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11 Cheap Perfumes Beauty Outsiders Love

Posted by Robin on 21 July 2017 127 Comments

Prada Infusion d'Iris Absolue, Stash SJP and Donna Karan Gold adverts

Earlier this month, Marie Claire did a listicle on 10 Cheap Perfumes Beauty Insiders Love. I have no real objection to their list1 other than the inclusion of a $76 perfume and an $82 body oil — beauty insiders apparently have a different definition of "cheap" than I do, possibly because they don't have to fork over cash for their beauty products — but I did note on Twitter that I did not love any of their picks. I'll also add that none of their 10 show up very often in our daily scent of the day polls. So, here is a list of my own. I couldn't make myself narrow down to fewer than 11, and of course I've cheated even more by adding alternatives. As always, do include your own picks in the comments!

Marie Claire included the old standby 4711. I know some of you probably love 4711, and I can't scoff at it — it's possibly one of the better fragrances on their list. Still, my old-school drugstore choice would be the venerable spicy carnation, Old Spice. As with everything else, though, vintage is better, if you can get your hands on it. The absolute best case scenario is you come across an old, unopened bottle in your grandfather's medicine cabinet. Maybe all the stars align and there's an old bottle of Stetson hiding in there too?

If you shop around, you can find a 50 ml bottle of Prada Infusion d'Iris Absolue for less than $50. It's lovely and it has decent lasting power, which is more than you can say for a number of "luxury" iris fragrances that shall remain nameless.

Tauer Rose Delight Body Oil

If you're looking for bargains in scented body oils, you can't do much better than Tauer Perfumes Rose Delight Body Oil, which will run you about $25, and which will stand up just fine on its own, or layer perfectly with nearly anything else you can think of that might be enlivened by a bit of rose.2 (If you're looking for something more meditative, and you're willing to up the ante to $40, there's always Aftelier Ancient Resins body oil. But really, you ought to own both oils. You'd only be out $65 and one or the other would work with nearly any perfume you own.) If you prefer a "real" perfume, don't forget that Tauerville Rose Flash is only $31. Oh, and Rose Flash can be layered with Vanilla Flash...

And so long as we're including scented body products, let's not forget Estee Lauder's Bronze Goddess Whipped Body Cream. At $50, it's admittedly spendy for a cream, but the tub is huge and so is the fragrance — I find it considerably more powerful than the spray Eau Fraîche. I wear it frequently in the summer, and I've hardly made a dent in my tub in the two years I've owned it.

Donna Karan Gold is that rare thing, a pretty lily perfume. It's not an in-your-face, niche hothouse lily, like Serge Lutens Un Lys, but nor is it a deconstructed modern lily, like Cartier Baiser Volé. It's a middle-of-the-road, mainstream lily, and that was a hard sell in department stores in 2006. It was not on counters for long. Since then, it's gained a minor but avid following among perfumistas who've taken a chance on a dirt cheap bottle from a discounter (at the moment, you can find 30 ml of the Eau de Parfum for about $15).

Lush Furze body spray

When you want something a little offbeat, but don't want to pay top dollar for the latest niche favorite, Lush is always worth a visit. (Their elegant jasmine - vetiver Silky Underwear, which I bought for $30 years ago, is still a personal favorite. As is the way with Lush, it's not available at the moment, and who knows if or when it might reappear.) Their offerings vary by country; if you can find it, Furze is bright and cheerful and summery, and completely wearable despite smelling like nothing you'll find in a department store. At the moment, Lush's UK Kitchen has a Furze body spray for £12.

If Lush is just not your style, check out the budget-friendly, easy-to-wear offerings from Pacifica. My own favorite is the spicy / incense-y Tibetan Mountain Temple, which will run you $22 for 29 ml (or you can snag a solid perfume in Mediterranean Fig for $9).

Need a sweet comfort gourmand for pennies, one with a bit of spunk? Perhaps with a dash of cognac for good measure? Queen by Queen Latifah, like Donna Karan Gold, did not wow them on the fragrance counters, but it's had a decent afterlife on perfume blogs and forums. You can find a 15 ml bottle for less than $10, which in perfumista math means they're paying you to take it off their hands.

Maria Candida Gentile Hanbury

Italian perfumer Maria Candida Gentile isn't cheap, exactly, but she makes little 15 ml travel bottles for the relatively friendly price of $45 (if you buy directly from the brand, there are also 7 ml miniatures available). Her Hanbury is a charming floral based on calycanthus, and I've been wavering over a purchase ever since I smelled it. If you don't love it, she has lots of other choices, from the quiet Lankaran Forest to the animalic Elephant & Roses.

