Being a fragrance lover doesn’t come cheap, but you don't need to spend a fortune to smell fantastic either.
Enter, perfume dupes; the recent beauty trend taking the internet by storm.
What are perfume dupes?
Short for ‘duplicates’, dupes are cheaper versions of expensive products, such as perfumes, that share a similar appearance or scent. Some perfume dupes might be a happy accident, but others are designed to replicate the fragrance of high-end, luxury perfumes at an affordable price point.
Perfume dupes can be spotted by comparing fragrance notes and ingredient lists to spot the cheap perfumes that smell expensive.
Why are perfume dupes trending?Perfume dupes are easier to find than ever, thanks to TikTok. More than 241 million people have watched and or posted videos under #perfumedupes, as fragrance enthusiasts seek affordable alternatives to popular scents.
Is it worth buying perfume dupes?
Many perfume dupes are closely crafted to replicate the notes of their higher-end counterparts. Whilst they might not be identical, they often come pretty close and are far more affordable.
Luxury perfume copies also allow you to switch up your scent collection without committing to a single, expensive bottle. It’s a low-risk way to find your signature scent. For fragrances you don’t plan to wear daily, like special occasion scents, perfume dupes can also be an excellent way to enjoy the smell without worrying about the cost.
That being said, whilst perfume dupes are an excellent budget-friendly alternative, keep in mind a cheaper scent might not have the same longevity or complexity as its designer equivalent.
Top perfume dupes that smell like designer scents
Let’s face it, the best perfumes make you smell, and feel, expensive. But lucky for you, we have a range of UK perfume dupes to make you feel a million bucks, without the price tag.
Cacharel Amor Amor Eau de Toilette Spray smells like… Hugo Boss Deep Red
If you love the musky amber scent of Hugo Boss Deep Red, one of the best perfume dupes has to be this Amor Amor scent by Cacharel. Not only do both fragrances come in a deep red glass bottle, but they also share the same seductive base notes of vanilla and cedar, followed by floral heart notes and fruity top notes. Ideal for wearing on a day to day basis.
Burberry Touch For Women Eau de Parfum smells like… Lancôme La Vie Est Belle Intense
For almost half the price, this Burberry Touch For Women fragrance is a great perfume dupe for the much-loved Lancome La Vie Est Belle. Both open with bright yet soft notes of blackcurrant and flow into floral middle notes, making the fragrances the perfect summer scents. Not bad for a cheap perfume alternative that’s still designer!
Issey Miyake L'Eau D'Issey Pour Homme Eau de Toilette Spray smells like… ZARKOPERFUME Cloud Collection No2 Eau de Parfum
These two designer scents might not be an exact dupe, but we can’t help but notice the similarity in their aromas. The Zarkoperfume Cloud Collection fragrance has a top of Japanese lemongrass followed by a sweet jasmine accord and a seawater, musk and wood finish, whilst the Issey Miyake L’Eau D’Issey Pour Homme perfume greets you with the vibrant scent of Japanese yuzu citrus, followed by water lily in its heart notes and, at the end, a hint of tobacco, vetiver and sandalwood for that masculine musk that lingers on the skin.
For more cheap perfumes and the best perfume dupes, shop our fragrances here and try out our fragrance finder. Don’t forget to check out the Fragrance Direct blog for more articles on popular products and the latest perfume trends.
