My first-ever fragrance was a holiday gift I got from my mom when I was 12. I had seen Ralph by Ralph Lauren in every teen magazine I read, but as an unemployed middle-schooler, I couldn’t afford it. That gift set off a tradition: I’d lust after a new scent all year, and ask for it come holiday time. I did this until I graduated collage and finally moved out.
But even now, as an adult — who more-or-less makes enough money to afford the expensive fragrances I fawn over after sniffing department store samples — I struggle to justify shelling out more than $100 on any of them. And in living by the law of fragrance frugality, I’ve learned that, like mascara and pizza, a fragrance doesn’t have to be expensive to be good.
Whether you’re a fan of spicy scents or sweet florals, there’s an affordable fragrance out there to match your vibe, and your budget. Ahead, the best under-$75 fragrances you won’t have to wait until the holidays to pick up.
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Philosophy Amazing Grace Eau de Toilette
You know the moment when you step out of the shower and just smell clean? Philosophy’s bottled that feeling to create its soft, floral cult-favorite fragrance. It has notes of bergamont, muguet blossoms, and musk.
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Ouai North Bondi Eau de Parfum
Ouai’s haircare products are a hit because they actually work, but their scents have also achieved cult-status. Luckily, founder and celebrity hairstylist Jen Atkin bottled up the fragrances into eau de parfums. North Bondi is a fresh floral scent with notes of bergamot, rose de mai, Italian lemon, violet, and white musk. It can be found in the brand’s dry shampoo, leave-in conditioner, and wave spray, among other products.
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Ariana Grande Cloud Eau de Parfum
This Ariana Grande scent is like a breath of fresh air. The juice includes notes of lavender blossom, pear, Crème De Coconut, praline, vanilla orchid, sensual musks, and creamy blonde woods. Not to mention, the bottle is ridiculously cute.
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Clean Reserve Classic Warm Cotton
Who would have thought that warm, cozy smell of fresh laundry would make for a great fragrance? Inspired by fresh-out-of-the-dryer clothes, Clean Reserve’s scent is a combination of bergamot, peony, and amber.
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By Rosie James Perfume
Hang on to those last warm summer days year round with a few spritzes of By Rosie Jane’s light, earthy fragrance. It has notes of fig, amber, and gardenia.
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Jennifer Lopez Promise Eau de Parfum
With notes of Italian tangerine, pink berries, nashi pear, honeysuckle, woods, and crystalized amber, J.Lo’s 25th fragrance is a floral woodsy scent that promises to become your new go-to.
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Nirvana Black
While CK One has become synonymous with the decade’s grunge-chic aesthetic, the gender-neutral fragrance transcends the test of time, thanks to its light but sensual scent.
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Glossier You
Heavy on base notes so that its scent doesn’t change as it dries down, Glossier’s You is designed to smell like well, you. The fragrance has a mix of ambrette, musk, and ambrox that melt with your skin’s natural smell.
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Maison Louis Marie Antridris Cassis Perfume Oil
A classic fruity fragrance, Maison Louis Marie’s roll-on oil has notes of cassis, white rose, tonka, and a dash of black pepper.
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