How we test similarity

Scentarchy measures how close an inspired fragrance smells to the original — independently, and in the open. Here’s exactly how.

1. Blind triangle testing

A panel of 12–20 trained testers smells the original and two samples — one being the candidate dupe — blind. Each tester rates similarity on a 0–100 scale across opening, drydown, projection and overall impression.

2. Scored, not guessed

Scores are averaged with outliers trimmed. The published score is the panel mean; the badge you see on a dupe card is that number, rounded. Community suggestions without a panel test stay clearly marked untested.

3. House claims vs lab results

Brands sometimes advertise their own “95% similar” numbers. Those are the brand’s marketing claims — we show them alongside our lab measurement so you can see both, and we never present a brand claim as our finding.

4. Climate testing

Every lab-tested fragrance also gets a climate panel: wear at 35°C+ and high humidity, with longevity and sillage recorded by the same testers. See the climate protocol for the full setup.

5. What we don’t do

We don’t take payment from houses for scores, rankings or inclusion. Lab purchases are made anonymously at retail. If a result can’t be reproduced, we re-test or retract it.

A note on current data

Every similarity score, tester count and price shown on Scentarchy today is an illustrative estimate so you can explore the product — not a genuine Scentarchy lab finding yet. When real panel tests are completed, each score will carry its test date and panel size, and this notice will be updated.