"I’ve always been a big perfume gal. I love the pretty little bottles and how they look clustered on a tray atop my dresser, I love spritzing a scent on in the morning and immediately feeling a bit more put together and flirty, and I love catching a whiff of a favorite fragrance when throwing on a jean jacket from a previous night out. Perfumes just make me happy, OK?!
That said, I’m well aware that my perfume buying habit isn’t the most financially sound. Sure, full-sized bottles of perfume last for years on end, but they can be so pricey and aren’t often marked down when beauty retailers or department stores run sales. Plus, there’s always the risk of shelling out $200 on a specific scent only to tire of it over time or associate it with a period in your life that you just don’t want to be reminded of anymore. (The power of scent and memory is real, y’all!)
So when I found a perfume dupe for one of my favorite scents that would save me literally hundreds of dollars, I knew I had to scoop it up (and share it with you all, of course!). Keep reading to learn about the best new way to shop for perfume 100 percent guilt-free.
My Favorite Scent
My favorite scent of all time is Baccarat Rouge 540 Eau de Parfum, a scent that I discovered in early 2020 when an influencer just couldn’t stop raving about it. This fragrance certainly does not run cheap, but I was able to track down a discounted bottle on Poshmark. As soon as it arrived in the mail, I was hooked. I get so many compliments whenever I wear this scent, which is quite often. The scent is musky and woodsy with a floral component. It can definitely be worn daily, but I like to save it for nights out at my favorite fancier spots in NYC or put a bit on before dinner dates.
After nearly two and a half years, the bottle I purchased is dwindling. I took to Amazon to see if there were any deals to be found and ended up finding what is truly the next best thing: a roll-on, travel-sized perfume that mimics this exact scent and costs just $7.99.
The Dupe
People. When I tell you I added this fragrance to my shopping cart in the most hurried fashion possible, I’m not at all exaggerating. The fact that I found a replica of my favorite bougie scent for the same price as a sandwich at my local deli is just wild to me. Plus, because the roller bottle is small, I can easily stash it in my makeup bag whether I’m at home or traveling. And this fragrance smells so good and exactly like the real thing. Just read the Amazon reviews if you don’t believe me!
Since placing this order, I’ve since picked up two more affordable rollerball fragrances: one that mimics Le Labo’s Santal 33, which is another all-time fave of mine, and one that is supposed to be like Byredo’s Mojave Ghost. Both are fabulous, and I can’t stop wearing them.
Whether you’re a perfume junkie yourself, have a bestie who loves a $$$ fragrance but can’t swing to buy her the real thing, or are looking to stock up on some travel-sized goodies, you’re welcome. I can’t wait to try even more scents after I use these three up, that’s for sure. Happy spritzing!
Perfume Dupes to Shop Now
This is the Baccarat Rouge dupe that I will never get tired of. The scent is woodsy and sexy, and while I happily wear it all year long, it’s a bit more of a fall or winter scent—I personally gravitate toward sweeter smelling fragrances in the warmer months. Spritz some on before your next date night or prior to heading to the theater.
Anyone (especially in NYC, where I live) will tell you that Le Labo’s Santal 33 is an absolute classic, so if you’re newer to the perfume world, this is a great dupe to try out as it really does mimic a timeless scent. Santal 33 is known for being unisex perfume, and it’s one that I constantly smell while walking the streets of Soho—seriously, I can pick up whiffs of it from mere feet away! The scent tends to linger and has some sandalwood and leathery smells to it.
Mojave Ghost (or this dupe) is perfect for summertime, if you ask me. It’s great if you like florals but don’t want to smell like you stepped out of a Bath and Body works circa 2005. As with the other scents highlighted above, a little goes a long way!
Every woman needs to try Chanel No. 5 perfume at least once—or even just a dupe of it! This scent is actually a bit soapy in smell and was not as sweet as I was expecting the first time I tried it. To me, the scent is nice and fresh but not as sensual as the muskier picks.