Unlike putting on a well-styled outfit, applying the perfect scent can be one of the most underappreciated parts of your daily routine. But no matter if your preference is something bright and floral or rich and woody, it can be hard to nail down the right smell without seriously blowing out your budget. Fortunately, there are some affordable scent options at a very familiar retailer that shoppers say can pass as much more expensive fragrances. Read on for the designer perfume dupes you can find at Bath & Body Works.
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1 | A replacement for Burberry Her
Bath & Body WorksThose who prefer a brighter, summery scent might want to take note. In a TikTok video posted in June 2023, user @zachdeparfum showcased an affordable alternative for a well-known high-fashion fragrance.
"If you love Burberry Her—the iconic fruity, floral strawberry fragrance—do not sleep on Gingham Gorgeous by Bath & Body Works," he explains. "This is an almost spot-on dupe and has almost the exact same scent profile. And on top of that, it's...a quarter of the price."
But that doesn't mean you need to get rid of your current bottle. "If you already have Burberry Her, this would be great to layer with it," he suggests.
2 | A swap-in for Taylor Swift's scent
Bath & Body WorksIt doesn't matter if you're a die-hard Taylor Swift fan or you just appreciate a bright perfume: Shoppers say one Bath & Body Works item is a dead ringer for the pop icon's signature fragrance.
In a video posted in May 2023, TikTok user @scarletlex admits to never really buying body sprays from the mall mainstay. But she says that recently changed after discovering the Gingham Vibrant scent was a near replica of Swift's Wonderstruck perfume.
"I sprayed the body spray on this wrist, and I sprayed my perfume on this wrist, and let me tell you: Identical!" she exclaims in the video. In the comments, she also adds that she uses the spray as a "hair mist to top off my perfume."
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3 | A more affordable version of a classic Valentino fragrance
Bath & Body WorksIconic fashion house Valentino is renowned for its luxury shoes and beautifully designed bags—both of which come with a high price tag. But if you're into the brand's Born In Roma perfume, you might be able to save some money with a super similar scent.
According to TikTok user @selfcarewithtatiana, the Italian fragrance is "the same thing" as Bath & Body Work's Pure Wonder body spray. Commenters mostly agree, saying the dupe comes across as "lighter" than the high-end version but still similar.
4 | An identical scent to a Yves Saint Laurent perfume
Bath & Body WorksYves Saint Laurent has managed to create several fragrances that have perfume fans clamoring. But experts say you can get a similar-smelling product for much less.
"I've seen Into the Night has been compared to [Yves Saint Laurent's] Black Opium," Julie Ramhold, consumer analyst with DealNews.com, tells Best Life.
Others agree, including TikTok user @audreysjia who posted a video comparing the body spray to the high-end perfume.
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...But are they worth it?
mgstudyo / iStockIn the case of Bath & Body Works, Ramhold says that despite the store's well-earned reputation for good quality products, there's still a bit of a trade-off compared to the real thing.
"The body sprays might not last as long as a traditional perfume and even a Bath & Body Works perfume may not last as long as a 'premium' selection," she explains. "Of course, not all premium perfumes last as long as you want them to, either—some could fade away after a couple of hours, which can feel like a waste—so if you find a good scent at Bath & Body Works that smells alike (or even just close) to your favorite expensive perfume, it's definitely worth stocking up when you can refrain from having to spend a ton on the pricey name brand."
And as with all dupes, not all customers are convinced of the similarities. "Some social media users have said the fragrance notes are the exact same and highlighted (slight) differences in the next breath," says Ramhold. "While that might not mean much to the overall profile, the original perfumes with different kinds of layers can definitely have subtle differences that certain people will notice more than others."
She explains that this is likely because even though the smells are similar, the ingredients used to create them may be derived from different sources. "Therefore, some people may find that the body sprays at Bath & Body Works can trigger a reaction if they're sensitive to smells while the perfumes don't bother them," Ramhold says.
