When Romano Ricci created his line of signature scents in 2006 he aimed to make bold fragrances geared towards women. Self-taught in perfumery, Romano Ricci created minimalistic “artistic” fragrances that are perfect for layering, or for those times when “less is more”.
If you love Juliette Has A Gun Not A Perfume, but are having a difficult time finding this popular fragrance, you’ve come to the right place. I’ve created a list of alternative dupes and clones of Not A Perfume, which will surely embody the spirit of this classic favorite.
About Juliette Has A Gun Not A Perfume
Juliette Has A Gun Not A Perfume symbolizes liberation for women because it is not a perfume in the traditional sense.
Not A Perfume is a formulation featuring synthetic ambroxan and cetalox, which give off a deep amber and musk scent. While these scents have typically been utilized as a backdrop to more bold top notes within other perfumes, Romano Ricci decided to give this duo center stage with Not A Perfume.
This hypoallergenic fragrance is excellent for layering, as it is pretty minimalistic. Extremely soft and unassuming, it tends to fade and pleasantly reappear throughout the day. While many people love Not A Perfume for its muted scent, others find it too demure for their liking.
I find it interesting that with this type of perfume, others will definitely smell that you are wearing something, although you may not even notice it as you are wearing it. It’s perfect for those who love softer scents with very slight musky amber notes.
If you love Not A Perfume by Juliette Has A Gun, then my guide will introduce you to several options which emulate the essence of this “non-perfume” perfume.
11 Perfume Dupes & Clones Similar To Not A Perfume
When looking for comparable fragrances and clones to Juliette Has A Gun Not A Perfume, I’ve found that most of them tend to be more complex, yet, they all embody very similar characteristics. Each of these fragrances features a soft, understated scent layer reminiscent of the musk and amber accords of Not A Perfume. These choices all feature scents that intermingle with your natural body chemistry. With that being said, here is my roundup of ten fragrance options similar to Juliette Has A Gun Not A Perfume.
1. Molecule 02 by Escentric Molecules
I’ve noticed that all of these fragrances have a very subtle scent that’s soft and demure. Molecule 2 by Escentric Molecules is a perfect example of this feature. Molecule 02 is a perfect fragrance for those hot summer days when layering isn’t an option, as Molecule 02 mixes perfectly with your body chemistry to deliver a very subtle scent that is detectable, yet muted. There is a slight saltiness that becomes more apparent throughout the day. However, it’s likely due to how Molecule 02 settles on the skin.
Unlike Not A Perfume, Molecule 02 does not contain cetalox. I still, however, detect a hint of muskiness within Molecule 02 which may be due to the way it enhances the skin’s natural scent. For fans of Juliette Has A Gun Not A Perfume, Molecule 02 is a must-try.
2. Dossier Musky Musk
When Dossier’s Musky Musk arrived after ordering it, the first thing that struck me was its simplicity. The packaging was no-nonsense and reminded me of Juliette Has A Gun’s ‘Not a Perfume’ aesthetic. Unwrapping it felt like meeting an old friend that had undertaken a budget-friendly makeover.
In terms of scent similarity, the resemblance is striking. The Dossier variant echoes the original’s minimalistic, androgynous vibe. The scent profile, though, includes iso e super and habanolide in addition to the omnipresent cetalox, adding a subtle twist.
Upon application, Musky Musk starts softly, gradually revealing its depth over time. Despite being a dupe, it lasted on my skin a good 6 hours, invoking a sense of familiar freshness. However, it didn’t quite match the longevity of the original, an area where ‘Not a Perfume’ stands unrivaled.
Speaking of sillage, Musky Musk is relatively subtle, radiating an inviting aura without being overwhelming. It’s more of a personal scent that leaves a trail of intrigue rather than a full-on beast.
When we talk about price, Musky Musk is incredibly budget-friendly at $29, compared to $100 of Not a Perfume. It’s an excellent choice for those who love the unique formulation of Not a Perfume but find the price a bit steep.
