As one of the first things people notice when you walk into a room, a great fragrance goes a long way. While the likes of Le Labo and Tom Ford are sure to set you back three figures, that doesn’t mean to say you can’t get a great perfume on a budget.
Perhaps you’ve become tired of your current aftershave and you’re ready to try something new, or maybe, with the festive season well and truly underway, you want a party-ready scent you can waft through the Christmas party. Either way, there’s nothing quite like the feeling of spritzing with a new aroma, so our edit under £50 is sure to make you feel on top of the world when you walk out the door - and your wallet will be feeling just as happy.
Better yet, you could tick off your ever-growing Christmas gift list by choosing a perfume personal to a special someone in your life, whether it’s a stocking filler for your partner who loves woody notes of sandalwood or a fresh scent for your dad who prefers the citrussy aroma of bergamot, unwrapping a new fragrance is sure to guarantee smiles on December 25.
So, from high street heros Zara and AllSaints to luxury brands Burberry and Versace, our edit has you and your Christmas gifting needs covered.
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Zara Vibrant Leather 100ml
Having been designed by Jerome Epinette, the perfumer who has blended scents for the likes of Byredo, Vilhelm Parfumerie and Atelier Cologne, Zara’s Vibrant Leather Eau De Parfum is brimming with complexity and sophistication. Striking a balance between the woody notes of bamboo, the citrusy notes of bergamot and lemon, and the intensity of leather, it’s a masculine aroma that’s worth more than its £25.99 price tag.
Buy now £25.99, Zara
Bon Parfumeur 301 Sandalwood Amber Cardamom Eau de Parfum 30ml
If you’re partial to Le Labo’s Santal 33, Bon Parfumeur’s 301 is likely to tantalise your olfactory taste buds and for a fraction of the price. Although it’s in a small 30ml bottle, it’s the perfect portable scent for a spritz on the move. With woody base notes blended with the spice of cumin and cardamom, it’s an aromatic oriental fragrance that has great longevity.
Buy now £40.00, lookfantastic
Versace Eros Eau De Toilette for Men 50ml
If you’re in the market for a burst of freshness every morning, Versace’s Eros is the one for you. With top notes of mint leaves, lemon zest, and green apple, it’s a crisp and reviving aroma that’s blended with a masculine base oak moss, cedarwood, and vetiver. Considering the £47.50 price tag, it’s a long lasting fragrance that will stay throughout the day.
Buy now £47.50, Amazon
AllSaints Metal Wave 100ml
Musky! Woody! Masculine! AllSaints’ Metal Wave is a manly aroma that’s full of old world charm, blending the freshness of juniper berry with the woody base of papyrus wood as well as a touch of magnolia for a faint sweetness. Reminiscent of old books and libraries stuck in time, it’s a comforting aroma that’s full of intrigue.
Buy now £37.80, AllSaints
Lalique Encre Noire Men Edt 100ml
The marmite of the scent world, Lalique’s Encre Noire is a divisive scent that’s designed for those who love a complex mysterious aroma. Perfect for a night out, it’s a warm, enveloping, and musky fragrance that’s reminiscent of an autumn forest.
Buy now £24.50, Sephora
Montblanc Men's Explorer Eau de Parfum 60ml
If you’re familiar with Creed, one of the most sought after fragrances on the market, Montblanc’s Explorer is the closest you’ll get on a budget. Long lasting, aromatic, and rugged, it’s an addictive aroma that will keep you coming back for more. With a blend of vetiver, sandalwood, and leather, it’s a rich and woody scent that will stay all day long. The sleek bottle will look great on any fragrance mantle, too.
Buy now £44.00, lookfantastic
Burberry Touch For Men 100ml
Spice up your life with Burberry’s Touch For Men. WIth notes of nutmeg, mandarin leaves, and vetiver, it’s a crowd pleasing aromatic fragrance that lasts for hours without being overpowering. It comes packaged in a charcoal grey and burgundy variation of the Burberry check, for a box that would guarantee excitement for any lucky chap on Christmas day.
Buy now £24.99, The Perfume Shop
Ralph Lauren Polo Red Eau de Toilette 125ml
With a fiery blend of spicy red saffron, fresh red grapefruit and deep redwood, it’s no surprise where Ralph Lauren’s fragrance gets its colour from. Strong, spicy, and masculine, it’s a seductive aroma that perfectly balances strength and subtlety, for a scent that can easily take you from day to night. The best part? The 125ml bottle will keep you going for months.
Buy now £34.00, Boots
