So, I’ve been diving deep (well, as deep as a casual perfume enthusiast can get, anyway) into the world of these “inspired by” fragrances coming out of the Middle East, and let me tell you, it’s a wild ride. You see stuff like “Ard Al Zaafaran Ahlam Al Arab” which is supposedly a dupe for Montale Black Aoud. Apparently, it’s all about that oud (which, btw, I still haven’t fully figured out if I even *like* oud, it’s so polarizing!). And there’s Swiss Arabian Shaghaf Oud Aswad that’s trying to be like Lancome Oud Bouquet, with rose and praline thrown in the mix. Sounds kinda yummy, tbh.
Listen, it’s not always *perfect*, ya know? Sometimes, the “dupe” misses the mark. Like, you might think you’re getting the same vibe as, say, a super expensive Tom Ford or Creed, but then it smells…kinda synthetic. Or maybe the longevity is crap. But hey, for the price? You can overspray like crazy and not feel guilty. I mean, who are we kidding, a bottle of Creed costs more than my rent sometimes!
And then you got these places, like, Al Haramain, with their Amber Oud Collection…they’re practically *bragging* about being dupes. Which, good for them, I guess? It’s like, “Yeah, we know what you’re after, and we’re gonna give it to ya at a fraction of the price!” I’ve seen quite a few brands pop up, from Paris Corner to Khadlaj, and Fragrance World – these guys are really doing the most. You can find them shipping to the EU, UK, even the US. It’s a global dupe-conomy!
One thing I *do* find interesting is how much these perfumes are based on oud, amber, rose, and spices. Like, that’s the core of so many of these Middle Eastern inspired scents. Which, makes sense, right? But it also means you gotta be into those notes to really appreciate them. If you’re a “fresh and citrusy” kinda person, you might be outta luck.
I saw this Reddit thread where people were talking about their fav dupes…it’s super interesting to see what everyone is finding. There’s no real “dupe score” like some kinda pro perfume reviewer would give, but its just people giving their opinions and sharing their finds.
