30 Perfumes that Smell Similar to Baccarat Rouge 540

BR 540 is a very expensive, but also very popular fragrance from Francis Kurkdjian. In this post, I want to present some Baccarat Rouge 540 dupe alternatives for cheaper and other perfumes which have a similar style, but are ultimately different.

The good news is that there are plenty of options that can smell similar what you get with BR 540.

I am consistently updating this page, as I find more suitable perfumes that bear resemblance to BR 540…so, check back for new ones.


Key Takeaways

I go into full detail on all the perfumes down further on the page. However, if you’re in a hurry, here’s some highlights.


Which Perfumes Smell Similar to Baccarat Rouge 540?

For the first part of the list,  I am going to cover the fragrances which are ‘inspired by’ Baccarat Rouge 540 directly. The next section, will be those scents that are similar in style, but ultimately their own thing.


The Casino Scent

Casino Royale by Dua Fragrances– So, the Dua Brand specializes in creating inspired perfumes or similar smelling fragrances. Casino Royale is their version of BR 540.

But, they also have other perfumes that combine elements of BR 540 and Extrait, with notes of other perfumes to create a newer scent all together. So, it’s worth checking out these, since they sell at a reasonable price. None are super amazing, but they do a nice job.

Is it very similar to Baccarat? It’s certainly close, but the differences are noticeable, if one is paying attention. Though, that’s to be expected with the price difference.

To my nose, it isn’t as sweet or smooth, and has a larger floral presence. Jasmine and marigold. Also, has hints of the Extrait version of BR 540, it kind of leans that way.

baccarat rouge 540 dupe


Ambery Option 

Ambery Saffron by Dossier– Another good option for recreating the BR 540 aroma. This one does use some different notes, but the result actually comes out great.

Plum and orange blossom, are the main differences here. Again though, it still comes out nearly identical to the Kurkdjian scent. This one is a bit lighter with the sillage, yet still lasts for a long time on the skin.

Perhaps a bit sweeter, like the Dua isn’t as sweet, and the one below is more metallic. It kind of comes down to preference, as these three are so close in terms of execution.


The Popular Zara Smell a Like

Red Temptation by Zara– The similarities of Red Temptation to Baccarat made it a massive hit on social media posts and also caused it to be sold out for a long time. However, as of this update, this perfume is back and stock and offers a very similar fragrance at around $40.

This doesn’t have the same level of sweetness as BR 540, to me. The orange note up top is sharp and its power in the early stages is one of the main distinctions here. It’s smooth, fresh, and has a good deal of ambroxan in the middle act. That’s when it’s most similar.

The performance here is solid. The sillage for the first hour can pack a punch, but it does settle, into a more moderate wear. Decent longevity, not insane like BR. Also, a woodsy finish in the base notes.

Zara alternative to Baccarat Rouge


Caramelle Smell

Caramelle Rosse by Fragrenza– This is another inspired near dupe perfume that I bought recently. This is a good option. However, I will say that the saffron here is a bit louder than the sample vial of the actual 540 that I have.  Also, an almond note.

So, this does seem to have more of a metallic finish on my skin, than some of the others. Nothing too outlandish, some of you might even prefer this Fragrenza version, but just putting it out there.

The performance is good. I purchased other samples of their designer inspired perfumes and all of them were well done. So, order a sample lot, if you’re interested in this one.


Crystals

Crystal by ALT Fragrances– Another hyper-popular option in the ‘designer inspired’ category of related scents. Crystal really tries and mostly succeeds at doing its best Baccarat impression.

They’ve had many other good releases of this sort and Crystal continues that tradition. Like the others, there are slight variations. To me, this has a muskier take on this note structure, but everything else seems in balance.

The sillage is lighter and the performance isn’t to the same degree. Still quite good, but you’re also purchasing the ALT perfume for a fraction of the price, so some points will have to be given up.


Sweven 540

Sweven by Oakcha– Sweven is Oakcha’s inspired by version of Baccarat Rouge 540. This is a brand that I’ve only recently stumbled upon, so, I don’t have any experience with any of their fragrances as of yet.

But, it is highly popular and well reviewed for those of you who want yet another BR 540-esque perfume to test out. The pricing is about in line with many of the other options on this part of the list.


Another Under $30

Ana Abiyedh Rouge by Lattafa- Rouge is another cheapie that does an impression of BR. The opening act, is admittedly a bit of a synthetic mess. It has that dry, plasticky, and alcohol aroma upon first spraying…but that’ll clear.

