Hello everyone, and welcome to another of my reviews. In this article, I’ll be reviewing a set of perfumes from the local perfume label Best Perfume Store.
Having reviewed perfumes for some time, I have developed an appreciation for the established perfume houses. I was actively lusting after the Santal 33 by Le Labo, and had set aside the money for what would have been my first luxury perfume purchase. That was until I chanced upon a social media ad by Best Perfume Store, which specialises in offering “dupes” of renowned fragrances at affordable prices. As it turns out, they offer a dupe of the Santal 33 for a fraction of the price, named the X52.
And thus, I decided to spend the $300+ I had set aside for the Santal 33 on 5 different “dupes” by Best Perfume Store instead. The strategy was simple – I planned on trying out a few different “dupes”, and eventually purchase the original of my most favourite. Let’s see how that turned out.
Best Perfume Store – the Brand
Best Perfume Shop was founded in 2019 by Josh, who used to be a teacher by day and a bartender by night. Despite spending a fortune on expensive perfumes, he realised that none were strong enough to last him through his jobs. Frustrated, he decided to concoct a stronger version of his favourite perfumes, and Best Perfume Store was born.
Today, Best Perfume Store boasts its in-house production, and operates on a direct-to-consumer model with no additional margins (investors, distribution or resale). As such, the brand can keep its prices down, with its 100ml Parfum bottles starting at just $59. All their processes are HSA-compliant, cruelty-free, and the brand even promises lifetime support for the perfumes. They boldly proclaim themselves to be the “most affordable in the country” – that might actually be true.
Best Perfume Store – 29 (Sauvage by Dior)
Let’s start with the 29, which is meant to duplicate the iconic Sauvage by Dior.
Firstly, I have to say that the packaging is much better than expected. Each perfume bottle is nestled within solid boxes that close with a magnet fastener. It has a premium touch that belies its affordable price point.
Sauvage by Dior is probably one of the top three most popular fragrances for men – it’s the one that prominently features Johnny Depp in its advertising materials. The top notes are aromatic and citrusy (bergamot and mandarin orange), while the sandalwood middle notes and the tonka bean/vanilla base notes give it a woody undertone. I would say that it’s a safe choice – you can’t go wrong with Sauvage by Dior, and it makes for a great office/work fragrance. If you need a third-party opinion, here’s a review of the original.
Best Perfume Store did a phenomenal job replicating the scent (spoiler alert: the same is true for the belowmentioned scents too). As such, the 29 is phenomenal value for money, being priced at just $69 for a 100ml Parfum bottle, or just 69 cents/ml. For comparison, a 30ml Sauvage by Dior bottle in Parfum concentration costs $157, or $5.23/ml. In other words, the 29 costs a literal fraction of the original.
Best Perfume Store – 67 (Egoiste Platinum by Chanel)
If you prefer something less mainstream, consider the 67, which is inspired by Chanel’s Egoiste Platinum.
It’s worth noting that all of Best Perfume Store’s perfumes are in Parfum concentration, which is the highest tier of perfume concentration level at 20-30%. Parfums are traditionally the most expensive of all perfumes due to their high concentration, so again it’s quite remarkable how Best Perfume Store can offer such a dense concentration at these affordable prices.
Launched in 1993, Chanel’s Egoiste Platinum is known for its fresh and aromatic notes. It features lavender and neroli as its top notes, geranium and jasmine as its middle notes, and vetiver, cedar and sandalwood as its base notes. In other words, the Egoiste Platinum smells like the exotic woods, and is a head-turner. I preferred the 67 over the 29 (Sauvage by Dior) – the Egoiste Platinum has more character. For a third-party opinion, read a review of the Egoiste Platinum here.
Chanel currently sells the Egoiste Platinum as a 100ml Eau De Toilette (an EDT typically has around 5-15% concentration) for a whopping $180. In comparison, Best Perfume Shop retails the 67 for just $69. In other words, the 67 costs 1/3 the price of the original, yet boasts a higher concentration. Talk about a value proposition.
Best Perfume Store – X52 (Santal 33 by Le Labo)
Next, let’s take a closer look at Best Perfume Store’s prestige range, which starts from $89.
Simply put, the prestige range comprises perfumes that cost more to produce as the raw ingredients that go into the perfume are also pricier. The original scents are typically substantially more expensive as well, costing well over $300+ per bottle.