Marie Claire also included Kiehl's Musk. Kiehl's Musk used to have a bit of a following on MakeupAlley, and I do see it mentioned here from time to time, but I never really loved it, and would offer up in its place the newer woody unisex Sarah Jessica Parker Stash SJP. At $50 for 30 ml, it's still free in perfumista math terms. The alternative, if the Stash does not suit, would be the woody unisex Comme des Garçons + Pharrell Williams Girl, easily found for less than $30 for 100 ml.  

Lalique Encre Noire

It's still a little shocking to me that you can buy a 50 ml bottle of Lalique Encre Noire, one of the best vetiver fragrances ever made, for less than $25.

Your picks?

1. Although I should also note that the article starts off with the assertion that the "main difference between perfumes at high and low price points is lasting power", which any perfumista can tell you is complete nonsense.

2. After sniping at beauty insiders who get all their products as promotional swag, I feel honor bound to point out that my bottle of Tauer Rose Delight was actually accepted as swag, and is one of only two or three such products in my collection. Most freebies I either don't accept in the first place, or give away in contests, but I tested the Rose Delight so enthusiastically that it seemed silly to give away what was left. And, I'll add that Marie Claire's choice of body oil, Balmyard Beauty Romantic Call, is not that much more expensive per ml than the Tauer, and it's actually less per ml than the Aftelier. But it only comes in the one 120 ml size.

More perfume on the cheap...

Perfume on a Budget
Friday scent of the day 11/25
Demeter Dulce de Leche, Espresso, Chai Tea & Whiskey Tobacco ~ fragrance reviews
5 perfumes: At the Discounters
Sonoma Scent Studio Incense Pure ~ fragrance review

Filed Under: perfume talk, scented body products
Tagged With: body oil, celebrity perfumes, cheap thrills, cream or lotion, donna karan, estee lauder, lalique, lush, maria candida gentile, old spice, pacifica, prada, queen latifah, sarah jessica parker, tauer perfumes

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127 Comments

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  1. Elizabeth says:
    21 July 2017 at 12:47 pm

    There’s always good old Youth Dew (I love it in cold weather and tiny doses), which can be had for under $40. Most of the Estee Lauders are very reasonably priced and have the half-life of plutonium.

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    • Robin says:
      21 July 2017 at 12:50 pm

      Yes! And the Youth Dew body cream is $39.

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    • Regina says:
      21 July 2017 at 2:03 pm

      I feel like you could make this whole list out of Lauder and you would do pretty well!

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    • Coin-op says:
      22 July 2017 at 5:41 pm

      Yes! I purchased the bath oil, recommended by bois de jasmin – I add one drop to my full bath and it blooms incredibly – it will last me a lifetime.

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  2. lucasai says:
    21 July 2017 at 12:53 pm

    All hands, legs and noses on board for Prada Infusion d’Iris Absolue

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    • Robin says:
      21 July 2017 at 1:07 pm

      It is good stuff.

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  3. jackmannish says:
    21 July 2017 at 1:05 pm

    Seconding Pacifica’s perfumes. I wore Persian Rose for a few years. Nowadays, I prefer my roses on the darker side so I find it a bit too cloying now, but I still swing by the Pacifica display at Whole Foods from time to time to get a whiff for a dose of nostalgia.

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    • Robin says:
      21 July 2017 at 1:08 pm

      I will have to give that one a try, not sure I’ve smelled it!

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      • jackmannish says:
        21 July 2017 at 1:14 pm

        The closest thing I could compare it to in my (admittedly limited) olfactory experience would probably be Stella, so I think if someone was wild about Stella but wanted something cheaper, Persian Rose might be a good compromise (although Stella’s bottle is so pretty that I would probably just fork over the extra cash for the real deal :D )

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        • Robin says:
          21 July 2017 at 1:34 pm

          Plus, you can find Stella pretty cheap — the 30 ml is less than $50.

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          • jackmannish says:
            21 July 2017 at 4:32 pm

            Very true! I would say Stella itself almost qualifies for this list, but I know personally that as a poor college student, I wouldn’t have even come within striking distance of any actual perfume counter. But I could sure justify the >$10 for Pacifica’s solid perfumes.

  4. mayfly says:
    21 July 2017 at 1:24 pm

    Love this article Robin!- I have yet to tryPrada infusion Absolu, it’s been on my Blind Buy list for 2 years, since I read you’re review, I might have to push that button now!
    I’m a big fan of DK Gold, so pleased u mentioned it.
    So sad I can’t get either of the oils in the UK, I know I’d love them both.

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    • Robin says:
      21 July 2017 at 1:35 pm

      Really, will Tauer not ship the body oil to the UK?

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      • Koenigsberg says:
        22 July 2017 at 6:36 pm

        Tauer won’t ship anything to the UK, which I have to day dulls my enthusiasm for the man and his works.

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        • Koenigsberg says:
          22 July 2017 at 6:43 pm

          * have to say.

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        • Robin says:
          22 July 2017 at 11:47 pm

          Oh, sorry, did not know (or forgot).

