20 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.


Favorite Perfumes Like 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.

 

 


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.

 

 


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

her edp vs edt

 


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.

 


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

 


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.

 


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

 


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. 

I actually think that Cloud 2.0 and Pink are slightly better perfumes than this, Pink is less like our target, though.

 

 


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.


 

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.

11 Best Smelling Yves Saint Laurent Perfumes for Women

Yves Saint Laurent is one of my favorite fragrance houses there is. Two of the first bottle of cologne that I bought were Body Kouros and Opium Pour Homme. Both of these are among my favorites to wear on the cooler days and nights of fall and winter.

Needless to say, there are also many YSL scents on the women’s side of things that I also absolutely adore. For this list, I have selected what I feel to be the best offerings by Yves Saint Laurent for ladies.


Favorite YSL Perfumes for Her

Note: During this update, I was planning on pruning off some of the older and discontinued fragrances. One that I did remove was Cinema. Well, YSL re-released it this year.

So, that’s definitely one to try out. Not sure for how long it’ll be available. But, I’ve kept some of these picks on here, in case they do find their way back into production too. Also, I’ve added newer picks to expand things. 

belle d'opium review


The Better Black

Black Opium Le Parfum- The Black Opium series is pretty bland with a lot of their releases. Fine, for the most part, but nothing seemingly that good.

That was, until Le Parfum was released. To me, this is the best of the bunch as of now. I’ve smelled Over Red once, which I liked, but I can’t say it’s better than Black Opium Le Parfum.

Cinnamon, vanilla, coffee, and a touch of green mandarin. This one starts off sweet, but it’s got that spicy kick. Sort of starts like a warm coffee drink.

Jasmine and orange flower will emerge out of that and give it more balance. But, this one isn’t too complicated, vanilla and coffee with a light floral blend. But, the perfume is very attractive and does the Black Opium name a great service. Black Opium Le Parfum review


Floral Powdery Scent

Paris By Yves Saint Laurent For Women. Eau De Toilette Spray 4.2 Oz.
A wonderfully feminine perfume named after The City of Lights. It is a long-lasting fragrance that isn’t overpowering and includes notes of rose, amber, mimosa, moss, sandalwood, and orange flower.

This is a classic type of floral, with rose, violet, and iris leading the way. It can be quite powdery, so, if that’s not your thing maybe stay away from this.

However, I wouldn’t put that down as too much of a deterrent, because this fragrance is still beautiful in its vintage presentation.

paris


Top Mon Paris Fragrance

Yves Saint Laurent Mon Paris Intensement Women EDP Spray Floral 3 Ounce– The original Mon Paris release wasn’t bad. However, I think that Intensement is for sure the better smelling overall perfume.

It starts off with the same black currant and berry accord as the original. Though, Intensement tones down the use of datura, and has a more prominent rose note.

With the fruits and patchouli early on, Mon Paris Intensement has a fruit-chouli vibe, but the rose and peony will take over the composition.

The sillage and longevity are good here. In testing, this one got me 8-9 hours on the skin, and it wasn’t a weak skin scent for that duration. Read my Full Review


Favorite Libre Perfume

Libre Le Parfum– Le Parfum is my personal favorite from the YSL Libre series of perfumes. I wasn’t big on the original, Intense was better, and Platine is fine.

This, however, is a really fantastic release from the designer.

This is warm and cozy with a toned down lavender note, especially in the beginning. The citrus top notes are paired with ginger, saffron, honey, vanilla, and orange blossom. Yes, there’s a lot going on, but it’s well put together.

It will move toward being a honeyed vanilla and the lavender will really come into its own. Still, not as dominant as in the EDP for example.

Plenty of body with this one, it’s rich, with a great projection and lasts beyond ten hours on skin. Worth trying out for sure. Libre Le Parfum


Best Le Vestiaire des Parfums Scent

Trench by Yves Saint Laurent- Trench is my favorite Le Vestiaire des Parfums option from YSL, that leans toward women while being unisex. A lot of designers now have these higher priced niche perfumes, but most of them seem to be loaded with amber, oud, rose, etc.

Trench on the other hand, is a beautiful citrus floral with notes of iris, cedar, musk, and bergamot. What sets it apart is the infusion of fig and a nice tangerine. Yes, the iris is powdery, but it isn’t overly so despite it being the lead ingredient.

