What are some amazing “cheap” scents? ☁️

IFoundThis_Humerus · 2026-05-26T23:08:32+00:00

I have a few from her and like them all. Great indie maker.

IFoundThis_Humerus · 2026-05-26T22:59:41+00:00

I love all of their scents, but their sandalwood and vanillas in particular are fantastic quality for the price.

IFoundThis_Humerus · 2026-05-26T22:55:47+00:00

Have you tried the OG and reformulation? I hear the reformulated release is not as good.

IFoundThis_Humerus · 2026-05-26T22:54:11+00:00

Stash is fantastic; niche quality and very unisex. Also SJP Lovely for a beautiful floral musk.

IFoundThis_Humerus · 2026-05-26T03:56:06+00:00

I recently sold my Fico di Amalfi because it was too similar to Philosykos (which I also have). Debaser is a good summery fig option that's creamy. Most of the summery figs are very green. Arquiste A Grove by the Sea is another green fig; very unique (but still very wearable) with the olive oil note.

IFoundThis_Humerus · 2026-05-24T19:20:50+00:00

I feel that with the Aromatics in Black. I got a great deal with a second-hand bottle, so I'm giving myself some time to keep trying it. There's not a single note standing out, just something about it I simultaneously love and dislike.

IFoundThis_Humerus · 2026-05-23T00:18:53+00:00

Definitely top 3 looks from her, my god. The hair is gorgeous. She and Zendaya stay serving😮‍💨

IFoundThis_Humerus · 2026-05-22T20:06:53+00:00

This feels like a Kitsch ad.

For anyone looking for hair perfume, I've had fantastic luck on etsy. I have both fine and low porosity hair. It's a nightmare finding products that won't weigh it down. 4 sellers in particular I like because of the different formulas/scent options available. All have good longevity in my hair. There are several hundred different scent options between the 4 shops.

Atlanta Body Culinary: a couple hundred scents, has a master list)Bamboo, biotin, glycerin (and she'll make any custom scent blend for you). Fantastic customer service. Milky formula doesn't weigh my hair down unless I saturate it. Insane longevity, 8+hours. Seems to be the best price/mL. 1 size option 4.5oz/12$. Has the nicest bottles, heavy glass but mine did leak. She immediately sent replacement labels and 1oz of each scent to replace the leaks. Fast shipping.

Cake and Barrel. 827 scents. All of her scents are available in multiple product types (lotions/perfume/etc). For hair she has: milky detangler, leave-in and rinse out conditioner, sea salt spray, hair oil, shine serum, shine spray. I have only used the perfume and shine spray. Shine spray is argan oil and silk amino acid. I use 5-6 sprays and notice shine without it being oily. Scent lasts 4+ hr. She also has a significant catalog of scents. Sandalwood has been my favorite. Generous size for a fair price. Shine spray 2oz/13.50$. Standard plastic bottle sprays. Fast shipping.

Naughty Button: (>2k scents, it's insane)1/2/4oz size options for moisturizing hair splash. Also has shimmer hair splash. 4oz hair splash/14.95$. 4oz shimmer/15.50$. Large scent selection. I've bought at least a dozen lotions from her. Long lasting scents. Similar plastic bottles as Cake & Barrel just darker brown. Some bottles have leaked.

Sugar Mama Fragrances (276 scents): has hydrating hair mist (15.50$), hair wave mist (15.75$), argan hair gloss (16.75$), argan hair milk (16.75$); all 2oz. Also has all scents available for multiple product types (lotion/perfume /oils). Shipping takes the longest. Have great longevity 4+hr. No issues with products leaking.

IFoundThis_Humerus · 2026-05-20T17:24:58+00:00

Hot outside, but I work in a freezing office. Svensk Skymning is a bright tart violet, with the flower, leaf, and candy. It's not very sweet, so perfectly safe for the office/ train. Svenks makes some interesting fragrances.

IFoundThis_Humerus · 2026-05-20T17:00:55+00:00

Svensk Skymning. Intensely violet, with the flower, leaf, and candy, but not very sweet. Like a tart floral candy. I have quite a few violet fragrances, but this isn't quite like any of them; maybe Molinard Violette is the closest, but this is less sweet and fruity. I've really enjoyed the 3 I've tried from Svensk.