Ultimately, I found Dossier’s Musky Musk to be a solid dupe for Juliette Has A Gun’s Not a Perfume. Its subtlety and affordability make it an appealing choice for the minimalist perfume lover. While not a perfect replica, it certainly hits a similar spirit and is worth considering for those who approach perfumery with a ‘less is more’ mindset.
3. Another 13 by Le Labo
Considerably more complex than Juliette Has A Gun Not A Perfume, Another 13 is a warmer fragrance with hints of sweet pear and a clean, powdery finish. Not as overtly one-dimensional as Not A Perfume, I find Another 13 to be more significant in terms of its subtle persistence. While you could layer this fragrance with others to create something more complex, I enjoy that Another 13 gives you a cozy feeling without being too overbearing.
Another 13 opens up somewhat chemically but settles pleasingly as it dries. I’ve noticed hints of synthetic woodiness as well. This balance is not unpleasant, however, it remains noticeable throughout the day. Overall, Another 13 can pass as a close dupe of Juliette Has A Gun Not A Perfume, but it’s not nearly as a straightforward scent.
4. Music Noir Perfume Enhancer by Trussardi
If you’re a fan of layering and customizing your fragrances, then I recommend trying out Music Noir Perfume Enhancer. This perfume is perfect for fans of Juliette Has A Gun Not A Perfume as it is similarly soft, however with a hint of floral jasmine and iris.
There isn’t a discernable heart with Music Noir, which is quite the opposite of the strong ambroxan heart within JHAG’s Not A Perfume. A subtle mixture of musk and flowers gives it a warm, cozy finish.
Music Noir by itself is not a fragrance that will greet your guests before you walk in the door, as it is a very intimate scent that is nearly undetectable until someone’s within close range of you. Inoffensive and unassuming, Music Noir pairs nicely when layered with other floral fragrances. I love the packaging on Music Noir, as the black bottle feels luxurious and sleek with a striking golden greyhound on the cap.
5. Toni by Toni Gard
If you love the ambroxan featured in Not A Perfume, but you want something with a soft powdery finish, I recommend you check out Toni by Toni Gard. While Toni still packs a good dose of ambroxan, you definitely catch hearty notes of soft powder set against warm woodiness.
While Toni is technically a fragrance for any time of the year, I feel it’s best suited for chilly winter evenings wrapped in a cozy sweater while sitting by the fire.
What I found particularly noteworthy with Toni is that it contains notable hints of actual amber, making it a slightly bolder scented (although still very demure) option for Not A Perfume fans. Toni has less of a synthetic amber smell, though it somewhat lacks the simplistic, wholesome nature of Juliette Has A Gun Not a Perfume. I would have to say, Toni is perfect for those who are searching for something slightly stronger than Not A Perfume, and longer-lasting, yet still want something understated and subtle.
6. Source1 by Hermetica
If you’re a fan of citrus notes and love the light musky features of Not A Perfume, check out Source1 by Hermetica. While the price point of this one is a bit high, this luxury perfume stands out on its own in terms of alchemy. Like Not a Perfume, Source1 has been formulated to mix uniquely with your personal chemistry in order to reveal its many layers as you wear it throughout your day.
For me, this fragrance has something of a metallic start but settles nicely during the dry down. The citrus note lingers against a backdrop of subtle amber and spice. There is an oily quality to it that never quite goes away. Source1 is a brighter scent compared to Not a Perfume, which makes it perfect for warm spring days and summer evenings.
I love the packaging, but the price point is a major drawback. Its lightness may be too nondescript for some, however, I find it a suitable clone for those who want to replace Not A Perfume with something else at times.
7. Kaleidoscope by Bath & Body Works
If you’re looking for something light and fresh like Juliette Has A Gun Not A Perfume, but want an option with slightly brighter accords, you should check out Kaleidoscope by Bath & Body Works. Featuring clean musk, hints of bright pink pepper, and refreshing cedarwood, this is a great fragrance to use after the shower or first thing in the morning. The best way to describe Kaleidoscope is bright, cheerful, and even optimistic.
