dolce and gabbana

D&G Light Blue vs Acqua di Gio Comparison

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For this edition of the head to head fragrance comparisons, I want to take a closer look at two very popular citrus based colognes, that have been best sellers for over a decade each: Light Blue Pour Homme vs. Acqua di Gio. Which smells better the Dolce & Gabbana or the Armani? Which has the better performance? Which is the better buy overall?

Quick Overview

🏆 My Verdict

Acqua di Gio wins on opening, versatility, and overall scent, while Light Blue gets the edge in longevity and projection is basically a tie.

Buy Acqua di Gio if you want the more balanced aquatic citrus fragrance with jasmine, marine freshness, and slightly better date-night appeal.

Buy Light Blue if you prefer a simpler, cleaner, spicier citrus scent that lasts a little longer on skin.

Category Light Blue Pour Homme Acqua di Gio Winner
Opening Bright bergamot, grapefruit, mandarin orange, pepper, rosemary, incense, and rosewood Bergamot, tangerine, marine notes, jasmine, and smooth floral freshness Acqua di Gio
Projection Moderate; noticeable early, then becomes more intimate Moderate; similar scent trail and strength to Light Blue Push
Longevity About 6–8 hours About 6–7 hours, with newer batches often closer to 6 Light Blue
Versatility Spring/summer focused, but works year-round for casual and office wear Spring/summer focused, year-round capable, casual, office, and slightly more date-friendly Acqua di Gio
Overall Scent Fresh, safe, simple, spicy clean citrus with some wood and herbal notes Balanced citrus, woods, jasmine, and aquatic freshness with broader appeal Acqua di Gio
Best For Guys who want a straightforward clean citrus scent with slightly better longevity Guys who want the more balanced aquatic citrus scent and better overall smell —

Tale of the Tape

Light Blue

Notes include: bergamot, grapefruit, mandarin orange, pepper, oak moss, juniper, musk, rosemary, rosewood, incense

Click here to try: Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue Eau de Toilette Spray for Men, 6.7 Ounce

My review: Light Blue

Acqua di Gio

Notes include: bergamot, tangerine, neroli, jasmine, rosemary, patchouli, rock rose, hyacinth, persimmon, marine notes

Click here to try: Acqua Di Gio By Giorgio Armani For Men. Eau De Toilette Spray 3.4 Ounces

Read my review: Acqua di Gio 

Opening

Light Blue starts off with citrus fruits of bergamot, grapefruit, and mandarin orange. It immediately has a bright disposition and is joined by a spicy pepper note and rosemary.

A little beyond the initial spray, incense and rosewood emerge from the base, and a smoky wood quality.

AdG also starts off with a citrus blast of bergamot and tangerine. It has much more of an aquatic sea breeze element than does Light Blue. Plus, smooth floral notes, consisting mostly of the jasmine.

The jasmine really does help to separate these two, in my mind. The way that it plays off of that citrus mix in the beginning, has always been great.

Yes, many don’t think of floral notes within men’s fragrances, but it sets AdG apart from its competitor.

Which do I prefer? I think that Acqua di Gio has the more pleasant opening, it has the marine note, and lacks the peppery aroma that the D&G features.

The citrus notes are better, juicier, and the jasmine note ties it all together in a way nothing does in Light Blue.

It’s not a overwhelming choice, but I do prefer it.

Edge: Acqua di Gio

Projection

I consider both of these colognes to be moderate in terms of sillage. Neither is an absolute beast, nor are they weak. I actually don’t notice a difference between them.

At one time, that might have been different, but nowadays they are about the same.

Both have absolutely lost a step over the years.

You will spray them on and notice the scent of each. If sprayed enough, both will create a nice scent trail, but each will ultimately become a much more intimate fragrance.

Edge: Push

Longevity

With Light Blue, I get anywhere from 6-8 hours of solid wear, on my skin. It is slightly better than AdG, which I get 6-7 hours out of.

So, that extra hour, I can sometimes get with Light Blue gets the nod here.

Update: the 2021 batch of Acqua that I tried out usually only hits 6 hours. Seven, is more of an occasional outcome.

Update 2: 2024 batches are the same for each of these colognes. Light Blue still provides the same.

