Byrdie / David Hattan
The list of perfumes that are universal crowd-pleasers is short, but there’s perhaps no better example than Maison Francis Kurkdjian Baccarat Rouge 540. It was intended to be a limited-edition launch when it first hit the market in 2016 when only 250 bottles were released. Flash forward to today and it’s arguably one of the most cult-classic luxury perfumes out there.
What makes Baccarat Rouge 540 so special? For starters, it’s surprisingly versatile. “It’s exotic and luxurious, yet balanced enough to wear every day,” says fragrance expert Leila Zagwolsky. In stark contrast to many other perfumes, it’s made of only seven ingredients but blends various notes that make it hard to put it into one olfactory category. Floral jasmine, spicy saffron, fresh cedarwood, and sweet ambergris are all combined into one unique result with at least one element most people will gravitate toward. It not only smells expensive—TikTokers have described it as “swimming in Scrooge McDuck’s vault”—it is expensive. Bottles range from $325 to a whopping $625 depending on the size. So, if you’re looking for a more affordable alternative—and/or want to add something a little different to your fragrance collection—keep reading.
Best Overall
Al Haramain Eau De Parfum Spray
Amazon
Notes are very similar to those in Baccarat Rouge 540
Unisex
May not be very long-lasting on everyone
Key Notes: Saffron, amber wood, ambergris, jasmine | Size: 60 mL | Cruelty-Free: Yes
The notes in this perfume are almost identical to the ones of Baccarat Rouge 540, namely saffron, jasmine, and ambergris. (Many Amazon reviewers comment on how similar the two are.) It has the same warmth and sweetness to it, and it doesn’t hurt that the gold bottle is chic and expensive-looking, too.
Best Overall, Runner-Up
Mancera Instant Crush Eau de Parfum
Saks Fifth Avenue
Has a balanced profile of different notes
Comes in different sizes
Can be too strong for some
Key Notes: Saffron, citrus, amber, jasmine, rose | Size: 60 mL | Cruelty-Free: Unknown
“This performs and projects just like Baccarat Rouge 540,” says Zagwolsky. It has similar notes and a full-bodied profile, combining jasmine and amber with rose that adds a touch of softness to the middle notes. There’s saffron in the top notes, but it’s paired with citrus and ginger to make this slightly lighter and more refreshing.
Best Unisex
Montale Arabians Tonka Eau de Parfum
Bloomingdales
Unisex
Long-lasting and projects well
Sweeter than Baccarat Rouge
Key Notes: Bergamot, saffron, rose, oud | Size: 100 mL | Cruelty-Free: Yes
According to Zagwolsky, this is a nice unisex fragrance. Tonka bean cuts the sweetness (which comes from a brown sugar base note), but it still has notes of amber and saffron, she explains. Opening bergamot also gives it a pleasant freshness to further balance out the sweetness.
Best Sweet
Ormonde Jayne Muscat Eau de Parfum
Ormonde Jayne
Offers some unique notes that other perfumes don’t
Very long-lasting
Strong sillage that may be too intense for some
Key Notes: Saffron, oud, rose, dates, halva | Size: 50 mL | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Another one of Zagwolsky’s picks, this is an amberesque-oud that’s warm and spicy but also very sweet; credit the notes of date oil, which she says is very unique to any fragrance. It does dry down slightly less sweet, but keep in mind that it does have an intense sillage that Zagwolsky says may turn heads.
Best Fresh
Thameen Extrait de Parfum
Saks Fifth Avenue
Lighter and fresher than Baccarat Rouge
Very long-lasting
Aldehydes in the top notes may be off-putting to some
Key Notes: Citrus, orange blossom, rose, amber, musk | Size: 50 mL | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Baccarat Rouge 540 is many things, but ‘fresh’ is not necessarily one of them. That’s why this is a nice alternative. It’s effervescent, thanks to top notes of bright orange blossom, says Zagwolsky. Additional citrus notes add to the freshness, which is balanced by rose and warmer amber and musk, which hearken back to those Baccarat Rouge 540 vibes.
Best Floral
Glasshouse Fragrances Eau de Parfum
Neiman Marcus
Great price point
Long-lasting fragrance
Dry down may be a bit one note
Key Notes: Saffron, blackcurrant, rose, jasmine ambergris, moss | Size: 100 mL | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Ambergris, saffron, jasmine…here’s another pick that has almost the same notes as Baccarat Rouge 540. Where it differs: The addition of blackcurrant, moss, and rose, makes this come across as slightly lighter. And because the rose is fairly prominent, this also skews toward the more floral end of the spectrum (although not overtly so).
Best Budget
Dossier Ambery Saffron
Walmart
Very affordable
Vegan
Packaging is a bit lacking
Key Notes: Saffron, orange blossom, cedarwood, amber, plum | Size: 50 mL | Cruelty-Free: Yes
We’re not quite sure how they do it, but this brand is known for making inexpensive alternatives to some of the priciest fragrances out there—and this is no exception. It has all the usual suspects (including that oh-so-important amber and saffron), but with some unique additions such as a plum and oakmoss to give it a slightly different dry down.
Best Warm
Ellis Brooklyn Super Amber Eau de Parfum
Sephora
Formula is free from fragrance allergens
Scent is subtle
Doesn’t last super long
Key Notes: Amber, cedarwood, vanilla orchid | Size: 50 mL | Cruelty-Free: Yes
For those who are intrigued by how warm Baccarat Rouge 540 is, this is another good option. You definitely have to like amber, as it’s the primary note here, combined with cedarwood and vanilla orchid that lend a slightly gourmand touch. It’s, in a word, cozy, a great choice for fall or winter.
Best Natural
Henry Rose Eau de Parfum
Credo Beauty
Brand is EWG-verified
Comes in two sizes
Doesn’t have great staying power
Key Notes: Peach, bergamot, musk, jasmine | Size: 50 mL | Cruelty-Free: Yes
While not necessarily as directly similar to Baccarat Rouge 540 as some of the other options on this list, this is a great pick for anyone looking for cleaner, more natural fragrance. The brand discloses all of its ingredients (rare in the fragrance world) and is EWG-verified. It contains some of the same notes as Baccarat Rouge 540, just used differently; for example, jasmine is used as a middle note rather than at the top and amber woods are at the base rather than the middle. Peach and bergamot add a slightly fruity element that balances the other notes nicely.
What to Look for in a Perfume Similar to Baccarat Rouge 540
- Key Notes: According to Zagwolsky, amber is a key part of the scent profile you’re looking for so make sure to seek that out. “From there, if the fragrance also has woods, saffron, and floral notes of jasmine or rose, you’re likely on the right path,” she says.
- Sillage: This is the French word for “wake” and essentially refers to the scent a perfume leaves behind as it evaporates. Baccarat Rouge 540 has a long sillage—generally associated with heavier or more intense perfumes—so if you want something that’s close to it, look for fragrances that also have a long sillage.
Why Trust Byrdie
Byrdie contributor Melanie Rud has over a decade of experience in the beauty industry, writing for some of the biggest magazines and websites out there. While she typically likes very light, very fresh perfumes, she was shocked to learn that she loves Baccarat Rouge 540, proof positive of its universal appeal. To get more in-depth insights into the perfumes that give off the same essence as this classic pick she tapped the following expert:
- Leila Zagwolsky is a fragrance expert and the CEO & Co-founder of LUXSB, Luxury Scent Box, a perfume subscription site.