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  5. Robert H. says:
    21 July 2017 at 1:34 pm

    What a wonderful list! I’d add Eau De Gaga which is great and only around $18/bottle. Also (if they ever decide to bring it back) Chanel 5 body oil was $85. when it came out last Fall, BUT it was/is a 200 ml. bottle. Damn I love that stuff!

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    • stinker_kit says:
      21 July 2017 at 2:11 pm

      Eau de Gaga is fantastic and so inexpensive!

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    • Robin says:
      21 July 2017 at 2:21 pm

      $18 really is a bargain.

      Chanel No. 5 Body oil unfortunately does not seem to be available at discount anywhere.

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    • Lani says:
      21 July 2017 at 4:35 pm

      I bought two bottles of Eau de Gaga at my local Marshall’s for $9.99 each! A steal. It’s a great summer perfume.

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  6. Regina says:
    21 July 2017 at 1:54 pm

    What a delightful article. I love it that you included Queen – I bought a mini recently, and did not love it, but my boyfriend kidnapped it and now wears it regularly and I do love it on him!

    I wonder if they would count Van Cleef & Arpels First – $85 at Neiman Marcus, but around $25 on e.g. Amazon. Somehow I suspect these articles use the Neiman’s prices… But I’ve always found it so cheaply that I have accumulated, um, a lot.

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    • Robin says:
      21 July 2017 at 2:21 pm

      Oh, I’m sure they’re only using the suggested retail price of everything, and would undoubtedly tell you that anything bought at discount was fake.

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      • Regina says:
        21 July 2017 at 2:24 pm

        Ha! If fake smells this good, I’m not too totally sure I care.

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        • Waldina80 says:
          25 July 2017 at 6:00 pm

          Indeed! Most of my fumes are from discounters. And I’ve done a lot of research on counterfeits & fakes. Any perfumista worth her salt can tell the difference.

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  7. chocolatemarzipan8 says:
    21 July 2017 at 2:14 pm

    I also second the Pacifica perfumes…grab the solids while you can as they are being discontinued.

    Also, loving Demeter Incense…I was given a 15ml travel size and I drained that sucker in less than a week!

    The Couvents des Minimes line has some nice stuff and Ulta sells them for $16 for 1 oz.

    I will also add that essential oils added to carrier oils make nice all over body scents for the summer and are highly affordable. Or you can do what I did and add a vanilla bean or two to a carrier oil and use that :)

    and Dame Perfumery carries inexpensive travel sprays (8.50 to 10 dollars) and full price bottles are 65 but with a 10 percent discount code which he gives you once you buy a travel spray even cheaper!

    The Berdoues Grand Cru collection is also affordable (100ml ranging from 55-80 dollars depending on whether you pay retail or get them online discounted like I did and their 1902 also sells for a song..pretty sure under 20 for 100ml and under 30 for 200ml)

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    • Regina says:
      21 July 2017 at 2:26 pm

      Oh heck, I forgot Dame! My $35 magnolia soliflore is gorgeous!

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      • chocolatemarzipan8 says:
        21 July 2017 at 2:45 pm

        Oh yes!!! The roll ons! and also the travel size of New Musk and Chocolate Man are amazing too!!!!

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        • cassieflower says:
          21 July 2017 at 3:15 pm

          What’s the chocolate oil like? I’m giving it some consideration and you’re probably THE person to ask????.

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          • chocolatemarzipan8 says:
            21 July 2017 at 5:32 pm

            Well i happen to like it but it is potent and sweet. I think the travel size is only ten dollars with free shipping and Jeffrey Dame always includes at least three samples so you really can’t go wrong. You can always pass it on if you don’t like it but upgrade to a larger size if you do.

          • holyneroli says:
            22 July 2017 at 10:55 pm

            Cassieflower, if you’re in the US, I have a sample of Chocolate Man that I would be happy to send to you.

    • Robin says:
      21 July 2017 at 2:46 pm

      Demeter Incense is really good. And they actually make some other incenses other than just the one called Incense…will have to look them up.

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      • Aparatchick says:
        21 July 2017 at 2:48 pm

        Holy Smoke and Holy Water. I have them both, and the Incense. Yes, I do have a bit of an incense problem. ;-)

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        • Robin says:
          21 July 2017 at 2:52 pm

          Thank you! Plus, there is also Frankincense.

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        • chocolatemarzipan8 says:
          21 July 2017 at 5:33 pm

          Ah yes! I have tried Holy Smoke and that is good too! But the Incense is sweet as it is made from a different note (copal balsam??? I think???) and that is what I like about it…it is not frankincense which is traditionally used for incense dominant fragrances.