This one is a musky citrus floral up top, which dries down into a woody floral. The citrus notes are there but don’t come across as a super tart and juicy. Instead, they play the background and support the main structure.

Very subtle fragrance, so don’t expect a huge sillage. Though, the longevity is actually great in its understated elegance.


Best Winter Fragrance

OPIUM For Women By YVES SAINT LAURENT Eau de Toilette Spray 3 oz
An exotic classic that is spicy and oriental in its presentation. Mandarin, myrrh, jasmine, and bergamot. Opium is a sensually intriguing experience that drives the imagination to dream up distant lands.

Beautiful. Obviously, since the release in the 1970s, this perfume has undergone reformulations as just about everything has to.

However, the newer incarnation, is still a very nice fragrance. It still has its spicy, warm, and sweet notes with its underlying herbal and citrus tones that waft up throughout the wear. Opium has retained its charm and is actually a breathe of fresh air when compared to many newer releases.

Having access to the classic formula, would be great, but Opium is still a fantastic option for women; especially when compared with many other perfumes out there. Opium EDT review


Classic Yves Saint Laurent

Rive Gauche By Yves Saint Laurent For Women. Eau De Toilette Spray 3.3 OzA blast from the past, this 1970s fragrance is a sure fire classic.

Notes of sandalwood, oakmoss, honeysuckle, gardenia, and others form an intense, clean, and powdery scent. Unique, inspiring, and long-lasting.

Rive Gauche opens up with a icy shot of aldehydes, light crisp fruit notes, and a further dewy/greenish sort of aroma. Personally, I tend to pick up a peach note, as the main aspect of the fruit accord.

At least, with the latest decant I tried out, that’s what really came across early. Not massive, but it’s there.

It blends together as a powdery smell, but underneath you can pick out the floral notes such as rose and gardenia.

Plus, the fresh oak moss, vetiver, and other woody elements come together to create a clean and simply sophisticated perfume. Rive Gauche review

rivegauchew


Another Libre Scent

Yves Saint Laurent for Women Libre 1.6 oz Eau de Parfum Intense Spray– Libre Intense is the follow up to the popular YSL Libre. The thing is, Intense is the better perfume, due to its balance and deeper profile.

As I wrote earlier in this post, Le Parfum is now my favorite so far in the series.

Libre Intense begins as a sweeter fragrance and less of a complete lavender bomb. This allows Intense to not be as much of a soapy sort of scent and they really ramp up the vanilla and orchid notes in this version.

The performance is also fantastic. The original was no slouch, but Libre Intense will go for over 12 hours, and maintains a powerful stillage. If you do want the super lavender punch, go with the original. Intense is still better for most folks, however.


Soft and Sweet Vanilla

Yves Saint Laurent Manifesto Eau de Parfum Spray for Women, 3 Ounce
A discontinued YSL release which features notes of lily of the valley, black currant, bergamot, and other green notes.

Manifesto is a lovely and soft fragrance  that is both sweet and captivating.

It starts out with the black currant and bergamot, which are both sweet and tart together, and get paired with a creamy vanilla note.

Manifesto dries down to a green/woody floral, with vanilla and tonka bean sitting on top. This is an attractive daily wear fragrance, that isn’t too loud, but still smells wonderful.

I’m not sure how much this is around still. So, you might have to track Manifesto down online, if you’re interested in trying it out.

manifesto


Most Unique Fragrance

Belle D’Opium FOR WOMEN by Yves Saint Laurent – 1.6 oz EDP Spray– Belle D’Opium is now discontinued, so, if you want to get a bottle it’s pretty much online only. This take on the Opium name is laden with fruits like peach and mandarin.

However, it also features warm and smoky incense. Plus, floral notes like lily, rose, and gardenia.

It a deep and exciting blend, which hits many different aromas, and goes from sweet to spicy to floral to woody and everything in between. Oh, and let’s not forget to mention, the prime role that the tobacco note plays in the whole thing.

