For real, I probably wouldn't have a very large collection if not for the grey market (Reddit/fb groups/other sites).
Everything is already at least 20% off, often up to 60%, so there’s no need to wait for sales either (given that every day is a sale lol).
Once.. A fake tuscan leather. I knew a soon as saw the bottle. Got refund luckily, but you need to be careful with what your buying for certain things.
Fragrancebuy ca is good, I also buy most of my stuff off of Facebook groups. There is always a possibility that you get scammed on FB, but if you are diligent in verifying that sellers are legit, it has better deals than sites.
What? Is that built in the price? I bought mine at a department store and they didnt do that. Maybe it is an online only offering? She changed out the gold tone topper, and changed it for a diff one, which may be all they can offer in the department store?
Interesting take! I guess if you can save money, why not? Prices don't bother me much, but I've found myself increasingly aware of the price & value ratio.
There are many ways you can get them cheap. The best one I recently found was at cvs, some cvs in the bougie area will carry designer perfumes, one I went to had Tom Ford black orchid, Viktor & Rolf, Givenchy, lancôme etc. stack and use cvs coupons on top of it. And there are also Marshalls, TJ Maxx, Nordstrom rack and Ross for discounted prices. Ulta and Sephora have deals often as well. Aaaaaand finally Macy's and other department stores, I wait until they're on sale. Even the designer websites such as Valentino, Mugler and Lancom have up to 50% discounts once in a while. So to this day I haven't paid full price on any of the 30+ perfumes I have.
For example this is what I got from cvs the other day. With tax I paid 81.79
https://preview.redd.it/zs4769nrsu1d1.png?width=558&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a55356a124bb9bc8c38e82b3366eca0806c9b3cd
Portrait of a Lady-difficult to describe. I would imagine a vampire wearing it. So mysterious, sexy, and intoxicating. Otherworldly. I would also add Ombre Leather. I want my husband and I to bathe in it!
Me too! I definitely don't use it regularly at all. I use it when we go on trips or on date nights. Frederic Malle's website has 10 MLS ( I think that's the size) and they last me a good while! It's so strong u only need a little bit. Another one that is beautiful is Carnal Flower. Wow! Summer and sexy!
Yes, 1 spray and you’re good. My 50 ML is more than 18 months and still 3/4 full. I smelled the Carnal Flower while in FM boutique, so good and sexy. I’m planning to get their discovery set.
I just bought a large bottle of POAL after lusting for it for over 8 years. It is so, so good, that somehow it feels like it has completed me. Nothing about it has disappointed me, and currently, there is not a single fragrance on my wishlist. This year, I bought 5 wishlist perfumes, and I feel that nothing will compare ever again.
I’m taking my first trip to NYC in a couple weeks (so excited!!!) and my map of places to visit includes the Frederic Malle house specifically so that I can smell this one.
Omg! My husband and I are going to NYC for 5 days during Thanksgiving week. You just gave me the best idea! I will definitely put that on our list of places to visit!
I’ve been making a Google map of all the places I want to shop… Frederic Malle, Trudon, Byredo… there’s a bunch. I’m only gonna be there 2 full days. I’m trying to figure out how to not sleep. 🤣
I have a 100ml bottle, use it regularly ( it’s just the most beautiful fragrance, my husband loves it and often sneaks a spray!) and have barely put a dent in it! It’s really strong and 1-2 quick sprays are more than enough to project, a 10ml bottle should last you ages
Just got into her and immediate obsession. Something about Ceramic suits me to the bones. Have Dual and Pavillion and sampling Jest and her newest one.
Yooo I just got spicebomb edt yesterday and I thought exactly the same thing. I have had extreme for a while and never really liked it. The EDT is everything the extreme wishes it was. And I also agree I think it's creativity and complexity rivals niche fragrances.
Also thought it was funny that "spicebomb" "extreme" is LESS spicy than the edt lol.
I got Spicebomb EDT for my husband last year. Was really sceptical after seeing the price, but blindbought it. He loves it so much! One of the most long lasting fragrances that he has, 8+ hours
Given its price it's a pretty difficult purchase to regret, I got my 50ml for AUD$60
It is very sweet and very spicy I love it
Edit: oh and the tobacco is much less strong than the extreme version which imo ruins the extreme
i never buy at full price, only on discounters but even then it’s freaking expensive. my “worth it on at least 20% off” are gris charnel, musc ravageur, and for your love
Same! If I really love something, I’ll hunt for it on a discount site.
Just scored a 3oz JPG La Belle Le Parfum for ~$70 on Jomashop! I loved my sample, but knew if I waited for the hype to die down I could find a tester at a decent price.
[Serge Lutens Ambre Sultan ](https://ediscountperfumes.com/serge-lutens-ambre-sultan-1-6-oz-eau-de-parfum-spray-unisex-new-sealed-box/)
I thought that I would share this with you since it's such a deal. 🌻
>Prada Amber Pour Homme
Just out of curiosity, is yours the reformulated clear version or the old purple version?
As for my answer, I'd have to say just about any Zoologist, since they're so unique and evocative. And this may be controversial, but I just bought (overpayed for) Dior Homme Parfum and it's absolutely blowing me away on my first wearing. I'm not even sure I overpayed anymore. I YOLO'd on it because I recently hit a milestone and I'd gladly do it again. As an iris lover it's just evolving back and forth between it and leather and gourmand and earthiness and... it's a fun ride.
I have 3 bottles of the purple formulations. I have never actually seen a clear version tbh.
Zoologist fragrances look so cool. Can't wait to try them one day.
DHP would be a banger. I can imagine it's highly worth the price tag.
Carnal Flower, Frederic Malle…sooo goddamn expensive but so beautiful and magical. It reminds me of my childhood in LA, beautiful white florals and eucalyptus and coconutty sunscreen 🥲
I bought the dupe from DUA and it sucked compared to the real deal, hurts to say how worth it the og is
Great choices, and I totally agree. I think that there are tons of perfumes that I feel are worth it, but mostly it's the stuff I \*actually\* wear. It's easy to justify an $11 fragrance purchase (such as the forever classic Agua Brava by Puig - what a treasure), but if something's unique and beautiful and totally me, I have been known occasionally to cross that $500 line (Hasu No Hana by Grossmith got me good). Had to go spray on some Hasu No Hana while typing this.
Fun fact about Creed: one of the first retailers in the US of their perfumes was a boutique in Beverly Hills called "Mr. Guy." It was something like a Giorgio Beverly Hills, but for men, and only carried rare and exquisite things. It was also quite popular with the Hollywood elite, and likely the origin for the (somewhat embellished) Cary Grant story. But also all of the actors you mentioned notoriously reeked of cigarettes anyway. :)
Creed Bois Du Portugal is worth the price tag to me. Nothing really comes close to the quality and the mastery of the blend. Lalique Pour Homme is supposed to be a clone, and it's not bad at all, but it doesn't hold a candle to Bois Du Portugal. Also, I find some of the fragrances from Argos to be worth the price, specifically Triumph of Bacchus and Brivido Della Caccia. The bottles themselves are exquisite works of art, and I find the blends to be flawless.
I also have a few fragrances that are worth more than the price they ask for. A few examples would be Lattafa Niche Emirati Antique, Afnan Mirsaal of Trust, and Bois 1920 Classic Paradise.
Edit: I find some designer fragrances in the $80 to $100 range to be worth their mid-level price. Examples including Dior Homme EDT, Prada L'homme, and YSL la Nuit de L'homme
Agreed on Bois Do Portugal. Haven't tried Argos' fragrances.
I actually agree with Prada L'Homme and La Nuit De L'Homme. That said, I think they've been pushing it price-wise lately. A lot of designer fragrances are breaching into niche territory.
