Cheap Smell-alikes - Cheaper alternatives to Expensive Perfumes

sofababe

OnAndUp wrote: »

Save me reading back loads of pages

Which is the site that most people are buying them from?

Thanks!

http://www.perfume-parlour.co.uk/

This is the site we are mostly discussing on this thread. HTH

sofababe

Smithsonian wrote: »

Is it really cheaper?

Have someone done an analysis on how long different bottles of this pure perfume last compared to the high street versions with added alcohol and water?

I decided to find out how long one bottle would last some months ago, and a 3ml bottle of Perfume Parlour oil took me just over 1 month to use up, applying probably 2-3 times a day as I chose a fragrance that wasn't too strong on me. Most of the oils I have currently really only need to be applied once and last all day, so a bottle would easily last 6 weeks. So £2.25 x 9 a year = £20.25, less than the cost of a 30ml bottle of EDP from Boots or similar. Would a bottle that size last you a year? And wouldn't you be sick of it every day by then anyway?

IMO these oils, which ever site you use, are outstanding value as they really allow you to have so much choice for such a small outlay. Personally I like to wear something different each day, fragrance is just another part of my wardrobe, so in the same way that I wouldn't wear the same clothes every single day, I don't wear the same fragrance every day either.

OnAndUp

Thanks for replying Sofababe!

Do you think they generally smell like the real thing or is it just a similar smell?

I remember a few years back that you could get constance caroll? perfumes that were supposed to smell like expensive ones but I always though they smelled quite cheap!

dpixie

onandup - i have a few PP oil (although i am quite new to them) and have been curious enough to go and check that they smell the same as those in the dutyfree shops i pass. the ghost is spot on and so is the flowerbomb. narsisco rodrigues is spot on too, as is the lolita lempika. i think the amazing grace is pretty spot on as i was able to identify the perfume on someone else, having ordered it for myself, but never having smelt it in a shop, however, this is a smell that i, personally, don't like, its just not fun enough for me. the only other one i have "tested" is the black orchid, which is also pretty spot on - i sprayed it onto a perfume paper in duty free, put it in a plastic bag and brought it home, i thought it was great. the one that i love the most, but dont know if is similar is "SPRING" - i love it and go through a 3ml bottle in about 3 weeks as i keep topping up the scent on me as i love it - however, i dont know of a creed stockist in deepest darkest france to compare it to.

hope that helps


d

sofababe

OnAndUp wrote: »

Thanks for replying Sofababe!

Do you think they generally smell like the real thing or is it just a similar smell?

I remember a few years back that you could get constance caroll? perfumes that were supposed to smell like expensive ones but I always though they smelled quite cheap!

I have to agree with dpixie, they really are extremely good. They don't smell like cheap versions of the real thing because they're not watered down, which is why I think the likes of the Constance Carroll scents were so weak.
I have 28 oils from Perfume Parlour that I'm using at the moment and the only one I've tried that isn't dead right is Ed Hardy, BUT, the real EH is sooo sweet that many people find it too much but PP's version is better because u get all the lovely notes without being overpowered by the syrupy tone of the original.
I often choose which oils to buy by trying samples of designer scents and then ordering the corresponding oil. I currently have several fragrances where I have both genuine samples and oils and there really is no difference. Apart from the staying power.
The best way to decide for yourself is to order an oil, the original of which u are familiar with. If u decide its not for u (unlikely :cool:) then u've only lost a couple of £s. If u do make a purchase let us know what u think.

OnAndUp

Thanks sofababe & dpixie! :T

I don't really need any perfume as I already have about 10+ bottles! - you know how it is! I'm not a stick to the same perfume person I soon get bored with the smell so never really buy more than 30ml unless it's really cheap - I once bought 100ml of CK Eternity duty free and it lasted me so long it put me off it for life!! So I tend to have 3 or 4 bottles on the go then put them away for a couple of months rotate them and swap again etc. so I don't get sick of them.

But.....I had a squirt of Marc Jacobs daisy in boots a few weeks back and really liked it very different smell so was tempted...but could not justify buying any especially at that price. :eek: So I think I will try 3 x 3ml, I'm thinking of getting the Daisy which I have never had before a Light Blue and a Jean Paul Gaultier classic both of which I have used before but not the JPG for a very long time so I can compare them.

I try to vary fragrances for time of year for a bit of variety so am using a couple of what I think are lighter more summery ones at the moment Issey Miyake, DKNY Be Delicious, Emporio Armani White - Red and also CK Euphoria.

Thanks again!

ps. Funny they don't seem to do any Chanel ones?

pattycake

I have got Coco Mademoiselle so they do Chanel at Perfume Parlour. I have had it a little while so before they had to change all the names.

sofababe

OnAndUp, if u email them u can order Chanel. I'm not sure why they aren't on the list but they do have them. I have some myself and asked recently if they were still doing them and was told "Yes". They add new fragrances regularly too, so if there's something thats not on the list its always worth dropping them a message to ask, I've always found them to be very helpful and quick to reply to inquiries

OnAndUp

Thanks again!

Are the 3ml normal bottles or roll on bottles or are the roll ons just on the bigger size ones?

ps. Is it this ebay shop http://stores.ebay.co.uk/The-Perfume-Parlour?

sofababe

OnAndUp wrote: »

Thanks again!

Are the 3ml normal bottles or roll on bottles or are the roll ons just on the bigger size ones?

ps. Is it this ebay shop http://stores.ebay.co.uk/The-Perfume-Parlour?

http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Base-Notez
This is their eBay shop.

Yes the 3ml bottles are roll ons, I think all sizes are. HTH