Best Perfumes for Women

7 Great Fragrances Close to J’adore

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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.

Favorite Similar Perfumes 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.

I noticed the citrus was prominent pretty early on, but in the back end of this perfume, I was getting more of teakwood and freesia notes. So, even in how it plays out the wear is close to what we’re looking for.

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. 

Eau de Soleil Blanc is an upgrade versus that In Joy flanker, in my opinion. Totally worth checking out if you want this kind of style.

 

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. I really liked this one for what it is, when I tried this perfume, however many years ago.

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.

6 Perfumes Similar to Chanel Gabrielle

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Chanel released Gabrielle a number of 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 6 (well, 7, technically) fragrances that can serve as potential alternatives. 

 

Favorite fragrances that smell similar to Chanel’s Gabrielle

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..

Update: Another one has been released, see below.

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.

Dear Similarities

Dear Gabby by Alexandria– Here is the second alternative option for those who want a perfume inspired by the Gabrielle formula. This one comes from Alexandria Fragrances, who I’ve had good experiences with in the past.

Dear Gabby is an extrait de parfum concentration, which is higher than what you get with the original. Not necessarily stronger, but it likely will have a greater staying power and potentially bring some more projection while wearing.

Now, I haven’t tried this fragrance out as of this update. But, I’m including it as another option for those who don’t want the Dossier, and because this is a brand that I know to usually do a great job at matching the vibe of a designer scent.

 

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. 

Ari by Ariana Grande

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Ariana Grande hasn’t just become probably the biggest musical act on the planet, over the past decade, she has also the namesake of a very popular fragrance line. Her line of celebrity perfumes, are all selling quite well, and do so at a fair price point. Today, I am going to review Ari, the first release of the Ariana Grande scents which came out in 2015. How does it smell? Perform? Is it even worth a try?

What does Ari Perfume Smell Like?

Notes include: marshmallow, pear, orchid, grapefruit, raspberry, musk, rose, lily of the valley

Click here to try: Ariana Grande Ari Eau de Parfum Spray for Women, 3.4 Fl Oz (Pack of 1)

My Full Ari Review

The opening act of Ari is mostly about the fruit notes, which are sweet, and compelling. The marshmallow note at the base, is always present, but becomes much more noticeable later on. For now, it is playing a support role for the raspberry and grapefruit.

Raspberry is the strongest aroma to my nose at first, then, grapefruit. To me, the pear will get a little bit stronger and have its moments in the light. Though, it’s not all that powerful on my skin. 

So, the opening is a pretty typical fruity scent, that you will find in many other celeb fragrances. However, Ari really separates itself during the dry down, when it becomes a very pleasant and somewhat distinct scent from others on the market.

It does remind me of a Juicy Couture sort of fragrance, very similar style, as those. I don’t think it’s an exact clone, however, of Viva La Juicy or the others…just strike the same chord.

 

After about 15 minutes of the initial burst, Ari gets more floral influence. There is a vanilla orchid and some musk that ascend, along with the marshmallow. Now, there are a couple of other flowers, that only really play a support role. 

At this point I get mostly the marshmallow with orchid and a raspberry/pear mix. The rest of the notes, sit underneath that top layer. In the end, this is most of what your going to get, as the perfume is fairly linear.

Expect a girly, fruity/floral, which turns into a marshmallow led version of that. It’s sweet with warm elements and a cute upbeat vibe.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

The sillage isn’t super powerful, nor is it meant to be. With this level of sweetness, I think a heavy cloud would become headache inducing. Nonetheless, its limited projection abilities, isn’t a bad thing.

It’s soft, but not really weak, in my opinion. It airy and cloud like, think fluffy soft marshmallow aroma. 

The longevity is pretty good, but not outstanding. On my skin, it hung around for 5 hours. Obviously, it can go longer on clothing, so long as you don’t mind damaging the material a bit. 

Seasonally, it can pretty much be worn year round. Maybe avoid the high heat of summer, but other than that, it’ll be fine. This Ariana Grande perfume is probably best served for the under 25 crowd. 

It’s sweet and sugary, with a casual sensibility. Think school or just going around town. It’s not a formal or very serious fragrance. I think that it’s attractive, in the sense that it is quite a pretty perfume.

Overall Impression of Ari

Do I like this perfume? I do. Again, though, you will have to probably be in the intended demographic to wear it. For teens and college age women, this is an affordable option, for those who want something cute and sweet. 

The performance is acceptable, but not all that amazing. Once the marshmallow and orchid come in fully, I feel like this scent is at its absolute best. 