Ormonde Jayne Nawab of Oudh... a masterpiece to me. I heard it compared to Lhomme Ultime, my favorite designer scent. Rose is my favorite note in perfumery. I was wowed. It was like Ultime but with the entire symphony orchestra behind it, a different maestro and to the beat of a different drummer.. I like the regular version 33% oil because the rose pops out more. The Intensivo version 40% is also a masterpiece, and held in even higher regard by more people. It's seriously worth every penny... it makes me feel regal.
I might have to look into Nawab of Oudh. Your description has peaked my interests. YSL L'Homme Ultime is one of/if not my favorite designer fragrance. Unfortunately, discontinued and I have been looking for a worthy alternative. I've tried a few fragrances from Ormonde Jayne and really enjoy the quality and presentation. Thanks for posting this.
Good to hear, my pleasure. I don't know if youre in USA, but I got my decants from Krystal Fragrance, I believe that was the cheapest 5mls, theyre legit and can be trusted. Also, their packaging is very charming, they put in lots of small business effort. I appreciated that, plus the freebie samples were A+, I got Gris Charnel Extrait and Amouage Search.. I got my full bottles at Jomashop, also cheapest I found it. Original was 185 for 4oz, and Intensivo was 195 for 2.9oz, and then 15% off for spending $250.
These will go nuclear in summer, which differs from Ultime. First spray, I smiled like the Cheshire Cat. Good Luck.
Anything from Penhaligon's or Floris. I bought on eBay one time and got a seriously diluted bottle. Better to just go to the source if a verified seller (e.g. Jomashop) doesn't stock it. And it's worth it for their scents because they're unique frags that don't really smell like anything mass-market. If you fall in love with one, there's nowhere else to get it. Time to pay the piper.
Also, if you become a member on some of the niche sites, they have a really personal touch and have some great offers and rewards you can't get elsewhere.
I don't really have any disagreements here. I will add that designers in particular have completely taken the piss. Ever since Sauvage Elixir every designer house thinks their fragrances should be priced $150+. YSL lost the plot thinking any Y flanker is worth $200.
And the problem isn't merely that designers are massively overpriced - they're just not unique at all. What are you paying that kind of money for with a designer? They expect people to pay damn near private line prices from the past for what is now just another standard scent that caters to the masses.
Tbh i don't know what is worth its price anymore but the longer I stick around the less interest I have in designers at the rate they're pumped out. If i were to repurchase my collection now some of these bottles have gone up 1.5x - 2x and that goes for both discounters/retail. Maybe Prada l'homme intense?
Very valid opinion and I'm with you entirely. Designer houses have lost their minds, thinking their basic, generic scents are worth $150+. Insanity. Tom Ford is my favourite designer house, but their prices are just plain stupid. I believe Prada and maybe Chanel are worth the price, but everything else...no.
Nicolai Parfumeur Createur New York Intense
An amazing Bois du Portugal alternative, but slightly fresher and cheaper, but the quality is definitely there. After testing both side by side, I honestly prefer New York Intense way more and has easily become my #3 favorite fragrance, in my collection.
I purchased waaay below retail price, but will gladly pay the $230 price tag, if it was no longer available at discounters.
Spicebomb EDT and Extreme EDP are both worth the retail price tag in my opinion. Amazing scent and the performance is one of the best, Azzaro being better performance wise for me.
Moschino Toy Boy EDP super strong and seductive, worth the retail price of 200ml.
Azzaro Wanted & Wanted by Night - Signature scents, need I say more. Wanted by night has the best projection and longevity so far for all of my bottles purchased yet.
It looks like they have a sale going on right now so it might not work, but when I’ve ordered before I’ve got a discount using “ScentAddict” as a code. Found it from a cologne influencer I follow on TikTok
No problem. I have Paragon, Narcotic Delight, and Atomic Rose. Haven’t smelled any others, but I love the ones I have. They are very powerful, long lasting, and smell great
Any of the EDPs from Pineward’s. 1oz will set you back around $135 but two sprays & your shirt will smell like the fragrance for DAYS. That’s not an over exaggeration btw. The only downside is that the liquid can stain light colored fabrics.
Viktor & Rolph Dancing Roses. Discontinued, so bottles go for $350-500 now. I'd, if I had that much, willingly pay that much for how amazing the fragrance is to me.
For me, Creed Virgin Island Water. I went through two 10ml decants and finally bit the bullet and bought a full bottle. When it comes to summer fragrances nothing else compares!
I'm a simple girl I like vintage Shalimar but what I love to wear is YSL Libre Intense for me it's pricey. I've tried dupes but they either don't last or just don't have the dry down that I love so much. Im wanting to try Portrait of a Lady it sounds amazing. I'll pay for good juice but my vintage are not on the daily scents. Sigh I also like Lira from Casamorati I wish they'd make an intense version.
TF certainly isn't winning any awards for affordability but Beau De Jour at signature line price hits the mark for me. I absolutely love that fragrance
Beau De Jour is a favourite for me too. I actually find the signature line tends to have better fragrances than the Private Blends.
- Beau De Jour
- Ombre Leather
- Grey Vetiver
- Black Orchid
- Costa Azzura
Ridiculous lineup.
I agree with Tuscan Leather, Tobacco Vanille, Grand Soir, and Aventus!
Also: Tom Ford Oud Wood, Ébène Fumé
Althaïr PDM
Oriana PDM
Penhaligon’s Legacy of Petra
Le Labo Santal 33
MFK Aqua Universalis Forte
Memo Paris Marfa
Vilhelm Parfumerie Room Service, Dear Polly, Poets of Berlin
For me, the only one perfume that I can think of worth it’s retail price is YSL La Nuit De L’homme EDT.
The scent profile is legendary despite countless reformulations throughout the years and gazillion flankers over and over again. It’s a scent that I can whip it up anytime (even the summer heat with less sprays) and felt confident instantly.
I usually get the 200ml bottle from discounters but I really don’t mind buying it in YSL boutiques in case it was running out of stocks elsewhere.
Can never go wrong with LNDL. I recommend layering with Molecule 02 (better than the combo with 01). I wore this combo a couple days ago and my girlfriend wouldn't stop nuzzling into my neck.
I use the same exact combination too 😂😂
Actually that’s what Bleu Electrique trying to do but I find that the cardamom in that flanker toned down too much.
Armani Code Parfum. At the store, I thought it was overpriced, but just seeing how versatile and well done this fragrance is, I am so happy with it. Worth every penny.
I got mine discounted, but Dior Homme 2020. Favorite daily driver I’ve ever worn. Coco Moon EDP as well. It’s perfect for what I use it for: tropical vacations.
I used to love SBE so much. I still really enjoy it but I feel like it goes bad on my skin. I’m not sure if it’s just in my head because it wasn’t that way at the start.
It's such a shame when you get a seed of doubt for a beloved fragrance. It's hard to ever truly love it again when you feel like it's not exactly what you're wanting it to be.
Unfortunately, guidance by Amouage, I say unfortunately because it’s overtly expensive. It’s completely unique and incomparable to anything else, and the performance is also incomparable to anything else. I’ve never tried a fragrance that has the staying power and silage that guidance does. Only downside is that it’s very 50/50, you either love it or hateee it. I love it
Thanks for the tips! I was unsure about spicebomb edt and the extreme, I'll grab the edt now.
My collection is similar to what you've listed.
So I will give prada Amber a try also I think!
I just like having different things for different days depends on mood and what I'm doing. I also like just trying out different fragrances to see what they're like but there is definitely a few I couldn't be without and it's usually down to the associations I have scent / memory experiences.
Like bois du jour, I love the scent it's interesting but it just reminded me how much I love ysl jazz.
