Dossier Perfume Review
About Dossier
Dossier offers luxury-like fragrances at inexpensive prices. By forgoing unnecessary fluff—like excessive packaging and designer names—the brand is able to mimic expensive scents.
As you can imagine with such a bold concept, Dossier has made quite the stir in the media. Customers have gravitated towards affordable perfumes, and the company now has a healthy following of 81k on Instagram and 15k on Facebook.
Additionally, The Business of Fashion featured the brand for its smart strategy of including samples with each perfume to cut down on used returns.
If affordable luxury perfumes sound like something you can get behind, stay tuned as this Dossier perfume review sniffs out the brand and its bestsellers. We’ll cover customer reviews, promotions, and more, to help you decide if its intriguing scents are worth the buy.
Overview of Dossier
Dossier perfume founder Daniel Schwartz grew tired of justifying expensive perfume. After some research, he discovered that the same scents can be crafted using better ingredients for just a fraction of the price.
Recognizing this discovery as a viable business opportunity, Daniel founded Dossier in 2018. According to its website, the brand’s mission is simple:
“to bring you the iconic perfumes you love, all with that same luxe scent and high-quality feel, but without the celebrity endorsement fees, markups, or pricey packaging.”
Indeed, all of Dossier’s scents are packaged in minimal but sleek bottles that get straight to the point. After all, shouldn’t we care more about what our perfume smells like than the package it comes in? Offering nearly 70 fragrances, prices start at just $29.
Despite luxury brands selling iconic fragrances for $200, some bottles are filled with cheap and harmful chemicals. Dossier does things differently. Its formulations are clean and free of toxins and yucky chemicals.
Instead, it utilizes the powerful essence of natural ingredients to develop delightfully unique scents. Importantly, each perfume still smells and lingers the way its overpriced competitors do.
This San Francisco-based brand is proudly vegan and cruelty-free. It takes a transparent approach to perfume, letting its customers know exactly what perfume costs to make ($2), where they get their scents from, and everything that’s inside each bottle.
Now that you know more about the brand and where it came from, this Dossier perfume review will go over the pros and cons:
Pros
- Offers a wide variety of woody, floral, oriental, and musk fragrances
- Uses natural and clean ingredients and excludes common toxins and chemicals
- The brand is transparent about where it sources its ingredients
- Vegan and cruelty-free
- Hundreds of customers attest to the smell, quality, and longevity of Dossier’s perfumes
- Way more affordable than the designer muses
- Multiple promotions available to save you money
- All returned items go to the Give Back Box Charity
- 30-day return policy
Cons
- Some customers think the brand is unethical because it mimics other companies’ luxury perfumes
- No international shipping
Is Dossier perfume long-lasting?
Dossier perfume can last an extremely long time. Unlike body sprays, its Eau de Toilettes and Eau de Parfums stay on the skin throughout the day.
Dossier perfume is designed like high-end fragrances are, meaning they use high-quality ingredients in high concentrations.
If you notice your perfume doesn’t smell as strong throughout the day, be cautious of spraying on more. The nose is a delicate thing, but it can get used to a scent the more frequently it smells it.
For example, have you ever walked into someone else’s home and smelled a distinct scent? Just like your home has its own unique smell that you don’t detect, others have become immune to the aroma.
This applies to your perfume as well. Just because you can’t smell it, doesn’t mean that others can’t.
The brand offers a wide range of woody, floral, oriental, and musk fragrances that mimic some of the most iconic perfumes out there.
To introduce you to its collection, this Dossier perfume review will cover some of the company’s top-selling products and discuss the iconic fragrances they were inspired by.
Dossier Fragrances Review
The Dossier fragrances are exciting, sensual, and moody, and many other qualities depending on which one you try. Each perfume comes in a minimalistic bottle that lets the fragrance speak for itself.
Next, we’ll cover its best-selling fragrances to show you what the company has to offer.
Dossier Woody Sandalwood Review
Let Dossier’s Woody Sandalwood evoke strolls on the beach and pastel sunsets fading into soft blue afternoon skies as it graces your body. This subtle scent features delicate floral notes with warm earthy undertones.
