5 Perfume Dupes From Asia You Need To Know About

Tired of reading ‘fragrance favourites’ lists where each perfume costs more than rent? Us too. That’s why we’ve curated our top five scent dupes from local and regional brands — because if you’re going to spend the money, it may as well go somewhere close to home!

No matter what the Fragrantica reviews say, you shouldn’t have to consider selling a kidney to afford a good bottle perfume. Tom Ford, Le Labo and Byredo scents make every ‘must-buy list’, but a new wave of Asian fragrance brands is taking over Hong Kong and beyond, serving up scents that rival the big names. From water-based local concoctions with Causeway Bay storefronts to Chinese heritage houses and sustainable local brands, here are the dupes that deserve a spot in your rotation.

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Instead of Le Labo Santal 33 … Try hetras Santal Fresh

If you love Le Labo’s cult classic, leathery wood scent of but hate its $1,500 price tag (for 50ml, no less!), try Korean brand hetras — a fave of G-Dragron! The Santal Fresh scent has gone viral on Threads, with users swearing it’s nearly identical to Le Labo original. Both the body wash ($108) and textile perfume ($88) captures Santal 33’s creamy, musky sandalwood vibe without the aggressive punch.

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Instead of Yves Saint Laurent Libre … Try Sundalo Rains in Heaven

Thai brand Sundalo is a rising star in the regional fragrance scene, and its scent ‘Rains in Heaven’ ($499) offers a fresher, more tropical alternative to YSL’s ever-popular Libre ($1,210). While Libre is known for its intoxicating mix of lavender, orange blossom and vanilla musk, Rains in Heaven’s clean musk and jasmine heart make for an equally sensual, but airier floral scent — at a significantly lower price point.

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Instead of Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue … Try Scent by Six 123 Tribeca

Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue ($800) is the quintessential summer scent, but Scent by Six’s 123 Tribeca ($412) is as close to a dupe as one could come. Both open with fresh ripe citrus, but are tamed by identical middle and base notes of rosemary, oakmoss and Brazillian rosewood. What’s more, the Singapore brand only uses 100% sustainable packaging!

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Instead of Diptyque Philosykos … Try Nonfiction Santal Cream

Diptyque’s Philosykos ($1,650) is the ultimate creamy fig and coconut wood scent. Korean cult favourite Nonfiction (huge in Seoul!) offers Santal Cream — which may like sandalwood, but its fig leaf and bergamot opening is seriously similar to Philosykos. Even better, Nonfiction’s $890 version adds a soft, clean skin musk that makes it wear lighter in Hong Kong humidity.

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Instead of Aesop Hwyl … Try RAZE Mossy Haven

If you love Aesop Hwyl ($1,235+) for its cypress, vetiver and earthy woods, Hong Kong’s own RAZE has a water-based perfume with a striking resemblance. Not only is Mossy Haven a fraction of the price ($598), it  also delivers Hwyl’s same damp forest floor ethos with notes of moss, white pine and lotus. And who doesn’t want to support local brands?

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