To think dupe perfumes are ok ...

So I've bought a few dupes now, and just don't like them. I can't explain it, but it's like half perfume, half lighter fluid.
They're nowhere NEAR as good as the real deal.

I’ve been buying dupes

alien and si and eau dissey - to name some

friends and mums at school have said along the lines

you smell nice is that alien etx

me - I say yes

I love that but so costly

me - whispering. It’s not the real one cost me £8

nooooo really. Where from

I have been using ditto and vault essences when do deals 3 for £20

But am I being just being cheap? Is the point of luxury that it makes you feel special as you've spent so much?

‘Most people can’t afford high end designer clothing. The clothing lines (especially haute couture or what you see on the runways and red carpets) might not even be profitable to these companies. Instead, they serve to promote the brand and create an image of luxury. When the regular consumer buys something they CAN afford from that brand (a perfume, makeup, some small accessory) they feel like they are buying a small part of that luxury and aspirational lifestyle. Those items sell with big profit margins and in large volumes, so that’s how these companies make their money.’ (Reddit)

So please don’t feel cheap.

Have any of use tried sparkle fragrances ?

I work on a market stall that sells dupes. I'd say atleast 70% of them smell IDENTICAL to the real thing. When people ask if they last as long I say do not purchase now...use the tester and if you can still smell it on you sat on the sofa tonight come back.

To be totally honest when I wear a £100 givency perfume I go nose blind to it anyhow!

Our dupes go from £4.50-£12.99. If its saving people £95 a pop then even if it doesn't last as long that's good enough for me!

More than welcome to pm me and I'll send you some samples before you part with your hard earned money

I use a mix, dupes from perfume parlour
Then sort of dupes like next summer sun because I prefer it to bronze goddess
And original perfumes, mostly smaller indie brands like Kyse that haven't been duped anywhere

Real perfume lasts longer so it depends what you want it to do

Essence vault do amazing dupes

I wear dupes too. I use some of the companies mentioned already but M&S have some fab dupes too. Their Santal 33 dupe Apothecary Warmth is amongst my favourites.

Has anyone found a dupe for the original Stella perfume?

See my post above. 😊

I wear Tom Ford dupes from the essence vault. They're really good. Compare well to the real thing just don't last as long.

I only use dupes now. My go to scent is Dior Addict. I found out that most of the designer brands are tested on animals but saw EDEN Perfumes apparently did a version and it was cruelty free. It was also a quarter of the price.

I was dubious, but bought a small bottle. When it arrived, I couldn't believe that it actually smelt identical to the real thing. I wore a squirt on one wrist and what was left of real one on other. The dupe (also an EDP) lasted longer.

I also found a lovely day scent (Gloria by Cacherel) that I loved in the 00s was available at another dupe company called Perfume Parlour. This perfume was long discontinued, so I was delighted to find its replacement almost 20 years later.

Not all are identical though. I buy the dupe of Narciso Rodriguez often and although it's not an exact match, it's close enough and smells lovely.

I always recommend these companies to people, but suggest they order a small bottle or tester to start.

Would be interested to know if they last a decent amount of time. I'd imagine they wear off much quicker than the originals.
That said, perfume never seems to last very long on me anyway.

I've bought them - as pps say, if they smell nice, that's what matters, even if the nice smell isn't an exact match to the designer brand.

I have lots of perfume and have a real mix of ‘real’ and dupes. I’m just not interested in paying for the branding and packaging for some perfumes. Others, I really love and want the original bottle and the whole consumer experience.

There are some fantastic dupes around these days. Crack on!

But am I being just being cheap? Is the point of luxury that it makes you feel special as you've spent so much?

The point of perfume (in my mind) is that you like the smell. If you like the smell of the dupe, use that!