1 Million vs Invictus by Paco Rabanne Comparison

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In my latest installment of cologne comparisons, I want to once again compare something against 1 Million by Paco Rabanne. This time I want to pit it against one from its own design house, Invictus.

In this post, I want to break down each scent and explain how I think each smells, performs, when they should be worn, and which scent is better overall between Invictus vs 1 Million.

This is a comparison between the original releases of each of these names. I’ve written about their flankers elsewhere on the site.

Note: I am updating this post 5 years or so, after the original, to add my latest experiences with more depth.

Tale of the Tape: Invictus vs. 1 Million

1 Million 

Notes include: Mint, Grapefruit, Rose, Patchouli, Amber, Cinnamon, White woods, Blond leather, Blood orange, Spice notes

Read my review

Click here to try: Paco Rabanne 1 Million By Paco Rabanne For Men Edt Spray, 3.4 Ounce

Invictus 

Notes include: grapefruit, sea notes, mandarin orange, bay leaf, jasmine

Read my review

Click here to try: Paco Rabanne Invictus Eau de Toilette Spray for Men, 3.4 Ounce

Opening

You’ll notice that these two fragrances have grapefruit and orange notes in common. In fact, the opening aromas of these scents have a very similar feel to one another.

They both tend to have that sort of grape candy/bubblegum smell at first before morphing into something else.

Invictus has a decidedly aquatic fragrance to it, while 1 Million has a more leathery smell, that comes through.

1 Million kicks off with its citrus notes, joining them together with leather, rose, and amber. Along with these, come a blend of fresh spice (mint/cinnamon), which will have some more influence later on.

Meanwhile, Invictus starts out with its citrus notes, as well. However, it pairs things up with aquatic notes, a strong bay leaf, and ambergris. It is sweet, somewhat salty aquatic, with a nice freshness.

I think 1 Million is the better starter, though. Invictus has grown on me as a fragrance, over the years. I just think that 1 Million is a bit more interesting, and I like its ingredients more so versus its competitor.

Edge: 1 Million

Projection

Both 1 Million and Invictus have very good projection. These are strong scents and it has always made me laugh that an ‘Intense’ version of 1 Million exists.

I think that, 1 Million has lost a step, in the newer bottles. Nonetheless, it has the stronger sillage.

Invictus starts out strong and then weakens quite a bit. 1 Million is an absolute beast throughout.

I’d say that, Invictus is on the upper end of moderate, for most of its time on the skin. Great start and it keeps it going for a few hours.

Update: Newer bottles of 1 Million aren’t as strong, so, they may be about equal now. With heavy sprays, I’d say that Invictus feels more overwhelming, but that just may be its sweetness.

Edge: Push

Longevity

Again, Paco Rabanne definitely knows how to make performers. I get all day wear from 1 Million, like 10+ hours.

Invictus is no slouch and delivers around 6-7 hours and sometimes more of wear before it’s gone.

Invictus is really consistent for me, delivering that 6-7 hour time frame, again and again. 1 Million and most of its flanker scents, have just had better staying power, than the offerings from the Invictus line.

Update: 1 Million has lost a step, but still has the edge here. My newer bottle can hit around 8 hours, on my skin. Not nearly what it once was.

Edge: 1 Million

Versatility

I like either one of these as a nighttime fragrance. I’m not really sold on them for office wear, it’d be acceptable if you only wore a spray. These both seem to be more youthful fragrances (20s and 30s) and Invictus feels like a ‘younger’ cologne than 1 Million does.

Invictus is a better summertime cologne than is 1 Million. However, I’ll still wear 1 Million at night during the summer (depending on the humidity, if it’s too muggy, nope) and I feel it’s better in the winter and fall as well.

Ehhh, Invictus might have the slight edge, but it’s not a huge margin.

Edge: Invictus (slightly)

Overall Scent

1 Million is a sweet scent. Invictus is even sweeter. While they do share similarities upon opening, these two colognes diverge after that.

