Dossier vs. Oakcha vs. ALT vs. Scentbird: Who Wins the Affordable Perfume Brand Showdown?

• Dossier
  

Dossier's model and prices are pretty groundbreaking. The brand crafts perfumes inspired by designer fragrances but sells them for a fraction of the cost, despite being entirely vegan, cruelty-free, and composed of the same high-quality ingredients. They’re even produced in Grasse, France, also known as the perfume capital of the world. By eliminating prestige pricing, advertising, and packaging, Dossier sells designer perfume blends (some of which ordinarily sell for over $100) in the range of $29 to $39.

Fragrances are labeled by their predominant notes. This makes it easy to discover new scents you love, even if you've never smelled the ones they were inspired by. Depending on the scent you choose, you may think the Dossier version smells the same, close enough, or even better than the original fragrance. 

Plus, discounts increase as you purchase more bottles (if you buy five or more at a time, for example, you can save 20 percent).

PRO:

Scent mimics the original very well 

Overall quality and value are high

Affordable packaging

Sustainably produced

If you don't like the scent you buy, you can return it

CON:

Fragrances do not last as long as the originals

The scents will smell close to the originals, but you probably won't get one that smells exactly the same as its inspiration every time

When you choose one note you love in the quiz, it immediately narrows it down quite a bit, which feels too restricted

• Oakcha(up to 3% cashback from Extrabux)

Based in New York, Oakcha's mission is to provide luxury fragrances to scent lovers everywhere without breaking their budgets. To give its customers the very best product, Oakcha formulates its fragrances with a higher concentration of oil, making them parfums rather than eau de parfums or toilettes.

The brand has over 70 fragrances in its repertoire, ranging from fresh citruses, to gourmands, to woody scents. Although you won't find any outright name-brand perfumes here, the brand makes it clear which brands "inspired" the fragrances that Oakcha creates in-house.

At $30 to $60 for a 50 mL bottle, these perfumes are significantly cheaper than their inspirations. In fact, if you're on a budget, most of the scents that Oakcha pulls inspiration from are only available in 10 mL travel-sized bottles. 

If you're just starting out on your fragrance journey, Oakcha has great options for trying new-to-you scents. They'd make a great gift for someone who wants to wear fragrances for the first time and doesn't know where to start. Oakcha's perfumes are also a solid choice for those who like to wear a new scent based on their mood, the occasion, or the season, but don’t want to spend thousands of dollars loading up their collection.

PRO:

Affordable fragrances

Scents are well-balanced

Long lasting & amazing smelling

Packaging and bottles have a luxurious feel to them

Oakcha's spray nozzles are easy to use and spray a generous amount of fragrance each time

CON:

Bottles are heavy duty

Packaging is not leakproof

Dossier vs. Oakcha

While both brands offer affordable fragrances, Dossier is the winner in terms of value. Their scents start at just $29 for a 50ml bottle and you can often score 20% off these already-low prices. Compare that to Oakcha, whose list prices start at $39.95 for a smaller 30ml bottle. Sure, Oakcha often has steep discounts, but this isn't much help when the on-sale fragrances are sold out.

Like Dossier, all Oakcha perfumes are cruelty-free, paraben-free, vegan, and free from phthalates. This ensures that you can revel in your preferred fragrances without compromising on your principles. 

Similar to Dossier, they also offer a quiz to help you find your perfect scent. Oakcha offers free shipping on orders over $50. According to their return policy, they allow returns within 30 days for unused items and buyers are responsible for paying return shipping costs.

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• Alt Fragrances

Alt Fragrances presents a wide range of scents that mirror popular high-end fragrances. Whether you're a fan of Tom Ford, Creed, or different luxury manufacturers, Alt Fragrances probably has another that captures the essence of your favorite scent. Their in depth product range caters to each men and women, making certain that there is one thing for everyone.

Wearing an Alt Fragrance is a novel experience. It allows you to enjoy the essence of a luxurious scent with out the hefty price ticket. The scents are long-lasting, and many users report receiving compliments and inquiries about their perfume. Alt Fragrances successfully captures the allure of luxurious in an accessible package.

