I swear the fragrance game has turned into Uber. Not literally, obviously—but the whole vibe is the same: everyone’s jumping in, the market is flooded, pricing feels random, and hype basically sets the “rate” more than actual quality. Back then, it felt like there was a clearer ladder: designers → niche → the really expensive stuff. Now it’s like: - $40 clone that screams for 12 hours - $150 designer that lasts 4–6 - $300 niche that’s smoother but “quiet.” - $500+ luxury line that’s basically paying for branding + bottle + exclusivity And the crazy part is… the price difference isn’t always reflected in how “good” it smells to the average person, especially with how people judge fragrances now. Because honestly, a lot of people have started equating performance with quality. So you get this whole trend where people are convinced that cheaper clones are better than the originals. And I get why they think that: - Louder + longer = “better” (especially for newer hobbyists) - Clones often nail the opening, and that’s all many people really judge - If you’re not doing side-by-side testing, a clone can smell “identical” in the air - Paying $50 and getting “close enough” feels like a win… paying $300 for something subtle feels like you got scammed - Social media rewards hot takes like “THIS IS BETTER THAN THE ORIGINAL,” so it becomes a flex to say it But when you actually compare them properly, it’s usually the same story: Originals tend to be smoother, more balanced, better blended, and have a nicer drydown. Clones tend to be louder, simpler, and more linear, and sometimes have that harsh/chemical/musky “clone DNA” after an hour. The way I see it: Clones win in the first 30–60 minutes and on loud compliments. Originals win after hour 2 when you actually care about how it wears up close. And that’s why the market feels “Uber-ified” now. It’s less about artistry and more about volume, hype, and “surge pricing” driven by FOMO and influencers. Everyone’s just trying to get the biggest hit of scent for the cheapest ride.

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