Invictus becomes more aquatic and takes on a really fresh and clean smell with a slight woodsy base.

1 Million is sweet and warm with a leathery/cinnamon blend that I really like. I do enjoy that bold citrus blend opening, but when it dries down and the amber surrounds the leather/rose/spice core, I really enjoy wearing 1 Million.

Plus, it’s got a better performance. Even after not hitting the same levels as it used to, it is still better than Invictus EDT.

Honestly, I like both of these scents but 1 Million just fits better for me. It might be the case for you, that you would prefer the sweet, citrusy, and aquatic flavor of Invictus and if that sounds like you…probably go with that.

For me, my favorites from the Invictus line are Intense and Legend, with the original coming in third. Update: The newer releases have made me change my rankings, here they are now: Invictus colognes ranked.

Winner: 1 Million 

6 Perfumes Similar to Ralph Lauren Ralph

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Ralph by Ralph Lauren has been a very popular scent from the brand for two decades now. Part of its appeal, is its easy to wear pleasant aroma, and the versatility that allows it to be worn almost anytime.

In this post, I want to present six fragrance options for women who are looking for a cheaper option that smells close to Ralph or something else closely related to this perfume.

Perfume Alternatives to Ralph by Ralph Lauren

Luxe without the Luxe Price

Live Luxe By Jennifer Lopez For Women. Eau De Parfum Spray 3.4 OZ– Live Luxe isn’t an exact copy of Ralph, but it does offer an inexpensive alternative, with a closely similar aroma.

This one uses pear and melon, to recreate that apple-like crispness from the Ralph Lauren scent, with an additional peach up top.

The main overlap, comes with the floral notes including freesia, and the musk at the base. So, Live Luxe is basically a swap of fruit notes, with a few different white florals, and an overall comparable profile.

Notes include: Peach, Juicy Pear, Muguet Petals, Soft Amber, Diamond Musk, Amethyst Freesia. 

live luxe

A Nice Alt from Paris

Paris Hilton- This offering from Paris Hilton sort of straddles the line between Live Luxe and Ralph. This is probably the best cheaper alternative to what we’re trying to get to.

It also has the peach and melon of the JLo fragrance, but still has a strong apple note like the Ralph Lauren. This is a bit more fruitier, but still has a solid floral and musk base. That musk note really plays a large role, in the dry down.

Freesia, lily, and mimosa are the highlights. This does have a freshness to it that is really quite good for what this perfume is. Between the lily, freesia, melon, and apple notes; parts of this wear can absolutely feel aquatic. Though, not in an oceanic way.

For the price difference, this a really good pick for someone who wants something along the lines of Ralph, but not a one to one match.

Similar Vibes, Not the Same

Dylan Blue Pour Femme– Not exactly the same smell as Ralph, but, this one certainly has a very similar style.

It’s probably got more woodiness than the Ralph Lauren perfume, though, it’s paired with a great apple and overall very pleasant freshness.

That black currant can be pretty sharp up top, but then it transforms into a soapier clean with the bounty of floral notes. But, the black currant is stronger than the apple note, and will have a long run in the mix.

This is a good fragrance overall. Not spectacular. Though, it is quite wearable and certainly has its positive aspects about it.

Nice amount of juiciness and a clean flower based dry down. For me, it actually gets sweeter towards the back half of the wear. Much less tart. Fruits, floral notes, musk, and woods. Dylan Blue Femme review

Juicy Fruit Scent

Adidas Fragrance Body Fragrance Fruity Rhythm for Women 2.5 Fluid Ounce Spray Bottle– A heavily slanted blend of fruity notes and then florals, led by raspberry and black currant. Fruity Rhythm delivers a beautiful wear, for a small price.

The fruity is very juicy and sweet, before the fragrance dries down into a sporty sort of floral. Quite girly and feminine.

