baccarat rouge 540

20 Perfumes that Smell Similar to Baccarat Rouge 540

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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.

Santal 33 vs. Baccarat Rouge 540

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Santal 33 by Le Labo and Kurkdjian’s Baccarat Rouge 540 have been two of the most popular and best-selling perfumes of the past few decades. The type of fragrances that you can detect almost anywhere, when walking through a crowd.

Because of this massive success, it often becomes a two way race for many people, as to which on they’d want to buy. A bit odd, considering how different these scents are from one another. However, which of these actually is the better perfume? Continue below for my full comparison.

Tale of the Tape: Santal 33 vs. BR 540

Santal 33

Notes include: sandalwood, violet, iris, amber, cardamom, leather, papyrus, cedar

Click here to try: Santal 33 on Amazon

Read my original review: Santal 33

Baccarat Rouge 540

Notes include: saffron, hedione, cedar, ambroxan, fir resin

Click Here to try: BR 540 at Saks

Read my full review: Baccarat Rouge 504 EDP

Opening

Santal 33 starts off with a blend of cardamom, sandalwood, papyrus, leather, and violet. It has a slight spice, but nothing too much.

People do talk about a dill or a pickle juice sort of aroma with Santal 33. I’ve never gotten too much of that, personally. For some, it may be more prominent, but I doubt it for most people.

Leather and the papyrus are the two interesting notes here to me. Otherwise, this opening act is kind of uninspiring, in my opinion. Later, the development becomes softer, woodier, with a powdery finish. That’s much better.

With Baccarat Rouge, we begin with the saffron note and the jasmine. It’s clean with a resinous and woody base. To me, the jasmine note has a bit of a lemon sort of finish to it. Nothing massive, but it’s always there on me.

Somewhat spicy at times, but the ambroxan notes are really going to start coming through very early in the wear.

Which is better? The opening of Santal might be its weakest point. Going head to head versus BR 540, I’m going to take how the latter of the two starts off.

Edge: BR 540

Projection

Santal 33 has the lighter sillage of the two. However, it’s certainly not weak and has a pretty darn good projection for the first hours of the wear. I’d say it projects to about a 7 foot radius, at it’s peak.

Not amazing. But, good enough.

Santal doesn’t hit the same level as Baccarat. It’s not a super heavy scent, but it’s always projected well above average for me. It settles down into something more moderate, but it’s peak and sustained power is greater than that of the Le Labo.

Edge: BR 540

Longevity

On my skin, Santal 33 lasts for 7-8 hours. It’s fairly good performance, but nothing elite by any stretch of the imagination.

It’s a fairly easy win for Baccarat in this category. It has a wider range of outcomes for me, but it has a much higher ceiling than does the Le Labo.

I get a minimum of 8 hours of wear out of BR 540 and up to 12 hours. Somewhere around 10 is what I expect, of course that can fall short or exceed it by a good margin.

Edge: BR 540

Versatility

Here’s a category where I will give an edge to Santal 33. I do think that it’s a bit more versatile in warmer weather. Closer to being a year round perfume versus the autumn and winter dominance of BR 540.

The Le Labo is also closer to a more genuine unisex. Most guys would rather wear Santal 33 versus Baccarat (though some can pull off either).

Edge: Santal 33

Overall Scent

Overall, which of these perfumes do I prefer? In terms of how each smells, it’s a closer race than you might expect from the outcomes of the categories. The scent of each of them is pretty much dead even, in my opinion.

So, a lot of this is going to come down to the performance. Also, the fact that Baccarat has a better start.

With Santal 33, I really enjoy the dry down. It’s what saves the perfume from just being pure hype. Slightly sweet, powdery, and woody. The violet, amber, iris, leather, and woods are really good.

I actually prefer the dry down period a bit more than Baccarat. Those notes are more appealing than the cedar and ambroxan which come on stronger in the tail end of Baccarat (which isn’t bad at all).

Each of these perfumes, does feature something that can be bothersome to a certain percentage of people, which is why I’d recommend sampling before a full purchase to see if you’re one of them.

With Santal 33, it’s the so-called ‘pickle juice’ smell. With Baccarat, it’s the ‘dentist office/plastic’ aroma that some get. Neither is present on me, but I guess some people can get some odd smells out of these perfumes.

I give a very slight edge to Baccarat for the win. It’s really a neck and neck battle between them. I suppose you could also say that Santal 33 has more value based on price, but both of these are expensive fragrances.

Here’s my posts on cheaper alternative to each, if you want to save some money: Baccarat Rouge Alternatives, Santal 33 

Winner: Baccarat Rouge 540

Baccarat Rouge 540 vs Cloud by Ariana Grande

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Somehow, I forgot to do this post when I was really going through the Ariana Grande scents and various perfumes that Baccarat Rouge 540 smells like, months ago. Nonetheless, here I am to make up for that fact and do my full comparison post between Cloud and Baccarat Rouge. Which smells better? Lasts longer? Is the better buy?