Neither is extreme. Acqua di Gio used to be better, but it doesn’t have the same power or longevity as the original bottles. Light Blue could probably pull a few more hours back in the day too, but it’s held up a tad bit better.

Edge: Light Blue

Versatility

Both of these scents sort of occupy the same space. Spring/summer wears mainly, but have the ability to go year round. Also, can go casual or office wear.

Neither are club scents, but AdG does seem to have a bit more ‘sexiness’ to it than Light Blue, and I’ve gotten more complements with that scent.

In both cases, these are highly versatile colognes, and will often be the only fragrance a guy will wear.

For younger guys and through mid-20s, either of these can be a great starter cologne, to use in most situations you’ll come across in your day to day life.

There’s very little separation in this category too, as each of them are basically ‘do it all’ sorts of perfumes.

Edge: AdG (slightly)

Overall Scent

Light Blue is a very good cologne. It’s very fresh and a nice starter scent for guys. It’s pretty straightforward, safe, and simple. Not too much development with the cologne, just a nice spicy and clean citrus fragrance.

There is some wood and herbal elements in the base, but it doesn’t reach the level of AdG, in terms of my personal enjoyment.

The winner in this head to head, is Acqua di Gio. It takes the citrus, adds wood, and has that great aquatic aroma that it has become famous for. Very pleasing to wear, balanced, and has awesome versatility.

The performance is solid, not amazing, but it is more than enough for most purposes. While I like AdG better, there are cheaper options that replicate the smell.

I will say, that I would actually either go with Light Blue Eau Intense or AdG Profumo, ahead of either of these two. Check out those reviews for further info. If I absolutely had to choose between the two in this post, I’d go with the Armani scent.

It’s not an overwhelming win, but I have come back to wearing AdG more often over the years.

Winner: Acqua di Gio

Who Should Buy Each?

Choose Light Blue Pour Homme if:

You want a simple, clean citrus fragrance
You prefer bergamot, grapefruit, mandarin orange, pepper, and rosemary
You want slightly better longevity between the two
You need an easy starter cologne for casual and office wear
You prefer something fresh, safe, and straightforward

Choose Acqua di Gio if:

You want the better overall scent between the two
You prefer aquatic citrus with marine notes and jasmine
You want something a little smoother and more balanced
You want a fresh fragrance that feels slightly more attractive for dates
You like classic spring and summer colognes with broad versatility

Light Blue vs ADG FAQ

Which is better: Light Blue or Acqua di Gio?

For me, I’ve always liked the smell of Acqua di Gio more. The line as a whole? I think that the Armani fragrances are generally better than the Light Blue flankers. AdG Parfum and Profondo are good choices.

Is Acqua di Gio more aquatic than Light Blue?

Yes. Light Blue is much more of a citrus, spice, and woods fragrance. That more aquatic smelling accord, is in the Armani cologne.

Which one is better for everyday wear?

Both of them have been used as daily wear or signature fragrances by men for decades now. It’s a matter of which you like more.

13 Fragrances Similar to Light Blue for Women (2026)

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Light Blue is super popular, in both the men’s and in the women’s versions. For a few decades now, both fragrances have been top sellers, every year. The women’s seems to be especially popular, and has spawned imitators  of this perfume.

For this post, I want to give a list of 13 fragrances with similar smells to Light Blue for Women (Forever and Eau Intense too), that can serve as alternatives for those looking for a cheaper option or just want something slightly different.

What Makes Light Blue for Women Unique?

Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue stands out because of its bright, crisp citrus opening built around lemon and green apple, with a soft rose note that adds a subtle floral touch.

The lemon is the star: sharp, sparkling, and slightly sweet like sugary lemonade. Meanwhile, the apple gives it that watery freshness that makes it feel effortless in warm weather.

People love it because it smells clean, refreshing, and easy to wear without ever feeling too heavy or overpowering, yet it still projects well and lasts surprisingly long for a fresh citrus fragrance, often pushing past 10 hours.

Many people look for alternatives because Light Blue has become so common over the years, and some want something with the same fresh citrus-and-cedar DNA but either at a lower price, with better performance, or with a slightly different twist—like more sweetness, softer woods, or less of the musky dry down.

