Trust Me: These 23 Affordable Perfumes Smell Really Expensive

This perfume recently went viral on TikTok as a dupe for a certain sandalwood designer scent that is over 10 times the price tag. It's consistently going out of stock, so act fast. 

Key notes: Cardamom, cinnamon leaf, cedarwood, and sandalwood

Size: 50ml

Pros: Designer dupe

Cons: Needs a few sprays to linger on skin

Customer review: "Love this. Smells both spicy and clean and is such good value for money!"

Commodity is fast becoming one of the Who What Wear UK team's favourite fragrance brands, with each scent coming in three intensities (Personal, Expressive and Bold) to suit your preferences on how far you want your fragrance to project around you. Milk is beauty editor Eleanor Vousden's current favourite. "Milk (Expressive) is the most delicious vanilla-steeped milky scent I've tried," she says. "It melts into the skin with a sweet (but not saccharine) creamy trail that has since gotten me compliments whenever I wear it."

Key notes: Marshmallow, sesame, tonka bean, milk

Size: 10ml

Pros: Relatively new scent

Cons: Can be too sweet smelling

Customer review: "It’s like a warm hug! The scent is incredibly comforting and inviting, reminiscent of freshly poured milk with a touch of sweetness."

Imagine the most luxurious everything shower and you can imagine exactly how this smells. Upon spritzing you feel like you've just stepped out from a steamy shower after lathering up with a bubbly shower gel and cocooned yourself in a fluffy robe. Perfect for those who love a clean-smelling scent that lasts all day.

Key notes: Sea spray, orange blossom, neroli and grapefruit

Size: 30ml

Pros: Fresh, clean scent

Cons: Have to reapply after a few hours

Customer review: "Really lovely perfume, good price and perfect size for a daily spray to keep in your handbag."

My sister introduced me to this fresh, fruity perfume and it truly is a delight. With hints of apple, orange and pink grapefruit alongside a floral bouquet of rose, jasmine, violet and peony, it's vibrant and uplifting. 

Key notes: Apple, orange, and pink grapefruit

Size: 90ml

Pros: One of the least expensive perfumes on the list

Cons: Have to reapply after a few hours

Zara perfumes are something of a beauty-editor secret, and trust me—the scents truly defy their modest price tags. Again, there are plenty to choose from depending on your scent preferences (Nude Bouquet is another favourite of mine), but this one made the cut as it's essentially a straight-up dupe of Maison Francis Kurkdjian Baccarat Rouge 540, with notes of orange blossom, coffee, and vanilla.

Key notes: Saffron, coriander, bitter orange, praline

Size: 80ml

Pros: Smells exactly like Baccarat Rouge 540

Cons: Some reviewers found it too strong for their tastes

If your heart is set on an expensive perfume but you don't want your bank account to take the hit, then chances are Noted Aroma's will have an inspired scent. This one is inspired by Byredo's much-loved Mohave Ghost, and comes in at a purse-friendly price point at just £20 for 50ml.

Key notes: Ambrette, magnolia, violet, sandalwood, ambergris, cedar

Size: 50ml

Pros: The fruity freshness works well layered with more woodsy notes

Cons: Doesn't last very long on the skin

Customer review: "It smells so gorgeous... It's sweet but not too sweet, it's intense but not overwhelming. It has this touch of incense that makes it mysterious."

Two of our editors laid out their favourite perfumes of all times and both mentioned this scent. The key notes of dark rum, honey, and vanilla bean are balanced to perfection. The expertise of the formulation is evident in the fact that this sweet scent doesn't feel cloying. 

Key notes: Dark rum, honey, and vanilla bean

Size: 10ml

Pros: Vanilla base means it'll pair well with other scents

Cons: Can be a little too subtle for some

Customer review: "My favourite perfume. Every time I wear this I get compliments from everyone. I also smell it on myself all day, which is key for me as I want to smell this incredible smell myself."

