Calling All Fragrance Lovers: Your Guide to Designer Scents on a Budget
We all love a signature scent that makes us feel expensive, but not everyone wants to drop hundreds of dollars on a bottle. Luckily, the Aussie fragrance scene is full of incredible perfume dupes that give serious designer energy without the luxury price tag. Most are oil-based for better longevity, cruelty-free, and made right here in Australia.
Here’s your guide to the best high-end alternatives that actually live up to the hype.
Àerre Daydreamer – A $49 Dupe for Tom Ford Soleil Blanc
This one’s a beach holiday in a bottle. Daydreamer by Àerre opens with creamy coconut, spicy cardamom and bergamot, then melts into jasmine and ylang-ylang over a warm amber base. It’s sultry, elegant and fresh, perfectly capturing the essence of Tom Ford’s Soleil Blanc, which retails for over $400. As noted in this Mamamia guide to affordable perfume dupes, it’s one of the most convincing scent matches on the market.
Àerre Velvet Underground – A $55 Alternative to Tom Ford Lost Cherry
Rich cherry, boozy almond, a splash of rose and a dark, resinous dry-down, Velvet Underground nails the moodiness of Tom Ford’s Lost Cherry without the $575 price tag. This extrait de parfum lingers for hours and was recently highlighted in a 7NEWS feature on fragrance dupes as a favourite for Aussies who want depth and drama without the designer markup.
Black Opium Fans, Take Note – These Three Dupes Are Spot-On
If you love that iconic mix of vanilla and coffee in YSL Black Opium, there are three brilliant local alternatives to try:
Àerre After Hours delivers the bold espresso opening and smooth vanilla heart in a sleek bottle for just $45. Its oil-based formula means you’ll smell it all day.
Ambery Vanilla by Dossier (around $29 AUD when shipped to Australia) is an internationally loved option with soft coffee notes and a balanced sweet finish. Though US-based, it’s popular among Australian shoppers.
Revolution’s Revolutionary Noir, available locally through select beauty retailers, offers a floral-vanilla mix at just $15, making it a great budget-friendly daily spritz.
The full breakdown on how these stack up was covered in Melissa Jane Lee’s Black Opium dupe roundup.
Hideaway Vanilla Delight – A $30 Dupe for Kayali Vanilla 28
Love warm, dessert-like scents? Hideaway’s Vanilla Delight is made in Queensland and combines vanilla bean, caramel and a hint of amber for that addictive, comforting effect. It’s a soft but grown-up swap for Kayali Vanilla 28, which typically retails for over $200. It was featured in a Beauty’s blog roundup on perfume dupes as one of the top local picks for vanilla lovers.
Cult Fragrances 135 – A Baccarat Rouge 540 Twin for $55
If you’re after something luxe and layered, Cult Fragrances’ “135” is a brilliant homegrown answer to Baccarat Rouge 540. With notes of saffron, jasmine and ambergris, it has that airy-sweet-but-woody finish the original is famous for. The scent was praised in the Mamamia article on budget fragrance swaps for its near-identical dry-down and strong projection, all without the $429 price tag.
Beautys Roll-On – A $35 Coco Mademoiselle Dupe That Travels Well
Beauty’s Chanel Coco-inspired roll-on is ideal for anyone who wants that fresh, floral sophistication without breaking the bank. With orange blossom, rose and patchouli, it’s vibrant but mature. It’s also handbag-sized and made with a low-alcohol base, making it great for sensitive skin. This product was recently featured in a Daily Telegraph roundup of affordable fragrance gifts.
Àerre Free Reign – A $49 Pick for Fans of YSL Libre
Free Reign by Àerre opens with bold lavender and citrus, then transitions into a creamy vanilla and amber finish. If you’re after something clean, modern and slightly musky like YSL Libre, this is a strong contender. It was called out in 7NEWS’ fragrance dupe guide as one of the best value buys currently trending in Australia.
How to Make Your Scent Last Longer
Always moisturise before applying perfume – unscented lotion helps fragrance stick.
Spray on pulse points like your wrists, neck and behind the ears.
Hairbrushes and fabric (like your scarf or jacket lining) also help hold scent.
For oil-based fragrances, dabbing is better than rubbing to preserve the notes.
The Best Aussie Fragrance Dupe Brands
These local heroes are making waves for all the right reasons:
Àerre: Sydney-based, offering oil-based perfumes that replicate luxury scents without parabens, sulphates or animal testing.
Cult Fragrances: Melbourne label known for rich extrait de parfum blends, with a focus on minimal packaging and maximal wear.
Beautys: Affordable roll-on perfumes that mimic designer classics using Australian ingredients.
Hideaway: Queensland brand specialising in sweet, nostalgic fragrances and whipped soap products.
The Final Spritz
You don’t need to spend hundreds to smell like you do. These fragrance dupes give you all the charm and character of high-end scents without the guilt, while being Aussie-made, accessible and thoughtfully crafted.
Whether you want something romantic, bold, beachy or just a feel-good daily staple, your signature scent is out there … and it probably costs less than $60.