The opening is what makes Light Blue memorable, and most alternatives try to capture that same sparkling freshness while improving on the parts some people find less exciting later in the dry down.

Notes include: rose, apple, musk, lemon, jasmine, and more

Click here to try the original Light Blue: Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue By Dolce & Gabbana For Women. Eau De Toilette Spray 3.3 Oz

Quick Overview

🏆 Closest Designer Scent Overall: Moschino I Love Love — if you want the most similar designer scent to Light Blue at a lower price, this is our top pick. Here’s why: your page describes it as a very close stand-in, with the same fresh citrus-and-cedar style, but with a slightly sweeter, more orange-and-grapefruit-forward opening. It keeps enough of the woody backbone to feel familiar while still being affordable and easy to wear.

🏆 Top Budget Alternatives to Light Blue:  Citrus Green Apple by Dossier or Sky Blue Femme by Dua

 

 

Fragrance Price Range Similarity Key Shared Notes Best For
Moschino I Love Love $$ High Citrus, cedar, fresh woods Closest overall lower-cost alternative
Dossier Citrus Green Apple $ Very High Green apple, lime, cedar, jasmine, musk Shoppers who want the Light Blue style for less
Oakcha Beach Wave $-$$ High Lemon, cedar, bellflower, bamboo, jasmine An affordable inspired alternative
Versace Versense $$-$$$ Moderate-High Bergamot, mandarin, cedar, fresh citrus Those who want a designer option in a similar style
Victoria’s Secret Very Sexy Sea $$-$$$ Moderate Bright citrus, neroli, lighter cedar A fresher floral-citrus variation
Halloween Blue Drop $-$$ High Citrus, jasmine, musk Those who want a softer take without as much cedar sharpness

Perfumes that Smell Similar to Light Blue by D&G

Best Overall Designer Alternative

I Love Love Cheap and Chic by Moschino for Women 3.4 oz Eau de Toilette Spray– This Moschino perfume, is a very close stand-in for Light Blue.

For some women, it will be a better option, because it is sweeter and leans more toward the citrus notes. Here’s my post comparing these two

It still does have the cedar, but the wood is capped well below what it is, in the Dolce fragrance.

This is more orange, grapefruit and lemon, rather than just the lemon of Light Blue, and there isn’t the apple note. Good performance and quite affordable. Read my Full Review of I Love Love

An Inexpensive Similarity

Citrus Green Apple by Dossier– Citrus Green Apple is Dossier’s take on the Light Blue style and it manages to strike a very similar impression to our Dolce target.

The bright green apple is paired with a lime citrus note up top, along with a big dose of ultra fresh cedar wood. Jasmine, rose, musk, and amber. It’s all here and gets the inspiration from Light Blue about 90+% correct.

These sorts of cheaper fragrances do get awfully near the target with their mimicry. The current price of a bottle is $29 (as of writing), providing a steep discount and maximum value.

A Forever Scent for Less

Sky Blue Femme by Dua–  Light Blue Pour Femme is the classic release from D&G. However, the brand has put out countless flanker perfumes under the same banner. Light Blue Forever, is one such flanker, and Dua manages to capture its style in this perfume.

Light Blue Forever is more of a mix of the citrus and white floral notes, versus being super bold with the apple and cedar notes (like the original). Though, those notes are still there and fully in play, just in a reduced role.

Blood orange and orange blossom instead of jasmine, too. Sky Blue Femme is a snapshot take on this more limited edition flanker and one that can be a great pickup for those that want less apple and cedar fresh.

Beach Inspired

Beach Wave by Oakcha– Here’s another ‘inspired by’ option from Oakcha, that I’ve found recently.. I haven’t tried this one in particular, but other perfumes from this brand have been good.

Obviously, it’s based on the original Light Blue Femme formula, and that’s not too difficult of a smell to replicated. The notes here give you the same lemon, cedar, and a bellflower up top. Bamboo, jasmine, and the rest come along there after.

It’s another inexpensive option for those who are trying to find the perfect replacement for their D&G scent.

