Let's say you have a favourite fragrance, your signature scent if you will - one you have worn and treasured for years and spent more money than you care to think of on, would you be tempted to replace it by a Supermarket equivalent? A scent that in blind tests has swayed even the most discerning nose to be the real thing, or are you loyal to the brand that won you over all those years ago?
I'm afraid I am the latter, I like the experience of heading to the beauty halls, spending hours pouring over the latest Tom Ford or Jo Malone release and handing over more money than I really should be on a new fragrance. Yes in theory it is ridiculous; a £5 scent in essence is no different to a £50 offering and it should really all boil down to what you like - rather than the fragrance house behind the launch. However when I purchase a luxury item - perfume or otherwise - I am more considered in my choices, I will not purchase on a whim, I will test it out in store and then return if it really has won me over. I also find with a high end splurge, I treasure the item far more than I would with say a fruity body spray, I saviour every spray and enjoy every moment. Now that's not to say that I don't think a similar purchase experience couldn't be had with a more cost efficient product - because it can - it is just that I find the allure of luxury fragrance more appealing.
Within the U.K and I.R.E we have two budget Supermarkets that have been hitting the headlines for their fragrance "dupes" - one being Lidl's Suddenly Madame Glamour Eau de Parfum, a £3.99 alternative to the iconic Chanel's Coco Mademoiselle Eau de Parfum, and a convincing one at that. The bottles may not be similar - Lidl have settled on a similar colour scheme none the less - but the contents smell almost identical, with the real main difference being the price. I will admit that after a few hours Lidl's Suddenly Madame Glamour Eau de Parfum can turn a little stale on the skin, almost expelling an alcoholic stench but for the price, I imagine the alcohol content within this fragrance will be high and such dry down note should be expected. Otherwise they are two peas in a beautifully scented pod, if you own and love Chanel Coco Mademoiselle Eau de Parfum, this may well be worth checking out. I've also that Suddenly Madame Glamour is available in candle form, that I did not spot in-store but if I do, I would not hesitate to purchase a few Chanel-esque candles - I mean burning £1's over £20 notes has got to be some sort of improvement right?
I won't be rushing out to purchase another bottle of Lidl's Suddenly Madame Glamour Eau de Parfum. Yes, I do truly think it is a lovely find and that it is great that there are more affordable fragrance options out there but for me I'll save the Supermarket for groceries; if that makes me a snob, so be it.
So are you a fragrance snob?
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