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  8. austenfan says:
    21 July 2017 at 2:33 pm

    Elizabeth Arden fragrances are sold in “drugstores” in the Netherlands for very little money. Sunflowers used to be a favourite of mine.
    In France you can buy really nice colognes from the Bien-Etre line in virtually every supermarket.
    I would love some BG whipped cream, but I want to finish my Azurée Soleil body oil first. A great favourite for summer. Great post, Robin, and out of curiosity, which is your favourite Hemingway novel?

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    • Robin says:
      21 July 2017 at 2:50 pm

      The Sun Also Rises is his first and my favorite, but in general I also just like that period of US fiction & expat fiction in particular.

      And then you can read the backstory — I have not read Everyone Behaves Badly, but have read most of the gossip elsewhere.

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  9. cassieflower says:
    21 July 2017 at 2:37 pm

    Glad to see you’ve mentioned several of my favourites in your list. Donna Karan Gold is most probably the bottle I would grab if my house was on fire. I’ll add a couple of my own if I may. The mini Lush Lust is cheap as chips and is Jasmine on steroids. Paul Smith Rose is very pretty and airy. It’s unchallenging and would be a good gateway rose for someone who thinks they don’t really like rose. I’ve recently purchased 30ml of Courreges Blanc for €15???? which is just free imo. It’s musky iris and again very easy to wear. There are probably several more I could come up with if I had time to think, but these just popped into my head immediately.

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    • Robin says:
      21 July 2017 at 2:54 pm

      Great additions, thanks! Lush Lust is also great to mix into unscented lotion if it’s just too too.

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      • mpachta says:
        23 August 2017 at 1:09 pm

        It’s never too too! Ha!

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  10. Aparatchick says:
    21 July 2017 at 2:47 pm

    That is an excellent list, Robin. I especially like seeing Tauer, Lush, Pacifica (love TMT and Lotus Garden) and Queen on there.

    I’ll add the Tokyo Milk line (I especially like Sea and Sky – $30 for 1 oz.), Ava Luxe (her Fig Leaf is a summer staple for me – $45 for 15 ml, but it is quite concentrated; one spritz lasts a good 8 hours on me) and the discounters often has some amazing bargains – that’s how I got my bottle of Queen and my bottle (and then backup bottle) of Roberto Cavalli Oro.

    And I discovered that Old Navy carries perfume when I was shopping for my niece’s birthday present earlier this summer. Their Sea Salt and Fig body spray makes an excellent linen spray for the summer!

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    • Robin says:
      21 July 2017 at 3:36 pm

      I will have to try Sea and Sky! And had no idea Old Navy was into perfume again.

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    • jackmannish says:
      21 July 2017 at 7:10 pm

      Thank you for reminding me about Sea and Sky! It’s been on my “to try” list for a long time, but it’s so reasonably priced that I just upgraded it to my “to buy” list and pulled the trigger on it.

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    • chocolatemarzipan8 says:
      22 July 2017 at 6:31 am

      I would wear the Old Navy scents…I rather liked two of them…the fig one you mentioned and another one with honey in the name.

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  11. MrsDalloway says:
    21 July 2017 at 2:47 pm

    Some Yves Rocher scents are very nice, and super cheap when the frequent discounts are taken into account. I got Comme Une Evidence EDP as a gift with purchase and I have Noix de Coco too.

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    • Robin says:
      21 July 2017 at 3:36 pm

      They keep discontinuing my favorites, but absolutely right, they do a good job.

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      • Waldina80 says:
        25 July 2017 at 6:06 pm

        It’s almost the death knell of a product…to have become a favourite…lol

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  12. kindcrow says:
    21 July 2017 at 3:22 pm

    In no particular order:

    -Jean Nate
    -Old Spice
    -Florida Water
    -Botanical Cologne of Love/Eau Aimable by Le Couvent des Minimes
    -Dame Perfumery soliflore perfume oils in Wisteria and Rose de Mai
    -Aphrodite’s Slipper by Demeter (and many others)
    -Several by Pacifica
    -Pre de Provence Linden Flower perfume (appears to be discontinued)

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    • Robin says:
      21 July 2017 at 3:39 pm

      Great list! And sorry to hear about the PdP linden, that was a nice scent.

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    • Isabella says:
      23 July 2017 at 1:12 am

      Oh, the Pre de Provence Linden soap is something I’d take to a desert island! Didn’t know they did a perfume.

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  13. Kanuka says:
    21 July 2017 at 3:29 pm

    A couple of ‘cheap’ ( rather than discounted ) scents in my list would be Smell Bent Prairie Nymph which reminds me of Lush Rose Jam and possibly Smoked Ambergris, Florists Fridge or St Tropez something ( which is nice and beachy). If Olympic Orchids counts I would add Seattle Chocolate and Woodcut in the dinky little bottles. Tabu if you can find an old bottle…and Body Shop White Musk for flashbacks of perfume life on student allowances.