Lovers of sweet, gourmand perfumes that are good enough to eat will love this. It smells rather like Kilian's Angel Share, with blooming apricot flower, jasmine, smooth vanilla bourbon, moss and a swirl of mouth-watering caramel.

Key notes: Apricot flower, jasmine, vanilla bourbon, moss, and caramel

Size: 80ml

Pros: Reviewers say people constantly compliment them on their scent

Cons: Can be too strong to others

It might sound obvious, but a good hack for finding high quality but affordable perfumes is to purchase them in smaller sizes. London-based perfume brand Floral Street offers all of its scents in travel-friendly, 10-millilitre bottles, which is a great way to confirm that you really love a scent before committing to the full size. I'm a big fan of this brand for unusual scents, but I think Neon Rose is a real crowd-pleaser—a fresh, green floral.

Key notes: Apple blossom, sichuan pepper, jasmine, and juniper berry

Size: 10ml

Pros: Pocket size, perfect for travel

Cons: The sichuan pepper note is a little overpowering

Following the arrival of Sephora in the UK we had to include at least one of their perfumes in our offerings. The travel size is useful to keep on you for touch ups throughout the day, or to test-drive the scent before committing to the bottle. Combined, the pear, jasmine and freshly-cut grass are lush and vibrant. 

Key notes: Pear, jasmine, grass

Size: 7ml

Pros: Perfect handbag size

Cons: Too small to really get the full taste of the scent

Customer review: "This is one of the freshest and cleanest perfumes I've ever worn. It's a perfect everyday perfume, and the perfume lasts FOREVER. I put it on one afternoon and could still smell it just as strong the next morning."

I'm so impressed with what a sophisticated scent this is, considering the price point. With powerful base notes of patchouli, amber, and vanilla, it's warm, vibrant, and makes a genuinely head-turning evening fragrance. It sells out a lot, so do be sure to keep an eye out for restocks.

Key notes: Guava, pink freesia​, rose , saffron, jasmine​, patchouli, amber, vanilla

Size: 50ml

Pros: Very young and youthful smelling

Cons: Sells out all the time

I'm pretty sure every girl who grew up in the '90s would be familiar with The Body Shop's White Musk perfume (it's still available, by the way!). Trust me, though—this black version is like white musk's cool older sister. It contains sweet pear, spicy pink pepper, and heady bergamot, and it smells incredible. Honestly, I had a colleague who used to wear this, and I lost count of the number of times people asked her what she was wearing. It's that good.

Key notes: Pink pepper, ylang-ylang, musk, vanilla

Size: 30ml

Pros: Lasts all day on skin

Cons: Perhaps not for you if you don't like musks

Way more than bath bombs and fresh face masks, Lush have a decent offering of affordable perfumes too. This sandalwood and olibanum scent is a fabulous autumn or winter fragrance.

Key notes: Sandalwood and olibanum

Size: 30ml

Pros: Scent isn't too strong for everyday wear

Cons: Although some reviewers say it smells like a body mist rather than a perfume

It won't last as long as a proper eau de parfum, but there are some incredible body mists on the market right now if you don't mind committing to some top ups throughout the day. This sweet, cherry-blossom scent is as uplifting as it is calming and makes a great addition to my desk-side beauty stash.

Key notes: Cherry blossom and rice milk

Size: 50ml

Pros: The cherry blossom scent is very evident and so refreshing

Cons: As it's a mist it needs to be reapplied throughout the day

I'm a huge fan of Estée Lauder's iconic Bronze Goddess perfume which comes out every year, but this affordable scent from French skincare brand Nuxe is a close second. It has notes of orange blossom, vanilla, and magnolia, and has that vibrant, tropical feel that gives me an instant mood boost on grey, drizzly days.

Key notes: Orange blossom, vanilla, and magnolia

Size: 30ml

Pros: The perfect fruity holiday scent

Cons: Can be a little too sweet for sensitive noses

Customer review: "My go to perfume just love the smell, not overpowering just perfect for everyday or special occasion."

