Perfume dupes, or perfume alternatives, have become increasingly popular in recent years. They duplicate the scents of designer fragrances and are a great option for anyone looking to try out a new scent without spending hundreds of dollars.
Fragrance dupe brands don’t claim to be the original designer brand, but rather their own line that is inspired by other scents. Here are some of our favorite perfume dupes that will make you feel like a million bucks.
1. Chanel No.5 Eau de Toilette
While a perfume dupe may seem like a great way to get the scent of your favorite luxury fragrance without breaking the bank, it’s important to know that they often contain lower-quality natural ingredients and can actually damage the integrity of the original perfume. Dupes also tend to have inferior packaging, caps and spray pumps that produce a jet stream rather than a fine mist that lingers on the skin for hours.
However, there are a few good parfum dupes out there that will leave you feeling just as fabulous for a fraction of the price. For instance, Chanel No. 5 L’Eau ($121 for an Eau de Parfum twist and spray) is a light, fresh take on the iconic floral aldehyde that Marilyn Monroe was famously seen wearing in her bath. The formula was developed by Olivier Polge (the son of the late Chanel house perfumer, Jacques Polge).
2. Dolce & Gabbana Dolce & Gabbana Eau de Toilette
Dolce & Gabbana is a high-end fragrance brand that’s known for its elegant aesthetic across clothing, accessories, and perfumes. Using a perfume dupe can be a great way to get the look and feel of a high-end scent without spending the money.
The eau de toilette formula has less than 15% of the fragrance oil found in a full-size bottle of the original. This allows for a lighter application and can be easily reapplied throughout the day.
The fragrance opens with a burst of candied lemon and ginger tea. It moves into a heart of cardamom and fig milk for a warm and sensual aroma that pairs perfectly with a casual spring day. Then, the woody base of Haitian vetiver and sage leaves a lasting impression.
3. Creed Aventus Eau de Toilette
Aventus is the most acclaimed men’s fragrance from Creed. It’s a masculine perfume that’s very rich and warm. It contains birch, rose, and jasmine notes. It also has a good amount of black pepper.
This scent is said to be inspired by the dramatic life of an infamous emperor, and it’s made for the man who lives a life of adventure and achievement. It’s a fruity-chypre fragrance with top notes of Pineapple and Green Apple, heart notes of birch from Louisiana and Jasmine, and a warm base with Oakmoss, Ambergris, Musk, and Vanilla.
This perfume is fairly long-lasting and has good sillage. You only need a few sprays, and it will last all day or night. The only drawback is that it’s quite expensive.
4. Gucci Acqua di Gio Eau de Toilette
Gucci Acqua di Gio Eau de Toilette combines fresh florals with warm woods to create a sophisticated, timeless scent. This signature fragrance from the fashion house captures the spirit of adventure and exploration. It features notes of Calabrian bergamot, neroli and green tangerine that combine for a citrusy opening.
One of the most iconic fragrances from the 90’s, Acqua Di Gio has been a best seller for over two decades for a good reason. It’s a beautiful, masculine blend of aromatic marine and fruity florals that’s just as refreshing today as it was when it was first launched in 1996.
The perfume opens with an invigorating blend of fruity citrus and white florals such as magnolia, cyclamen and jasmine. It has a slightly musky finish from the base notes of rosemary and cedar.
Kreayshawn’s “Gucci Gucci” story sounds like a music industry fairytale: little-known rapper strikes internet gold, signs a million-dollar record deal, gets flown all over the world and gets juicy cover stories in Complex and Nylon. But, as it turns out, it wasn’t exactly the life she wanted.
In the late ’80s, Gucci hit its fashion stride under designer Tom Ford, who revamped men’s and women’s ready-to-wear with bold reinventions of house signatures. In 2002, Frida Giannini—who previously designed Fendi handbags—joined the team to oversee accessories.
Today, the brand continues to thrive under creative director Alessandra Michele, who has been a driving force behind the label’s resurgence since taking over in 2016. The movie based on the House of Gucci is out Nov. 24 and stars Lady Gaga as Patrizia Reggiani, Adam Driver as Maurizio Gucci and Al Pacino as Rodolfo Gucci’s brother, bringing even more attention to the Italian label.
