Eros by Versace is a popular men’s cologne that features a bold combination of fresh and woody notes. Eros is refined, classy, and versatile, which is why it has remained one of Versace’s best-selling fragrances since it debuted in 2012. Due to its popularity, it tends to become difficult to find around the holiday season and other times of the year. If you love Eros’s fresh and classy vibe and are looking for something similar, then you’re in luck. I’ve compiled a list of the top ten clones and similar colognes you should try if you can’t manage to get your hands on a bottle of Eros by Versace.
What We Are looking for in Versace Eros
Eros by Versace is an aromatic woody fragrance that features fresh top notes alongside amber and tonka bean middle notes and a deep, woody base. Upon first spray, I immediately detect cooling mint and crisp citrus notes, filling the air with a bold and refreshing opening. There are also juicy green apple notes evident at the top, which bring a slight hint of sweetness without becoming gourmand. As it dries down it reveals a spicy amber heart alongside tonka bean and soft geranium notes. Eventually, it settles into a woody base enveloped in cedar and vanilla notes. Eros leaves a notable scent trail and is strong enough to last you through the day but without becoming overwhelming or cloying. Now that you know what we are looking for, let’s move on to my top ten list of clones I think you should try if you enjoy Eros by Versace.
10 Clones of Versace Eros
1. Crater by Thera Cosmeticos
If you enjoy the overall vibe and dry down of Eros but are looking for something with a much different opening then Crater may be right for you. Instead of opening with bright citrus and mint, Crater delves right into notes of sweet tonka bean, geranium, and ambroxan. This combination is similar to Eros. However, I feel it has more of a synthetic quality which may be something to consider. As it moves through its accord it transforms into a creamier scent while middle notes of vetiver, vanilla, and oakmoss begin to take shape. I think this gives the dry down a cozier vibe than Eros. As it settles into a warm cedar base it becomes a more intimate skin scent. Unfortunately, it lacks staying power so you may need to reapply this one throughout your workday. I think you could even layer this one with something a bit more potent to increase its longevity and projection.
2. Dossier Ambery Mint
Ambery Mint is Dossier’s take on Eros, and I think they did a fairly good job with this fragrance. However, I should mention a few things before you head out to try this one. I noticed that Ambery Mint feels somewhat oily on the skin, however, this is probably due to its formulation. I’d be careful not to spray this one directly on your clothes. Upon first spray I noticed that it takes a bit of time to settle and bold green apple note overwhelmed the rest of the accord for the first fifteen minutes. Eventually, it does develop in a similar manner as Eros, but I did notice that stronger cedarwood notes took over the rest of the accord around an hour after first spraying it. Overall, the dry down is earthier and the amber notes linger at the base before eventually fading away. In terms of longevity, Ambery Mint doesn’t last as long as Eros and you’ll need to wait a while for it to fully develop before leaving the house. While it does smell fairy reminiscent of Eros, I think if you were to layer it with a fragrance featuring pink pepper notes you will come even closer to creating a true clone.
3. Lust by ALT.
If you’re looking for a straight-out clone that projects well and lasts throughout the day then check out Lust by ALT. ALT usually does a decent job of creating clones of popular fragrances at a much lower price point. The opening is much stronger than Eros but it does settle pretty quickly. As far as I can tell, the top notes are also sweeter than Eros, but as it reveals geranium and ambroxan middle notes it becomes nearly identical to the original. The base is woodier and there is a subtle spiciness that tends to become more pronounced as it dries down. Overall, I think this is a good clone if you’re looking for something that will last throughout the day and leaves a decent scent trail for the first few hours.
4. Oxford Bleu by English Laundry
If you enjoy the distinctive, fresh vibe of Eros but are looking for something that doesn’t feature ambroxan then you may want to take a look at Oxford Bleu by English Laundry. Oxford Bleu opens up similarly to Eros with fresh minty notes intertwined with citrusy lemon and crisp green apple. I did notice that the vanilla notes revealed themselves much sooner than they do in Eros. This feature seems to give it a sweeter vibe. The base is also earthier due to the presence of sandalwood notes that linger throughout the day. I must mention that Oxford Bleu is more potent than Eros, so exercise caution when you spray it. A couple of sprays behind the ears and on the chest should be enough to get you through the day. Overall, I think Oxford Blue is a good option if you’re not a fan of ambroxan notes but you still love the overall classy and dignified vibe that Eros embodies.
5. Greatness by The Dua Brand
Next on my list of clones and similar fragrances to Eros is Greatness by The Dua Brand. I find Greatness is a much more linear scent than Eros and the base is slightly sweeter, but overall I think it captures the overall essence of this iconic fragrance. Greatness starts off strong and there isn’t any one specific note that outshines the others. This fragrance reveals itself right from the beginning with a mix of mint, vanilla, tonka bean, green apple, lemon, and woody notes. The ambroxan notes featured in Greatness seem more subdued than those in Eros, however, this could be simply due to how this fragrance was formulated. It also has decent longevity, though I found myself needing to reapply it about halfway through the day. One notable difference is that it doesn’t seem to project as strongly and the scent train was very subtle after just a few hours. Overall I think Greatness might be a good option for you if you like your fragrance to reveal itself rather quickly rather than taking time to develop throughout the day.