Kaleidoscope is similarly light just like Juliette Has A Gun Not A Perfume, but there are notable differences. There is no hint of ambroxan whatsoever in Kaleidoscope, and the musky notes are somewhat cleaner and brighter than Juliette Has A Gun Not A Perfume’s more dark, earthy musk notes.
Kaleidoscope qualifies as a lightly fragrant clone of Not A Perfume due to its muskiness and powdery notes featuring hints of soft amber. Like Not A Perfume, Kaleidoscope is faintly detectable throughout the day without it being overtly obvious that you’re wearing anything at all.
The packaging is bright and cheerful, with an iridescent rainbow bottle and a bright bulbous top. Kaleidoscope is one of my personal favorites and is my go-to perfume when I want to wear something lighter and airier while relaxing on the weekends.
8. CLEAN Solar Bloom
With hints of bold citrus that linger throughout the day, you wouldn’t think that Solar Bloom has much in common with Not A Perfume. However, there are a number of similarities here that help it make my top ten list of Not A Perfume clones to consider.
The overall feel of Solar Bloom is airy and light, much like Not A Perfume. Not too strong, nor completely undetectable, Solar Bloom has a bit more of an anosmic quality to it than others. You may not detect much of a distinct hint of fragrance after a couple of hours, but those around you are bound to ask you what you’re wearing.
Although longevity is lacking, there is a faint earthiness that cuts through notes of tropical citrus and coconut, making this an ideal alternative to Not A Perfume during the summertime or on vacation. There are a few hints of patchouli as it dries down and settles. These sweet notes and warmth of Solar Moon from CLEAN are reminiscent enough of Not A Perfume to make it a plausible clone, but with slightly more floral accords. While Not A Perfume is quite straightforward in its main accords, Solar Bloom is somewhat more complex, yet still very light and versatile.
9. Mix:Bar Cloud Musk
Cloud Musk by Mix Bar strikes a perfect balance of ethereal lightness and dark musk, which makes it one of the most noteworthy fragrances in my top ten list. Cloud Musk brings together a playful mix of light floral notes, warm spice, and clean cotton which drape around the skin like a warm blanket on a cool winter’s night. Cloud Musk is similar to Not A Perfume due to its simplicity and softness. This is a great option if you enjoy the scent of musk, but prefer it to linger in the background of lighter floral notes.
10. Montale Amber Musk
Quite possibly the closest dupe to Juliette Has A Gun Not A Perfume on my list is Amber Musk by Montale. This fragrance does not feature synthetic ambroxan, however, it strikes a similar balance between amber and musk with a soft powdery finish. I feel this makes it an excellent fragrance for any time of the year.
Amber Musk is suitable for both men and women, as animalistic and woody bottom notes give off a nice, masculine touch. If you love Not A Perfume but wish it was slightly more powerful and more noticeable, you should definitely give Montale’s Amber Musk a try.
11. Milk by Dedcool
Rounding out my top ten list is Milk by Dedcool. Milk features hints of dark musk and amber with mingling notes of uplifting citrus. Hints of warm spice are similar to traces found in Not A Perfume, they are just slightly more pronounced.
Milk is a great fragrance to have on hand, regardless of whether you plan to layer it with something more bold and vibrant, or if you’re going to wear it on its own.
Milk’s subtle sweetness lingers throughout the day and does not contain the saltiness you find with Not A Perfume. I find Milk a pleasantly intimate fragrance option that won’t completely disappear into your skin.
In Conclusion to Choosing A Fragrance Similar to Not A Perfume
When you’re looking for an alternative option to Juliette Has A Gun Not A Perfume, keep it simple. Not A Perfume is considered to be a layering scent for many, so be sure you’re choosing perfumes that feature ambroxan or cetalox as a primary note.
What I love about Not A Perfume are its simplicity and lightness. It’s not overtly noxious or strong like some fragrances can be. Rather, its power lies within its softness. I suggest looking for a fragrance that also captures hints of soft floral, citrus, or powder in order to add a little complexity for special occasions.
