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For Date Night, These Are the 6 Best Perfumes for Women on a Budget

Why shop the best perfumes for women on a budget? Well, because nothing sets the mood for date night like a fragrance. If you’re going out with your steady, a new perfume adds mystery and a touch of the unexpected. If you’re stepping out at night with a less familiar partner, the right fragrance can reinforces your style and brand in a very memorable way.

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The trouble is, perfume can be either pricey or disappointing. It is possible to spend three digits on a tiny bottle of whatever scent is trending, and then find the scent nearly toxic. To help you avoid that fate, I’ve sniffed out the shelves (err, the Amazon pages) for the best perfumes for women on a budget.

Here’s how I’m defining best:

  • The price is under $50.
  • The scent is subtle, sweet, and sexy according to reviews.
  • Shoppers rave about these scents.

To be clear, these are mostly fresh and light florals. If you’re looking for something more exotic (but still affordable), see this list of the best designer perfume dupes.

Best perfumes for women on a budget

1. Jasmine Diva

Eau de Parfum Jasmine Diva for women by Jean & Len, floral-sweet eau de parfum for women, fragrance notes: natural, harmonious, romantic, vegan women’s fragrance with classic elegance, 1.69 Fl. Oz.
  • OGANIC PARFUM: Our Jasmine Diva…
  • SPECIAL SMELL & FUNCTION: The…
  • HOW TO USE: HOW TO USE: Spray a…
  • WITHOUT GEDØNS*: For us, Gedøns*…
  • ABOUT JEAN & LEN: Jean&Len was…

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Jasmine Diva by Jean & Len possibly deserves a try just for the name, right. This is an organic formula made without parabens, silicons, or animal ingredients. Shoppers say the scent goes on strong at first but quickly mellows into a lingering sultriness. Sounds perfect for a date, yes?

2. Estee Lauder Pleasures

Estee Lauder Pleasures for Women Eau De Parfum Spray, Floral, 3.4 Fl Oz
  • A sheer floral fragrance for…
  • Top notes of white lily & violet…
  • Middle notes of black lilac, white…
  • Base notes of sandalwood &…
  • Suitable for daily wear

Pleasures has been around for ages, and for good reason. It’s light enough to wear daily, but interesting enough to reach for on date night. The layered scent has elements of lily, lilac, and sandalwood. The reviews confirm it: Women and men love that combination. Many shoppers say they’ve been wearing it for years.

3. SHI by Alfred Sung

Alfred Sung SHI Eau De Perfume Spray, Perfume for Women 1.7oz
  • The initial impressions of water…
  • Inspired by a perfect water drop,…
  • Minimal, tranquil and calm
  • Top 3 fragrance notes includes…
  • Also available in 1.0oz and 1.7oz…

A blend of orange blossom, silver birch, and water lily, SHI is a hit with Amazon shoppers. Reviewers describe the scent as clean, light, and fresh, like cotton or linen. Another said it smells like Avon’s Exotic Waters scent, circa 2004. As a bonus, the bottle looks beautiful enough to leave out on your bathroom counter.

4. Yves Rocher Comme Une Evidence

Yves Rocher Comme Une Evidence Eau de Parfum | Women’s French Perfume Spray | 1.6 fl oz
  • Yves Rocher Comme Une Evidence Eau…
  • Bergamot Essence. Our perfume…
  • Damask Rose Absolute. Emits a rich…
  • Patchouli Essence. A woody,…
  • Botanical Beauty for All. At Yves…

This one makes the list on the strength of the brand along with the strongly positive reviews. At a point in time, I was hooked on Yves Rocher products — and now I can’t remember why I stopped using them…

In any case, I may start up again with this perfume. One shopper says it’s her signature scent and another says she gets tons of compliments on her scent. The scent has elements of rose and patchouli, which sounds like a very sexy team.

5. Clinique Happy Heart

Can we say Mandarin musk? This scent from Clinique is soothing, warm, and just plain delicious. Think oranges and fresh cucumbers…the smell of spring! Wear it to keep your mind on warmer weather, even if the thermometer says something different. Happy Heart is light and fresh enough to use as your everyday scent too.

6. Element Edition Rose Quartz

Sale
Tru Fragrance Beauty Element Edition Women’s Perfume Spray – Rose Quartz, 3.4 oz 100 ml – Calming and Relaxing Fragrance with a Blending of Pear, Pink Freesia, and White Woods
  • About: Inspired by the natural…
  • Good to Know: Each signature scent…
  • Style: Our eye-catching designs are…
  • The Vibe: Be one with your…

If you get nervous on date night, consider a calming scent like Element Edition’s Rose Quartz. The notes of pear, peach, freesia, orchid, and honeysuckle combine to create a rose scent that’s sexy in a subtle way. Shoppers describe this scent as soft, clean, sweet, floral, light, and pleasant. That sounds like a signature scent to me.

Do you have any fave budget perfumes to add to this list? Let me know.

If none of these suit your fancy, see five more budget perfume options and review the budget perfume buying FAQs below (so you can shop for your next fragrance like a pro).

Buying budget perfume FAQs

What is the difference between perfume, eau de parfum, eau de toilette, and eau de cologne?

These terms are used interchangeable in conversation but technically define the concentration of fragrance oils in the product. A higher concentration usually means a heavier scent that lasts longer. Perfume has the highest concentration, followed by eau de parfum, eau de toilette, and then eau de cologne.

What are some budget-friendly perfume brands?

Zara, Avon, Bath and Body Works, The Body Shop, Clinique, and some celebrity lines can be good sources for lower priced scents.

Is it okay to buy perfume from previous seasons or years?

Yes, as long as the perfume has been properly stored (cool, dry place, out of direct sunlight), it can still be good to use. Perfumes don’t become dangerous over time, but the scent can fade or turn in a way that’s not pleasant.

What about my sensitive skin?

Look for fragrances labeled as hypoallergenic or made for sensitive skin. And always test a small amount on your skin before you go all-in.

Are there lighter scents that last?

Yes. This is a common issue. You want a light, fresh scent but you don’t want it to fade in an hour. I recommend choosing the scent you like, then taking steps to make it last (vs. opting for a heavier scent for its longevity).

To make your perfume last longer, apply it after you shower, and layer it with a similar-scented body lotion. You can also apply it to pulse points like your wrists, neck, behind your knees, and inside your elbows. In those areas, your skin in warmer and that helps diffuse the scent.

You can also stash a travel size roller bottle in your purse, to reapply periodically.

There’s a caveat here, though. Sometimes the perfume wearer thinks the scent is much lighter than it is to everyone else. Before you add more, check with a trusted friend to ensure you need the scent to last longer.

diya ali

Saturday 4th of March 2017

it is the awesome collection of perfumes for women. we love that

Sasmita Rout

Friday 27th of January 2017

Wow!! Mind blowing Perfume for women, I will definitely buy midnight muse Perfume for valentines day to gift my best friend..

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