Tale of the Tape: Ariana’s Cloud vs Baccarat Rouge 540

Cloud by Ariana Grande

Notes include: pear, lavender, bergamot, praline, whipped cream, vanilla orchid, coconut, musk, wood

Click here to try: Ariana Grande Cloud Eau de Parfum Spray, clear, 3.4 oz

Read my full review: Cloud by Ariana Grande

Baccarat Rouge 540

Notes include: saffron, ambergris, cedar, fir resin, jasmine

Click here to try: Buy from Saks

Opening

Cloud begins with a nice sweetness and bright disposition. Pear is the main attraction early on in the wear. But, it is joined also by the light citrus juiciness of the bergamot, and the ever growing lavender note.

On me, it takes about 20-30 minutes to start to get to the soft and fluffy heart of Cloud. That’s when the praline, whipped cream, and creamy coconut show up. The bergamot will take a back seat and everything is rather well blended.

With Baccarat Rouge 540, the jasmine and lavender have the lead early on. It is much less of a sweetish fragrance than Cloud, but you do still get some, and a hint of a lemon-like aroma up top.

It will develop further into a woody and resinous aroma, as it moves along.

Which fragrance do I like more at the start? It’s actually kind of a close call.

I enjoy elements of Cloud, once it really gets going at around the half hour mark. The softer, creamy edible notes are a nice touch and the fruits have settled. It’s sweeter and in some ways smoother than BR 540.

With BR 540, I like the resinous aspects of the perfume. The hedione  with the light lemon note is pretty attractive. I think I lean slightly to the Francis Kurkdjian scent.

Edge: BR 540

Projection

Both of these scents start off with a strong sillage. The Ariana Grande scent surprisingly keeps up well for most of the wear. Both will turn into scents with an airy quality about them, but they are still moderate with their projection.

However, in my testing of each, it seems that Rouge hits a higher peak and has a longer run before it becomes a skin scent than does Cloud.

BR 540 takes this one. Though, I have to give some credit to Cloud for having that early power and ability to stay at a high enough level for a good while.

Edge: BR 540

Longevity

The longevity is really one area where the relative quality of each scent becomes fairly apparent. With Cloud, I’ve never managed to get more than six hours, on my skin. It hits that 5-6 hour range before fading.

Baccarat Rouge, actually has a rather wide range of outcomes. Some days it’s 8 hours. Then, I’ve also gotten up to 12. It sort of depends on the climate and what I’m doing. But, 10 hours seems to be about the average.

So, about double what I get with Cloud. The Ariana perfume does do about what I expect for a fragrance around that price point. It certainly doesn’t go above and beyond that, but still it’s fine for most uses.

Edge: Baccarat Rouge 540

Versatility

Seasonally, they are both best served by being worn in the autumn or winter. Springtime is also fine, but I’d avoid either during the height of summer.

Cloud is probably more versatile for the younger crowd. It’s not a complete ‘teenager’ fragrance, but is more appropriate for that age group than is BR 540. Though, plenty of women over 30 wear Cloud too.

BR 540 has a more well put together and serious tone than the more sugary fluffy Cloud does.

Baccarat Rouge is probably a bit more versatile in when it can be worn. But, not by a huge margin.

Edge: BR 540

Overall Scent

So, it’s a clean sweep for Baccarat Rouge? Yes. But, that doesn’t mean that it’s going to be worth the way more expensive price for everyone.

BR 540 has gotten a bit overhyped over the past few years. It’s a nice perfume, but not one that I absolutely love. Cloud isn’t either, but it’s fine and a lot more people seem to like it than I do. To me, there are better Ariana Grande scents.

I think Rouge Extrait is better than the original. Heck, Cloud 2.0 is better than its predecessor. That and Cloud Pink are only slightly different from the first, but still a tad more enjoyable to me.

Cloud is nice. I like the whipped cream, coconut, and praline part the best. When there is still enough pear and before the dry down. It is an attractive perfume. But, it also has a plasticky smell on my skin, at times.

Plus, the lavender and woodsy dry down that’s most like BR 540, isn’t nearly as good.

Again, if you’re younger, it can completely make sense to go with Cloud versus the more expensive and mature BR 540.

Baccarat Rouge gets better and feels more dynamic. I like the smooth and candy-like sweetness, that can overcome the cold cleanliness of fir and cedar. Also, I love saffron as a note, and it complements this Francis Kurkdjian perfume well.

