12 Affordable Perfumes That Smell Expensive and Luxe

Finding your signature scent is a process that can take time, whether you're discovering indie brands, pinpointing a classic scent that makes you feel like an old Hollywood star, or looking for a fragrance with the power to spark joy no matter the day. If you've been looking for a while, you've probably noticed that many quality and fan-favorite perfumes come with a hefty price tag, but there's good news if you're on a budget or want a different fragrance for every occasion: Plenty of affordable scents are out there too, and many of them are on par with their luxury counterparts. Keep reading for 11 of our favorite affordable perfumes that smell expensive, so you can up your fragrance game without breaking the bank.

Mix:Bar Vanilla Bourbon

Mix:Bar Vanilla Bourbon Eau de Parfum $20.00

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Mix:Bar is a Target-exclusive product line, and at under $20 each, you can buy multiple scents and switch it up with your vibe, or customize your scent by layering them together, which the brand explicitly suggests. Each fragrance is vegan and free from parabens and phthalates. Our favorites are Tangerine Squeeze, Blackberry Tonic, Coconut Palm, and Vanilla Bourbon.

Adorn Rose Quartz

Adorn Rose Quartz $24.00

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Each of the beautiful, natural Adorn perfumes comes equipped with crystals to supercharge your fragrance experience. Every blend is intoxicating and mystifying in its own way, so find the one that brings you the good energy you need. You'll also find floral and citrus notes in each blend for a perfume that's as playful as it is sophisticated.

Anu Essentials Sterling

Anu Essentials Sterling Perfume $40.00

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Anu Essentials is the namesake brand of Anu Prestonia, who started with a line of natural haircare products but has since expanded into body care and fragrance. The brand currently offers eight affordable perfumes, many of which are gender neutral, including Sterling—a strong, sublime blend of tuberose, cognac, and tobacco grounded in oud and lavender. It has us dreaming of cocktail meetups with friends, the kinds that become core memories when the conversation gets good and you stay out a bit longer than intended in order to savor the moment.

C.O. Bigelow Lemon

C.O. Bigelow Lemon Eau de Parfum $39.00

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This pleasant fragrance comes in a large, sleek glass bottle, imparting a more expensive look than its affordable price tag would suggest. With a refreshing citrus scent paired with white and green musk, you get an elegant vegan perfume that's incredibly wearable.

Good Chemistry Sugar Berry

Good Chemistry Sugar Berry Eau de Parfum $27.00

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Good Chemistry lives up to its name by producing a delicious-smelling eau de parfum that's vegan and cruelty-free, so you can feel good about using it and comfortable spritzing it liberally on your body. The fragrance is sweet and light, with notes of raspberry, freesia, and vanilla.

Blade + Bloom Good Vibes

Blade + Bloom Good Vibes Aromatherapy Fragrance Oil $18.00

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Instead of traditional perfumes, Black-owned beauty and wellness brand Blade + Bloom offers a collection of calming aromatherapy fragrance oils. Good Vibes' invigorating blend of grapefruit, sage, fir, bergamot, peppermint, ylang ylang, and lemongrass essential oils can help reduce mental fatigue and stimulate positive thinking—because who wouldn't feel a little energized with a refreshing scent like that?

Gourmand Fleur de Blonde

Gourmand Fleur de Blonde Eau de Parfum $25.00

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We love this chic line of fragrances at Urban Outfitters. At such a low price point, you can experiment with fun scents like Lait de Coco, Pistachio Brûlée, and Noir Distillé, which is a seductive and sophisticated blend of black coconut, vanilla whiskey, and crisp amber. The Fleur de Blonde fragrance is a musky blend of violet, cashmere musk, and ambrette, a medicinal plant from India that has a somewhat woodsy smell.

Clean Classic Warm Cotton

Clean Classic Warm Cotton $44.00

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Clean brand fragrances are true to their name with an environmentally friendly manufacturing process and vegan, gluten-free, and cruelty-free formulas. With just a few spritzes of this warm cotton variation, you're instantly covered in the smell of fresh-out-of-the-dryer laundry, plus hints of citrus and light florals like peony and bergamot. The vibes are so cozy.

Pacifica Persian Rose

Pacifica Persian Rose Perfume $22.00

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A nod to the florals of the Persian empire, this blend of Bulgarian rose, subtle violet, myrrh, and delicate fruit make for a queen's fragrance on a commoner's budget.

Demeter Fresh Brewed Coffee

Demeter Fresh Brewed Coffee Pick-Me-Up Cologne Spray $21.00

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At such an affordable price, you wouldn't expect the Demeter fragrances to pack as large of a punch as they do. Two of the brand's café-themed fragrances—Fresh Brewed Coffee and Nitro Coffee—smell just like a strong cup of java, doubling as both a room spray and a cheeky body scent. Some of our other favorites are Angel Food Cake, Between the Sheets, and Crème Anglaise. Just don't blame us if your mouth waters when you try Chocolate Chip Cookie or Brownie. You’ll leave hints of a scrumptious bakery in your wake.

Philosophy Pure Grace

Philosophy Pure Grace $58.00

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For lovers of a pared-down crisp, clean fragrance, Philosophy's OG Pure Grace scent is a mainstay. It's a fresh blend of water lily, leafy greens, and a "frosted musk” that's perfectly suitable for all seasons. It will give you that "just-showered" smell, even hours after you've toweled off for the day. And though it’s $58, pushing it slightly over the $50 price point, it’s a large bottle, so it still gets our vote.

Dime Dans Les Bois

Dime Dans Les Bois Eau de Toilette $48.00

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French for "into the woods," this affordable fragrance from Dime features an expensive-smelling blend of florals, citrus, woodsy notes, sage, and warm touches of leather and vanilla sugar. It contains the complexity of the ups and downs of a full outdoor adventure, creating a true fine fragrance experience.