The huge duty-free shop at the Brussels airport has everything you could want, from cigarettes to liquor to makeup, chocolate, perfume, and cheese. BUT... the perfumes and colognes are second-rate. I’m thinking more along the lines of knockoffs.

Here’s why: I bought two bottles of perfume and one bottle of men’s cologne, and all of them dissipate within minutes once sprayed on the body. What I mean is, once you spray it on, it’s gone soon after. If I would have paid full price for the same perfume at a department store, the fragrance would last for hours; these did not.

I thought it was just me, so I went to my local Saks and sprayed one of the fragrances I purchased in Belgium on one arm and the same scent from Saks’ tester bottle on the other arm and went about my business. An hour later, I couldn’t smell the one I purchased at the duty-free, but the one from Saks was just a strong as when I put it on.

SO... yes, the prices are great, but the quality wasn’t there. I was truly bummed because I spent over $150 on fragrances. This is just an FYI for those of us who spend cash on something that isn’t very good quality.

The liquor was a great value, and I definitely recommend getting it there.