Coffee Break is a unisex Replica fragrance by Maison Margiela featuring a rich coffee heart and a soft lavender dry down. With an invigorating blend of rich Arabica beans, lavender-accented desserts, and a lactonic base, the scent is perfect for cold winter nights as it comforts with a warm cozy vibe.
But this bestselling fragrance from Maison Margiela comes at a high price, however. Fortunately, its scent has been re-created by other perfume brands, allowing us to get affordable smell-alikes. In this guide, I explore ten alternatives to try if you like Coffee Break.
What Are We Looking For In A Coffee Break Alternative
When looking for a good alternative to Coffee Break, I look for a bold mix of lavender and coffee notes that pop at the opening, with coffee remaining throughout wear. Fruity citrus notes may appear throughout the accord, but the vibe should never become too sugary. Lavender notes should appear in the middle and remain during the dry down. A creamy, sweet vibe will develop, but the fragrance should remain unisex. The base may be powdery, but a subtle musk will evoke a similar vibe. Overall, the scent should feel cozy, and a milky, vanilla vibe should stay noticeable. Now that we’ve established what features to look for let’s move on to my list of ten excellent dupes to try if you enjoy Coffee Break.
10 Replica Coffee Break Dupes
1. Caffeine Break by The Dua Brand
I think Caffeine Break leans more masculine than Coffee Break, but it still sits firmly in the unisex category. The main difference is that the coffee note in Caffeine Break reminds me more of a hazelnut coffee blend, while the original smells like whole-roasted coffee. However, once the opening dries down, Caffeine Break moves through its accord nearly identically to the original. The projection is good, but it is subtle enough without cloying. I think the base has a creamier vibe, but overall, The Dua Brand did a great job with this dupe.
2. R.E.M by Ariana Grande
For those who enjoy the cozy lavender and coffee vibe of Coffee Break but are looking for something more feminine, try R.E.M by Ariana Grande. The lavender note is more prevalent at the top of the accord, and the smell of tonka bean carries through the rest of the dry down. Overall, I detect a lavender and caramel vibe that remains as it develops, and I notice a hint of saltiness that also evolved. As a result, it is a bit muskier. However, it’s a clean, light musk that’s uplifting. Coffee Break projects better than R.E.M., and it’s also a bit bolder. But if you’re looking for a similar fragrance made up of lavender and caramel, give this one a shot.
3. Rochas Man by Rochas
I could tell this fragrance would lean more masculine right at first spray. However, a creamy coffee aroma developed very quickly, highly reminiscent of Coffee Break. The longevity is decent, and I got about six hours of wear. Lavender notes appear after several minutes, though they are a bit sweeter. The vanilla mixed with coffee notes reminds me of a cappuccino. The dry down is woody, and a subtle sweet cocoa note develops throughout wear. I must say that while the overall vibe is similar, the opening is rough, and I noticeably detect a synthetic quality in the first few seconds. This fragrance needs some time to settle in before it begins to evoke Coffee Break vibes.
4. J’ose by Eisenberg
For something with a more aromatic opening but a similar mix of lavender and coffee, I suggest trying J’ose by Eisenberg. The opening is fresher and features a blend of mint and citrus notes that remind me of high-quality aftershave. The coffee notes require a while to appear after it settles, but once they become noticeable, they resemble Coffee Break. Lavender notes appear during the dry down, and a hint of sandalwood gives J’ose an earthier vibe. I find J’ose is a good fall and winter option. However, go easy with it if you intend to wear it in warm weather, as it can become cloying. The projection is much more intense than Coffee Break, so consider this when applying it.
5. New Haarlem by Bond No 9
If you enjoy the combination of notes in Coffee Break but want to try something a bit spicier, try New Haarlem. I have to say that the opening is a bit screechy. I believe this is due to the fleeting appearance of green and citrus notes alongside cozier lavender and a coffee dry down. However, it turns sweet after it settles and reminds me of sugared cereal or pancakes slathered with syrup. The lavender note develops quickly after, and the bergamot note lends a fresh vibe before completely fading. As the coffee became detectable, it reminded me more of an expresso and evoked an earthy feel as it matured. A spicy amber base becomes more potent over time, and the projection is more robust than in Coffee Break. If you can get through the initial few minutes after the first spray, I think New Haarlem is worth a try if you’re looking for something with a spicier base. It is, however, twice as expensive as Coffee Break.
6. Myrrh & Tonka by Jo Malone London
While no coffee notes are present in Myrrh & Tonka, I think you should try this fragrance if you’re looking for an alternative with a familiar, cozy vibe. The opening is a warm mix of fresh lavender, creamy tonka bean, and myrrh which quickly evolve after the first spray. A subtle hint of smokiness develops as the myrrh settles on the skin. This smoky note creates a cozy winter vibe that reminds me of the warmth that Coffee Break evokes. I recommend layering this fragrance with an amber-based scent if you want to intensify the resin vibe and create more depth to the overall experience. However, it works well on its own too. The drawback is that it has a similar price point as Coffee Break, so keep this in mind before purchasing it.
7. Café by ALT
I was very impressed by this dupe of Coffee Break for several reasons. While it still passes as a unisex scent, I can sense that it leans more masculine. The opening is very smooth and features a similar accord of orange blossom and patchouli. The lavender is sweet and reminds me of pastries, just like Coffee Break. As the coffee note evolves, I feel like I’m in a cafe, and this vibe remains throughout wear. I did not detect much vanilla in Café, which may be why it seems more masculine. However, you could easily layer this with something vanilla-based and achieve a more feminine scent. Definitely a good dupe.
8. Uomo Salvatore Ferragamo by Salvatore Ferragamo
For a similar gourmand fragrance that omits lavender but still features a sweeter dry down, you should check out Uomo Salvatore Ferragamo. While the opening is spicier and fresher, the dry down features a creamy coffee scent that remains as it matures. Over time, I could detect a dark chocolate scent that reminded me of tiramisu. The base is a mix of tonka and sandalwood, while ambroxan elevates these notes and projects them forward. The longevity is eternal, and will not require reapplication throughout the day. Again, I was impressed by its performance, considering the price. I think this is a good option for those who prefer something a little sweeter than Coffee Break, with excellent projection and a lower price tag.
9. Shea by The Body Shop
A light warm, nutty note is detectable alongside sweet vanilla and shea butter, which reminds me of Coffee Break’s dry down. I like how Shea’s natural sweetness isn’t overly synthetic or cloying. Instead, it’s cozy and clean and reminds me of sandalwood. Shea is a good option for those who enjoy a sweet vibe but also want something light and versatile.
10. Fireside Flurries by Bath and Body Works
Although Fireside Flurries does not have a rich coffee heart as Coffee Break does, it has a similar lavender and gourmand vibe. The accord is simple and features a mix of marshmallows, lavender, and cashmere wood. After spraying Fireside Flurries, I noticed a warm combination of lavender and marshmallow notes with a woody dry down. It feels sophisticated and elegant. However, it’s great for everyday wear. I like how light this scent is, even for a body mist. This feature makes it perfect for layering with bolder fragrances. If you need something warm and cozy like Coffee Break to throw into your gym bag, you should definitely check out Fireside Flurries.