This one definitely leans more towards being a juicy fruit scent versus Ralph. However, it also features freesia and musk, and has an aroma that is pretty close. Plus, you can usually pick up a bottle for super cheap.

The Groove of Perfume

Marine Groove by Escada–  Marine Groove is like a tropical fruit version of Ralph with less of a floral influence. However, you still do get great floral notes like, peony and jasmine. This is a great and easy to wear perfume for the summer months.

Marine Groove has a similar fresh cleanliness, with an added tropical burst and liveliness. The passion fruit, can kick off things with a really tart energy, but things settle down with more of a sweet tone. It may be discontinued now, but bottles should still be floating around.

Marine Groove is getting pretty difficult to find, as of this latest update. As such, it probably won’t be an option for most people.

Hippie Chic– Pomegranate, apple, and a floral base. It starts off with a tart sort of aroma, but settles into something that is more in line with Ralph. It becomes cleaner with a refreshing apple crispness.

Much more towards the Paris Hilton side of the spectrum, out of all of these scents. Fruity, with that same type of lily fresh, and musky dry down. Gets closer to a shampoo sort of aroma.

This True Religion scent is still pretty close to Ralph, but the price might actually be higher in some cases. I thought that I’d throw it in, just in case you can find a cheap bottle to get a hold of.

Performance was always decent for the price. I’ve been seeing this one selling for around $30, as of this 2024 update.

7 Fragrances Similar to Acqua di Gio

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Acqua di Gio has been one of the best selling men’s fragrances, since its release back in the 1990s. That’s decades spent near the top, with men of all ages buying, and enjoying this cologne. However, sometimes buying the real thing can get expensive, and we need a cheaper alternative that can clone what we dig about a scent.

As such, in this post, I am going to put forth some options for guys who want an Acqua di Gio sort of smell at a more affordable price.

Favorite Alternative Colognes Similar to Acqua di Gio

Inspired Creation

Aquatic Lime by Dossier– The first entry is going to be from Dossier, who give their take on the AdG formula, with Aquatic Lime.

Now, this is an ‘inspired by’ cologne, and tries to mimic what you get with the Armani. It does a good job at doing so, also. This and the Dua are one’s to go with, if you want a fragrance that smells like Acqua, to a near one for one match.

The others, are designer colognes that are very similar to the style of our target.

Bergamot, lime, and watermelon are the top notes here. Not exactly the same, as AdG doesn’t have a watermelon note, but it’s not much of a factor. Also, classic Acqua di Gio had a greater floral array.

Nonetheless, this is a great option for a cheaper price.

Dua Original

Acqua di Dua– The Dossier option above, nails the smell of most modern formulations of Acqua di Gio, but this Dua comes close to perfecting the scent of the original AdG formula from the 1990s.

Clean aquatic notes, with a great lime burst up top, greater depth of floral notes (nice jasmine), and even the woodsy base notes.

With Dua’s fragrance oils, it can take some time to macerate, but it is worth it. The smell gets better and better after a few months. Still great, early on, but I’ve had a bunch of scents from this brand and the improvement is usually phenomenal. 

This seems to run $5-10 more usually than the Dossier, but it might be a better option for those who want a more of the floral influence.

Best Cheapie 

360° Red by Perry Ellis for Men, 3.4 Ounce– The closest designer scent to the smell of AdG, 360 Red is the best bet for someone looking for a really near vibe, at a very low price. Lemon and lime open up the first part of 360 Red, which are somewhat synthetic, but still very enjoyable.

It dries down with a fresh cinnamon/peppery spice, which isn’t too overpowering but does have the mimicking of the Armani cologne.

Some folks prefer this to Acqua di Gio, and honestly, it isn’t too much of a stretch. You get really good performance, a close approximation of the smell, and it’s way cheaper. 360 Red Review

A Bit of Profumo and Essenza

Bentley for Men Silverlake– Silverlake gets a lot of comparisons to Acqua di Gio, which is accurate to my nose. Which edition of that scent is it closest to? Kind of a mix of multiple editions. Also, it sort of stands on its own too.