The tobacco is more of a sweet and cured note than an unprocessed green-ish type of fragrances. Blended with the smokiness, you get a sweet and woodsy fragrance, with a lot of depth. If you can find a bottle around, it is well worth a try. Belle d’Opium review


Most Popular YSL Perfume

Yves Saint Laurent Eau De Parfum Spray for Women, Black Opium, 3 Ounce– Black Opium has become a best seller in the women’s perfume space over the past few years. I think that it is good enough to include it on the list of the top YSL offerings, now.

Black Opium, would seemingly seem like it would be a darker fragrance, but it is actually quite sweet.

It is led by coffee and vanilla, as its main notes, along with warm pink pepper and cedar. This is warm, sweet, and powerful but not for everyone. Sure, it has mass appeal, but some think that the sweetness is too much and the perfume can become too enveloping.

I generally like Black Opium and I think that it has also spawned some fairly nice flanker scents, as well, such as Intense. Though, none of them are all that amazing, when compared to the original.

It’s pretty much a cold to moderate climate wear, so, it won’t get too much use in summer or if you live in a tropical area. Black Opium Review

11 Best Smelling by Kilian Fragrances

By Kilian is a niche fragrance designer, which has actually become very popular over the past decade. ‘Niche’ perfumes, are pretty much synonymous with the word expensive, and By Kilian is definitely that.

However, while there are a lot of these upscale designers, which produce pretty foul smelling scents, By Kilian actually does have some absolute gems under their belts.

In this post, I want to highlight 11 such perfumes, for both men and women; that could be considered the best from this brand. It’s by no means, exhaustive, but there should be something worthwhile for anyone looking to try out a By Kilian fragrance.


Favorite Perfumes by Kilian for Men and Women

Amazing Release

Angels’ Share by Kilian– This unisex perfume was released in 2020 and has become one of my favorite scents to wear, as of late.

Angels’ Share starts off sweet and boozy with cognac, tonka bean, and a solid oak base note. The cognac does come off similar to apple brandy, much like the fragrance with the same name further down this list.

It add a light cinnamon, praline, and vanilla to give it further sweetness and warmth. Then, the dry down is a delicious smelling woody fragrance with all of the boozy/sweet notes sitting just underneath.

Not too heavy of a fragrance, with a decent projection, and over 10 hours of wear. I’ve really loved wearing this stuff and will probably get a full bottle for my personal collection. Angels’ Share Review

angels review


Narcotics Floral Vanilla

Woman in Gold– To me, the Narcotics line from Kilian has the most winners, particularly for the ladies. Woman in Gold is one of the better options and gives you a great blend of floral notes, citrus, and vanilla.

Woman and Gold opens up with fresh and bright aldehydes paired with a lovely bergamot citrus and geranium. Under that, is the rose note and the tonka bean/vanilla combo that will be more prevalent in the dry down.

The rose is joined by a light freesia, both of which will become a generalized floral aroma, with patchouli and woody undertones. The vanilla will take over versus the tonka bean and that along with the woods and floral will be what’s left.

It’s a little sweet, the aldehydes are great up top with the citrus, and just enough vanilla to tie it all together. Woman in Gold Review


Sweet and Boozy Gourmand

Kilian Black Phantom- Memento Mori Perfume Refillable Spray 1.7 fl. oz Black Phantom is a sweet gourmand, which really shines when its cold out. You get boozy slightly spiced rum, chocolate, caramel, and coffee. Yep, it’s going to be warm and delicious.

It’s like a nice coffee drink, with a bit of rum tossed in to liven the mood. The longevity is great and the sillage isn’t too heavy. Still, I’d keep this one out of the heat, and save it for cozier days. Black Phantom is a unisex, that leans masculine.


Warm Fruity Tobacco Smoke

Smoking Hot– This also starts off with apple and cinnamon notes, like Angels’ Share. The two, aren’t the same, however beyond that share similarity.

Here, you get a fruitier opening with a great apple note, some spiciness, and a smoky backing. The smoke isn’t overwhelming to me. Actually, the tobacco note itself is more prominent in the back half of the wear.

Opening act, plenty of smoke. Very sweet hookah with some spiciness/freshness, keeping it from being domineering.

Tobacco and vanilla are going to take up lots of the tail end, supported by the fruitier notes. However, you also get a bit of freshness from sage and moss notes.

Nice performance and something different that does perform as a unisex tobacco fragrance.


