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Mind Games French Defense dupes — ranked by Reddit consensus

The most agreed-upon dupe for Mind Games French Defense is Yom & Layl Basic Instinct, named by 17 distinct people across 16 threads.

alternatives
2
in graph
6
voices
33
9 nodes · 8 edgesopen in universe →
01

Ranked alternatives

#FragranceBucketEvidenceConsensusBuy
01Basic Instinct

Yom & Layl

“It might be Yom and Layl Basic Instinct, which is a clone of Mind Games French Defense. I really like French Defense, so I took a long time looking for clones until I found Basic Instinct, and it is really close.”what reddit says ↓

  • Most accurate
  • Best value
17 voices · 16 threadsvery close100no offers
02French Defense

Yom & Layl

“my batch of french defense is nuclear lol,is gets about 85 -90 % to the OG”what reddit says ↓

  • Best spinoff
3 voices · 3 threadssimilar vibe8no offers
02

What Reddit says

A sample of what people actually wrote, under the summary of it. The voice counts are the whole of the evidence behind a pairing; the quotes are a handful of the loudest, each one a link to the comment it came from.

Basic InstinctYom & Layl

17 voices · 16 threads

85% call it identical or very close
  • Reddit consensus rates Basic Instinct as extremely close or nearly identical to French Defense, estimating roughly a 90% match.
  • Reviewers note minor differences, observing that the original has a slightly stronger cherry note and a richer, smoother amber base.
  • Users report strong projection and excellent longevity, lasting up to 10 hours on skin and several days on clothes.

Where people agree

  • “It might be Yom and Layl Basic Instinct, which is a clone of Mind Games French Defense. I really like French Defense, so I took a long time looking for clones until I found Basic Instinct, and it is really close.”

    reddit ↗

  • “Basic Instinct (Mind Games French Defense): I live French defense. The cherry, florals and amber are just perfect in this scent. Basic instinct is very close. The cherry in the original might be just a tad bit stronger but wow it’s close.”

    reddit post ↗

  • “Basic Instinct = French Defense”

    reddit post ↗

  • “Yom & Layl - Basic Instinct. This is a dupe of Mind Games French Defense and oh my is it amazing. It’s nearly identical (I own the original too). And it lasts about 10 hours on skin and a week on clothes.”

    reddit ↗

  • “Basic instinct ( Mind games French Defense)”

    reddit ↗

Where people disagree

  • “I tried it at the yom layl stall and it didnt remind me of french defense just due to the fact it doesnt have that dense sweet cherry french defense has”

    reddit ↗

  • “BASIC INSTINCT INSPIRED BY: MINDS GAMES'S FRENCH DEFENSE - Not even close. I have a clone from Dapper that blows this one off the map. Disappointed in this one.”

    reddit post ↗

French DefenseYom & Layl

3 voices · 3 threads

33% call it identical or very closeNo recorded disagreement — though only 3 voices were counted
  • Users consider it a strong clone that gets about 85% to 90% close to the original.
  • Performance is reported to be nuclear in strength.
  • While viewed as one of the house's best offerings, some describe it as merely good rather than great.

  • “my batch of french defense is nuclear lol,is gets about 85 -90 % to the OG”

    reddit ↗

  • “Their take on Mind Games French Defense is supposed to be one of their best inspired by fragrances.”

    reddit ↗

  • “Ive sampled their French defense, Lafayette street, and Nefs.... I didn't like the nefs, French defense was good not great”

    reddit ↗