Charlotte Dawson, daughter of the late comedian Les Dawson, has launched a new business venture, Makes Scents, which sells fragrances. The influencer and reality TV star, who has 1.4 million Instagram followers, has introduced a range of perfumes and aftershaves marketed as 'hand-crafted' and 'cruelty-free'.
However, reports indicate that the products are replicated versions of well-known designer fragrances. For instance, one scent is named 'Inspired By Lost Cherry by Tom Ford,' with Tom Ford's original perfume retailing for approximately £395, while Dawson's version is priced at £25. Another product, 'Inspired By Baccarat Rouge,' is based on a Maison Francis Kurkdjian scent that costs over £265. Penhaligon's Halfeti, which retails for £220, has also reportedly been replicated.
Every one of the 39 perfumes and 36 aftershaves offered by Makes Scents appears to be modelled on an existing luxury fragrance. The marketing images on the company's website are described as exact replicas of the original designer perfumes, differing only in the absence of branding. Upon delivery, customers receive the scents in identical black bottles.
Dawson's fiancé, Matt Sarsfield, and friend Charlotte Crosby, a star of 'Geordie Shore,' have promoted the fragrance line on social media. Crosby, in a video, referred to the 'Baccarat Rouge' replica as 'Charlotte Dawson's and it's Baccarat Rouge.'
Makes Scents claims to have over 5,000 five-star reviews on its website. However, independent checks on Trustpilot show a trust rating of 3.1 out of 5, with one reviewer stating the products were 'absolute rubbish' and smelled nothing like the intended fragrance with 'zero longevity.'
A spokesperson for Charlotte Dawson told the Daily Mail that 'the brand was built on the ethos of affordable luxury and the products are independently developed.'
This perfume venture follows Dawson's previous business, Dawsylicious, a clothing company that reportedly collapsed with debts of £88,200 in May 2025. Since then, she has also launched a fake tan brand, Dawsylicious Tanning, and a wellness venture called Glow Collective. Glow Collective, a subscription club, charges members £5.99 per month for exclusive content, discounts, and the opportunity to earn commission by promoting tanning products and other beauty lines.
Sources have noted that comments on some social media posts for Glow Collective appear to be restricted to subscribers and followers only, with unapproved accounts unable to comment. Despite past business failures, Dawson's current ventures appear to be active, supported by her social media following.