Among his top 10 tips for Christmas, money-saving expert Martin Lewis suggests eschewing designer perfume in favor of cheaper “high-street versions”. Why? Because they’re basically the same. “There are a number of smell-alikes out there,” he revealed in this week’s Radio Times. “For example, Chanel’s Coco Mademoiselle can cost nearly £70 for 50ml … but people tell me that Lidl’s Suddenly Madame Glamour [£3.99, 50ml] smells remarkably similar.”
While some “people” might not seem like the most trusted source, there could be something in it. The claim was backed up by Lidl, which conducted a blind test of 100 women earlier this week and found that 90% of them said they preferred the Lidl perfume to a “hugely popular designer-branded perfume”, which they would neither confirm or deny was Coco Mademoiselle (but which probably was).
Both smell nice, but does Lidl’s £4 perfume really smell better than Chanel’s £70 Coco Mademoiselle? We took to the streets to find out …
Serin Jang, 19, student, South Korea
Lidl: “This is very cool. Very, very cool. It’s fresh and unisex. I like the tones. It’s like jasmine, or honey. It’s just a little too light.”
Chanel: “This smells of luxury. It’s quite sweet and overpowering, but it smells expensive. Like expensive flowers. A serious, expensive perfume.”
Winner: Chanel
Alisha Waseem, 16, student, Bristol
Lidl: “This is fresh and light. I like that it’s not too strong. It smells like something I would wear.”
Chanel: “It’s a bit strong for me. It’s nice and flowery, but it’s a bit too old smelling.”
Winner: Lidl
Holly Adair, 29, civil servant, Co Durham
Lidl: “There’s not much to this one. It’s sweet. It’s flowery. It’s quite summery, which feels a bit weird in winter. It’s a bit lacking – a bit nothing.”
Chanel: “This smells quite serious, floral and fresh. I have to say it does smell a lot like the other one. But, I think I prefer this one.”
Winner: Chanel
Dammie Ojetoje, 30, graphic designer, Bermondsey
Lidl: “It’s nice. It’s light. It’s not too strong or punchy, it’s just right. This is the one I like, yes, definitely.”
Chanel: “It’s too heavy, too overpowering. It’s quite like the other one but a bit stronger. It reminds me of something, a memory, but I can’t remember if it’s a good one or not.”
Winner: Lidl
Maria Lopez, 40, operations manager, Spain
Lidl: “This is subtle. No. It’s weak, not subtle. I can smell flowers and honey, but not very well. It’s a bit blah.”
Chanel: “This is fresh and sweet and flowery, and I like it very much.”
Winner: Chanel
Abbi Jones, 21, student, Essex
Lidl: “It smells like the other one, but not in a good way.”
Chanel: “I really like this one. It’s got a lovely big smell – floral and feminine, but in a nice way. It reminds me of something. Chanel. Maybe. Is it Chanel?”
