Perfume is one of those things where it’s easy to be sucked in by a scent and end up paying upwards of $300 to get a bottle of it.
And no scent is more coveted by myself and thousands of other women around the world than Le Labo’s famous Santal 33.
The $345 famous scent is woody, spicy and instantly recognisable when you walk past someone wearing it.
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Equal parts intoxicating, lingering and pretty, it’s my go-to perfume — and has been so for years.
Which is why my nose pricked up when I first smelt Aerre Fragrance’s $45 Joshua Tree perfume.
The Aussie brand is famous for its covetable perfume dupes, some of which we’ve written about before here at Best Picks.
But the $45 Joshua Tree scent smells exactly like Le Labo’s Santal 33.
Like Santal, Joshua Tree is an intoxicating unisex fragrance that blends wood, spices and leather.
Australian sandalwood, cedarwood, leather, cardamon, iris and musk are the predominant scents — all wrapped up in a scent that’s perfect for men and women.
“Introducing Joshua Tree, our captivating tribute to the splendour of Sandalwood, inspired by Santal 33,” product information on the Aerre Fragrances website reads.
“With its creamy Sandalwood heart, this scent is perfect for those seeking a smooth yet subtly bold fragrance.
“Delight in the enchanting blend of sweet violet, timeless orris, and earthy musk that creates an unforgettable olfactory experience.”
Hundreds of shoppers agree it’s a perfect dupe.
“Smells so similar to Santal 33 that I can’t actually tell the difference,” one woman wrote.
“Fragrance was indeed reminiscent of its more expensive counterpart and my husband even commented how nice it was,” another added.
A third said: “A pleasant surprise, this Joshua Tree fragrance is truly the closest to the real thing and the fragrance is still with you after hours of wearing. I love it!”
Aerre Fragrances was launched by Stefan and Alec, with the aim of bringing luxury French fragrances to shoppers at a more affordable price point.
All of Aerre’s perfumes are produced in Provence, France, where many of the world’s leading perfumiers make their products.
But prices are much lower than other top-end fragrances, starting from just $29.
Aerre has a number of other scents apart from Joshua Tree.
They include After Hours, Amber Haze, Forest Haze and the best-selling Bliss Release — modelled on Baccarat Rouge 540 perfume by Maison Francis Kurkdijian.
For more information and to shop Aerre Fragrance’s Bliss Release, head here now.
