The 11 Best Affordable Fragrances Under $100

There are areas of our beauty routines we know we have to spend a little more on products in order to get a little more out of them in the long run.

Splashing cash on efficacious skin care serums and high-tech beauty tools makes sense. But there’s a wealth of affordable beauty products we’d rather spend our hard-earned money on, so we can save a bit of cash in the long run like budget-friendly mascara and cheap and cheerful cleanser.

But if you thought that you had to throw money at fragrance in order to smell luxurious then we’re quite happy to inform you that’s simply not the case. Ahead, you’ll find 11 of the best affordable fragrances for women – and they’re all less than $100 too.

The best affordable fragrances in Australia

Elizabeth Arden 5th Avenue

We say: This iconic floral fragrance from Elizabeth Arden was created to emulate the energy of a sophisticated and successful woman. It contains a blend of citrus, white florals, warm spices, vanilla, amber musk and woods, with a fresh pop of peach.

You say: “I purchased 5th Avenue after reading positive reviews. It has a light, classic scent and has become one of my favourites. I get a lot of compliments when I wear this fragrance and it’s so affordable. The staying power compares favourably to high end perfumes. I will definitely continue buying this perfume for years to come.” — Samsy

Want to read more? Read Elizabeth Arden 5th Avenue reviews here…

$34.99 at Chemist Warehouse

Yves Saint Laurent Black Opium

We say: An amber vanilla scent, this is a sultry perfume with a youthful spirit that can be worn day or night. The hero note is coffee, which is complemented by additional notes of pear, pink pepper, liquorice, bitter almond, vanilla, patchouli, and a bouquet of white florals and grounding wood notes.

You say: “Such a classy and sexy scent! The notes are very floral and fruity, it really lingers even after a whole day of wearing it… [Plus, the] perfume bottle lasts AGES and I spray at least 10 times before I put the bottle down. Perfect scent for all ages; the perfume sits differently on everyone so I wouldn’t say this perfume is too ‘mature’. Get your hands on this and you won’t be disappointed.” — Stinasbeautyy

Want to read more? Read Yves Saint Laurent Black Opium reviews here…

$99.99 at Chemist Warehouse

Estée Lauder Beautiful

We say: This is a romantic, blooming, floral fragrance that opens with zesty citrus notes and a comforting base of woods and vetiver. The spritz contains a plethora of classic florals such as rose, lily, tuberose, marigold, orange flower, jasmine and ylang-ylang.

You say: “This perfume has been around for a long time but one I [always] go back to, as it is so feminine. [It has] nice floral undertones and [it’s] not too heavy for daytime which makes it a good go-to perfume. I always feel special when I wear ‘Beautiful’ and [I] feel [like] it is well-named.” — JuJu47

Want to read more? Read Estée Lauder Beautiful reviews here…

$89.99 at Chemist Warehouse

Lancôme La Vie Est Belle

We say: An ode to the simplicity of natural beauty, La Vie Est Belle is easy to fall in love with. It marries fruity top notes of black currant and pear with a heart of iris, jasmine and orange blossom, and a sweet and sophisticated base of praline, vanilla, patchouli and tonka bean rounds out the scent.

You say: “I first fell in love with this scent when I used to work in a department store. Every morning when I would go to work I would smell this perfume as soon as I would walk through the beauty department… The scent is very feminine, sweet, yet sophisticated. It’s quite powerful, [and] I love how it lasts all day, so even though it’s a little pricey the bottle lasts a while. I honestly receive compliments every single time I wear this perfume, it is worth every cent!” — YvetteRuby

Want to read more? Read Lancôme La Vie Est Belle reviews here…

$89.99 at Chemist Warehouse

MOR Botanicals Bergamot + Blackcurrant

We say: A bright, summery fragrance, this perfume aims to transport the wearer to a sun-drenched orchard with opening notes of fresh Sicilian bergamot, mandarin and blackcurrant liqueur. You’ll notice blooms of rose de mai, neroli, Egyptian jasmine and freesia next. But it’s the base of patchouli, woods, amber and vanilla that’ll linger long after you’ve misted yourself with this spritz.

You say: “All of my usual fragrances are several times the price of this one, but this is just as luxurious! My first impression when I first spritzed it on my skin was that it smelled like Giorgio Armani’s Si, but as I wear it, it settles [and reveals] notes of bergamot, blackcurrant, neroli, jasmine, patchouli and vanilla… The lovely, fresh and fruity fragrance, enhanced with deeper notes, really worked for me.” — Katynna

Want to read more? Read MOR Botanicals Bergamot + Blackcurrant reviews here…

$59.96 at MYER

The Body Shop Black Musk

We say: This scent’s top notes (pear, pink pepper and bergamot) are radiant but don’t be fooled. Black musk is sweet, sensual, dark and mysterious with a delicious base notes of chocolate, vanilla, musk, vetiver and patchouli, and a resinous floral heart of liquorice, heliotrope and ylang-ylang.

You say: “Black musk smells pretty much like I imagined it would. The vanilla base note is easily detected. There are also incense-like notes, which I like and a fruitiness that smells to me like black plum. I find three pumps gives an enduring but not overpowering coverage. Four or five hours later I can still detect whiffs of scent when I move, and I’m able to wear this perfume all day without triggering a migraine.” — Misfortune8

Want to read more? Read The Body Shop Black Musk reviews here…

$49 at The Body Shop

Glasshouse Fragrances Sunsets In Capri

We say: One whiff of this white peach fragrance and you’ll be whisked off to some summery locale with the sound of the beach within ear’s distance. The perfume features juicy notes of peach (of course), alongside mandarin, cassis bud, jasmine, lily, amber, musk and marine notes.

You say: “This scent is absolutely divine. I love the peach notes, which are very prominent. The sea salt balances everything out perfectly, making it a dreamy scent combo. It lasts on the skin all day, and is such a great size to carry around in bag. I’ll definitely be repurchasing this one.” — BeccaDuncan23

Want to read more? Read Glasshouse Fragrances Sunsets In Capri reviews here…

$99.95 at Glasshouse Fragrances

Philosophy Amazing Grace

We say: A clean, crisp, fresh take on feminine scent, Amazing Grace is for the fragrance minimalist. The perfume has a bright citrus opening (bergamot, grapefruit, mandarin), a heart of romantic white florals (freesia, jasmine, rose), and a soft, musky base.

$59.99 at Chemist Warehouse

Giorgio Armani Si

We say: Simultaneously chic, free, intense, soft and sensual, Si is Giorgio Armani’s tribute to the unapologetic, modern woman. The fruity, chypre fragrance bears notes of cassis, may rose, freesia, vanilla, patchouli, woods and ambroxan.

$89.99 at Chemist Warehouse

Narciso Rodriguez For Her Musc Noir

We say: An exploration of the inner mysteries of the feminine, Musc Noir is equal parts earthly and divine with a simple fragrance composition of fresh plum, sensual musk, sweetly floral heliotrope and leathery suede notes.

$99.99 at Chemist Warehouse

Chloé by Chloé

We say: Chloé by Chloé is a refreshing departure from the brand’s more mature scents, with notes of crisp peony, litchi, freesia, rose, lily-of-the-valley, magnolia, Virginia cedar and amber.

$99.99 at Chemist Warehouse

Image credit: @lancomeofficial

What’s your favourite budget-friendly fragrance?