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    • Robin says:
      21 July 2017 at 3:39 pm

      Reminds me I need to go try the new White Musk flanker! And they are a great store for bargains since they do near-constant markdowns.

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      • Waldina80 says:
        25 July 2017 at 6:07 pm

        The Body Shop is always good for cheap thrills!!

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    • jackmannish says:
      21 July 2017 at 7:12 pm

      Reminds you of Rose Jam, you say? I’ll have to give that one a try since I missed out on Lush’s perfume version of it.

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      • Kanuka says:
        21 July 2017 at 7:19 pm

        You should probably get a second opinion on that

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        • jackmannish says:
          21 July 2017 at 7:21 pm

          Eh, the worst that could happen at that price point is that it becomes freebiemeet fodder. :)

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    • emmyv1 says:
      21 July 2017 at 10:45 pm

      Please tell me more about smoked ambergris! I love the idea of it. Should I blind buy?

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      • holyneroli says:
        22 July 2017 at 11:00 pm

        If you love ambergris, or are at all curious about what it smells like in isolation, I say go for it! I got a 1ml size from either Surrender to Chance or The Perfumed Court because I fell in love with ambergris. I barely get any smokiness from it, personally. It’s great to layer under other scents for a bit of salty/tangy/animalic goodness.

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        • cassieflower says:
          23 July 2017 at 5:10 pm

          Hey, thank you so much for your kind offer above, but I am far far away from the U.S. There wasn’t a space to reply to you in that box. Dame ships internationally for free, though, so it’s very customer friendly.

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  14. Koyel says:
    21 July 2017 at 3:30 pm

    I don’t care for Pacifica at all, and even though I loooooove Lush body products, I find their perfumes dreadful. But I’ll second Dame! Dark Horse is my current favorite, though he has a number of great ones. Also happy to see PW Girl up on your list (kind of). I’d add Guerlain Vetiver, which is quite affordable at discounters and is just a perfect summer vetiver.

    I’m pretty resentful at the habit people have of quoting absolute prices and typically discounting price per mL. $25 for 50 mL of Tauer’s Rose Delight really isn’t cheap for a body oil, especially not if you use body oil the way I do (after a shower, all over my body). Instead, I’ll suggest the gorgeous 10 Corso Como body oil!!!!! which is something like $60 for a very generous 250 mL. There’s also the wonderful l’Occitane body oils. My favorites are Fleur d’Or et Acacia and l’Arlesienne, which are something like $30 for 100 mL, and the Pivoine Flora, which is ~$30 for 75 mL or something. (Not seeing those on their website right now–I hope they haven’t discontinued them?!)

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    • Robin says:
      21 July 2017 at 3:38 pm

      It is all about how you shop, isn’t it? To me, a $60 body oil is not “cheap” even if it’s cheaper per ml. So we just shop differently! But we totally agree on 10 Corso Como. I did not have the body oil but I did have the lotion, and it was highly scented and possibly a “better buy” than the perfume.

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    • kindcrow says:
      21 July 2017 at 3:45 pm

      Tauer’s Rose Delight is VERY potent, and almost a perfume oil IMO. I really like it, and the only reason i didn’t include it because it irritates my skin (of course, so does Old Spice, :-( )

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      • Koyel says:
        21 July 2017 at 4:56 pm

        Oh no, that’s so sad :( Yes, I love Rose Delight and definitely find it to be deliciously strong. All my favorite body oils are!

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    • Koyel says:
      21 July 2017 at 5:21 pm

      I understand now that I should’ve clarified–I’m not trying to say that Rose Delight should be cheaper; I think it’s a great product made with high quality ingredients (like all Tauers). I simply feel that at $0.50/mL, it’s not a cheap body oil.

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      • Robin says:
        21 July 2017 at 11:02 pm

        I understood!

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      • cazaubon says:
        22 July 2017 at 6:54 am

        For me it is far too strong to be used all over my body so I consider it more of a perfume oil, but YMMV.

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    • Laura says:
      21 July 2017 at 10:22 pm

      You make an excellent (and thrifty ????) point about the price per ml. I always consider price per ml in my bottle purchases. Dark Horse is my fav Dame too. But I also adore several of his soliflores.

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  15. Jemi says:
    21 July 2017 at 4:35 pm

    I love Elizabeth Arden Green Tea. I’ve never owned bottle, but my mother, a notorious oversprayer, wears it sometimes. She used to douse herself daily in Chanel No. 5 — I suspect she was unable to smell it after years of living in such a thick fog of it. Anyway, one day a few years ago, some smart, kind friend of hers gave her a bottle of Green Tea. It was the first time in decades I had been able to give her a hug without flinching.

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    • Robin says:
      21 July 2017 at 4:56 pm

      LOL!

