I’ll say it on record: there’s no perfume that has ever gotten me as many compliments as Maison Francis Kurkdjian’s Baccarat Rouge 540. After smelling the fragrance on a previous (and very chic) editor of mine, I became hooked instantaneously.
The immediate scent has been likened to burnt sugar, but I find it settles down quickly to let the amberwood, fir resin and cedar shine through. Although BR is sweet, it’s not sickly, and it’s most definitely one of the sexiest fragrances out there, IMO.
Now, while it’s true that Baccarat Rouge is a marmite fragrance (like many), those that love it find it completely irresistible; I’ve literally had people grab me in a bar to find out what I’m wearing and shared knowing looks with other BR wearers in passing.
It’s my ultimate first date fragrance, armouring me with a shield of powerful, sophisticated and sultry notes. Plus, I find it’s best to rule out potential suitors by whether or not they like the scent, seeing as it will likely be sticking around in my life longer than they will.
Is Baccarat Rouge 540 expensive?
Baccarat Rouge’s iconic scent embodies decadence and luxury, so it’s not surprising that it has a price tag to match. A 70ml bottle of the eau de parfum will set you back £235, which in the current cost of living crisis, has forced me to be a bit less liberal with my applications.
If you’re set on getting your hands on the iconic scent, you’ll be pleased to hear it does come in other versions and sizes; the Maison Francis Kurkdjian Baccarat Rouge Hair Mist, £75, Harvey Nichols, is a great entry to the fragrance that’s under £100. Plus, your hair holds onto fragrance better than skin, so you’ll get a decent amount of longevity.
My undying obsession with this fragrance has however necessitated me to sniff out the best dupes, which I have stashed on my work desk and in various bags, while my OG Baccarat Rouge (which I will forever save up for in the meantime) remains reserved for extra special occasions.
Below, find my review of the best Baccarat Rouge 540 dupes out there.
The original Baccarat Rouge 540 perfume
The best Baccarat Rouge 540 dupes
1. Sol de Janeiro Cheirosa ‘68 Perfume Mist, £22
I first came across the Cheirosa ‘68 fragrance in Sol de Janeiro’s Beija Flor Elasti Cream, and immediately its similarity to Baccarat Rouge sprung to mind.
It’s got the same sweet, flirty scent, so when I found out the scent also came in a fragrance mist, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on it. Cheirosa ‘68 now has a firm place on my desk at work so I can spritz before heading out for the evening.
It’s fruitier and slightly less woody than Baccarat Rouge, but in terms of a dupe, it’s as close as they come. It features floral jasmine notes, settling down to vanilla and musk. Although it’s a fragrance mist rather than eau de parfum, I can still smell it hours after the initial spritz.
2. Ariana Grande Cloud EDP, £30
TikTok led me to try this fragrance out, claiming it was a close cousin of Baccarat Rouge 540. While there are some similar notes from the musk and woods, this is in general a much sweeter scent, where the whipped cream, praline and vanilla take centre stage.
I roped some of the Eliza team into trying it out and they agreed that the similarity to BR is a little more obvious when this fragrance dries down, but for me, it can’t quite mimic that iconic Baccarat essence completely.
That said, those who find that the candy and warm notes are their favourite part of Baccarat Rouge 540 will probably love this; imagine it as Baccarat’s younger sister.
3. Zara Red Temptation, £22
PSA: If you’re ever looking for an affordable alternative to your favourite perfume, chances are Zara will have one (we wrote about its Tom Ford dupes here).
Red Temptation was another BR dupe recommended to me by TikTok, and it does not disappoint. Whereas Cheirosa leans into the floral and gourmand notes, Red Temptation grounds the fragrance with opening notes of bitter orange and coriander for a peppery take on BR.
Once it dries down, the familiarity of Baccarat Rouge really comes through with notes of jasmine, amber and musk. What’s more, the longevity of this fragrance way outperforms what you’d expect from its price point, lingering for the whole day.
This one has sold out on Zara a few times already, so if you want to get your hands on it you’ll need to be quick.
The original Baccarat Rouge 540 hair mist
The dupe: Pacifica Dream Moon Hair & Body Mist, £14
If you haven’t heard of Pacifica before they are a female-founded, natural beauty brand that pride themselves on creating products that are 100% vegan, cruelty free and don’t cost the earth. Their fragrance offering draws upon principles of aromatherapy to not only smell great but give added wellness benefits too.
Part of the Moon Moods collection, Dream Moon combines notes of sandalwood, patchouli and pink rose, giving it the same woody yet floral palette as Baccarat Rouge. If you found Ariana Grande’s Cloud scent a little too sweet, this is a great alternative dupe, as it’s a little more earthy thanks to the addition of patchouli.
Plus, as it’s only £14, it’s a no-brainer when it comes to cost-per-spritz potential.
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