It’s fresher and cooler than most AdG entries and none of the same aquatic notes. I can see, Essenza (based on memories) somewhat, but not quite (I think that’s been overplayed). The original AdG? Maybe. Less floral jasmine and juiciness overall.

Then, there is the Profumo overlap.

Anyway, as a stand alone fragrance Bentley Silverlake this is more greenish fresh than anything blue-ish aquatic. Though, that is there to an extent. Mint and violet leaf play well off of the citrus top, consisting of lemon essence.

It’s cleaner and has a soapy-like quality to it. The performance is pretty darn good at this price point and it’s one that is easy to wear in a variety of situations. Although, it isn’t always that much cheaper than the Armani’s, if at all.

A Bit Spicier, Less Floral 

ARMAF Homme Eau De Tolette Spray for Men, Blue, 3.4 oz– I’m adding Armaf Blue to the list, because it does a really good job at mostly smelling like the aroma of AdG, for a very inexpensive price. 

This one is smoother than 360, it has more of an herbal spice and less of the cinnamon of that one. However, 360 Red probably lasts a little longer.

Armaf Blue starts off with some really nice citrus notes and the neroli top. The opening act is quite a bit like what we’re after. What this one lacks is that sea breeze quality found in the Armani. Also, while it has the jasmine note, it isn’t very strong.

In the latest batches of Acqua di Gio that I’ve tried, the jasmine is prevalent for a good portion of the wear, but it isn’t here. Nonetheless, this is a nice pick up for around 30 bucks.

Slightly Different, but Very Similar

Just Me by Paris Hilton for Men – 3.4 Ounce EDT Spray– Yep, a Paris Hilton fragrance. Don’t get dismayed by the name attached, this stuff is seriously good, at this price point. Not only does it perform well and last long, it also bears a striking resemblance to our AdG.

It does have a slightly different smell, with a different blend of citrus notes, and the inclusion of blueberry at the top (which is great).

Just Me has a smokier base, with its incense, than does Acqua di Gio. Also, the amber note feels more pronounced, and it has a ‘greener’ smell at times (which I think is from the lotus). Plus, it is a bit sweeter.

Nonetheless, it provides everything that AdG does, for a fraction of the price. Maybe even a bit better.

 

Blue Alternative to Profondo and Profumo

Polo Blue EDP– The EDP version of Polo Blue has really reminded me of Acqua di Gio Profumo (or Parfum) in the opening act. Lots of Eternity Aqua comparisons. Add to that, it does have a resemblance to Profondo with its woodier and earthier dry down.

So, it’s not exactly like anything, but it is in the same ballpark as all of them. If you like the AdG series, you’ll probably enjoy this version of Polo Blue.

The sharp bergamot, spices, and oceanic notes. Sage and basil are pretty prominent up top. Later, the suede will emerge and make it closer to the original Polo Blue EDT.

Might be too expensive at some stores, to serve as a replacement. I prefer the AdG colognes. But, if you can get a good price, I think this is a nice fragrance to have on hand. Polo Blue EDP review

polo blue edp

 

11 Best Smelling Christian Dior Colognes

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Christian Dior is an iconic fashion brand that has been going strong from way back in the 20th century. We have already completed a list of the best ladies Dior perfumes and now it is time to present a top offerings from Dior list for men as well. Dior fragrances are usually very elegant, complex, seductive, and masculine.

Quite frankly, I consider it to be among the top of my favorite designer lists along with names like YSL. For this list, I have selected eleven scents for guys which all offer something different for the different personalities.

Note that Dior isn’t a brand that comes out with endless flankers for their men’s line each year (compared to others). Sure, some come out here and there, but the offerings tend to stay relatively the same for a while.

