Any perfume lover has been there: you are at the last drop of your beloved fragrance and have a choice to make–bite the bullet and shell out money for the same fragrance, find a cheaper dupe to tide you over, or perhaps try something a little bit different.
Versace Bright Crystal is a popular signature scent for many women (myself included) and I know the struggle of divorcing yourself from your favorite fragrance for different pastures. Still, after much research, and a bit of mourning, there’s a whole frontier of fragrances that take the best parts of Bright Crystal and make them shine.
I’m here to show you my favorite Bright Crystal dupes of this moment. So if you are looking to switch up your scent, let’s get started right away.
An introduction to Versace Bright Crystal
Debuted in 2006, Versace Bright Crystal was the creation of Donatella Versace who wanted to mix her favorite fragrances into something with “pure sensuality and luminosity”. Since then, women around the world (including myself) have found the fragrance perfect for everyday work and pleasure wear.
An incredibly youthful and refreshingly floral fragrance, the top notes are bursting with citrus and fruit, with a particular emphasis on pomegranate and lemony yuzu. The dry down opens up a blooming bouquet experience, especially leaning into the peony of the middle note florals. Musk and mahogany finish the fragrance giving it just the perfect amount of base to hold an otherwise airy scent. I think the bottle does a good job mirroring its product as well with a light refreshing pink base capped with a striking but elegant diamond stopper.
The fragrance is perfect for a youthful soul and certainly everyday wear, but there is always room for improvement. My experience is that the longevity could be a bit better– something to keep in mind when looking for a signature scent. Women really appreciate Bright Crystal’s everyday appeal, but perhaps it’s just missing one note that would give it a bit more stability in your wardrobe? If you are something with those thoughts, I’ve compiled a roundup of similar fragrances that might just do the trick for your fragrance (and budget) needs.
10 Dupes Similar to Versace Bright Crystal
1. Versace Bright Crystal Absolu
Of course, my list wouldn’t be complete without mentioning the flanker fragrance. Putting more emphasis on the fruit rather than the floral, Versace Bright Crystal Absolu leans more into the original’s pomegranate notes but adds the sweeter tone of raspberry to the mix. The flanker also ditches the peony heavy floral dry down and focuses on the sweetness of its fruit juices all the way through.
Unlike its predecessor, this one is more potent and has the longevity to prove it. While Bright Crystal might be the best for full days of work and play, Bright Crystal Absolu is the close alternative that can hold its own for date nights and evening events.
Still a refreshing and airy fragrance, look no further out of the same House if you wanted just a little more fruity pack to the punch.
2. Dossier Fruity Magnolia
A dupe inspired by Versace Bright Crystal, Dossier has done a pretty decent job capturing the basic structure with slight differences.
Leaning heavily on the influence of pomegranate and citrus yuzu, Dossier Fruity Magnolia has the same citrus opening as Bright Crystal, but instead of a dry down into a bouquet of peony, Dossier puts an emphasis on Magnolia for its floral mid tones. There is also an aquatic tone to the top note which is not present at all in Bright Crystal, which gives the overall fragrance a bit more mystic than its airy counterpart.
While extremely affordable, this is probably my least favorite dupe in terms of presentation– leaving not much to look at besides a simplistic glass bottle with a white label. Still, this is one of the only cruelty-free and vegan fragrances to make the list so perhaps if you have been looking for something a little more eco-friendly without sacrificing your favorite fragrance, this might be your new go-to.
3. Gucci Envy Me
Again, a more fruity over floral fragrance, Gucci Envy Me will give the longevity that Versace Bright Crystal lacks.
Having a more pineapple and lychee scent over the citrus Bright Crystal holds, Gucci Envy Me will still emit the same peony and pomegranate notes that are so present in Bright Crystal. The differences between the opening and the dry down are a little less prominent here, which if you loved that stark contrast between citrus and bouquet with Bright Crystal, this might not be the one for you.
The bottle itself is a column-shaped rectangle with a light pink checked design. A bit odd for my taste, but I think the style is unique and easily portable.
One drawback I should note is this is one of the more expensive fragrances on the list as it is a bit harder to find so if it sounds like this has the right fragrance notes for you, be sure to check your budget before blind buying.
4. Chance Eau Tendre Chanel
Holding more of its essence rather than duplicating, Chance Eau Tendre Chanel is another fruity floral with a similar structure of citrusy fruit top notes and a breezy bouquet dry down. More grapefruit than Bright Crystal’s lemon yuzu, Chance also switches its florals away from the peony and instead to hyacinth and jasmine which give the fragrance a less sweet tone.
The longevity is neck and neck with Bright Crystal– perhaps a downside, especially as this fragrance holds another price tag larger than Bright Crystal. But, as far as an everyday wear, Chance is just as versatile if not more than Bright Crystal.
If you are looking for something with the same airy bubbles with just a touch of spice, this could be what you have been looking for.
5. Burberry Brit Sheer for Women
A very comparable fragrance to Bright Crystal, Burberry Brit Sheer has all the same structure qualities but a little less balance. Opening with more citrus fruits, Burberry Brit Sheer really shows its comparison in the peony heavy dry down from the mid notes.
Unlike Bright Crystal, the peony mid tone has a bit more musk than airiness to it which I think can be good especially if you are looking for something that pulls away from the blooming bouquet aspect of both perfumes dry downs.
