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Like many items in our beauty stash, we think of our fragrances as investment pieces. But, as the best affordable perfumes have taught us, finding a signature scent doesn't have to be so pricey—in fact, most Allure editors swear by fragrances that won't even set you back more than $50. Not only do they offer a way to get variety into your scent rotation, but they also make a great gift for moms, sister, work wives, you get it.
Don't get us wrong, our love for luxury fragrances (hi, Tom Ford) runs deep, but if there's one lesson our team has learned through countless hours of testing scents, quality and price do not always go hand-in-hand. Take a look—and, maybe, a whiff—at all the Allure editor-approved affordable fragrances that prove smelling good doesn't have to drain your bank account.
Our Top Affordable Perfumes
- Best Spicy Fragrance: Dossier Oud & Rose on Fire, $39
- Best Gourmand Fragrance: Phlur Heavy Cream Body Mist, $38
- Best Fruity Fragrance: Sol de Janeiro Cheirosa 48 Perfume Mist, $39
- Best Berry Fragrance: Malin + Goetz Strawberry Perfume Oil, $40
- Best Vanilla Fragrance: Cyklar Vanilla Verve Perfume Oil, $24
- Best Floral Fragrance: Supersuite Gimmie Flowers Eau De Parfum Intense, $49
- Best Travel-Friendly Fragrance: NOYZ The Solid Fragrance, $42
Frequently Asked Questions
- How we test and review products
- Our staff and testers
Best Spicy Fragrance: Dossier Oud & Rose on Fire
Dossier
Oud & Rose on Fire
Amazon
Dossier
Allure commerce writer Lily Wohlner after applying Dossier’s Oud & Rose on Fire
Lily Wohlner
Why it's worth it: Dossier is best known for creating luxurious (but lower-priced) versions of high-end favorites, but Oud & Rose on Fire is an original. It leans into rich vibes (thanks to the oud) that are perfect for winter, but can easily be layered with lighter, fresher scents in warmer months, too. Pink pepper and saffron bring the spice, rose and musk add depth, and pear, vegan honey, and plum round it out for a balanced, never-overpowering finish. Its mix of spicy, floral, fruity, and warm notes makes it a universally appealing scent. Plus, it lingers all day, so no reapplying is necessary.
Tester feedback from commerce writer Lily Wohlner
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"This fragrance is my winter go-to, but I tried it in the summer and was surprised by how fresh and light the dry down felt—totally different from the first sniff. The rose brings in those floral notes I love, while a touch of musk adds depth. Sweet hints of honey round it out, keeping it sexy and feminine without ever feeling overpowering like some of the other fiery perfumes I own." —Lily Wohlner, commerce writer
More to know
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- Key notes: pink pepper, pear, honey, rose, oud, saffron, vanilla, musk, plum
- Sizes: 50 ml
Best Gourmand Fragrance: Phlur Heavy Cream Body Mist
Phlur
Heavy Cream Body Mist
Amazon
Nordstrom
Allure commerce editor Sarah Han after applying the Phlur Heavy Cream Body Mist
Sarah Han
Why it's worth it: Got a sweet tooth? Then we bet you'll get a craving for Phlur's Heavy Cream Body Mist. This gourmand body mist flips the script on the usual bake shop-inspired fragrance by adding two juicy, citrusy notes,lemon sugar and orange, into the mix to offset the sweetness. As it dries down, indulgent notes of coconut, vanilla mousse, salted caramel, and whipped cream shine through. wearable for the office or a dinner party, where friends will definitely notice (and probably compliment) your irresistible scent
Tester feedback from commerce editor Sarah Han
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"Judging by the name alone, I didn't think I would like Heavy Cream—I'm not a gourmand girl and typically go for lighter, brighter scents.But! Heavy Cream is the perfect dessert-y scent that I don’t find too overwhelming—it's like a bite of fluffy vanilla cake in scent form or the caramel latte I make at home every morning. And I love the hint of citrus I get as it settles into my skin, courtesy of a lemon sugar top note. Scrumptious." —Sarah Han, commerce editor
More to know
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- Key notes: lemon sugar, marshmallow, orange, jasmine, coconut, vanilla, vegan ambrettolide (synthetic musk), vanilla mousse, salted caramel, whipped cream
- Sizes: 8 fl oz, 3 fl oz
Best Fruity Fragrance: Sol de Janeiro Cheirosa 48 Perfume Mist
Sol de Janeiro
Cheirosa 48 Perfume Mist
Amazon
Ulta Beauty
Allure social media director Kassidy Silva after applying the Sol de Janeiro Cheirosa 48 Perfume Mist
Kassidy Silva
Why it's worth it: If smelling like a fresh bowl of fruit is your thing, you'll enjoy every spritz of Sol de Janeiro's Cheirosa 48 Perfume Mist. This TikTok-viral hit has taken over just about every beauty vlogger's fragrance rotation for its juicy, tropical fruit-inspired mix of guava nectar, coconut water, and lemon. Its ultra-fruity scent profile is balanced with hints of floral orchid, iris root (also known as orris), and musk to bring it back down to earth and offer an elegant twist.
