Is Marks & Spencer Fresh Mandarin a dupe of Jo Malone London Lime Basil & Mandarin?
Lime Basil & Mandarin EDC
| EDC | Concentration | EDT |
| U | Gender | U |
| 1999 | Year | 2023 |
| ££ | Price Tier | £ |
Fresh Mandarin EDT
If you crave sophistication and subtlety, Jo Malone's Lime Basil & Mandarin stands out with its refined citrus-herbal blend and understated elegance - but its longevity is modest and the price is premium. Marks & Spencer's Fresh Mandarin, while inspired by a similar citrus profile, offers a brighter, sweeter mandarin punch with straightforward freshness and much greater affordability. The Jo Malone feels effortlessly upscale and nuanced, ideal for intimate settings, while Fresh Mandarin is a cheerful, uncomplicated scent perfect for daily wear or generous spritzing. Choose Jo Malone for a nuanced, iconic experience; opt for Fresh Mandarin if you want a wallet-friendly, uplifting citrus that doesn't take itself too seriously.
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Where they differ
Biggest gaps first. The bolder side leads.
ScentArt
Which Should You Buy?
- You want a sophisticated, nuanced citrus scent
- Longevity matters less than elegance and quality
- You prefer subtle, close-to-skin fragrances
- You value iconic, premium branding
- Affordability is your top priority
- You like bright, sweet mandarin notes
- You want an easy, everyday citrus spritz
- You prefer bold freshness over subtlety
The iconic citrus-herbal cologne that defined a genre. Unmatched for sparkling freshness and breezy, modern elegance, but best enjoyed in close quarters due to its fleeting, subtle presence.
A juicy mandarin-bergamot-lemon citrus with soft white flower heart and clean musk-cedar base. Sparkling, summer-friendly, wallet-friendly - the kind of spritz you reach for in a heatwave and never regret.
Scent Profile
How They Wear
Mood
Notes
Top Notes
Top Notes
Heart Notes
Base Notes
Note weights are our estimate from each note's place in the pyramid, not the share of the formula. Brands do not publish formulations.
Performance
Season and Occasion Fit
Seasons
Its effervescent citrus, basil, and green herbal notes shine in warm weather, making it perfect for spring and summer refreshment. The light composition can struggle to cut through colder air, so it is less suited to fall and winter.
Occasions
Low projection and understated citrus-herbal character make it ideal for office, daytime dates, and casual outings, where discretion is key. Its freshness is also great post-exercise or for active wear, but lacks the weight for formal events.
Seasons
Juicy mandarin, bergamot, and lemon peak in spring and summer when citrus freshness reads brightest on skin. The light floral-musky base gives it some spring crossover but it feels thin in cold weather.
Occasions
Low projection and an easygoing citrus character make it a casual daytime staple and a sensible post-sport pick. Too understated for formal events.
Similarity Breakdown
Our estimate of how alike these two fragrances smell, calculated from their published notes. It is a position on our scale, not a measured percentage of shared smell.
Shares 2 of its 9 notes, including Mandarin, Bergamot
Adds amber and cedar, drops basil and iris
Where to buy
Pick a size. The two cheapest offers, then the rest.
Lime Basil & Mandarin EDC
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International (2)
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These shops are outside the United Kingdom. How import charges work
Fresh Mandarin EDT
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No other shop we track that delivers to you has it in stock.
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International (2)
Import charges may apply
These shops are outside the United Kingdom. How import charges work