One thing I’m often out here banging on about is how to smell great for less. The cost of living crisis has left us having to reconsider our biggest beauty investments, which 9/10 times means shelving our habit of picking up that £100+ fragrance. Sob.
And while there are some brilliant perfumes under £30 to use in the meantime, there are also some more inventive ways to smell exactly like your beloved pricey scent – including looking to deodorant.
It may sound strange, but amidst the growing popularity of natural deodorants, I quickly realised many new under-arm products smell just like some of my must-haves from Le Labo, Jo Malone and Diptyque.
Now, I’m not saying these can totally stand in for your perfume – they are just deodorants, after all. But they work brilliantly to wear in tandem with a similar scent for double the olfactory power, or equally just to roll on during the time you’re saving up for your next expensive bottle of eau de parfum.
Finding deo dupes has become a bit of a niche superpower for me (along with finding the very best AirBnb’s out there and being able to close every suitcase I ever meet; two skills I am yet to monetise). So, I feel pretty well placed in recommending the following, which may just surprise you…
Deodorant dupe one: Wild’s Fresh Cotton & Sea Salt for Jo Malone London’s Wood Sage & Sea Salt
Wild was the first natural deodorant brand I ever tried, and still to this day is the one I turn to for the most effective sweat prevention.
My absolute favourite refillable option is the Fresh Cotton & Sea Salt one, which complements my JML cologne of choice: Wood Sage & Sea Salt.
The Wild deodorant has more of a ‘gentle’ smell but is still super fresh and salty. The two pair together beautifully.
Deodorant dupe two: Evolve Together Havana Deodorant for Le Labo Santal 33
Le Labo Santal 33 is one of the world’s most iconic scents and is widely known both within the beauty industry and much further afield.
I’m not even exaggerating when I say I actually gasped when I first smelt this Evolve Together deodorant stick, which is so similar to Santal, I thought it was the real thing.
This stick works wonderfully as a roll-on top-up at the wrists and neck as well as under the arms, as it has a clear base that leaves zero marks on the skin. A must-have addition for Le Labo fans.
Deodorant dupe three: Megababe Rosy Pits for Diptyque Eau Rose
I really like Diptyque’s Eau Rose as I feel like it’s still wearable without being overpowering or too ‘rosy.’ That’s why I also get along with Megababe’s bestselling deo, which pairs nicely with the expensive scent.
This deodorant’s smell really does stick around, too; I can often even still smell it after a workout!
Deodorant dupe four: Sol de Janeiro Rio Deo for Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess
There’s nothing quite like a spritz of Lauder’s Bronze Goddess during summertime. It’s creamy, rich, coconutty and smells just like holidays.
SDJ’s Rio Deo has a similar appeal; it features base notes of salted caramel and vanilla, along with almond and pistachio at the top.
Basically, if you love to smell like a magical combination of salty beaches, coconut cocktails and sun cream year-round, this is the under-arm product for you.
Deodorant dupe five: Pacifica’s Coconut Cream Clean Deodorant for Laura Mercier’s Almond-Milk
Another coconutty delight, Laura Mercier’s much-loved Almond-Coconut collection defines its body-care and fragrance line.
For an affordable way to rock the scent, reach for Pacifica’s clean deo, which also features a vanilla hint.
(Almost) good enough to eat, IMO.
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