Floral with some Fruitiness

By Kilian – Good Girl Gone Bad Eau de Parfum – Travel Spray The first entry for ladies, on the list, is an absolute floral affair. Osmanthus and rose, lead the pack, before it moves into become more of a bouquet with some nice amber touches.

The fruitiness here comes from the apricot note, with a very light apple. With the white floral notes, it does have a soapy/shampoo-like cleanliness to it.

The name on this one, totally doesn’t fit, but the scent itself is actually really nice. It’s much more of a ‘good girl’ and I’m not sure when that ‘bad’ side ever kicked in. So, if that’s what you’re expecting, it won’t be happening.

Tuberose and orange blossom have their moments, while the strongest of the floral notes towards the end will be the jasmine. The apricot note hangs around for the duration. You get a sweet, easy to wear floral, that’s actually appropriate for younger women also. Good Girl Gone Bad Review

kilian good girl review


The Better Straight to Heaven

Straight To Heaven Extreme by Kilian/1.6 oz.– Yes, the original is one of the most popular Kilian scents. However, let’s kick things up, with Straight to Heaven Extreme which is even better than its predecessor.

Like, Black Phantom above, Straight to Heaven Extreme utilizes rum. It’s a really powerful start.

However, this one doesn’t go into full sweetness mode, and is much boozier overall. There is still some sweetness, with dried fruits and some vanilla, but it has a much earthier base with a nice patchouli note.

It lives up to the extreme title, as the projection and longevity, are awesome. Update: This one is discontinued. The original is still around, but you’ll have to buy Extreme on the secondary market, if you want it.


Warm, Spicy, and Delicious

Intoxicated Refill by Kilian/1.7 oz. Intoxicated is a simple, but wonderful blend, of mostly cardamom and coffee. Underneath that, is further spices, of cinnamon and nutmeg. This one is super fresh and warm with a spice that never gets out of hand.

It’s got a very attractive smell, with a moderate sillage, overall. There’s not much depth to this one, just a great aroma, for those who want a blend of sweet and spice.

They’ve had a few of these simpler scents that were kind of mid. This one, is a perfume that actually hits the mark.


Best Winter Fragrance

Kilian Back To Black Travel Set This is probably the most popular of the Kilian fragrances, it also happens to be, one of the best. Honey and tobacco, are major players here, with a cherry note that is quite present at the top.

It’s unique, with a dark sweetness, about it. Back to Black is mostly a sweet fruity tobacco fragrance, with notes like saffron and almond, peaking through at times during the wear. Really great performance, not too loud, but an all day wear.


A Different Take on Boozy

Kilian Apple Brandy 17 ml / 0.57 fl Apple Brandy is exactly as boozy as you’d expect it to be. Like a liquor soaked cask, with an apple aroma at the top, and vanilla sweetness in its heart. A sweet, warming cologne, for those colder days and nights of wintertime.

The opening is pretty juicy, then it’s a boozy sweetness, and finally it’s a liquored woody base. Very delicious, probably not one for everybody, but great nonetheless.

Update: This one also seems to be discontinued. They do have Apple Brandy on the Rocks, still. Not the same exactly, not as good in my mind, but might be something you’d like.


Sweet Floral Perfume

By Kilian – Love Travel Spray with Refills Love is a perfume with a sugary sweet marshmallow, caramel and vanilla blend, sitting on top of floral notes such as iris, orange blossom, honeysuckle, and neroli.

The orange blossom/neroli pairing, really plays well off of the candy-like top notes. Early on, the orange blossom and marshmallow are the dominant notes, to my nose. The rose and iris her are light and give a slight powdery aroma to the warm gourmand sweetness.

As it dries down, jasmine starts to make itself known more, in the floral arrangement. Vanilla, marshmallow, and musk when the caramel fades and the floral notes are just a general impression instead of being distinct.

This is a very pretty perfume, that is good for daily wear, but can have a bold character when over-applied. Best worn in autumn through the early springtime, as it can be too thick for summer. Read my full Review

love don't be shy review


Fruity with Rose

By Kilian – Liaisons Dangereuses, Eau de Parfum Perfume 50 ml– Liaisons Dangereuses is much more of a women’s fragrance, but a man could definitely pull it off. You get a lot of peach and plum (not a lot), throughout, with a tart black currant in the opening.