A Sea Journey

Very Sexy Sea by Victoria’s Secret– You may not be saving any money with this one, but Very Sexy Sea has a distinct, yet quite similar style to what we’re looking for. The smell? Different enough to not be exact.

The apple note isn’t here. The cedar is, just much weaker in this composition. Those two notes can be really sharp to some noses with the D&G perfume.

Very Sexy Sea goes with a bright and juicy citrus top that is paired with a prevalent neroli note.

Citrus, floral, with a lighter cedar base. There’s a sweetness here, that is nice and I like it when compared to Light Blue. An actual oceanic note might be nice, but Sea is still a highly enjoyable fragrance.

The Similar Versace

Versace Versense By Gianni Versace For Women Edt Spray 3.4 Oz– Versense has parts of its aroma, which are quite similar to the D&G perfume, but has enough differences to stand apart. Nonetheless, its overall scent is close enough to deserve a spot on this list.

The opening notes are dominated by bergamot and mandarin, while it gets later support from cedar and fig.

However, it is mostly a fresh and clean citrus wear, with some lily and the cedar note, as the solidifying force in the whole thing. A lime and lemon verbena wear with later elements of sandalwood coming in.

More Floral, Much Sweeter

Armaf Tag Her By Eau De Parfum Spray, Clear, oriental floral, 3.4 Ounce- This is a pretty good approximation of a Light Blue aroma, but might not be for everyone.

The start of this one is kind of a mess, but it settles down into what we’re looking for in a closely comparable perfume.

This one really turns up the musky floral aspect of this style of scent. Also, it has vanilla and caramel, which makes it a lot sweeter…but it does retain some freshness.

For the price, the performance is really good. Solid sillage and great longevity. You get aspects of D&G, but it’s more distinct than some of the others here.

Sweeter Fruits, Less Cedar Freshness

Secret Wish by Anna Sui– Secret Wish isn’t an option that is probably going to save you any money versus just purchasing Light Blue Pour Femme.

However, it does provide a different take on this style, while still having plenty of overlap. Here, you will get a nice juicy pineapple note, to go along with the citrus top. It’s kind of sharp with the black currant, though, the melon helps to settle things down.

It’s much more of a fruity perfume versus the woodsy muskiness that comes with our target, even if this still has it.

I’m not sure if this has completely been discontinued or if it’s just getting harder to find.

Super Cheap and Similar

Donna by La Rive- Alright, so this one retails for around $10 for a full bottle. Don’t expect the world of it.

Donna take an decent approximation to what we’re looking for. Though, the citrus note isn’t as good here, there’s a bit more hyacinth, and the overall performance isn’t quite up to snuff in comparison to the Dolce.

Plus, it’s somewhere between Light Blue and Eau Intense in terms of how it comes across.

There are for sure better options on this list in the thirty dollar range, but if you absolutely cannot go that high, this will be your best bet.

cheap light blue clone

Go Eau Intense

Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue Eau Intense For Women Eau De Parfum Spray 3.3 oz– I’m going to include the flanker fragrance of the original here, because it obviously shares so much with our subject, while offering enough differences to stand alone.

Eau Intense is super fresh and focuses on the lemon and apple notes, found in the original. Along, with an undercurrent of amber wood.

This one can start off quite strong, but ultimately settles down some, and really shines when the temperatures are at their highest. Light Blue Eau Intense Review

Drops of Blue

J. Del Pozo Halloween Blue Drop Eau de Toilette Spray for Women, 3.4 Ounce– Blue Drop is another nice and cheaper option than the Dolce & Gabbana. The one very noticeable difference, is the lack of cedar in this one, that can make the lemon in Light Blue feel so sharp.

It still has a great light freshness and this one gives you so touches of lavender to go along with the jasmine note. However, the opening act does go harder with the citrus notes than the D&G scent, but without the cedar it doesn’t strike me as overwhelming.

Blue Drop dries down very similar to our target. I’d say that this one is muskier, less of the apple note, and more citrus. 

A Midway Point

Yves Rocher Naturelle Eau de toilette, 75 ml./2.5 fl.oz.– Another one, that is goes in the same direction as Moschino’s I Love Love. It is equally as citrusy as the Moschino. Has floral notes, like Light Blue.

