Dossier Perfume Review: My Experience + Best Perfume Dupes

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Out of all of the perfume clone houses, Dossier has one of the best reputations. That’s why I went with them, to begin with. 

It turned out that the perfumes they intend to imitate were remarkably similar to the perfumes I was used to purchasing at full price.

It’s for this reason that I’m here to tell you about my personal experience with Dossier, as well as share with you my top ten favorite Dossier scents.

So let’s get started!

Are Dossier Perfumes Legit?

As someone who wears perfume quite a bit, I want to make sure that it complements me perfectly. I think perfume is more than just a way to smell nice. It’s a part of your personality and a way to make a great first impression. 

So, one of my first questions prior to experimenting with Dossier was whether it was a legitimate company or if I was going to end up with nothing more than a bottle of scented water. 

It turns out that Dossier is totally above board. The brand uses pretty much the same ingredients and techniques to design its fragrances which is probably why they’re such a good match for me. But more on that later. 

The scents made by Dossier are produced in Grasse, France which is renowned for its perfume production. Houses like Galimard and Molinard are among some of the most well-known in the perfume capital of the world.

But then I raise the question, if these perfumes are just as high-end as their designer counterparts, how can I be sure that there’s not something else fishy going on? I mean Dossier scents are extremely affordable, after all. 

After doing my research, I discovered that the answer lies in marketing. Big brands rely on celebrity endorsements, fancy presentations, and campaigns that cost millions. Dossier does not. It saves money on these marketing gimmicks and lets the positive feedback from its customers do the hard work. As a result of these savings, Dossier is able to offer similar fragrances more affordably. 

One of my favorite things about Dossier scents is that they are vegan, cruelty-free, and have no nasty chemicals in them like phthalates. They take the time to ensure these features, so I feel very confident buying from them.

One thing I’ve noticed, having read several other reviews, is that the perfumes may not last as long on the skin. I think that this is the general perception about clone perfumes regardless of the brand. If you consider how much you’re saving, does it really matter if you have to reapply sometimes more than you normally would? To be honest, I have found that Dossier perfumes provide decent lasting power on my skin. I can’t speak for everyone, of course.

Dossier Reviews: What I noticed

I’m going to be giving you my thoughts on various Dossier perfumes later in this guide. Because I need more than just one good testimonial when I order something online, I thought I would share with you some exemplary Dossier reviews. 

I get the impression from reading Amazon reviews, Reddit testimonials, and customer reviews that Dossier cannot do anything wrong, and more and more people are praising it.

For example, one person discusses the likeness between her Dossier purchase and Chanel Chance by stating:

“This chance replica smells exactly like the original chance. I was truly blown away!”

These sentiments are echoed on various online discussion forums like Reddit. Here, I’ve found several threads talking about how close of a match Dossier perfumes are to the originals. 

One Reddit user speaks of her love for the brand overall, stating that she has purchased several fragrances and not been disappointed by any of them. Her opening statement was:

“Oh, Dossier… a company that claims to recreate famous frags really shouldn’t be this great.”

I mean, I think that really says it all, doesn’t it?

One of the ways that Dossier markets itself is by placing real customer reviews on its website. I sorted the perfumes by rating and none of them came up with any less than 4 out of 5 stars and this seems all based on 100% genuine reviews. 

Let’s take the highest-rated perfume Ambery Saffron, a take on MFK’s Baccarat Rouge, as an example, Users have consistently talked about how it earns them a multitude of compliments and how it smells just like the original:

“I get so many compliments when I wear this perfume! People are constantly telling me that I smell good and asking what it is.”

“LOVE IT. Very comparable to the name brand without the $$$”

“This is spot on and is my most complimented perfume in my collection”

I think the reviews speak for themselves, and it’s clear people are loving Dossier. While there are a few comments, as I mentioned earlier, regarding longevity, this isn’t a resounding criticism, and neither does it seem to be a concern that’s stopping people from continuing to use Dossier. 

