11 Affordable Perfumes That Smell Really Expensive

Over the years we've racked up quite the collection of luxury perfume. Some of our all-time faves? The powdery notes in Maison Francis Kurkdjian Baccarat Rouge 450 or the smoky fruit of Tom Ford Lost Cherry. And while they smell amazing, last for hours, and look extra fancy on a clean vanity, refilling our favorite luxury scents can quickly rack up a hefty bill (with some even ringing up at over $300 bucks).

The truth is: a good fragrance doesn't have to break the bank, and a solid collection has room for all the icons and some luxury alternatives that still smell really good. If you're on the hunt for a new scent that won't break your monthly budget, we rounded up some of our favorite affordable options that are similar to some popular high-end faves. Read on for our top luxury-smelling perfumes that you can shop in between your luxury fragrance splurges.

The best 11 perfumes that are luxury for less, at a glance

• Best overall: Dossier Ambery Saffron, $80
• Most similar to Tom Ford Lost Cherry: Fine’ry Not Another Cherry, $37
• Most similar to Maison Francis Kurkdjian Baccarat Rouge 540: Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Crush Cheirosa ’68 Beija Flor Fragrance Mist, $38
• Most similar to YSL Black Opium: Oakcha Midnight Nymph, $35
• Most similar to Le Labo Santal 33: Cremo Palo Santo Eau de Toilette, $24
• Most similar to KAYALI Vanilla 28: Bath and Body Works Viva Vanilla, $19
• Most similar to Kilian Love, Don’t Be Shy: ALT Fragrances Bold Love, $60
• Most similar to Glossier You: Le Monde Gourmand Fleur de Blonde Eau de Parfum, $25
• Most similar to Jo Malone Wood Sage + Sea Salt: Aromapassions Nature, $79
• Most similar to Giorgio Armani My Way: Zara Sublime Epoque, $36
• Most similar to Lake & Skye Santal Gray Eau de Parfum: Pacifica Neon Moon Spray Perfume, $22

Shop the best luxury-smelling perfume dupes for less

Best Overall: Dossier Ambery Saffron — $51.00

Key notes: saffron, orange blossom, cedarwood, amber

Scent Type: warm floral

Ambery Saffron hits all the right notes—literally. It’s warm, intense, and has a blend of cedarwood, orange blossom, jasmine, and saffron for a cozy, sensorial finish that feels luxurious upon first sniff. It satisfies everything we love about a luxe perfume: it’s long-lasting, recognizable, and in a chic bottle, which earns it the best overall luxury-smelling perfume for less in our book.

Size: 50 ml

Pros:

• Warm and addicting
• Lasts long
• Vegan and cruelty-free
• Gender neutral

Cons:

• Some users report that the scent is diluted

Most similar to Tom Ford Lost Cherry: Fine’ry Not Another Cherry — $36.00

Key notes: wild cherry, turkish rose, almond amaretto

Scent Type: warm fruit

Cherry and almond blend together in this affordable fragrance by Fine’ry. Its scent has a nice harmony of sweet and woody notes like the cult-classic Tom Ford scent, plus a cherry finish so juicy it’ll make you crave the real thing.

Size: 2 fl oz

Pros:

• Under $40
• Sweet and tart
• Vegan and cruelty-free
• Available at Target

Cons:

• Only one size

Most similar to Maison Francis Kurkdjian Baccarat Rouge 540: Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Crush Cheirosa ’68 Beija Flor Fragrance Mist — $38.00

Key notes: jasmine, sun musk, hibiscus

Scent Type: warm floral

This Beija Flor body spray has a quintessential warm floral scent and reminds us of Baccarat Rouge 540 with sweet notes of Brazillian jasmine, hibiscus, pink dragonfruit, and lychee. It also has a dense finish of sun musk and ocean air that will easily satisfy the craving for a luxurious, powdery finish.

Size: 90 and 240ml

Pros:

• Under $40
• Available at Sephora
• Recyclable packaging

Cons:

• It’s a perfume mist vs. a perfume, so it has a lighter finish than your typical scent

Most similar to YSL Black Opium: Oakcha Midnight Nymph — $35.00

Key notes: coffee, vanilla, white floral

Scent Type: spicy and warm gourmand

Oakcha Midnight Nymph goes for a sweet and spicy finish with notes of coffee, orange blossom, vanilla, and wood, similar to YSL Black Opium. It gives off a sensual finish that’s perfect for a date night: it’s flirty and warm, with a little spice.

