Scandal by Jean Paul Gaultier has become one of my daily go-to scents since its launch. As a gourmand scent lover, this pure honey in a bottle, with its overblown sweetness, is my absolute favorite!
Even though it feels magnificent to me, my sister found Scandal a bit overwhelming and thus wanted a milder version of this gem.
So, if you are in the same boat, then read along as I have shared some alluring substitutes for Scandal in this write-up.
What Does Scandal Jean Paul Gaultier Smell Like?
Scandal opens with a sweet-sour aroma of blood orange and mandarin orange. A floral scent of gardenia and jasmine is drenched in the sweet warmth of honey to create its tempting heart. Besides, the gourmand base of caramel and beeswax mingles with patchouli, leaving an exotic finish.
The three perfumers, Daphné Bugey, Fabrice Pellegrin, and Christophe Raynaud, jointly formulated Scandal in the year 2017.
Before moving to further details, let’s have a glance at the note pyramid of Scandal Jean Paul Gaultier for a clear concept:
Top Notes: Blood Orange and Mandarin Orange
Middle Notes: Honey, Gardenia, Orange Blossom, Jasmine and Peach
Base Notes: Beeswax, Caramel, Patchouli and Licorice
From the first sniff of Scandal, I got a refreshing juiciness of blood orange and mandarin orange, which ensured a perfect, energetic start.
And as the delicious honey combines with the elegance of gardenia and jasmine in its heart, the aroma starts to get super addictive. Slowly, the succulent peach reveals its fruity essence in the air.
Imagine how alluring and refreshing a combination it is!
Well, the Scandal is not finished yet, the sweet rush persists with beeswax and caramel in its dry down.
Patchouli and licorice also join the base to leave a warm, cozy sensation that radiates for more than 12 hours.
Whenever I wear this, my partner never fails to compliment the sweet, playful nature it brings on me. So, I think to jazz up your cold winter date nights, this could be a great perfume.
What Are The Perfumes Similar To Scandal Jean Paul Gaultier?
Scandal has a rich, opulent aroma that beautifully radiates its charm on every woman. It brings a polished finishing touch when she steps out elegantly in a tailored outfit.
Over the years, I have encountered a lot of perfumes that smell pretty similar to Scandal. But do you feel all of them are worth your hard-earned penny?
So, after considering all the ins and outs, I’ve sorted 6 best dupes for you.
Here are the suitable alternatives to Scandal by Jean Paul Gaultier:
1. Scandal By Night Jean Paul Gaultier
Top Notes: Honey, Bitter Orange, and Citruses
Middle Notes: Cherry, Tuberose, Orange Blossom, Pear and Nard Himalayan (Jatamansi)
Base Notes: Tonka Bean, Vanilla, Patchouli, Sandalwood, Amberwood and White Musk
Whenever I look for substitutes, I prefer to check the same brand’s offerings first, as the underlying formulation process is well known for them. Scandal By Night is no different.
Launched in 2018, this edition was formulated by the great perfumer Daphné Bugey which can be easily replaceable with the OG Scandal.
It has a tantalizing, zesty aroma of citruses and bitter orange in the opening, which is sweetened with honey.
Definitely, it gives the pleasure of sipping on a cup of smokey lemon tea on a chilly winter morning.
Tuberose unleashes an intense aura that mingles with the angelic orange blossom and irresistible jammy tint of cherry in the core. On top of that I feel the addition of pear and nard Himalayan keeps the freshness intact.
Finally, the perfume settles on a woody, musky base along with some mouthwatering treat of vanilla and nutty tonka bean.
On my skin, it lasted eternally with a captivating sillage. Not only that, it impressively offers a lot of compliments with just a few presses.
When to Wear
Scandal By Night is an alluring masterpiece to wear during the winter or fall as it gives a perfect warm vibe. I love to wear this for more special occasions like parties, clubbing, or intimate dinner dates.
Why Should You Buy
- A sweet, sexy iteration of Scandal.
- Perfect aroma for date nights.
- 12+ hours of longevity.