This has the saffron and a bitter almond note up top, that will be better after a few minutes. Yes, this does have that 540-like smell, almost like Ajmal’s Aristocrat (listed earlier above), in how it comes across. Maybe, a bit more sugary sweet in the middle versus earlier on.

The dry down does get muskier than BR. Less woods and the ambergris isn’t to the same quality. But, for $25 or so, this is solid.


The Type of Scent

Rouge 540 Type for Women– I haven’t tested this one out as of yet. However, The Fragrance Shop usually does a pretty good job at matching much of the same essence as the perfumes they’re trying to recreate.

I’ve tried a few of their men’s Chanel fragrance versions and they at least get the opening notes correct. The fragrances don’t generally have the same depth as the original and some of the base notes, really don’t come through in the perfume oil. I figured that I’d include this as another potential option, for those who want to give it a try.


Perfumes with a Similar Style (Not Baccarat Rouge 540 Dupes)

Now, we can get to the part of the list of perfumes that don’t try to exactly mimic the aroma of Baccarat, but have enough overlap to be of interest to fans of the perfume. Or those, who don’t like certain aspects of our target fragrance.


The Other Kurkdjian Perfume

Burberry Her Eau De Parfum Spray –  Burberry Her is a fragrance designed by Francis Kurkdjian that bears a lot of resemblance to his earlier Baccarat Rouge fragrance.

They aren’t however exactly the same and Burberry Her does indeed have a distinct aroma from our target. Strawberry, raspberry, and citrus notes gives this one an overall sweeter profile.

The latter stages aren’t as sweet, but this is a lighter and summery sort of perfume when compared to Baccarat. Actually, it’s pretty close to Cloud by Ariana Grande (my comparison post: Her vs. Cloud).  Read my Full Burberry Her Review

Burberry Her also by Kurkdjian


A Cheaper Similar Aroma

Ajmal Aristocrat, 2.5 Oz Aristocrat is another sweeter option that does share the jasmine and saffron notes found in Baccarat Rouge. Along with, amber and a musky dry down.

The citrus notes are a difference in the earlier stages, along with a heavy emphasis on sugar, that does settle down. Then, you will get muskier and drier notes, but also a big dose of that saffron note.

All in all, it is a close rendition at a cheaper price, but with a greater cotton candy-like aroma through much of the wear.

Ajmal Aristocrat dupe BR 540


The Untold Armaf

Club de Nuit Untold– Not the cheapest option on the list, but still does save some money versus an actual bottle of BR 540. However, Club de Nuit Untold provides a pretty strong and well-performing resemblance to what we’re looking for.

Heavier on the amber notes, resin, and saffron this can be a good alternative for those who don’t want as much jasmine in the mix. Untold kind of skirts the line between Baccarat and the Extrait version of that perfume.

Strong and long-lasting, but also has the softer and sweeter elements, paired with the resinous notes. Interesting. Not exactly the same, but the aroma will be very familiar.


A Taste of New York

Greenwich Village by Bond No. 9– This is another high end designer fragrance, much like our target. It’s not an exactly the same though, and very much retains its own style and charm. But, the similar style makes Greenwich Village a perfume to check out for Baccarat lovers.

Up top you will get much more fruitiness, almost a tropical sort of vibe. Mandarin orange and lychee, with a great touch of cassis. That juiciness is met with the freshness of waterlily and some light jasmine touches.

The dry down gets warmer with praline, vanilla, and musk. This has a sweeter, lighter, fruitier, and fresher aroma versus the Kurkdjian creation. The latter stages give you a nice creamy gourmand perfume.

Greenwich Village is a beautiful scent, which some may actually prefer to our target. Probably the most similar in the start. The sillage and projection isn’t as powerful, which again, you may well prefer.

A Popular Bond No. 9 Perfume


Massive Citrusy Silllage

Apres l’Amour by Thomas Kosmala– Similarities definitely abound with this and BR 540, but they are ultimately different enough to be appreciated separately.

Apres l’Amour is a massive scent, that goes heavy on the amber notes, and has a very citrus laden top. It has the sweeter elements of Baccarat, but can also have a lot more of the plastic/dentist office smell, that some people report with our target fragrance.

Kind of overpriced for what it is. I mean, the performance itself is long-lasting and beast mode. But, the actual smell isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. Not a perfume that is trying to be a one to one match of BR 540 and can be polarizing.


More Floral, Patchouli

Stramonio by V Canto– Stramonio is another one that gets talked about with Baccarat. This is not an exact copy, but has similar traits to the Kurkdjian perfume.