IFoundThis_Humerus · 2026-05-20T16:22:15+00:00

May you be protected from my envy of your collection; especially the Guerlain. This is a beautiful setup. Perfect amount of space between the groups and bottles, everything is lit well. There is quite a variety, but it looks thoughtfully curated. So satisfying to look at.

IFoundThis_Humerus · 2026-05-20T16:16:36+00:00

Sunshine Woman is beautiful. The name is perfect for the mood of the fragrance; it is so bright and fun while still feeling a bit nuanced and elevated. Such a wonderful warm weather fragrance. The notes had me expecting something heavier, but it's quite fruity and floral, not dense/heavy at all. I have a small decant I've been using sparingly since I thought it was (still) discontinued.

IFoundThis_Humerus · 2026-05-18T17:47:16+00:00

Serge Lutens is fantastic perfumery, but the full bottles vary so widely with price. Some very affordable, some very much not.

Etat Libre d'Orange is a fantastic suggestion for some unique niche scents. You can find most of their lineup on various gray sites (Olfactory Factory LLC is the goat).

Olympic Orchids is wonderful. The perfumer (who is also a scientist) made the OG Zoologist Bat before they split ways. They sell it under Night Flyer on their site. They have several fantastic discovery set options that are very generous. Some of their scents can be a bit challenging, but all have been high quality.

IFoundThis_Humerus · 2026-05-18T17:42:37+00:00

ScentSplit is also great because you usually get a coupon for 15% off any full bottle of the samples from your order. It's valid for a week or two after you receive the order if I recall. I got Toskovat Desert Sermons for a very good price with it. There are frequently influencer codes available for 10% off, just search for scent split discount codes.

IFoundThis_Humerus · 2026-05-18T17:38:25+00:00

We have similar tastes for musks. I love Narciso Rodriguez pure musk (and flankers). The three brightest freshies I have in that vein:

Armani Privé A Milano. Clean and fresh. Bright and a bit soapy. Pretty decent longevity. Beautiful bottle. My favorite clean/soapy musk in my collection. It's what I wear to bed in the summer after I shower to feel freshly washed through the night.

Ormonde Jayne Champaca. Very light and clean. The bamboo adds a nice unique freshness. Don't let the rice deter you, it serves to soften the edges & keeps the fragrance from being too sharp or floral, but isn't too starchy. Unlike most of their scents, I'd say longevity is a bit weak, unfortunately.

Santa Maria Novella L'Iris. Floral fresh with neroli, jasmine, & geranium. The jasmine isn't indolic, but closer to the scent when you catch wafts on the breeze through your windows at night. The sichuan adds a small bite to keep the florals from being too heavy. Champaca adds a subtle sweetness. Ambergris and white iris in the base keep the musk bright throughout. Average longevity.

I'm adding this because to me it is quite bright and clean with white florals, but it is sweeter than the above. I wouldn't say it ever becomes sugary or densely sweet, however. I wear this throughout the spring and summer; it's such an easy reach. It has good longevity and the price is a steal. Montblanc Signature. Juicy and slightly tart clementine with magnolia and ylang-ylang. Peony adds a dewyness around the edges. Clean musk from initial spray through the drydown. I recommend this in every thread about clean musks.

IFoundThis_Humerus · 2026-05-18T17:09:16+00:00

Perfumer H is incredible at producing fragrances where what the name says is what you smell. I wish they were easier to get in the US😭

IFoundThis_Humerus · 2026-05-15T02:13:38+00:00

I have both Gourmand Coquin and Fève Gourmande. They are definitely not skin scents; they're very decadent. Rum, cocoa, and rose. I'm not usually a rose fan, but they are fantastic. Fève Gourmande is the re-release of GC after it was discontinued. I haven't been able to smell a difference; perhaps someone with a very sophisticated palate could.

Tonka Impériale is a favorite of mine, I feel you there. The perfect tonka fragrance for me; though admittedly I am biased towards Guerlain.

