Are Inspired Perfumes Worth It? An Honest UK Guide

Short answer: for most people, yes. An inspired perfume gives you a full eau de parfum in a style you already love, for £26.95 a 100ml bottle or £4.95 for a 5ml sample. What you give up is the famous name and the heavy marketing behind it. The best way to decide is to try a few samples on your own skin first.

This guide looks honestly at what you pay for when you buy perfume, what you get from an inspired fragrance like ours, and when a big name bottle might still be the right choice for you.

What are you paying for in a bottle of perfume?

The liquid is only part of the price of a big name fragrance. A large share goes on things you cannot smell: advertising campaigns, celebrity faces, elaborate packaging, department store counters and the margins of every business between the maker and you.

An independent perfume house that sells directly online skips most of those costs. That is the main reason an inspired perfume can cost a fraction of the price while still being a full eau de parfum.

What you get with an inspired perfume

• A recognisable style: each of our scents is built around a much loved fragrance style, from fresh citrus to warm oud.
• Eau de parfum in every size: the 5ml sample is the same eau de parfum as the 100ml bottle.
• Vegan and made in the UK: all 14 Leclair & Moreau scents are vegan, cruelty free and blended in the UK.
• Clear naming: every scent has a number and its key notes, such as No. 369 Saffron & Amberwood or No. 179 Bergamot & Pepper, so you choose by what it smells like.
• Room to explore: with 100ml at £26.95, owning three or four scents for different moods becomes realistic.

When a big name bottle might suit you better

We would rather be honest. Some people love the ritual of a famous brand: the heavy designer bottle, the gift box, the story behind the house. If that experience matters to you, it is a perfectly good reason to buy the brand. Every perfume, inspired or not, will also wear a little differently on your skin, which is why we always suggest trying a sample first.

How to decide in a week

1. Pick a Starter Set (3 x 5ml, £12.95) or a Discovery Set (7 x 5ml, £28.95).
2. Choose scents across different families, for example No. 222 Grapefruit & Sea Notes (fresh), No. 525 Oud & Sandalwood (woody) and No. 248 Coffee & Vanilla (sweet).
3. Wear each one for a day or two and note how it feels through the day.
4. Buy your favourite in 30ml (£15.95) or 100ml (£26.95).

If you want a few full bottles, our bundle and save sets bring the price down further, from His & Hers Harmony (2 x 100ml, £45.95) to the Collector's Vault (6 x 100ml, £121.95).

Delivery and returns

Every order includes free tracked UK delivery by Evri, usually in 2 to 3 working days, with same day dispatch on orders placed before 2pm Monday to Friday. You have 30 days to return your order.

FAQ

Are inspired perfumes worth it?

For everyday wear, gifting and trying new styles, they offer very good value. You get a full eau de parfum for £26.95 per 100ml, and you can try any scent for £4.95 first.

Why are inspired perfumes cheaper?

Most of the price of a big name fragrance pays for advertising, packaging and retail margins. We sell directly online under our own name, so those costs are much lower.

Are Leclair & Moreau perfumes vegan?

Yes. All 14 scents are vegan, cruelty free and made in the UK.

What is the cheapest way to try your perfumes?

A single 5ml sample is £4.95, and the Starter Set gives you three 5ml samples of your choice for £12.95.

Can I return a perfume if it is not for me?

Unused items in their original packaging can be returned within 30 days. Not sure which scent? Try a 5ml first for £4.95.