The ambergris, saffron, and woody aspects are where this one shares plenty of overlap. Initially, though the saffron will be paired not only with the similar jasmine, but with notes like carnation and orchid.

Also, this one does seem to have a greater patchouli influence. Stramonio isn’t nearly as sweet as our target and the performance isn’t as good. Lighter and less longevity.


Sol de Janeiro

Cheirosa 68 Body Spray– This is kind of an odd one, that somehow has a resemblance to BR 540 and Burberry Her, but not entirely…and also is a body spray. So, performance isn’t going to be great with this one.

BUT, it still is rather nice, especially for the price point. It gives you a sweetness that is akin to Burberry Her, but also more tropical with dragon fruit and litchi leading the way.

While also, giving you a musky/aquatic base to work from that can also have that metallic-like aroma that you sometimes pick up with BR 540.

Again, kind of weird how they’re similar. Still, not a complete 1 to 1 smell by any means, and more like it has flashes of being like the MFK perfume. You’re just going to need to be a fan of candy-like levels of sweetness, because that’s what this can bring.


The Ariana Option

R.E.M. by Ariana Grande– Alright, Cloud by Ariana Grande shares more in common with Baccarat Rouge 540…but R.E.M. is the better perfume (versus Cloud) and has plenty of similarities.

It’s sweet, but more mature than the other fragrances that have been released by the singer. R.E.M. gives you a lot of what Cloud has to offer, but adding fig and lavender to make it stand on its own merit.

R.E.M. has a nice depth with its sweetness, creamy tonka bean and later woodsy/lavender base. BR 540 is definitely floating around in the DNA, but don’t expect an exact match, just a better version of the closer smell alike.

Ariana Grande better than Cloud


Super Cheap Alternative Fragrance

Dream Moon by Pacifica– As of now, this seems to be an exclusive to Target stores (update: Ulta and Amazon have it now also), which is where I got to experience this one. The opening is very much like what you get from Baccarat Rouge, but it dries down like a more cotton candy-like Cloud.

You get rose, patchouli, and a fairly decent example of sandalwood for this price point. It also has other sweeter notes, giving it that vibe, but I haven’t seen what the exact listing of these notes are.

Here the notes are listed as pink rose, patchouli, and sandalwood. What else it has beyond that, I haven’t been able to track down. But there has to be some sweeter notes in here. I definitely get plenty of sandalwood and patchouli.

Dream Moon gives you a creamy sweet and patchouli gourmand aroma, that has a strong resemblance to what we want with BR 540. Also, for around $20, it delivers a nice performance to boot.

inexpensive fragrance like Baccarat


More Floral, Similar Aroma

Sunset Riot by Allsaints– There is a ton of overlap between this Allsaints release and BR 540, but Sunset Riot does have a pronounced orange blossom note that comes through for the duration. It’s a lighter wear than the Francis Kurkdjian, as well.

Sunset Riot gives you a great citrus vibe up top, along with the amber, and a kick from the pink pepper lurking underneath.

A bit woody, with those great floral notes led by the orange blossom. It is a very attractive, not overly sweet, and while it does have some thickness to its body; Sunset Riot doesn’t have much of a resinous feel, despite the amber.

Great option. Not cheap, but more affordable than our target. Can be tougher to find.


Sweet, Very Similar, a Bit Less Expensive

Manege Rouge by Al Haramain for Women 2.5 Oz / 75ml Eau de Parfum  Manege Rouge is pretty closely smelling scent to Baccarat Rouge 540.

The opening act is a blend of sweetness and floral notes, led by saffron. The saffron adds a fresh and almost leathery quality to the mix.

Manege has a nice amount of depth and gets sweeter, as it moves into the heart of the composition. That’s where you’ll get a greater amount of cotton candy and caramel. It’s not a thick or heavy sillaged scent and the sweetness is quite wearable.

Doesn’t have the same power of 540, it’s less woody, but otherwise a darn good smelling scent with similarities to the Maison Francis Kurkdjian perfume.

Manege perfume BR dupe


Bath and Body Works Cheapie

Bath and Body Works In The Stars Eau de Parfum 1.7 Fluid Ounce New In Box– In the Stars is a very inexpensive options that sort of skirts the line between Cloud and Baccarat Rouge. It’s lighter and fruitier than either, but has a warm base of sandalwood and amber.

In the Stars can be more appealing for some folks, because it doesn’t have the lavender note that the Ariana Grande scent has. It has a nice woody dry down period, where it’s initial sweetness starts to give it more of the 540 character that we’re looking for.

