In my opinion, there are two qualities linked to the wildly lauded fragrance Baccarat Rouge 540 that made it the cult classic that it now is: it smells like wealth, and it lingers. As tantalizing as so many other popular perfumes might be, very few achieve this combination. And so, people of all income brackets have coughed up the $400-plus for this unicorn of a scent produced by perfume house Maison Francis Kurkdjian.
And while it’s never mentioned outright — like the top, middle and base notes mentioned in a fragrance’s description — a scent’s ability to make you smell rich, sophisticated and of elegant taste is always appealing. Baccarat Rouge and scents like it (think Le Labo Santal 33 or Parfums de Marly’s Haltane) are, simply put, complex.
Bernadette Lim, my favorite perfume expert and educator, attributed Baccarat Rouge’s uniqueness largely to its composition of saffron, ambergris and cedarwood.
“It creates an ethereal sweetness combined with a warm, woody depth — something that resonates deeply with a wide audience,” she said, noting its ability to gently acclimate to each person who wears it. “It feels highly personal as it adapts to individual skin chemistry. On some people, it reveals a rich, sugary warmth, while on others, it leans more woody and resinous.”
And when it comes to a sought-after scent, staying power is everything. Baccarat Rouge gives you a lot for your money; people on multiple message boards tout that you’ll smell it even after showering and applying other scents.
“This fragrance doesn’t just stay close to the skin — it leaves a memorable trail that lingers for hours, sometimes even days, on clothes,” Lim said. “In a fragrance market where thousands of perfumes compete for consumer attention, projection and longevity are not just desirable — they’re essential.”
This kind of effectiveness, she added, is particularly attractive in a luxury product, where consumers expect more for their investment.
And because finding a fragrance that makes you happy — and leaves a trail of amorous sniffers — is an investment, you ought to be able to diversify your collection. Here are 14 gender-inclusive eau de parfums with just as much staying power and sophistication as Baccarat Rouge.
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Musk, at 50 milliliters, is currently Kiehl’s only eau de toilette in its vast beauty and grooming collection, perhaps because of Musk’s distinctiveness and addictive nature. Much like Baccarat Rouge, the scent manifests a little differently on everyone, yet it’s still happily recognizable from across the room.
Available in a 3.4-ounce size, Armani Privé’s Rouge Malachite is a luxurious floral-amber fragrance that shares Baccarat’s depth and sophistication. “With notes of tuberose, amber and saffron, it’s perfect for those who love bold, elegant scents but want a floral twist,” Lim said.
While Glossier is known for its more subtle scents, Rêve is a recent, slightly bolder drop that balances sandalwood and ambrette with top notes of buttercream. The result is a worthy contender to Baccarat Rouge, perhaps for anyone who prefers a mellower version. It’s available in a 50-milliliter bottle.
Inspired by the almond marzipan of medieval Andalusia, Arquiste Almond Suede is equal parts sweet and leathery — slightly more musky than Baccarat yet similar in depth and radiance. Get this in a 3.4-ounce bottle.
Burberry Goddess blends a trio of vanillas with notes of lavender and patchouli, creating a long-lasting impression without coming across as overwhelming. Get this in a 50-milliliter bottle.
D.S. & Durga’s Jazmin Yucatan gives heavy tropical vacation vibes — think bergamot, cloves and vetiver — but also parallels Baccarat in its Mexican jasmine notes that contribute to an unexpected softness. Get this in a 50-milliliter bottle.
NOYZ Lost + Found comes off slightly brighter than Baccarat Rouge because of the citrus notes that dance alongside cedarwood and pink pepper. Clean and memorable, though, the rookie fragrance is a great match for its price point. It’s available in a 50-ounce bottle.
Parfums de Marly’s Herod fragrance is best known for its rich tobacco and vanilla blend, which adds a comforting warmth that’s similar to Baccarat, but a little more forward. Great for anyone who enjoys smoky-sweet fragrances, you can get Herod in a 2.5-ounce bottle.
From the same perfumer as Baccarat Rouge, Maison Francis Kurkdjian Amyris Femme offers a fresher, more citrusy opening with a similarly warm, woody amber dry down. “It’s perfect for those looking for a lighter yet still luxurious fragrance,” Lim said. Get this in a 2.4-ounce bottle.
Tiziana Terenzi Spirito Fiorentino often draws comparisons to Baccarat Rouge, sharing its saffron and amber notes but with a sharper, more pronounced woody base — an ideal choice for those who want a slightly edgier take on the classic Baccarat vibe, Lim said. It’s available in a 3.4-ounce bottle.
Leaning more feminine (based on how we were socialized to perceive scents), Parfums de Marly’s Palatine feels like a natural bedmate to Baccarat Rouge because of its floral, woody musk base and powdery top notes that fade in the best way over time. Get this in a 2.5-ounce bottle.
Straight out of one of the oldest, most venerable perfumeries in the world, Santa Maria Novella Quercia is an ode to nature — the majesty of oak specifically. It’s a bit more subtle than Baccarat yet mirrors its balance of notes (Quercia’s woodiness is countered by vetiver and patchouli) and projection. It’s available in either a 50-milliliter bottle or a 100-milliliter bottle.
Mancera Instant Crush features a blend of citrus, saffron, amber and woods, creating a warm, sweet and slightly spicy scent that’s akin to Baccarat Rouge, Lim said. It’s available in a 4-ounce bottle.
J’ai Trois Amours — from Coty, a heavy hitter of perfume houses — is a titan of lingering; the entire line’s longevity is augmented by science. It features notes of jasmine that conjure Baccarat while leaning sweeter but gender-inclusive. It’s available in a 75-milliliter bottle or a 150-milliliter refill size.