“She smelled like cheap perfume” and so do I!

“She smelled like cheap perfume” is a quick and lazy way to denote that someone is slightly trashy in an unremarkable novel. Personally, I’m a fan of inexpensive fragrance and I don’t think they make me smell cheap either. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve got a few luxury bottles tucked away, many of which were gifted and much treasured. However, with the cost-of-living being a constant fun sponge, I thought it would be a good time to help you don your affordable fragrance armour.

Since we women already secretly rule the world, we’re going to need a little something just for us. You needn’t cut perfume out of your life when times are tough. It’s our personality and our self esteem and a bit of keep-your-head-high. You deserve it without going to the wall. You can trust me on this one. I’ve been poorer than it is fashionable to admit and unlike some property show presenters, I have a realistic view of ordinary life. Come with me round the shops. Let’s get you something nice and still have change for chips on the way home. But no cod – have you seen the price of cod?

Avon Tomorrow

A tender and feminine blend of peach, musk and sandalwood, this reminds me of Givenchy Organza, sans gardenia, although I am not in the business of encouraging you to chase smellalikes as that feels like pirating. However, if you like Organza and you ever wished it had more peaches, then this is a very safe bet for around £19. You have to buy it online or from an Avon rep, but that’s easy. I do it all the time.

Calvin Klein Obsession For Women

I wore this to death in the 90s and je ne regrette rien. I recently discovered an adorable 30ml EDP bottle on Perfume Click for the princely sum of £18.00. It’s the cutest bottle and a little goes along way. In case you haven’t tried it, it’s a deep, spicy amber and you don’t need much!

SJP Stash

This is the cheapie that smells like it’s high-end niche, for a teeny tiny price. This is layers and layers of aromatic woods, a breeze of frankincense and a note that smells slightly earthy and rough, giving it a kind of hand made feel that you don’t usually get for such a small price. It’s getting harder to find now so if you find it, get some. It’s currently in The Fragrance Shop for £14.85 for 100ml EDP.

SJP Lovely

I rate this affordable beauty very highly. Sarah Jessica Parker is elbow deep in her perfume creations, and does so much more than attend a meeting and do a sign off. Working closely with perfumers Clement Gavarry and Laurent Le Guernec to produce a “silky white amber”, this, and its many replacement bottles, has been in my collection for nearly twenty years. It’s a floral without being flowery, it’s a light musk with patchouli nuances, it’s woody with a warm amber finish. It works in the day and it works at night. It’s an all rounder that offers incredible value for money, and despite its low price, it never smells cheap. You can buy it here, where it’s currently £10.45 for a 50ml bottle, or on your local High Street.

Coty L’Aimant

This one comes up in my top ten round ups all the time. It was originally made in 1927, three years after Chanel No 5 came out and despite a few differences (not least in price) they are cut from the same genre of cloth. This is a good classic soapy floral that lasts ages (especially on fluffy cardigans) and costs around £8.55. Don’t be put off by the Parfum de Toilette strength, this chic little flapper has muscles like a ballerina.

Cacharel Anais Anais

If you want to smell clean as a whistle and as if you sleep in a bed of white flowers, then you can do so for around £17. It’s been around since the seventies and still smells the same, but don’t confuse it with Anais Anais Eau Délices, which is different and sweeter. This is another one with staying power. I always feel terribly grown up and ladylike when I wear it. By the way, to save embarrassment, ask for An-AY-EESE, An-AY-EESE. Do not say anus. You can buy this from Perfume Click for £17.25 for 30ml of EDP

Davidoff Cool Water For Her

You can usually get a bottle of this eau de toilette for under £20 if you shop around. It’s an airy fresh marine scent that works in just about every situation. It’s a good one to buy for teens or when you don’t want to wear something heavy and seductive. You can buy it here for £12.70 for 30ml of EDT. There are some nice gift sets around too.

Calvin Klein Contradiction

I bought this on the recommendation of the legendary Portia Turbo of Australian Perfume Junkies and could not believe the quality of it-vs-the small price it cost me. It smells like a woody rose sorbet in an icy cold glass. The bottle is very 90s skyscraper and two years ago, I had change from £20 for a 50ml bottle of EDP. Great for daytime. Not a massive room filler, but very pretty, long lasting and smells more expensive than it cost. You can buy it here for £22 for 100ml of EDP.

Elizabeth Arden Green Tea

Believe it or not, this bargain classic was created by the legendary Francis Kurkdjian (of MFK Baccarat Rouge 540 fame, but this is NOT similar) and its light hasn’t dimmed since its inception 25 years ago. The reason for this is that it is a simple, well made green tea fragrance that is hard to beat in hot sultry weather. You might not want this in November (although I do), but in summer you’ll wear it out and everyone will think you are sparklingly fresh. It’s an eau de parfum and like many hesperides, staying power is only ever decent, rather than extraordinary. You won’t get a whole day out of it, but it’s around fifteen quid for a big bottle so you can overspray, have cheeky top ups and still pay the gas bill. Well some of it anyway. It’s easy to find in many shops or you can order it from here. I’ve tried many of the flankers too and they are all fabulous (and cheap). I particularly liked the Nectarine one.

Honourable mentions

You can already read several reviews of affordable perfume here on the blog. I don’t recommend things I wouldn’t buy myself, so you’re in safe hands. These are all well under £20 ( some under £10 even!) and worth every penny, IMO.

Avon Attraction Instinct For Her

Avon Perfect Nonsense Choco Tuberose

Lionel Ritchie Hello

Avon Perfect Nonsense Peppery Peaches

Avon Far Away Beyond The Moon

Avon Attraction Desire

Giorgio Red

Avon Far Away Beyond Parfum

More Bargain Perfume Tips

If you’re ever in Next, H&M or Zara try their fragrances. You can pick up purse sprays for just a few pounds if you don’t want to blind buy a full bottle, something Avon does now too. Don’t overlook celebrity fragrances- many of the world’s greatest perfumers are behind them. If you’re lucky enough to have a Bodycare, Savers or TK Maxx near you, use them! I’ve had a lot of bargains from all three. Also, if something is very cheap it might be a clue that it’s about to be discontinued so snap up a few.

Disclosure

None of these were gifted to me and the list is all my own. I use Awin affiliate links, so I may earn a small commission if you use some of these hyperlinks, although not all are affiliated. All images are from the brand, albeit with some collage making and background editing from me.