A smell-a-like is a perfume that smells like a designer fragrance but with a different name and packaging, and at a cheaper price. A smell-a-like isn't an exact copy, but often smells very similar.
PRESS REVIEW
Daily Mail (16 Oct 2013)
Donna Karan Cashmere Mist (£48.50, 50ml): This fragrance will divide people. Anyone who hates marzipan will loathe it as there’s a definite smell of almonds, which I think is a flower called Heliotrope. There’s also leather in there somewhere.
Avon Soft Musk (£8.50, 50ml): This has a much more ‘toilet-cleaner’ smell. Smells very cheap to me. In fact, it’s giving me a headache!
Verdict: I like the Donna Karan very much, but if you don’t like almonds you’ll hate it. I’m not sure anyone will like the Avon scent very much.