Smell alike clones. You can use this list to smell good for cheap.
Affordability issues with niche and designer colognes has led to incremental increase in affordable fragrances that smell similar to the more expensive counterparts. I will be listing out the smell alike of some of the more popular EDTs or EDPs that I own, sampled or based on trusted reviews on YouTube and other sources. It is hard to find them in local stores which makes them difficult to sample them and have to rely on YouTube or Fragrantica reviews (which are not always accurate and I have burnt my fingers buying soley based on them). For example bought the Armaf Italiano Uomo thinking its a Tuscun Leather clone ended up being a Chrome Legend clone which I already owned and did not like.
Hope this list helps people wanting to buy some good smelling scents without shelling out the moolah. I will be leaving few blanks of the one's I do not figure out. Please comment below to complete the list.
Armaf: Their fragrances are well known and lot of reviews can be found on the internet. The price of the same in India is in the range between $12 - $25 on various online stores. They used to be available for cheap earlier but because of the hype around them, the prices are moving north. They are definitely a good option but only for price points mentioned above. For anything more than $30, people in USA or Europe could try getting the original in some or the other discount sales.
Cuba Paris (by Fragluxe): These are extremely cheap and available in 35 ml and 100 ml sizes. The price point is less $10 for 100 ml bottle. Easily available the US and Europe, but difficult for Asian customers. I usually get them through someone travelling back to India from the USA. The only ones I like are Red and Gold.
Cosmo Designs: This is a cheapest spin off from the same company that makes Armaf (Sterling Perfumes). I found this in one of the local stores for $7. Cannot really comment on the longevity or the quality as I got to smell only of of it.
Designer Imposters: This is the first brand of imitation colognes I actually owned (way back in 2000). I got my hands on this one called "U" which was a clone of CK One. These are some of the best long lasting clones that I have smelt (beats Armaf). All their bottles look the same but with a sticker of different name. Difficult to find it now a days as the same is not reflected on their company website (PARFUMS DE COEUR). Available in US but difficult to get it in other parts of the world.
Estiara: Another brand by Sterling Perfumes. The price point of this is sandwiched between Armaf and Cosmo Designs. Available in India for about $9 - $12 in certain local stores.
Lattafa Perfumes: Another one of the middle eastern brand. I have one of them and love it. Not easily available and the price of the same on ebay has moved up from $12 last year to $25 and above now. Hence, not willing to try any at this time.
Hope this list helps people wanting to buy some good smelling scents without shelling out the moolah. I will be leaving few blanks of the one's I do not figure out. Please comment below to complete the list.
Armaf: Their fragrances are well known and lot of reviews can be found on the internet. The price of the same in India is in the range between $12 - $25 on various online stores. They used to be available for cheap earlier but because of the hype around them, the prices are moving north. They are definitely a good option but only for price points mentioned above. For anything more than $30, people in USA or Europe could try getting the original in some or the other discount sales.
- Blue Homme = Aqua di Gio
- This is my third clone of AdG, first one being one from Designer Imposters and then Just me by Paris Hilton. It is not as smooth as AdG, but if you can get it for around $10 - $15 it is value for money.
- Club de Nuit Intense Man = Creed Aventus
- I do not need to say anything about this one as it has been reviewed extensively. The recent purchase of the same scent was disappointing as I received a severely watered down reformulated version or a fake one (i am inclining towards fake). Its unbelievable that anyone was pirating a cheapie.
- Edition One = Fierce
- Again my second clone that smells similar to fierce.
- Hunter for men = Lacoste L12 white
- iDivo for men = Creed Aventus
- This was one of my first buys from the Armaf line. I guess this was a trial formulation before Armaf decided to release CDNIM. I absolutely loved this when I got, and from the scent memory it reminded me of Ralph Lauren Chaps.
- Italiano Uomo = Chrome Legend
- I absolutely hate this one. I already owned CL but because of a youtube review bought this one. Not really sure why would anyone decide to clone CL?
- Le Parfait = Tres Nuit by Armaf
- Several reviewers have said this was a blend of CDNIM and Tres Nuit. I own a Tres Nuit and I personally do not enjoy the way Tres Nuit smells. I got to smell a sample of this one in a store and this smells exactly it. I am lucky not to have bought it.
- Paraty Men = 212 VIP (similar to 1 million)
- Surf = May be smells like CH Men sport.
- Bought it thinking it smells like CH Men, but it does not. Big disappointment.
- Tag-Him for Men = Somewhat similar to Bleu de Chanel
- The Warrior =
- Tres Nuit = GIT
- Ventana = Dior Sauvage
Cuba Paris (by Fragluxe): These are extremely cheap and available in 35 ml and 100 ml sizes. The price point is less $10 for 100 ml bottle. Easily available the US and Europe, but difficult for Asian customers. I usually get them through someone travelling back to India from the USA. The only ones I like are Red and Gold.
- Cuba Red = Dunhill Desire Red
- Absolutely lovely smelling cologne. Very synthetic but I love it.
- Cuba Blue = CK One
- This is a cheap smelling clone of CK one, does not last and better avoided.
- Cuba Gold = Le Male
- This one is amazing, lot of reviews on Fragrantica
- Cuba Red =
- Very spicy in the opening. I did not like it so much
- Cuba Grey =
- Not really sure how to describe it smells like stale cigarettes. I do not enjoy this one.
- Cuba Prestige Black =
- Another Cuba fragrance I do not enjoy. I can associate this with my scent memory of Aspen.
- Cuba Royal = One Million
- This is a good clone of one million, if you enjoy one million and do not want to shell out the big bucks go for this.
- Cuba Wild Heart =
- This is trying to smell like Ed Hardy Love n Luck but not sure if it succeeds. Not a great fragrance.
- Cuba Silver Blue =
- This is another disappointment from Cuba line.
Cosmo Designs: This is a cheapest spin off from the same company that makes Armaf (Sterling Perfumes). I found this in one of the local stores for $7. Cannot really comment on the longevity or the quality as I got to smell only of of it.
- Tiger White = Armaf Hunter
- Sampled this in a store. It smells the same as Armaf Hunter.
Designer Imposters: This is the first brand of imitation colognes I actually owned (way back in 2000). I got my hands on this one called "U" which was a clone of CK One. These are some of the best long lasting clones that I have smelt (beats Armaf). All their bottles look the same but with a sticker of different name. Difficult to find it now a days as the same is not reflected on their company website (PARFUMS DE COEUR). Available in US but difficult to get it in other parts of the world.
Estiara: Another brand by Sterling Perfumes. The price point of this is sandwiched between Armaf and Cosmo Designs. Available in India for about $9 - $12 in certain local stores.
Lattafa Perfumes: Another one of the middle eastern brand. I have one of them and love it. Not easily available and the price of the same on ebay has moved up from $12 last year to $25 and above now. Hence, not willing to try any at this time.
- Al Dur Al Maknoon Silver = Creed Aventus
- I own iDivo, CDNIM and this one, This is more fruitier and has a pleasant opening unlike a smoky opening of CDNIM. Not as long lasting as CDNIM, but amazing scent makes up for it.
Lomani: I am not sure how much many clones they produce, I am not a fan of this brand. I own two of them currently and not in love with them. To me me they have a very sharp opening with quite industrial smell.
- Lomani essential =
- Millionare = One Million
- Has a very harsh opening, the smell does similar to one million but is not as smooth as the later. There are better clones of OM.
I will keep updating this list...
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