Favorite Dior Men’s Fragrances

Best Dior for Summer

Christian Dior Cologne Spray for Men, Dior Homme, 4.2 Ounce– Dior Homme Sport 2012, was my previous pick, but that’s been reformulated twice now. So, here on this update, I’m giving the nod to Dior Homme Cologne.

Dior Homme Cologne is a very simple scent, that is perfect for the warmer months of the year. It also shares a lot of overlap with Allure Homme Sport Cologne by Chanel. But, I think the Dior is slightly better.

Bergamot citrus, grapefruit blossom, and musk. Very juicy, cold, with a light floral aspect and musky base. Almost sort of a lemonade-like aroma, for parts of the wear.

Very well put together and fresh to wear around in the summertime. Decent performance, just not a complete beast. As far as I can tell, the newer update of this, is simply a new bottle design and nothing changed about the fragrance itself. Dior Homme Cologne Review

Intense Aroma

Christian Dior Dior Men Intense Eau de Parfum Spray, 3.4 Ounce– Outside of Sauvage, this is probably the next most popular Dior fragrance for men.

Dior Homme Intense is still around as of this year and didn’t get the complete overhaul that Dior Homme did (see further down on the list).

So, if you want the older formula of the Homme series, this is the easiest to find.

However, this is a fantastic fragrance that can have a spot, in any man’s rotation. The opening act is still among my favorites ever.

Smooth lavender, cedar, vetiver, along with pear and the signature iris note. It’s warm, seductive, woodsy, with an ambrette note that gives it a chocolatey sort of aroma. For a lot of people, this is the best Dior scent in the lineup.  Dior Homme Intense Review

Classic Dior Scent

Eau Sauvage By Christian Dior For Men. Eau De Toilette Spray 3.4 Oz.
A classic fragrance which dates back to the mid-1960s. Eau Sauvage is crisp, fresh, and fruit yet still retains an aura of total masculinity.

Eau Sauvage uses lemon and bergamot top notes with dry and spice herbal ones sitting underneath.

Bright, spicy, clean citrus with an old school style. There have been new variants released by Dior recently, which have a more modern approach to the original scent (like Parfum, below). So, perhaps that would be a better choice for some guys.

eau sauvage

Newer Better Eau Sauvage

Eau Sauvage Parfum– This one is harder to come by than the original Eau Sauvage. However, this 2017 update to another older flanker, is one of the best from Dior. Again though, bottles are scarce.

I had a travel sprayer full of this stuff last year, along with other entries in the Eau Sauvage series. But, this was my favorite.

Eau Sauvage Parfum kicks things off with citron, bergamot, and a resinous aroma to it. Bright, juicy, with a cold and refreshing feeling. The woods from the base already come up early on and add to the experience.

Jasmine, lavender, and vetiver play a larger role as we move the the dry down and the citrus will be more of a background player. If you can get some of this at a reasonable price, Parfum is for sure worth checking out. Eau Sauvage Parfum Review

Top Unisex Pick

Ambre Nuit Eau de Parfum– From the La Privee collection, but you could also give the nod to Fève Délicieuse. Ambre Nuit is the slightly better and wider appealing of the two, in my opinion.

Ambre Nuit features rose, amber, and pink pepper. It settles down as a lightly spiced scent, with a somewhat powdery aroma. The rose here isn’t super powerful and it never veers into coming across as a woman’s fragrance. Quite unisex indeed.

The scent itself actually does give a rather powerful performance, while the composition itself isn’t too complex.

The La Privee bottles are usually much more expensive than the standard bottles of Dior fragrances. The scents are more niche and some of them are well worth a shot.

1980s Powerhouse

Fahrenheit By Christian Dior For Men. Eau De Toilette Spray 6.8 Oz.
This fragrance is one that most people will either love or hate. It can be too intense for some people to handle but for the right guy, this becomes a signature scent.

Violet and honeysuckle open Fahrenheit and give off what has been described for decades now, as a gasoline like aroma.