Yes, it's another Marks & Spencer scent—what can I say? They're brilliant. This is one of the richest perfumes in the range and it's perfect if you love expensive-smelling, spicy amber scents with hints of bold white florals.

Key notes: Neroli, amber

Size: 100ml

Pros: Smells super expensive

Cons: A strong smell, so may not be great for everyone

Customer review: "A lovely scent, it is very similar to Chanel No 5. It does not last very long but at that price you can afford to re apply!"

This beautiful scent smells so expensive, it's hard to believe the price. It's light, floral freshness is cut with a sweet warmth that makes this a versatile perfume for all seasons. Delicate but wonderfully powerful at the same time, it's deceptively modern. 

Key notes: White musk, neroli, ginger, orange blossom, and jasmine

Size: 50ml

Pros: Has a strong sillage

Cons: Some reviewers say that the fresh notes seems to overpower the fruity ones

Customer review: "I recently tried the Caudalie Thé des Vignes Fresh Fragrance whilst in a very hot country, and found that the scent had a lasting one though floral, it isn't too sweet and definitely more on the herby fresh end. There are whiff of neroli but the white musk is much stronger."

If you love Glossier You and its unique ability to carve out a personalised scent for all, it might be time for you to pick up their refillable (yes refillable) travel-friendly, solid compact. Oh so heavenly both in scent and affordability. 

Key notes: Ambrox, ambrette, musk, iris root, and pink pepper.

Size: 3g

Pros: Refillable and easy to apply

Cons: Not a traditional spray so some may not like this

Customer review: "I have received so many compliments since I started wearing Glossier and honestly don't ever want to stop using ... I love the scent so much!! "

I have a sweet spot for vanilla scents and this one from Kayali, the fragrance line from beauty mogul Mona Kattan, is up there with the best of them. It's creamy and sugary (thanks to brown sugar and Brazilian tonka) but also heady with florals from vanilla orchid, patchouli and musk. But most of all it's utterly comforting and available in a petite 10ml bottle for on-the-go application. 

Key notes: Brown sugar, tonka bean, and musk

Size: 10ml

Pros: Very long-lasting scent

Cons: So strong that it stays on clothes, which some reviewers did not like

Customer review: "Such a gorgeous long lasting scent. Initially smells spicy but dries down to a warm sweet vanilla. Lasts so long on clothes as well."

I am a real sucker for a Sol de Janeiro mist and wore the Radiance Perfume Mist all last summer. This one bottles the brand's trademark gourmand scent—a mouthwatering blend of caramelised vanilla, toasted macadamia nut, coconut blossoms and sea salt. It is totally joy-inducing and the perfect antidote to the cold weather. 

Key notes: Vanilla, toasted macadamia, and tonka bean

Size: 90ml

Pros: Warm vanilla notes that last

Cons: Some reviews thought the notes were too similar

Customer review: "Absolutely love this fragrance. I get compliments almost every time I wear this."

Another & Other Stories perfume I love (and always get compliments on) is Perle De Coco. Creamy coconut, warm vanilla and sweet, sugary caramel blend together to make the most delicious gourmand scent for the summer months.

Key notes: Vanilla, caramel

Size: 50ml

Pros: Subtle scent for days when you don't need much

Cons: Too subtle for some reviewers

Perfume for warm and sunny days, this bright fruity scent is an instant mood-booster. Plus, unlike many body mists, it's potently scented and lasts just as long as a perfume does.

Key notes: Mango, black currant, pink pepper, orris flower, jasmine sambac, and black lotus

Size: 89ml

Pros: Scent lingers all day and night

Cons: Some testers found the scent difficult to fully wash off

Customer review: "This is so beautiful. It’s the perfect summer scent. It’s very tropical."

This mood-boosting scent from Clarins features fruity, floral notes to awaken your senses. Think citrus, ginger, jasmine, rose, cedarwood and patchouli.

Key notes: Citrus, ginger, jasmine, rose, cedarwood and patchouli

Size: 50ml

Pros: Uplifting fragrance boosts your mood

Cons: May be too citrusy for some