The world of dupe perfumes is surrounded by questions, doubts, and, above all, many myths. Whether they last less, whether the ingredients are worse, whether they are simple copies... If you have ever felt confused by all this information, you have come to the right place. Today we are going to debunk, one by one, the most widespread myths and reveal the truths that the fragrance industry sometimes prefers not to tell.
Get ready to discover why a high-quality fragrance doesn’t have to cost a fortune and how to make smarter purchasing decisions. If you want to know more about what exactly a dupe perfume is, we recommend starting with our fundamental guide on dupe perfumes.
Myth 1: dupe perfumes last less
The myth: "I have tried dupe perfumes and the scent fades in an hour. Originals last all day because they are of better quality."
The truth: The longevity of a fragrance does not depend on its price or brand, but on its essence concentration and the quality of its fixatives. A dupe perfume formulated as "Eau de Parfum" will have an essence concentration between 15% and 20%, exactly the same as an Eau de Parfum from a luxury brand. This gives it a duration of between 6 and 8 hours, always depending on skin type and olfactory notes. A citrus scent will always be more volatile than a woody one, regardless of the brand. To understand this better, you can read our article on the difference between Eau de Parfum and Eau de Toilette.
Myth 2: they use lower quality ingredients
The myth: "They are so cheap because they use industrial alcohol and low-quality synthetic ingredients that can damage the skin."
The truth: All fragrances, both luxury and dupe, legally sold in Europe must pass the same strict cosmetic controls. This guarantees that the ingredients, including alcohol, are safe for the skin. Modern perfumery uses a combination of high-quality natural and synthetic ingredients to create complex and stable aromas. The savings in dupe perfumes do not come from the ingredients, but from the elimination of indirect costs: multimillion-dollar advertising campaigns, brand ambassadors, luxury packaging, and large distribution margins. At divain., we invest in what matters: the quality of the essence.
Myth 3: they are counterfeits or illegal copies
The myth: "Selling dupes is illegal because they are copying another brand’s work."
The truth: This is one of the most important myths to clarify. Dupe perfumes are not counterfeits. A counterfeit tries to illegally replicate both the liquid and the bottle and the name of a registered brand. Dupe perfumes, on the other hand, are original olfactory creations inspired by a popular trend or olfactory family. The law protects a brand or bottle design, but it cannot protect a scent, which is a combination of ingredients. Therefore, creating a fragrance that reminds you of another is completely legal, as long as the name or registered trademark of the original fragrance is not used. We will soon publish a complete guide on this topic.
Myth 4: the scent changes and spoils quickly
The myth: "They smell similar at first, but after half an hour the scent becomes strange and unpleasant."
The truth: A quality dupe perfume respects the complete olfactory pyramid (top, heart, and base notes) of the trend it is inspired by. If a fragrance changes to a strange smell, it is a sign of poor formulation, not a characteristic of all dupes. Good dupe houses, like divain., invest in master perfumers who know how to reinterpret a complete olfactory structure so that it evolves on the skin harmoniously and coherently, from the first impression to the final notes that last hours later. Learn more about what the olfactory pyramid is here.
Myth 5: the bottle is ugly and low quality
The myth: "The packaging is very simple, which proves the product is low quality."
The truth: The minimalist design of dupe perfume bottles is a conscious decision and one of the keys to saving costs. Instead of investing in exclusive designs and expensive materials for the container, a standardized and quality bottle is used for all fragrances. This allows focusing investment on the quality of the fragrance, which is what really matters. It is a philosophy of "accessible luxury": would you rather pay for an exceptional scent or for a bottle that will just gather dust on a shelf?
Myth 6: all dupe perfumes are the same
The myth: "It doesn’t matter where you buy it, all dupe perfumes inspired by the same scent smell exactly the same."
The truth: This is completely false. Quality among different dupe perfume manufacturers can vary enormously. The difference lies in the quality of raw materials, the skill of the perfumers, and the investment in the maceration process. Two companies can be inspired by the same olfactory trend, but one may use higher quality essences and a more careful process, resulting in a much richer, longer-lasting, and truer fragrance to the desired scent. At divain., we have expert perfumers and do not skimp on the quality of our ingredients, which is why not all dupes are the same.
Myth 7: they are only for people who can’t afford the original
The myth: "Buying dupes is a ‘want but can’t’ situation. If you like a fragrance, you should save up and buy the branded one."
The truth: This is a classist and outdated view. Nowadays, the biggest buyers of dupe perfumes are smart consumers and great fragrance lovers. They have understood that the value is not in the bottle’s logo, but in the quality of the juice. Many of our customers have both luxury and dupe perfumes and use them according to the occasion. They see dupes as a way to build a versatile and extensive fragrance wardrobe without having to make an exorbitant investment. It is a rational purchase, not a purchase of resignation.
Myth 8: they are not good for gifting
The myth: "Giving a dupe as a gift is tacky. A real gift has to be from a known brand to show you care."
The truth: Giving a dupe perfume as a gift is actually an incredibly smart and thoughtful gesture. It shows you have thought about the person beyond the brand. Instead of giving a single expensive fragrance, you can give a pack of 3 or 4 high-quality dupe fragrances for the same price. This allows the person to have a fragrance for every occasion (work, night, weekend), which is much more useful and exciting. Also, it shows you value the quality of the scent over the status of a brand. It is a modern, practical gift that says: "I care so much about your happiness that I’m giving you an entire fragrance wardrobe, not just one bottle."
What is true about dupe perfumes
- They are more affordable: By eliminating marketing and luxury packaging costs, they offer exceptional quality at a fraction of the price.
- They allow you to have a "fragrance wardrobe": Their accessible price lets you have several fragrances and choose one for each occasion, instead of always using the same one.
- They are legal creations: They are inspired by olfactory trends, not copying registered brands.
- They pass the same quality controls: They are safe cosmetic products and dermatologically tested.
Become a smart buyer
Now that you know the truth, you have the power to make more informed decisions. Choosing a dupe perfume does not mean giving up quality, quite the opposite: it means investing smartly in what really matters, the scent. We invite you to explore our collection of more than 1000 dupe perfumes and test these myths for yourself. Are you ready to discover accessible luxury?
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