As for the bottle, the simple cube structure with a light pink plaid is very sweet and encapsulates the femininity of the fragrance.
My only issue with Burberry is I wish the opening and the dry down were a bit more balanced in fragrance and flow. Still, fairly long-lasting and extremely affordable, Burberry Brit Sheer by Burberry might be one of my top contenders if you aren’t trying to stray too far away from the original Bright Crystal path.
6. L’Eau d’Issey Florale Issey Miyake
Switching the peony for a rose-driven scent Issey Miyake has a smoother opening without the strong citrus scents and keeps more to a bright floral-based fragrance throughout. Less sweet, and only a touch of citrus from mandarin orange, this perfume will be a little less bubbly like a summer day and more breezy with a spring morning feel.
The elegance of the rose makes this fragrance possible to interchange between night and day, though personally, I think both fragrances have their strongest suit for day wear. This perfume will also be a bit more aquatic on the dry down which varies greatly from Versace Bright Crystal.
As for visual appeal, personally, this bottle is one of my favorites on the list for its pyramid shape but light pink airy features. It perfectly defines the differences between the two fragrances.
This is also one of the most affordable on the list, so if you are in the mood for a bit more rose in your life, this might be a good try.
7. Bvlgari Omnia Coral
While remaining with a similar structure but changes in notes, Omnia Coral from Bvlgari will keep the pomegranate notes that made Versace Bright Crystal so fruity but will add a bit more spice and wood elements. Losing the peony of Bright Crystal for Water Lily and Bergamot, Omnia Coral is still bright but feels just a bit more grounded than the airiness of Bright Crystal.
If the bouquet dry down of Bright Crystal is what enticed you, be warned with Omnia Coral, though. In my opinion Omnia Coral focuses way more on the fruit and citrus elements than the floral. Still, you’ll get a breezy, versatile fragrance that is just as affordable as Bright Crystal.
If aesthetics is your thing, I would note that this bottle does differ greatly from most on my list. With a commanding signature shape that Bvlgari is famous for, the design lacks the light femininity that Bright Crystal and most of the rest of this roundup share.
8. Miss Dior Blooming Bouquet
A close comparison with Versace Bright Crystal, Miss Dior Blooming Bouquet will give you the same peony and citrus embellishments with a touch more deep floral with rose elements.
Instead of lemon citrus, the opening notes are a more subtle mandarin that blends into the dry down of peony which gives off a velvety fragrance.
The fragrance comes in a light pink cube with a silver bow accent, which I think brings the soft feminine appeal.
Unfortunately, the big drawback for this fragrance is that its longevity is lacking–perhaps even less than Bright Crystal. Still, this fragrance has all the hits of the floral/fruity perfume with a citrus kick. Perfect for spring and very affordable, I’d recommend at least giving it a try.
9. Dior Addict 2
Unfortunately discontinued but still found on resale sites, Dior Addict 2 stays a fan favorite for anyone trying to replicate the structure and essence of Versace Bright Crystal.
With the same notes of pomegranate throughout and the signature citrus opening that Bright Crystal has mastered, Dior Addict 2 keeps all these same elements but subdues the peony dry down. Instead, lotus and lily of the valley keep the floral bouquet, but overall have the fragrance lean more sweet and fruity.
The bottle is also a beautiful light pink with silver accents–a bit more simplistic than the Bright Crystal bottle, but certainly has the same feminine feel.
Because this fragrance is discontinued I will be honest and say it might hold a hefty price tag, but if you are really searching for a “same same but different” feel with Bright Crystal, I think this one really hits all the high notes.
10. Dior Addict Eau Fraiche 2012
Dior Addict 2 might be discontinued, but Dior served us a treat by making the next best thing. Dior Addict Eau Fraiche is the more citrus-heavy counterpart to Bright Crystal and Addict 2–relying on grapefruit and bergamot to drive a strong opening. Pomegranate and freesia make the dry down on this one a bit lighter, way less of the blooming bouquet essence that Bright Crystal is known for.
Dior Addict Eau Fraiche is a lighter alternative that seems heavily grounded in the sweetness of the pomegranate juice which makes this an easy wear for a signature smell. Though be warned, Eau Fraiche has about the same reputation as Bright Crystal for it’s longevity.
Definitely less pricey than Dior Addict 2, mostly because of its availability, the bottle is almost identical to it with just a touch more pink– something that I find a bit lacking in the presentation.
Still, it’s a new take on an already close comparison to Bright Crystal so I’ll give the bottle a pass.
Final Note on Choosing A Fragrance Similar to Versace Bright Crystal
There is a lot to keep in mind when deciding to switch to a new fragrance– especially if you were already in love with the one you have been using for ages. While this roundup takes all points of the spectrum of Versace Bright Crystal into consideration, I think each different fragrance takes a little piece of what we have come to love from Bright Crystal, and emphasizes it in different multifaceted ways.
Whether trying something new for a better fragrance fit or to work with your budget, I think Versace Bright Crystal has enough strong points that its essence and appeal can be found in a lot of other different fragrances. If moving on from Bright Crystal seems in your future, I suggest pinpointing what you exactly love about it and finding the perfect fragrance that heightens its strengths. It might not be the real thing, but there’s a lot that comes pretty close– if not better.