I’d say it’s pretty accurate in my testing of this one.  It does settle down to have an emergent leather accord with the violet, which is much more pleasant than how many will find that petrol start.

There have been many flanker releases of this over the years, some are still available and take this formula in different directions. Some more bold, some lighter for summer, etc.

Fahrenheit Parfum has a really awesome opening half, but I’m less enthusiastic about the dry down. Still, it’s probably the best, that are still fairly available.

People who tried this in the 1980s, say it’s not nearly as strong as it once was, but it can still pack a punch. Reformulations happen with older scents, this one hasn’t been completely diminished, though. Notes include: honeysuckle, balsam, and sandalwood. Read my Fahrenheit review here!

fahrenheit

My Personal Go To

Dior Homme By Christian Dior For Men. Eau De Toilette Spray 3.4 Ounces– Light, fresh, elegant, and classy. Dior Homme is a modern classic and the scent that I wear on most days, when I’m not testing others for reviews. Dior Homme is light with floral notes like iris, on top of a woodsy base. Then, there is the sweet and raw cacao ingredient, which is lovely.

When it dries down, that’s when this one really shines for me. The leather note and how it interacts with the powdery iris and soothing lavender. It can have a makeup bag-like aroma, at times, which some folks don’t like.

For men, it’s not like that but for a short time, and never feels feminine. Iris can hit your nose, differently, on occasion.

I absolutely love this stuff, the first time I tried a sample, I went out and bought the biggest bottle that they had.

It is quite dry and fresh with an awesome balance between the wood notes and the floral. Semi-sweet, with a classy vibe, that is also very versatile and gets me plenty of complements. Dior Homme Full Review

This is another one Dior has updated for 2020. The newer version doesn’t have the same style as this one, but does share some overlapping notes. Mainly, the difference is the lack of iris and cacao. That can be a good or bad thing depending on who you are. It really is a completely different fragrance.

See below, as the newer version was good enough to make the list.

The New Dior Homme

Dior Homme at Macy’s– As I wrote above, the newer 2020 version of Dior Homme is a distinct fragrance from its predecessor. Not as good, in my opinion, but is still very well worth a try.

This one kicks off with a light bergamot citrus, pink pepper, and vetiver coming through early on. It’s a bit spicy, with some resinous qualities underneath, but is mostly fresh and clean.

The vetiver will have its run near the top, but the other woodsy/earthy notes will begin to have more of a role to play. Iso E Super, cedar, and cashmere wood. It becomes less spicy, more of a woody musk, with a certain amount of sweetness to it.

Again, not my favorite of the list. But, this one is very easy to wear, versatile, and has a pretty good performance as well. Dior Homme 2020 Review

Most Unique Dior Cologne

Dune By Christian Dior For Men. Eau De Toilette Spray 3.4 Ounces
An underrated cologne, Dune has an oriental and woodsy profile. It is fresh, sexy, and earthy with notes of mandarin, moss, sage, basil, and cedar wood. Airy and masculine sandalwood and fig leaf, lead the way for this late 1990s release.

Can be quite green and herbal at times with the sage and basil mix, but never heavy. A unique find that is very different from most of what you’ll find on the market.

It works insanely well in the spring and summer months, but not like the usual aquatic fare. It’s getting harder to come by, but Dune Pour Homme is still absolutely brilliant, if you happen to fall under its spell. Dune Pour Homme

dune m

Top Sauvage Pick

Sauvage Elixir at Macy’s– Sauvage Elixir is a new release for 2021 and immediately got the edge above the eau de parfum as the best of the Sauvage line. It smells really nice and is a monster, in terms of its performance.

Lavender is still the main attraction here. However, Elixir is pretty different from the others in most of its notes, while still holding onto that spice, citrus, and woods DNA.

To me, the best part of Elixir comes from its newer spice accord, mainly the cinnamon and nutmeg notes. I never liked the Sichuan pepper very much in the original, but this newer mix is awesome with what it delivers.