However, also lacks the woody/aquatic feel of the D&G. This is quite a light citrus scent, with a dry down of a greenish floral base. More toned down than Light Blue is.

Closely Related Men’s Fragance

Versace Man Eau Fraiche By Gianni Versace For Men Edt Spray 3.4 Fl. Oz– Yes, this last entry is a men’s Versace fragrance. However, it has a lot of overlap with Light Blue for Women. In both, you get very prominent citrus and wood notes (cedar, in particular).

In Versace Man Eau Fraiche, you have a starfruit note, instead of the apple. Is Eau Fraiche masculine?

More so, than Light Blue, but it is perfectly fine for women to wear. It is fresh, with a light aquatic aroma, and that same bright summery disposition of the D&G. Wouldn’t be my first choice for women, but it can absolutely work.

Light Blue for Women FAQ

 

What perfume smells most like Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue for women?

Well, there are designer scents that happen to have a lot of similarities and then there are companies that try to get as close as possible at a cheaper price. For the designers, Moschino’s I Love Love is the most alike. 


What is the best affordable alternative to Light Blue for women?

Probably either Citrus Green Apple by Dossier or Sky Blue Femme by Dua. There are plenty of alternatives on the market which take inspiration from Light Blue. However, these are two brands that I’ve tried out plenty of their alternative fragrances, and they tend to get it right.


Does Moschino I Love Love smell like Light Blue?

Yes, it is quite similar. In my opinion, I Love Love (my review) is the better smelling of the two. It has less of the strong cedar note and a better balance of citrus notes, beyond just lemon. Sometimes, it isn’t cheaper than the D&G fragrance. So, you may choose something else based on your budget.

 

 

Light Blue vs Eau Intense: Which Should You Buy? (2026)

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For this head to head match up, we have two Dolce & Gabbana fragrances for men, Light Blue vs. Light Blue Eau Intense. Light Blue has been a long time best seller and Eau Intense has also kept nice pace with it for many years.

Which smells better, the original or its flanker? Which gives better performance? Does the later release actually surpass its predecessor or fall flat? Please continue below for my full take comparison.

Quick Overview

🏆 My Verdict: Light Blue Eau Intense wins on opening, projection, longevity, and overall scent, while versatility is basically a tie. Buy Eau Intense if you want the cooler, smoother, more aquatic version with better performance. Buy Light Blue if you prefer the original’s brighter, drier, spicier citrus style and want the classic version.

 

Category Light Blue Light Blue Eau Intense Winner
Opening Bright citrus with bergamot, grapefruit, mandarin, pepper, and rosemary Frozen grapefruit, mandarin, juniper, and a cool aquatic accord Eau Intense
Projection Moderate, noticeable but not especially powerful Stronger up top, then settles into moderate projection Eau Intense
Longevity Usually 6–7 hours on newer bottles Around 9 hours Eau Intense
Versatility Spring/summer focused, but wearable year-round for casual, office, and dates Same general use cases: casual, office, warm weather, and attractive daily wear Push
Overall Scent Fresh, clean, drier, spicier, and simple with a great citrus top Smoother, colder, more aquatic, and fresher with juniper and woody notes Eau Intense
Best For Fans of the original fresh citrus style Those who want a stronger, cooler, more aquatic version —

Tale of the Tape

Light Blue

Notes include: bergamot, grapefruit, mandarin orange, pepper, oak moss, juniper, musk, rosemary, rosewood, incense

Click here to try: Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue Eau de Toilette Spray for Men, 6.7 Ounce

My review: Light Blue

Light Blue Eau Intense

Notes include: mandarin, frozen grapefruit, juniper, aquatic accord, amber woods, musk

Click here to try: Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue Intense Eau de Parfum Spray for Men, 1.6 Ounce

My review: Light Blue Eau Intense

Opening

Light Blue opens up with a trio of citrus fruits led by bergamot and grapefruit, with a bit of mandarin orange. It is super bright and summery, with added spice provided by pepper, and an herbal aroma of rosemary.

After 10 minutes, the citrus is bolstered by some base notes, of incense and rosewood. This provides a smoked wood scent, that gently sits in the background.

