This story was updated in January 2019.
Who does not want to smell good at any point of the day and any day in the week? Let us all admit it, we all have this common obsession with smelling great at all times and it just gives a boost in the right direction to start the day with! As the number of brands infiltrating the market has started increasing, even we are spoilt for our choices when it comes to the right smell. When choosing the right perfume for you, you should always keep in mind the place that you are going at and the occasion for which you are choosing the perfume. Let us check out some expensive and some affordable perfumes below.
If you are unsure of which smells to opt for and need some instructions to choose the fragrance to keep you going amidst any season and any occasion, read on how to choose.
Types of Fragrances
How To Store Your Perfumes
Make Your Perfume Last Longer
Instructions On Perfumes
10 Best Expensive Perfumes
3 Best Affordable Perfumes in India
7 Perfumes Under 1000
Consider Your Budget
Let us all agree, we all want to have those expensive perfumes that everyone is raving about, be it your favourite blogger or the celeb that you are following. The question is, is it worth spending tons of money on these perfume brands or are there any other affordable perfumes that can be the alternatives for these perfume brands? Well, it depends on you whether you want to invest in these big perfume brands or you want to try the affordable perfumes. Narrowing down on your available budget we will help you in choosing the right perfumes which cater to your needs personally.
Fragrances that you can choose from various Perfume Brands
In order to settle on which perfume you want to buy, choose which occasion will you be wearing it for; that special date, or that important meeting, or the party that you are attending or if it will be a smell that you would want to wear on a day to day basis. Every occasion will call for its own unique smell. Whether you like floral or misty smells or you like musky smells, it is your call, but misty and citrusy smells work better on a day to day basis. While these light smells keep you adorned for the day, opt for strong smells for that much needed impact and oomph.
The choice of perfumes can also vary according to the seasons, while floral and misty perfumes work the best for the summers, more profound musky and woody smells work to give you that much needed boost during the rains. While choosing your perfumes keep in mind the people that you are surrounded by. Strong perfumes generally tend to irritate some people, so choose carefully of what you put on when you are around a certain set of people.
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Notes That You Can Opt For
A perfume will generally have a fragrance that can be divided into three layers: the top, the middle and the base. It is the chemical reaction between these layers that work up to create a certain aroma giving us the pleasant notes that we smell. While there are floral perfumes which gives us various options like rose, jasmine, magnolia, lilies etc, the citrus options gives us flavours of citrus, grapefruit, tangerine etc. The fresher perfumes like the fruit based ones gives us options that range of smells from fruits like apples, pear, strawberries, peaches, and raspberries to name a few. You can also opt for smells that are based on spices like cinnamon and star anise.
For people who want to opt for more stronger or musky smells, make sure that the base notes should consist of woody notes such as sandalwood, birch, cedar to name a few.
Testers For Fragrance
While it is best to test the fragrances prior to purchasing them, you should also make sure that you know what would be the right occasion for the smell you are choosing. A simple sniff test will ensure you whether or not you like the base notes of the perfume you are opting for. Also, if you want to test the efficiency of the perfume, apply it on your wrist to check the long lastingness.
Most people love shopping online, but when it comes to perfumes try to opt for personal presence at the perfume store where you will be able to judge a perfume based on the testers available there. It helps to simplify the complicated process of trying and assessing your favourite smells by some tests available online.
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Storage of Your Perfumes
Firstly, when it comes to an expiration date, your perfume will not begin to diminish until it has been sprayed at least once. It is the introduction of oxygen to the perfume solution that facilitates the gradual degeneration of a scent (ie: when a splash bottle is opened, or an atomizer pumped for the first time). It is always a good practice to store your perfumes at normal room temperature. In case the climate gets too hot or humid, store your perfumes in the refrigerator, this process helps avoid the ageing process of your perfume by exposure to heat. Also, to maintain the freshness of your perfume and to keep the smell of the natural oil present in it intact, do not keep it in humid places like the bathroom or other damp places.
