Perfumes Similar To Luna Penhaligon's [5 Dupes To Try]

A few days back, my friend bought Luna by Penhaligon’s, a floral perfume that suits the summer and spring perfectly. But it was not cheap. So, before getting the original one, I wanted to try its reasonable alternatives.

As I dug deeper, I found a few dupes of this fresh-smelling scent, some of which are affordable, and some are expensive.

Now, I will discuss about my findings of these substitute fragrances in this context.

So, tag along to enrich your knowledge.

What Does Luna Penhaligon’s Smell Like?

Luna Penhaligon’s smells tangy, sweet, floral, and musky. It combines the citrusy ingredients in the beginning, and then the rose and jasmine come in the middle to create an enchanting vibe. Slowly, it turns sharper and balsamic as musk, fir, and ambergris are present in the ending.

This feminine perfume came to the market in 2016 and lasts up to 6 hours with mild sillage.

Now, let’s take a look at the note formation of Luna Penhaligon’s:

Top Notes: Bergamot, Bitter Orange, Lemon

Middle Notes: Rose, Juniper Berries, Jasmine

Base Notes: Balsam Fir, Musk, Ambergris

At the top, the bright, sparkling nuance of citrusy bergamot, lemon, and bitter orange got my attention. But, it smelt more vivid on the skin compared to the testing stripe.

When you go deeper, the floral heart will open up to you and will shower you with the fresh, powdery ambiance of rose and the opulent hint of jasmine.

There is also the balsamic tone of juniper berries, which is a nice addition with floral notes.

I really liked its base. It comes with the beautiful merge of resinous-smelling balsam fir with the mellow undertone of musk and the strong aura of ambergris.

What Perfumes Are Similar to Luna Penhaligon’s?

You will find a lot of summer fragrances in the market, but if you want to smell close to Luna by Penhaligon’s, the options are limited.

I have narrowed down those substitutes, including the features they provide.

Here are the closest dupes of Luna Penhaligon’s:

1. L’Ombre Dans L’Eau Eau de Toilette Diptyque

The first smell-alike of Luna is L’Ombre Dans L’Eau Eau de Toilette by Diptyque. It was launched in 1983. You can gladly include it in your vintage collection.

But before that, make sure you know how to buy vintage perfume.

L’Ombre Dans L’Eau has a fresh, fruity, and green tone with a woody aromatic scent that comes from the blend of black currant leaf and cassis.

After the natural touch, the citrusy hint becomes more prominent due to the presence of bergamot and Mandarin orange. It has a juicy sweetness that I loved from my childhood till now. So, when I sensed it, my heart immediately filled with joy.

And the addition of ambergris and musk brings out a warm, mellow aura that gives this perfume another level of maturity.

Altogether, it lasts about 7 hours, and it’s suitable for both genders, though I felt it gives a more feminine vibe. Also, its price range is not too high, not too low.

When to Wear

Spring and summer days are the best times to use L’Ombre Dans L’Eau Eau de Toilette Diptyque. It also works fine at night and in the fall.

Why Should You Buy

2. The Ingénue Cousin Flora Penhaligon’s

If you are looking for another expensive perfume from Penhaligon’s that resembles Luna, I have the perfect one for you. Though this citrus aroma has a few components, it’s vibrant and strong on its own, and it was launched in 2019.

At first, the refreshing smell of citruses will give you an awakening call then the warmth of musk will come through.

The depth of musk will soften the tanginess of citruses.

After a while, you will sense the dry, amber tone of the ambroxan vividly. Also, it will provide moderate sillage along with 6 hours of longevity.

But it’s way overpriced compared to the projection and lasting power. And the sourness was a bit too much for me. If you are into this sort of aura, go for it.

When to Wear

The warm days of summer and spring are perfect for enjoying the refreshing vibe of The Ingénue Cousin Flora.

Why Should You Buy

3. Desiree Rance 1795

If your girl is into refreshing perfume, then you can give Desiree by Rance 1795 a try. This scent can also replace Luna by Penhaligon’s. In 2019, it was released.

At the opening, you will get the rich, powdery aroma of rose de Mai, which further mingles with the juicy, sweet, and tangy fruits along with the balsamic tone of juniper berries.

Also, the fizziness of ginger increases the cooling effect of mint.

In the heart, the nuance of rose remains, and the intoxicating hint of gardenia and jasmine merges together to create an enchanting vibe.

The strong herbaceous hunch of thyme, the sweet aura of myrtle, and the woody, musky touch of angelica will soothe your nerves during the humidity of summer.

Finally, in the dry-down, the cottony floral smell of musk will complement the soft woodiness of cedar and the cozy warmth of amber.  And the lightness of lemon blossom is pleasant, too.

Overall, you can’t complain about its moderate sillage and longevity as it is also affordable for regular use.

When to Wear 

The spring and especially summer is the ideal season to use Desiree Rance 1795. Avoid using it at night.

Why Should You Buy

4. Clémentine California Atelier Cologne

Clémentine California Atelier Cologne is another unisex fragrance that you can use as an alternative to Luna Penhaligon’s. It was launched in 2016.

At the first sniff, the sweet juiciness of clementine and Mandarin orange pairs with the fresh balsamic tone of juniper berries.

Slowly, the core of this scent starts to show up. Here, you will sense the herbal aura of basil and the soft, powdery floral smell of star anise, which further blends with the spicy kick of pepper.

It has its own surprising elements, which my friend loved and bought after trying it in the store.

When the middle fades away, earthy, woody smelling cypress, clean, smokey vetiver, and rich, milky sandalwood will linger around you until the end.

My friend said she gets 6 hours of coverage with a few sprays, and she is happy she didn’t have to spend a lot to get such a service.

When to Wear

Clémentine California Atelier Cologne suits the warm days of summer and spring. Its aura flourishes in the humid weather.

Why Should You Buy

5. Black Opium Eau de Toilette (2018) Yves Saint Laurent

Last but not least is Black Opium Eau de Toilette (2018) Yves Saint Laurent. From the name, you can get that it was released in 2018. And it has overlapping notes that make it smell like Luna.

But it’s not a clone, so there are a few new ingredients as well.

Nathalie Lorson, Marie Salamagne, Honorine Blanc, and Olivier Cresp worked together to create this amber vanilla perfume.

In the opening, the dark roasted smell of coffee gets balanced out by the sweetness of pear and the zesty, citrussy hint of bergamot and lemon.

Then, the floral core comes to light. It combines the indolic white floral touch of jasmine with the freshness of orange blossom. For flower perfume lovers, it’s heavenly.

Finally comes the base with the clean smell of patchouli, tuned with the soft, woody aura of cedar and musk.

You will also get 6 hours of longevity and gentle sillage, which is a good deal at a reasonable price.

When to Wear

If you want to make your fall, winter, and spring day and night memorable, you can rely on Black Opium Eau de Toilette (2018).

Why Should You Buy

Wrap Up

So far, you have got all the information about the dupes of Luna Penhaligon’s, including their note profile and price range.

Now, you can easily select your preferred replacement and enjoy it according to its longevity, performance, and sillage. So, buy the perfume that suits your taste and thank me later.

Till then, adios.