Beyond that, a light rose, and a touch of spice. It’s a ‘jammy’ rose, so, the fruits create a jam like aroma around that nice rose.

It’s mostly about the fruit notes here, but the dry down does become much woodier/floral, than it had been. Quite clean and juicy, with a creamy peach note. Simply great. Not a heavy fragrance, lighter and fresher aroma versus something like Love don’t be shy. My Full Review

11 Best Smelling Britney Spears Perfumes

Britney Spears made it big in the music world before she turned her sights towards fragrance. The thing is, she didn’t just slap her name onto some cheap smelling mess of a fragrance and collect some royalties, the Britney Spears line of perfumes has some definite winners.

The current manufacturer of these perfumes is Elizabeth Arden, which has plenty of popular perfumes under their belts.  For this post, I have selected the eleven scents that I feel are the best of the bunch and could be the right choice for a specific type of taste.

Note: Updating this page, some of the perfumes are discontinued or harder to find. I’m keeping those picks on here, but have also included other new entries that I had no trouble locating for a good price.


Favorite Britney Spears Fragrances for Her

Best Overall Britney Scent

Private Show by Britney Spears EDP 3.3 OZ/100ML L– Led by coffee and dulce de leche with clementine, Private Show, has many similar elements to the popular Black Opium.

This sweet and creamy gourmand fragrance is a nice addition to a winter collection and has more maturity than the original Fantasy, which is a similar type of fragrance.

As it dries down, the floral notes emerge more (jasmine and orange blossom), and mellow out the sweetness somewhat. Overall, it’s a quite cozy and enveloping cold weather perfume that gives a good performance.

Plus, Private Show is a versatile wear suitable for many occasions and ages. Private Show Full Review


Awesome Newer Release

Festive Fantasy– There has been a wave of new releases from the Britney line over the past few years. Some of which, seem to be pretty difficult to track down, at least at a reasonable price.

While I haven’t gotten to all of them, Festive Fantasy was one that I did try out. It does have overlap with Midnight Fantasy (listed below). But, this one feels creamier and more of a sour tone blended with the sweetness, particularly after the opening.

Berries, cherry, vanilla, with a nice tart plum that feels like its been dipped in sugar.  The sillage is pretty light, but has a decent longevity. Youthful, but not completely limited to teenagers.

A nice and easy option for the autumn and winter days.


Aquatic Fruits and Flowers

Jungle Fantasy by Britney Spears– It seems as though we’re just going to be getting perfumes under the Fantasy title from here on. Maybe, there will be something different in terms of presentation soon.

However, the scents themselves are at least providing new experiences. Jungle Fantasy gives you and aquatic blend with yuzu and watermelon adding a crisp fruitiness to the top.

Not as sweet, as you’d might expect it to be. But, being a Britney perfume, definitely still there with a quiet cupcake note in the base.

Floral with water lily and an ozonic violet leaf in there too. The dry down feels like a clean watermelon, with floral highlights (sort of soapy), and that cupcake/tonka bean coming into the picture slightly.

Very likeable with just enough difference from others in the series to keep me interested.


Most Popular Britney Scent

Britney Spears Women’s Fantasy Eau de Parfum, 100 ml/3.3 oz. Warm, flirty, and sweet. Fantasy is always a popular ladies’ fragrance and for good reason, it smells fantastic.

Fantasy is truly a sensual perfume that is quite memorable. Notes include: kiwi, white chocolate, musk, lychee, jasmine, orchid, and quince.

This one skews towards the younger crowd, with its fruity and confectionary elements. However, at it’s price point, it is a delicious example of a gourmand that has good performance and delivers on the aromatic aspect. Sweet, upbeat, and a bargain.

Note: You might want to step up to Fantasy Intense, as the original has undergone some reformulation over the years.

fantasy


Top Summer Perfume

Britney Spears Sunset Fantasy EDT Spray, 3.3 Ounce Sunset Fantasy takes the Fantasy moniker in a fruity direction. It opens up with a zesty citrus combo of mandarin orange and grapefruit.

These notes are supported by apple and peach. It feels summery and much more tropical, than you’d think.