Tester feedback from social media director Kassidy Silva
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"I will forever and always be a gourmand girl, but the Cheirosa 48 Perfume Mist pulled me into the fruity fragrance category this past summer.With a ripe splash of guava, hints of vanilla, and a dash of musk, this super sweet mist has been living in my workout bag.” —Kassidy Silva, social media director
More to know
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- Key notes: guava nectar, coconut water, lemon twist, sunlit orchid, orris (iris root), musk
- Sizes: 90 ml, 240 ml
Best Berry Fragrance: Malin + Goetz Strawberry Perfume Oil
Malin + Goetz
Strawberry Perfume Oil
Amazon
Nordstrom
Allure commerce producer Sarah Hoffmann after applying the Malin + Goetz Strawberry Perfume Oil
Sarah Hoffmann
Why it's worth it: Contrary to its name, Malin + Goetz's Strawberry Perfume Oil isn't your average, rooty-tooty-fresh-and-fruity scent. Sure, this rollerball starts with a burst of strawberry and bergamot, but this fragrance is far from ultra-fruity, thanks to hints of spicy pink pepper, musk, and a blend of herbaceous, earthy greens like oakmoss and orris root.
Tester feedback from commerce producer Sarah Hoffmann
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"I've written about the spray version of this fragrance before, but I think the perfume oil is on its own level of specia.It's much greener than you'd expect—there's a hint of berry sweetness but it's mostly a vegetal, fresh fragrance to me. Whenever I wear it, I like to think I smell like I spent all morning handling a bunch of farmers' market strawberries, gently arranging them into some gorgeous, rustic strawberry tart, and the scent of the juices and stems melted into my skin and lingered all day long." —Sarah Hoffmann, commerce producer
More to know
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- Key notes: strawberry, bergamot, pink pepper, jasmine, cedarwood, oakmoss, musk, orris root
- Size: .2 fl oz
Best Vanilla Fragrance: Cyklar Vanilla Verve
Cyklar
Vanilla Verve
Amazon
Cyklar
Allure shopping director Shanna Shipin applying Cyklar’s Vanilla Verve
Shanna Shipin
Why it’s worth it: The appealing price tag is just the cherry on top for Cyklar Perfume Oil in Vanilla Verve. A 2025 Best of Beauty Award winner, this perfume oil captures every sugary, spicy nuance of vanilla, made even richer and more irresistible with a generous touch of cardamom, amber, and tonka bean. It’s a bold scent best enjoyed up close—musk and ambrette seed help the creamy notes meld seamlessly with your skin, creating a warm, personal, and addictive fragrance.