For best results, your perfumes should be stored upright, and kept in its original box. Exposure to heat and sunlight over a period of time will cause your fragrances to deteriorate. You can also choose to keep them in a dark cupboard or drawer. Also, do not shake your perfume container prior to use, it exposes your perfume to outside air which causes your perfume to undergo some chemical reactions which might not be as good for the perfumes itself.
How To Increase The Efficiency of The Perfume
Rather than rubbing the perfume on your wrist, just spray it lightly and let it sit there for a while. An excellent tip to bring out the longevity of your perfume is to apply vaseline or petroleum jelly on your wrist or the area of your body that you are spraying the perfume on before spraying it. The best places to apply your perfume to keep you smelling good all day is your wrist, the back of your ear, the back of your knee, the sides of your neck, inside your elbows, and your calf and ankles. For maximum retention, spray in your perfume right after your shower and before you get dressed.
Availability of Testers
Check for the availability of testers if you are not sure as to which perfume to settle down on. Also, if you are buying a new perfume for the first time, check if there are mini versions available for the smell. Other than just getting you settled in the new smell, it will also help minimize the loss of the perfume by a change in its composition by other external factors or due to oxidation. Perfumes are generally meant for quick and brisk usage, the sooner you use them, the better they smell without changing their original composition. Opt for smaller packages or tester versions of the perfumes in order to keep the fragrance relevant rather than hoarding a bigger bottle for months and altering the composition of the perfume.
Instructions and Descriptions
Every perfume has its own different description and the instructions to use them differ from perfume to perfume. Keep an eye on the description of the product to know if it suits your personal style and personality before buying it. Make sure that the undertones that you opt for complement your personality, be it citrus, floral or musky while at the same time not being overpowering for you or people around you.
Below is a list of perfumes that are available in India and which you can opt for taking in consideration all the above points.
10 Best Expensive Perfumes
1. Carolina Herrera Good Girl Eau De Parfum, 80ml
Carolina Herrera Good Girl Eau De Parfum available in a quirky bottle is one of the trending perfume used by celebs and bloggers. It has a powerful sensual fragrance and is a blend of light and dark elements.
POPxo recommends : Carolina Herrera Rs. 6,800 for 80 ml
2. Yves Saint Laurent Black Opium Eau De Parfum
While the perfume can dent your pocket for over fourteen thousand rupees, you can definitely smell like your favourite celebrity wearing this one. The top notes in this perfume are pink pepper, orange blossom, and pear. The middle notes consist of coffee and jasmine while the base notes have vanilla, patchouli and cedar. While there are two versions of this perfume available based on the quantity, you can choose which suits you the most.
POPxo recommends : Black Opium by Yves Saint Laurent, Rs 14,044
3. Tom Ford Vanille Fatale
Think, creamy vanilla, heady saffron and delicate notes of myrrh that dry down into a sweet yet a spicy scent. The smoky after smell gives this vanilla scent a richness that lasts really long.
One spray is all you need, so don’t worry about running out of this perfume any time soon.
POPxo recommends : Vanille Fatale by Tom Ford, Rs. 16,857 ($235)
4. Beautiful By Estee Lauder For Women
Beautiful by Estée Lauder is a casual fragrance that has been around for three decades but is still one of the most famous top seller. It combines the floral essence of rose, jasmine, and carnation with fruity notes of citrus, melons, plums, and peaches.
POPxo recommends : Beautiful by Estee Lauder; Rs.6,659 for 30 ml
5. Lancôme La Vie Est Belle L’Eau de Parfum
Lancôme’s La Vie Est Belle is a cheerful fruity fragrance for all day wear. It has hints of vanilla, patchouli, praline, and black currant blended with orange blossom and jasmine. It is perfect for your day out with friends or that special lunch date.