6. Guess 1981 Los Angeles Men by Guess
For something smoother and more mature that still embodies that fresh vibe that Eros encapsulates, I suggest trying out Guess 1981 Los Angeles Men by Guess. I find that the opening is sweeter due to the presence of plum notes intermingling with the freshness of mint and spicy pepper. As it dries down, it reveals a combination of creamy vanilla and sweet tobacco notes which project well and last throughout the day. There are some subtle floral geranium notes that are detectable at the opening, however they become nonexistent about an hour into wear. In terms of longevity and projection, this fragrance does not perform as well as Eros, and I had to spray twice as much to achieve much of a scent trail at all. However, it’s quite affordable, so spraying a bit more to get it to last longer shouldn’t be an issue. I find this fragrance to be too sweet to wear in the summertime, especially in hotter climates, but I’d say it makes a fine option for the fall and winter.
7. Eros Flame by Versace
If you’re looking for an much more citrusy option with a stronger floral vibe, then check out Eros Flame by Versace. This flanker features more of an amber spice vibe with a woodier dry down. Upon first spray I immediately notice a bolder mix of citrus notes, specifically lemon, mandarin orange, and chinotto. The vanilla notes give this fragrance a creaminess that pairs well with the cinnamon spice notes as well. A few hours after initially spraying it I noticed the rose notes do become more prominent before eventually fading away again. The projection is intense with Eros Flame and I suggest no more than a few sprays or you might unintentionally clear a room. I think if you’re a fan of the original Eros and you’re looking for something smoother and spicier then I definitely suggest checking out Eros Flame.
8. Homem Sagaz by Natura
For a fragrance with a similar base that features an earthier and slightly sweeter opening I suggest checking out Homem Sagaz by Natura. There is a notable absence of mint within the top accords, however, the mix of mandarin, sage, and lemon verbena give this fragrance a fresh vibe right at first spray. This mix of top notes take a while to settle, however, it does eventually reveal a pepper and nutmeg heart that remains present as the fragrance dries down. Sweet notes of ripened plums also take shape after a few hours, however they eventually fade into the background. Towards the end of wear a subtle mix of amber, sandalwood, and cedar linger. I have found that these notes tend to become more prominent when this fragrance is worn in warmer weather. The sillage is moderate and it doesn’t project nearly as much as Eros. Overall, Homem Sagaz is a decent fall and winter option and I also think is a good option to wear on date night if you’re looking for something with a refined and mysterious vibe.
9. Le Male In The Navy by Jean Paul Gaultier
For a more aquatic take on the minty freshness featured in Eros I suggest seeing if Le Male In The Navy by Jean Paul Gaultier is right for you. This fragrance starts with an instantaneous hit of aquatic notes intermingled with sweet mint and a hint of freshly cut greens. It seems to me that this fragrance is somewhat linear and one dimensional. However, you may enjoy this feature if you prefer fragrance accords that develop rather quickly. There is some layering within this formulation, though it moves through the notes rather quickly and it reveals an amber and vanilla base that mingles with the saltier sea notes giving it a bold and invigorating vibe. Overall, the main similarities with Eros lie within its opening as the middle notes tend to take it in a much cooler direction. The minty notes are more moderate and don’t overwhelm the rest of the accord like they tend to do in other fragrances. In terms of projection, I found Le Male In The Navy to be one of the weakest on my list. This fragrance will definitely fade away within just a couple of hours and during that time frame only you and those close by will be able to tell you’re wearing anything at all. It performs better in cooler weather though. If you opt for this fragrance then be sure to reapply it throughout the day or layer it with something a bit stronger for a boost in projection.
10. DIVAIN-224 inspired by Eros from Versace
The final fragrance on my list is DIVAIN-224 inspired by Eros from Versace. I thought this was a decent take on the original, however the opening is more robust and minty. Upon first spray the mint notes overwhelmed any hint of citrusy lemon or green apple notes and took a considerable amount of time to settle. The heart features a rich mix of tonka bean, geranium, and ambroxide which is layered similarly to Eros. As it settles into a woody base of cedar, vetiver, and oak moss there are rich and creamy vanilla notes that give this fragrance a cozy vibe as it dries down. The projection is impressive and it does leave a decent scent trail for the first few hours. It doesn’t last as long as the original Eros, but at this price point I think you can afford to reapply it as needed. The only caveat with DIVAIN-224 is its strong minty opening which may be too intense for some people. Overall, I would give this fragrance time to develop before walking out the door.
In Closing, I Would Like To Say
Your chances of finding the right clone of Eros will depend on several factors. First, make sure the opening is fresh with a slight hint of citrus and bold mint notes. Second, make sure these notes become more subtle over time. You want to ensure that the heart is warm and features a mix of amber and tonka bean notes. There should also be a slightly floral vibe during dry down, but these notes shouldn’t overwhelm the rest of the accord. Finally, make sure the base features some combination of woody and vanilla notes. Stick to this advice and you’re sure to find the perfect dupe or alternative to Eros that works for you.