Tester feedback from senior director of commerce Shanna Shipin
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“This is a grown-up vanilla—she’s layered, sexy, and loyal. Real talk: Before it ever came my way in Best of Beauty testing, singer Gracie Abrams influenced me to get this perfume. I was interviewing her, and she smelled like creamy cardamom meets spicy vanilla, and I was hooked. I love how small these bottles are, too. You can toss them into your bag and invest in a few of them to layer without breaking the bank.” —Shanna Shipin, senior director of commerce
More to know
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- Key notes: vanilla, bergamot, green cardamom, heliotrope, amber, musk
- Sizes: 15 ml
Best Floral Fragrance: Supersuite Gimmie Flowers Eau De Parfum Intense
Supersuite
Gimmie Flowers Eau De Parfum Intense
Ulta Beauty
Allure associate social media manager Katie Gunderman applying the Supersuite Gimmie Flowers Eau De Parfum Intense
Katie Gunderman
Why it’s worth it: There’s a floral fragrance for every time and place—and when you mean business, Supersuite Gimmie Flowers is the way to go. Like the perfectly tailored blazer of girly scents, the slightly sweet scent pairs elegant gardenia with bright orange flower and creamy coconut and vanilla for a fresh hue. Expensive-smelling, complex, and long-lasting, it’s the confidence-boosting scent to wear if you’re asking for a raise (get the vibe?).
Tester feedback from associate social media manager Katie Gunderman
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“I usually don’t enjoy intense floral perfumes but Supersuite Gimme Flowers is amazingly refreshing. It has notes of gardenia and coconut that are a perfect light scent that reminds me of spring. The packing is also adorable and I love reaching for it.” —Katie Gunderman, associate social media manager
Tester feedback from Silva
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“I typically don't reach for a floral scent, but Supersuite Gimmie Flowers is a new favorite in my rotation. It's the ideal fragrance for layering with notes of gardenia, orange flower, and coconut, that I can mix to lean more sweet or go 'full floral.'” —Kassidy Silva, social media director
More to know
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- Key notes: bergamot, water fruits, mineral accord, gardenia, orange flower, jasmine, coconut, vanilla, amber
- Sizes: 1.7 fl oz
Best Travel-Friendly Fragrance: NOYZ The Solid Fragrance in Unmute
Noyz
The Solid Fragrance in Unmute
Ulta Beauty
Revolve
Allure features director Dianna Mazzone Singh applying the NOYZ The Solid Fragrance
Dianna Mazzone Singh
Why it’s worth it: Noyz’s Solid Fragrance in Unmute makes smelling fresh effortless. Its easy-to-apply stick melts into your skin with the first swipe, and the matte, velvety texture means no oily residue like perfume oils can leave behind. Toss it in your purse, carry-on, or work bag—it even has a magnetic cap, so you never have to worry about spills or messes. The scent is a sweet, sophisticated blend of black plum, vanilla, and amber, with just a hint of earthy clary sage, perfect for on-the-go freshness.
Tester feedback from features director Dianna Mazzone Singh
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"There's something so chic and discreet about applying a solid fragrance. I've dabbed Noyz The Solid Fragrance Detour on my inner wrists at my desk and in the back of cabs. The scent itself—apple blossom and musk—smells like a summer day." —Dianna Mazzone Singh
Tester feedback from senior beauty editor Jesa Marie Calaor
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"Having this fragrance solid in my clutch is the perfect pick-me-up. Swiping it along my pulse points while I’m on a date or out with friends makes me feel put-together and ready for the night ahead. This scent—a blend of plum with amber and vanilla—layers beautifully with most of my fragrances. Even better, this balm isn’t sticky or greasy like some of the others I’ve tried and leaves behind no residue." —Jesa Marie Calaor
More to know
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- Key notes: vanilla, amber, Indonesian cassia, black plum, sage, pistachio, crisp amber
- Sizes: .24 oz
Frequently Asked Questions
How we test and review products
When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that’s included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.
For our list of the best affordable perfumes, we considered each product’s performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, fragrance, texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors—along with special consideration from two dermatologists. To learn more information on our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the "best" for people over 50 if the only testers we've solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it's never been tested on curls? We're proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.
