Pi Clones

"### The Scent Profile Qaed Al Fursan opens with a rush – bright mandarin, yes, but also a distinct herbal blast. It’s a bit sharper than Pi's smoother entry. The tarragon and rosemary give it an almost medicinal edge initially, not unpleasant, just…direct. The heart unfolds with a powdery anise, supported by the green floral touch of neroli. It's here the resemblance to Pi becomes clearer, maybe 87% there. The dry down is where this shines. Creamy vanilla and almond take center stage, tempered by tonka bean. It creates a warm, comforting aura, though with a slightly synthetic vanilla that betrays its budget. It doesn't quite have the richness of Pi's benzoin base but is a great effort. ### Projection Power This is no shrinking violet. Qaed Al Fursan projects well for the first 2-3 hours, leaving a noticeable scent trail. Then it settles closer to the skin, radiating a subtle sweetness for another 5-6 hours. this is excellent. ### To Buy or Not to Buy? If you crave the vibe of Pi but are balking at the price tag, Qaed Al Fursan is a solid alternative. It's not a perfect match, the opening is rougher, the vanilla less refined. But the core DNA is there. It's for the confident individual who appreciates a gourmand touch without being overly sweet. The artist who tinkers with code. The free spirit that knows that you don't need to break the bank to smell good."

"### First Impressions & Dry Down Diametric opens with a burst of mandarin and herbal notes, a good attempt at Pi's unique character. The tarragon and rosemary are present, though a touch sharper, a little more…insistent than the smooth original. The heart moves quickly into anise and neroli, creating that sweet, powdery core that makes Pi so recognizable. The geranium feels dialed back here. It's in the drydown where Diametric really shines. The vanilla, almond, and tonka bean come together to create a warm, comforting base that's about 92% of the original. The almond is slightly more prominent and slightly more synthetic, but still very pleasing. ### Final Thoughts Diametric by Perfume Parlour captures the essence of Givenchy's Pi, creating a scent profile that projects confidence and quiet charm. It’s for the man who finds power in introspection, the one who prefers a book over a brawl. It's not a perfect match; there's a slightly synthetic edge in the opening and the almond note is a touch more assertive. However, of the original, it's an excellent alternative. ### Longevity & Projection Projection is moderate for the first two hours, then settles closer to the skin. Longevity is surprisingly good; I get a solid six hours before it fades to a whisper. Not bad at all for a clone."

"### How it Smells Zara's Gardenia is definitely aiming for Pi by Givenchy, and it gets respectably close – I'd say about 86%. The opening is a blast of mandarin, like Pi, but here it’s sharper and a little more synthetic. The tarragon and rosemary add a green, aromatic edge, a slightly bitter counterpoint. The heart develops with anise and neroli – these are nice. Then, the drydown becomes a cozy blend of vanilla, almond, and tonka. This clone leans heavier on the almond than Pi, making it slightly sweeter and less woody overall. Still, it hits that same gourmand-adjacent feel. ### Conclusion Gardenia is a great everyday option if you like the idea of Pi but don't want to shell out the cash. Yes, it has a touch of that Zara "cheapie" DNA, especially in the opening. But the drydown is really pleasant. This works well as a casual, comforting scent for fall and winter days. Perfect for the office or running errands. This is a solid deal . If you love the *idea* of Pi but don't want to shell out for the OG or worry about using it sparingly, give Gardenia a try. ### Performance Reality Check Longevity is moderate. You'll get around 4-5 hours of noticeable scent, then it sits closer to the skin. Projection is okay for the first hour, leaving a small scent bubble. I would consider overspraying if you want better performance but just keep in mind the opening might get a bit much!"

"### Scent Breakdown Crispy Gardenia aims to be Pi by Givenchy, and it gets surprisingly close. The opening has that bright mandarin and herbal zest, though the Zara version leans a touch more synthetic, especially on the rosemary. It's missing some of the smoother, almost creamy elements of the OG. The heart is where it shines; the anise and neroli combo is really well done. Dries down to a cozy vanilla-almond with a hint of tonka. I'd say it captures about 82% of Pi’s DNA. The main difference is the Zara version lacks the depth and refinement of the original, but it is close. ### Final Thoughts If you love the scent profile of Givenchy Pi but don’t want to shell out the big bucks, Crispy Gardenia is a solid alternative. While it’s not a perfect dupe, it’s close enough . Ideal for someone who appreciates sweet, slightly gourmand fragrances and wants a versatile, everyday option. For the casual fan, this is a great grab. ### Wear time & Sillage It’s a Zara fragrance, so manage expectations. I get about 4-5 hours of noticeable wear, projecting moderately for the first hour, then settling closer to the skin. Definitely a skin scent by hour three. Perfect for a day at the office where you don’t want to overpower anyone. Reapplication is a must if you want to make it through a full workday."

