Charlotte Dawson, daughter of the late comedian Les Dawson, has launched a new perfume venture, Makes Scents, which is facing accusations of selling 'knock-off' versions of popular luxury fragrances. The brand, which offers perfumes and aftershaves for £25, has drawn criticism for replicating high-end scents from brands like Chanel, Jo Malone, Louis Vuitton, Maison Francis Kurkdjian, and Penhaligon’s.
One scent, named 'Inspired By Lost Cherry by Tom Ford,' is a significantly cheaper alternative to Tom Ford's original perfume, which retails for around £395. Similarly, 'Inspired By Baccarat Rouge' mimics a Maison Francis Kurkdjian fragrance costing over £265, and another product is modeled after Penhaligon’s Halfeti, priced at £220. Every product offered by Makes Scents, totaling 39 perfumes and 36 aftershaves, is reportedly based on an existing luxury fragrance.
Marketing materials for Makes Scents reportedly use images that are exact replicas of the original designer fragrances, with branding removed. Upon arrival, customers receive the scents in identical black bottles. Dawson's fiancé, Matt Sarsfield, and 'Geordie Shore' star Charlotte Crosby have promoted the brand on social media.
While the Makes Scents website claims over 5,000 five-star reviews, an independent check on Trustpilot showed a 3.1/5 trust rating with one customer describing the products as 'absolute rubbish' with 'zero longevity.' A spokesperson for Dawson stated that the brand was built on 'affordable luxury' and that the products are 'independently developed.'
This venture follows the collapse of Dawson's clothing company, Dawsylicious, in May 2025, which reportedly left creditors with debts of £88,200. In addition to Makes Scents, Dawson has also launched Glow Collective, a subscription club and wellness community linked to her vegan-friendly fake tan brand, Dawsylicious Tanning. Members pay £5.99 monthly for exclusive content and the opportunity to earn commission by promoting Dawson's beauty products.
The article notes that while starting businesses after failure is commendable, questions arise regarding the transparency and structure of Dawson's subsequent ventures. Nevertheless, her current businesses appear to be supported by a loyal following.