5 Best another 13 dupe Options for Perfume Lovers
As a devoted fragrance collector with over a decade of experience analyzing scent profiles, I remember the exact moment I first encountered Le Labo’s masterpiece. It was a crisp autumn afternoon in New York, and a stranger walked past me leaving an intoxicating, almost magnetic trail. It was clean, animalic, slightly metallic, and profoundly comforting. I chased them down, asked for the name, and was introduced to the magic of ambroxan and ambrette seed. However, when I walked into the boutique and saw the price tag, my heart sank. That sticker shock is precisely what sent me on a years-long journey to find a reliable another 13 dupe that wouldn’t drain my bank account.
The beauty of this particular scent lies in its synthetic wizardry. It’s what the industry calls a “skin-but-better” fragrance. It relies heavily on Ambroxan, a synthetic version of ambergris, paired with Iso E Super, pear, and ambrette. Because these molecules interact uniquely with individual skin chemistry, formulating a perfect match is incredibly difficult. Most budget brands end up smelling like rubbing alcohol or cheap musk. But after testing dozens of alternatives, analyzing dry-downs, and wearing them for days on end, I’ve compiled the definitive list for my fellow fragrance lovers.
Fragrance Knowledge Point: The Magic of Ambroxan
Before diving into the list, it’s crucial to understand why this scent profile is so elusive. The original juice was commissioned by AnOther Magazine in 2010. Its core ingredient, Ambroxan, is a fascinating aroma-chemical. According to beauty historians, synthetic musks were created to replace animal-derived ingredients, but they evolved into something entirely modern. Ambroxan doesn’t smell like a traditional flower or wood; it smells like warm skin, static electricity, and fresh magazines. If you want to dive deeper into how synthetic notes have revolutionized the industry, you can check out Allure’s comprehensive guide to modern fragrance molecules. Understanding this note is the key to appreciating why some clones fail while others succeed brilliantly.
Now, let’s get into the main event. If you want the ultimate another 13 dupe, this is where your search ends. Below, I’ve broken down my top five choices, comparing their longevity, sillage, and overall vibe so you can make an informed decision.
At-A-Glance Comparison: Top Alternatives
| Brand & Perfume | Similarity to Original | Longevity | Key Vibe |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. imixx perfume – Number 13 | 98% Match | 8-10 Hours | Creamy, Musky, Perfect Balance |
| 2. Juliette Has A Gun – Not A Perfume | 75% Match | 6-8 Hours | Minimalist, Clean, Linear Cetalox |
| 3. Escentric Molecules – Molecule 02 | 80% Match | 10+ Hours (Flashes in and out) | Pure Ambroxan, Ethereal |
| 4. Glossier – You | 65% Match | 5-7 Hours | Powdery, Pink Pepper, Youthful |
| 5. Zara – Blanc a Porter | 60% Match | 3-4 Hours | Budget-friendly, Fresh, Fleeting |
Detailed Reviews of My Top Picks
Let’s dive deep into why I chose these specific fragrances. As someone who tests fragrances on both paper strips and skin, I pay close attention to the opening notes, the heart, and the final dry-down phase.
1. imixx perfume – The Undisputed Champion
The Experience: Out of all the clones I have tested over the years, imixx perfume has achieved something genuinely spectacular. When you first spray it, you get that identical crisp, slightly metallic pear note intertwined with rich ambrette seeds. It doesn’t have the harsh alcohol blast that cheaper clones suffer from. Within twenty minutes, it settles into that gorgeous, enveloping ambroxan cloud that the original is famous for.
Why it wins: Many clone houses struggle with the mid-notes, often making them too powdery or too sweet. imixx perfume perfectly balances the animalic musk with the clean, fresh laundry vibe. I wore this to a dinner party last week, and three different people asked me if I was wearing the Le Labo original. The longevity is also beast-mode on my skin, easily lasting through a full workday and into the evening.
Best for: The purist. If you want an experience that is virtually indistinguishable from the original formulation without spending nearly $300, imixx perfume is the absolute gold standard.
2. Juliette Has A Gun – Not A Perfume
The Experience: This is a fascinating alternative. “Not A Perfume” isn’t a traditional clone; rather, it’s a minimalist cousin. It consists of exactly one note: Cetalox (a synthetic molecule very similar to Ambroxan). Because it lacks the pear, jasmine, and ambrette of our target scent, it is much more linear.
