How to Find Perfume that Smells Like Your Original Signature Scent

We all know what it feels like to finally find a perfume that you love. It is the best feeling in the world to walk around smelling wonderful, feeling beautiful, and knowing that your fragrance is part of what makes you, you!

But most designer fragrances and big-brand perfumes come at a high cost. Here is how you can afford to buy your favourite perfume, and still have money left over for other things.

How to find perfume that smells like the original

1. Don’t just spray into the air and sniff. Allow yourself to enjoy the in-store experience, ask to test the fragrance on your skin. Then walk around after applying the tester to be sure it renders the way you want it to over time.
2. Only try two or three perfumes at a time. Your nose will become a bit overwhelmed if you try more than that, and it might become difficult to differentiate between the subtleties of what makes the perfume smell the way you want it to.
3. Try to go in the morning. Apparently our noses are less saturated with smells in the morning, making it better for us to smell.
4. Ask for help. Most knowledgeable perfume shop owners will be able to guide you in finding exactly what you want.

What fragrances smell like your favourite perfume?

Once your nose is in top form, you can discern exactly what you’re smelling, but it can still be pretty tricky once you spray the perfume that smells like the designer fragrance. There are four main olfactory families (or basic scent categories) in all fragrances, according to Guerlain’s Poulin: fresh, floral, spice, and woody.

1. Fresh. Characterized by citrus notes, like lemon and grapefruit, this category can also have aromatic notes, like rosemary, basil or lavender. Think fresh laundry, comfy clean notes. Think Acqua di Gio, D&G Lightblue, Tommy Girl by Tommy Hilfiger, and Bvlgari Omnia Crystalline by Bvlgari.
2. Floral. This is the widest, most iconic, and most feminine category. Romantic and very tender, hints of rose and jasmine, violet and berries elevate the senses and scents. Think Gucci Bloom, Marc Jacobs Daisy, Lancome La Vie Est Belle, and Burberry Brit.
3. Spice. What used to be called ‘oriental’ is now more pleasingly and accurately called ‘spice’ and is characterised by incense, vanilla, tobacco, warm spices and leather notes. Think Aramis, Le Male by Jean Paul Gaultier, Invictius by Paco Rabanne, and Dunhill Desire Red by Alfred Dunhill.
4. Woody. Usually a more “masculine” family, these perfumes smell like nature, like cedar, forests, and dry wood. Try Tom Ford Oud Wood, Diesel, Boss Bottled Tonic by Hugo Boss, and Lacoste by Lacoste.

How to smell like a million bucks, without breaking the bank

1. Find the perfume that smells like your designer fragrance on Perfumes for Africa’s online store.
2. Here are the top 20 most popular fragrances as a guide.
3. Purchase the perfume at a fraction of the original cost.
4. Layer up with fragrance creams and body powders available online with Perfumes for Africa, for even more depth in all-day fragrance value.
5. Stock up on perfume so that you save on delivery costs.
6. Purchase our 10ml Roll-on,100% essential oil that smells like your designer fragrance, and mix it into your Perfumes for Africa perfume for extra durability!
7. Spray perfume on your body as well as on your clothing for added fragrance.

Looking for affordable perfume that smells like designer brands?

Looking for a new perfume love, is your favorite scent discontinued, or are you looking for the perfect perfume gift?

We’re here to help.

Find your fragrance in our online store, or email us to enquire about your ideal scent.