BR 540 wins this. But, if you haven’t smelled it before, I’d recommend getting a sample size before committing to a full bottle. Despite it’s popularity, you may not actually dig it quite as much.

Winner: BR 540

Baccarat Rouge 540 by Maison Francis Kurkdjian

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Baccarat Rouge 540 is a fragrance that has catapulted to insane levels of fame, probably thanks to social media. Some think it’s the best thing they’ve encountered, others think it is entirely overrated and terrible. Me, I don’t entirely fall into either camp. But, I have tested out samples of this perfume to see what it is really all about. How does it smell? Does it last long? Is it worth a try?

What does Baccarat Rouge 540 EDP?

Notes include: saffron, hedione, cedar, ambroxan, fir resin

Click Here to try: BR 540 at Saks

baccarat 540 review

My Full Review

Here’s how Maison Kurkdjian describes it: The woody scent releases a poetic alchemy, a highly condensed and graphic olfactory signature. Breezy jasmine facets, radiant saffron boost the ambergris mineral notes and the woody tones of freshly-cut cedar. Bright and sleek, Baccarat Rouge 540 eau de parfum caresses the skin like an amber and woody floral whisper.

BR 540 starts off with its saffron and jasmine notes up top. The hedione (jasmine) actually has a bit of a lemony tinge to it. Clean, sweetish (maybe more bittersweet with the saffron?), with a very unique smelling mix of resin and woods.

There is a little spice here in the opening stage, nothing extreme, just a bit of a bite.

The ambroxan note, plays a pretty big role here. Amberwood, ambroxan, etc. Different names for basically the same chemical molecule.

This one does seem to have more of a mineral/metallic kind of smell than some of the others that I’ve come across, which again, is probably heightened by the saffron.

Once the hedione has settled down, this one starts to get more resinous and woody. It’s a very dry fragrance with a potent freshness to it, through the back half of the wear.

Yet, it does come across to me as being a ‘fluffy’ smelling perfume, rather than the usual woody fare. That’s one reason Baccarat Rouge so often gets compared to Cloud by Ariana Grande.

This is better, but that overlap is indeed present.

Towards the end, this mainly becomes a cedar and ambroxan mix on my skin. That cedar note, can feel pretty sharp, it’s probably my least favorite in this composition. The resinous quality is still there, probably a blend of the fir and a few amber-like ingredients in the mix.

The jasmine is basically gone and there isn’t much saffron left, for me at least.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

So, Baccarat Rouge isn’t a terribly heavy scent. As I said, it does have a cloud-like fluffiness to it.

But, the projection is actually well above average. It can be a difficult one to gauge really. Sometimes, I can spray it on clothing and pick it up across the room. Other times, I can go nose blind to it, on my own skin.

I’ve read others say that they literally cannot smell a thing, with Baccarat Rouge.

Honestly, I think that all of the varying reactions to what it smells like and just how powerful it is, probably explains a good deal of why this perfume is talked about so much…it’s hard to get an understanding of it.

I’d say err on the side of caution, if you’re going to be in a situation where spraying too much might cause a problem for those around you.

The longevity with this Kurkdjian scent, is really good. Though, I must say, it does fluctuate quite a bit. It’s never bad, the minimum is 8 hours. It can, however, go for up to 12 hours on my skin.

It does usually split the difference and leans more towards double digit hours of wear.

Seasonally, I like this mostly in the colder weather of autumn and winter. Not a super heavy scent, just not one that I’d reach for in late spring or the summer. If it’s not too hot where you live, you might be able to get more use out of it.

It does have great versatility. It can be worn by all ages, is unisex, and can be worn on a variety of occasions. It leans more feminine, so, I wouldn’t advise all guys to choose BR 540…but it isn’t super girly or anything either.

I don’t really think of it as a nightlife perfume or one that is all that ‘sexy’. Outside of that, it can generally fit in and does have an attractive quality.

Overall Impressions of Baccarat Rouge 540

Overall, do I like this fragrance? Yes, I think that it’s very good. However, it has somehow become insanely popular and overhyped to a crazy level. The Extrait version is better, in my mind.

It can be a strange scent. As some people apparently get a band aid or even a ‘dentist’s office’ sort of aroma from this. I understand the comparisons, it just doesn’t fully come across that way on my skin.

Funny, others get cotton candy from this…I guess, maybe a little.

I enjoy the saffron in the opening, the jasmine, and the resinous qualities of the dry down. That amberwood note is something that I think turns a lot of people off with this, especially with the cedar freshness.

However, I actually think the amber facets work here, even with that synthetic style amberwood that they put in so many perfumes nowadays. Most of the time, it’s not great, but I don’t dislike the Baccarat 540 use of it.

It is a major factor in this perfume, so, you’re going to have to like it.