In the Stars is light, fresh, sweet, and actually gives a nice performance for a Bath and Body Works fragrance. Definitely worth a try to not break the bank.

in the stars similar to rouge


Not the Same, Close Style

Instant Crush by Mancera– The heavy use of amber, saffron, and wood often draw comparisons between this and the MFK fragrance. But, Instant Crush is not the same as BR 540 and gives you plenty awesomeness on its own.

So, consider this perfume if you want something in the ballpark, but with a greater use of floral notes (rose and jasmine). Along with vanilla and an opening burst of bright citrus. Plus, this perfume goes spicy with less of that ‘clinical’ or ‘dentist’ type of aroma that some people get with BR 540.

Instant Crush is the more dynamic of the two, which many may prefer. That vanilla and spice really make this one something worth trying.


Too Pure

Pure Addiction by Franck Olivier– It seemed like only a matter of time before this brand would throw its hat into the ring, with a similar styled scent to what we want. Pure Addiction is that release and it’s a good one.

This, isn’t the same exact smell, however. It’s lighter and has a greater use of citrus than BR 540. It’s a nice orange note that is paired with the amber and saffron, that we’ve come to expect in most of these fragrances.

It’s somewhat sweeter for most of the wear and in the dry down, Pure Addiction really does have a close resemblance to our target, and is another one for a fraction of the price. As of now, this one isn’t as widely available, but it is floating around.


A Mix of Perfumes

Wild Rose from Coach– Wild Rose lacks the saffron and the fresh woody base of BR 540. But, you get ambroxan, moss, and jasmine in large amounts during the dry down that creates a very similar effect.

For the opening, you get something that is closer to Burberry Her (but better) and Delina by Parfums de Marly.

Red currant and bergamot give this Coach fragrance a fruitiness that BR doesn’t have, but which some people might prefer. Rose and a light tonka bean early gives it a soft Delina-like aroma.

Ultimately, it dries down to a fruity version of Rouge. Sure, not laden with saffron, but the moss does a good job replicating the dryness of the wood. Wild Rose Review

wild rose review


Inexpensive VS Mist 

Victoria’s Secret Midnight Bloom Fragrance Mist 250ml/8.4 fl. oz. Midnight Bloom is a body mist from Victoria’s Secret that sort of splits the line between Cloud and BR 540. Note upfront, that you’re definitely not going to get the depth with a body spray.

It’s sweet and woody with a floral heart. Almost like a vanilla candy during the dry down period, as it were. The wood notes aren’t too prominent, either and it’s more of a generic white floral note, versus anything specific.

Again, another cheapie option, in body spray form. To me it leans more Cloud than Baccarat Rouge, but that opening does have that same sort of character…just devoid of any saffron.


Cloud Itself

Ariana Grande Cloud Eau de Parfum Spray ,clear ,3.4 oz Personally, I’m not that big on Cloud. I mean, it’s fine, but it kind of has to go on the list of scents similar to BR 540.

This Ariana Grande scent, comes across as sweeter and targeted toward a young demographic than Rouge. While BR 540 leans feminine, it can be more of a unisex scent, but Cloud is pretty firmly in the ‘girly’ camp.

That being said, for younger women (teens through twenties), this is another very affordable option that can mimic much of what you get with our target scent. Lavender, sweet sugary warmth, creamy coconut, and a musky base.

The performance is actually very good, so, if you’re one who likes Cloud you’ll get your money’s worth.


Cloud 2.0

Ariana Grande Cloud 2.0 Intense Eau De Parfum Ulta Exclusive 3.4 Ounce– So, Cloud Intense is pretty similar to the original listed above. However, it is slightly better in my opinion.

It has less of the pear note up top, but is smoother and joined by a rather nice use of ambroxan. It is more substantial than the more sheer original Cloud. Also, it’s middle act has a creamier aroma with the whipped cream, coconut, and other notes getting more time to shine.

Overall, it’s not much more powerful than the original Cloud, but maybe an extra hour or so of wear. I’m adding this perfume to the list, because it is another option for those who like both BR540 and the Ariana Grande alternative. Cloud Intense Review


Extrait

Baccarat Rouge 540 Extrait de Parfum– If you want something that’s like the original, why not opt for its flanker perfume? Obviously, Extrait isn’t a Baccarat Rouge 540 dupe.

BR 540 Extrait is the better fragrance, in my opinion. It lasts longer, has more power, and a bittersweet opening act with more saffron and an additional almond note.

