C.J. Braden • 5 Minute Read
Best Baccarat Rouge 540 Dupe + Mason Pearson Dupe
I went to an open house at a doctor’s office several years ago and received a gift bag. In the gift bag, there were several perfume samples of Baccarat Rouge 540. My husband sprayed it on and I fell in LOVE all over again. YES. IT. WAS. THAT. GOOD. I love my husband, but that sample made him even more irresistible!
I joked that he smelled like a “rich man”. I have no idea why I said that. It just seemed like how my brain thought a “rich man” should smell. It just smelled “expensive”. LOL!
I then looked up how much a bottle cost and I found out my brain thought up the right phrase. A 70 mL small bottle of Baccarat Rouge 540 (the eau de parfum) currently costs $325. I then researched more to see why it cost so much. It has an ingredient in it called ambergris. I was reading my research out loud to my mom and she said she had heard of ambergris while watching the Discovery Channel. She said it was whale vomit.
I looked it up, and she was right! Ambergris is, in fact, the vomit of a sperm whale. Well, kind of. According to the Natural History Museum, “it has been called the treasure of the sea and floating gold.” They are correct in saying this because this regurgitation is highly sought out by ambergris traders and it is extremely valuable. It is found on beaches, then broken down into ambrein, which is an alcohol that helps the perfume last longer.
Read on to learn about the Baccarat Rouge 540 dupe I found and about several other dupes that will save you tons of money!
1- Baccarat Rouge 540 Fragrance Dupes
The ALT Baccarat Rouge 540 dupe is ambergris free
While I loved the scent of Baccarat Rouge 540, I really just didn’t feel right about the whole whale vomit trade industry for a perfume, nor did I love knowing I had a version of whale vomit on my skin. Especially when I learned that there are many alternatives to using ambergris. So, I scoured the internet and ordered a bottle of ALT. Crystal No. 23. The reviews said it was just like Baccarat Rouge 540, lasted a long time and was worth trying. So I did.
My results? My husband tested it out and it truly lived up to the reviews. The bottle we got was also under $50 and smelled just as delicious as Baccarat Rouge 540! The fragrance is actually made for any gender to wear, so I may be using it too because I love it so much!
I also ordered a bottle of ALT. Simply Santal (a dupe for Le Labo Santal 33, $215) for under $50 and a bottle of Bella Vita (a dupe for Lancome’s La Vie Est Belle, $102). Both smelled just like the originals and lasted. The Bella Vita lasted longer than the Simply Santal, but both are great dupes.
Interested in ordering an ALT. dupe? Use this referral code link and you’ll get $5 off your order (and I will too…win, win!). You can order sample sets (as I’ve done before) to test scents out before you buy a large bottle.
GOOD TO KNOW: In speaking with an Intellectual Property lawyer recently, I learned that a company cannot patent a fragrance (nor a food recipe), so the ALT. Fragrance is completely, 100% legally following the law! There are other dupes of Baccarat Rouge 540 on the market too, so if you find one you love or try ALT. Fragrances, leave it in the comments at the end of this article!
2- Mason Pearson Hair Brush Dupe
The Spornette brush is a fraction of the cost of the Mason Pearson brush
As my hair grows out, I found myself in need of better brushes. I researched and found many people loved a boar bristle brush by Mason Pearson. I looked it up and while it looked like a nice brush, it cost $275. While the reviews said it lasted for many years, I just couldn’t fork over that kind of money for a brush right now.
I had used teasing brushes by Spornette before and loved them, so I went to their website and ended up finding an almost exact replica Mason Pearson brush for a fraction of the cost. I went to Amazon and placed my order for the Spornette Large Cushion Boar and Nylon Bristle brush.
I have been using the Spornette dupe for 5 months now and I love it. While it is mass produced and not mostly hand-created like the Mason Pearson brush, it works. It is best used on thicker hair when it is dry. The natural boar bristles are known to help push the oil from your scalp to your strands, keeping your hair more healthy looking. I also love the way it feels on my scalp and have noticed less product buildup when I use it in between my shampoo days.
GOOD TO KNOW: Overall, I know the Spornette dupe may not last as long as a Mason Pearson, but I love it. It’s a brush and does what it’s supposed to do.
3- Living Proof Texture Spray Dupes
Try switching out texture sprays for dry shampoo
Years ago, I got a test bottle of Living Proof’s Full Dry Volume & Texture Spray (it’s former name is Full Dry Volume Blast…it was rebranded in 2022) from Ipsy. I loved it. My hair had never been so voluminous and it lasted all day! It’s truly a great product. The price of it, however, isn’t so great. The price started out around $28 and now it’s at $32. I guess the rebranding cost them some money, which often times results in higher prices for the consumer.