- Excellent trail.
- Addictive note composition.
- Highly complimented by men.
- A stunning perfume for empowering women.
2. Eternal Kiss La Rive
Top Notes: Blood Orange and Mandarin Orange
Middle Notes: Honey, Orange Blossom, Gardenia, Jasmine and Peach
Base Notes: Beeswax, Caramel, Licorice and Patchouli
Months ago, I bought Eternal Kiss for one of my cousin’s birthday presents, who just stepped on her sweet 16. I wasn’t so sure about the smell at first, but after giving it a couple of minutes, I knew, I had picked the right one.
Exactly like the OG Scandal, this substitute starts with a fruity-citrusy top consisting of mandarin and blood orange.
The heart is packed with a creamy texture of gardenia and jasmine, where the drops of warm honey and peach artistically bring a playful, girly smell to the perfume.
Once it starts to mellow down, you will be enjoying the earthy, moist nuance of patchouli blended with the sweet, toothsome aroma of licorice, caramel, and beeswax.
No matter what, if you’re a fan of honey fragrances with orange blossoms in the background, Eternal Kiss is definitely a good addition to your collection.
When to Wear
The cold nights of winter and fall are the perfect time to wear Eternal Kiss by La Rive. Plus, as it performs decently, you can use it casually or before heading to work.
Why Should You Buy
- Fresh, fruity opening.
- Moderate performance.
- Great value for the price.
- Office friendly.
- Lasts about 6 to 7 hours.
- A very well-balanced aroma.
3. Illicit Jimmy Choo
Top Notes: Ginger and Bitter Orange
Middle Notes: Jasmine Sambac, Orange Blossom and Rose
Base Notes: Honey, Amber, Caramel, Vanilla, Sandalwood and Cashmere Wood
Illicit by Jimmy Choo is a floral aroma for women that was launched in 2015. The nose behind this exquisite blend is Anne Flipo.
It is basically a sweet-based scent that greets you with a spicy, fizzy aroma of ginger with a hint of citrusy, bitter orange.
As time elapses, the floral core embraces you into its realm of uplifting jasmine and orange blossom. Plus, to make it more attractive and captivating, the rose spreads its charming, sensual aura.
Illicit has a honey-amber smell in its dry down. Along with the woodsy tone of cashmere and sandalwood, the sweet tint of this perfume gets intensified and keeps your senses upright for 7 to 8 hours.
Wearing this beauty, you can feel the daring spirit of a woman who is hypnotic, attractive, and living life to the fullest.
So, to buy a similar perfume at a cheaper price, you can try perfumes similar to Jimmy Choo Illicit and save some bucks.
When to Wear
The spicy, sweet aroma of Illicit Jimmy Choo feels most alluring in fall and winter. However you can also wear it in summer and spring, but just put it on with fewer sprays so that the spiciness doesn’t feel bothersome.
Why Should You Buy
- Perfect for fun-loving people.
- Gorgeous blend of ginger and honey.
- Inviting and seductive scent.
- 6+ hours of longevity.
- Provides a mild trail.
- A fresh and feminine touch.
4. Prada La Femme Prada
Top Notes: Magnolia, Bergamot and Carrot Seeds
Middle Notes: Frangipani, Tuberose, Ylang-Ylang, Iris and Spices
Base Notes: Beeswax, Vanilla and Vetiver
Now, let’s explore the scent profile of my all-time favorite perfume, Prada La Femme, which is one of the best-smelling Prada perfumes of this perfumery.
The first splash of this fragrance shines with a luminous aura of citrus king bergamot and a subtle white floral touch of magnolia.
Moments ahead, the bold, addictive sensation of frangipani, tuberose, and ylang-ylang dances with the powdery iris to fill your heart with an unknowing, ethereal peace.
I remember my partner’s reaction after wearing it for the first time. He kept complimenting, ‘Oh, you smell stunning!’
Well, to me, the finishing part is a powerhouse of this perfume.
My skin chemistry did play a great role here. However, beeswax and vanilla’s underlying sweetness can also attract your loved ones’ gaze towards you, regardless of your body chemistry.