My Personal Dossier Perfume Buying Experience

I like that it’s really easy to understand the Dossier website. On my first visit, I received a full-screen popup offering me 20% off. This is based on the amount of money you spend, the more you buy, the bigger the discount up to a maximum of 20%. However, you must spend at least $78 to get the smallest discount of 10%. Since I was looking to try a couple of fragrances, this worked out quite well for me. 

That said, if you are only going to buy one perfume, the cheapest are around $29, so it’s not like you’ll be breaking the bank. 

Discover My Favorite Dossier Perfume Dupes In This Video:

One of the first things I noticed when looking at what was on offer was how many choices there were. I mean, you’re not going to find every perfume you’ve ever loved on here but the company has some of the most well-loved scents as well as some that are slightly more obscure. Put it this way, you’ll find something that appeals to you. 

Each of the scents are displayed with its Dossier name and which perfume it is inspired by so that I don’t even have to click on the actual product to find this information. I liked this since it made scrolling through a lot less hassle. 

I chose Woody Freesia which is inspired by Armani Si and Floral Lavender, inspired by YSL Libre. These are two scents that I often wear so I felt I could get the best feel of how close Dossier comes to reproducing them. 

If you aren’t sure what you are looking for, there’s a handy quiz on the website that contains just six questions to help you find your preferred scent. 

Currently, Dossier only ships to mainland US. This is unfortunate for international customers but I’ll update this information should it change. The warehouse is located in Pennsylvania and Dossier specifies that shipping takes 2 to 7 business days. However, most people, myself included, receive their packages in around 3 to 5 days.

I love that, if you buy more than 3 products, you get free shipping. The shipping cost for any less than three products is $9. When you consider the weight of perfume bottles, that’s not too bad, especially since I spent nowhere near the equivalent of just a bottle of one of my go-to designer perfume.

When my Dossier order arrived, I was super keen to try out my new perfume but I had to take a moment to appreciate the packaging. The box is incredibly sturdy, so I knew what was inside would be well protected. While the design of the packaging is simple, that’s part of the experience. Remember I said that Dossier doesn’t use hyped up packaging as a way of saving money. 

Inside the box, the bottles of perfume are slotted into the center of the box and I got a cute little card detailing the scent notes. On the inside of the lid is the Dossier slogan Iconis Scents, Designer Quality, No Markups. It’s super simple yet the pretty colors and recycled cardboard make for an attractive presentation that feels like quality. 

So, to the main event; the smell. Was I in love with Dossier or did I feel like it was a big letdown? When I first sprayed the perfumes, I noticed that the scent was very strong. I might even call them in your face. But I don’t consider this a bad thing. 

The scents I ordered were almost identical to their originals. If you’d never smelled either Libre or Si before, then you probably wouldn’t be able to tell the difference. I did find Floral Lavender somewhat less intense than YSL’s version.

Woody Freesia I felt was very similar to Armani’s perfume but there was a slightly more powdery accord to it that doesn’t feature in the OG. Did I mind? Not really as the scent was close enough and probably only those who were very familiar with the fragrance would notice this minor difference. 

I did feel that the longevity wasn’t quite on point. Not so much so that the perfume disappears after a couple of hours but more that it becomes a skin scent. Dossier claims that this is nothing more than nose fatigue but I’m not 100% convinced of that. 

Overall, my buying experience with Dossier was simple and hassle-free. My products arrived in excellent condition and I think looked well presented. While there are minute differences compared to the real designer version, the differences are only slightly noticeable. And for the price I’m paying, I’m getting something that makes me feel and smell just as good as expensive designer perfumes do. 

My 10 Best Dossier Perfumes

After my initial experience with Dossier, I was so delighted with what I had discovered that I wanted to get a proper taste for it. So, I decided to try out several other Dossier perfumes and the following were the ones that really stood out to me. 

An original 100ml bottle of Not A Perfume by Juliette has a gun currently retails at $140; the Dossier alternative is just $29. So you have to ask yourself if you’re getting something that’s worth it and my oh my are you ever!

One of the resounding reviews I read before I tried Musky Musk is how well it lasts. Not something that can be said for all dupes from Dossier. Many agree it lasts just as well as the OG.