Though the key ingredient is typically found in tropical areas, Dossier sources Mysore sandalwood from India, where the country’s rich culture is reflected in this perfume’s inspired smell.
Woody Sandalwood is an enticingly classic perfume that you’ll reach for day after day. Its complex notes somehow strike the balance between sharp and exciting with soft and comforting perfectly.
This 50 ml perfume draws inspiration from Santal 33, one of Le Labo Fragrances’ luxury scents. Bring out your sensual side with this meaningful product for $49.
Dossier Woody Sage Review
Woody Sage is a complex fragrance with multiple layers. When you first spritz this perfume on your skin, you’ll notice uplifting notes of zesty grapefruit, followed by succulent sweet fig and seductive amberwood. As it develops, the clary sage emerges. The result is a mix of floral and minty herbs, fine leather, and subtle undertones of calming lavender.
Formulated to mimic the $100 Jo Malone Wood Sage & Sea Salt, this imaginative fragrance takes wearers on a joyful journey to the ocean shore. It embodies crashing waves and a gentle breeze. The romantic and wistful Woody Sage is $29 (50 ml).
Dossier Woody Hyacinth Review
Inspired by Chance by Chanel, Woody Hyacinth is all about taking risks. Mingling dainty floral notes like rose and jasmine with exotic pepper and bright lemon, this enchanting perfume is full of personality and spirit.
Classed as one of Dossier’s woody fragrances, you’ll experience arboraceous scents of light oakmoss, green bergamot, and smoky vetiver. It’s the ideal fragrance to wear when taking risks, whether at work or in the bedroom. Feminine and full of bravery, Woody Hyacinth is $29 (50 ml).
Dossier Floral Honeysuckle Review
The light and sweet Floral Honeysuckle brings to mind the delicate but complex nature of the humble honeybee. Floating gracefully from flower to flower, the honeybee is full of purpose, might, and determination, doing his job to keep nature in balance.
This perfume balances the bright green notes of a lush garden with the happy florals of jasmine, and a tender aroma of honeysuckle. Inspired by Gucci’s Bloom, Floral Honeysuckle is an innately feminine fragrance that brings delight, passion, and harmony. Discover the 50 ml fragrance for $29.
Dossier Floral Grapefruit Review
Grapefruit is an undeniably fresh scent that invigorates the senses and sings a happy tune. Like the emerging sun after a dark night, Floral Grapefruit utilizes the promising aroma of the citrus fruit. To offer complexity, this freshness is complimented by the illuminating floral scents of lilacs, hyacinths, and sweet jasmine.
Underneath these golden tones lays a sticky, deep layer of juicy black currants and raw, sugary pear. After a spritz or two of this floral and zesty perfume, you’ll embody Mother Nature. This explorative and complex fragrance was inspired by Chanel’s Chance Eau Tendre and is available for $29 (50 ml).
Dossier Oriental Cherry Review
Sweetness and complexity meld together in this smooth and full-bodied fragrance. Oriental Cherry captures the succulent essence of ripe, red cherries mixed with sharp, sweet almonds.
This intoxicating blend is rounded out by woody Peru balsam. Then, soothing floral notes emerge, transforming this fragrance into a sensual aroma that evokes warm romantic feelings. Undertones of exotic tonka bean, spicy cinnamon, and sweet vanilla finish off this enticing scent.
Perfect for summertime picnics or romantic excursions, this fragrance was inspired by Tom Ford’s Lost Cherry. Add the seductive Oriental Cherry to your collection for $49 (50 ml).
Dossier Oriental Oakmoss Review
Spicy and exotic, Oriental Oakmoss brings with its sensuality and mystery. Earthy patchouli and snappy bergamot are smoothed out by the light, balanced scent of oakmoss.
Enjoy tender notes of peach and orange as you delight in this mischievous fragrance. Inspired by Chanel’s Coco Mademoiselle, Oriental Oakmoss will take your senses on an adventure, and may just inspire your playful side. This 50 ml $29 perfume is full of life and vigor.
