First off, forget anyone who tells you there’s an *exact* match. Ain’t gonna happen. Perfume is like, chemistry and magic and fairy dust all rolled into one. You’re never gonna get the *exact* same thing, but you can definitely get close. Like, “close enough that your friends will compliment you and you can giggle to yourself knowing you saved a ton of cash” close.
I’ve seen a bunch of articles online (hence, why I’m even writing this, lol). They all list like, a zillion “alternatives.” But honestly? Half of them smell nothing like what they claim to. It’s like, “This smells *vaguely* floral! Therefore, it’s a Peony & Blush Suede dupe!” Nah, bruh. Not how it works.
And speaking of Peony & Blush Suede… that’s a popular one to dupe. I’ve seen a couple listed, but honestly, I’d say look for something with a really prominent rose note and a hint of apple. That’s kind of the vibe. Maybe throw in a *tiny* bit of suede, but don’t overdo it. It’s the sweetness that really makes that one.
Then there’s English Pear & Freesia. Oh man, that one’s a classic. I think the key there is finding something that’s got that fresh, almost *sparkling* pear note. Freesia is important too, obviously, but that pear is what makes it pop. Aldi, bless their budget-friendly hearts, apparently has a dupe for this one. I haven’t tried it personally, but Aldi dupes can be surprisingly good. Sometimes. It’s a gamble, but a cheap gamble!
And Wood Sage & Sea Salt? That one’s tricky. It’s all about that salty, almost “beachy but not in a sunscreen way” vibe. I’d say look for something with a bit of ambergris (or a synthetic version of it, because, you know, ethical considerations!), and maybe a touch of grapefruit. It’s a weird combo, but it works.
Honestly, the best way to find a dupe is just to go out and *smell* stuff. Like, actually go to the store (or order samples online – that’s my preferred method, tbh) and just sniff everything. Don’t just rely on what some random article (like this one, lol) tells you. Your nose knows best! Plus, you might stumble across something you like even *more* than the original Jo Malone. Who knows?
And don’t be afraid to layer fragrances! Sometimes, the perfect “dupe” is actually a combination of two cheaper scents that, when combined, create something similar to the real deal. It’s like perfume alchemy!