"### The Scent Profile Khair Pistaccio throws you into a vibrant Mediterranean grove. The opening of mandarin and rosemary mimics Pi closely, maybe 88% of the way there. It's bright, aromatic, but a touch sharper, less rounded. The heart blooms with anise and neroli, very reminiscent of the original, but slightly less nuanced. A synthetic echo lingers in the background, a faint reminder of its cloned origins. The dry down is where it shines; vanilla and tonka become creamy, a hug of sweet almond. This is where it veers slightly from Pi, emphasizing the gourmand aspects for a cozy finish. ### Conclusion If Pi evokes the image of a sophisticated architect, Khair Pistaccio paints the picture of a charming barista. It's youthful, inviting, and projects a more approachable persona. While the original has a certain refined elegance, this clone offers a sweeter, more accessible experience. If you like sweet, almondy fragrances with an herbal edge, and you're not a fragrance snob, Khair Pistaccio is a no-brainer buy. ### Wear time & Sillage It's a solid performer. I got about 6 hours on skin with moderate projection for the first two. Clothes held the scent for nearly a full day. Not beast mode, but respectable. You will get noticed."

"### Scent Breakdown Zara's Ambre Inspirant opens with a citrusy herbal burst. Mandarin is present, with a slightly bitter green edge reminiscent of Tarragon, less of the Rosemary. It's a bright start, though a touch more synthetic than the original Pi. The heart unfolds with a prominent Anise note, which is well-done. Neroli peeks through, adding a subtle floral sweetness. The geranium is dialed down. As it dries, a cozy blanket of vanilla, almond and tonka settles in. It's where this clone shines, delivering a familiar, comforting sweetness. Think marzipan and warm vanilla extract. Overall, it captures about 81% of Pi's essence. It lacks the refined depth and nuance of the original, but the key elements are present. ### Wear time & Sillage Projection is moderate for the first hour, creating a subtle personal bubble. It then settles closer to the skin. Longevity is decent for an oil, clocking in at around 5-6 hours on my skin. Not a powerhouse, but respectable point. Reapplication is definitely needed throughout the day to maintain a strong presence. ### The Verdict Ambre Inspirant is a solid alternative for fans of Pi who don't want to break the bank. If you appreciate warm, sweet gourmand fragrances with a slightly herbal touch, this is worth a try. A comforting and easy to wear scent for cooler weather."

"### Final Thoughts If you crave Pi's distinctive sweet almond and vanilla vibe but don't want to shell out the big bucks, Al Areeq is a respectable stand-in. It captures the essence of the original, though it lacks some of the finer details. It's a good choice for someone who enjoys sweet, comforting fragrances and isn't overly concerned with chasing hyper-realistic natural ingredients. But for the casual wearer, Al Areeq provides a perfectly acceptable fix. ### First Impressions & Dry Down Al Areeq wants to be Pi. It really does. The opening rushes out a blast of sweet mandarin and herbal tarragon, aiming for that bright, playful, yet sophisticated first impression of the Givenchy classic. It gets *close*. Maybe 90% there. The heart softens with a powdery anise and neroli accord. There's a slightly synthetic edge, a certain flatness compared to the smoother, more rounded Pi. Where it really diverges is the drydown. The almond note is amplified, turning it sweeter, almost marzipan-like. This is definitely a vanilla-tonka bomb, but the vanilla leans slightly artificial. ### The Performance Stats Projection is moderate for the first hour, creating a pleasant bubble. After that, it settles closer to the skin. Longevity is surprisingly decent . Expect around 6-7 hours of noticeable wear."

"### First Impressions & Dry Down No. K260 by Loris is aiming for Pi by Givenchy, and it lands… pretty close. The opening is a blast of sweet mandarin, like the original, but there's a slightly sharper, almost pine-like edge from the rosemary and tarragon that's more pronounced here. It settles down quickly. The heart brings in that signature anise and neroli combo, but the neroli feels a touch more synthetic than in Pi. The drydown is where it really shines, a smooth vanilla almond hug. I'd say it's 90% similar. The biggest difference is a slightly rougher opening and a less refined neroli. ### Conclusion If you love Pi but don't want to shell out the money, No. K260 is a solid option. It’s a great daily driver. Perfect for cool weather. It’s not a 1:1 clone, but it captures the essence of Pi well enough. the slight synthetic edges are forgivable. If Pi is 10/10, this is 8/10. A good buy for those on a budget, but if you want the real deal, save up for the original. ### The Performance Stats This isn't a beast mode fragrance. I get about 5-6 hours of wear, which is decent . Projection is moderate for the first hour, then it sits closer to the skin. It's a safe office scent in that regard. Don't expect room-filling sillage."

"### Scent Breakdown No. E313 opens with a citric blast of mandarin, adequately supported by a herbal, almost medicinal tarragon. The rosemary adds a camphoraceous edge, less refined than the original Pi. The heart showcases anise prominently, a licorice-like sweetness that dominates. Neroli is present, but whispers rather than sings. Geranium provides a slightly metallic counterpoint. Here, the divergence from Pi is most noticeable; E313 is heavier on the anise. The base is where this clone shines – a creamy vanilla almond accord, grounded by tonka bean. This part mimics the comforting sweetness of Pi reasonably well. Overall, I'd rate the similarity at around 89%. The initial opening feels sharper, more synthetic than Givenchy's offering. ### Conclusion No. However, if you want a casual, everyday vanilla almond fragrance that captures the essence of Pi without breaking the bank, this is a viable choice. Recommended for those new to fragrance or looking for a cheap alternative. ### The Performance Stats Longevity is moderate. I get about 5-6 hours on skin, with projection that's noticeable for the first hour, then settles into a skin scent. Sillage is minimal. Not a beast, but respectable point."