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    • Koyel says:
      21 July 2017 at 4:57 pm

      Haha :) My mother used to have EA Green Tea hand cream. I love it! I love smells that remind me of it! I should buy some, if it’s still around.

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    • jackmannish says:
      21 July 2017 at 7:18 pm

      Oh my god…do we have the same mother? Mine does the exact same thing but in recent years she’s switched to Mademoiselle instead of No. 5, haha! I still have a hard time enjoying anything Chanel because I’ve been pelted in the face with it my entire life.

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    • Stephanie says:
      22 July 2017 at 2:49 pm

      My sister wore EA Green Tea when I was in middle school and I would always steal sprays of it back then. Maybe I’ll pick up a bottle sometime and see if I still enjoy it!

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  16. Lani says:
    21 July 2017 at 4:43 pm

    On the gourmand front, Pink Sugar is easy to find at discounters for less than $30 for ~100mL, and it’s lasting power is impressive. I tend to wear it around Halloween, because it reminds me of candy, and it’s one of my most complimented perfumes. Same with Lolita Lempicka and its various flankers.

    BPAL’s general catalog scents go for $17.50 per 5mL oil, and they have some really great scents (The Lilac Wood is one of the nicest lilacs I’ve smelled, currently out of stock though).

    J. Lo Still is a great floral/tea fragrance and I think I got 3.3 oz bottle online for about $16.

    I love a good cheap perfume!

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    • Robin says:
      21 July 2017 at 4:58 pm

      The original Lolita Lempicka was on my long list, and now that they’re redoing the bottle, it ought to be even easier to find at discount.

      I wish Pink Sugar was still doing Chocolovers — that was another great cheapie.

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      • cazaubon says:
        22 July 2017 at 6:56 am

        I love Chocolovers and wish it was still available. I am hoarding my little bottle and the shower oil.

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        • kindcrow says:
          22 July 2017 at 10:48 am

          I tried Chocolate Crave Perfume on one arm and Aquolina Chocolovers on the other arm, and they are quite similar. Milk chocolate, orange, and something nutty (I’m quoting myself from a 2014 post to NST. Hee, hee. See my post at https://nstperfume.com/2014/01/23/viktor-rolf-bonbon-new-perfume/) I paid $29 for what I think is a one-ounce bottle (too tired to try to find the bottle right now).

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    • Waldina80 says:
      25 July 2017 at 6:17 pm

      Picked up PS Black Sugar gift set with shower gel, hair perfume, and a 3.3oz for like $20. It’s a lovely burnt rubber, gooey marshmallow leather jacket kinda thing. I suggest Body Shop’s Chocomania as a sub for the discontinued PS chocolovers.

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  17. BigslyFragrance says:
    21 July 2017 at 4:59 pm

    To me, cheap is something like Magman, a cross between an Aventus “clone” and a light version of a Lutens type scent (about $5.25 total, 100 ml NIB), but even One Man Show Oud Edition, at less than $9 for 100 ml new tester, is great, as it is “the poor man’s Leather Oud by Dior! OMSOE is much better than Stash, IMO (less “chemical,” more interesting composition).

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    • Robin says:
      21 July 2017 at 5:02 pm

      For anyone who wants to investigate, One Man Show Oud Edition is Jacques Bogart. I have never tried it, thanks Bigsly!

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  18. zara says:
    21 July 2017 at 5:06 pm

    What about SJP Covet? I remember it was quite interesting and ‘offbeat’ – geranium and chocolate, if I remember correctly, and can be had for next to nothing.
    Also, great article. “..in perfumista math means they’re paying you to take it off their hands.” :D so true! :D

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    • Robin says:
      21 July 2017 at 6:39 pm

      Agree about Covet, good choice.

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  19. JacquieDS says:
    21 July 2017 at 6:24 pm

    Such a good article, thank you, Robin.
    Is Old Spice for woman?
    My fav perfumes are Opium, Cinnabar & Shalimar….

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    • Robin says:
      21 July 2017 at 6:40 pm

      Old Spice is for men, and it is one of many men’s scents I happily wear :-)

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  20. pixel says:
    21 July 2017 at 6:57 pm

    Nodding along for Demeter, Pacifica, Elizabeth Arden Green Teas, Estee Lauder, Smell Bent, Dame… would also add Roger & Gallet (like their Vetiver; also Fleur & Osmanthus), VCA Midnight in Paris, Caron Yatagan, Natori… and I like Donna Karan Gold Sparkling even more than regular Gold (it’s a bit lighter, more summery); if you can find it, it’s even cheaper.

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    • Robin says:
      21 July 2017 at 11:03 pm

      Oh thank you, forgot there even was a Gold Sparkling!

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    • Coumarin says:
      21 July 2017 at 11:27 pm

      You get a pin for Gold Sparkling. I never heard of such a thing and bought a 100ml bottle for $15. I love Gold EdP but my boyfriend found it cloying. I can’t wait to try it.