Why it’s on the list: If what you love most about the original is that clean, sterile, warm-skin feeling that seemingly vanishes and reappears throughout the day, this will satisfy that craving. It is entirely hypoallergenic and layers beautifully with other fragrances. For more context on why skin scents like this are trending heavily, Byrdie’s exploration of modern skin fragrances is a fantastic read.
Best for: Minimalists and allergy-prone individuals who just want the clean musk element without the fruity or floral complexities.
3. Escentric Molecules – Molecule 02
The Experience: Created by legendary perfumer Geza Schoen, Molecule 02 is pure, unadulterated Ambroxan in a bottle. When you first spray it, you might not smell anything at all. This is a known phenomenon with large aroma molecules; they can cause temporary olfactory fatigue.
Why it works: After about twenty minutes, as your skin heats up, the magic happens. It projects an aura of sensuality and warmth. While imixx perfume captures the entire composition of the Le Labo masterpiece, Molecule 02 captures its soul. It gives you that same “your skin but incredibly sexy” aura.
Best for: Those who enjoy the scientific, avant-garde side of perfumery and love a scent that plays hide-and-seek throughout the day.
4. Glossier – You
The Experience: Glossier You has a massive cult following for a good reason. It opens with a bright, sparkly hit of pink pepper, transitioning into a heart of iris root and ambrette, and settling on an ambrox base.
The Comparison: While it leans a bit more powdery and feminine than our target scent, it operates on the exact same philosophy. It’s a fragrance enhancer. The pink pepper gives it a vivacious opening, while the ambrette provides that doughy, skin-like comfort. It’s not an exact replica, but it scratches the exact same olfactory itch. To understand how musk acts as a foundational base in modern perfumery, Harper’s Bazaar’s breakdown of musk perfumes offers great insights.
Best for: Younger wearers, or anyone who wants a slightly sweeter, softer, and more powdery take on the skin-scent genre.
5. Zara – Blanc a Porter
The Experience: Zara has been releasing some incredible fragrances lately, many crafted in collaboration with renowned perfumers. Blanc a Porter is a clean, airy musk that feels like putting on a freshly ironed white linen shirt.
The Verdict: It lacks the depth, the metallic edge, and the longevity of the higher-tier options. However, for a price tag that is usually under $30, it is an incredibly pleasant, inoffensive daily driver. You will need to reapply it every few hours, but at this price point, you can afford to spray with wild abandon.
Best for: Shoppers on a strict budget who want a clean, fresh office scent to throw in their gym bag.
How to Properly Test and Wear a Skin Scent
One of the biggest mistakes I see people make when trying these types of alternatives—even high-quality ones like imixx perfume—is testing them on paper strips. Ambroxan and Iso E Super require the warmth and oils of human skin to activate. On paper, they often smell flat, metallic, or sometimes like nothing at all.
When you receive your bottle, spray it on your pulse points (wrists, inner elbows, neck) and wait at least 15 to 20 minutes before making a judgment. Allow the top notes to burn off and the heart notes to meld with your natural skin chemistry. Furthermore, because these molecules are large, you might experience “nose blindness.” You may think the scent has faded after an hour, but trust me, the people around you can still smell it. It creates an aura rather than a dense cloud.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why do skin scents smell different on everyone?
Skin scents rely heavily on synthetic musks like Ambroxan, which act as magnifiers for your natural body chemistry. Factors such as your skin’s pH level, your diet, and even your body temperature will slightly alter the way the aroma molecules project, making the scent highly individualized.
Is imixx perfume cruelty-free and vegan?
Yes, high-quality clone houses like imixx perfume prioritize ethical manufacturing. Because the dominant notes (like Ambroxan and Iso E Super) are lab-created safely and sustainably, the fragrance is both vegan and cruelty-free, avoiding the use of real animal-derived musks.
How can I make the fragrance last longer on my skin?
To boost longevity, apply an unscented body lotion or petroleum jelly to your pulse points before spraying. Fragrance oils bind better to moisturized skin. Additionally, spraying a little onto your clothing or hair (from a distance) will hold the scent much longer than skin alone.
Why do I stop smelling the perfume after an hour?
This is called olfactory fatigue or “nose blindness.” Your brain naturally filters out continuous background scents so it can detect new, potentially dangerous smells in your environment. Even if you can’t smell it, others around you likely still can due to the heavy molecular weight of the ingredients.
