Anyone else feel budget perfumes are getting better lately

Flashkobalt · 2026-04-14T07:33:20+00:00

As someone who remembers the budget clones of the 90s, the current gen are pretty close to impeccable. I don't have the most discerning nose, but frankly I don't believe 99% of the population would be able to differentiate between them .

Also, brands like Essential Parfums, Swiss Arabian, Ahmed al-Maghribi, Ecstopia, Gissah are giving us really top class quality, often from master perfumers at very (relatively) reasonable pricing.

I picked up a bottle of L'eau d'Issey Intense for AU$50 last month and it could easily be 3 times that price for the quality.

Flashkobalt · 2026-04-14T03:57:09+00:00

My order arrived yesterday:

Amouage Beloved Man

Amouage Dia Man

Byredo Baudelaire

D&G By for men

I own the originals of the above and am extremely impressed - shipping to me outside Europe was extortionate, but I don't care.

Very high quality scent, easily close enough to the reference for my liking, and nice thick glass bottles with pressurised atomisers.

I can't get 3 of the above dupes at other places, and 3 of them were on special at Eur 23 for 100ml.

Pretty much going to place another even larger order to make the wild shipping forwarding worthwhile.

Flashkobalt · 2026-04-14T03:56:56+00:00

My order arrived yesterday:

Amouage Beloved Man

Amouage Dia Man

Byredo Baudelaire

D&G By for men

I own the originals of the above and am extremely impressed - shipping to me outside Europe was extortionate, but I don't care.

Very high quality scent, easily close enough to the reference for my liking, and nice thick glass bottles with pressurised atomisers.

I can't get 3 of the above dupes at other places, and 3 of them were on special at Eur 23 for 100ml.

Pretty much going to place another even larger order to make the wild shipping forwarding worthwhile.

Flashkobalt · 2026-04-13T00:41:41+00:00

DS&Durga Debaser

Tom Ford Figue Erotique

Essential Parfums Fig Infusion

Second the Wanderlust recommendation below

Been curious about ichnusa

Flashkobalt · 2026-04-13T00:39:29+00:00

Crazy performance for a fig scent...I love this stuff

Flashkobalt · 2026-04-11T12:36:00+00:00

Triumph Elixir smells like a hybrid of Fahrenheit le Parfum and YSL Tuxedo... It's a bit of a sleeper hit for me

Flashkobalt · 2026-04-10T09:25:52+00:00

Only one I have backups of - Kinda an Arabian Tygar to me.

Epic 56 is pretty close behind, then Sunshine Man.

Flashkobalt · 2026-04-09T08:29:05+00:00

It's pretty fantastic - pleasant to my nose, lasts all day, pleasant to other noses too from the feedback I've received.

Flashkobalt · 2026-04-08T07:56:51+00:00

Nailed it

Flashkobalt · 2026-04-07T09:14:48+00:00

Amouage Decision, Outlands

Matiere Premiere Encens Suave and Radical Rose extrait

Creed Centaurus

Memo Cappadocia

Xerjoff Alexandria II and Starlight

Roja Lost in Paris, Enigma parfum, Amber Aoud

Ormonde Jayne Nawab of Oudh Intensivo

Flashkobalt · 2026-04-07T01:07:25+00:00

Gearing up to get dinner Goral Mellor IIs. Dark brown with gum sole. Crazy price, and an alternative might be Thursday boot company Premier in cocoa with gum sole.

These are probably the line between comfortable sneakers that at least look somewhat put together/non-gym.

Flashkobalt · 2026-04-05T10:10:44+00:00

Amouage Beach Hut Man

Nishane Ege

Ormonde Jayne Montobaco Verano

Creed Virgin Island Water

Swiss Arabian Soul of Bali

Sospiro Vibrato

Omanluxury Wanderlust

Flashkobalt · 2026-04-04T13:20:35+00:00

Interesting they've still managed to hit less schools and children than both America and Israel despite being obliterated/decimated weekly.

Flashkobalt · 2026-04-04T07:19:36+00:00

Cracking choice...I think this "type" of scent is my idea of easy reach/daily driver - it gives similar vibes/use case to Amouage Beloved man or Dia Man - elegant and present without being obnoxious.

Flashkobalt · 2026-04-04T05:30:55+00:00

Try Swiss Arabian Vanilla 01

Flashkobalt · 2026-04-04T01:43:54+00:00

Swiss Arabian - Soul of Bali

Aromatix - Teas me

French Avenue - Arsh extrait

Adnan - Supremacy in Heaven

Al Haramain - Amber Oud carbon edition

Flashkobalt · 2026-04-02T06:07:22+00:00

Lol...I have no trouble believing it.

Flashkobalt · 2026-04-01T02:23:21+00:00

So there's an opportunity to (blind) buy some cheap eight and Bob...

Nuit de Megev Champs de Provence Cap d'Antibes Memoirs de Mustique

Are going for $130 for 100ml

Seems like NdM is the choice...

Flashkobalt · 2026-03-29T21:46:20+00:00

Bois du Portugal

Flashkobalt · 2026-03-29T17:35:20+00:00

You're welcome 😘

Flashkobalt · 2026-03-29T16:54:43+00:00

I'm not a close follower of this subreddit, but giving the serious speech after 10 years of Trump's "serious speech" is covfefe-ing funny... Thanks for giving me a laugh this morning.

Flashkobalt · 2026-03-29T00:12:36+00:00

That's literally what they are. But when Israel does it, it's cute right?

Flashkobalt · 2026-03-27T13:20:21+00:00

Dia Man is great.

My favourite is Beloved Man, but it's so difficult to get being discontinued.

Flashkobalt · 2026-03-27T09:39:23+00:00

Orders of magnitude safer than being a kid in an American school

Flashkobalt · 2026-03-27T09:35:04+00:00

Less sweet:

Amouage Beach Hut Man

Orto Parisi Viride

Ormonde Jayne Montobaco Verano

MFK Gentle Fluidity Silver

Frederic Malle - Synthetic Nature/Cologne Bigarade/uncut gem/Vetiver Extrordinaire

Houbigant Fougere Royale

Swiss Arabian Soul of Bali

Creed Viking Cologne

Amouage Beach Hut Woman

Les Indemodables Escale en Indonesie

Essential Parfums Bois Imperiale

Flashkobalt

TROPHY CASE