Size: 1.7 fl oz

Pros:

• Under $40
• Warm and flirty
• Vegan and cruelty-free

Cons:

• Only available on Oakcha

Most similar to Le Labo Santal 33: Cremo Palo Santo Eau de Toilette — $24.00

Key notes: cardamom and papyrus

Scent Type: woody

Cardamom is the star of this affordable eau de toilette that gives off a warm, woody finish. It also has notes of dry papyrus and palo santo, with a slight touch of citrus for zing, reminiscent of the classic Le Labo Santal 33 scent.

Size: 100 ml

Pros:

• Available on Amazon
• Travel-sized

Cons:

• May contain ingredients that are not considered “clean,” vegan or cruelty-free

Most similar to KAYALI Vanilla 28: Bath and Body Works Viva Vanilla — $19.00

Key notes: plum, amber, vanilla

Scent Type: warm gourmand

For a striking gourmand body mist, look no further than Viva Vanilla. With sugary plum and amber plus warm vanilla, this scent is addicting and sweet—perfect for fans of KAYALI Vanilla 28. This body mist is a part of the brand’s Everyday Luxuries Collection which features fragrances inspired by iconic high-end perfume favorites.

Size: 8 fl oz

Pros:

• Affordable
• Warm and luxurious

Cons:

• May contain ingredients that are not considered “clean,” vegan or cruelty-free

Most similar to Kilian Love, Don’t Be Shy: ALT Fragrances Bold Love — $60.00

Key notes: orange blossom, caramel, vanilla, musk

Scent Type: warm floral

Bold Love is a warm floral scent with notes of orange blossom, vanilla, caramel, and sugar, reminiscent of the sweet-smelling Kilian Love, Don’t Be Shy. It also contains a touch of pink pepper and neroli for a balmy, syrupy finish.

Size: 30, 60, 100 ml

Pros:

• Sweet and addicting
• Vegan and cruelty-free
• Recyclable bottle

Cons:

• Only available at ALT Fragrances

Most similar to Glossier You: Le Monde Gourmand Fleur de Blonde Eau de Parfum — $25.00

Key notes: ambrette, violet, cashmere musk

Scent Type: floral

For a skin scent, opt for Fleur de Blonde. This light floral fragrance has ambrette, violet, and cashmere musk. It gives off a soft, powdery, and luxurious finish that feels familiar yet fresh, likening it to Glossier You.

Size: 30 ml

Pros:

• Affordable
• Available at Urban Outfitters

Cons:

• May contain ingredients that are not considered “clean,” vegan or cruelty-free

Most similar to Jo Malone Wood Sage + Sea Salt: Aromapassions Nature — $79.00

Key notes: sage, seaweed, sea salt

Scent Type: earthy

This perfume pick captures an earthy, salty finish with notes of sea salt, sage, grapefruit, ambrette, and seaweed. Similar to the iconic Jo Malone scent, it will instantly transport you to a place of sea-crusted sand and wooded trees.

Size: 30, 50 and 100 ml

Pros:

• Calming and serene

Cons:

• Pricey
• May contain ingredients that are not considered “clean,” vegan or cruelty-free

Most similar to Giorgio Armani My Way: Zara Sublime Epoque — $38.00

Key notes: tuberose, orange blossom, bergamot

Scent Type: floral

For a sweet yet savory fragrance, opt for this pick that has notes of tuberose, orange blossom, and bergamot, plus vanilla and cedar. It’s feminine, yet not overly sweet or cloying, and is a great budget pick if you’re looking for a scent similar to Giorgio Armani My Way.

Size: 80 ml

Pros:

• Under $40
• Floral but not overpowering
• Available at Zara

Cons:

• May contain ingredients that are not considered “clean,” vegan or cruelty-free

Most similar to Lake & Skye Santal Gray Eau de Parfum: Pacifica Neon Moon Spray Perfume — $22.00

Key notes: sandalwood, jasmine, cardamom

Scent Type: smoky floral

Neon Moon is a smoky floral scent with notes of sandalwood, jasmine, and cardamom, reminiscent of Lake & Skye Santal Gray Eau de Parfum. It will give you a musky and mysterious finish that feels luxurious and enticing, like the OG scent.

Size: 1 fl oz

Pros:

• Affordable
• Gender neutral
• Recyclable packaging
• Vegan and cruelty-free

Cons:

• Can be slightly overpowering

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Tags: Fragrances, Well+Good SHOP

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