Budget Perfume Outshines Luxury Rivals

Consumer tests have revealed that budget-friendly fragrance dupes can rival, and even surpass, their expensive designer counterparts. In a blind smelling test conducted by Which?, a £24.99 dupe of Yves Saint Laurent's Black Opium was preferred by testers over the original £95 scent, offering a potential saving of £70.

While some budget fragrances exhibited a brief chemical or alcoholic opening, they often evolved into complex scents with woody and musky notes. In other comparisons, the original Miss Dior and Jo Malone Peony & Blush Suede were slightly favored over their respective dupes, though the cost savings remained significant, with potential savings of £75 and £79.51.

The primary compromise with most budget dupes was longevity, with scents fading more quickly than their luxury counterparts. However, Which? suggests that for those willing to reapply, these affordable alternatives provide a way to enjoy beloved fragrances for considerably less money.