      And yes, Natori! I have about 300ml and contemplating a back up or two more.

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  21. Jalapeno says:
    21 July 2017 at 7:43 pm

    Yes to Pacifica, Estee Lauder, and Natori. I’d like to add Fancy Nights by Jessica Simpson. I had originally dismissed it based on her previous scents, and was very surprised when I finally tried it on skin. You definitely have to like patchouli to enjoy that one!

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    • Laura says:
      21 July 2017 at 10:25 pm

      Fancy Nights gets a lot of love. Someday I hope to smell it.

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    • Robin says:
      21 July 2017 at 11:03 pm

      That was a good one (the Fancy Nights).

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    • Waldina80 says:
      25 July 2017 at 6:20 pm

      It shouldn’t have been a flanker. Nothing in common with the others imo

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  22. plyushka says:
    21 July 2017 at 7:49 pm

    I will add Jacomo Silences pdt. 1oz is less than $10.00 at discounters.

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    • chocolatemarzipan8 says:
      22 July 2017 at 6:34 am

      Yes!!!

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  23. cavewoman says:
    21 July 2017 at 9:58 pm

    I used to rave about Jordin Sparks Because Of You. A superb, womanly, woody oriental, ten bucks at Fashion Bug stores. Or maybe it was twelve bucks.

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    • Laura says:
      21 July 2017 at 10:26 pm

      Never heard of this one! Sounds interesting.

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      • Robin says:
        22 July 2017 at 9:36 am

        https://nstperfume.com/2010/10/01/jordin-sparks-because-of-you-new-fragrance/

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  24. missyl says:
    21 July 2017 at 10:49 pm

    Seconding Tibetan Mountain Temple! It reminds of a less complex Cimabue ( DSH) -not as long lasting of course.At that price point ( $16!) you can generously respray- it last well in your hair and it’s just a Lovely chai tea scent in sweater weather!
    I have a question if Off topic is ok?
    Does anyone know of a reliable sample site that still sells Chanel?

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    • Robin says:
      22 July 2017 at 9:37 am

      I have no idea, sorry!

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    • flopper says:
      22 July 2017 at 10:28 am

      Scent Split has a VIP program (after placing a number of orders with them) and with that they have the Exclusifs, Bond’s and another line I don’t recall for decant samples. (No affiliation)

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      • missyl says:
        22 July 2017 at 4:58 pm

        Thanks for that information Flopper. I hadn’t heard of scent split. Have you had good experience with them?

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        • flopper says:
          23 July 2017 at 2:31 am

          Yes absolutely. Their bottles are great and shipping is quick. I prefer Scent Split over any other decant site. They might be a little higher in price but I feel that they ship way quicker than STC.

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  25. nozknoz says:
    21 July 2017 at 11:37 pm

    It’s partly a question of timing. You can currently find L’AP Dzing! at discounters for less than $60, due to the change in packaging. And it’s one of the best leather fragrances of all time, possibly the best in my book. Some of the Hermes fragrances, such as Un Jardin sur Nil, are also showing on discounters now, too.

    One that has been inexplicably, shockingly cheap forever and now under $30 is Bulgari Black. Also one of the best.

    Not quite in the same league but still worthy and under $40 is Perles de Lalique. (Also an obvious winner for next week’s poll, since it was composed by Nathalie Lorson.)

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    • Robin says:
      22 July 2017 at 9:37 am

      Black was on my long list too. It’s crazy cheap.

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      • nozknoz says:
        22 July 2017 at 6:59 pm

        And the bottle design is good, too.

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  26. Connie says:
    22 July 2017 at 9:02 am

    I would add Tendre Vanilla by Laurence Dumont, which smells like Xerjoff’s Lira (but better!)- madeleines. Very Proustian.

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    • Robin says:
      22 July 2017 at 9:37 am

      Have not tried that one, thanks!

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  27. Laura says:
    22 July 2017 at 9:52 am

    Thanks for a fun article. I’ve really enjoyed reading everyone’s additions. Took a look at my stash and will add a few that haven’t been mentioned yet. Agent Provocateur can was be found for a song. It is very, very similar to ELDO Eau de Protection. And I’ll add the dreaded Euphoria. Two spritzes is perfect on a cold winter’s day ????

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    • bastet says:
      22 July 2017 at 2:15 pm

      AP is really good for the price!

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    • Robin says:
      22 July 2017 at 4:10 pm

      I like AP — good pick!

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  28. bastet says:
    22 July 2017 at 2:14 pm

    I think Caron’s men’s scents are amazingly inexpensive at the discounters and still smell very good (as compared to most of the perfumes marketed for women which I understand have suffered terribly from reformulation).

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    • Robin says:
      22 July 2017 at 4:10 pm

      Good point. I’ve been meaning to get some Anarchiste forever.