These two deep, sweet aromatic notes at the finishing made La Femme a strong alternative to JPG Scandal.
And the best part isn’t there yet – you’ll get around 8 hours of this enticing floral beauty with an arm’s length sillage.
When to Wear
When you are looking for a clone that can be used all year round, then Prada La Femme will amazingly satisfy your demands with its versatility.
The best part of this perfume is you can wear it anywhere, from casual formal to special events, without thinking much.
Why Should You Buy
- Most complimented scent for women.
- Soft and creamy scent.
- Lasts long with intimate sillage.
- Divine floral touch in the core.
- Versatile perfume.
- A classy gift option.
- It can be used every day.
5. Poison Girl Dior
Top Notes: Bitter Orange and Lemon
Middle Notes: Damask Rose, Grasse Rose, and Orange Blossom
Base Notes: Vanilla, Almond, Tonka Bean, Tolu Balsam, Sandalwood, Cashmeran and Heliotrope
In the year 2016, Dior introduced their iconic perfume Poison Girl, which soon became famous among the young hearts.
Starting with the sharp, lemony hint of bitter orange, this perfume flawlessly imitates the rich aroma of Scandal.
After a while, the aroma transitions to a floral core where the velvety rose and a green, fresh tone of grasse rose to give an aromatic balance to the perfume.
You’ll also get a seductive, mind-hooking aroma of orange blossom at this phase to make your surrounding people engrossed.
To me, the dry down is pure heaven where a smooth vanillic touch, along with the gourmand tonka bean, evokes a soothing feeling. Besides, the mature woody ambiance ties everything up, adding a touch of perfection.
Poison Girl ensures a beast-mode performance that stays for 12+ hours without any reapplication. So it easily takes the place among the best-smelling Dior perfumes.
When to Wear
Poison Girl Dior is a scent for colder months of the year. It flourishes a warm, pleasant sensation that makes your winter night occasions extremely delightful.
Why Should You Buy
- It can be a signature scent.
- Delicious, gourmand dry down.
- Radiates massively.
- 10-12 hours of lasting capabilities.
- Great for nighttime wear.
- Mass appealing.
6. Lady Million Paco Rabanne
Top Notes: Raspberry, Neroli and Amalfi Lemon
Middle Notes: Jasmine, African Orange Flower, and Gardenia
Base Notes: White Honey, Patchouli, and Amber
If you want to adorn yourself with a touch of elegance, then I feel my last alternative, Lady Million, feels like icing on your cake.
The jamminess of raspberry with a hint of amalfi lemon is the first thing that will hit your nose. And the freshness of neroli is also there!
Moving to its heart, a rich, blooming floral smell of sensual jasmine and gardenia is there to cuddle you with its subtle, alluring touch.
Lady Million dries with an exotic warmth of patchouli, and the presence of amber and honey draws an exciting closing to this stunning perfume.
This best-smelling Paco Rabanne perfume will provide you with a fairly intoxicating vibe that makes your presence noticeable to all. And the best part is it lasts longer so I love to wear it while partying all night with friends.
When to Wear
The sweet, gorgeous, well-rounded trait of Lady Million by Paco Rabanne makes it a top-notch choice for all sorts of occasions throughout the year!
It’s extremely versatile and safe for any event, so you don’t have to think much before wearing it.
Why Should You Buy
- It has a unique and sparky scent.
- Emits a seductive, lingering trail.
- Lasts for 10+ hours.
- Average-priced perfume.
- Ensure a mature, womanish hunch.
- Stunning golden bottle design.
- Garners compliments.
- A perfect day and night friendly aura.
Takeaway Thoughts
There, you have everything covered about JPG’s best chypre floral fragrance, Scandal. To me, this perfume has something intensely addictive that makes the wearer want to spray it on and on.
But in case you want to try something affordable and mild performing replicas, then don’t miss out on checking the above dupes.
So pick the one that suits you and enjoy the colder season to the fullest. Adios!