Think $445 is too much for perfume? This $29.99 dupe might just win you over
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Fragrance shopping can often feel like a luxury reserved for those with deep pockets.
But every now and then, a surprising discovery on a local shelf turns that idea on its head.
One retail worker’s recent find has sparked major interest—and comparisons to some of the world’s most expensive perfumes.
Fragrance lovers know the thrill of finding a scent that turns heads—without draining the bank account.
And one Chemist Warehouse retail manager from Melbourne seemed to do just that, claiming she’d stumbled upon a $29.99 dupe of one of the world’s most coveted perfumes, which usually costs hundreds of dollars more.
But the real twist? She wasn’t the only one convinced.
Jess, who works at the retail chain, believed the Made in Lab No. 115 Eau de Parfum was a near-perfect match for Maison Francis Kurkdjian Baccarat Rouge 540—a luxury fragrance that retails for a jaw-dropping $445 for just 70mL, or $881 for 200mL.
‘We’ve got a new Baccarat Rouge dupe for you,’ she revealed in a video shared to social media.
‘And it’s up there with one of the best. Why? It’s $30, it lasts so long on the skin and it just smells identical.’
Source: TikTok/jessfromchemistwarehouse
The excitement didn’t stop at the price. Jess pointed out that while Made in Lab No. 115 lacked a couple of ingredients found in the high-end version—namely ambroxan and oak moss—it still gave off an uncannily similar aroma.
‘The Made in Lab No. 115 has almost the exact same notes (as Baccarat Rouge) except it’s missing the ambroxan and oak moss notes,’ she explained.
‘But I still think it smells exactly the same and it has great longevity...it’s not as overpowering like some of the other dupes out there, but the longevity is still insane.
‘It smells so good.’
Fans of the original scent were quick to take notice, with several commenting on social media that they were eager to give the budget-friendly alternative a try.
Jess encouraged others to act fast: ‘Highly recommend giving this one a go if you love Baccarat Rouge. You know the saying...Run.’
One user wrote: ‘OMG I need it.’ Another added: ‘Sooo good.’
Beyond its wallet-friendly price tag and scent similarities, what also stood out was its versatility—it was designed to be unisex, appealing to a wide range of perfume lovers.
This wasn’t the first time Jess had drawn attention to affordable alternatives at Chemist Warehouse. Just weeks earlier, she made waves by highlighting Made in Lab No. 18 Eau de Parfum, which she believed mirrored Giorgio Armani’s Si—a fragrance that typically sells for $299.
‘I just found the closest dupe to Giorgio Armani Si I have ever smelt,’ she said.
‘Like when I mean “the closest”, I mean Giorgio Armani has six notes...Made In Lab has six notes.
‘To say I was shocked at how good this fragrance smelt is an understatement.’
According to Jess, both scents shared an identical note structure, making Made in Lab No. 18 one of the most convincing alternatives she had come across.
‘This fragrance (Giorgio Armani Si) is one of the top sellers, and for a reason. It’s a beautiful, vanilla, woody scent,’ she said.
‘Made In Lab 18 is a brand new scent to—only available at Chemist Warehouse might I add...If you’re not already convinced, it’s only $30.’
She also addressed a common concern among perfume shoppers: how long a cheaper scent could actually last on the skin.
‘Now I know what you’re saying...a $30 fragrance? I bet it doesn’t last. Well, let me tell you...The longevity is so good. It lasted on my skin for hours.’
As far as Jess was concerned, both of these dupes were set to become fan favourites.
‘Run to Chemist Warehouse…We all know these will fly off the shelf,’ she said.
If you’ve ever wondered why designer lookalikes are suddenly popping up everywhere—and whether they’re actually worth it—you’re not alone.
From perfumes to handbags, Aussies are finding clever ways to shop smarter without sacrificing style.
Take a look at this report and see what all the fuss is about.
Source: Youtube/7NEWS Australia
With perfume prices climbing higher each year, would you give a budget-friendly dupe a go—or do you stick with the classics you know and love? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
In a previous story, we looked at how Kmart has become a go-to spot for luxe-looking finds without the hefty price tag.
For seniors who enjoy a little indulgence without the guilt, spotting a good dupe can be just as satisfying as the real deal.
If you love finding quality alternatives for less, that one’s worth a read too.
