How to: save on fragrances
20th June 2023
How to save on fragrances
Looking to snap up the latest celebrity scents and those timeless classics? Here’s how to do it for less
Coco Chanel once boldly declared: ‘A woman who doesn’t wear perfume has no future.’ And who are we to disagree? It’s true, that a spritz of the right scent can give us confidence, complete an outfit and make an impression.
And while perfume can be an expensive luxury, it doesn’t have to be. Yes, there is a tantalising array of options on the market, from Chanel’s classic scents to endless celebrity-endorsed favourites and elegant bottles created by perfumers steeped in history.
But there are also many ways to save on fragrances so that you can gift yourself with the scents you love, from finding a fabulous sale on fragrances to discovering sneaky alternatives at lower prices. Read on for our top tips.
Find good dupes!
One of the best ways to save on fragrances is to find good imitations that can replicate the scent of your favourite fragrances. OK, so it’s not an original perfume or eau de toilette, but some of the alternatives can be just as fabulous at a much lower price point.
Two of the UK’s bestselling brands can help you find fragrances that are similar to some well-known perfumes. Avon is a familiar favourite, with a collection of perfumes that are high-quality and long-lasting.
We recommend snapping up the delectable Avon Eve Truth Perfume. With a combination of delicate peony, sumptuous pomegranate, and sweet cedarwood, it shares a similar scent to Daisy by Marc Jacobs. Fresh, floral and fruity, it is the perfect everyday scent, lasting throughout the day with just a couple of sprays.
Superdrug, also a great spot to pick up fragrances to suit every budget, including its own brand of scents.
Right now, our favourite is the Superdrug Layering Lab Body Mist Exotic, which has a similar scent to Yves Saint Laurent Black Opium, a fresh and tropical fragrance that you can choose to wear alone or layer up with other fragrances.
If you’re searching for a more sensual scent, the Superdrug Layering Lab Eau De Toilette Blossom is a great choice. It has a similar aroma to the Alien scent by Thierry Mugler, a floral perfume with notes of jasmine, cashmeran wood and white amber, but at a much more affordable price.
Look for flash sales
If your heart is set on original perfumes and not dupes, then flash sales are a fantastic way of finding your favourite fragrances at really low prices.
You can often find great sale opportunities at stores with a wide-ranging selection of scents, such as The Perfume Shop and Boots. They stock some of the biggest designer brands and regularly reduce prices to clear stock.
With more than 2,200 stores, there is always a Boots store near you, and the website is easy to use and packed with fantastic brands.
The Perfume Shop is another great site to search for perfume deals, ranging from student discounts to VIP special offers. The brand provides perfumes from over 130 different luxury brands at affordable prices, making it the ideal place to discover your next scent.
One of our top choices right now is Jimmy Choo Flash Eau de Parfum. This fresh and fruity scent has a warm and rich depth, underlined by a base of heliotrope and blond woods. It’s an oil-based perfume, meaning a long-lasting fragrance that stays with you all night long. Look out for it during the next flash sale at Boots or The Perfume Shop and pick it up at an incredible discount.
Opt for a body mist
While applying a splash of perfume is great for special occasions, body mists are a fantastic option for everyday wear.
Body mists are a lighter, softer version of perfumes and aren’t so intense. But they are also priced much lower, making them an ideal option if you’re looking for something you can spritz liberally every day.
Sephora has a great selection of body mists that you can use for a light and more airy fragrance, all at great prices.
Rituals is all about creating luxurious yet affordable products, following its philosophy of ‘the art of soulful living’. Try The Ritual of Karma Hair and Body Mist. Perfect for use on both hair and skin, this delicate mist is a summery option, perfect to take you from warm days and long nights. Just a few sprays will envelop you in the sweet floral scent of holy lotus and white tea.
Unlike many perfumes, the Karma body mist contains no alcohol, so it’s ideal for sensitive skin. You can also combine the body mist with other Karma products from Rituals for a more powerful fragrance.
Search high street drug stores
Looking for the cheapest places to buy perfume? You may find the answer on the high street.
Drug stores and pharmacies often have great selections of top-quality perfumes, and because they are less popular than the more famous shops, you can sometimes find a great deal.
Whether you’re visiting a chain drug store or an independent brand, you’ll likely find some great designer perfume options, as well as some more unusual brands and names - it’s a great way to discover new scents you wouldn’t otherwise have considered.
Find your perfect perfume
Whether you’re heading to work, running everyday errands, or wondering what to wear for a special occasion, a girl can’t go without her favourite perfume!
Whether you’re looking for everyday freshness or a seductive scent, by exploring a sale on fragrances, finding good dupes, scouring local pharmacies, and using body mists, you can get the perfume you deserve without spending a fortune.
Coco Chanel’s declaration may be a little strong, but we’re firm believers that with the right scent, you can lift your spirits, feel fresh and be ready to face the day (or night).