Have you ever fallen in love with a designer perfume, only to be dismayed by the hefty price tag? Enter the world of alt fragrances – scents inspired by iconic luxury perfumes but at a fraction of the cost. ALT Fragrances is one of the leading brands shaking up the fragrance industry with their high-quality, affordable alternatives to pricey designer scents.
In this in-depth ALT Fragrances review, we‘ll take a closer look at the brand, its bestselling fragrances, customer reviews, and more to help you decide if their perfumes are worth the hype. As a fragrance enthusiast always on the hunt for the best scents and deals, I‘ve thoroughly researched and tested ALT Fragrances to give you the inside scoop.
About ALT Fragrances
Founded by fragrance aficionado Michael Saba, ALT Fragrances is based in Los Angeles but has made a splash worldwide thanks to their active social media presence and over 173,000 Instagram followers. The brand‘s mission is simple: to provide fragrances that smell like coveted designer scents but at affordable prices.
All of ALT‘s fragrances are clean, vegan, and cruelty-free. They‘re made with high-quality ingredients and are designed to be long-lasting on the skin. While you won‘t find fancy bottle designs or celebrity ad campaigns here, ALT proves that a perfume doesn‘t need an expensive price tag or flashy marketing to smell amazing.
Pros of ALT Fragrances:
- Affordable prices, especially compared to the luxury scents they‘re inspired by
- Wide range of scents for all preferences
- Clean, vegan, and cruelty-free formulas
- Strong staying power and projection
- Ability to customize sets of multiple fragrances
Cons of ALT Fragrances:
- Scents are not 100% identical to the original fragrances
- Some may prefer the cachet and brands of designer perfumes
- A few reports of shipping delays or inconsistencies
ALT Fragrances: Features & Ingredients
ALT offers an extensive collection of niche fragrances with a scent for every taste and style. While they use the original designer fragrance names in their descriptions, the perfumes are not exact dupes but rather ALT‘s "impressions" of the scents inspired by the notes and accords.
The fragrances are crafted with a blend of natural and synthetic ingredients, including essential oils, absolutes, and aroma chemicals. The exact composition varies for each scent, but ALT uses high-quality ingredients designed to last on the skin for hours. Many of the fragrances are also available in extrait de parfum concentration, which has a higher percentage of fragrance oils for even greater staying power.
In addition to individual bottles in 30ml, 60ml, and 100ml sizes, ALT offers customizable Discovery Sets with your choice of 3 or 5 sample-sized sprays. This is a great way to try out different scents before committing to a full bottle.
ALT Fragrances Bestsellers Reviewed
With so many tempting options, it can be hard to know where to start. Here are four of ALT‘s most popular and highly rated fragrances:
Crystal
A dupe for Baccarat Rouge 540 by Maison Francis Kurkdjian, Crystal is a warm and radiant floral amber scent featuring notes of jasmine, saffron, cedarwood, and sage. It‘s sweet and opulent without being cloying. Customers rave that it smells nearly identical to BR540 and garners them countless compliments.
Size & Price:
30ml – $39
60ml – $49
100ml – $59
Customer Review: "I am in love with Crystal! It smells so expensive and sexy. I actually like it even better than BR540 which is too sweet for me." – Veronica L.
Cherry Smash
Inspired by Tom Ford‘s Lost Cherry, this playful gourmand fragrance will make you feel like you‘ve been transported to a luxe candy shop. It opens with a burst of ripe cherry accented by almond, tonka bean, and vanilla. Sweet and flirty, it‘s the perfect scent for a night out.
Size & Price:
30ml – $39
60ml – $49
100ml – $59
Customer Review: "I am obsessed with how long-lasting this one is! The cherry scent stayed on my skin well into the next day. It‘s the ultimate compliment getter and feels so uplifting to wear." – Bianca M.
Executive
Want to smell like you own the boardroom? Executive is a powerful and alluring men‘s fragrance based on Creed Aventus. Bright bergamot and blackcurrant open this daring blend, leading into a heart of birch and jasmine on a rich base of musk, oakmoss, and ambergris. It‘s the ultimate power scent.
Size & Price:
30ml – $39
60ml – $49
100ml – $59
Customer Review: "Executive is my signature scent. I love how ALT captured the essence of Aventus for a quarter of the price. It makes me feel like a million bucks every time I put it on to tackle the day." – Josh R.
F‘n Fabulous
A more budget-friendly take on Tom Ford‘s "F*cking Fabulous," this is an Oriental leather fragrance that more than lives up to its name. An intriguing blend of almond bitter oil, tonka bean, leather, and clary sage, it‘s a unisex scent that exudes confidence and sensuality.
Size & Price:
30ml – $39
60ml – $49
Customer Review: "This scent is an absolute head-turner! It‘s sexy, mysterious, and makes you feel like the main character. I love that it works for any gender and is unapologetically bold." – Sam D.
Who Should Try ALT Fragrances?
ALT Fragrances are ideal for any fragrance lover who wants to smell amazing without breaking the bank. If you‘ve always wanted to try iconic scents from brands like Le Labo, Tom Ford, or Creed but couldn‘t justify the cost, ALT offers the chance to experience similar fragrance profiles for under $60.
These perfumes will appeal to people who care more about the scent itself rather than the brand name or packaging. While ALT uses simple bottle designs, the fragrances inside are anything but basic. Whether you‘re looking for a signature scent to wear daily or want to build out a "fragrance wardrobe" full of variety, ALT likely has options you‘ll love at prices that make collecting much more accessible.
What Do Customers Think About ALT?