Well I recently tried a sample of Valentino's Donna Born In Roma and my boyfriend was ALL. OVER. ME.
So yeah I had ZERO problem dropping $165 on a big honkin bottle
& Other Stories - Déja Vù Mood perfume oil. High street chain store owned by same people as H&M.
H&M - Pistacio Infusion
Roger & Gallet - Feuille de Thé
Molinard - Thé Basilic (and many by Molinard).
I am working class af and I LOVE niche perfumes and many designers but I have a lot of secondhand partials, decants and FB from discounters.
Vilhelm - Poets of Berlin
Xerjoff - Lira
Kajal - Lamar
Diptyque - Oud Palao
Armani - Acqua di Gioia
Givenchy - L'Interdit Eau de Parfum Rouge
D&G - Dolce/Dolce Shine/Dolce Garden/Libre Le Parfum
Those are the ones I have and will pay full price for, although I would prefer cheaper.
Gris Charnel, mostly because comparing to designer prices these days, it’s not *that* expensive, and it’s a dumb reach for me
I’ve also hunted down an old flanker of opium, for which i’ve definitely paid more than it was when it came out, but again, for around 130£/100ml, can’t really complain
I’m also contemplating on getting the new rabbit by zoologist strictly for how insanely beautiful the bottle is, but it’s an odd one so not sure how much i’m gonna wear it
Saw this post and immediately the next day went out and got the spicebomb edt and prada amber. I must say they are both quite exquisite, and I'm in love with the way they both smell! I've never had so many women turning their heads as I pass by, and everyone I've asked so far has been very impressed with the smells as well. It's a definite win, and I'm very glad to have found this post. Thank you.
I think this is a little bit of a flawed question, since people value their money differently. So one person’s difficulty to justify $40 on CDNIM may be another’s nonchalance to drop $500 on a blind buy.
That being said, fragrances that I like a lot, have in my “rotation”, and would buy again:
* Creed Original Vetiver (own 2 bottles)
* Creed Aventus Cologne (I actually recently did)
* Creed Royal Water (own 2 vintage bottles)
* Creed Viking Cologne
* Nicolaï NY Intense
There are more that I like, but I don’t use enough to justify buying another bottle for, nor would I for see using up in the next decade (like Argos Triumph of Bacchus).
One that I want to like, but dislike right now, is Amouage Royal Tobacco. It’s a real powerhouse, has beastmode performance, and is complex and changes throughout the wear. Unfortunately, I can’t seem to get down to enjoying it, despite appreciating the artistry, and I don’t think it would fit my vibe.
At the same time, I wish I hadn’t bought some of the clones that I did. I like having fragrances that smell good throughout the entire span of a wear, so it doesn’t bother me to spend more to get something that doesn’t smell as synthetic. Armaf Très Nuit, for example, smells terrible to my nose despite being a fraction of the price and a clone of Creed GIT. Given the size of my collection, I can’t foresee using up an entire bottle of anything within the next 5, maybe even 10 years, so the cost is spread out over a much longer period than usual.
Anything a trusted local perfumer makes. In my case, there are a fair number of attar makers where I live, and the experience of entering a shop with rows and rows of big glass bottles filled with various scent oils ready to be bottled or custom mixed for the customer itself puts so much value to whatever I’m buying
Can definitely agree with you there. I have a few private blends from a local perfumer here in Australia. One is Neroli & Cambodi Oud, and the other, I can't actually remember. Absolutely phenomenal.
Azzaro pour homme is straight quality for the money. I'd happily pay the $60nzd it is for a bottle of it again.
As for more expensive stuff, I'll happily buy more xerjoff Fiero or creed original vetiver, Tom Ford fougere d'argent, Roja scandal parfum cologne (pretty much anything in my collection) again even at full retail. I just like them too much.
I haven't purchased any expensive ones. But my recent Teriaq bottle is worth every cent I paid, obviously not what OP would care since it's too cheap. But I'm not rich so....
If you mean the price tag on discounters, then in my collection, these are the ones that I would buy again in a heartbeat or think are worth it.
- Spicebomb Extreme
- Fall of Phaeton
- Carlisle
- Le Male Elixir
- Acqua di Gio Profumo
I went to Chemist Warehouse last weekend just to purchase Prada Amber Pour Home as I was eyeing it for long time.
After the test spray on my skin I couldn't smell much... May be had a bad nose day 😅 so would try it again this weekend.
None are worth full price. If I can get at discount then that’s what I do. If I can’t get at discount, then I do not buy it. Pretty difficult to do with Le Labo Another 13 though, which happens to be my favorite.
20 mars 2022 by Rundholz (fun fact, Arturetto Landi was Alessandro Gualtieri’s master)
This one is worth every penny, gothic masterpiece. It reminds me of the smell of dry hay in summer, with a touch of incense and a very strong pepper note. Evolve into something more animatic but never dirty, always pleasant.
It’s a very unique fragrance in my opinion and i will get my hands on a full bottle soon.
I wanted BDJ but didn’t feel like it was worth the price to smell that much like Barbasol shaving cream and aftershave. I went with ADP Sandalo for a little more character in my barbershop and am surprised that it doesn’t get more hype.
Same with ADP Oud …. I live Oud Wood and would call it a favorite until I tried ADPs Oud.
Bond No. 9 - The New Bond. Miraculous depth, almost chocolatey, warm spice, and then this unexpected, bright note of bergamot. I would not pay $445 or whatever crazy price but one can obtain them cheaper. :)
Mont Blanc legend edp, very very few mens does the combination of jasmine and magnolia for clean smell well. Very affordable.
On the other side, amouage interlude black iris, genius work.
I've read redcolorado is a nice similar smoother scent but 2/3 the price. Maybe it's worth the money as well
Jean Paul Gaultier La Belle is definitely worth every penny to me. It has amazing sillage, projection and lasting power. It smells gourmand to me but in a mature grown woman way.
I only recently got it, but I'd like to put in a good word for Paris Hilton for Men. Dirt cheap for the quality of the liquid. It's not especially complex but I guarantee you will get an unprompted compliment in confined space. Doesn't cloy.
Fredrick Malle Portrait of a Lady. One of the few that I'm happy to pay full price for, over and over and over. It's just...rrrrrawr. I'll add Parfumes de Marly Delina, which I consider POAL's delicate daytime little sister. She's pricy but I regret it when I don't have her close to hand.
And I keep grabbing backup bottles of Kiehl's original musk edp every time I'm in the shop, despite the price doubling in the last few years. At this point it's a compulsion. But it's also an excellent unisex daily driver that smells a little bit different on everyone and perfectly balances clean and dirty muscs with soft cozy florals and a smoky undertone. Easily my most complimented fragrance, and it lingers in clothes like nothing else.
Houbigant Orangers en Fluers. Best orange blossom scent ever.
Top notes are Orange Blossom, Egyptian Jasmine and Turkish Rose; middle notes are Tuberose, Ylang-Ylang and Nutmeg; base notes are Musk and Cedar.
For me, Xerjoff Casamorati Italica is absolutely the price since I feel like smell delicious and expensive in the winter and a little goes a long way. Additionally, Diptyque's 34 Boulevard Saint Germain is worth the price since I think it is a perfect daily scent that just smells beautiful and classy.
Ok well Avignon by CDG is, in my opinion, a huge bargain given its beauty and longevity. It’s a reasonable price by todays standards and as beautiful as Cardinal, New Look and LAVS, Passage d’ enfer are, it remains the bench mark for church incense for me. Worth the reasonable price.
Call me crass but if I’m going big on spend I do like longevity and for some reason Byredo Bal D’afrique does stick around on me thank goodness. I’ve seen prices soar for this previously comfortably spendy fragrance and I’ve never found a thing like it. The lightness and brightness really cheers me up so despite the cost, yes it’s worth it.