Read more: Dreaming of a luxury item? There’s probably a dupe at Kmart
But every now and then, a surprising discovery on a local shelf turns that idea on its head.
One retail worker’s recent find has sparked major interest—and comparisons to some of the world’s most expensive perfumes.
Fragrance lovers know the thrill of finding a scent that turns heads—without draining the bank account.
And one Chemist Warehouse retail manager from Melbourne seemed to do just that, claiming she’d stumbled upon a $29.99 dupe of one of the world’s most coveted perfumes, which usually costs hundreds of dollars more.
But the real twist? She wasn’t the only one convinced.
$445 perfume dupe found for $29.99. Image source: TikTok/jessfromchemistwarehouse
Jess, who works at the retail chain, believed the Made in Lab No. 115 Eau de Parfum was a near-perfect match for Maison Francis Kurkdjian Baccarat Rouge 540—a luxury fragrance that retails for a jaw-dropping $445 for just 70mL, or $881 for 200mL.
‘We’ve got a new Baccarat Rouge dupe for you,’ she revealed in a video shared to social media.
‘And it’s up there with one of the best. Why? It’s $30, it lasts so long on the skin and it just smells identical.’
Source: TikTok/jessfromchemistwarehouse
The excitement didn’t stop at the price. Jess pointed out that while Made in Lab No. 115 lacked a couple of ingredients found in the high-end version—namely ambroxan and oak moss—it still gave off an uncannily similar aroma.
‘The Made in Lab No. 115 has almost the exact same notes (as Baccarat Rouge) except it’s missing the ambroxan and oak moss notes,’ she explained.
‘But I still think it smells exactly the same and it has great longevity...it’s not as overpowering like some of the other dupes out there, but the longevity is still insane.
‘It smells so good.’
Fans of the original scent were quick to take notice, with several commenting on social media that they were eager to give the budget-friendly alternative a try.
Jess encouraged others to act fast: ‘Highly recommend giving this one a go if you love Baccarat Rouge. You know the saying...Run.’
One user wrote: ‘OMG I need it.’ Another added: ‘Sooo good.’
Beyond its wallet-friendly price tag and scent similarities, what also stood out was its versatility—it was designed to be unisex, appealing to a wide range of perfume lovers.
This wasn’t the first time Jess had drawn attention to affordable alternatives at Chemist Warehouse. Just weeks earlier, she made waves by highlighting Made in Lab No. 18 Eau de Parfum, which she believed mirrored Giorgio Armani’s Si—a fragrance that typically sells for $299.
‘I just found the closest dupe to Giorgio Armani Si I have ever smelt,’ she said.
‘Like when I mean “the closest”, I mean Giorgio Armani has six notes...Made In Lab has six notes.
‘To say I was shocked at how good this fragrance smelt is an understatement.’
According to Jess, both scents shared an identical note structure, making Made in Lab No. 18 one of the most convincing alternatives she had come across.
‘This fragrance (Giorgio Armani Si) is one of the top sellers, and for a reason. It’s a beautiful, vanilla, woody scent,’ she said.
‘Made In Lab 18 is a brand new scent to—only available at Chemist Warehouse might I add...If you’re not already convinced, it’s only $30.’
She also addressed a common concern among perfume shoppers: how long a cheaper scent could actually last on the skin.
‘Now I know what you’re saying...a $30 fragrance? I bet it doesn’t last. Well, let me tell you...The longevity is so good. It lasted on my skin for hours.’
As far as Jess was concerned, both of these dupes were set to become fan favourites.
‘Run to Chemist Warehouse…We all know these will fly off the shelf,’ she said.
If you’ve ever wondered why designer lookalikes are suddenly popping up everywhere—and whether they’re actually worth it—you’re not alone.
From perfumes to handbags, Aussies are finding clever ways to shop smarter without sacrificing style.
Take a look at this report and see what all the fuss is about.
Source: Youtube/7NEWS Australia
With perfume prices climbing higher each year, would you give a budget-friendly dupe a go—or do you stick with the classics you know and love? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
In a previous story, we looked at how Kmart has become a go-to spot for luxe-looking finds without the hefty price tag.
For seniors who enjoy a little indulgence without the guilt, spotting a good dupe can be just as satisfying as the real deal.
If you love finding quality alternatives for less, that one’s worth a read too.
Read more: Dreaming of a luxury item? There’s probably a dupe at Kmart
