It's a common misconception that finding a chic signature automatically equals a premium buy. In fact, these best cheap perfumes perfectly balance quality with price...
When we think of the best long-lasting perfumes, designer labels and established perfumeries tend to spring to mind first (along with their more premium price tags) but there is also a plethora of affordable fragrances out there, touted to rival even the best of the best perfumes for women. You just need to know where to look, which is where our beauty team of perfume enthusiasts and savvy shoppers come in.
So, if you're on the hunt for a deceptively luxe-smelling signature that won't break the bank, be it an iris perfume or a fruity perfume, we've rounded up 15 popular and unique scents - all of which have been vetted for by us and cost under £70...
The best cheap perfumes, chosen by our beauty team
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RRP: £12.99 for 90ml | Notes: Apple, orange, pink grapefruit, rose, jasmine, violet, peony, cedar and sandalwood
Applejuice smells remarkably similar to Chanel Chance for a fraction of the cost and though we did find it slightly less potent than Chance, we love how light and fresh this fragrance is. If you don't like scents that are too powdery or sweet but still want that hint of femininity, this is for you. With fruity top notes mellowed out by a woody base, it manages to strike the perfect balance of youthful and sophisticated.
Reasons to buy: Similar to a popular Chanel scent, offers a unique combination of notes and very affordable
Reasons to avoid: Doesn't look very premium
RRP: £20 for 30ml | Notes: rhubarb, magnolia, jasmine, heliotrope, tonka, maple
Amelia is one of our absolute favourite fragrances for year-round wear as the sweet yet warm base notes work for summer and winter alike. When testing, the maple base notes are what really stuck out. Though subtle, they cut through the floral middle to deliver a sweetened scent that is also distinctly mature. We also found that this perfume becomes richer and warmer as it dries down, making it an ideal pick for colder seasons.
Reasons to buy: Luxury aroma, smells sweet without being sickly
Reasons to avoid: The bottle is on the smaller size
RRP: from £24 for 90ml | Notes: Pink dragonfruit, lychee, Brazilian jasmine, hibiscus, sheer vanilla and sun musk
Named as one of the best Sol de Janeiro scents, Cheirosa 68 boasts a luxe blend of warm, musky florals - which can be misted over both your hair and skin. It also just so happens to be a staple in our Digital Beauty Editor, Aleesha Badkar's fragrance collection, as it shares similar notes to her other favourite, Baccarat Rouge 540. It's sweet but not overly so and affords a very sophisticated impression, which layers beautifully with other vanilla and floral-centric perfumes.
Reasons to buy: Can be layered with other scents and smells so premium
Reasons to avoid: It's a body mist, so not as long-lasting as a traditional perfume
RRP: £30 for 30ml | Notes: patchouli, Brazilian orange and Siberian fir
If you are looking for a perfume that will really stand out from the crowd, Karma has to be at the top of your list. To us, it's impossibly comforting, thanks to its rich orange and patchouli notes that are powerful enough to last all day long. Despite the minimal notes, Karma doesn't feel like a simple fragrance. When testing, we found this perfume to be distinctively earthy and spicy – quite unusual, while also possessing universal appeal.
Reasons to buy: Available in two sizes and as a solid, very long-lasting, unique and features natural ingredients
Reasons to avoid: more on the wintery side, not really for year-round wear
RRP: £49 for 50ml | Notes: champagne, pink peppercorn, lychee, peony, rose, freesia, jasmine, bergamot, amber, sandalwood, white musk and cedarwood
This light, floral scent is the ultimate feminine fragrance for day-to-night wear. With hints of bergamot, lychee, cedarwood, and white musk, OUAI describes this scent as a one-way ticket to LA in a bottle. This scent instantly reminded us of the iconic Burberry Her EDP due to the floral and woody undertones. However, where Burberry fades fast, Melrose Place lingered; for hours after applying.
Reasons to buy: features sleek packaging and a light floral scent
Reasons to avoid: may be overly sweet for some
RRP: £66 for 50ml | Notes: rose, lotus, lily, fresh flowers and precious woods
One of the standouts on this list, as soon as we first spritzed L'Eau D'Issey we were totally hooked. Inspired by fresh water, this perfume is delicate and crisp with top notes of lotus and rose, though it does not smell floral in the typical sense. It is overwhelmingly fresh with a subtle hint of flowers, ideal for those who want a scent to be noticeable but not too sweet or musky.