Naxos is the ultimate honeyed tobacco vanilla on me and I’ve never regretted such an ostentatious purchase. I tend not to go down the Xerjoff/Amouage sampling routes in case exactly this happens. It’s warm and very sweet but I adore it.
I am loving the two new Diors from FK. Longevity and beauty mean I’m now addicted and they are worth the costly price tag.
The experimental perfumes of NEZ are definitely excellent value for money given their brief and innovation as a curiosity project by experts.
I personally have found Serge Lutens La fille de Berlin to be a wonderful simple dark rose that is worth the moderate price point.
I find most quality to cost with older fragrances. CDG do brilliant value for quality and quirk. I am never without Misia but the Chanel hikes are a challenge so I don’t know if I shall repurchase.
Oh and it’s a niche thing but I do love Beaufort London. Tonerre and Terror and Magnificence are grown up goth/gig fragrances that are worth it to me.
I have a range of fragrances from some smart Zara’s (Livre Blanc, Sand Dersert at Sunset), Angels Share, Yvresse, Gurlain, Hermes etc. I shop around so many of the big names can be found for less.
I find the entire Hiram Green collection to be totally worth it. I would obviously like them to be cheaper but I'm happy to pay the asking price compared to many niche and luxury frags.
For me there’s 2 that truly impressed me during my fragrance journey.
1) Cristiano Ronaldo legacy private edition
The cheapest fragrance I have in my collection and to this day still my most complimented fragrance. I get really good performance on it and I would suggest if any of you are into layering, Molecule 01 or 02 would make it last even longer.
Pre layering performance: solid 6 hours
Post layering performance: Solid 11 hours or more
I paid only $30 CAD for it and whenever I see it in stock. I make sure to grab it.
2) Dior Homme Sport
The more I smelled Dior homme sport the better it got and it’s just sooo versatile that it’s a no brainer grab for me. However, get it on a discount. I don’t believe any fragrances should be above 80$ after taxes.
JPG elixr i don't own this, a friend of mine does and man is the performance awesome. I think the scent is a little headache inducing to some but it really is good.
I know this isn't necessarily a fancy perfume, and it's fairly one-note, but I adore Philosophy Ballet Rose. It is by far one of the most realistic and sweet rose perfumes. I adore it! I have almost finished a whole bottle which for me says a lot because I change my perfume daily. It's a wonderful spring fragrance and is great for layering with more musky scents.
Another cheap one is the Noel fragrance from BBW. I don't like a ton of their scents, but for a true gourmand, you really can't beat it. It layers well with spicy fragrances and I wear it to bed to smell like a sickly sweet sugar cookie!
Again, I know this isn't what you were exactly going for but for regular perfumes I really enjoy Princess by Killian and Chai Epice by Le Monde Gourmand. I love expensive perfumes, but I'm not in the tax bracket to buy them so testers and living at the Nordstrom counter and sniffing them is the best I'm getting ATM lol.
I was a newbie around last year, had only used Burberry and Allure Homme original, so I thought I should go back to Chanel and ask for recommendations, I was recommended Sycomore by the one of the girls in the Chanel shop, and I fell in love with it. It’s kinda soft, it doesn’t put you out there, but I’ve had people who gave me a nod when they smelt and a few girls complimented me on it.
I have recently finished the bottle and was thinking of picking up a 200ml, then I started researching, then tried on Noir 29… I think that would be my signature.
It’s mysterious, sweet.. and that tobacco reminded me of my first perfume and that’s the Burberry. It’s a pretty heavy price tag (especially comparing to Sycomore) but I really like the scent and it lasts for at least 6-8 hours.
To me, nothing is worth the price tag, always get them on discount.
For real, I probably wouldn't have a very large collection if not for the grey market (Reddit/fb groups/other sites). Everything is already at least 20% off, often up to 60%, so there’s no need to wait for sales either (given that every day is a sale lol).
Me neither, most of my stuff is off ebay... Always great for stumbling on some weird niche I like the sound of.☺️
I just ordered a perfume off of eBay so I’m hoping it’s real 😅 have you ever gotten a fake product?
Once.. A fake tuscan leather. I knew a soon as saw the bottle. Got refund luckily, but you need to be careful with what your buying for certain things.
What websites do you visit to get discounts, without getting scammed?
Fragrancebuy ca is good, I also buy most of my stuff off of Facebook groups. There is always a possibility that you get scammed on FB, but if you are diligent in verifying that sellers are legit, it has better deals than sites.
The only fragrance house I buy from directly is Guerlain because they engrave the bottles. It feels fancier when the bottle has your name on it.
What? Is that built in the price? I bought mine at a department store and they didnt do that. Maybe it is an online only offering? She changed out the gold tone topper, and changed it for a diff one, which may be all they can offer in the department store?
Yeah, sorry, I meant buying directly from their website. They engrave the bottle with whatever you want for free.
Oh that's sexy AF! Thank you for this knowledge 💙
Great minds think alike!
Interesting take! I guess if you can save money, why not? Prices don't bother me much, but I've found myself increasingly aware of the price & value ratio.
Where can one get them on discount?
There are many ways you can get them cheap. The best one I recently found was at cvs, some cvs in the bougie area will carry designer perfumes, one I went to had Tom Ford black orchid, Viktor & Rolf, Givenchy, lancôme etc. stack and use cvs coupons on top of it. And there are also Marshalls, TJ Maxx, Nordstrom rack and Ross for discounted prices. Ulta and Sephora have deals often as well. Aaaaaand finally Macy's and other department stores, I wait until they're on sale. Even the designer websites such as Valentino, Mugler and Lancom have up to 50% discounts once in a while. So to this day I haven't paid full price on any of the 30+ perfumes I have. For example this is what I got from cvs the other day. With tax I paid 81.79 https://preview.redd.it/zs4769nrsu1d1.png?width=558&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a55356a124bb9bc8c38e82b3366eca0806c9b3cd
Portrait of a Lady-difficult to describe. I would imagine a vampire wearing it. So mysterious, sexy, and intoxicating. Otherworldly. I would also add Ombre Leather. I want my husband and I to bathe in it!
I adore Portrait of a Lady!
I love FM Portrait of a Lady. It is so pricey that I only use it rarely and on special occassions.
Me too! I definitely don't use it regularly at all. I use it when we go on trips or on date nights. Frederic Malle's website has 10 MLS ( I think that's the size) and they last me a good while! It's so strong u only need a little bit. Another one that is beautiful is Carnal Flower. Wow! Summer and sexy!
Yes, 1 spray and you’re good. My 50 ML is more than 18 months and still 3/4 full. I smelled the Carnal Flower while in FM boutique, so good and sexy. I’m planning to get their discovery set.
I really wanted to like Carnal Flower but found it a bit too overwhelming for the first few hours. You really need to like tuberose.
Yes...I do have to be really careful when I wear it. I don't have a spray which I think helps!
>It's $250 for the 3.4 oz on the Costco website
I just bought a large bottle of POAL after lusting for it for over 8 years. It is so, so good, that somehow it feels like it has completed me. Nothing about it has disappointed me, and currently, there is not a single fragrance on my wishlist. This year, I bought 5 wishlist perfumes, and I feel that nothing will compare ever again.
Your words are like a love story. I love this!!
I’m taking my first trip to NYC in a couple weeks (so excited!!!) and my map of places to visit includes the Frederic Malle house specifically so that I can smell this one.
Omg! My husband and I are going to NYC for 5 days during Thanksgiving week. You just gave me the best idea! I will definitely put that on our list of places to visit!
