10 Popular Perfumes/Mists With The Same Scent DNA As Baccarat Rouge 540

 Baccarat Rouge 540 was launched in 2016 by the famous perfumer Maison Francis Kurkdjian. Since then it has reached a whole new level of popularity when it comes to perfumes, especially on social media. But since it is a very expensive perfume there are a lot of people like me, who cannot justify spending so much on a perfume, and who are looking for something similar that costs less. On the other hand brands that grasp the popularity also come up with perfumes that are inspired by the OG. People refer to these as dupes or smell-a-likes. It's basically a win win situation for everyone. I am personally not crazy about the scent profile that BR540 belongs to but since it is so hyped I wanted to try it out for myself. So I went to the store several times and tested it on the paper strips, on my clothes, and on my skin. And after several tries I decided that it is not really for me. It's a little too spicy and woody for my tastes. And since it is so expensive it's also not something I can just buy and think that maybe I will develop a taste for it over time. But if it was something cheaper maybe I would have bought it in order test it over a longer period of time. That's when I realized there might be dupes out for it just like there are dupes for every famous luxury product out there. So I started researching and tried finding out if some of the popular dupes were really all that good. I smelt all of these dupes individually in the stores on test strips, on my clothes, and skin several times to judge for myself if they do smell similar to the OG. One thing I immediately noticed with all the dupes is that even though they have different notes they all give off the same spicy/woody/animalic vibes as BR540. And out of everything that I smelt these 10 definitely had the same DNA. So my top 10 picks for perfumes/mists that have the same scent DNA as Baccarat Rouge 540 are as follows:

Ariana Grande Cloud

Ariana Grande's Cloud fragrance is the most hyped dupe for Baccarat Rouge 540. Cloud is a blend of lavender blossom, juicy pear, and bergamot at the top with crème de coconut, praline, and vanilla orchid in the middle. It finishes with musk and wood, adding a warm feel. Cloud is a sweet, airy, and sensual fragrance. It is a subtle yet long-lasting scent that is not overpowering. The perfume starts off with a woody orchid musk but then strongly settles with creamy coconut scents and praline sweetness, creating a fun and carefree vibe. While Cloud does not have the exact woody note of Baccarat Rouge 540, it does have sweet and woody notes creating a similar overall impression. Most people would not be able to tell the difference, although Cloud plays more on the sweet notes in comparison to Baccarat Rouge 540. This makes Cloud a great option for those who enjoy the essence of Baccarat Rouge 540 but are looking for a more sweet and fun fragrance.

Burberry Her

Burberry Her is a popular fragrance that is often compared to the iconic Baccarat Rouge 540, particularly because both scents were created by the renowned perfumer Maison Francis Kurkdjian. Burberry Her is more of a floral, fruity, gourmand fragrance. It opens with a burst of sweet and fruity notes, including strawberry, raspberry, blackberry, sour cherry, black currant, mandarin orange, and lemon. The middle notes are violet and jasmine, while the base has musk, vanilla, cashmere, woody notes, oakmoss, amber, and patchouli. The scent of Burberry Her starts bright, transitioning into a sweet floral and powdery scent because of violet and jasmine, and settles into a warm and woody/earthy finish because of musk, vanilla, amber, oakmoss and patchouli. It showcases notable longevity with moderate sillage. Burberry Her seems to be a mix of Cloud and BR540 with a sweet, fruity twist. I could strongly smell that similar BR540/Cloud kind of DNA whenever I tested this fragrance.