In terms of scent, it’s a very close match although my opinion is that it’s a little soft so I think its better for layering. I find that mixing this with Ambery Cherry, inspired by Tom Ford Lost Cherry, works very well. 

If you’re a lover of the original Le Labo scent then you’ll know that you can pay upwards of $90; Le Labo also sells a massive 100ml bottle of the scent for around $1045! No thanks!

But with the Dossier alternative, I can get the same scent for around $49 and it performs incredibly well. Out of all of the Dossier perfumes, I’d say this one was the most long lasting. It doesn’t project enormously well but it’s great for intimate moments. 

Woody Sandalwood is a very close match to Santal 33. In fact, if I didn’t know better, I’d be easily fooled. However, I sense quite an animalistic scent and it may not be a huge appeal to some people. I guess it all comes down to personal taste but for me, as a sandalwood lover, I really enjoyed it. 

You could pay up to $625 for one of the larger bottles of Maison Francis Kurkdijan’s iconic perfume. But Dossier does this lovely clone for a mere sniff at $49. It has been praised as being spot on and impossible to tell the difference between this and the original.

It’s a little softer than MFK’s offering but it’s still strong enough to warrant a reaction. The number of compliments you’ll get wearing this is seriously impressive. 

This dupe feels much more luxurious than the $49 price tag would have you believe. Of all the Dossier fragrances this receives the most glowing praise. 

For 3.4 oz of By The Fireplace, you’ll be looking to pay around $114. But for the Dossier dupe, you’ll save a fortune at just $29. But does it perform as well?

One of By The Fireplace’s best qualities is how long it lasts and how intense it is. It’s a real head turner and I think the Dossier version does a good job of replicating it. The fragrance is not as strong though.

Woody Chestnut isn’t as identical to the perfume it’s trying to imitate as some other Dossier scents but for me it’s close enough. If I were to blind buy and didn’t know what By the Fireplace smelled like then I certainly wouldn’t be disappointed, especially if I like cozy scents. 

Black Orchid is a huge hit among fragrance fans, but expect to end up paying more than $230 for a bottle. Dossier offers a replica that’s just $39. 

The original is hailed for its intensity and longevity so how does Dossier measure up? Well, it’s good news. I can confirm that Spicy Orchid is definitely one of the longer-lasting Dossier perfumes. 

I love how rich and intense it is, especially at such an affordable price. The comparison to the original is pretty close with only a very trained nose being able to tell the difference. And that’s something of an achievement on Dossier’s part since Black Orchid is a very complex perfume with a range of subtle and strong notes. 

There was a real trend for Jo Malone perfumes a few years back. So much so that every budget brand worth its salt was replicating it. Dossier is no different.

Woody Sage costs a mere $29 whereas you’d be emptying your bank of anywhere up to $160 when buying the original. The Dossier dupe opens with a sharpness that Jo Malone’s perfume doesn’t have. However, when it dries, the scents are almost impossible to tell apart. 

Where performance is concerned, Jo Malone fragrances are never in your face but they’ll last an age and a day. Fortunately, Woody Sage does last very well and I think this one is excellent for layering, especially with Ambery Saffron.

Probably because it’s hailed as Rhianna’s favorite perfume I have the impression that Love Don’t Be Shy has been flying off the shelves. But with a price tag of around $265, it’s not something I’d want to continuously splurge on. Dossier’s Floral Marshmallow is a close match with a lot of fragrance fans saying that it’s almost better than the original. 

Floral Marshmallow is one of the Dossier perfumes that doesn’t last very well. This is disappointing but all is not lost. 

Despite the lack of it, it projects nicely, better than a lot of dupes. It’s great if you want something intense without spending a small fortune. For $39, I’d buy a few bottles.

Lost Cherry is one of Tom Ford’s most popular perfumes but at $375 a bottle I can think of things I’d rather spend my money on. Dossier does a clone that’s just $39 and I have to say that it’s not a bad match.

I think Ambery Cherry is a great standalone scent as well as an excellent layering scent. Combine it with Ambery Saffron and it’s the stuff of dreams.