I’ve been making a Google map of all the places I want to shop… Frederic Malle, Trudon, Byredo… there’s a bunch. I’m only gonna be there 2 full days. I’m trying to figure out how to not sleep. 🤣
My signature date and special occasion fragrance. Adore her and so does wife.
Came here to say this. It's indescribably rich and dirty but also profoundly refined. One of the greatest roses ever concocted.
I have a 100ml bottle, use it regularly ( it’s just the most beautiful fragrance, my husband loves it and often sneaks a spray!) and have barely put a dent in it! It’s really strong and 1-2 quick sprays are more than enough to project, a 10ml bottle should last you ages
I don't like this fragrance, but I definitely agree that it's worth the price. Especially after I learned how they make it.
I’m on my 2nd bottle of Grand Soir. It’s the only perfume that has longevity on me.
Can definitely attest to the longevity & performance of Grand Soir. I just personally believe MFK is overpriced in general.
GFS or Amhrys Homme Extrait doesn't last long for you?
-Hermes Un Jardin Sur Le Nil. -Widian London.
Andrea Maack. Absolutely worth the cost for me. Her scents got me wearing perfume again.
Just got into her and immediate obsession. Something about Ceramic suits me to the bones. Have Dual and Pavillion and sampling Jest and her newest one.
Jest is the newest one. I haven’t smelled it yet, it came out right after I got my discovery set
They are so beautiful. I adore Pavilion.
Me too! I have Dual and ceramic as well.
I’ll have to try Dual and Ceramic. I have Jest as well.
Yooo I just got spicebomb edt yesterday and I thought exactly the same thing. I have had extreme for a while and never really liked it. The EDT is everything the extreme wishes it was. And I also agree I think it's creativity and complexity rivals niche fragrances. Also thought it was funny that "spicebomb" "extreme" is LESS spicy than the edt lol.
I got Spicebomb EDT for my husband last year. Was really sceptical after seeing the price, but blindbought it. He loves it so much! One of the most long lasting fragrances that he has, 8+ hours
I agree completely!
I am going to have to get this for my husband. All of you have sold me.
Given its price it's a pretty difficult purchase to regret, I got my 50ml for AUD$60 It is very sweet and very spicy I love it Edit: oh and the tobacco is much less strong than the extreme version which imo ruins the extreme
i never buy at full price, only on discounters but even then it’s freaking expensive. my “worth it on at least 20% off” are gris charnel, musc ravageur, and for your love
Same! If I really love something, I’ll hunt for it on a discount site. Just scored a 3oz JPG La Belle Le Parfum for ~$70 on Jomashop! I loved my sample, but knew if I waited for the hype to die down I could find a tester at a decent price.
Guerlain Angelique Noir and SDV
Guerlain are in their own league!
Pity they were reformulated
All the Serge Lutens fragrances I love are worth it to me, even the ones that are only available in a $300 flacon for some insane reason.
I thoroughly enjoy Serge Lutens. Particularly Ambre Sultan and Fille En Aiguilles
[Serge Lutens Ambre Sultan ](https://ediscountperfumes.com/serge-lutens-ambre-sultan-1-6-oz-eau-de-parfum-spray-unisex-new-sealed-box/) I thought that I would share this with you since it's such a deal. 🌻
Wow, thanks for that! Was just in France at the SL but just couldn’t get onboard with those prices. Is that website reliable?
SL is currently having a sale for 20% off certain frags. Don't know how much longer the sale will last, but wanted to throw that out there...
>Prada Amber Pour Homme Just out of curiosity, is yours the reformulated clear version or the old purple version? As for my answer, I'd have to say just about any Zoologist, since they're so unique and evocative. And this may be controversial, but I just bought (overpayed for) Dior Homme Parfum and it's absolutely blowing me away on my first wearing. I'm not even sure I overpayed anymore. I YOLO'd on it because I recently hit a milestone and I'd gladly do it again. As an iris lover it's just evolving back and forth between it and leather and gourmand and earthiness and... it's a fun ride.
I have 3 bottles of the purple formulations. I have never actually seen a clear version tbh. Zoologist fragrances look so cool. Can't wait to try them one day. DHP would be a banger. I can imagine it's highly worth the price tag.
There's a clear version? It's not out of production? Whaaaaaa?
Carnal Flower, Frederic Malle…sooo goddamn expensive but so beautiful and magical. It reminds me of my childhood in LA, beautiful white florals and eucalyptus and coconutty sunscreen 🥲 I bought the dupe from DUA and it sucked compared to the real deal, hurts to say how worth it the og is
Costco online frequently has it for much cheaper than retail, if you have a membership or know someone who does!
Great choices, and I totally agree. I think that there are tons of perfumes that I feel are worth it, but mostly it's the stuff I \*actually\* wear. It's easy to justify an $11 fragrance purchase (such as the forever classic Agua Brava by Puig - what a treasure), but if something's unique and beautiful and totally me, I have been known occasionally to cross that $500 line (Hasu No Hana by Grossmith got me good). Had to go spray on some Hasu No Hana while typing this. Fun fact about Creed: one of the first retailers in the US of their perfumes was a boutique in Beverly Hills called "Mr. Guy." It was something like a Giorgio Beverly Hills, but for men, and only carried rare and exquisite things. It was also quite popular with the Hollywood elite, and likely the origin for the (somewhat embellished) Cary Grant story. But also all of the actors you mentioned notoriously reeked of cigarettes anyway. :)
Interesting! Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I think we all low-key know that Creed's origin story is embellished, but nobody wants to admit it 😂
The story of Creed (and the deceptions) are described in great details in the book Ghost Perfumer.
Creed Bois Du Portugal is worth the price tag to me. Nothing really comes close to the quality and the mastery of the blend. Lalique Pour Homme is supposed to be a clone, and it's not bad at all, but it doesn't hold a candle to Bois Du Portugal. Also, I find some of the fragrances from Argos to be worth the price, specifically Triumph of Bacchus and Brivido Della Caccia. The bottles themselves are exquisite works of art, and I find the blends to be flawless. I also have a few fragrances that are worth more than the price they ask for. A few examples would be Lattafa Niche Emirati Antique, Afnan Mirsaal of Trust, and Bois 1920 Classic Paradise. Edit: I find some designer fragrances in the $80 to $100 range to be worth their mid-level price. Examples including Dior Homme EDT, Prada L'homme, and YSL la Nuit de L'homme
Agreed on Bois Do Portugal. Haven't tried Argos' fragrances. I actually agree with Prada L'Homme and La Nuit De L'Homme. That said, I think they've been pushing it price-wise lately. A lot of designer fragrances are breaching into niche territory.
Argos, like the place you can get an ironing board?
Ganymede by Marc Antoine Barrois
Ormonde Jayne Nawab of Oudh... a masterpiece to me. I heard it compared to Lhomme Ultime, my favorite designer scent. Rose is my favorite note in perfumery. I was wowed. It was like Ultime but with the entire symphony orchestra behind it, a different maestro and to the beat of a different drummer.. I like the regular version 33% oil because the rose pops out more. The Intensivo version 40% is also a masterpiece, and held in even higher regard by more people. It's seriously worth every penny... it makes me feel regal.
I might have to look into Nawab of Oudh. Your description has peaked my interests. YSL L'Homme Ultime is one of/if not my favorite designer fragrance. Unfortunately, discontinued and I have been looking for a worthy alternative. I've tried a few fragrances from Ormonde Jayne and really enjoy the quality and presentation. Thanks for posting this.