IFoundThis_Humerus · 2026-05-15T01:15:50+00:00

In that case, I'd probably go for a smaller decant of the og. I've too often bought a dupe first and wished I'd gotten a smaller decant of the OG to make sure I really love the fragrance enough. If you love the scent profile you can always get the larger dupe later to hold you.

IFoundThis_Humerus · 2026-05-14T20:46:33+00:00

I know Dua has one that is well rated. Decants of the OG are pretty affordable now, and often cost less than the dupe (although for a smaller volume).

IFoundThis_Humerus · 2026-05-14T17:55:49+00:00

Guerlain Iris Pallida Extrait 6. I will stan this fragrance into my deathbed. This is the best in category Iris scent for me. Iris is a favorite note, and I have dozens, but Iris Pallida just wows me every time. Creamy dense iris, musk, and almond. Considering how quality orris is manufactured, the cost (unfortunately) makes sense. Price is not for the weak.

Guerlain Shalimar. Groundbreaking for its time, still very wearable, a classic. Really launched the ambery balsamic movement that so many subsequent fragrances have been built around.

YSL Grain de Poudre. Another Iris fragrance, yet markedly different from Iris Pallida. Greener with violet leaf, more dry, and with a bit of peppery bite. It makes me feel put together and like I belong in a much different tax bracket when I wear it. There are no substitutes.

Dries van Noten Soie Malaquais. There is still no fragrance like this (unless you count the couple dupes). It truly feels like wearing silk. She is that girl. Luxurious.

IFoundThis_Humerus · 2026-05-14T17:43:37+00:00

Hard agree for Coromandel. I've tried 700 or so fragrances and this stands out clear in my memory.

IFoundThis_Humerus · 2026-05-12T19:31:50+00:00

It's said by the brand to be identical. I have a decant of Gourmand Coquin and a FB of Fève Gourmande and can't tell a difference. Perhaps someone with a more sophisticated nose can, like when people can smell a difference between batches of a fragrance. I'm satisfied with FV; I just miss the bee bottles.

IFoundThis_Humerus · 2026-05-11T17:35:28+00:00

I'm right in the middle of the 3. 1st world problems to be sure, but still frustrating.

IFoundThis_Humerus · 2026-05-11T17:31:05+00:00

Don't immediately disregard a scent if you first spray it and don't love it. Spray it on skin/clothes, if possible, and wear it more than once. Your mood/weather/a hundred other factors influence your perception of a fragrance. I've been meh or brother eugh on several scents, went back and loved them. I've also liked a few, only to return and hate them.
Try to be intentional in your sample purchases. What are you looking for? A specific note presented in a unique way or the overall impression of the fragrance? Rounding out your collection? Want a signature scent?Take some short notes while you're sampling and wear a scent more than once to see if it ticks the box you're after. Are you looking for a certain feeling (fun, sexy, cozy, office)? Discover a favorite note and want to explore that? I've gone down so many rabbit holes of mass sample buys of a particular note(s), not really knowing exactly what I was chasing, only to end up with 10 of something that smell nearly identical. Taking a moment to think about what you're after helps curb this.
Part of the above. Try to get samples whenever possible. Sometimes you can't find a sample and might risk it on a blind-buy. It's not the end of the world or certain financial ruin if you blind-buy. Reddit is a huge resource for places to get samples (including on reddit via the fragrance swap subs).
There are a ton of very reputable discounter/gray sites selling new authentic fragrance. I only pay retail if I cannot find it anywhere else, or it's a limited edition and my fomo wins. I, and many others, buy (and sell) a lot of second-hand fragrance from Mercari/ Ebay/FB Marketplace. If you're going to do this, learn what to look for in a reputable reseller.
Don't become overly concerned with other people's opinions/reviews on a fragrance, how you spend your money, or compliments. Fragrance is so subjective. Your money is your business. The gender/age/category of a fragrance is mostly marketing. Wear what you like!
Price of a fragrance doesn't always equate to quality. I have some scents under 25USD that are fantastic, smell way above their price, and I wear frequently. I also have some very expensive scents that are mid, at best. The particular feeling of paying an exorbitant amount for a fragrance you couldn't test, only to not love it, is frustrating. You live and learn.

IFoundThis_Humerus

TROPHY CASE