The performance with the original is great, but this one is insane on my skin. It isn’t a massive projecting perfume for the entirety of the wear, but it will stay on the skin for 14+ hours, to the point I’m not entirely sure when it fades. On a shirt, it just doesn’t seem to go away.

Yes, this is a pricier fragrance. But, I might as well include it for those who want the better option and not just another inexpensive attempt at being similar. Oh, here’s my comparison between: BR 540 vs. 540 Extrait

baccarat rouge extrait better than original


The Extrait Similarity

Amber Oud Rouge by Al Haramain– Just as Manage Rouge corresponds with the original BR 540, Amber Oud Rouge, matches up well with the Extrait edition (which I prefer).

Seeing as Extrait is even more costly than the original Kurkdjian scent, Amber Oud Rouge presents a great affordable option for those who prefer the concentrated version.

This one comes across with a strong saffron, maybe less of that almond note, and plenty of musk in the dry down. Not too shabby of a performer for the price either.


The Leathery Option

Spirito Fiorentino by Tizana Terenzi– This one isn’t going to save you much money versus our target and isn’t really an exact match. Yet, it shares a good deal with Baccarat Rouge, while doing its own thing.

The saffron and sweetness is where these two perfumes are a lot alike. Where they differ? This one utilizes a great leather note in the mid and late stages, with dry woodsy notes like birch.

It’s not as soft, still unisex, while leaning slightly more masculine than BR 540. A very interesting take on this style of fragrance.


Opulence for a Low Price

Opulent Musk by Lattafa– This one is somewhat related to Baccarat, but wouldn’t be the first option if you want a complete overlap. It’s a bit brighter with citrus joining the saffron early. I think early it has more of that ‘medical/dentist office’ aroma that people talk about with 540.

Later, that changes and you get a perfume that is a solid mix of musk, ambroxan, and white floral notes. It too has a woody resinous like our target, so, it is easy to pick up on the comparisons.

On the whole, it’s fairly close, but Opulent Musk stands out as being more distinct than the other Lattafa fragrance on the list.


So, thus concludes my page of fragrances that could be considered Baccarat Rouge 540 dupes, clones, similar styles, etc. No formula may be exactly the same as the real thing, but you can get pretty close to the same experience.

7 Fragrances that Smell Similar to J’adore

J’adore has been one of Dior’s most successful perfumes over the past few decades and has generated a ton of flanker fragrances, under the same name. It is an easy to wear and balanced fragrance that utilizes white floral notes, fruits, and a musky base.

Since it has become so popular, many are looking for something similar to J’adore yet different, while others will want a cheaper option to try get close to the same experience.

In this post, I want to present some perfume options of ladies, that can give you a close experience to what you’ll get from the Dior best seller.


What Perfumes Smell Similar to Dior J’adore?

Inspired By

Fruity Jasmine by Dossier– Coming back to update this list, I am adding two perfumes inspired by J’adore, the first is from Dossier. Fruity Jasmine is their take on the Dior formula, starting you off with mandarin, leaves, and sweet pea up top.

I haven’t tried this one from them as of yet. But, others from Dossier have been quite good. The main difference here, seems to be the inclusion of fewer fruity notes than what we get with our target fragrance. Still, mandarin and plum are present.

The floral heart looks to be the same. For under $30 (as of update), this is an easy one to take a chance on as a potential alternative.


J’adore Inspiration 2

Lo Amo by Fragrenza– Another one that I found from a good brand. Not sure that this one has fruit notes in the mix at all. but, the floral arrangement is ylang ylang, jasmine, and Damask rose.

So, I think they’re going more with the J’adore EDT styling (or another flanker) versus the original 1999 formulation. Actually, maybe L’absolu would be closer to what Lo Amo seems to be. Which is fine, Dior changes things up quite often anyway. 

This one is slightly more expensive than the Dossier option. But, having used them before Fragrenza does deliver with quality scents.


Very Similar Floral Notes, Slightly Different Presentation

Gabrielle Essence by Chanel Eau De Parfum Spray 3.4 oz / 100 ml (Women)– Gabrielle Essence isn’t an exact match of J’adore, but there is plenty of overlap between these perfumes.

Jasmine and ylang-ylang are the main floral notes of each. Essence also has a prominent orange blossom, which has some obvious similarities with the mandarin note in the Dior scent. As such, these two do strike a similar chord.

Essence, though, has even less of a fruity aroma than J’adore. The opening does feature some light peach and citrus, but that fades quickly. Though, the touch of coconut brings a creaminess to the base of the fragrance. 