Yes, it’s more expensive, but it lasts all day and actually brings a new interpretation to the line. The concentration here is really amped up, so, you’re going to have to pony up the cash for a smaller bottle. If you want something closer to the original Sauvage, go with the EDP (below).  Sauvage Elixir Review

Runner-Up Sauvage Fragrance

Sauvage by Dior Eau de Parfum Spray 100ml– I’m not a massive fan of Sauvage EDT. The original is fine, but I was never too into it, and it’s been copied to death by now.

However, Dior released the EDP version of Sauvage and changed up the composition. Everything that I disliked, went away. Not only that, they improved upon the performance and what worked well in the original release.

The result? A better performer, that is sexy, and gets complements.

The ambroxan led opening is smoother and the citric harshness is gone. It feels more refined, clean, and more pleasant to wear. It is joined by a dark and somewhat smoky vanilla note and a much quieter lavender, which add to the clean creaminess of Sauvage EDP.

The Sichuan pepper is also toned down and joined by lighter spices like anise and nutmeg. Has really great versatility and works well in different weather and climate conditions.

I really dig this variant versus the original EDT. It’s also still better than the more recent, Parfum version, which is now third in terms of Sauvage releases. Dior Sauvage EDP Review

10 Fragrances Similar to Angel

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Thierry Mugler’s Angel is now, has been for a long time, and seemingly always will be a popular fragrance. It’s weird because, such a best selling perfume, isn’t well liked but a large number of people. Many think that it can be too much, while others swear by it. However, the polarization, isn’t that extreme.

There are still a ton of fans of this perfume, but may want to wear something else. Or maybe they’d like a cheaper scent with an aroma like that of Angel, to save some cash. Well, in this post, I want to present 10 perfumes which smell like this Thierry Mugler creation. And, substitutions for some of the flanker perfumes of the Angel line.

Perfume Alternatives that are Similar to Mugler’s Angel

Inspired Inexpensive Option 

Gourmand Patchouli by Dossier– One of the options for those who want a cheaper perfume ‘inspired by’ Mugler’s Angel is this entry from Dossier.

Gourmand Patchouli and their other creations really do hit the mark in terms of smelling close to the original designer perfume. With most of the one’s that I have tested, they seem to get it at least 85% of the way there.

With the notes, you’re obviously going to get the strong patchouli, notes like caramel and honey, along with the fruits and florals. For the current (as of writing) price of $29, this is pretty much going to give you what you need if you want a very similar alternative to Angel.

Sweeter with More Powder

BOND No 9 Nuits De Noho, 3.4 Ounce– A complex and seductive scent that can add a great deal of sophistication to a woman’s style. Nuits de Noho opens with a pineapple and vanilla mix that sits in the middle of a patchouli wrapping.

It’s gourmand and has a sweet, baked goods sort of quality to the aroma. The patchouli and musk are pretty strong for the first 15 minutes or so before, this Bond No. 9 perfume settles itself into something sweeter and gentler.

To me, the floral notes like jasmine, are powdery and green but mostly stay in the background to only come out a brief whiffs.  Nuits de Noho Full Review

nuits

Angel Elixir Alternative

Fairy Potion by Dua– The Angel line has of course produced a ton of flankers over the years. One, which was released in 2023 is Angel Elixir. The Dua Brand has released their interpretation of this newer scent and I’m adding it to the list.

Now, if you want something like the original Angel, the flanker (or this inspired take) doesn’t have much to do with it. Actually, I agree that it has a lot of overlap with Donna Born in Roma and its flankers.

It’s creamy with vanilla and sandalwood notes supporting a great jasmine note. Sweetish, but not the whole way through, and it does have a rather synthetic amber note.

Now, I haven’t tried Fairy Potion as of yet, but Dua does a nice job with their inspirations (I’ve owned like a dozen or more). So, if you’re in the market for something cheaper than Angel Elixir, here you go.

