Listen, I’m just as much a fan of Jo Malone London and Diptyque as you are. I’ve fallen for Le Labo Santal 33, pledged allegiance to MFK Baccarat Rouge 540, and been loyal to Maison Margeila By The Fireplace in my time.
But here’s the thing: perfume is expensive. Like, really expensive. And in these tough times (cost of living crisis, I’m lookin’ at you), sometimes many of us just can’t splash the cash on scented treats like we used to.
The good news is that the world of affordable perfumes is no longer populated with sickly-smelling sweet elixirs that last for all of 5 minutes on the skin. High street brands such as & other stories and go-to classics like Nivea are revolutionising the fragrance game – and keeping in mind your bank balance as they do. How very kind of them.
I’ve discovered some truly unbeatable affordable perfumes that won’t break the bank of late, and I’m ready to share them with you.
Happy spritzing.
The best affordable perfumes
These six are beauty editor approved, and will save you all the £££.
NIVEA Sun Eau de Toilette, £25
My ultimate go-to for the warmer months, this perfume has gone viral on social media countless times – and for damn good reason. One sniff of this and you’ll be instantly transported back to your childhood, where your parents slathered on that SPF 50 at the beach like it was going out of style. It’s nostalgic and memorable at once, and will bring a smile to your face every time you use it. In short, with its creamy, tropical notes, it smells just like suncream – but sexier.
Glossier You Solid Perfume, £24
Glossier You is a mainstay at the Eliza office – so much so that one of our team members even wrote an entire ode to the delicious elixir. And while at £45 it’s not too much of an investment, it’s still not super affordable. Enter: its solid counterpart, which offers you a chance to get all that Glossier goodness for a mere £24. The cute pink pebble slots perfectly into any bag or pocket for on-the-go top-ups, and it carries the same familiar, comforting, soft scent that the bottle does. Win, win.
Caudalie Fresh Fragrance Thé des Vignes, £28
There is something about this fragrance that just makes you go “oh, wow.” Every single person I know who’s smelt it has been mesmerised by it, myself included. It re-entered my life earlier this year and has been my go-to perfume ever since, and I can now also use it alongside the new shower gel version. It has notes of White musk, Ginger, Neroli, and it’s just so pretty and sexy and sophisticated all at the same time. I will never stop wearing this – especially at that price.
Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Crush Cheirosa ’68 Beija Flor Perfume Mist, £19
Earlier in this piece, I mentioned my dedication to Maison Francis Kurkdjian’s Baccarat Rouge 540. It’s beloved by many, and with its intoxicating smell, it’s so easy to see why. But the stuff is bloody expensive, let’s all be real. The good news is that Sol de Janeiro’s Cheirosa ‘68 scent (used in this mist and an accompanying body cream) smells eerily similar (in a great way). Yes, it’s not strictly a perfume, but the nature and price of this mist allows for less frugality when spritzing.
Moroccanoil Brumes Du Maroc Hair and Body Mist, £12.85
I love a bit of Morroccanoil hair oil; it’s great for your locks to keep them super shiny, healthy and soft. But perhaps the very best thing about it is its smell. It’s so distinctive and powerful, it has the power to transform you to a different place entirely. The scent is so beloved that the makers of the stuff guard the core notes so tightly, so no one has ever been able to discover the true secret behind the ingredients list. Spritz the smell all over you with this Hair and Body Mist, which costs a mere £12.85.
& other stories Punk Bouquet Eau de Toilette, £28
& other stories does the best beauty on the high street; there, I said it. The brand particularly excels in the fragrance and body category, where unique scents run supreme. The first one I ever tried (and still to this day one of my very favourites) is Punk Bouquet, which combines creamy vanilla and tonka bean with zesty tangerine and green apple. It’s sharp, powerful, and sexy, and will make you feel super strong and confident, guaranteed.
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