Fragrances inspired by famous perfumes cost far less, but they do not always smell or last the same. This checklist uses a Which? test, credited below, and applies it to a real brand.
1. Test a sample first
The Which? perfume tests used blind tests with more than 40 participants, with all perfumes in unbranded bottles. You can do a version of that yourself: wear a sample for a day without thinking about the name on the box.
2. Check how long it lasts
Which? found testers noticed the dupes' smells were weaker after about an hour, while most originals lasted three hours or more. Note the scent after one hour and after four.
3. Watch the opening
Which? reported that several cheaper scents had a sharp, chemical or alcoholic opening that faded later. Give a scent a few minutes before judging it.
4. Compare price per millilitre
Which? noted dupes are often cheaper and larger than the originals, which can offset shorter longevity if you reapply. Divide the price by the volume and ignore crossed-out prices.
5. Read the refund terms
Check whether sale items, opened bottles and candles can be returned, who pays return postage and whether a bundle must be returned complete. Buy samples before bundles.
An example: checking a brand against the list
In our Amour Scents review we applied these questions. The brand sells £5 sample sets and low-priced bundles, but its refund policy excludes sale items and candles and Which? did not test its range.
A note on the sources
Which? is a UK consumer organization, and its test covered four pairings only. We wrote this article in our own words. Some links to brands on this site are affiliate links; see our affiliate disclosure.