Toned Down Patchouli

Molinard Nirmala Eau de Parfum Spray for Women, 2.5 Ounce– Another fragrance that smells like and has some differences from our target. Nonetheless, the sweet fruits, vanilla, and warmth is all there.

Chocolate is missing and definitely not the same sort of patchouli bomb as Angel. The rest of it? Pretty much a dead ringer. It’s got a nice sweet/tart smell and not as heavy. 

Under $10 Inspiration

Spirit Of Heaven | Parfum De Toilette | Spray for Women | 1.85 oz– If you’re looking for the ultra cheap perfume that smells close, this one can fit the bill. Spirit of Heaven is available for less than $10 and cuts quite a strikingly similar aroma to the Thierry Mugler.

It opens up with fruits, warmth, and spice. Then, dries down with the patchouli, vanilla, and chocolate notes. Surprisingly not a weak version, Spirit of Heaven actually packs a similar punch, with its sillage and how long it lasts. 

Discontinued But Quite Similar

Lalique Nilang for Women Perfume 3.3 oz Eau de Parfum Spray– Just to be clear, the Nilang released in 2011 smells very similar to Angel. The other one, not so much. This isn’t widely available anymore, but you can still grab bottles.

The structure is very close, but the fruit notes are different here. You get plenty of melon and peach, in this perfume. 

Nilang is lighter, sweeter, with a floral base of lotus and freesia. This adds a slight watery component to the scent. This one is not an exact match with Angel, but is within the same ball park.

Like Angel Nova

Very Good Girl by Carolina Herrera– Now, Very Good Girl is a perfume that shares a lot with the flanker fragrance, Angel Nova. I personally, think that Nova is the better scent, but I’m adding this for those who want to try an alternative.

Red currant joins litchi early on to produce a bold, tart, and sweet opening of fruity notes. There’s not too long of a time with that opening, as the red rose note starts to move in. Actually, things start to take a powdery directions.

I do like the freshness and balance with the sweetness and the vanilla. However, this is mostly about the rose and litchi notes. Nice performance, but not outstanding. In the event that you find this for significantly cheaper than Nova, it might be worth a shot. Very Good Girl review

Fruitier and More Gourmand

Bond No 9 Ladies I Love New York Holidays Edp Spray Unisex 3.4 Oz– This is close to Nuits de Noho, as well as, Angel. Holidays is a very delectable perfume, which smells like a bakery. This always smelled very warm and sweet to my nose, back when I had the sample.

Not nearly the same level of power, or spice, nor patchouli. I liked the fruitiness in Holidays, apricot and pomegranate, which played extremely well off of praline. It’s not a one for one match, but gives you a similar experience, with some tweaks to the formula.

This one also has great performance, lasting over 9 hours and sometimes longer, depending on the day. 

Similar Notes, Different Direction

Calvin Klein euphoria Eau de Parfum Rollerball, 0.33 Fl Oz– So, Euphoria doesn’t smell like Angel. This is one that I wanted to throw in, because of its similar vibe. It does have some interesting overlap, but takes things in a different direction.

The pomegranate is very juicy/tart and edible with the inclusion of great floral notes and the well-blended addition of patchouli. Fruity/floral with spice and a solid base of rich mahogany.

As it dries down, Euphoria becomes darker and sexy, with the pomegranate taking on less of a role.

Inexpensive and Similar Option

Wish by Chopard Eau De Parfum spray 2.5 oz– With Wish, you get a cheaper, and altered sort of version of Angel. This fragrance isn’t as heavy and actually has a much cleaner fragrance. It’s pretty sweet, with notes such as: vanilla, honey, caramel, coconut, strawberry.

That sweetness is paired with a slightly smoky creaminess and some underlying floral notes. Very interesting take on this sort of perfume.

Again, not identical, but gives you great value for the price and a decent approximation of Angel.