The Secret to Smelling Expensive on a Budget

Whether you’re shimmying through a cloud of just-spritzed fragrance or slathering on a scented body oil, there’s something about the act of putting on perfume that feels inherently luxurious, regardless of its cost. Gone are the days of defining opulence by the price tag attached to prestige perfumes; scents that strike a balance between being elevated, well-formulated, and easy on the wallet are the new luxury.

Mid-pandemic, we witnessed a luxury fragrance boom. During those dark days of confinement, consumers purchased expensive scents as a much-needed mood-booster and a means of escapism. Fast-forward to 2025, and everything from the emergence of niche fragrance brands to the ebb and flow of the Lipstick Index to the rise of recession-indicating beauty trends (think pared-back hair dye jobs) suggests we’re undergoing a major shift in beauty across the board.

Scoring an affordable perfume that does more than deliver a burst of aromatic juice is the new fragrance frontier, and the concept of “luxury fragrance” has taken on a new meaning entirely. Does the fragrance present a unique scent profile? Is its formula impressive and innovative? Does it give off an air of sophistication without being overpriced? As it turns out, under-$100 scents that go the extra mile are more alluring than ever.

From Phlur’s thoughtfully crafted wallet-friendly body mists to Salt & Stone’s earthy, laid-back blends, the new wave of budget-friendly perfumes is here to level up your scent game—no luxury price tag required. The brands behind these accessible fragrances let you flex your scent style (and mood) without skimping on quality.

Scroll on for the under-$100 scents to add to your current fragrance rotation.

Solinotes Oud Wood Eau de Parfum

At once rich and resinous, oud is a staple note in luxury fragrances—but Solinotes’ mood-boosting Oud Wood captures its captivating essence for just $31. As the name implies, the starring note, oud, is joined by an enchanting blend of frankincense, pepper, myrrh, and musk.

Roger & Gallet Néroli Wellbeing Fragrant Water

French perfumer Roger & Gallet’s Neroli Wellbeing Fragrant Water is not your typical fragrance. Infused with natural neroli essence to help soothe and relax the body, this sophisticated scent opens up with fresh floral notes that settle into honeyed, creamy orange blossom in the dry down. Best of all? It will only set you back $34.

Phlur Mini Vanilla Skin Body & Hair Fragrance Mist

Doubling as a body and hair fragrance mist, Phlur’s mini Vanilla Skin ($34) scent makes a serious case for budget-friendly gourmand perfumes. Sugared crystals, cashmere wood and pink pepper notes add elements of warmth and spice, giving off a skin-like scent with a sensual twist.

Touchland Cashmere Woods Body & Hair Fragrance Mist

If you’re a fan of Touchland’s viral hand sanitizers, consider adding the brand’s latest skincare-infused mists—just $20—to your perfume collection. For an everyday scent that smells of delicious cream, classic vanilla and soothing jasmine, opt for Cashmere Woods.

Josie Maran Golden Hour Body + Hair Fragrance Mist

The recent launch of Josie Maran’s Cali Collection—featuring four hydrating hair and body mists—marks the brand’s first foray into the fragrance category, and at just $38,  trust us when we say it was worth the wait. Our favourite scent? Amber and white musk-noted Golden Hour, which you can pair with its matching Whipped Argan Oil Body Butter.

Maison Louis Marie No. 04 Bois de Balincourt Perfume Oil

Don’t sleep on rollerball perfumes, folks. Ideal for travel and quick touch-ups throughout the day, Maison Louis Marie’s roll-on No. 04 Bois de Balincourt Perfume Oil ($88) conjures up visions of a romantic stroll through a magical forest via notes of cedarwood, sandalwood accords, cinnamon and herbaceous vetiver.

Salt & Stone Santal & Vetiver Body Mist

With each spritz, this beloved body mist by Salt & Stone ($61) disperses a light layer of glycerin and red algae to replenish moisture in the skin. In its wake, the warm aromas of Australian sandalwood, amber, cedar and cardamom linger.

Ouai North Bondi Eau de Parfum

Brimming with bright notes of Italian lemon, jasmine and bergamot, Ouai’s North Bondi Eau de Parfum is for the “clean girl” fragrance lovers. With a name inspired by Australia’s picturesque Bondi Beach, this scent ($98) seeks to capture the crisp aroma of the seaside and the “wonder of Down Under.”