Just like the TF version, Ambery Cherry is incredibly long-lasting. When I wear this, it feels far more expensive than it is and if you like sweet fragrances, I bet you’ll going to fall in love with it. 

I had already tried one Armani dupe from Dossier so I was excited to explore another and I wasn’t disappointed. At just $29, you’re saving around $60 on this scent. It’s not the biggest saving but it’s definitely worth it for a perfume that smells incredibly close to its original. It’s hard for me to detect a difference between the two. 

Fruity Neroli does a really good job where longevity is concerned. It’s also quite a bit stronger than many of the other Dossier perfumes so if you like to make a statement, this would be a good choice. 

YSL Black Opium is perhaps one of the most well-loved women’s perfumes of this day and age. Again, Dossier has nailed this dupe. Ambery Vanilla smells very close to the real thing.

That said, as someone with a very sensitive nose, I notice some of the notes are a little stronger than they are in the OG, the pink pepper, for example. 

Does it last long? Yes and no. There is a good degree of longevity but it’s got nothing on the YSL version. However, for just $29 when the original is $108, it’s hardly something I’m going to complain about. 

Where I Buy My Dossier Perfumes

I recommend buying Dossier fragrances via the brand’s online store. Here I find the full collection of men’s and women’s perfumes as well as their collection of candles. You’ll also get a 60-day money-back guarantee, something you may not get from other retailers.

When you order directly from Dossier, you can join The Dossier Club. This earns you points on every purchase which you can then use to get money off down the line.

If you have your heart set on shopping elsewhere then the good news is that you can get your hands on Dossier from places like Amazon and Walmart. 

Dossier Sale, Promotions, and Coupon Discount Codes

One of the best ways to save even more money on Dossier is to join The Dossier Club that I talked about in the previous section. I noticed too that you can get up to 20% off when you shop on the website. Basically, the more you spend, the more money you’ll save. As a minimum, you need to spend $78 and this will get you 10% off your entire order. 

Whenever I place an order, I also search Google for the most up-to-date coupons. I found that the RetailMeNot website had some pretty reliable codes.

Dossier Alternatives I Also Like

Due to the growing popularity of affordable quality perfumes, I noticed clone houses have sprung up all over the place. For this reason, I want to share with you a few of my favorite alternatives to Dossier.

Oil Perfumery Vs. Dossier

Oil Perfumery is a Dossier alternative that creates perfume oils that come in 10ml or 60ml rollerball bottles. They create dupes but the brand also offers its own scents which I find nice if I want to discover something different. Prices can be more or less than Dossier depending on the size and which fragrance you go for. 

Oakcha Vs. Dossier

The more reviews I do, the more I get excited about Oakcha. It is a clone house that’s actually affiliated with Oil Perfumery but the perfumes are not oil-based. One of the most attractive things about Oakcha is the presentation. The bottles offer a more luxurious and expensive appearance compared to Dossier so if looks matter, you might prefer this. 

Alt Perfumes Vs. Dossier

Alt Perfumes is a great alternative if you want to be able to try out fragrances without committing to an entire bottle. I like that the company offers sample sets so I can find out what I like. Just like Dossier, Alt is made with high-quality ingredients and is vegan and cruelty-free. However, be aware that their perfumes are a bit more expensive.

Zara Vs. Dossier

I can name tons of other dupe perfume brands and they each have their pros and cons. When I feel I want to go really cheap and cheerful, I just head to the high street. That’s because Zara has some stunning perfumes and the prices are as little as $17 a bottle. 

One of the most popular Zara dupes that come to mind right now is Orchid which is a clone of Daisy by Marc Jacobs. Zara’s dupe list is stocked with other noteworthy dupes like Violet Blossom which smells similar to Thierry Mugler’s Alien. Cherry Smoothie by Zara smells very similar to Tom Ford’s Lost Cherry, and the scent of Powdery Magnolia is a close Chloé replica. 

They’re not as intense but I think they’re perfect to pop in your bag to top up your designer perfume when you’re out and about. 

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