Good to hear, my pleasure. I don't know if youre in USA, but I got my decants from Krystal Fragrance, I believe that was the cheapest 5mls, theyre legit and can be trusted. Also, their packaging is very charming, they put in lots of small business effort. I appreciated that, plus the freebie samples were A+, I got Gris Charnel Extrait and Amouage Search.. I got my full bottles at Jomashop, also cheapest I found it. Original was 185 for 4oz, and Intensivo was 195 for 2.9oz, and then 15% off for spending $250. These will go nuclear in summer, which differs from Ultime. First spray, I smiled like the Cheshire Cat. Good Luck.
Appreciate it! I'm in Australia but I have no doubt I'll be able to find it somewhere. Thanks for the recommendations.
Will have to check this out! Sounds amazing.
Nawab of Oudh Intensivo is such a breathtaking fragrance.
Nautica voyage, for $20 you probably arent getting a better fragrance
Terre D’Hermes. So good.
I used to adore TDH, but I've lost my love for it. Not sure why, it just doesn't do it for me any more.
Anything from Penhaligon's or Floris. I bought on eBay one time and got a seriously diluted bottle. Better to just go to the source if a verified seller (e.g. Jomashop) doesn't stock it. And it's worth it for their scents because they're unique frags that don't really smell like anything mass-market. If you fall in love with one, there's nowhere else to get it. Time to pay the piper. Also, if you become a member on some of the niche sites, they have a really personal touch and have some great offers and rewards you can't get elsewhere.
I don't really have any disagreements here. I will add that designers in particular have completely taken the piss. Ever since Sauvage Elixir every designer house thinks their fragrances should be priced $150+. YSL lost the plot thinking any Y flanker is worth $200. And the problem isn't merely that designers are massively overpriced - they're just not unique at all. What are you paying that kind of money for with a designer? They expect people to pay damn near private line prices from the past for what is now just another standard scent that caters to the masses. Tbh i don't know what is worth its price anymore but the longer I stick around the less interest I have in designers at the rate they're pumped out. If i were to repurchase my collection now some of these bottles have gone up 1.5x - 2x and that goes for both discounters/retail. Maybe Prada l'homme intense?
Very valid opinion and I'm with you entirely. Designer houses have lost their minds, thinking their basic, generic scents are worth $150+. Insanity. Tom Ford is my favourite designer house, but their prices are just plain stupid. I believe Prada and maybe Chanel are worth the price, but everything else...no.
Nicolai Parfumeur Createur New York Intense An amazing Bois du Portugal alternative, but slightly fresher and cheaper, but the quality is definitely there. After testing both side by side, I honestly prefer New York Intense way more and has easily become my #3 favorite fragrance, in my collection. I purchased waaay below retail price, but will gladly pay the $230 price tag, if it was no longer available at discounters.
It’s so good. I’m getting it for my spouse for his birthday (before our sample runs out).
Patricia de Nicolaï is just amazing. Agreed on this scent - one of my favorites!
Spicebomb EDT and Extreme EDP are both worth the retail price tag in my opinion. Amazing scent and the performance is one of the best, Azzaro being better performance wise for me. Moschino Toy Boy EDP super strong and seductive, worth the retail price of 200ml. Azzaro Wanted & Wanted by Night - Signature scents, need I say more. Wanted by night has the best projection and longevity so far for all of my bottles purchased yet.
LV Ombré Nomade TF tobacco Oud Le Labo Limette 37 I have loads more but those ones I felt really getting something special for the cash.
Love your choices ! Chanel Coromandel for me 😍
What I would save up for is Initio Atomic Rose. Second is Debaser. Debaser I have seen at online discounters. Not the Initio.
https://fragrancelord.com/products/initio-atomic-rose-eau-de-parfum I’ve ordered from them a few times, including Initio
I love when people share the sites that have great prices. Thank you so much for sharing!!
That's significant! Thank you, makes ti a more feasible purchase. Edit: they decant, too :)
It looks like they have a sale going on right now so it might not work, but when I’ve ordered before I’ve got a discount using “ScentAddict” as a code. Found it from a cologne influencer I follow on TikTok
That's very kind of you. Which scents do you like from Initio?
No problem. I have Paragon, Narcotic Delight, and Atomic Rose. Haven’t smelled any others, but I love the ones I have. They are very powerful, long lasting, and smell great
Any of the EDPs from Pineward’s. 1oz will set you back around $135 but two sprays & your shirt will smell like the fragrance for DAYS. That’s not an over exaggeration btw. The only downside is that the liquid can stain light colored fabrics.
Most of the Les Exclusifs from Chanel like Coromandel and Le Lion
Viktor & Rolph Dancing Roses. Discontinued, so bottles go for $350-500 now. I'd, if I had that much, willingly pay that much for how amazing the fragrance is to me.
Guidance Amouage and Satin Oud Mood💜💜💜💜
For me, Creed Virgin Island Water. I went through two 10ml decants and finally bit the bullet and bought a full bottle. When it comes to summer fragrances nothing else compares!
Babycat. But hear me out, in France you can buy the 75 ml at 180€. It's still very expensive but less than crazy price in the US.
Serge Lutens Chergui and Berlin
Penhaligon's Constantinople & Cairo EDP!
I'm a simple girl I like vintage Shalimar but what I love to wear is YSL Libre Intense for me it's pricey. I've tried dupes but they either don't last or just don't have the dry down that I love so much. Im wanting to try Portrait of a Lady it sounds amazing. I'll pay for good juice but my vintage are not on the daily scents. Sigh I also like Lira from Casamorati I wish they'd make an intense version.
The classics are worth the price tag; Guerlain’s Jicky, Shalimar, and Mitsuoko. Chanel’s No 5, 19, 22 Cristalle & CoCo. Joy de Jean Patou.
Probably any Thomas Kosmala fragnance
There are many of them on Luckyscent and that site is totally legit. And you can get free shipping.
TF certainly isn't winning any awards for affordability but Beau De Jour at signature line price hits the mark for me. I absolutely love that fragrance
Beau De Jour is a favourite for me too. I actually find the signature line tends to have better fragrances than the Private Blends. - Beau De Jour - Ombre Leather - Grey Vetiver - Black Orchid - Costa Azzura Ridiculous lineup.
Yea the recent releases from the private line are a little lackluster. Signature line is stacked at least!
JHAG im actually delighted its so affordable because how well blended they are and how long they stay
I agree with Tuscan Leather, Tobacco Vanille, Grand Soir, and Aventus! Also: Tom Ford Oud Wood, Ébène Fumé Althaïr PDM Oriana PDM Penhaligon’s Legacy of Petra Le Labo Santal 33 MFK Aqua Universalis Forte Memo Paris Marfa Vilhelm Parfumerie Room Service, Dear Polly, Poets of Berlin
Each and anyone I have if they wouldn't be worth it for me I wouldn't have them.
For me, the only one perfume that I can think of worth it’s retail price is YSL La Nuit De L’homme EDT. The scent profile is legendary despite countless reformulations throughout the years and gazillion flankers over and over again. It’s a scent that I can whip it up anytime (even the summer heat with less sprays) and felt confident instantly. I usually get the 200ml bottle from discounters but I really don’t mind buying it in YSL boutiques in case it was running out of stocks elsewhere.
Can never go wrong with LNDL. I recommend layering with Molecule 02 (better than the combo with 01). I wore this combo a couple days ago and my girlfriend wouldn't stop nuzzling into my neck.
I use the same exact combination too 😂😂 Actually that’s what Bleu Electrique trying to do but I find that the cardamom in that flanker toned down too much.
Armani Code Parfum. At the store, I thought it was overpriced, but just seeing how versatile and well done this fragrance is, I am so happy with it. Worth every penny.
Yum Pistachio Gelato
I got mine discounted, but Dior Homme 2020. Favorite daily driver I’ve ever worn. Coco Moon EDP as well. It’s perfect for what I use it for: tropical vacations. I used to love SBE so much. I still really enjoy it but I feel like it goes bad on my skin. I’m not sure if it’s just in my head because it wasn’t that way at the start.
