City of Stars Clones

"### Olfactory Experience Golden Hour opens bright. Zesty lime and blood orange fight for dominance, creating a citrusy sparkle similar to City of Stars. The red mandarin adds a touch more sweetness, but it teeters close to synthetic. Where City of Stars offers refined, photorealistic citrus, Golden Hour has a slightly sharper, more artificial edge – think candied orange peel versus freshly squeezed juice. The heart is where the fragrances diverge further. Golden Hour's tiare flower feels more pronounced and almost soapy, lacking the delicate floral balance of the original. The base of powdery notes, musk, and sandalwood offers a soft landing, though the sandalwood is quite subdued. Overall, it captures about 88% of City of Stars' vibe. ### Is it Worth It? Golden Hour is a solid option for those intrigued by City of Stars but unwilling to pay the hefty price tag. It's not a perfect replica, possessing a slightly synthetic character in comparison. However, it’s a bright, cheerful fragrance perfect for warmer weather. If you crave the luxurious refinement of Louis Vuitton, save your money. ### Longevity & Projection Expect moderate performance. It projects noticeably for the first hour, leaving a pleasant citrus trail. After that, it settles closer to the skin. Longevity is average – around 4-5 hours on my skin. It's a 'wear to the office' kind of scent; subtle enough not to offend, but present enough to be enjoyed."

"### Is it Worth It? Shining City gets you close to the City of Stars experience without breaking the bank. It’s a solid clone for those who like the vibe, but aren’t ready to spend hundreds. If you're after a dead-ringer, this isn't it. However, If you want a bright, citrusy fragrance for everyday wear, and the occasional compliment, this fits the bill. If you're on a budget and enjoy citrus, this is worth a blind buy. ### First Impressions & Dry Down Shining City copies City of Stars, aiming for that vibrant, citrus-heavy opening. You get a blast of lime and orange right away; it's undeniably similar, perhaps 92% there. The Milestone version leans a bit sharper initially, with a slightly synthetic edge to the citrus that the original avoids. The tiare flower in the heart is present, but it feels less creamy, more floral than LV’s interpretation. As it dries down, the powdery musk and sandalwood try to mimic the original's sophisticated base, but again, the lower price point shows. It lacks the smoothness and depth of the inspiration. ### Performance Reality Check Expect moderate performance. Shining City projects for about an hour, leaving a decent scent trail. Longevity is around 4-5 hours on my skin, which is acceptable . Don’t expect all-day wear."

"### Is it Worth It? Stars City captures the *idea* of City of Stars, the sun-kissed skin and effortless glamour. But it’s a photocopy, not the original painting. It's a solid option if you're drawn to the vibe but repelled by the LV price tag. A younger, more casual wearer might find this perfectly suitable for summer evenings. But if you just need a hit of that vibe on a budget, Stars City will get you close enough. ### First Impressions & Dry Down Stars City opens with a blast of citrus – think less refined, more exuberant than City of Stars. The blood orange and lime are the loudest, pushing forward with a slight synthetic edge. It aims for that effervescent brightness, but it's maybe 87% there. The tiare flower is present, lending a creamy sweetness, but feels a little simpler than the complex florals in the LV. As it dries down, the powdery musk and sandalwood emerge, offering a comforting, albeit generic, warmth. The sandalwood lacks the depth and richness of the original. ### Longevity & Projection Longevity is surprisingly decent. I got about 5-6 hours with moderate projection for the first two, settling closer to the skin afterward. It's noticeable, but not a room filler. Considering the price point, the performance is acceptable, if not spectacular."