Few designer launches have caused as much chatter in the fragrance world as Babycat from Yves Saint Laurent's Le Vestiaire des Parfums collection. Named after the house's famous leopard print, it is a smoky, sueded vanilla that manages to feel cosy and a little bit dangerous at the same time. It is also firmly in luxury territory: at the time of writing, YSL Beauty UK lists Babycat Eau de Parfum at £220 for 75ml. That price tag is exactly why so many people are searching for a YSL Babycat dupe in the UK.
What does YSL Babycat actually smell like?
YSL publishes a short, focused note list for Babycat. It reads like a pepper-and-incense opening that melts into soft vanilla and suede:
- Top notes: pink pepper, black pepper and elemi
- Heart notes: olibanum (frankincense) and a saffron accord
- Base notes: vanilla, cedarwood and a suede accord
On skin the first impression is spicy and slightly resinous, thanks to the peppers and elemi. The incense and saffron then bring a gentle smokiness, and the dry-down is where most people fall for it: a warm, creamy vanilla wrapped in soft suede, held up by dry cedar. It sits in the amber-vanilla family, sweet but not sugary, which is why it works so well in autumn and winter.
Why people look for a Babycat dupe
At £220 for a 75ml bottle, Babycat is a big commitment, especially for a scent many people want to wear on cosy evenings rather than every single day. Smoky vanilla is also one of the fastest-growing fragrance trends right now, so plenty of people want to try the style without paying niche-collection prices. An inspired-by alternative lets you enjoy the same scent family, try it in a small size first and keep your full-size budget for something else.
Introducing Meow — Insp by YSL Babycat
Meow is our own Extrait de Parfum inspired by Babycat. It is available in five sizes: a 5ml sample at £14.99, a 15ml at £19.99, a 12ml oil roller at £19.99, a 30ml at £34.99 and a 50ml at £44.95. Like every D&E scent it is blended at Extrait de Parfum strength, our richest concentration.
Meow follows the same direction as the original: a peppery, slightly resinous opening, a smoky incense and saffron heart and a soft suede and creamy vanilla base with a dry cedar backbone. It is unisex and at its best on evenings, date nights and cold-weather days, or as a cosy signature scent if you love warm vanillas with a bit of edge.
Being upfront about the comparison
We want to be clear: no inspired-by fragrance is an exact clone or replica of the original, and Meow is not identical to Babycat. Meow is our own composition that sits in the same smoky vanilla and suede family and aims to capture the overall mood that made Babycat so popular. Some people will notice differences in the opening, the sweetness of the vanilla or how the scent develops through the day. Our honest advice is to start with the 5ml sample, wear it for a few days and decide for yourself whether it is the style you love.
Longevity and projection
As an Extrait de Parfum, Meow has a higher fragrance concentration than a typical Eau de Parfum, and warm base notes like vanilla, suede and cedar tend to linger well on skin. Even so, longevity and projection always vary from person to person depending on skin type, climate, how many sprays you use and where you apply it. For the best results, spray two to four times on moisturised pulse points such as the neck, chest and inner wrists, and let it dry without rubbing. Many people also find a light mist on clothing helps a warm scent like this stay noticeable for longer.
The verdict
If you love the idea of YSL Babycat's smoky vanilla and soft suede but £220 for 75ml feels like too much, Meow is a sensible, affordable way into the same scent family. Start with the £14.99 sample, see how it wears on your skin, and step up to the 50ml if it becomes a favourite for the colder months.
Shop Meow — Insp by YSL Babycat
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Yves Saint Laurent, YSL, Le Vestiaire des Parfums and Babycat are registered trademarks of Yves Saint Laurent / L'Oréal. D&E Fragrances is an independent UK fragrance brand and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Yves Saint Laurent or L'Oréal. "Meow" is our own original composition, inspired by the popular fragrance family that Babycat helped define.