Dossier Oriental Sage Review
Inherently masculine with some soft, sensual notes, Oriental Sage is an exotic fragrance that can be worn by both men and women. Its formulation features fine herbs and luxurious leather but mixes them with musky and sweet tonka bean. The result? An illustrious fragrance that evokes Tom Ford’s F**cking Fabulous, which retails for an astounding $350.
This fragrance knows how to take control, inspiring you to bring out your confident charisma and captivating charm. Lighter notes of lavender and almond liven up this deep scent that’s famous for its dominant musk. Capture attention with Oriental Sage for $49 (50 ml).
Dossier Musky Musk Review
Taking after a perfume called “Not a Perfume” by Juliette Has a Gun, Musky Musk acts like our natural pheromones. These pheromones are chemicals in our bodies that seep through our skin. When they do, they mix with air.
The result is an enticing scent that is unique to each person. Dossier’s fragrance accentuates your skin’s natural scent with the help of cetalox (a synthetic musky amber scent) and ISO E Super (spicy, powdery, woody).
Musky Musk smells like…well, musk—one of the most appealing scents on the planet because it plays such a large role in human nature’s sexual attraction. Familiar, grounding, and sexy, Musky Musk is $29 (50 ml).
Dossier Reviews: What Do Customers Think?
No Dossier Perfume review would be complete without hearing from customers. Below, we’ve gathered testimonials from the company’s website, Reddit, and the Fragrantica forum to fill you in on what users actually think about its fragrances. Let’s get into the positives first.
On the brand’s website, its best-selling perfumes have each been rated hundreds of times. Collectively, they score an average of 4.6/5 stars. Here’s a look at six diverse scents:
- Ambery Saffron: 4.5/5 stars from 387 ratings
- Oriental Oakmoss: 4.8/5 stars from 365 ratings
- Oriental Cherry: 4.5/5 stars from 246 ratings
- Floral Honeysuckle: 4.6/5 stars from 183 ratings
- Woody Sandalwood: 4.3/ 5 stars from 287 ratings
- Spicy Vanilla: 4.3/5 stars from 91 ratings
Overall, in Dossier perfume reviews, customers love how delightful each scent smells. Some commenters report that they get compliments whenever they wear one of Dossier’s products. Take this example on the Ambery Saffron:
“WOW, just wow. This perfume smells like heaven. Everyone who has been near me has complimented me on this scent. I smell like a million bucks. I cannot recommend this scent enough. Drop what you’re doing and put this in your cart right now!”
We took a closer peek into Oriental Oakmoss, a scent designed to resemble Coco Chanel’s Coco Mademoiselle Eau de Parfum. As such an iconic scent, we were intrigued to find out how closely Dossier’s replica resembled the original.
Users agree that this perfume “smells identical” to Coco Mademoiselle, noting its long-staying power and fantastic scent. One describes it as “clean, soft flower, calm and sexy.” So far, it seems like Dossier holds true to its mission of offering luxury-inspired perfumes at an affordable cost.
In a Dossier perfume Reddit thread, there are many users that have some great things to say about the company and its fragrances. One wrote, “I tried one of them a month ago. I use Alien by [Thierry] Mugler usually and I wanted to see if they do what they say on the website. It really had the same smell.” Meanwhile, another Redditor reported fast shipping and that “the return process was simple.”
Similarly, the Dossier perfume Fragrantica thread consists of users discussing the brand’s fragrances. One customer reports that her friend compared Le Labo’s $200+ SANTAL 33 to Dossier’s dupe, and actually preferred the cheaper alternative:
“She says the 2 scents smell very alike and both have long longevity. The difference that she did notice wearing one on each wrist was that the scent developed at different paces. She says that she prefers the Dossier Santal slightly more because the opening notes last longer even though both about the same length of time.”
On the other hand, this thread raises an important complaint about the brand. Some shoppers wonder how ethical it is to mimic other brand’s products.
Some commenters raise a good point: Dossier increases accessibility for those that can’t afford a $200+ perfume, especially when most of that money is going to fancy bottles and celebrity promotions, rather than high-quality ingredients that warrant such a price. Ultimately, it is your choice to make.
