If you love luxury perfumes but not the expensive price tags, Dossier may be your new favorite fragrance brand. This San Francisco-based company specializes in creating high-quality, long-lasting fragrances inspired by iconic designer perfumes—but at a fraction of the cost.
By cutting out celebrity marketing and fancy packaging, Dossier is able to offer sophisticated scents featuring top-notch ingredients for under $50. All of its perfumes are also vegan, cruelty-free, and made without parabens, phthalates, or other potentially harmful chemicals.
Intrigued by this transparent, customer-centric approach to luxury fragrance, I wanted to give Dossier an in-depth sniff test. How do its perfumes actually compare to the pricier designer versions? Are they truly worth the hype?
In this Dossier review, I‘ll share my experience testing some of the brand‘s most popular scents, insights into how the company develops its fragrances, customer feedback, and thoughts on whether Dossier is worth trying. Let‘s dive in!
About Dossier: Luxury-Inspired Perfumes at an Affordable Price
Dossier was founded in 2018 by Parisian entrepreneur Sergio Tache. His goal was simple: to make luxurious, well-crafted fragrances accessible to more people by removing the middlemen and markups.
Most designer perfumes cost $100-$500+ for a standard 3.4oz bottle. But behind the scenes, the juice itself is inexpensive to produce and fills a plain glass bottle. The bulk of the price tag comes from things like marketing, celebrity endorsements, and designer packaging.
Dossier strips away those extras to focus on what matters most: the scent itself. Working with a team of world-class perfumers (many of whom have developed fragrances for top luxury brands), each Dossier perfume is meticulously formulated with premium ingredients to recreate the essence and olfactory profile of a cult-favorite scent.
Dossier‘s versions come in minimalist bottles with simple labeling. There are no flashy ad campaigns or fancy bottles shaped like high heels or grenades. Just high-quality fragrances designed to make you smell amazing.
And at $29 for a generous 50mL bottle, Dossier costs about 80-90% less than the luxury brands that inspired its scents. The company also offers a risk-free trial period with every full-size order and free shipping on orders of 3+ bottles.
This radically transparent, direct-to-consumer approach has earned Dossier a devoted following online. The brand has over 17,000 5-star reviews from verified buyers and ships over 10,000 orders per day.
How Dossier Develops Its Fragrances
All of Dossier‘s perfumes are inspired by the most popular and beloved luxury fragrances worldwide. The company describes its scents as "interpretations" rather than identical copies.
To develop each one, Dossier works with experienced perfumers to analyze the notes and accords in a designer fragrance, then source top-quality ingredients to create a scent with very similar olfactory characteristics.
While the perfume might not be an exact match, the goal is to capture the essence and emotional experience of the original while maintaining Dossier‘s clean, vegan, cruelty-free ingredient standards.
Dossier also spends time carefully testing each scent‘s strength and longevity during wear to ensure it performs well compared to the original perfume. Many of its eau de parfums have an 18%+ fragrance concentrate, which is on par with most luxury perfume brands.
The result is an extensive (and always expanding) collection of "affordable luxury" fragrances that allow you to treat yourself without breaking the bank. And if you end up not loving a scent, Dossier offers free returns within 30 days as part of its risk-free trial.
Pros and Cons of Dossier Fragrances
So what are the benefits and drawbacks of shopping with Dossier vs. buying a designer fragrance or another perfume brand? Here are some key pros and cons I‘ve noticed:
Pros
– Affordable prices (around 80% less than luxury fragrances)
– High-quality, long-lasting perfumes with 18%+ oil concentrates
– Vegan, cruelty-free, and clean ingredients
– Wide range of scent profiles inspired by beloved classics
– Risk-free returns within 30 days if you dislike a scent
– Free shipping on orders of 3+ bottles
– Eco-friendly and sustainable packaging
– Transparent approach and simple, customer-centric ethos
Cons
– Not exact copies of original designer fragrances
– Less complex than some niche/artisanal perfumes
– Doesn‘t offer the brand prestige of a Chanel, Dior, Le Labo, etc.
– Scent may fade faster than some luxury perfumes
– Shipping only available in the US
Overall, I think the value, quality, and customer-friendly practices far outweigh any potential cons for most perfume shoppers. But the experience of wearing a Dossier scent will be a bit different than the original designer fragrance.
10 Most Popular Dossier Perfumes to Try
Dossier currently offers 92 fragrances across a wide range of scent categories, from floral and citrus to woody and spicy. Here are 10 of its most popular scents, along with the iconic perfumes that inspired them:
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Woody Oakmoss – Inspired By: Coco Mademoiselle by Chanel. A feminine, sophisticated scent with notes of orange, rose, patchouli, and oakmoss.
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Floral Grapefruit – Inspired by: Chance Eau Tendre by Chanel. A happy, uplifting fragrance with sparkling grapefruit, floral notes of lilac, jasmine, and amber.
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Woody Sandalwood – Inspired By: Santal 33 by Le Labo. A warm, creamy, unisex scent with rich sandalwood, buttery leather, and hints of violet, papyrus, and amber.
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Ambery Saffron – Inspired By: Baccarat Rouge 540 by Maison Francis Kurkdjian. A luxurious, sweet, and slightly spicy oriental perfume with notes of saffron, jasmine, amber, and fir resin.
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Floral Honeysuckle – Inspired by: Gucci Bloom by Gucci. A delightfully fresh and feminine scent with jasmine, honeysuckle, and sandalwood.
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Musky Green Apple – Inspired by: Chanel Chance Eau Fraiche by Chanel. A fruity, floral fragrance with notes of green apple, jasmine, teak, and musk.