J’adore also has a muskier and somewhat watery aroma, that the Chanel doesn’t really bring. Nonetheless, if you want this type of floral scent Gabrielle Essence is a similar choice. Gabrielle Essence Review


Focus on Freesia

Bond no.9 New York Astor Place Eau De Parfum Spray for Women, 3.3 Ounce– Astor Place has a similar structure to J’adore, some overlap in notes, but ultimately does its own thing in comparison. However, while it isn’t entirely such, it does present a similar experience overall.

Astor Place features the mandarin orange, musk, and violet. Most importantly, the freesia note that is in the heart of both of these fragrances, really makes the resemblance noticeable. In fact, it is greatly amped up in the Bond No. 9 perfume.

This isn’t going to be a cheaper option than just buying a bottle of Dior, but it does share that same style, and can give you another fragrance to consider when wanting a slightly different presentation. Astor Place Review


Alternative to J’adore in Joy

Eau de Soleil Blanc by Tom Ford Smells similar to, but better than, J’adore in Joy. That J’adore flanker was pretty simple in its presentation: a salty white floral blend that has a stronger peach note than the original J’adore.

Eau de Soleil Blanc is a flanker to the original Tom Ford scent and kind of splits the difference between that and In Joy. The noticeable difference is going to be in the citrus notes, the depth, and the spicy touches found in Eau de Soleil Blanc.

Less salty, with a creamier vanilla/coconut combination, and that delicious citrus top. With that, you get a comparable white floral heart and overall beachy sort of feel. 

 

 


A Potential Cheaper Option

Paris Hilton by Paris Hilton Women’s Eau De Parfum Spray 3.4 oz – More of a fruity/floral fragrance, but has a similarity to scents in the J’adore family. It’s not an exact of the original by any means, but there is lots of overlap between Paris Hilton EDP and those Dior releases.

Melon and peach are shared fruit notes. Though, this one also has berry and apple notes, which are more prevalent. Also, the floral heart of jasmine, lily, tuberose, and freesia is a dead ringer for J’adore. Add to that, a musky base and you got a worthwhile cheap substitute.

Again, the opening of this is much fruitier and juicier, but the dry down really does show a good amount of resemblance. The Paris Hilton line of fragrances don’t get enough credit, but this is a nice pickup for around $20.


Apple Laden 

Golden Delicious Dkny By DONNA KARAN FOR WOMEN 3.4 oz Eau De Parfum Spray– Lily, orchid, and rose mimic the heart of J’adore. Golden Delicious gives you an inexpensive choice, with a great juicy apple top note, instead of the mandarin and melon found in our target.

Light and fresh with a cleanliness provided by that apple and a lighter plum note, that peaks through. Then, comes that floral heart that gives you a pretty close experience to what you’d get with J’adore.

Is it an exact match? No, but you get a value fragrance of quality, that’s close enough and awesome in its own right. Sillage isn’t too heavy, but the performance on skin is good.


5 Perfumes Similar to Chanel Gabrielle

Chanel released Gabrielle about 4 years ago now. Since then, it has become a fairly popular white floral blend with a citrusy sort of opening. Not really groundbreaking stuff, but one that can be very nice to wear.

As such, people tend to want to find similar perfumes, which are either cheaper or other designer fragrances in the same sphere as  the pricy Chanel. In this post, I want to present 5 (well, 6, technically) fragrances that can serve as potential alternatives. 


Quick Takeaways

I get more in depth on all of the selections below, but here’s the highlights for those in a hurry.


What fragrances smell similar to Gabrielle by Chanel?

Personally, I haven’t come across an exact match of Gabrielle yet. Update: I’ve now included an inspired by version. But, it’s got some options that are pretty close. These are my picks of the lot.

Also, keep in mind, there are plenty of white floral bouquet fragrances out there with or without similar fruity notes.


Ylang-Ylang Similarities

Floral Ylang Ylang– So, this is Dossier’s interpretation of the Gabrielle formula. To my knowledge, this is the only attempt at creating a ‘inspired by’ perfume based on the Chanel notes. At least among brands that I trust to have quality product..

This is going to be the one to go with, if you’re looking for a near match of the aroma that you get with our target scent.

This starts off with a bright use of grapefruit and blackberry, paired with a top note of lily. Then, you get into the floral heart led by ylang ylang with jasmine and tuberose.

Again, this is inspired by Gabrielle. So, it may not be exactly the same, but it is a very good impression for a much cheaper price than the designer original.


