Being a fragrance addict is a costly affair, there really is no doubt about it. But even if you are someone that's loyal to only one or two scents it can still be a hit to your bank balance when it comes to repurchasing them.
So today I thought I'd focus on saving rather than splurging, especially as some of my favourite scents come with a hefty price tag that I'd rather avoid. Below find seven of my own favourite money-saving tips that I've personally tried and test!
Seek out Perfume Dupes
Believe it or not, fragrance dupes do exact, in fact, there are a few brands out there that do only that! Often fragrance dupes can be found in the likes of Marks & Spencers, Next, Primark and Zara and can save you a lot when it comes to considering repurchasing your favourite scent. However, if you aren't keen on swapping good sillage and pretty aesthetics for a budget dupe consider having it as an 'in handbag' scent for on the go or even to use with your more expensive scent so that it lasts longer.
My own favourite dupe that I own is for Thierry Mugler Alien (RRP £39) which can be bought for only £2.99 on Fragrance Direct here and really does smell very similar indeed! Other dupes include Milton Lloyd I Am I Feel (£2.99 here) which smells like Lancome La Vie Est Belle (£41), New Look Blush (£8 here) which smells like Chanel Coco Mademoiselle (£69) and Next Cashmere (£8 here) smells just like Estee Lauder Sensuous Nude (£39).
Buy Used
If the fragrance you want is simply out of your price range then turning to eBay may be a good option! While you can't guarantee the authenticity of fragrances on selling platforms you can most of the time with used fragrances, while also making a huge saving! Generally, people will sell used fragrances that they have blindly bought online or received as a gift and haven't liked. This can vary from fragrances that have been used once or with a certain percentage left in the bottle.
Ask for your favourite fragrance or gift vouchers for Christmas and Birthday's
One of my favourites ways to enjoy my favourite more pricier fragrances all year round is to ask for them come Christmas. Even if you aren't running low but know you will want to repurchase a certain scent asking for a gift voucher or the actual fragrance from friends and family is a good idea. You may even receive an extra special gift set, especially at Christmas time when many designer fragrance brands offer special sets.
Try a fragrance subscription - especially if you love luxury brands
As I love fragrance I have tried a few monthly subscriptions in the past but as scents are such a personal thing I realise it was a waste of money, especially if you find you don't like many of the fragrance samples in each box - it is a gamble after all.
However, a new fragrance subscription service on the scene that goes by the name of Scent Addict by The Fragrance Shop is something I can recommend (I've been using the service for 2 months now). The monthly subscription is like no other as you select the fragrances you know you already like! For £12 per month, you receive an 8ml spray of your choice (which lasts a month) to place in an atomiser you receive with your first month. Which means to get to use your favourite luxury scents without the huge price tag. The best thing about it is there are no low-end brands here only premium ones such as Chanel, Tom Ford, YSL, Viktor & Rolf plus many more. Also totally ideal if you are going on holiday or just want to keep your favourite scents in compact form in your bag. A really impressive idea and service!
Only purchase fragrance in key sale periods
Only shopping when the key sales are on really can give some massive savings. The main sales to be aware of are Black Friday and Boxing Day. Both sale dates see massive price cuts on websites such as Boots, Debenhams and The Fragrance Shop so seeking out the scents you would maybe want to purchase in advance by bookmarking each page is a good idea. Then come sale day you can simply visit each page to see the updated discounted price!
Stock up at Duty-Free
This one is a bit of a no-brainer! If you want to save on your designer fragrance then going tax-free by buying at duty-free is the way to go. This is ideal if your favourite fragrance never goes on sale in the main sales periods, as mentioned above. World Duty-Free is where you want to be shopping at the airport, and impressively has a reserve and collect service online which takes the hassle out of shopping before a flight or if a family member or friend has agreed to purchase your fragrance for you! You can also discover some lovely exclusive fragrance gift sets for the same price as you would normally pay for your favourite perfume.
Consider budget fragrance
If you are a true department store fragrance lovers then it may feel a come down to convert yourself to cheaper alternatives. However, if you look carefully you really can find some amazing budget scents, for example, Vera Wang Princess is an ultra-popular gourmand floral scent that can often be picked up for only £15. Similarly, Sarah Jessica Parker Lovely, a really fresh linen type scent ideal for Spring/Summer, is loved by many and can be picked up for as little as £9.99!
If you are new to seeking out more cheaper scents I would recommend looking and trying out fragrances that come with a budget price tag that have been around 10 years or more, as they have stayed around for good reason!
Let me know if you have any tips on how you save on premium fragrances!
Fee xo.
