Best 5 Perfumes Similar To Karma Lush [Tested 2024]

When my mother decided to use only vegan and cruelty-free products, Lush became the most trusty source of her beauty regime.

I remember Karma by Lush being her signature perfume in the early 2000s, and its vibe retraces me to the old days.

So, to lock the nostalgia of my childhood I wanted to find more substitutes for this elegant charm. I have already picked and tested the amazing Lush Karma dupes. Bear with me till the end to learn about them.

What Does Karma Lush Smell Like?

Karma Lush is topped with a bright hint of orange, uplifting lemongrass that transitions to pine’s woodiness at heart. Then, it will delight your nose with a sweet punch of elemi coated in the spicy cinnamon base, developing into patchouli’s soft, earthy tone for a prolonged time.

This patchouli-citrusy-centered fragrance was released in 1995 and has still hooked customers with its unparalleled combination.

Before we dive into the olfactory journey of Karma by Lush, let’s take a look at its notes profile:

Top Notes: Orange, Lemongrass, Lavender

Middle Notes: Pine Tree, Lemon, Cassis

Base Notes: Patchouli, Fir Resin, Elemi, Cinnamon

As my mother used this perfume for a long time, I always got to sniff and wear it. But when I finally decided to find something that smelled like Karma Lush, I wanted to understand every bit of its vibe.

I tested it both on a test strip and on my wrists to get a clear understanding.

In the opening, I could sense a refreshing, tangy nuance of orange on top of a herbaceous, soothing aroma of lemongrass. I also received a slightly powdery-tinted, aromatic hunch. Though the brand didn’t mention adding lavender, I think there was a subtle touch of it.

The core came with a potent earthy-woody smell of pine trees. It was vivid but I was still getting a little clue of citruses.

The dry-down initially flourished with a sweet-spicy fusion of elemi and cinnamon. It slowly turned into an earthy patchouli sensation that became more intense as time went by.

Performance-wise, this one is a top-notch fragrance. It lasts for at least 7-8 hours, and the sillage goes wide enough to mark your presence. The projection is an absolute compliment grabber.

Although I like it, the expiry duration of this perfume is a deal-breaker for me!

What Perfumes Are Similar To Karma Lush?

Lush is admired for its less use of harsh chemicals or added preservatives, and cruelty-free policy in their production. But it has a downside as well. You trade the shelf life of the fragrance, as vegan products tend to have lower duration.

In case you prefer a longer shelf life, I have included some alternatives to this amazing perfume. I will discuss their ins and outs in the following section.

Here are the top 5 dupes of Karma Lush:

1. H&M Makassar Patchouli H&M

H&M Makassar Patchouli by H&M was released in 2018. This woody-earthy blend is not a Karma Lush clone, but their vibe is profoundly similar.

After spraying Makassar Patchouli, it unfolds an enlivening citrusy hunch along with a powdery-aromatic touch of lavender and violet leaf.

Its opening is quite short-lived and soon I can sense an engrossing woody aroma at heart, which is my favorite part of this perfume. It has a slight dusty tint that you will receive underneath the timbering aura.

Whenever I see jasmine in a fragrance, that’s when I know it’s the type of scent I want. No exception for this one, too. The opulence of jasmine filled with a sensual and sweet tone hooks me each time I sniff it.

The perfume dries down to a mood-lifting rich, sweet vanillic sensation layered with a warming ambery twist.

Gradually, patchouli comes in, radiating an earthy-leafy hint that becomes intense over time. My nose can sense a bitterness coming from it, but that complements the overall vibe.

It lasts over 8 hours and leaves a trail for at least 7-8 feet.

When to Wear

In my opinion, Makassar Patchouli will be the best fit for the fall and winter time. You can use this balanced fusion for both day and night events.

Why Should You Buy

2. Patchouli Eau De Parfum Molinard

There isn’t any exactly similar alternative to Karma Lush. I have used a few replicas which were low in quality.

Hence, I looked for perfumes that developed into a similar smell to Karma over time. Patchouli Eau de Parfum by Molinard is one of them. I promise you won’t be disappointed by this.

The first splash of Patchouli EDP Molinard unleashes a revitalizing aroma jammed with the citrusy essence of orange and neroli. Geranium infuses a rosy nuance, creating an aromatic vibe.

At heart, the fragrance is concentrated with patchouli oil. It releases a vivid, earthy aura that gives a darker edge to the scent.