Eau Intense, is similar to the original in that it starts with grapefruit and mandarin orange, to give that citrus scent. The grapefruit is a ‘frozen’ one, so, there is a great chilled vibe coming from the cologne and the pepper is absent from this version.

In its place, I pick up a light juniper note. The main difference from the original is the inclusion of an aquatic accord. It is slightly salty but not really oceanic, more like sitting by a hotel pool, while on an island. You pick up aquatic elements of sea and pool water.

Don’t worry, they aren’t heavy or overwhelming. But, it is one nice distinction that I get and really one of the things that sold me on this flanker when I first tried it.

I really like the juniper addition here, it gives Eau Intense an amazing level of freshness, that matches up well with the frozen grapefruit ingredient.

Which is better? I have to say that Eau Intense won me over with the great cool and refreshing aroma. Add to that, the nice aquatic scent and the lack of pepper, and I simply enjoy it more than the original. Although, I do like that one, also.

Edge: Eau Intense

Projection

Eau Intense is designed to be stronger and it is. The sillage is pretty powerful for a citrusy summertime cologne, which is really nice. The original isn’t weak, it’s more moderate, but obviously doesn’t hit the heights of an intense version.

Eau Intense starts off strong and then becomes more of a moderate, as it wears on. It can indeed be quite bold up top, so, you don’t need to spray all that much for it to be effective.

Though, Eau Intense doesn’t keep the power for the duration. Most of the wear, will be firmly in that moderate camp.

Edge: Eau Intense

Longevity

You’d think that Eau Intense really blows the original out of the water, in terms of how long it lasts. However, it’s not that much of an advantage. The original will last 6-8 hours on my skin, while Eau Intense, lasts about 9.

Update: Newer bottles of the original seem to be more in that 6-7 hour range for me. 8 is kind of a reach.

Yes, it’s better, but it isn’t an overwhelming advantage. Actually, for the price you can get these at and their style (citrus aquatics), the longevity is really good for either. Eau Intense just hangs around for another hour or so.

Edge: Eau Intense

Versatility

There really isn’t a difference between these two, as both D&G fragrances, check the same boxes. Both are built for spring/summer but can handle year round wear just fine.

Both can go casual, office wear, and are attractive enough to be worn on a date. Not really ‘sexy’ but attractive and pleasant.

The original does have a long-running popularity, so, maybe it has some advantage in terms of attractiveness (or perceived attractiveness, at least). To me, not really much separation here.

Edge: Push

 

 

Overall Scent

I have to say, that I do actually enjoy Light Blue quite a bit. It has a lot of great elements to it. It is very fresh, clean, versatile, and is a good starter fragrance for guys. A simple scent, that performs well.

Light Blue Pour Homme is a bit drier, has a spicier profile, but with that same great citrus top. Doesn’t have the same aquatic style as Eau Intense, though it evokes, those kind of summertime feelings.

However, I think they took what was good about the original, and amplified it for Eau Intense.

Dolce managed to surpass their creation with Eau Intense. It’s just better in pretty much every way. It’s still fresh, but smoother, and has a cold crispness to it, which the original just doesn’t.

The aquatic accord is a nice addition. Plus, there is juniper and woody notes, which just add to the overall freshness and appeal. I could wear either of these colognes, but I’d choose Light Blue Eau Intense first.

I’ve actually gone back and forth with Eau Intense, over the past year. I loved it, then couldn’t stand it for a while, and now it’s grown on me once again. I think the amber wood note, can turn some folks off from it, and is indeed bothersome at times.

Although, I still think it is the better option between them, even if I can easily wear both colognes.

Actually, I’ll also go with Light Blue Sun, since it’s sort of a middle ground between them or one of the other flankers. The inventory of each of them changes, since most of these flankers are a one year release, before being discontinued.

Winner: Eau Intense

Choose Light Blue if:

You want the original Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue DNA
You prefer a brighter, drier, spicier citrus scent
You like bergamot, grapefruit, pepper, rosemary, and light woods
You want a simple, fresh starter fragrance for casual daily wear
You do not need the stronger projection of Eau Intense

Choose Light Blue Eau Intense if:

You want the better performer between the two
You prefer a colder, smoother, more aquatic scent
You like frozen grapefruit, mandarin, juniper, and aquatic notes
You want something stronger for spring and summer wear
You want the version that improves on the original while keeping the same fresh DNA

5 Perfumes Similar to Devotion

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Devotion from Dolce & Gabbana is a fragrance series that has been picking up steam, since its release. It’s a delicious and fun gourmand perfume that is easy to wear and easy to love.