The performance here is good. To me, it’s not a super loud scent, but it can have a bit more projection than you actually think it does. The longevity is fantastic, so no issues there.

Is Baccarat Rouge 540, worth a blind buy? I’d lean towards no, due to the price. I’d highly recommend getting a hold of a sample or trying it out in a store before committing.

It is a popular fragrance, but there are plenty of people who are let down by their experience.

That’s an expensive mistake that you don’t need to make. There are now many alternatives which have come out for cheaper and perfumes similar to Baccarat Rouge 540.

Baccarat Rouge 540 vs. Grand Soir

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Maison Francis Kurkdjian has some major hits in its lineup. Notably, Baccarat Rouge 540 and the subsequent Extrait version. But, it also has a very popular amber based perfume, Grand Soir, that has plenty of fans. For many, these two will be the last two under consideration before purchase. What’s the difference? Which lasts longer? Which perfume is the better buy?

Tale of the Tape: BR 540 vs. Grand Soir

Baccarat Rouge 540

Notes include: saffron, ambergris, cedar, fir resin, jasmine

Click here to try: Buy from Saks

Grand Soir

Notes include: amber, vanilla, tonka bean, benzoin, labdanum

Click here to try: Grand Soir from Saks

Read my full review: Grand Soir

Opening

Baccarat rouge goes with the saffron and jasmine, front and center in the beginning. It’s clean, sweet, and presents a lemony tinge to it from the hedione (jasmine).

Sitting under that, is the amber and wood notes giving this a invigorating and resinous quality early on…which will become greater as it develops.

Grand Soir, on the other hand, reveals its main amber note immediately. You do get the softness of vanilla, and a bit of that medicinal quality from the benzoin note. The amber is smooth, with a nice spicy kick in there, very warm.

Which is better at the start? I do like the way that BR 540 kicks off. Both of them have a resinous quality to them, with Grand Soir being more so. BR also has a lighter and fluffier aroma, after its initially super clean freshness.

But, in the opening, I think I lean more towards Grand Soir. But, I don’t think the opening is either perfume’s strong suit.

Edge: Grand Soir

Projection

Rouge kicks off strong, goes moderate, and then has a stage wear it is pretty airy and light. It does hang around, but doesn’t have a heavy or overwhelming presence.

The same is true for Grand Soir. I get a fairly strong opening and then it’ll hang 2-3 feet from the skin, for most of the way.

To me, there isn’t really a noticeable difference here.

Edge: Push

Longevity

Meanwhile, BR 540 will land anywhere from 8-12 hours. It will land usually around 10 hours total, but it can vary somewhat depending on the day.

Grand Soir will also last over 10 hours. It can go just as long as Baccarat and sometimes longer. It also, hasn’t gone away on my skin, prior to that double digit hour mark. So, it takes this category.

Edge: Grand Soir

Versatility

While both of these fragrances are technically unisex, Grand Soir does lean much more masculine than does BR 540. Baccarat is more feminine. So, for some out there, that may be a distinction that can effect which you choose.

Seasonally, Grand Soir’s amber and vanilla richness is suited for the autumn and winter months. But, Baccarat Rouge 540 can be worn pretty much anytime outside of the height of summer.

Neither is a super sexy or night club beast kind of perfume. Both are attractive, daily wears for casual or semi-formal situations. Maybe Grand Soir is a bit dressier.

However, I think the seasonality of BR 540 gives it a bit more versatility and it will have a greater appeal than to those who love amber-laden fragrances.

Edge: BR 540

Overall Scent

Between these two, which do I prefer? It is a close call for me. Neither is an absolute love, but I like them each well enough.

Grand Soir is a very nice amber fragrance. You get soft spicy highlights and vanilla and tonka bean sweetness. Warm, enveloping, and resinous. The dry down is more powdery with lovely creamy highlights and the spiciness has subsided.

I like the way it dries down. But, I also get kind of bored with Grand Soir. It’s nice, but it feels pretty linear at times. Yes, you can wear it by itself, but I almost feel like you should find an appropriate scent to layer along with it.

Baccarat Rouge gets better and feels more dynamic. I like the smooth and candy-like sweetness, that can overcome the cold cleanliness of fir and cedar. Also, I am a big fan of saffron getting used in perfumes and it complements this Francis Kurkdjian fragrance well.

Yes, BR 540 has been mimicked to death and is everywhere nowadays. So many fragrances are trying to be a Baccarat Rouge 540 copy.

The performance isn’t too far apart either. I think many people will probably prefer to go with BR 540, even if Grand Soir is also damn good. Not a huge margin of victory, but I’ve just enjoyed Baccarat Rouge more in testing than its competitor.

Winner: BR 540