Splurge vs steal: Scents for every budget

Whether you’re on the hunt for a luxury fragrance or trying to save some cash, we’ve got you covered. Update your perfume collection with one of these beautiful scents:
Splurge: Donna Karan Cashmere Mist, 50mL, $116
This sure is one beautiful scent! The blend of Moroccan jasmine, lily of the valley and bergamot finishes off with sandalwood, amber and musk - and it works.
Save: The Body Shop Scents Of The World Perfume Oil, 15mL, $17.95
This alcohol-free perfume oil is spicy and seductive, combining notes of sandalwood, violet leaf, orange blossom and jasmine from India.
Splurge: Coach Poppy Flower, 100mL, $160
The chic, feminine fragrance layers fruity and floral notes to create a truly unique base. Wet ivy, citrus, lychee and cassis continue with jasmine, water lily, rose and musky peony before drying to a base of sugared raspberry, amberwood, musk, apricot and sandalwood.
Save: Essence Beach Cruisers, 100mL, $5.35
Transport yourself to paradise with this fruity spray that refreshes and invigorates the body.
Splurge: Aramis Gentleman, 110mL, $105
Want to know how to make your man smell irresistible? This light, contemporary fragrance combines the rich warmth of woods and exotic spices, laksa leaves, black pepper and ginger with a heart that fuses saffron, oregano and cedarwood.
Save: LYNX Dark Temptation Daily Fragrance, 100g, $5.99
The oriental undertones in this beauty are incredibly intoxicating, and it’s no wonder why - the scent is inspired by chocolate.
Splurge: Tommy Hilfiger Tommy Brights, 50mL, $55
Throw back to your younger days with notes of juniper berry and grapefruit, rose and musk. It’s your long-awaited island getaway in a bottle.
Save: Natio For Men Maximum Eau De Toilette, 50mL, $19.95
The mixture of lemon, olive flower, earthy guaiac wood and tonka bean make for one memorable scent.
Splurge: Essenze by Ermenegildo Zegna, 125mL, $250
If you’re a fan of earthy aromas, you’ve got to spritz this. With bergamot oil, neroli, rosemary and vetiver, it’s every nature lover’s dream.
Save: Lush Gorilla Hellstone Perfume, 7g, $25
When I sniff this, I think of freshly turned earth. The main note is vetiver, but that doesn’t stop the warm undertone of beeswax from filtering through.
Are you a saver or spender when it comes to perfume? Have you tried any of these fragrances before?
157 Member Comments
The list gets weirder as I scroll through..
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Lush perfumes are actually really good - and nearly all of them have great staying power.
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Steal all haha
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I could go the splurge and the steal fragrances, they are all nice. Love perfume.
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Some of these steals are really good info...tho I gladly splurge on perfume to be honest...
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Haven't tried any of the ones mentioned here. Looks great though
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I love the comparison.
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Generally I’d say that the budget fragrances were usually not to my liking, but I love The Body Shop White Musk range. It’s been my signature scent for many years now.
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Great article. I tend to prefer the splurge list, but the steal list is pretty good too.
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I always buy hubby the Lynx Dark Temptation, smells fantastic. I do splurge on cologne/perfume for special occasions though
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None of this makes sense. Don't like either of this kind fragrances.
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I always splurge on perfumes. Jo Malone is my weakness
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I’d rather splurge on a perfume that I really like. Lush’s Gorilla scent sounds gross! Freshly turned earth?!?
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I love the smell of Lynx Dark Temptation, unfortunately my partner says it is too sweet for him :(
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I would always go for the steal (cheaper ones). That way I could have a few to choose from rather than just one dearer one.
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I will have to check out The Body Shop perfume oil spray.
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I usually go for brand names when it comes to scents, though after trying some of the body shops's scents, I dragged hubby to the body shop , its enough of a brand as any other and they are natural and ethically sourced and last all day.
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I don't use perfume very often of i rather spend it on a good brand. A bottle can last me for years.
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i would steal all of it lol
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Wow definitely notice the pricing with both perfume's & they all sound nice except for the grapefruit one in Tommy's perfume not a fan of that especially when it's a sour taste & mixing that with other scents is not a good combination with that in it better left out that's my opinion.I like the cashmere mist I wouldn't mind getting this one just don't like the first two names on it but everything else about it yes.
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I love Impulse sprays ( steal) but I luuuurrveee my Christian Dior's Poison (splurge). I too have found that the cheaper scents don't quite go the distance ( but they are cheap enough that you can keep one in your purse,car etc to top up through the day =P )
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I don't buy fragrances all too often, one thing I will not stinge on is a quality scent. It makes all the difference.
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My daughter uses Lynx, she knows it's geared towards men but she don't care! And all her friends at school always tell her she smells so good.
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