There are also a handful of reviewers across each site that are unhappy with the scent or longevity of some of the company’s products. For example, one user reported that the Oriental Cherry did not smell good: “I wanted so badly to like this perfume, but the cherry smell felt off. The closest I can describe it is like ‘plastic cherries’.”
This Dossier perfume review wants to remind you that perfumes are incredibly personal. Not only do we all have different preferences, but scent mingles with our natural pheromones differently, which is why the same perfume can smell unique on two different people.
To account for this, Dossier sends a mini sample of each scent with your order, so you can see how it works for you before opening the full-size bottle.
With all things considered, Dossier perfumes come out on top. Hundreds of customers attest to the value, longevity, and scent of each fragrance. Plus, it appears they really do smell like the luxury perfumes they’re modeled after.
Is Dossier Worth It?
Without a doubt, this Dossier Perfume review concludes that the brand’s perfumes are worth the buy. They closely mimic pricier alternatives and are made from clean and natural ingredients. There are hundreds of customer testimonials that recommend the brand.
The brand prioritizes transparency, another notable trait. Plus, Dossier donates its gently used perfumes to the Give Back Box. These donations happen because of the company’s awesome return policy that lets you open a bottle, try the perfume, and return it if it doesn’t suit you.
The biggest downside to the brand is that its practices conflict with some people’s morals. We found a handful of people that won’t support the company because they do not believe it is ethical to mimic someone else’s product.
Meanwhile, others reported that the brand is ethical because it doesn’t mark up its prices like luxury brands, thereby making fragrances more accessible. Ultimately, it is up to you to decide which side of the argument you fall into.
So, are Dossier perfumes worth it? We think so! If you’re in the market for an affordable, long-lasting fragrance, we think the brand is definitely worth checking out.
Dossier Promotions & Discounts
The brand’s perfumes are already sold for fantastic prices—but why not benefit from the other great deals the brand offers? This Dossier perfume review uncovered the following promotions:
- 20% off when subscribing to their mailing list
- But 3 perfumes & get 15% off, 4 perfumes & get 18% off, or 5 Perfumes & get 20% off
- Free shipping on orders of 3 perfumes or more
Where to Buy Dossier
You can purchase the brand’s products directly from Dossier.co or Amazon.
FAQ
What is Dossier?
Dossier is a clean, natural perfume brand located in San Francisco. Its collection of chic fragrances are modeled after some of the world’s most popular scents, such as Chanel’s Coco Mademoiselle and Victor and Rolf’s Flower Bomb.
How long do Dossier perfumes take to ship?
Dossier only ships its products within the continental US. Once you place your order online, the brand takes about 1-2 business days to process. When shipped out, your item will be delivered anywhere from 2-7 business days. Dossier has two shipping options:
- 1-2 fragrances $9
- 3 or more fragrances free
After your order ships, you will receive a confirmation email with info on your Dossier perfume order status that contains a tracking number. Click on this number to be taken to the carrier’s tracking page where you can follow your parcel’s progress.
What is Dossier’s Return Policy?
New or gently used fragrances can be returned to Dossier within 30 days from when it was delivered. After 30 days, you can no longer return the product. To make a return you can do one of two things:
- Head to the Returns Page on Dossier’s website and fill out the form
- Email help@dossier.co
Your return will be free and Dossier will refund you the entire price of the product (not the shipping if you paid any). The company invites its customers to try out its fragrances risk-free. This means you can open up the bottle and spritz the product on.
The brand used to include 2 ml samples with the 50 ml bottles but it is working on phasing those out. Your perfume may or may not arrive with a sample attached.
If you find the perfume isn’t right for you, send it back. This Dossier perfume review notes that the brand can only do this for you once. For example, if you bought five, be sure to try out all five at once. Used perfumes are sent to Give Back Box, a charity that accepts unwanted items for donation.
How to Contact Dossier Customer Service
We hope you enjoyed this Dossier perfume review. If you have any questions, you can contact the brand directly through:
- Email: help@dossier.co
Contact Form available on Dossier’s website
Looking for more fragrances to explore? Check out Elizabeth Arden a company dedicated to helping women feel beautiful in their own skin. Prefer the sample before you buy option? Give Scentbird or Scentbox a try.