As it dries down, Sunset Fantasy has a much more creamy aroma with milk froth and the peach note becomes much stronger. It’s juicy, smooth, creamy, and a bit warm with amber.

This Britney perfume exudes a beachy summer vibe and has elements of a tropical drink. Good projection and performance. A very nice new addition to the lineup. Full Sunset Fantasy Review


Different and Unisex

Prerogative Rave– Out of the Prerogative line, this one was the best, in my estimation…maybe because it is very wearable for men, also.

Nonetheless, it starts out with mandarin, pear, and raspberry. This is much like the others, with a juicy fruit opening. The floral notes come through with jasmine and some lily.

But, this one certainly has a freshness and muskiness coming from the base. Cedar and musk are the leads, with those juicy fruit notes on top. Raspberry and the orange are the lead.

As it gets to the dry down, its a woody/musk blend with the remaining fruits becoming more of a sweet impression. To me, it still leans feminine, but well within the range of unisex.


Best Floral Spears Fragrance

Curious by Britney Spears for Women, Eau de Parfum Spray, 3.3 Ounce A light, beautiful, floral fragrance from Britney Spears that is quite lovely and sensual. Curious is a long-lasting fragrance that is never heavy but holds a certain charm and seductive quality.

Notes include: tuberose, magnolia, sandalwood, vanilla infused musk, pear, and jasmine.

Curious is a nice option for those who want a Britney fragrance but don’t want of the sweet gourmand scents. This is much more floral with a juicy pear note, giving it that sucrose scent. White floral, with particular emphasis on the magnolia and tuberose.

curious


Fantasy Without

Naked Fantasy by Britney Spears– Naked Fantasy is another of the newer flankers to this endless Fantasy line. But, it’s a fantastic one, which easily grabs a spot in the top 10 Britney perfumes.

This one is a lighter and fruitier take on the name, but the cupcake stands as a base note. It’s a peach/apricot blend, with osmanthus, blackcurrant, and some apple influence. A good deal of juicness in the early stages, not candy sweet.

As it moves along, you start to get more of a powdery aroma from this. Still fruity, the cupcake, some amber, and that powder. Like a vanilla powder sort of scent.

Naked Fantasy is one of the more sheer and closer sitting perfumes, in this line. Just know you’re not getting a beast performer.


Great Radiance Flanker

Britney Spears Cosmic Radiance for Women, Eau De Parfume Spray, 3.3-Ounce-Cosmic Radiance is a new take on the original Radiance perfume by Britney. Cosmic is sweet and uplifting and has the versatility to be worn at work or during the nightlife.

Notes include: White Floral, Mandarin Orange, Litchi, Creamy Sandalwood, Soft Vanilla, And Amber.

It actually has a lot in common with the aforementioned Curious. The white floral notes and pear note are involved here, but sit underneath vanilla and mandarin orange notes. This is a fruity/floral, rather than, a white floral alone.

cosmic


Sweet and Powdery Fantasy

Britney Spears Midnight Fantasy Eau De Parfum Spray, 3.3-Fluid Ounce A sweet blend of fruit and floral notes that will please the senses to no end. Midnight Fantasy is a different take on the sweetness offered by the original Fantasy but one which really stands out.

Notes include: Framboise, Black Cherry, Musk, Night Blooming Orchid, Vanilla, Plum, Freesia, Amber, Iris.

Plum and black cherry add a tart fruitiness to the Fantasy name. It’s clean and slightly dark with a creamy vanilla note circulating throughout. Sweet yet powdery with the iris note providing the main thrust of the floral accord.

midnight


Clean and Very Nice Fruity Perfume

Believe Britney Spears by Britney Spears For Women. Eau De Parfum Spray 3.3-Ounces-Believe is a soft and lightly fruity fragrance that is great for everyday use. It is a more mature kind of scent versus some of the others which get labeled as girly.

Fruits, patchouli, with some other warmth and spice. A fairly unique take on a classic fruitchouli type of scent.

The citrus and floral notes blend to make this a very pleasant experience. Notes include: Linden Blossom, Tangerine, Honeysuckle, Amber, Praline, Patchouli.

believe

6 Fragrances Similar to Ari by Ariana Grande

Ariana Grande has really had huge success with her perfume releases since the initial Ari, released back in 2015. While some of the newer fragrances get more attention now, Ari is still a great little scent and one that people will often look to in order to find comparable aromas.

