A lot of users have DM’d me after seeing my posts in response to shilling on the forums of replica fragrances. Fragrances is one of my hobbies for many years and I’ve spent thousands on authentics, splits and replica scents. I thought I’d give you guys a quick guide.
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Research: Whatever scent you want google: the colgone name + clone
You will see many results including forums dedicated to fragrances (basenotes/fragantica), as well as many youtube videos. Take some time and see what the best recommendation is among the community. Sometimes scents start off close but end up drying down very different (see the science section below).
Example: If I google “best tuscan leather clone”
I will see from the discussions in the results that Rasasi La Yuqawam is the consensus as the best clone. -
Purchase from Reputable Well Reviewed Houses
Some of the best clone houses are reputable large manufacturers like Rasasi and Armaf. They make a lot of clones of niche fragrances (if you wanna know what a niche fragrance is see the section below on niche vs designer). Other well-reviewed companies that are known for replica fragrances include Perfume Parlour in the UK, Zoha Aroma in Canada, Alexandria and DUA Fragrances in the United States. All these companies ship internationally I believe I’m just giving you general locations. You can usually get Armafs and Rasasis off popular fragrance sites like Fragrance Net or Fragrance X. Googling any of these companies along with the term “clone” or “dupe” you’ll get tonnes of info/threads/videos on peoples takes. Remember not one company makes all the best replica scents, some perform better than others and smell closer (see the science section below for more details).
https://www.perfume-parlour.co.uk/
http://zohaaroma.com/
https://alexandriafragrances.com/
https://www.dua-fragrances.com/
https://www.fragrancenet.com/fragrances/armaf
https://www.fragrancenet.com/search/rasasi -
Buy Splits/Decants
Sometimes the best alternative is a split. Instead of buying a full 50 ml bottle of lets say a Tom ford Cologne for $250, you can go on fragrance forums such as basenotes to the SPLITS sections, and get 50mL for $90 or even buy smaller quantities such as 10/20mL. The way this works is someone buys a LARGE flacon bottle of 500mL lets say for a cheaper price and splits the cost and the fragrance.
http://www.basenotes.net/forums/142-Fragrance-Splits-Board
My Recommendation: Sometimes a replica fragrance can be better than authentic (you just need to research this), but other times its never close, and in those cases it is better to get a split.
Niche vs Designer: Designer fragrances are the ones in the department store. The ones made by Gucci, YSL, Dior ect, these aren’t actually luxury fragrances. They are called designer because they are department store scents and priced at designer prices ($80-$150). Niche fragrances usually are much stronger in scent, and have a much more complex scent profile, and often give off more of a luxury smell, luxury houses include Creed, Bond 9, Tom Ford Private Line, By Killian (these are usually $200 up to $800 a bottle).
The Science: Fragrances are broken up into 4 main parts, Scent, Projection, Sillage and Longevity.
Scent: There’s usually two portions of a scent the opening and dry down. The opening is how it smells when you first spray it and the dry down is how it smells usually after an hour or as time progresses. A lot of replica fragrances have bad scent progression and although they start off close they small alot different on the dry down. The importance is the opening only lasts for an hour, you’re stuck with the dry down. This is how a fragrance is composed- the top notes, mid notes and base notes, the top notes hit you first on opening, the mid and base notes hit you on the dry down the remaining few hours.
Projection: This is how much the scent projects out, how much people far away from you can smell it. The other problem with cheap replicas and fragrance oils (and just oils in general) is that they become skin scents, meaning someone can only smell it if they are directly beside you.
Sillage: This basically is your scent trail, how much the scent can linger in the air as you move. Generally, this is closely related to projection, but even skin scents have some sillage.
Longevity: This is straight forward how long a scent lasts, now don’t get this twisted though, I’ve tried many oils that last all day, the problem is they are skin scents, and people can no longer smell it far away. Ideally, you want something with good longevity and projection.
Final Thoughts: With the tools I’ve given you you can do your own research and buy a scent that’s right for you with the right science. Generally, most popular well known and reviewed replica fragrances are on Fragantica and are evaluated exactly on the science I’ve explained to you, so find the best company that makes that scent you want, or if the reviews aren’t great for any of them try a split.
If you Still Have No Clue: For those who dont even know what they like I’m giving you the best recommendations:
Armaf Tres Nuit – Clone of Creed Green Irish Tweed – Safe for the office and generally clean fresh scent
Rasasi Al-Wisam – Clone of Creed Silver Mountain Water – Very Fresh Clean Scent Great for Summer
Alexandria Sweet Smoke- Clone of Tom Ford Tobacco Vanille – A sweet tobacco scent more suited for winter or formal wear.
Armaf Ventana – Dior Sauvage Clone – this is loved by every girl for some reason. I personally think it smells too generic but for some reason people LOVE sauvage.