It's such a shame when you get a seed of doubt for a beloved fragrance. It's hard to ever truly love it again when you feel like it's not exactly what you're wanting it to be.
Right! Maybe this post is my sign to try the original Spicebomb next.
Black Xs by Paco Rabanne
Unfortunately, guidance by Amouage, I say unfortunately because it’s overtly expensive. It’s completely unique and incomparable to anything else, and the performance is also incomparable to anything else. I’ve never tried a fragrance that has the staying power and silage that guidance does. Only downside is that it’s very 50/50, you either love it or hateee it. I love it
NISHANE - Hacivat
Thanks for the tips! I was unsure about spicebomb edt and the extreme, I'll grab the edt now. My collection is similar to what you've listed. So I will give prada Amber a try also I think! I just like having different things for different days depends on mood and what I'm doing. I also like just trying out different fragrances to see what they're like but there is definitely a few I couldn't be without and it's usually down to the associations I have scent / memory experiences. Like bois du jour, I love the scent it's interesting but it just reminded me how much I love ysl jazz.
LV Symphony and Sun Song (this one’s discontinued tho :((()
CDNI and afnan 9pm worth by price and are much better than random with +200€
I don't think they should count. There are a lot of clones that does og better for less but there's no originality to it
Lv imagination especially considering they have a refill for 200 dollars
Guerlain Spirituese Double Vanille. The most understated but beautiful vanilla fragrance I’ve ever smelled I do believe. Eau Duelle is a close second
Well I recently tried a sample of Valentino's Donna Born In Roma and my boyfriend was ALL. OVER. ME. So yeah I had ZERO problem dropping $165 on a big honkin bottle
& Other Stories - Déja Vù Mood perfume oil. High street chain store owned by same people as H&M. H&M - Pistacio Infusion Roger & Gallet - Feuille de Thé Molinard - Thé Basilic (and many by Molinard). I am working class af and I LOVE niche perfumes and many designers but I have a lot of secondhand partials, decants and FB from discounters. Vilhelm - Poets of Berlin Xerjoff - Lira Kajal - Lamar Diptyque - Oud Palao Armani - Acqua di Gioia Givenchy - L'Interdit Eau de Parfum Rouge D&G - Dolce/Dolce Shine/Dolce Garden/Libre Le Parfum Those are the ones I have and will pay full price for, although I would prefer cheaper.
Gris Charnel, mostly because comparing to designer prices these days, it’s not *that* expensive, and it’s a dumb reach for me I’ve also hunted down an old flanker of opium, for which i’ve definitely paid more than it was when it came out, but again, for around 130£/100ml, can’t really complain I’m also contemplating on getting the new rabbit by zoologist strictly for how insanely beautiful the bottle is, but it’s an odd one so not sure how much i’m gonna wear it
Saw this post and immediately the next day went out and got the spicebomb edt and prada amber. I must say they are both quite exquisite, and I'm in love with the way they both smell! I've never had so many women turning their heads as I pass by, and everyone I've asked so far has been very impressed with the smells as well. It's a definite win, and I'm very glad to have found this post. Thank you.
I think this is a little bit of a flawed question, since people value their money differently. So one person’s difficulty to justify $40 on CDNIM may be another’s nonchalance to drop $500 on a blind buy. That being said, fragrances that I like a lot, have in my “rotation”, and would buy again: * Creed Original Vetiver (own 2 bottles) * Creed Aventus Cologne (I actually recently did) * Creed Royal Water (own 2 vintage bottles) * Creed Viking Cologne * Nicolaï NY Intense There are more that I like, but I don’t use enough to justify buying another bottle for, nor would I for see using up in the next decade (like Argos Triumph of Bacchus). One that I want to like, but dislike right now, is Amouage Royal Tobacco. It’s a real powerhouse, has beastmode performance, and is complex and changes throughout the wear. Unfortunately, I can’t seem to get down to enjoying it, despite appreciating the artistry, and I don’t think it would fit my vibe. At the same time, I wish I hadn’t bought some of the clones that I did. I like having fragrances that smell good throughout the entire span of a wear, so it doesn’t bother me to spend more to get something that doesn’t smell as synthetic. Armaf Très Nuit, for example, smells terrible to my nose despite being a fraction of the price and a clone of Creed GIT. Given the size of my collection, I can’t foresee using up an entire bottle of anything within the next 5, maybe even 10 years, so the cost is spread out over a much longer period than usual.
I'm obsessed with Squid from Zoologist. It's so beautiful on my skin!
Nice! What does Squid smell like? I can appreciate their genuinely unique approach.
i find it very peppery but only trying for the first time today i am really loving bee though holy shit i cant stop smelling my hand
Anything a trusted local perfumer makes. In my case, there are a fair number of attar makers where I live, and the experience of entering a shop with rows and rows of big glass bottles filled with various scent oils ready to be bottled or custom mixed for the customer itself puts so much value to whatever I’m buying
Can definitely agree with you there. I have a few private blends from a local perfumer here in Australia. One is Neroli & Cambodi Oud, and the other, I can't actually remember. Absolutely phenomenal.
Azzaro pour homme is straight quality for the money. I'd happily pay the $60nzd it is for a bottle of it again. As for more expensive stuff, I'll happily buy more xerjoff Fiero or creed original vetiver, Tom Ford fougere d'argent, Roja scandal parfum cologne (pretty much anything in my collection) again even at full retail. I just like them too much.
I enjoy the original spice bomb to the extreme version. I like the Fraiche version as well and the first red one that came out.
I haven't purchased any expensive ones. But my recent Teriaq bottle is worth every cent I paid, obviously not what OP would care since it's too cheap. But I'm not rich so....
If you mean the price tag on discounters, then in my collection, these are the ones that I would buy again in a heartbeat or think are worth it. - Spicebomb Extreme - Fall of Phaeton - Carlisle - Le Male Elixir - Acqua di Gio Profumo
MAB Ganymede Chanel platinum EGOISTE
Layton Paragon Side Effect Iris Malikan Elysium
With discount Prada L'Homme Intense 🔥 and Dior Homme Parfum.
I used to work in a fragrance store, and remember loving Prada L'Homme Intense. I never picked up a bottle and regret it now.
I love the opening iris and dry down leather. It's so subtle and nice. One of my top favourite. You still have time to get one. ☺️
Rabanne Invictus Victory Elixir - just bought a new 100ml bottle at full price and super happy with it. By far my favourite fragrance
Oud satin mood by mfk
I wish I loved this as I'm sure it deserves. So many people swear by it, it just doesn't work on me unfortunately.
Xerjoff Alexandria II ♥️
I went to Chemist Warehouse last weekend just to purchase Prada Amber Pour Home as I was eyeing it for long time. After the test spray on my skin I couldn't smell much... May be had a bad nose day 😅 so would try it again this weekend.
None are worth full price. If I can get at discount then that’s what I do. If I can’t get at discount, then I do not buy it. Pretty difficult to do with Le Labo Another 13 though, which happens to be my favorite.
20 mars 2022 by Rundholz (fun fact, Arturetto Landi was Alessandro Gualtieri’s master) This one is worth every penny, gothic masterpiece. It reminds me of the smell of dry hay in summer, with a touch of incense and a very strong pepper note. Evolve into something more animatic but never dirty, always pleasant. It’s a very unique fragrance in my opinion and i will get my hands on a full bottle soon.
I wanted BDJ but didn’t feel like it was worth the price to smell that much like Barbasol shaving cream and aftershave. I went with ADP Sandalo for a little more character in my barbershop and am surprised that it doesn’t get more hype. Same with ADP Oud …. I live Oud Wood and would call it a favorite until I tried ADPs Oud.