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Woody Sage – Inspired by: Jo Malone Wood Sage & Sea Salt Cologne. An invigorating, unisex scent with sage, sea salt, and grapefruit that captures a breezy day at the beach.
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Aquatic Peony – Inspired by: Light Blue Eau de Toilette by Dolce & Gabbana. A fresh, floral aquatic perfume featuring peony, jasmine, amber, and musk.
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Oriental Cherry – Inspired by: Tom Ford Lost Cherry. A rich, sensual gourmand with notes of black cherry, bitter almond, Turkish rose, and Peru balsam.
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Powdery Hawthorn – Inspired By: Love Story by Chloe. A romantic, feminine scent with orange blossom, stephanotis jasmine, and a powdery floral musk.
Each perfume comes in a 50mL glass bottle with a shiny gold or silver cap and minimalist white labeling. You can see exactly which notes are in each scent, the perfume strength, and customer reviews on the Dossier website.
All full-size bottles are $29, with free US shipping on orders of 3 or more. You can also choose a 5-piece discovery set for $20 if you‘d like to test several scents at a smaller size before committing to a full bottle.
What Makes Dossier Different from Other Perfume Brands?
In the crowded and often confusing world of fragrance, Dossier stands out for several reasons:
First, there‘s the price point. Most luxury fragrances cost anywhere from $100-$500+ for a 3.4oz bottle. Dossier‘s 1.7oz bottles are just $29. So you can treat yourself to multiple high-quality scents for the price of one designer bottle.
But Dossier doesn‘t sacrifice quality for affordability. All of its scents are formulated with care by top perfumers using premium ingredients. Many have 18%+ perfume oil concentrates, which is comparable to luxury brands like Chanel and Dior.
Dossier is also committed to clean, safe, eco-friendly ingredients. All of its fragrances are vegan, cruelty-free, and formulated without parabens, phthalates, or other potentially harmful chemicals. And the simple glass bottles and FSC-certified packaging are sustainably made.
Perhaps most unique is Dossier‘s risk-free trial experience. With every full-size order, you‘ll receive a separate mini bottle of the same scent to test before opening the larger one. If you dislike it, you can return your unopened bottle for free within 30 days for a full refund.
This try-before-you-buy approach takes the stress and guesswork out of shopping for a new fragrance online. And it‘s a generous policy you won‘t find with most other perfume brands.
What Customers Are Saying About Dossier Fragrances
At the time of writing, Dossier has over 17,000 5-star reviews from verified buyers on its website. The brand also has many fans on forums like Reddit and Fragrantica. Here are some key takeaways from customer feedback:
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Most reviewers find Dossier‘s fragrances to be high-quality, long-lasting, and very similar to the more expensive scents that inspired them. While not identical, many say Dossier captures the essence and emotional experience of the originals.
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People love having an affordable way to enjoy their favorite luxury perfumes without spending hundreds of dollars. Many reviewers say they can now afford to have a "wardrobe" of premium scents for different moods and occasions.
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Customers appreciate that Dossier scents are made with clean, safe, eco-friendly ingredients. Several mention having sensitive skin or allergies and being able to enjoy Dossier fragrances without irritation.
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The risk-free trial period is a popular perk. Customers like being able to test a fragrance at home without committing to a full bottle. The free return policy makes them feel more confident ordering online.
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The most common criticisms are that some Dossier scents don‘t last as long as the originals or aren‘t quite as complex/nuanced. A few people received damaged bottles or had issues with customer service.
Overall, the vast majority of Dossier customers are very happy with their purchases and say they would order again. The brand has an impressive 4.7 out of 5 average rating from nearly 30,000 total reviews.
Is Dossier Worth Trying?
If you‘re someone who loves designer fragrances but not the designer price tags, I think Dossier is absolutely worth trying. The brand offers an impressive selection of high-quality, long-lasting perfumes inspired by some of the most iconic scents around, all for under $30.
I was pleasantly surprised by how well Dossier‘s fragrances captured the essence of their much more expensive counterparts. No, they‘re not exact dupes. But to my nose, they‘re about 90-95% of the way there—easily close enough to satisfy my craving for Baccarat Rouge 540 or Le Labo Santal 33 without draining my bank account.
I also love that Dossier scents are made with clean, non-toxic, eco-friendly ingredients. As someone with sensitive skin, I appreciate not having to worry about parabens, phthalates, or other potential irritants.
And with Dossier‘s risk-free trial period, you really have nothing to lose by giving them a sniff. Worst case scenario, you‘re out $6 in return shipping. Best case, you find a new signature scent (or three) at an unbeatable price.
The only potential downside is that Dossier doesn‘t offer the same brand prestige or "cool factor" as some niche perfumers or luxury designer labels. If that‘s important to you, these may not be the fragrances for you.
But if you‘re more concerned with what‘s actually in the bottle, I think Dossier offers some of the best value and quality for price in the fragrance world right now. I‘ve already ordered a few more bottles and can‘t wait to keep exploring the collection.
The Bottom Line
Dossier has built a loyal following by doing something unique in the perfume industry: prioritizing customers over profits. By cutting out the middlemen, celebrity marketing, and expensive packaging, Dossier is able to offer luxurious, high-quality fragrances at affordable prices—without compromising on ingredients or ethics.
While not exact replicas of designer perfumes, Dossier scents capture the essence and emotional experience of iconic fragrances with impressive accuracy. And with a risk-free trial period, eco-friendly ethos, and thousands of positive reviews, it‘s an easy brand to feel good about supporting.
If you‘re tired of overpaying for designer perfumes or frustrated with the mysterious ingredients in many drugstore fragrances, I highly recommend giving Dossier a try. With 92 scents to choose from (and more on the way), your new signature fragrance awaits.
