Joy

Dupe Joi opens on a soft citrus lift of bergamot and mandarin before settling quickly into its floral heart, which is where the resemblance to Dior's Joy is strongest - centifolia rose and jasmine sit close together in a bright, unforced pairing, with a touch of peach and cassis for sweetness. Real Joy is built around one of the biggest jasmine-and-rose absolute doses in modern perfumery, wrapped in a heavy, almost creamy sandalwood base that gives it real weight and lasting power; this version keeps the floral pairing recognisable but flattens the base considerably, with sandalwood, cedar, musk and patchouli all present but working at a fraction of the original's intensity. The result reads as a pleasant, fresher floral rather than Joy's opulent, old-school bouquet, and it will not last anywhere near as long on skin. A reasonable everyday floral if you like Joy's rose-jasmine idea but don't need its richness or its price tag.