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  29. Coin-op says:
    22 July 2017 at 5:52 pm

    Wonderful article! Great pics, and I had no idea about the oil’s, I will check them out.

    Oh, please publish your long list – we are all listening intently :) ????

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    • Robin says:
      22 July 2017 at 11:45 pm

      I think everything else has pretty much been mentioned. Bvlgari Black and Lolita Lempicka were the last to go. I thought about including one of the 30 ml Parfums de Nicolai scents, they are still a decent bargain at $45. I considered a few Demeters, and the Sonoma Scent Studio Incense Pure.

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      • Coumarin says:
        23 July 2017 at 12:12 am

        Almost commented to add PdN L’Eau Chic. Clean like old fashioned soap and very refreshing. Built like a tank too. I kind of want the huge 250ml splash bottle, which would not make this list.

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      • Coin-op says:
        23 July 2017 at 8:46 am

        Thank you Robin! Adding all of these to my ever-growing “list”

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  30. Koenigsberg says:
    22 July 2017 at 7:01 pm

    Alvarez Gomez “Agua de Colonia Concentrada” (lemon/geranium/spice) and “Agua de Colonia Concentrada Barberia” (bergamot and cedar) are ridiculously cheap. As Bastet mentioned, the Carons for men are very inexpensive. My SOTD John Varvatos “Artisan” is also a cheapie.

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    • Robin says:
      22 July 2017 at 11:46 pm

      Yum, Artisan. I need to buy that.

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    • lekkerruik says:
      24 July 2017 at 5:33 am

      I doubt I’ve ever seen that Alvarez Gomez mentioned! I bought a set, dirt cheap, in Barcelona – I love it! A much more clove-y version of the classic cologne. I’d say you have to love clove to like it. And that reminds me – what about Lush Dear John? One of their all-time best, I’d say. Also lots of clove there.

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  31. nicolasix says:
    22 July 2017 at 7:20 pm

    Cinq Mondes Eau Egyptienne is a fairly inexpensive body spray with decent lasting power and a lovely herbal scent. I also like many of the ELDO scents – they’re not super cheap at $50 an ounce, but they’re off-beat and fun. I’ve heard good things about the &Other Stories sprays but I’ve not tried them. And I love the already-mentioned DK Gold and Bulgari Black!

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    • Robin says:
      22 July 2017 at 11:46 pm

      Yes — and you can get the Cinq Mondes in little bottles.

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  32. Isabella says:
    23 July 2017 at 1:19 am

    Hopping on the Pacifica bandwagon — I love their Malibu Lemon Blossom, probably the most carefree and cheerfulness-inducing fragrance in my collection. And Demeter’s Wet Garden was an early (and lasting) love. And Bobbi Brown Beach body oil is in heavy rotation this time of year — the perfect oh-that’s-just-me-smelling-great-in-my-sexy-sunscreen base layer.

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    • Robin says:
      23 July 2017 at 8:44 am

      Kevin loves that Pacifica too!

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    • holyneroli says:
      24 July 2017 at 10:31 am

      Another affordable, cheerful lemon-based fragrance is Tupelo Lemongrass by Thymes. I blind-bought a rollerball in the dead of winter a couple of years ago and it was like a little ray of sunshine every time I put it on.

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    • Waldina80 says:
      25 July 2017 at 6:23 pm

      Wet Garden is lovely!

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  33. Masha says:
    23 July 2017 at 11:07 am

    I have every iteration of Encre Noire ever made (except the one for women, which is not vetiver), and we use them constantly in the summer, the whole family, visiting relatives, friends, neighbors popping in for coffee, there’s no end to it.
    I just ordered CdG PW “Girl” and can’t wait to try it, and see the freaky bottle in person. I also bought a bottle of TDC’s Nuit Magnetique (the blueberry one) and am totally in love. Blueberry!! It cost less than $30 USD. Steal of decade for me. Also love Gold and have the EdP and EdT, love both, and the bottle for the EdP.

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    • holyneroli says:
      24 July 2017 at 10:33 am

      Masha, I wore the Zen incense powder yesterday and it was just so lovely and meditative. I’ve gotten so much enjoyment from all the little goodies you sent me. Thank you again!!

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    • Robin says:
      24 July 2017 at 4:04 pm

      That bottle is so cute. Hope you’ll like Girl.

      And wow, that is the steal of the decade.

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  34. Dilana says:
    4 January 2018 at 9:21 pm

    While not exactly a perfume, someone who wants to smell good for minimal bucks might try Olivenation Rose Water. (about 3.99)) It is very good for taking off make up and lasts well on the skin. It is also edible (or rather drinkable) and a few drops can be used instead of vanilla to change up deserts.

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  35. Michael says:
    25 March 2018 at 7:12 pm

    Such a lovely list. Thank you.

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