ALT Fragrances get rave reviews from customers online, with most of their bestselling scents garnering hundreds of 4 and 5-star ratings. Across multiple platforms, reviewers praise ALT scents for how similar they smell to the original designer versions at a small percentage of the price. Many also comment on the strong performance in terms of longevity and sillage.
While researching for this ALT Fragrances review, I found that customers often say they receive a ton of compliments while wearing ALT perfumes. Reviewers also appreciate the wide variety of scents and the ability to sample with the Discovery Sets. In comparisons with similar dupe brands like Dossier, many reviewers consider ALT‘s formulas to be superior in more closely matching the originals.
Of course, fragrance is highly personal, and not everyone will have the same experience. I did find a small number of ALT reviews mentioning inconsistencies between bottles or feeling like the scents didn‘t last as long as expected. A few customers also reported shipping delays or leaking during transit. However, the vast majority of reviews are glowingly positive.
Is ALT Fragrances Legit?
Based on my research for this ALT Fragrances review, I believe this brand is a legitimate company that delivers on its promise of affordable, high-quality fragrances. While there are a few negative reviews out there, they are far outnumbered by customers who love ALT and feel the scents are an incredible value. The company has a professional website with clear information about their products, ingredients, and policies.
It‘s important to remember that ALT is not affiliated with or endorsed by the designer brands they take inspiration from, and their perfumes will not be 100% identical to the originals. However, if you keep your expectations realistic, ALT offers a great way to smell expensive without the designer price tag.
Is ALT Fragrances Worth It?
For fragrance enthusiasts looking to grow their collection or find signature scents without spending a fortune, I believe ALT Fragrances are absolutely worth trying. With such affordable prices, you can explore a variety of different perfume styles and notes to discover what you like. ALT also makes it easy to sample with their Discovery Sets.
While those who are very attached to particular designer brands may prefer to only buy the original scents, ALT is an excellent option for people who just want to smell great and don‘t care about labels. I recommend starting with a Discovery Set to test out a few options and see how they work with your body chemistry before committing to a full bottle.
How to Choose an ALT Fragrance
With dozens of choices, it can feel overwhelming to pick an ALT fragrance to try. Here are a few tips to help you narrow it down:
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Consider the notes and fragrance style you tend to be drawn to. Do you like fresh and clean scents, sweet gourmands, spicy orientals, or floral perfumes? ALT helpfully categorizes each of their scents to make it easy to browse by type.
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Compare the note descriptions to perfumes you already know and love. While ALT‘s fragrances won‘t be identical, you can get a general idea of the vibe based on the notes and the scent they are inspired by.
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Read reviews from other customers to see how the fragrances wear in terms of longevity, sillage, and versatility. You can also search for reviews comparing ALT scents to the original designer versions to get a sense of how similar they are.
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Start with a Discovery Set so you can try a variety of samples before buying a full bottle. This is also a great way to test fragrances on your skin to see which ones mesh well with your unique chemistry.
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Consider how often you‘ll wear the fragrance and pick a size accordingly. If you want a signature scent to wear most days, a 100ml bottle may be worth it, while a smaller size is plenty if you like to regularly rotate between different perfumes.
Where to Buy ALT Fragrances
ALT Fragrances are available directly through the brand‘s website at altfragrances.com. They offer free shipping on all US orders over $134.
New email subscribers can get a welcome discount of 15% off their first order. ALT also has a rotating "Scent of the Week" deal for $10 off select fragrances.
ALT Fragrances Shipping & Returns
ALT offers worldwide shipping from their Los Angeles headquarters. US shipping is free on orders over $134, or a flat rate of $14.95 otherwise. Packages typically arrive within 3-6 business days.
ALT offers returns within 14 days for store credit only. Return shipping fees are the responsibility of the customer. Only full-size, unopened items in their original packaging qualify for returns, except where prohibited by law. Shipping costs and Discovery Sets are non-refundable.
Alternatives to ALT Fragrances
If you‘re intrigued by the concept of alternative or "dupe" fragrances, there are a few other brands worth checking out:
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Dossier is one of ALT‘s biggest competitors, also offering minimalist-packaged fragrances inspired by designer scents. They have a similar price point and variety of options.
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Oil Perfumery is another popular alternative fragrance house with a wide selection of perfume oils based on classic and trending designer scents. The oil format tends to wear closer to the skin but is very long-lasting.
For more niche, indie fragrance options, check out brands like:
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Imaginary Authors, with perfumes inspired by imaginary books and stories.
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Etat Libre d‘Orange, a Paris-based brand known for avant-garde scents.
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DS & Durga, a husband-and-wife team crafting innovative fragrances with a focus on natural ingredients and transportive concepts.
Conclusion: A Fragrance Lover‘s Dream
Whether you dream of having a vanity covered in perfumes or simply want a signature scent that doesn‘t cost a week‘s paycheck, ALT Fragrances offer a world of options for exploring the wide world of fragrance. While they may not be the most unique or groundbreaking perfumes on the market, ALT delivers on the simple promise of smelling expensive at an affordable price point.
I personally love being able to sample so many different fragrances to learn what I like and pick up a few staples for my collection. ALT is a great gateway into higher-end, niche fragrances without the intimidation factor of luxury prices or complex scent descriptions.
As with all fragrance, your mileage may vary based on your personal tastes and body chemistry. However, I believe ALT Fragrances are absolutely worth trying for any perfume lover looking for a luxurious scent experience on a budget. Just be warned that once you get hooked on smelling this good, you may never go back to drugstore body sprays again!