I was lucky enough to score some half price bottles of the Living Proof Full Dry Volume & Texture spray at T.J. Maxx after the rebranding, but still wasn’t too happy about the higher cost. So, I started my search for an alternative. I tried numerous texture and volume sprays, including Bumble and Bumble Dryspun Texture Spray. While they all did what they claimed, they didn’t seem to last as long as the Living Proof.
Then I tried Not Your Mother’s Double Take Dry Finish Texture Spray. It is a great dupe that is incredibly low cost. Honestly, though, it still didn’t last as long as the Living Proof. So I started using the Not Your Mother’s Dry Shampoo line in lieu of the Living Proof and that was where the magic was!
I particularly love the Beach Babe version, but I have the Clean Freak and the Plump for Joy versions and they work well too. They are a cost-friendly secret to many stylists. They are merely dry shampoo, which is what many stylists use to “dirty” up hair or give it texture when doing wedding up-do’s and more.
GOOD TO KNOW: While I still love my Living Proof and will probably keep at least one bottle on hand (as it works wonders on my husbands super fine hair), I do think that the Not Your Mother’s dry shampoos are a great texture and volume spray alternative. I get mine at Target, T.J. Maxx and on Amazon. They should cost around $5.
4- Tarina Tarantino Jewelry Dupes
I love Tarina Tarantino. Her jewelry is colorful, unique and different. However, many of my pieces have not stood the test of time. I have numerous pieces that have simply fell apart. I know it’s just costume jewelry, but because I take very good care of my jewelry, I feel it should last longer.
Mostly I’ve had problems with the elastic bands deteriorating or the glue on the crystals breaking down. Luckily, I know how to fix these issues on my own, but not everyone can do this. Maybe Tarina needs to have a “hospital” for her jewelry like the American Doll brand has for it’s dolls. Just thinking…
I love my vintage-esque Tarina flower earrings and have them in many colors. Unfortunately the crystals often come unglued from the backing. Etsy seller NicolettesJewelry has cleverly designed a similar vintage flower earring in which crystals are held onto the backing with claw-like clasps, helping them last. They currently retail for $21. I paid $38 for my Tarina versions.
Etsy seller TheToteTrove sells gorgeous pieces that are fun and funky like Tarina Tarantino. She’s also super nice as she once rushed a necklace to me that I needed for an event. All her pieces are around $35 and under. I paid anywhere from $50 to $250 for my Tarina necklaces.
GOOD TO KNOW: I love and appreciate Tarina Tarantino and her brand. I even won a contest she ran years ago based on an essay I wrote. I will always support her and see her as an inspiration. I just wanted to offer my readers an alternative that is cost-friendly. This is currently needed with all the inflation I’ve been seeing. Prices are going up, but people’s salaries are not, unfortunately. Everyone at every salary range deserves to look and feel fabulous!
If you love this article, we know you’ll love this one too: Feel Happy With My 5 Best Bold Fashion Style Ideas
5- Best Hair Dye Dupes
I took to dyeing my own hair during the huge onset of COVID-19 and have been doing so ever since. Over the past few years, I’ve played around with numerous boxed and professional dyes and have found a couple of favorites that you could try on your own at home.
I was carefully taught how to mix developer with professional dyes by my stylist. I love the brand Pravana. It’s cruelty free, covers gray well, and has a great color range. However, if you are not comfortable mixing your own dyes, I like IGK Permanent Color Kit hair dyes. I tried Smoky Scarlet (an auburn shade) and loved it. It lasted about 30 days, covered gray and was not harsh. Please note that not all hair types are suitable for every type of dye on the market, so always patch test it before using it all over.
I’ve also tried Lunar Tides, Lime Crime Unicorn Hair Dye, and Shea Moisture. Check out my video reviews of them on my YouTube channel “Carolyn Braden” or below:
C.J. (Carolyn) Braden is a regular contributor and editor for Carolyn’s Blooming Creations. She has been featured in numerous media publications such as InStyle Magazine, on HGTV, on Bustle.com, and more. She is the author of the books Georgia McMasters in Amethyst Lake Cemetery, How To Be Yourself: 3 Little Ways to Get Back To You Being You, and the illustrator for the children’s book Bridging Connections. She is a former classroom teacher that now dedicates her life to educating others on how to live their most healthy, creative and happy life. Learn more about her visiting our About Us page.