Perfumes You Can Try Out In 2023 Without Breaking The Bank
Finding the perfect scent can be just as hard as finding your soulmate. You're going to have to sniff out a lot of mediocre scents before you find the one that perfectly fits you. Choosing a perfume is all about expressing your mood and personality to the world because, as we all know, first impressions make a big impact. In fact, according to Czech & Speake, your scent often works as a memory bank for those who come in contact with you. Your scent lingers in rooms and on clothing, and it will infallibly denote your character to the people around you.
However, a signature scent need not be expensive to be exquisite. We've compiled a list of the best affordable fragrances that will have everyone sniffing for more. Whether you like simple and sweet or sultry and sophisticated scents, you'll have a good idea of what you should try next.
Ari by Ariana Grande
Say "thank you, next" to all the rest because this fragrance may just be the one that you're looking for. If you are searching for a scent that is sweet and yet mature, this is the one for you. Compliments will come pouring in when you're wearing Ari by Ariana Grande. The scent is luscious and sexy with the mouthwatering freshness of pear, grapefruit, raspberry, and a sweet touch of marshmallow — everything that makes it just like magic.
Whether you are a fan of her music or not, Grande's fragrances range in notes that are borderline addictive, long-lasting, and oh-so enchanting at an affordable price. Oh, and not to mention cute packaging, too! A 1-ounce bottle of Ari by Ariana Grande retails for $45 at Ulta, while a 3.4-ounce bottle is priced at $65, as of this writing. Customers rate the scent highly — 4.6 stars out of 5.
Guess Girl by Guess
A fragrance that will surely transport you to the early 2000s, Guess Girl embodies what we already know the brand Guess to be: youthful, feminine, and flirty. Guess Girl was inspired by the essence of a youthful spirit, an easy-going girl on the go who is invigorating and inspiring. This scent will inspire you to embrace your inner girl who is bright, hopeful, and full of energy.
Guess Girl is a perfect everyday scent with a hint of sultry flare that will have people wanting for more. It's filled with fruity notes of raspberry, melon, and bergamot intertwined with florals such as orchid and lily and ends with Australian sandalwood and vanilla for depth. Filled with a complexity that is widely accepted, Guess Girl is absolutely refreshing and an easy pick for anyone searching for a more mature feminine scent. Just as popular as the brand itself, this scent will be a staple in your collection. Best of all, a 3.4-ounce bottle from Amazon will only set you back about $21.
CK One by Calvin Klein
Could this be ... the one? Calvin Klein fragrances have been a cult favorite for good reason. Their affordable price tag in unison with their classic scents make for an irresistible staple in your collection. CK One is a fresh-scented blend lemon, bergamot, and pineapple with deeper notes of woodsy florals like jasmine, rose, and nutmeg. "Clean and contemporary with a refreshing green tea signature throughout, it is intended to be used lavishly," Calvin Klein explains This delicate scent will not overpower you, but it will provide longevity.
CK One has become the most iconic and popular Calvin Klein fragrances on the market. What makes this scent extra special is the fact that it is unisex, so men and women alike have found themselves gravitating toward this fragrance. The brand described this best-selling perfume as "Purity. Unity. Sensuality." And they're not wrong. A large bottle — 6.7 ounces — will only set you back $79.
Dossier Ambery Vanilla
If this one looks familiar to you, it is surely due to the fact that Dossier perfumes have blown up your TikTok For You pages for months now — and with good reason. They are affordable dupes for your all-time favorite scents that would make your wallets scream for help. Among all of their fabulous fragrances lies Ambery Vanilla, a scent that is closely compared to Yves Saint Laurent Black Opium, priced at $110 for a 1.6-ounce bottle.
Dossier has gifted us this sultry scent at a fraction of the cost — just $29 for a 1.7-ounce bottle. As of this writing, Ambery Vanilla holds a 4.5 out of 5 rating with nearly 3,000 reviews on Dossier's site. This fragrance is refined with notes of licorice, orange blossom, jasmine flowers, and black coffee, among others, making it a sumptuous and delectable scent that is intoxicating. Ambery Vanilla is equal parts unique and sexy, and it definitely will exude the essence of someone who is a showstopper, someone who is confident — beautiful inside and out.
