Perfume Dupes in Australia: How Inspired-By Fragrances Work

Search for almost any well-known fragrance and you will find the word dupe next to it. A perfume dupe is a fragrance made in the style of a famous one: the same scent family, a similar structure of notes, sold under a different name at a lower price. In the trade they are more often called inspired-by fragrances, which is the term we use at Alemar.

This guide explains what you are actually buying, how close an inspired-by scent can get, and what to check before you order one in Australia.

A dupe is not a fake

The two get confused, and the difference matters.

• A counterfeit copies the name, the bottle and the box, and pretends to be the original.
• An inspired-by fragrance is sold under its maker's own name, in its maker's own bottle. It tells you which scent inspired it so you know what style to expect, and it never claims to be that product.

Every Alemar fragrance carries our name and our own code, such as P001, and comes in our own weighted matte glass. We are an independent Australian fragrance house and are not affiliated with any of the brands named on this page.

How close does an inspired-by fragrance get?

Honestly: close in character, not identical. A good one follows the same shape as its inspiration. It opens with the same kind of notes, settles into the same heart and dries down in the same family. What changes is the materials, the concentration and the way it wears on your skin.

Concentration is worth a closer look. Most eau de parfum is sold at around 15% to 20%. Ours are poured at 40% extrait de parfum strength, so they open more slowly and stay on skin for longer.

What to check before you buy

1. Concentration. Eau de toilette, eau de parfum and extrait are very different things. If a seller does not state it, assume the lower end.
2. The note pyramid. A seller who lists top, heart and base notes is telling you what is in the bottle. Compare them with what you already like.
3. Size and price together. A $30 bottle is not cheaper if it is 30ml and gone in a month.
4. Where it ships from. Local stock means days, not weeks. We dispatch from New South Wales, with free standard shipping on orders of $100 or more.
5. The returns policy. Fragrance is personal, so read it before you order rather than after.

Popular styles, and where to start

Here are some of the best-known styles, each linked to the Alemar fragrance inspired by it.

For him

• Inspired by Creed Aventus: P001, pineapple, bergamot and birch
• Inspired by Dior Sauvage: P004, bergamot, pepper and lavender
• Inspired by Chanel Bleu de Chanel: P003, grapefruit, ginger and sandalwood
• Inspired by Tom Ford Oud Wood: P008, cardamom, oud and sandalwood

For her

• Inspired by Yves Saint Laurent Black Opium: P013, pear, coffee and vanilla
• Inspired by Kayali Vanilla 28: P015, orchid, brown sugar and vanilla
• Inspired by Dior Miss Dior: P011, mandarin, rose and peony

Unisex and niche

• Inspired by Maison Francis Kurkdjian Baccarat Rouge 540: P034, saffron, jasmine and amberwood
• Inspired by Le Labo Santal 33: P041, cardamom, iris and sandalwood
• Inspired by Tom Ford Lost Cherry: P032, black cherry, bitter almond and tonka bean

Browse the full range in perfumes, or narrow it down with Find your scent.

One scent, three formats

Many of our compositions are made as a 50ml perfume, a 200ml room spray and an 8ml hanging car diffuser, so the scent you wear can also be the scent of your home and your car. Spend $80 on perfumes or room sprays and a car diffuser is free, so the Alemar Trio, one of each, comes to $80.

Frequently asked questions

Is a dupe the same as the original?

No. It is made in the same style and should be recognisably similar, but it is a different fragrance from a different maker. Treat any claim of an exact match with caution.

How long does an inspired-by perfume last?

It depends on concentration more than anything else. At 40% extrait strength, two sprays is usually enough.

Are you connected to the brands you mention?

No. Alemar Fragrance House is independent. Other brands' names appear only so you can tell which style each of our fragrances was inspired by.

Do you ship Australia-wide?

Yes. Standard delivery takes 3 to 5 business days and is free on orders of $100 or more. Express takes 1 to 2.