It’s a delicious, light, sugary experience. One that I enjoyed catching whiffs of throughout the day. It’s happy and fun. Worth a try.

I still think that Ari holds up as one of the best releases from Ariana Grande. Not the top of the top, but certainly in the top half.

At retail price, it might be a tad too expensive for what it is. Nothing major, but I would try to get it on sale, if possible.

4 Perfumes Similar to Burberry Goddess

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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.

Another 

Athena by Maison Alhambra– It took a while to get another fragrance that could be a legitimate alternative to the popular Burberry perfume, but Athena does the job well, and at a great price.

Lavender and vanilla really dominate this one, especially past that first opening stage. Not quite the same spice profile as Goddess and doesn’t seem as smooth. Jasmine and ylang-ylang also play a role here, which sort of gives it a different take on the target aroma.

Still, it’s very close to what you can expect, albeit not a perfect match. Ginger isn’t a factor and the dry down of this is more floral than the vanilla that I get with the Burberry.


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

Opium EDT by Yves Saint Laurent

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Opium EDT was released in 2009. It is of course a follow up to the original classic perfume that was released back in the 1970s by Yves Saint Laurent. But, how does this modern edition stack up? What does it smell like? How long does it last? Is it actually worth a try?

What does YSL Opium EDT Smell Like?

Notes include: mandarin, bergamot, lily of the valley, jasmine, carnation, vanilla, myrrh, amber, patchouli

Click here to try: Opium EDT

My Full Wear Review

So, I am reviewing the eau de toilette version of Opium which was reworked in 2009. It does smell a lot like what I remember the original, but it’s not going to be exact to what the 1970s version was. Mostly, it’s the same, however.

Anyway, I’m going to judge this one as a standalone since I don’t currently have a bottle of the original edition available to me.

This opens up with a freshness thanks to the citrus top notes, led by the mandarin orange. The spice is there and it’s warm. This will be with you for the entirety of the wear, so if you don’t like it, you won’t enjoy Opium EDT.

Another aspect that I get here early on, is a clean and underlying soapy quality to this blend. Jasmine is already peaking through, along with that stem of the carnation and the top lily of the valley. Jasmine and lily giving it that soap sort of smell.

A bit greenish, not super noticeable unless I press my nose close to the skin. The carnation brings that aspect and the spice too. The clove from the original is absent and it seems the carnation will pick up some of the slack.

I will say, from what I remember of Opium, this version is less intense and seems to be more balanced overall.

The next phase sees the citrus leave entirely from my skin, the myrrh steps up and this becomes about that note and the floral ingredients mostly. I will start to notice more patchouli into the dry down.

It’s sweeter with more of a balsamic type of scent. Resinous, then seemingly morphing into more of a straight amber. Maybe, some of the vanilla influence?

For the rest of the way, the myrrh and carnation will be the main attractions. Jasmine, amber, patchouli, and vanilla are around in varying strengths and decline as it begins to evaporate.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

The opening of Opium is still bold with a far reach and a sillage that will leave a trail of scent in your wake. Even as an eau de toilette, this one certainly isn’t weak.

Well above average. However, it will settle closer to the skin

The longevity is very good, but not outstanding. I get 8-9.5 hours of wear from this YSL perfume, depending on the day. For most purposes, that is going to be just fine.

Seasonally, I like Opium EDT in autumn through early springtime. It’s resinous qualities really come alive in the colder weather and it can kind of get messy, if it’s too hot outside.

This can be a daytime or evening type of perfume. I think this would serve as more of a signature scent, now that it’s so different from most other mainstream designer fare, that’s usually much sweeter and fruity.

It’s not going to be for everyone (nowadays), but it’s a fragrance that can work well in a pretty wide variety of situations.

Overall Impressions of Opium

Overall, do I like Opium EDT? I do. I’ve always been a fan of the Opium series, even the Pour Homme edition which I used to wear. Even if this doesn’t 1 to 1 compare to the original Opium, it still has enough of the original’s spirit to be a very nice pickup.

It is a bit simpler, but more approachable than what I remember. Still, it doesn’t have the same sort of aroma that most perfumes do nowadays. It’s a very particular vibe to a certain time period. Which, may or may not be what you want in particular.

I like the myrrh and even the carnation. It’s not usually my favorite flower, but it is one that really used to get put in a lot of fragrances, and it’s always worked well within the Opium blend.

Performance is still quite good. Nothing spectacular, but it does outpace plenty of other EDT’s out on the market.

Opium is one that you should try out before committing to, if you’ve never smelled it. Again, not a scent that’s going to be for everyone. Though, it can be an absolute love for many people, when they do jell with it.