7 Affordable Perfumes that Don’t Smell Cheap

Cheap perfume is a phrase that typically holds a negative connotation—but in 2024, there are actually a ton of affordable perfume options that smell as good as high end fragrances. 

No matter what your favorite fragrance notes are, you can find a budget friendly perfume option. Here are seven of my favorites for all different moods and preferences. 

1. Good Chemistry Queen Bee ($26.99)

Good Chemistry perfumes are clean, cruelty free and vegan— on top of being easy on the wallet! Queen Bee is a mix of fruity and florals, with notes of black currant, peony, and amber. It’s vibrant and reminds me a little bit of sweet champagne. It’s light and fresh, but with a hint of warmth to round it out. It reminds me a little bit of Daisy by Marc Jacobs, but with the balance leaning a little more emphasis on the fruity vs. floral. This is also available in a body mist fragrance spray for a lighter application (and lower cost!).

2. Fine’ry I’m a Musk ($29.99)

This one is for the risk takers who shy away from florals and fruity fragrances. I’m A Musk is described to smell like fluffy musk, cotton blossom and creamy sandalwood. To me, this smells both sweet and almost smoky. It has mixed reviews online— many the negative reviews mentioning that people think it smells like pickles. I hear this a lot when it comes to sandalwood-forward fragrances of all prices… some people just register it as pickles. I’m lucky that my nose doesn’t file it that way and to me, it smells almost like reading a library book with a scented candle nearby. Once this dries down, it’s very subtle.

3. NatureWell Body & Hair Mist ($19.98 for 2-pack)

If you spend time on social media, you may know about the very popular Sol De Janiero Cheriosa fragrance mist (and the teenagers raiding Sephora to get their hands on it!). While I love the tropical, sweet  and creamy scent… I don’t love the price tag! Luckily, the NatureWell Body & Hair Mist has become my go-to alternative at less than half the cost— a two pack goes for just under $20 at Sam’s Club! The first impression consists of pistachio cream, almond blossom, and Brazil nut, settling into creamy cupuacu, beach jasmine and coconut. Base notes of salted caramel, sun-bleached driftwood and solar musk give it lasting warmth and sweetness. It’s summer vacation in a bottle, and such an addictive scent! I suggest layering it with their Cheeky Cream for the ultimate wear time.

4. Good Chemistry Coffee Cloud ($26.99)

Coffee is one of my favorite smells, so when I heard about Coffee Cloud from Good Chemistry, I knew I needed it. The notes include bergamot, espresso and cedarwood for a cozy, subtle sweetness and warm woody dry down. There is a musky aspect to it, but it’s really only to add balance and isn’t prominent. It reminds me of sitting in a cafe that’s also baking sweets. You can get it in a body mist, too.

5. Fine’ry Before the Rainbow ($29.99)

Before the Rainbow reminds me of the song “August” by Taylor Swift. It’s described as salty air, bergamot and tree moss and just gives sunset at the beach vibes. Don’t be afraid of the “salty” scent, as it doesn’t actually smell like ocean water. More like how the air smells after rain— earthy and sweet with a citrus twist. It does slightly remind me of a men’s body wash, and could definitely pass as a unisex scent. It’s also available in a body mist. 

6. Pacifica Passion Fruit Spray Perfume ($27)

This one is for the girly girls out there who want to smell sweet enough to eat. Top notes include bergamot, passionfruit, watermelon and pineapple, settling into middle notes of orange blossom, rose and ginger. The base notes of sandalwood, vanilla and musk give it a little bit of balance and make the long term scent a little warmer. It’s very feminine, juicy and upbeat. 

7. Dossier Floral Honeysuckle ($39)

Dossier is known for creating high quality fragrances inspired by designer perfumes. Floral Honeysuckle is their take on Gucci Bloom, which I’ve owned. Compared side by side, I hardly noticed a difference. The top notes are green leaves, orange and honeysuckle, followed by middle notes of jasmine sambac and tuberose. Base notes that linger are orris, sandalwood and vanilla. This seriously smells like sticking your nose into a fresh bouquet of flowers— incredibly fresh without being powdery.