Sol de Janeiro Cheirosa 68

Sol de Janeiro's Cheirosa 68 fragrance mist has notes of Brazilian jasmine, pink dragonfruit, and vanilla. In comparison to Baccarat Rouge 540, Cheirosa 68 offers a more fruity and floral take on the fragrance experience. While it shares the jasmine note with Baccarat Rouge 540, it distinguishes itself with the addition of pink dragonfruit, lending a unique tropical twist. Some reviews suggest that Cheirosa 68 has a scent profile that includes a hint of the Baccarat "band-aid" note, which could be referring to the ambergris element in Baccarat Rouge 540. However, Cheirosa 68 is described as having a cleaner and more girly scent, making it a pleasant and light floral option. While Cheirosa 68 is not an exact dupe for Baccarat Rouge 540, it does share some similarities in its fragrance DNA, offering a softer and less gourmand effect compared to the rich and intense scent of Baccarat Rouge 540. This makes Cheirosa 68 a great option for those who enjoy the essence of Baccarat Rouge 540 but prefer a lighter and more summery fragrance with its own unique and tropical twist.

Zara Red Temptation

Zara's Red Temptation is often mentioned as a 90-95% dupe for the popular Baccarat Rouge 540. It's a fragrance that has gained attention for its similar scent profile and affordability compared to the luxurious Baccarat Rouge 540. Red Temptation features top notes of saffron and bitter orange, with a heart of praline and jasmine, and a base of woody amber, moss, and musk. This combination creates a warm, sweet, woody, and spicy perfume that is more suitable for evening wear and cooler months. Red Temptation has a sweet, sensual, and expensive smell, with the woody, earthiness of amber and moss giving it a deep richness. The addition of praline gives it a delicious, creamy finish. It's praised for its impressive staying power for a high-street fragrance and is considered great for keeping in your handbag for touch-ups throughout the day. In essence, if you're seeking the luxurious experience of Baccarat Rouge 540 but your budget is tight, Zara Red Temptation is an excellent alternative that offers a similar scent profile and feel. It has all the middle eastern sweet and spicy pudding vibes along with some bitter woodiness which is very similar to BR540.

Zara Red For Him

Zara's Red For Him is another dupe for the popular Baccarat Rouge 540. Red For Him by Zara is characterized by a warm and sweet profile, with a blend of sweet and fruity notes. The fragrance opens with a dominant sweet and fruity note which lasts throughout. To me there's also definitely a tobacco note that I can smell distinctively, especially in the dry down. Some people also seem to get a syntheitc, plastic, rubber gloves kind of smell so it is an animalic fragrance for sure. I like and prefer this over Red Temptation. It is more sweet and smooth compared to Red Temptation. And I think it is definitely unisex. It's suitable for colder weather, fitting well into autumn days and chilly winters. Compared to BR540 this is quite simple and basic and doesn't really have too much of anything but overall it is similar in the sense that it is sweet, slightly woody and animalic. It offers a similar vibe of luxury and warmth as BR540 with a slight masculine touch.

Victoria's Secret Midnight Bloom

Victoria's Secret Midnight Bloom is a fragrance mist that was quite underhyped until people found out its similarities to Baccarat Rouge 540. Midnight Bloom is a soft/creamy, sweet, powdery fragrance balanced by woody notes in the base. It smells a lot like Ariana Grande Cloud which is another clone of Baccarat Rouge 540. Midnight Bloom is similar to Baccarat Rouge 540, because of its woody and sweet notes. However, it also has its own unique/distinct scent, such as the prominent moon flower note, which makes it slightly different but in a good way. While it may not be an exact dupe, Midnight Bloom offers a similar vibe of luxury at a budget price. I also saw some reviews which note it smells like a men's cologne which I can understand because the woody notes do give it a masculine characterstic overall which is also similar to BR540.

Bath & Body Works In The Stars

In the Stars Fine Fragrance Mist from Bath & Body Works is a popular scent that has a blend of starflower, sandalwood musk, sugared tangelo, white agarwood, and radiant amber. It shares some similar notes with Baccarat Rouge 540, such as the spicy, amber and woody elements. In the Stars smells more expensive than its price suggests. The dry down of In The Stars is definitely a lot similar to the woody dry down of BR540 even though the woods are not exactly the same. Overall, if you're looking for a fragrance that captures some of the essence of Baccarat Rouge 540 but at a more accessible price point, In the Stars could be a good option to consider.