One of the standout options of Alt Fragrances is the quality of their products. While these scents are affordably priced, they do not reduce corners in relation to ingredients and craftsmanship. Alt Fragrances uses high-quality elements to create fragrances that intently resemble the originals, usually attaining an impressive stage of similarity.

PRO:

Perfumes smell pretty good

Priced pretty reasonable

Sustainably produced

Offers sample sets, providing an excellent opportunity to test multiple fragrances

Some reviewers even argue that Alt Fragrances offers higher-quality alternatives to Dossier

CON:

Weak and need to reapply often

Glass perfume bottles are not packaged appropriately

Smell close to the originals, but you probably won't get one that smells exactly the same as its inspiration every time

Dossier vs. Alt Fragrances

If you're not sure which scent to try, Alt Fragrances' sample sets are a great option to try multiple perfumes without committing to the full sizes.

As far as pricing goes, you can expect to pay around $39 for the 30ml size and $69 for the 60ml size for most of Alt Fragrances' scent options.

Although Dossier scents are cheaper, some reviewers believe ALT Fragrances are higher quality compared to Dossier, so it might be worth a try if you were disappointed in Dossier.

However, Dossier has a better return policy. According to their return policy, ALT only allows returns within 14 days and doesn't pay for return shipping. They also state that returns are given in the form of e-gift cards, with "limited exceptions."

Also, Dossier offers free shipping when you buy 3+ fragrances, but ALT offers free shipping for orders over $100.

• Scentbird (up to $3.5 cashback from Extrabux)

Scentbird is a perfume subscription for both women and men. Each month, subscribers are sent a 1-month supply (8 ml) of designer scents, which fit into the vial case you receive with your first month's subscription. You can get up to three items a month, but the most basic plan is the one-sample subscription for $16.95 per month. 

You can complete their Fragrance Quiz so that Scentbird can recommend scents just for you, or just also browse their entire catalog to choose what you want. 

Scentbird starts off by asking you a few questions in their quiz to help narrow down scents that match what you're looking for.

After the quiz, you aren't locked in to any specific scent. Scentbird recommends scents based on your preferences, but you can browse their full selection of perfumes and colognes and pick for yourself based on full descriptions with notes.

Each month, you can change your selection to explore new scents and find the ones that you truly love.

PRO:

No shipping cost or hidden fees

Easy to search for products by brand, note, fragrance family, or scent type

Subscriptions start at a relatively accessible $16.95 per month

Features an ample amount of fragrance close to the size of a traditional travel spray

Can cancel your subscription at any time or pause for up to three months

CON:

Perfume profile quiz isn't particularly specific or helpful 

No returns or exchanges available for subscription orders

Not cost effective if you prefer to use the same scent every month

Dossier vs. Scentbird

The choice between Dossier and Scentbird ultimately depends on your individual preferences and priorities when it comes to exploring and enjoying fragrances.

If you're someone who values affordability, transparency in ingredients, and the freedom to purchase fragrances without being tied to a subscription, Dossier is a compelling option. Dossier specializes in offering high-quality, budget-friendly alternatives to luxury scents, making it an excellent choice for those seeking long-term perfume love, affordability without sacrificing luxury, and a risk-free shopping experience.

On the other hand, if you prioritize variety, exploration, and the convenience of having new fragrances delivered to your doorstep regularly, Scentbird offers an enticing subscription model. Scentbird's extensive range of designer fragrances allows you to try a wide variety of scents without committing to full-size bottles, making it suitable for those who enjoy cost-efficient sampling and constantly discovering new experiences in the world of fragrances.

Ultimately, your decision should align with your fragrance preferences and shopping style, whether it's the familiarity and affordability of Dossier or the variety and exploration offered by Scentbird. Whichever you choose, both companies provide unique and valuable experiences for fragrance enthusiasts, catering to different aspects of the fragrance journey.

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