Frequently Asked Questions
Why are certain fragrances more expensive than others?
Fragrances have one of the widest price ranges in the beauty industry, from under-$10 options to prices that rival luxury hairstyling tools. (Seriously, some are more expensive than a Dyson Airwrap).
According to multiple perfumers, major factors in market price are ingredients and materials used to create the fragrance. “Ingredients such as orris, jasmine, rose, and vanilla are often among the costliest due to factors including limited availability, complex extraction processes, and the specific regions of the world where they are sourced,” says Caroline Sabas, senior perfumer at Givaudan.
Tiffany Champion, apprentice perfumer at Atwood Parfum, adds that the price of ingredients centers on the labor intensity required to obtain them, the rarity of the material, and whether they can be replicated with synthetics, “which in turn influences how much the perfume will cost.” That’s why natural materials like orris, jasmines, ouds, and ambergris tend to run pricier, according to Champion.
Kelly Kussman, founder of fragrance brand Cayla Gray, adds that the concentration of fragrance oil makes a major impact on price, which is why lower-concentration formulas like body sprays or eau de toilettes tend to be less expensive than eau de parfums and extraits. “An eau de parfum contains more fragrance oil and tends to last longer on skin,” she notes.
Additionally, both Kussman and Champion say pricing can sometimes come down to marketing tactics, regardless of quality. “In some cases, regardless of the integrity of the perfume, you’re paying for access to a name or for a perception of prestige attached to a certain product,” says Champion. “The prices are what they are because brands know people will pay the cost.”
Are there certain fragrance notes that are less expensive?
According to all three experts, the most affordable fragrance notes tend to be synthetic rather than directly derived from natural materials—but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. “[Synthetic fragrances] are often produced in large quantities through efficient manufacturing processes,” she says. “This makes them more consistent, readily available, and often more cost-effective than their natural counterparts.”
Champion also notes—hear her out—that synthetic fragrance notes can be beneficial for the environment. “Synthetics help relieve environmental strain that can be exacerbated with overharvesting, climate change, or political unrest, rendering certain materials endangered or obsolete,” she says.
Both Sabas and Champion note that some of the most common synthetic fragrances include hedione (an airy alternative to soft, floral jasmine) and vanillin (a synthetic with a similar scent profile to natural vanilla at a lower cost). “Iso E Super is a popular woody note that is widely available and frequently used in modern perfumery due to its versatility and accessibility,” adds Sabas.
How can I save money when buying perfume?
First off, always keep in mind that price does not equate quality. “The best fragrance is not always the most expensive one. It is the one that feels most like you,” says Kussman. Try eau de toilettes and body sprays, which have lower concentrations than traditional perfumes and, therefore, lower prices.
If you want to enjoy a higher-priced scent without shelling out too much of your hard-earned money, Champion’s biggest recommendation is to sample before committing. “To curb overconsumption, I encourage everyone to try a sample at 2 ml, upgrade to either 5 ml or 10 ml, and if you feel after that you can’t live without the perfume, eventually buy a full bottle.” This allows you to spend more time with the scent without heavily investing in a blend you might not love at first spritz.
There’s also a huge second-hand fragrance community to explore (with extreme discernment), according to Champion. “You can attend swaps in your area if they’re happening. If not, start one amongst your friends,” she adds. If you want to take the virtual route, just be sure to exercise caution when shopping secondhand online, as counterfeit fragrances and scams are not uncommon. Whenever possible, purchase from reputable sellers with extensive reviews, ask for proof of purchase or additional photos, and be wary of deals that seem too good to be true.
Meet the experts
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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.
Now, watch Off Campus star Ella Bright’s 10-minute routine for a fresh daytime look:
