FRAGDNA

Dupe review · Perfume Parlour

Water Excel

Water Excel is Perfume Parlour's answer to Maison Francis Kurkdjian Aqua Universalis Forte.

Maison Francis Kurkdjian Aqua Universalis Forte
OriginalAqua Universalis ForteMaison Francis Kurkdjian
Perfume Parlour Water Excel
This dupeWater Excel$122/100ml
Smells like
Maison Francis Kurkdjian Aqua Universalis Forte
Price
$146.05
Size
120ml
Per 100ml
$122
Original per 100ml
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Made by
Perfume Parlour
6.1/ 10

Worth a try

FragDNA score · on paper

The review

On paper, Water Excel is a reasonable bet if you want Aqua Universalis Forte for less.

Perfume Parlour sells it on the name alone — no note list of its own — so the brief is Aqua Universalis Forte's pyramid, and the closeness votes below are the real test.

It is sold as an extrait — a high concentration, which usually means it sits closer to the skin for longer.

At $122 per 100ml it costs 45% less than Aqua Universalis Forte — the 2nd cheapest of 3 twins we can price.

Some wearers dispute how close it gets — the match is the seller's claim, so read the votes before you buy.

Value5.0
Strength9.5
Evidence6.0

Reviewed on paper: from the notes and strength Perfume Parlour publishes, the price per 100ml, and how firmly the match is claimed. How it really smells on skin is what the votes below are for.

What it's built to smell like

The original opens on bergamot, lemon and sweet orange, turns to lily of the valley and mock orange, and settles into white musk and woody notes. That is the brief Water Excel is working from.

Top

  • bergamot
  • lemon
  • sweet orange

Heart

  • lily of the valley
  • mock orange

Base

  • white musk
  • woody notes
Bergamot and white flowers on fresh musk — pristine, laundered, universally wearable.

Some fans dispute how close this one gets — it is listed against the original by its seller.

How it ranks against the other twins

Of the 3 twins of Maison Francis Kurkdjian Aqua Universalis Forte we can price, Water Excel is number 2 on price per 100ml.

  1. 01 Alexandria Fragrances Across the Universe $117/100ml
  2. 02 Perfume Parlour Water Excel $122/100ml
  3. 03 Oil Perfumery Aqua Universalis Forte $150/100ml

More from Perfume Parlour

Every Perfume Parlour fragrance →

The community

What people say about Water Excel

Rating

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How close to Aqua Universalis Forte

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Would buy again

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Longevity

Projection

Best in

SpringSummerAutumnWinter

    Questions

    What does Perfume Parlour Water Excel smell like?

    It is built to smell like Maison Francis Kurkdjian Aqua Universalis Forte — bergamot, lemon and sweet orange up top, lily of the valley and mock orange in the heart, white musk and woody notes in the base.

    Is Perfume Parlour Water Excel a dupe of Maison Francis Kurkdjian Aqua Universalis Forte?

    Yes — Perfume Parlour sells it as its version of Maison Francis Kurkdjian Aqua Universalis Forte.

    Where can I buy Perfume Parlour Water Excel?

    It is in stock at $146.05 for 120ml — the link on this page goes straight to the shop.

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