Yet, sometimes you may want something that smells similar to Devotion, but with some slightly different notes to enjoy or want to find a cheaper fragrance option that can do most of the job itself. On this page, I will keep track of perfumes that fit the bill, and provide some variety to this style of fragrance.

Fragrances that Smell Like Devotion

Loyal Alternative

Her Loyalty by The Dua Brand– The Dua Brand creates their own inspired takes on famous women’s fragrances. Her Loyalty is their version of Devotion aroma.

They do a really good job at coming close to what you’re going to get with the designer perfume. The extrait de parfum concentration, also leads to having a really good performance.

This is one that I haven’t personally tried out. Though, I’ve probably owned a dozen or so bottles from Dua, and have enjoyed what I’ve gotten from them. If you want an inexpensive option, this is probably a safe bet.

One from Burberry

Goddess EDP by Burberry– Goddess is a very popular release from Burberry, which came out before Devotion did. They are quite a bit similar in their style.

I will say that I personally prefer Devotion (or Devotion Intense) to what I get from Goddess EDP.

Still, if you want a more vanilla-centered fragrance, the Burberry is the better of the two for that.  There’s some cacao here, but the tail end is mainly going to be about that vanilla and lavender.

The D&G scent is much more dynamic and has that earlier use of lemon, spice, and give a more generalized ‘baked goods’ aroma.  For some, that might not be what you’re looking for, and Goddess EDP can provide an alternative that’s close to Devotion, while doing its own thing. Goddess EDP review

Bath and Body 

Loyal to You by B&BW– The Bath and Body Works fragrance is available in spray, lotions, and a perfume. It really does come pretty darn close to Devotion in terms of how it smells. As a very cheap option, this one gives you a wearable alternative.

Yet, it’s not exactly the same. The lemon note seems a bit weaker, the vanilla not as creamy, lots of marshmallow here, and the performance doesn’t match up. But, Loyal to You does give you that sugary lemon cake scent, that is oh so good.

Note: this one now seems tougher to find (the perfume version, at least). As such, don’t bother chasing a bottle if it’s selling for a price close to Devotion. Probably just pick up the Dua or the  following scent.

Name Game

Victoria by Lattafa– Lemon meringue pie is the vibe that this Lattafa scent is putting out. It’s not an exact one to one of Devotion, but it is a much more affordable option.

I would say that this one isn’t as dense, warm, inviting, or well-rounded as the D&G. Though, it still does a nice job at capturing the baked goods smell, without letting that lemon note get too juicy or tart. Instead its well balanced with the vanilla notes.

This feels more linear and lacks some of the complexity that Devotion or Devotion Intense presents. Soft and sugary, but with enough staying power to basically match what you get from our target fragrance.

I’ve seen this for under $30, so, it’s not too much of a commitment to give Victoria a try.

Step into the Bakery

Bake by Akro– This is another one that is similar to Devotion in terms of style, but ultimately different. This is both kind of like Devotion and Lira by Xerjoff in it’s overall composition. Still, Bake is a creamy and sweet cake-like scent.

This isn’t one that’s going to save any money in comparison (currently I’m seeing it for $150+ online). That lemon and vanilla opening is familiar. The lemon is zesty, there’s a touch of rum booziness, and maybe some ambroxan in the mix too.

There is a sugary aroma, but this one also has periods where bake feels quite creamy, and then more like a cookie than a cake. Overall, this is an impressive and enjoyable perfume to wear when it’s colder outside (I’d avoid wearing this in the spring/summer entirely).

Maybe not worth the price for everybody, but Akro’s Bake give you another potential option to wear instead of Devotion.

D&G Devotion vs Burberry Goddess

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Devotion from D&G is their latest hit series of fragrances that will probably be expanded upon many times in the coming years. The EDP often gets compared to the original Goddess EDP from Burberry.

