The Best Fragrances Under $100

Admittedly, what initially drew me to Father Figure was its name, which made me laugh out loud even though I had no idea how it could relate to a scent. Somehow, it fits: Father Figure strikes a lovable balance of cool and friendly, like a dad joke that actually lands. (The brand aptly describes it as “commanding yet tender.”) The scent features an unpredictable mix of notes ranging from fig and vanilla to iris and jasmine to patchouli and sandalwood, coming together for a playful result that I’ve found wearable for any occasion, day or night, indoors or outside.

Housed in a pretty bronze compact, the solid perfume version of Rihanna’s Fenty fragrance offers a subtle and convenient delivery method for the much-loved scent, especially if you want to reapply somewhere that spraying your fragrance would otherwise be rude—the office, the train, a social gathering, or a restaurant, for instance. The scent is a warm floral, featuring notes of magnolia, rose, and musk, making it a solid fit for both day and night.

If the adjective “fresh” in a fragrance’s description never fails to pique your interest, beauty legend Bobby Brown’s Jones Road has created the ultimate ode to the feeling of being squeaky clean. The Fragrance in Shower—which can be applied like a regular fragrance, it isn’t an in-shower product—feels like stepping out of the bath into a warm, steamy room. Light, crisp, and not overpowering whatsoever, this fragrance offers notes of orange blossom, neroli, patchouli, and sea salt, and a full-size bottle rings up at under 50 bucks.

If you’re searching for a scent reminiscent of beachy bonfires and long drives through the desert, please make the acquaintance of Perfume de la Tierra. This soft scent from Ceremonia is at once mysterious and friendly, offering lightly floral and fruity notes over a rich, woody base. Quietly evolving throughout the day as you wear it, this vegan and cruelty-free fragrance is a great choice for those who prefer subtler scents.

Love the famously luxurious Chanel fragrance lineup but hate how pricey it is? If there’s a scent you love that’s above your budget, hair perfume is a fantastic way to try the exact same fragrance at a cost that’s typically far lower than an eau de parfum iteration. (In the case of Coco Mademoiselle, the eau de parfum ranges from $108 for a small size, all the way up to $258 for the largest format.) With the same fresh, sparkling blend of citrus notes, floral accords, and sprinklings of spice, this hair mist brings Coco Mademoiselle to your vanity without the steep price tag.

For all you enigmatic, speakeasy-loving night owls out there, master perfumer Chris Collins has created a striking woody scent inspired by nightlife in the 1920s Prohibition Era. Harlem Nights’ booze-and-cigarettes vibe stems from its top notes of rum and clove, while its spicy, distinct heart and woody base give it a sophisticated, unexpectedly wearable quality—even during the daytime.

When Clinique’s famous Black Honey Almost Lipstick had a resurgence in popularity thanks to its TikTok virality, I found myself adding Clinique Happy into my lineup of mood-boosting scents nearly two decades after I initially tried it as a teenager. (In fact, it was the first perfume my mother ever gave me) First launched back in 1998, this sunny scent features a veritable bouquet of floral notes. Happy is built on a base of honeysuckle and lily of the valley with magnolia and orchid at its heart, topped off with poppy citrus notes of grapefruit and mandarins—all adding up to a blend that earns its friendly moniker.

If you’re familiar with Ouai’s hair products, you know that the brand is a master at creating intoxicating scents you can’t help but return to again and again. (Even its detergent collaboration with DedCool is utterly obsession-worthy.) This carefree scent smells the way a walk on the beach in the summer feels: refreshing, revitalizing, and calm. Want to try it in a smaller tube before you invest in a big bottle? North Bondi also comes in a $26 travel size.

If you’re a package design aficionado who worries that smaller sizes mean settling for sad, blank bottles, Gucci is here to prove that theory wrong. This inviting set of brightly colored tubes contains three floral scents: Flora Gorgeous Gardenia, Flora Gorgeous Magnolia, and Flora Gorgeous Orchid, each with its splendid blend that brings to mind playful spring days at the park and long summer nights in the backyard.

British perfumer Jo Malone is a favorite of many fragrance devotees, but her scents can be pricier, which is why a hair mist is a great option. For $55, you can try the brand's best-selling English Pear & Freesia scent—an autumnal blend of juicy pear, warm amber, and dark patchouli—at a more affordable price.

The reputation of Glossier’s debut scent precedes it; it is a classic staple on countless fragrance shelves for a reason. A shape-shifting formula that also comes in a cute (and refillable!) little solid, Glossier You carries notes of pink pepper and iris, bestowing its wearer with a lightly floral fragrance that reflects your unique body chemistry.

A cool scent with a troublemaking name, Menace by Henry Rose is an excellent choice for those days when you want to feel a little more powerful—a bit more badass, even. Its base of warm cedarwood and patchouli combined with fruity top notes of tangerine and lime create a sleek combination to wear to your next big meeting. Also: If you’re curious about Henry Rose’s wider lineup, I highly recommend its $45 discovery set. I’ve been tossing one to two of these into my suitcase whenever I travel and I’m thrilled to pull them out every time.

When you hear the words “vanilla perfume,” this under-$50 pick is probably in alignment with the scent that comes to mind. Lavanila’s fan-favorite fragrance is creamy and sweet—though not overly so—with notes of (duh) Madagascar vanilla balanced by fruitiness from goji berry. While this warm, soothing perfume works great as a daytime scent, it’s also lovely to spritz on your pillow before bed, setting you up nicely for sweet dreams. And for super fans, Lavanila also offers a three-piece set for just $60 that features a full-size fragrance, a travel spray, and a Pure Vanilla deodorant.

With its sandy-pink packaging and clever scent names, Boy Smells has quickly risen to the top of many fragrance fans’ must-have lists. While some people find scents with violet a bit overpowering, fans of the unique floral note will find Violet Ends is an essential addition to their collections. With fruity and peppery elements at its top, an herbal heart of black tea and tobacco, and warm, woody bottom notes, Violet Ends is memorable, mesmerizing, and complex—just like you.