J’adore Options

Christian Dior J’Adore Eau De Parfum Spray for Women, 3.4 Ounce– So, from the J’adore line by Dior, you have a few options. The original J’adore EDP is pretty similar. While J’adore l’absolu kind of goes between Gabrielle and Gabrielle Essence. 

I actually prefer the Chanel scents to either of these, but not by a huge margin, and you can generally find bottles of Dior a bit (sometimes significantly) cheaper. 

L’absolu goes with jasmine and tuberose as its floral highlights. It lacks the fruity notes, however. Meanwhile, J’adore EDP gives you ylang-ylang and jasmine, along with notes of plum and blackberry up top.


Inexpensive White Floral and Citrus

Vera Wang Eau De Parfum Spray, 3.4 Ounces–  The floral notes used between Gabrielle and Versa Wang are different. So is the overall quality, although this isn’t a cheap mess, by any means.

But, the structure of these two fragrances are similar. Clean and bright citrus up top, with a white floral heart and a musky/sandalwood base. The main difference is this one uses lily, lotus, Bulgarian rose, and gardenia as its floral bouquet.

It has more of a soapy quality than Gabrielle, but it retains some of that same sort of sweetness. An easy to wear scent with a low key profile, but quite presentable quality and longevity. 


Mix of a Few

 

White Diamonds Legacy– Obviously, there haven’t been a ton of new releases from the Elizabeth Taylor line. However, this updated take on the classic White Diamonds, actually has a good deal of overlap with how Gabrielle comes across.

Legacy is a more modern white floral than its namesake White Diamonds. Which, gives it a closer proximity to the Chanel.

This one has gardenia, orange blossom, and jasmine leading the floral heart. Gardenia is the most noticeable of them. But, that ylang ylang isn’t going to be in here. That’s the biggest difference.

Still, musky with sandalwood in the base, and we get a light citrus top also. Early on, the citrus notes are joined by a slight spice. Then, we get a great creaminess and a light sweetness throughout.

Not an exact match, but a likeable cheap alternative, and close relation.


A Fruitier Cheapie

Crush by Rihanna– Now, this isn’t a one to one with how it’s structured, as it has more of a fruity profile than does Gabrielle. However, this Rihanna perfume does hit a lot of the same beats.

The citrus notes are quite similar and ylang-ylang plays an important role here. Along with, an additional pink pepper.

Up top, you get the citrus blend. As it moves forward, ylang-ylang and berries become more prominent. Towards the end, you get some fresh woods, paired with the berries and some lingering orange from the opening.

Crush is like Gabrielle, while remaining completely unique and a great value play. It probably has the same level of performance, if not better than the Chanel scent. 

3 Perfumes Similar to Burberry Goddess

Goddess has become a successful and very popular perfume for Burberry, since its release. It’s sure to have future flankers and other brands coming in to try and copy its scent. However, what are some alternatives or similar smelling perfumes to Goddess?

Which fragrances can currently fit the bill that are cheaper or have a slightly different aroma to the Burberry eau de parfum? Here is my ongoing list of potential options.


What Fragrances Smell Like or are Similar Alternatives to Burberry Goddess?

An Alternative Goddess Within

Goddess Within Her by Dua– Well, it didn’t take too long after the release of Burberry Goddess, to get the first ‘inspired by’ take of its formula on the market. This one, is from the Dua Brand.

It’s going to try and hit the same beats as the designer original. The cacao, ginger, vanilla, lavender, and the rest of the notes are all here. All that’s left is to get the weightings of each note correct (or close enough).

Now, I haven’t tried this one as of yet. But, I have owned a dozen or so similar fragrances from Dua, and they’ve all managed to hit quite near the target of the designer perfume they were trying to mimic.


A Playful Cheapie

Siren by Paris Hilton– Okay, this one is definitely not the same. If you’re looking for a cheaper near match with Goddess, go with the Dua above. However, this one does strike me a sweeter and tropical version of this perfume style.

Siren, is sort of a mix between Viva La Juicy and Goddess, but with a tropical flower flare. You get a good mix of the vanilla and a great creamy warmth like you do with those two fragrances. But, it’s all paired with fruits like apricot and there’s frangipani instead of the lavender note.

It’s all thickened by a honey note and supported by orchid. There’s some powderiness in the dry down of Siren. Again, not anything close to a one to one match, but Siren reminds me of aspects of Goddess.