Reasons to buy: it's a timeless scent with long-lasting power
Reasons to avoid: you'll never want to wear another perfume
RRP: £19 for 90ml | Notes: pistachio, almond, heliotrope, jasmine petals, vanilla, salted caramel and sandalwood
For those who want to channel the brightness of summer year-round, Cheirosa 62 is a perfect scent for summer, thanks to its sweet and light top notes. However, the salted caramel and sandalwood base notes work just as well for the colder months, bringing a touch of warmth and spice to your everyday scent. If you tend to gravitate towards anything pumpkin spice-related, you will love Cheirosa 62.
Reasons to buy: it's convenient for travel, budget-friendly and adaptable for both your hair and body
Reasons to avoid: Doesn't last as long as traditional perfumes
RRP: £62 for 50ml | Notes: ambrette seeds, ambrox, pink pepper and iris
Glossier You is a standout for any taste. It's made up of mainly base perfume notes, which means it will last longer and allows more of your natural scent to blend in, creating your unique 'You' aroma. The idea is that this perfume smells slightly different on everyone and for that reason, You is a particularly tricky scent to describe. Both fresh and musky, peppery and light, it is the ultimate fragrance for those who want a bit of everything in their smell, but don't want anything that will overwhelm the nose.
Reasons to buy: It's the perfect everyday scent that is both long-lasting and smells slightly different on everyone
Reasons to avoid: may be too subtle for some
RRP: £29 for 30ml | Notes: mandarin, cherry, almond, bergamot, orange blossom, ylang-ylang, jasmine, sandalwood and white musk
Reminiscent of YSL Libre Eau de Parfum but at less than half the price, Orb of Night is the perfect sexy scent for evening time that definitely smells more exorbitant than it is. The top notes of cherry and almond offer a subtly sweet aroma, whilst the musky base notes add night-time attraction. When we tested it, we were surprised by how strong the scent is, however it settled after a few minutes to become much more subtle and floral on the skin.
Reasons to buy: Perfect, long-lasting evening fragrance
Reasons to avoid: Not as adaptable to daytime
RRP: £12.99 for 90ml | Notes: orange blossom, coffee, peach and raspberry
Though we think there is no going wrong with any of the best Zara perfumes, Gardenia is one of the most popular picks thanks to its similarities to YSL's Black Opium. With a dark, evening-time feel, it is one of the best cheap perfumes to wear for an evening out, when you want to feel expensive without actually having to break the bank. With no distinction between top, middle and base notes, the scent hardly alters from initial spritz to the end of the day - a pro if you like to keep a consistent smell from day to night, but a con if you prefer more complex scents that develop as they dry down.
Reasons to buy: has universal appeal and is suitable for any occasion
Reasons to avoid: no top, middle and base note distinction
RRP: £60 for 30ml | Notes: clove oil, pink pepper, orange flower petals, chestnut accord, gaiic wood oil, vanilla accord and cashmeran
This fragrance really does exactly what it says on the tin, smelling identical to a glowing, crackling fireplace that instantly carries you to a cozy Holiday setting. With top notes of clove oil and pink pepper, the spice-infused eau de toilette is unmissable. While it is initially quite a strong scent, it does settle - adding a rich and flattering warmth to the skin. On testing, it lingered both on the skin and in the air for hours after spraying, leaving that familiar and authentic bonfire-like smell on our clothes too.
Reasons to buy: Offers a very unique warm and cosy scent that's perfect for autumn/winter wear
Reasons to avoid: specific, so may not appeal to some
RRP: £50 for 40ml | Notes: peach, mandarin, red spider lily, jasmine sambac, vanilla and benzoin
This fruity Jimmy Choo fragrance is one of the more mature scents on this list, ideal for those who want a sophisticated yet soft perfume that will last all day. With top notes of peach and orange, plus fragrant jasmine middle notes, this natural and clean smell is noticeable without being overbearing. The main thing we noticed when testing this perfume is how it changes on the skin. After a few minutes, it settled to become the perfect soft daytime scent.