Mix:Bar Cloud Musk
It is a known fact that Target just never disappoints! Even when we aren't trying to, this store tends to lure us in with its amazing product selections. Next time you're roaming those glorious red-accented halls, stop by the fragrance section. Specifically, look for Mix:Bar, a collection of fragrances that have the Target Clean stamp of approval. This means they're free of pphthalates and parabens as well as cruelty-free and vegan.
Cloud Musk is arguably one of the best Mix:Bar scents, as it features hints of jasmine, cotton peony, iris, cardamom, and, interestingly, tonka beans, which gives off a slight vanilla scent. According to the product listing, Cloud Musk is designed to be long-lasting and was inspired by the feel of cashmere on the skin. Thankfully, it's not going to set you back nearly as much as a cashmere sweater would. A 1.7-ounce bottle retails for just $19.99.
Vera Wang Embrace
Embrace yourself in this classic scent by Vera Wang. Embrace Green Tea And Pear Blossom will have you feeling (and smelling) fresh, romantic, and sophisticated. Vera Wang Embrace bills itself as "a fragrance of desire" and is available in other secents as well – Rose Buds And Vanilla, as well as Periwinkle and Iris. You really can't go wrong with any of the fresh-smelling, everyday fragrances.
Vera Wang Embrace will have you feeling like you're being treated to a fabulous and serene spa day and is the perfect way to bring luxury into your collection without breaking the bank. The Embrace line has been delighting customers for many years now, and it's hard to imagine it going anywhere soon. It is difficult to believe that anything from this beloved luxurious brand could be this affordable but, alas, a 1-ounce bottle of Vera Wang Embrace Green Tea and Pear Blossom retails for just under $29 on Amazon, as of this writing.
Crystal No. 23 by ALT.
ALT. Fragrances can save you a pretty penny. The brand's Crystal No. 23 perfume has made a bang in the market as it was inspired by the fragrance Baccarat Rouge 540. This is a scent that the fragrance community raves about, but it comes with a luxury price tag — $195 for a 1.2-ounce bottle. A 1-ounce bottle of Crystal No. 23, on the other hand, retails for just $39.
Reviews of Crystal No. 23 have been flooding the internet for months, raving about the similarity to the original fragrance. If Baccarat Rouge has been on your fragrance bucket list like it has been for so many others, go ahead and give this ALT. Fragrance a chance. The scent is unwaveringly bold and will be sure to capture attention. Crystal No. 23 is filled with notes of rich jasmine, saffron, cedar wood, and amber gris. It is complex and powerful, just like the powerhouse individual sporting it!
If you are looking for an eau de parfum that is intoxicating and will make a statement when you walk into any room, this is the clear choice for you.
Amazing Grace Ballet Rose by Philosophy
Amazing grace, how sweet the scent. Don't tiptoe around this cult classic. Philosophy is a natural choice for anyone looking for a crisp clean scent. This brand is known for both dermatological science and poetic inspiration. According to the product listing, Amazing Grace Ballet Rose was "inspired by the delicate scent of pink rose petals opening at first bloom, and the beautiful femininity."
The fragrance has notes of lychee, cassie, peony, jasmine, rose, and musk. If this particular fragrance isn't your vibe, check out some of Philosophy's other affordable scents, including Amazing Grace Magnolia, Pure Grace Nude Rose, Fresh Cream, Magnolia, and Unconditional Love. Philosophy fragrances have been a fan favorite for their simplicity in formulas and scents — and it's hard to beat the price. A 2-ounce bottle of Amazing Grace Ballet Rose retails for $58 at Ulta.
Happy Place by Eau De Juice
Turn that frown upside down because this next perfume is likely to liven up your mood. Happy Place, a lightweight masterpiece, has notes of passionfruit, yuzu, pear, musk, and berries all wrapped up in adorable packaging that will surely bring a joyous touch to your collection.
Eau de Juice is a brand that has grown in popularity in recent years, and this particular perfume would make a fabulous gift for anyone looking for a light and sweet scent. This fragrance, which retails for $40 per 1.7-ounce bottle, was created by Cosmopolitan in 2021 and, just like the magazine, it exudes the power of femininity.
If Happy Place isn't the scent for you, you may like other Eau de Juice fragrances, like Extra Concentrated, 100% Chilled, Good Energy, Love Unfiltered, or Pure Sugar. There is something for everyone with this brand, and all at an affordable price!