Victoria's Secret Tease Crème Cloud

Tease Crème Cloud by Victoria's Secret is a fragrance mist that has notes of meringue and vanilla at the top, sandalwood flower in the middle, and musk and amber at the base, creating a sweet, creamy, and musky aroma with a hint of woodiness. While it may not be an exact match to the OG, it captures a similar essence with its blend of sweet and woody notes. The fragrance is long-lasting and does linger onto clothes for a long time. The scent is also quite appealing and comforting. Tease Crème Cloud is more like Ariana Grande's Cloud, which is also considered a clone of Baccarat Rouge 540. While Tease Crème Cloud may not have the exact woody note of Baccarat Rouge 540, it emphasizes the sweet notes, creating a similar overall impression. Its creamy sweetness, combined with a soft woodiness, makes it a versatile scent that can be enjoyed in various settings.

Pacifica Dream Moon

Pacifica's Dream Moon is a unisex scent, featuring prominent notes of pink rose, sandalwood, and patchouli. It is warm, woody, earthy and leans towards a more masculine side. The fragrance is a warm, sweet, and comforting scent. While Pacifica's Dream Moon shares a sweet, powdery, and floral character with Baccarat Rouge 540, it diverges with its own unique woody and earthy qualities. Dream Moon is more like a "cousin" to Baccarat Rouge 540, offering a similar vibe but with specific differences. It's more casual and easy to wear, making it a more accessible option for those who appreciate the essence of Baccarat Rouge 540 but prefer something less intense. The perfume is a lot more similar to Ariana Grande Cloud as well which is another clone of Baccarat Rouge 540. While Pacifica Dream Moon is not an exact dupe for Baccarat Rouge 540, it does offer a similar feel with its own unique twist, making it a great alternative for those seeking a fragrance in the same family without the high price tag.

Guess Seductive Red

Guess Seductive Red is a sexy fragrance that is comparable to both Baccarat Rouge 540 and Ariana Grande Cloud. You get a powerful cherry note mixed with some almond and some florals then it starts to transform into Baccarat Rouge 540 kind of scent with a similar woody drydown. It is a juicy and fruity version of Baccarat Rouge 540. It is sweet and smells like cherry flavored gummies with a slight sourness. The slightly spicy, almond, and woody notes are what make it similar to Baccarat Rouge 540. Baccarat Rouge 540 is quite heavy on the spicy and woody notes so if you don't like that this can be a good alternative. It definitely smells like an expensive perfume. The difference between this perfume and AG Cloud is that Cloud is more tropical, sweet, and has coconutty notes.

None of these perfumes/mists are 100% dupes, ofcourse there's no way such an expensive perfume can be the exact same as something much cheaper. You get what you pay for. While testing out these dupes I also realized how easy it is to dupe this particular type of fragrance. I decided that BR540 is not really that unique so it is not worth investing in. So IMO, it's better to go for a dupe. And sometimes dupes might be much better than the real ones and you might end up liking a different take on the original. So this post is for all such people like me who think the BR540 is not really worth sepnding on and would prefer something similar for lesser price, less intensity, and with a mix of something else that makes it more pleasurable to smell. Some of these perfumes I like more than others but overall they all feel like they come from the same family of perfumes. I bought a few of these which I thought were more tolerable compared to BR540. However, like I said, it is not a scent profile I graviate towards, the overwhelming spicy/woody, metallic, and animalic notes are not really for me, so even though some of these were cheap I just didn't want to spend on something I wouldn't enjoy. Nonetheless these perfumes/mists are all dupes, and popular ones too so just because I didn't like/buy something doesn't mean you have to do the same. Also fragrance is subjective so you might like something that I did not like. What do you think about my picks? Do you know any more dupes? Please comment below.