Reasons to buy: is mature but equally a light and fresh scent that lasts
Reasons to avoid: not our favourite packaging
RRP: £58 for 30ml | Notes: rose, star anise, orange blossom, ginger, vanilla and amber
Just as the best Jo Malone perfumeis instantly recognizable, Classique is a scent that is known and loved by many, which is why it is one of our favourites. A floral yet hearty scent, it is a typically feminine fragrance that would suit almost any age or occasion, from 30th birthday gift to a romantic anniversary present, making it the perfect all-rounder. We found that Classique is the ideal transitional perfume thanks to its mix of hearty amber and soft rose that work in harmony.
Reasons to buy: ageless and iconic scent with beautiful packaging
Reasons to avoid: don't get as much for your money as other scents
RRP: £50 for 30ml | Notes: blackberry, grapefruit, succulent pear, jasmine, lychee, blue wisteria, white woods, musks and coconut water
A subtly floral yet woody scent, Daisy Dream is delightfully fresh and light, reminding us of crisp and sunny winter mornings. When testing, we were reminded of L'Eau D'Issey in terms of the light yet alluring smell on the skin, however, Daisy Dream features berry top notes which makes for a more typically fruity-floral scent. If you are shopping for perfume for someone else, we think Daisy Dream is the perfect safe pick. The only downfall, which is common when shopping for affordable designer fragrances, is the small bottle.
Reasons to buy: adored in the perfume world, is long-lasting and features beautiful packaging
Reasons to avoid: may run out quickly
RRP: £22.99 for 80ml | Notes: tangerine, bergamot, orange blossom, jasmine, lavender, vetiver, amber, tonka bean and musk
Offering a reminiscent impression to the cult-favourite YSL Libre, this sparkling scent opens with bursts of sunny tangerine and orange blossom, which then give way to more intense and alluring notes of jasmine, lavender, vetiver, amber and musk. It's chic and sexy, making for both a great day and night-time signature. Like Gardenia, this perfume smells far more expensive than it actually is, making it a true staple in your routine, which you can repurchase without guilt.
Reasons to buy: affordable, chic and similar to the likes of YSL Libre
Reasons to avoid: may not last as long as other perfumes
How we tested the affordable perfumes
Every perfume included in this guide was tried and tested by us to give you the best possible idea of what each scent is like. We paid attention to factors such as how the scent lasts, how it changes throughout the day, and how much you really get for your money. We have also taken into account the brand, packaging, price, and occasion each scent can be worn for. Despite the subjectivity of scents, our guide will tell you what you need to know to make the best cheap perfume purchase for you.
A small selection of the fragrances we tested for this guide.
How to choose the best affordable perfume
As Cathy Newman, Marketing and Customer Experience Director at The Perfume Shop explains, selecting a perfume is a very personal choice, so says to, "always go with what appeals to your senses and style and you can't go far wrong,"
That said, Newman also adds that: "Understanding fragrance ingredients and families is key," as once you settle on your favourite family out of floral, sweet, woody, and fresh, you'll know that you're more likely to enjoy fragrances within it. As for finding an affordable perfume specifically, while we've proven the options are plentiful, there also a few other tips to keep in mind...
- Bigger is better: “If you’re shopping for a fragrance it’s always better to buy the biggest bottle that you can afford. A 100ml bottle will always give you a much better cost per wear than a 30ml bottle, for example," says PerfumeDirect.com’s Head of Ecommerce, Jonny Webber.
- Don't depend on duty free: “In the past, the airport duty free shop would be the perfect place to stock up on a bargain holiday scent – but the days of duty-free always giving you the best deals are behind us. Do your research before you go on holiday to see how your favourite fragrance compares online to the price you will be paying at the airport to guarantee the best deals."
- Search clearance sections: “The clearance section is where you will find the best deals. Brands will discontinue scents, remove certain sizes or packaging may change. The clearance section is therefore a great place to look for the best deals on your favourite scents. You might also find out-of-season gift sets in there – if you’re someone that starts their Christmas shopping six months early you might find some fantastic deals."
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