Last week, we wrote about how Meghan Markle's "cheap" perfume indulgence is back on Amazon. Of course, you all got pretty pumped up (and rightfully so, economically smelling like a Royal is pretty fun). This week, we're gonna compare Oribe Côte d’Azur against the iconic Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue. 

Are you all ready for this olfactory showdown?

On one side, we have the modern "Royal Favorite," Oribe Côte d’Azur. Launched in 2014 by perfumers Jérôme Epinette and Pierre Wulff, it started as a hair care scent before becoming a viral perfume sensation worn by the Duchess of Sussex. On the other side is the undisputed heavyweight champion of summer scents: Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue. Created by master perfumer Olivier Cresp in 2001, this fragrance defined the "fresh" category for an entire generation. Both are available as samples on Micro Perfumes, allowing you to host your own sniff-test showdown at home.

What Do They Smell Like?

I mean, this is all any of us really care about, right?

While both are described as "light" and "citrusy," they take very different paths to get there.

Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue: The Zesty Classic

• The Vibe: Think of biting into a crisp green apple on a boat in Capri. It is sharp, energetic, and undeniably cool.

• The Notes: It opens with a punchy Sicilian lemon and tart Granny Smith apple. The heart softens slightly with bamboo and white rose, before settling into a dry, musky cedar base.

• The Experience: It is distinctively "perfumey" in the best way—high projection in the beginning, but fades to a skin scent that smells like fresh laundry and sea breeze.

• We got Light Blue samples in case you wanna try it out!

Oribe Côte d’Azur: The Creamy Alternative

• The Vibe: Think of a warm breeze on the French Riviera. It is smoother, softer, and feels more like a high-end body care ritual than a sharp perfume.

• The Notes: It swaps the sharp apple for Calabrian bergamot and "butterfly jasmine." The real difference is the base: rich sandalwood and amber give it a creamy, warm finish that Light Blue lacks.

• The Experience: It sits closer to the skin. It lacks the sharp "bite" of Light Blue, replacing it with a "rich girl" warmth that smells like you just left the most expensive salon in town.

The Bottles

Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue is iconic for its frosted glass and light blue cap, designed to mimic the sea glass found on the Amalfi Coast. It is minimal, sturdy, and instantly recognizable. Oribe Côte d’Azur leans into old-world glamour. The bottle is heavier, with a jewel-like glass design that features a gradient ombre effect—clear to deep azure. It feels more like a vintage vanity piece than a travel accessory.

Final Notes

So, which one should you add to your queue?

• Choose Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue if: You want that classic "hot summer day" energy. You love tart, zesty citrus notes like lime and green apple, and you want a scent that people will instantly recognize and compliment.

• Choose Oribe Côte d’Azur if: You prefer your citrus with a side of warmth. If you find Light Blue too sharp or "screechy," Oribe’s sandalwood base will give you that clean feeling without the acidity. It is the more sophisticated, "quiet luxury" option of the two.

Still can't decide? You don't have to. Grab some other perfume samples at our store.