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FRAGRANCES are top of our Christmas wish lists this year.

And research by escentual.com shows YSL Black Opium, Marc Jacobs Daisy and Mugler Alien are some of our most-wanted scents.

You could save tons of cash by swapping fragrances for budget dupes - so we put eight to the test
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You could save tons of cash by swapping fragrances for budget dupes - so we put eight to the testCredit: Wilfried Haubenberger - Commissioned by The Sun

But quality perfume doesn’t come cheap and we will spend almost £530million on smelling sweet this festive season.

Luckily, there are dupes available for almost all the designer brand, meaning you could save tons of cash.

Kirsten Jones sniffs out some swaps and says which should be scent to the bottom of the class, giving them star ratings out of five.

FLOWER POWER

The dupe is a whole lot cheaper than the big brand and is deliciously moreish
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The dupe is a whole lot cheaper than the big brand and is deliciously moreishCredit: Wilfried Haubenberger - Commissioned by The Sun

: This balanced floral scent is addictive.

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The delicate gardenia flower is lifted by a touch of jasmine and pear blossom, plus a dash of brown sugar.

A light mist lasted all day and people showered me with compliments.

DUPE – PS Soft Rose eau de parfum, £6 for 50ml, Primark. SAVE £79: A whole lot cheaper than the big brand and deliciously moreish.

Primark has paired peach with a tickle of musk and patchouli to get close to Gucci. And I only topped it up once.

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Rating: 4/5

EXOTIC CHANCER

Next has served up a hint of cassis and mandarin for a more energising scent
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Next has served up a hint of cassis and mandarin for a more energising scentCredit: Wilfried Haubenberger - Commissioned by The Sun

: One whiff of this woody, jasmine-filled fragrance takes me back to the nightclubs of my twenties.

A timeless hit with exotic scent lovers.

DUPE – Silver Aura eau de parfum, £16 for 100ml, Next. SAVE £76: It is a strong match, with a little less oomph.

Instead of those earthy base notes, Next has served up a hit of cassis and mandarin for a more energising scent that clings to your skin.

Rating: 5/5

Best Black Friday Deals 2023

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  3. Amazon 55-inch Fire TV, £149.99 (save £400 with Prime) -
  4. Pandora Advent Calendar, £280 (save £70) -
  5. Apple AirPods Pro, £199 (lowest price ever) -
  6. Disney Princess Deluxe Art Kit, £17.50 (save £7.50) -
  7. L'OR Coffee Machine Bundle, £59 (save £105) -
  8. Gymshark Elevate Leggings, from £28.80 with code NEWS20 -
  9. Emma Mattress: up to 65% off w/ code THESUN -
  10. The White Company Seychelles Candle, £17.60 (was £22) -
  11. Refurbished Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer, £167.99 (save £162) -
  12. Tatcha The Dewy Skin, £50.25 (save £16.75) -
  13. Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream Duo, £79 (was £158) -
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  15. Xbox Series S – Starter Bundle, £189 (save 24%) -
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Shop the sales:

  • Amazon -
  • John Lewis -

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OLYMPIC GOLD

Too many spritzes will leave you smelling like hairspray
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Too many spritzes will leave you smelling like hairsprayCredit: Wilfried Haubenberger - Commissioned by The Sun

: If you are dressed to impress, you need a perfume to match.

Olympea has gone for gold with a powerful kick of tangerine, jasmine and ginger flower.

DUPE – Oriana Pour Femme eau de toilette, £3.99 for 100ml, B&M. SAVE £73.61: That is what I call a dupe.

You would be forgiven for thinking this B&M bargain was the real deal.

It is cheaper than the Paco Rabanne scent, but apply sparingly – too many spritzes will leave you smelling like hairspray.

Rating: 3/5

GODDESS FOR LESS

This dupe smells almost medicinal, it really doesn't hold up
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This dupe smells almost medicinal, it really doesn't hold upCredit: Wilfried Haubenberger - Commissioned by The Sun

: The go-to scent for sophisticated women, this warm fragrance blends notes of bergamot, amber and vanilla with a kick of coconut.

It’s creamy, decadent and, I think, perfect for mature skin.

DUPE – H&M Sunray eau de toilette, £4.99 for 20ml. SAVE £59.01: I got less summer warmth and more sunscreen vibes from this budget bottle.

It smells almost medicinal – not what I’d like to sniff.

Rating: 2/5

VANILLA THRILLER

This dupe needs topping up a lot, and it's too sickly
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This dupe needs topping up a lot, and it's too sicklyCredit: Wilfried Haubenberger - Commissioned by The Sun

: A deep fragrance with vanilla and coffee notes.

It may be sweet, but the bottle has some real class. I would wear this for a first date.

DUPE – SAVE £117.01: This bottle isn’t as pretty, but at this price, you can’t complain.

It is a lighter scent that needs topping up a lot – and is a bit too sickly for me.

Rating: 2/5

SPRING IN YOUR STEP

This is a near perfect dupe, and has a zesty edge
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This is a near perfect dupe, and has a zesty edgeCredit: Wilfried Haubenberger - Commissioned by The Sun

: Daisy is easy to wear and stands out with that fab flower design.

Sandalwood, wild berries and white violet make it a gift every girl will love.

DUPE -. SAVE £56: While it might not look much like the Marc Jacobs design, this is a near perfect dupe.

Refreshing and youthful with a zesty edge.

Rating: 5/5

COMING UP ROSES

This is very pleasing, and comes in a pretty bottle to boot
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This is very pleasing, and comes in a pretty bottle to bootCredit: Wilfried Haubenberger - Commissioned by The Sun

: Nothing comes closer to the beautiful scent of a country garden.

Jo Malone has magically bottled rose petals.

DUPE – £25 for 100ml. SAVE £93: This fresh fragrance smells like sherbet – so good I could eat it.

I had to top up every few hours as it is not as strong as the Jo Malone classic, but very pleasing and comes in a pretty bottle to boot.

Rating: 3/5

GET LEATHERED

This has woody, cardamom notes, with a dash of cinnamon for a warmer smell that lasts
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This has woody, cardamom notes, with a dash of cinnamon for a warmer smell that lastsCredit: Wilfried Haubenberger - Commissioned by The Sun

: Musk, sandalwood and leathery notes make this one of the most sought-after scents.

The strong perfume suits men and women and has a touch of violet to keep you coming back for more.

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DUPE – . SAVE £158: This has the same woody, cardamom notes, with a dash of cinnamon for a warmer smell that lasts – a decent match.

Rating: 4/5

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