Similar Style, Different Scent

Mon Guerlain– I wanted to include Mon Guerlain on the list. Not because, it smells exactly the same (it doesn’t), but because it has a similar style to Goddess. And some, who are unfamiliar with the one, might actually prefer it to the Burberry.

The focus here is also on the vanilla and lavender notes. Though, this one has more depth, a greater use of floral notes, and an interesting licorice note, which can come through at times.

Mon Guerlain is more balanced versus being so vanilla-centric. Lavender, jasmine, and even some iris are prominent. It lacks the cacao note, so, just a head’s up if that’s what you’re partial to in Goddess.

Yet, it does have a tonka bean and resinous aspect in the base which plays well with the vanilla notes. Mon Guerlain Review

Black Opium vs Prada Candy Perfume Comparison

So, here we are, back with another round of perfume comparisons. Today, we have two sweet and popular designers scents for women: Black Opium EDP by Yves Saint Laurent vs. Prada Candy. Now, both of these are the eau de parfum versions of each respective scents. Which of these two gourmand perfumes smells the best? Which gives a better performance? Please continue below for my full take of them head to head.


Tale of the Tape: Black Opium vs. Candy

Black Opium

black opium perfume review

Notes include: coffee, vanilla, patchouli, pink pepper, orange blossom, cedar

Click here to try: Yves Saint Laurent Eau De Parfum Spray for Women, Black Opium, 3 Ounce

Read my original review: Black Opium


Prada Candy

Notes include: caramel, musk, and benzoin

Click here to try: Prada Prada Candy Eau De Parfum Spray for Women, 2.7 Ounce

Read my original review: Prada Candy


Opening

The opening of Black Opium is probably when it’s at its worst. It’s messy and has a lot going on. Orange blossom, vanilla, and cedar among other notes are heavily present and intense. The YSL scent just takes about ten minutes to work itself out before the perfume really gets going.

After that, we get a still super sweet fragrance, but the vanilla and emergent coffee pair up to straighten out the composition.

Meanwhile, Prada Candy, is also sweet just darker. It doesn’t have the intensity and swaps in caramel to be paired with benzoin and some musk.

I love the benzoin note here and it strikes me as being sort of like a more feminine version of Body Kouros, which is actually a Yves Saint Laurent cologne.

Between the two? I prefer the start to Prada Candy. Black Opium gets better, just the opening struggles for a bit. It’s kind of messy and I think some of the later flankers to Black Opium got it better, in this regard.

Edge: Candy


Projection

Black Opium is very strong perfume. A couple sprays should do it for just about any occasion and any more than that just won’t be necessary. Prada Candy is much more of a light to moderate scent and cannot compete with the sillage of Black Opium.

It’s probably a good thing for Candy, as if it were strong, it’d start to get annoying. Nonetheless, the stronger of the two is the YSL fragrance.

Edge: Black Opium


Longevity

I get about 6-7 hours from Prada Candy, on my skin. That’s solid and could be useful in a variety of scenarios. Still, it’s nothing that’s amazing or of great value versus the Prada price point.

However, Black Opium is an all day wear. I got double digit hours out of that perfume with no trouble at all. Performance wise, the YSL is dominant. Some later Black Opium flankers didn’t seem to ever reach this same level.

As far as I’ve experienced with the original, it hasn’t gotten noticeably weaker over the years.

Prada is serviceable, but Black Opium gets you plenty of bang for your buck.

Edge: Black Opium


Versatility

Both of these perfumes are cold weather wears. Both can be worn casually or at work. Plus, have enough sexiness to be worn out at night. Perhaps, Prada Candy is a bit safer for work because it isn’t as loud, but that’s really the only edge I see.

Either is a nice and sweet selection that can be a easy reach when the temperatures start to drop.

Edge: Push


Overall Scent

So, the both of these perfumes are of the sweet, gourmand, and cold weather variety. Prada Candy is fairly linear and moderate in its presentation and performance.

You get the sweet and salty caramel and then later, more of benzoin and musk. There is also a dash of powder in there for good measure.

Black Opium EDP is a bold fragrance that isn’t dark like the name would suggest. It’s really sweet with vanilla and coffee.

Add to that, a warm pink pepper note, and the ever present orange blossom note. It has more of a rich and cozy feeling than does Candy, while also being more complex and ultimately more interesting.

Which is better? I’d go with Black Opium. For most ladies, it will be the better bet. Now, if you want something subtler, Candy might be the way to go.

However, Black Opium gives a better performance and outside of the opening 10 minutes of confusion, it smells nicer than does Prada Candy.

Winner: Black Opium