While both of these scents have already spun off newer versions of their original formulas, I wanted to compare both of these first editions, as they are still the most popular. Which smells better? Lasts longer? Which should you buy Goddess or Devotion?

Tale of the Tape: Devotion vs. Burberry Goddess

Devotion

Notes include: candied citrus, orange blossom, rum, pana cotta, vanilla

Click here to try: Devotion EDP

Read my review: Devotion EDP

Burberry Goddess

Notes include: lavender, vanilla, cacao, ginger, vanilla absolute, vanilla caviar

Click here to try: Goddess by Burberry

Read my review: Goddess

Opening

After first spraying of Devotion EDP, lemon dominates but it settles into a more balanced supporting role as we move forward.

Orange blossom provides the floral element, while there’s also what seems like a distinct orange note. To me, it’s more like fresh zest or peel.

The top is bright with a touch of spice and carries a slightly juicy feel, though the lemon leans more toward having that candied, synthetic quality.

This Dolce & Gabbana fragrance is essentially a straightforward sweet gourmand, but it does evolve through distinct stages.

The next phase brings together lemon cake vibes with the orange blossom. The spice notes retreat as vanilla starts making its presence known.

Goddess leans into its sweetness rather than tartness, leaving the fruity notes behind. Vanilla shows up early alongside cacao, but ginger brings this nice fresh lift right from the opening.

Even though vanilla leads the way, the fragrance feels surprisingly light and cool compared to what you’d normally expect from vanilla-heavy perfumes.

Which is better?

It’s a close call, but I think I’ll go with the D&G scent. The lemon, spice, and how it ultimately moves into its lemon cake phase is just a tad more interesting to me. Sugary? Sure, but Devotion is very likeable.

Edge: Devotion

Projection

Neither of these is a massive projector nor a super heavy fragrance. Devotion is substantial and has a good reach. It doesn’t bog you down, even though it is a gourmand scent. There is a freshness underneath that prevents it from being a thick cloud.

I’d say that the D&G perfume is on the upper end of what could be considered moderate, if not crossing over into ‘strong’ territory. Not a beast, but very solid.

With Goddess, it’s also a moderate, but a step down from what I get with Devotion eau de parfum. The first few hours are good, still more of an intimate scent bubble, and then devolves into a skin scent.

Pretty good, but Devotion easily takes this category.

Edge: Devotion

Longevity

With Goddess, I’ve only been able to ever get somewhere in the 6-7 hour range, while wearing it. Not great, but fairly decent.

Does Devotion outdo the Burberry? Yep. I can get around 9 hours of wear from the Dolce & Gabbana fragrance. It’s also nothing too crazy, but does the job well for the needs of most people.

Edge: Devotion

Versatility

Seasonally, both of these are autumn through springtime wears. If it’s too warm out, I’d probably opt for something else. Outside of that however, these will work quite well.

Neither goes too heavy and maintain a lightness that can move beyond just a standard winter gourmand fragrance.

Neither of them are a formal perfume either. They’re mainly going to fit into more of a daytime wear role, casual, and maybe some nightlife. I think either could be a potential signature scent, most like for a younger woman, or those who love the sweeter fragrances.

Not much of a difference here, as they really do overlap in terms of use case.

Edge: Push

Overall Scent

Overall, which of these two perfumes do I actually prefer more?

With Burberry Goddess, it’s a very pleasant mainstream fragrance. Nothing too bold or unique about it, but I like the use of vanilla and that light easy to wear feeling that I get while wearing it.

I never have thought that the name Goddess actually fit with what the scent actually is, but it’s a nice fragrance overall.

However, I like Devotion by D&G more than the Burberry option.

It’s not a massive preference for me, but I lean more towards Devotion being the better perfume. It does have better performance, so, that is another notch on its belt.

Devotion EDP isn’t as reliant on its vanilla notes and I think that the lemony baked goods and spice is just more interesting and smells a bit better, in my opinion.

You actually might prefer Devotion Intense versus either of these (I do). It’s not way ahead of either of these but the sugary citrus doesn’t have the same grip over the formula as it does in the EDP version.

Winner: Devotion