In the case of the X52, the scent replicates the iconic Santal 33 by Le Labo. With top notes of papyrus and cardamom, middle notes of iris and violet and base notes of leather and sandalwood, the Santal 33 is an intoxicating blend of smokiness, spiciness, and woodiness. It’s a “woody” scent (the name santal is derived from sandalwood, one of the 33 ingredients used) so fans of woody scents will love this one. I adore the X52 – it’s a versatile scent that is distinctive and confidence-boosting. It was the scent that prompted this entire scent adventure in the first place, and the X52 just further affirms my love for it. For a third-party review of the original Santal 33, do read a review here.
A 100ml EDP bottle of the Le Labo Santal 33 costs $339, while a 100ml Parfum bottle of the X52 costs just $89. Interestingly, although the Santal 33 actually costs double the Egoiste Platinum, the premium on the X52 is only a mere $20, making the prestige series arguably even more bang-for-buck.
Best Perfume Store – X71 (Lost Cherry by Tom Ford)
Aside from Le Labo, another eminently popular perfume house is Tom Ford – the X71 duplicates the brand’s Lost Cherry.
The Lost Cherry is a sweeter scent from Tom Ford, designed specifically for use as a night scent. It has rather unique top notes of bitter almond, liquor and black cherry, middle notes of sour cherry and plum, as well as bottom notes of tonka bean and vanilla. Packed with notes of cherry, it’s a sensual and intimate scent – I can imagine it coming in handy during dates, for example. However, I have to be honest and say that I found the sweetness of the scent to be slightly overpowering. It also isn’t as versatile as the other scents. As such, the X71 is probably my least used out of the five fragrances reviewed here. For a third-party review of the original Tom Ford Lost Cherry, do read a review here.
However, what I did appreciate was the packaging of the bottle. I ended up giving away the X71, and found that it works rather well as a gift. The box is very gift-appropriate, while the instructions teach even perfume noobs on the correct method to apply perfume. The accompanying scent card is also useful in helping users identify the scents that are in the perfume.
And while perfumes can be subjective (we each have our preferences) it cannot be denied that once again, the X71 is great value. A 50ml Tom Ford Lost Cherry in EDP concentration costs an eye-watering $610 – that’s daylight robbery, in my opinion – while the 100ml X71 in Parfum concentration will only set you back $89. If you like the scent but don’t want to be extorted through your nose, opting for dupes like the X71 from Best Perfume Store makes a whole lot of financial sense.
Best Perfume Store – X95 (Pacific Chill by Louis Vuitton)
Last but not least is one of Best Perfume Store’s new releases, the X95.
The X95 replicates Louis Vuitton’s Pacific Chill. When I first set eyes on it, I was surprised by its clear appearance (and even briefly wondered if the team forgot to add the ingredients).
Luckily, I’m pleased to report that the bottle is packed with smells. It has top notes of lemon and citrus, middle notes of apricot and basil, and base notes of date and figs. It’s a scent that’s fruity and aromatic, and reminds me of walking beneath palm trees by the beach. Louis Vuitton describes it as “daybreak over the ocean”, and I’m inclined to agree. It’s an eminently refreshing scent, and I can see myself applying this while on holiday in Bali, for example. For a third-party review, do read this review here.
An original 100ml bottle of Louis Vuitton Pacific Chill will run you $475. With the X95 from Best Perfume Store, that price tag is merely $89. At the risk of sounding like a broken record, the X95 is simply phenomenal value.
Conclusion – so Best Perfume Store “shiok” or not?
I would definitely say so. Best Perfume Store does a stellar job of duplicating the original scents, and offers its perfume at very affordable prices. If you’re a fan of luxury fragrances from the likes of Le Labo, Dior, Chanel, Tom Ford, Louis Vuitton, Jo Malone, and Penhaligons (you know, those atas stores that you see in ION Orchard and MBS), but don’t feel like burning a hole in your wallet to wear those scents, then Best Perfume Store is a no-brainer. It’s also a great way to try out different scents as well, before committing to the original (if that is what you desire). In today’s age of rising costs, it’s refreshing to come across a brand that genuinely helps you save money.
The brand has just opened its first physical outlet in Plaza Singapura, where interested readers can try the scents before purchasing.
View the full range of Best Perfume Store’s fragrances here.
P.S: Check out The Shiok Store here – it serves as a curation of my favourite products from my favourite brands.
P.P.S: Do check out the new “Discounts!” page for exclusive discounts for Wah so Shiok readers! More brands will be added very soon – stay tuned!
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P.P.P.P.S Shiok is a common word Singaporeans use to express admiration or approval. As of 2016, you can find the definition of the word in the Oxford English Dictionary.