In this post, I want to present six options which can potentially fit that bill. I will also come back and update the page as needed, when I find some more options that can sort of match what we’re looking for.


What Perfumes Smell Similar to Ari?

I have yet to come across and exact one to one of Ari by Ariana Grande. However, there are plenty that come close, and these five are my picks.


Between Ari and Viva La Juicy

Nicki Minaj Pink Friday Eau de Parfum Spray for Women, 3.4 Ounce– Pink Friday is one that strikes a chord that is somewhere between Viva La Juicy and Ari. It does start out even fruitier than either, with blackberry, pear, orange and starfruit.

Kind of citrusy and more tropical. Yet, it will dry down with the same vanilla aroma and caramel, in lieu of the marshmallow note

A lot of these celebrity perfumes seem to hit this similar style as one another. This doesn’t exactly copy Ari, but can provide you something different, that you may enjoy a bit more.


Fruity Sweet Princess

Vera Wang Princess by Vera Wang for Women – 3.4 Ounce EDT Spray– Princess has been an insanely popular cheapie for a long time. It just so happens to be quite a bit similar to our Ariana Grande perfume.

This one uses apple and guava, as its fruity notes up top. Then, you get vanilla and chocolate as the sweet gourmand ingredients. Also, floral notes in the heart.

Probably a bit lighter than Ari is and might skew a somewhat more to the younger side. Though, you get nice performance out of it.


Similar Composition, Very Inexpensive

Passport Paris Eau-de-toilette Spray Women by Paris Hilton, 1 Ounce Passport Paris is another fruity sweet floral scent with a very similar structure to Ari.

This one is peach and berries with the warmth of vanilla and woods in the base. The floral notes aren’t the same, but you get a nice peony and jasmine in this one. Yes, the bottle looks kind of like a ‘my first perfume’ for younger girls, but this is actually a nice cheapie.

Is it an exact Ari like scent? Definitely not, but you get some overlap, and something that can stand well on its own.

 

 


Pear and Vanilla Syrup 

Women’s Perfume La Belle Jean Paul Gaultier EDP– A bit more mature than Ari is, but Le Belle also gives you a great pear note, floral heart, and vanilla/musk in the base. The vanilla is stronger in this JPG versus our target, which uses marshmallow to a greater degree than its own vanilla.

It turns warm, floral, with that big vanilla/pear combination and a sugary quality throughout. La Belle is a warmer fragrance with a somewhat burnt quality to that sugary finish. A bit thick and syrupy with a vetiver note adding a fresh dryness.

Again, not going to be an exact of Ari, but an interesting and great performing choice.


Citrus, Sweet, and a Good Deal Close

Amor Amor– Cacharel’s Amor Amor leans more towards the citrus side of the fruits than Ari. The lily of the valley and rose notes, create an familiar feeling like that found in our target. The upper half of the fragrance is a blend of fruits, floral notes, and woods.

Then, the vanilla note comes in to give this one warmth and creaminess, that is only bolstered by the tonka bean and amber.

To me, Amor Amor is like a blend of Viva La Juicy, Ari, and Clinique Happy. But, I really do pick up on those Ari similarities. Great perfume.

amoramor

 


Alternative Ariana

Mod Blush by Ariana Grande– Mod Blush isn’t the same as Ari, though, it does have similarities. Think of it as an alternative for those who want a similar style to Ari, by the Ariana Grande brand itself.

This one is fruitier, almost tropical with how it presents itself.

Raspberry and pear are the common denominators between them in the fruity notes. This one goes with bergamot instead of the tart grapefruit in Ari.

Passionfruit is what give it that juicy tropical vibe, which I’d say replaces what the marshmallow note brings in Ari. So, no marshmallow here.

The dry down is the pear, rose, and musk notes, mainly.

The marshmallow, orchid, raspberry, and pear are what you get with Ari. In that one, the rose and musk sit underneath. With Mod Blush, they’re more front and center in the back half of the wear.

Now, I personally don’t think this is as good as Ari or others from Ariana Grande. However, if you can get it for a discount, it can absolutely work in terms of the overlaps that these two share. Mod Blush review