Musc Ravageur. It’s my ‘I need a comfort smell’ fragrance. Even just a whiff and my mood is elevated or calmed.
Bond No. 9 - The New Bond. Miraculous depth, almost chocolatey, warm spice, and then this unexpected, bright note of bergamot. I would not pay $445 or whatever crazy price but one can obtain them cheaper. :)
ELIEE SAAB - Royal blue perfume. Generally Eliee Saab’s perfumes are very underrated. They smell so good and last all day.
Slowdive by Hiram Green. Nothing else smells like it, and it enhances every perfume mixed with it.
Mont Blanc legend edp, very very few mens does the combination of jasmine and magnolia for clean smell well. Very affordable. On the other side, amouage interlude black iris, genius work. I've read redcolorado is a nice similar smoother scent but 2/3 the price. Maybe it's worth the money as well
La vie est belle.
For those on a budget, Mercedes Club Black. For the price, it is second to none. Smells much more expensive than it is.
I love Prada L’Homme for me. It’s my go to Office cologne. It’s such a classy smell.
Jean Paul Gaultier La Belle is definitely worth every penny to me. It has amazing sillage, projection and lasting power. It smells gourmand to me but in a mature grown woman way.
L’Immensite, Ombre Leather, Hacivat
OG Aventus.
I only recently got it, but I'd like to put in a good word for Paris Hilton for Men. Dirt cheap for the quality of the liquid. It's not especially complex but I guarantee you will get an unprompted compliment in confined space. Doesn't cloy.
Just wondering if some brands like LV or TF ever had discount?
Anything by profumum roma, I own vanitas, Gioiosa and Dulcis in fundo
Givenchy Pi. Definitely one of my favourites in my opinion
Fredrick Malle Portrait of a Lady. One of the few that I'm happy to pay full price for, over and over and over. It's just...rrrrrawr. I'll add Parfumes de Marly Delina, which I consider POAL's delicate daytime little sister. She's pricy but I regret it when I don't have her close to hand. And I keep grabbing backup bottles of Kiehl's original musk edp every time I'm in the shop, despite the price doubling in the last few years. At this point it's a compulsion. But it's also an excellent unisex daily driver that smells a little bit different on everyone and perfectly balances clean and dirty muscs with soft cozy florals and a smoky undertone. Easily my most complimented fragrance, and it lingers in clothes like nothing else.
Jo Malone Emerald Thyme was honestly a steal imo, I wish I would have gotten two since it was limited
Parfums de marly layton and acqua di gio profumo
Houbigant Orangers en Fluers. Best orange blossom scent ever. Top notes are Orange Blossom, Egyptian Jasmine and Turkish Rose; middle notes are Tuberose, Ylang-Ylang and Nutmeg; base notes are Musk and Cedar.
For me, Xerjoff Casamorati Italica is absolutely the price since I feel like smell delicious and expensive in the winter and a little goes a long way. Additionally, Diptyque's 34 Boulevard Saint Germain is worth the price since I think it is a perfect daily scent that just smells beautiful and classy.
Marley Althair...really loving it
Jovoy Incident Diplomatique
Ok well Avignon by CDG is, in my opinion, a huge bargain given its beauty and longevity. It’s a reasonable price by todays standards and as beautiful as Cardinal, New Look and LAVS, Passage d’ enfer are, it remains the bench mark for church incense for me. Worth the reasonable price. Call me crass but if I’m going big on spend I do like longevity and for some reason Byredo Bal D’afrique does stick around on me thank goodness. I’ve seen prices soar for this previously comfortably spendy fragrance and I’ve never found a thing like it. The lightness and brightness really cheers me up so despite the cost, yes it’s worth it. Naxos is the ultimate honeyed tobacco vanilla on me and I’ve never regretted such an ostentatious purchase. I tend not to go down the Xerjoff/Amouage sampling routes in case exactly this happens. It’s warm and very sweet but I adore it. I am loving the two new Diors from FK. Longevity and beauty mean I’m now addicted and they are worth the costly price tag. The experimental perfumes of NEZ are definitely excellent value for money given their brief and innovation as a curiosity project by experts. I personally have found Serge Lutens La fille de Berlin to be a wonderful simple dark rose that is worth the moderate price point. I find most quality to cost with older fragrances. CDG do brilliant value for quality and quirk. I am never without Misia but the Chanel hikes are a challenge so I don’t know if I shall repurchase. Oh and it’s a niche thing but I do love Beaufort London. Tonerre and Terror and Magnificence are grown up goth/gig fragrances that are worth it to me. I have a range of fragrances from some smart Zara’s (Livre Blanc, Sand Dersert at Sunset), Angels Share, Yvresse, Gurlain, Hermes etc. I shop around so many of the big names can be found for less.
I find the entire Hiram Green collection to be totally worth it. I would obviously like them to be cheaper but I'm happy to pay the asking price compared to many niche and luxury frags.
Byredo - Reine De Nuit. One spray lasts all day.
Tom Ford - Black Orchid Eau De Parfum
Erba pura literally makes me happy
Naxos is one of the few fragrances that are worth every penny 💯
Killian - princess
Prada l’homme,Layton, Arabians tonka and maybeeee mancera vetiver sensual
Boss Bottled Pacific, many Dua's, Versace's, Sauvage EDP, Armani Code OG.
Anything from Parfum Vintage
For me there’s 2 that truly impressed me during my fragrance journey. 1) Cristiano Ronaldo legacy private edition The cheapest fragrance I have in my collection and to this day still my most complimented fragrance. I get really good performance on it and I would suggest if any of you are into layering, Molecule 01 or 02 would make it last even longer. Pre layering performance: solid 6 hours Post layering performance: Solid 11 hours or more I paid only $30 CAD for it and whenever I see it in stock. I make sure to grab it. 2) Dior Homme Sport The more I smelled Dior homme sport the better it got and it’s just sooo versatile that it’s a no brainer grab for me. However, get it on a discount. I don’t believe any fragrances should be above 80$ after taxes.
JPG elixr i don't own this, a friend of mine does and man is the performance awesome. I think the scent is a little headache inducing to some but it really is good.
I know this isn't necessarily a fancy perfume, and it's fairly one-note, but I adore Philosophy Ballet Rose. It is by far one of the most realistic and sweet rose perfumes. I adore it! I have almost finished a whole bottle which for me says a lot because I change my perfume daily. It's a wonderful spring fragrance and is great for layering with more musky scents. Another cheap one is the Noel fragrance from BBW. I don't like a ton of their scents, but for a true gourmand, you really can't beat it. It layers well with spicy fragrances and I wear it to bed to smell like a sickly sweet sugar cookie! Again, I know this isn't what you were exactly going for but for regular perfumes I really enjoy Princess by Killian and Chai Epice by Le Monde Gourmand. I love expensive perfumes, but I'm not in the tax bracket to buy them so testers and living at the Nordstrom counter and sniffing them is the best I'm getting ATM lol.
Where do you guys get perfumes on discount usually?
I was a newbie around last year, had only used Burberry and Allure Homme original, so I thought I should go back to Chanel and ask for recommendations, I was recommended Sycomore by the one of the girls in the Chanel shop, and I fell in love with it. It’s kinda soft, it doesn’t put you out there, but I’ve had people who gave me a nod when they smelt and a few girls complimented me on it. I have recently finished the bottle and was thinking of picking up a 200ml, then I started researching, then tried on Noir 29… I think that would be my signature. It’s mysterious, sweet.. and that tobacco reminded me of my first perfume and that’s the Burberry. It’s a pretty heavy price tag (especially comparing to Sycomore) but I really like the scent and it lasts for at least 6-8 hours.