Sandalwood and vanilla make a luxurious base with their buttery-woody, sweet twist. The smell of Musk amplifies its mellow tone. I can still sense a chypre hint coming from patchouli after hours.

It stays over 10 hours, and the sillage and projection are hypnotizing.

When to Wear

Patchouli EDP will greatly enhance your look for night outings in freezing weather for its appealing base. I prefer using this fragrance in the mild-temperate time of spring, too.

Why Should You Buy

3. Tempo Eau De Parfum Diptyque

To celebrate its 50th birthday in 2018, Diptyque released Tempo Eau De Parfum. It pays tribute to a particular perfume that had a phenomenal effect in the 60s.

This patchouli-based fragrance is developed with patchouli essence derived from the leaf of a tree called Nilam that gives different vibes while you use it.

Tempo EDP starts with a tangy hint of bergamot layered with clary sage’s aromatic-herbaceous touch. Mate adds a battery-green sensation to it, but that remains too insensible.

Patchouli remains prominent from the first sniff. At heart, its tone is warm and earthy.

I could sense a sweet smell but couldn’t identify any notes mentioned in the perfume. Later, I realized it was coming from Clary Sage, which has a slight balsamic tint.

Gradually, patchouli’s aura becomes more complex and it starts to radiate a pungent tinge to my nose.

A soft and powdery hunch of violet leaf smoothens the aroma and develops into a floral, earthy twist after dry-down. The perfume lasts for 7-8 hours, and the sillage is far-fetching.

When to Wear

I think Tempo Eau de Parfum is a well-rounded craft by Olivier Pescheux. Thus, you can wear it all year, anywhere, without irritating the people of your surroundings.

Why Should You Buy

4. Opium Eau de Parfum 2009 Yves Saint Laurent

Opium Eau de Parfum 2009 by Yves Saint Laurent is an outstanding alternative to Karma Lush.

At the top, Opium Eau de Parfum 2009 flourishes an invigorating, citrusy whiff of Mandarin orange and bergamot. Lily of the Valley adds a carnal, floral sensation that sets an erotic ambiance.

My nose picks up myrrh’s intensely sweet aroma at heart within the next few minutes. Plus, the striking and mind-evoking presence of jasmine in this core makes it one of the best-smelling Yves Saint Laurent perfumes.

Opoponax creates a sensual base filled with a sweet and spicy aura. Vanilla adds a rich touch along with the warming ambery hint.

Patchouli comes to light, releasing a potent earthy nuance, making the base smell darker and thicker.

Its lasting power is eternal. I can sniff this gem the day after spraying on me. Also, It projects so heavily that you will find at least 4 to 5 strangers praising how you smell.

When to Wear

Opium EDP 2009 is an excellent pick for colder months. It offers such amazing projection and sillage that I will definitely recommend drenching yourself in this perfume before a date night or partying with friends.

Why Should You Buy

5. Patchouly Etro

In my view, Patchouly by Etro is one of the most remarkable and exquisite dupes of Karma Lush. You can swiftly replace this with the chypre fragrance of Lush.

After sniffing Patchouly Etro, I get a refreshing wave of citrusy bergamot and orange. Artemisia enhances the vibe with its herbaceous twist.

In the core, it produces the most soul-soothing aroma. Rose comes in with a dusty-floral hint along with geranium’s magnifying rosy-nuance. Sandalwood embellishes the heart, infusing a sweet-woody touch.

It smells exactly the same as Karma Lush in the dry-down. Patchouli beams a vivid, earthy sensation in this phase.

Vanilla enriches the base with its sweet-creamy whiff, cypress adds woodiness, and amber creates a cozy, warm tinge to the nose.

I feel that together, they balance the scent from getting overly bitter which will last for 7-8 hours, and give engaging sillage and projection.

When to Wear

Patchouly Etro will elevate your outlook in moderate weather. Its versatile aroma suits any occasion from dawn to dusk.

Why Should You Buy

Final Thoughts

Hands down to Lush for creating such an exceptional and soul-grasping perfume like Karma. Such a refined and best-performing gem is a must-have.

It is affordable in price, yet many of you prefer trying the different aromas in a similar genre. Therefore, I have included the substitutes for Karma Lush I have used so far and got a better outcome.

I hope this write-up is worthwhile for you. Take care.