. 

TRY THESE Baccarat Rouge 540 PERFUME DUPES

Zara RED TEMPTATION

This eau de parfum cleverly blends the cozy and intricate qualities of saffron and coriander spices, resulting in a fragrance that feels like a warm embrace. A hint of bitter orange brings forth a fruity and vivid burst straight in the heart of the radiant floral bouquet, where the brightness of jasmine illuminates the sensuality and grace of white flowers. A modern and irresistible praline note adds an addictive quality to the mix. The floral notes are further enriched by the grounding essence of moss and woody amber, enveloped in a veil of musk that leaves a lasting and utterly feminine impression.

The saffron note in cohort with jasmine is spot on, but the subdued sweetness of the amberwood is driven home by way of praline and amber, which makes Red Temptation simply irresistible. Moss and musk give that earthy, woody feel that’s reminiscent of Baccarat Rouge 540. They both also share that inexplicable sweetness and undeniable boldness, so if you love Baccarat Rouge 540, we think you’ll love this one, too. 

Dossier AMBERY SAFFRON

The main website of the perfume claims that this scent is directly inspired by the renowned Baccarat Rouge 540, so we’re not surprised by their choice of notes. 

The Dossier Ambery Saffron bursts open with the fiery intensity of saffron. This fragrance note is typically shunned in perfumery due to its potent nature, but in this scent, just like Francis Kurkdjian’s most popular creation the saffron’s warm temperament is expertly tempered by the smoldering cedarwood and alluring amber. 

Furthermore, plum and orange blossom are providers of sweetness that we all love in the original Baccarat Rouge 540. 

Sol de Janeiro BRAZILIAN CRUSH CHEIROSA ’68

Baccarat Rouge 540 but make it airy and light? We’ve got you. Enter Brazilian Crush Cheirosa ’68. Each spray of this captivating vanilla fragrance takes you on a sensory journey. It commences with invigorating lychee essence and pink dragonfruit top notes, followed by refreshing oceanic hints and the delightful aroma of hibiscus blossoms. Finally, it culminates with sheer vanilla and sun musk base, leaving a lasting impression.

The vanilla gives off the sweet vibes of Baccarat Rouge, while the animalic notes of the scent are mirrored in the sea notes. The absence of saffron makes for a lighter scent, one you’ll indulge in, especially if you find Baccarat Rouge 540 too strong. 

IF YOU LOVE

Le Labo SANTAL 33

Have you ever taken a whiff of a sweet and woody aroma that emanates a harmonious and rugged aura, yet smells utterly expensive? That’s the enchanting aroma of Santal 33. Its allure comes from the distinctive blend of notes like Australian sandalwood, cardamom, leather accord, iris, and ambrox, which sets Santal 33 apart and makes it challenging to replicate.

TRY THESE Santal 33 PERFUME DUPES

Kierin NYC SANTAL SKY

Santal Sky leans heavily on the woody and a lot less on the spicy and sweet side of Santal 33. It’s a scent devoted to sandalwood, but the addition of vetiver provides a pleasant touch of greenery, evoking the feeling of taking a deep breath during a refreshing summer stroll in the woods. As it settles, the fragrance becomes creamier, exuding a milky sandalwood aroma that you’ll find incredibly appealing.

Alt SIMPLY SANTAL

You love Santal 33 but you don’t love its price? Then try Alt’s Simply Santal. It’s a scent directly inspired by Le Labo’s best-seller, boasting powerful notes of sandalwood and papyrus, accompanied by hints of smooth leather, Virginia cedar, and violet. The addition of violet, iris, and amber provides a delicate touch, further enhancing the overall aroma. Judging by the raving reviews on their site, looks like Alt’s dupe might be the most successful one. 

Burberry TOUCH

With its unique blend of cedar, violet, pepper, thyme, and geranium notes, Burberry’s Touch Eau De Toilette exhibits a musky yet woody and subtly sweet fragrance that is reminiscent of Le Labo’s signature scent. 

IF YOU LOVE

Tom Ford LOST CHERRY

Lost Cherry entices the crowds with its candy-like lick of exotic black cherry and liqueur, infused with a playful touch of almond, before revealing a captivating blend of Turkish rose and jasmine sambac that captivates the senses. 

TRY THESE Lost Cherry PERFUME DUPES

Zara CHERRY SMOOTHIE

Cherry Smoothie by Zara has been touted as a dupe for Tom Ford’s Lost Cherry by many, and we concur that despite the significant price difference, the two fragrances are remarkably similar. Zara’s rendition incorporates cherry, plum, and almond notes, along with tonka and black vanilla for a truly addictive effect. The addition of plum gives it a sweeter touch, while the black vanilla intensifies its intoxicating fragrance.

Alexandria Fragrances FRUCTUS VIRGINIS

Boasting nearly identical top notes to Tom Ford’s fragrance: Black cherry, bitter almond, and cherry liqueur, Fructus Virginis gives you the same rush, with cherry addiction on top. Inspired completely by Lost Cherry, it’s even better than the original. Sorry, Tom. 

Ramon Monegal CHERRY MUSK

This fragrance features a perfectly harmonized combination of glossy, blood-red cherries (with a fresh rather than sweet aroma) and a comforting musk infused with a hint of saltiness, creating a well-balanced and savory scent. It doesn’t scream in your face as Lost Cherry does, but it rather sits close on your skin without bitch-slapping those in your trail, asking for attention. So, if a tame Lost Cherry is what you were after, congratulations, you got it. 

Loved our perfume dupes content? Expect more, soon. 

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