POPxo recommends : La vie est belle by Lancome, Rs.11,949 for 73.93 ml
6. Victoria’s Secret Bombshell Eau De Parfum Spray
Victoria’s Secret Bombshell is a fragrance that will remind you of summer. It contains the scent of peonies with passion fruit. It has the freshness of citrus based perfumes while maintaining the floral base undertones.
POPxo recommends : Bombshell by Victoria’s Secret, Rs. 6,745 for 1.7 Oz
7. L’Occitane Crisp Citrus Verbena Eau de Toilette Spray
When you feel too irritated, cool down with the Crisp Citrus spray from L’Occitane on a summer day. The lemony fragrance is enhanced by organic Verbena grown in the fields of France. It has a citrus undertone which keeps you feeling fresh throughout the day without overpowering you.
POPxo recommends : L’Occitane by Verbena, Rs. 3,950 for 100 ml
8. CLEAN Original Eau de Parfum Spray
If you want to opt for a light and subtle floral fragrance which has citrus undertones, go for the CLEAN original spray. It is not too overbearing and is subtle and fresh.
POPxo recommends : CLEAN original perfume Rs. 5,501 for 60 ml
9. Coach New York The Fragrance Eau de Parfum Spray
Inspired by the city of New York, this perfume says luxury and class at the same time. The fragrance is a combination of fruity undertones of raspberries with floral influence of roses and then lingers around with a musky vanilla flavor for hours.
POPxo recommends : Coach New York Rs. 5,850 for 90 ml
10. Calvin Klein Euphoria Eau de Parfum
When you want to be the center of attention, try Euphoria from Calvin Klein. It is a sensual combination of exotic fruits and enchanting florals in a base of amber and mahogany.
POPxo recommends : Euphoria by Calvin Klein Rs. 4,631 for 100 ml
You do not always burn a hole in your pocket to buy your favourite fragrances. You can also look out for inexpensive substitutes for that fragrance that you have been eyeing.
3 Best Affordable Perfumes in India
1. Skinn Nude By Titan
With aromas of lychee and rose, Skinn Nude is for when you want to smell sensual and extraordinary. And the best part? It lasts pretty much forever!
Price: Rs 1,190. Buy it here.
2. Playboy Play It Spicy
Everybody wants a Playboy in their vanity! And it’s totally possible to have one too! Play It Spicy is perfect for when you want to let your wild side show. Go play!
Price: Rs 1,611. Buy it here.
3. Oriflame Queen Of The Night
More for play than work, this one is just right for dressy dinners and other special occasions! Also, who doesn’t love a perfume bottle that looks this fancy?!
Price: Rs 1,099. Buy it here.
So, these were some best yet affordable perfumes that can surely be used as an alternative for the expensive ones. Now let’s have a look at perfumes under 1000 Rs.
Perfumes Under 1000
1. Revlon Charlie Red
Perfect for a regular day at work or college, Charlie Red has a flowery yet musky scent. It’s an unusual yet fresh combo, which makes it a great choice!
Price: Rs 750. Buy it here.
2. Trendy from Nike
Designed for the modern girl on the go, it’s sporty and still feminine! Using this is very refreshing and a perfect way to start to the day! Trendy from Nike is one of the best perfumes for women in India!
Price: Rs 566. Buy it here.
3. Diesel Plus Plus Feminine
With top notes of bitter orange and lily of the valley, this isn’t your average overly sweet-smelling scent. We absolutely love the delicateness of this fragrance!
Price: 999. Buy it here.
4. Amazonian Wild Lily Perfume Oil from The Body Shop
While a little on the pricier side for the size of the bottle, you only really need to apply a drop of it every time! (Just dab it on your wrists and behind your earlobe, and you’re good to go!) It lasts a long time, and it’s so very easy to carry in your handbag with you.
Price: Rs 995. Buy it here.
5. Benetton Hot EDT For Women
It woody, fresh and oriental, which makes for a such a yummy smell! It’s also super long-lasting – you’ll definitely get your money’s worth!
Price: Rs 695. Buy it here.
6. Fabindia Cypress Perfume Oil
It is one of the most affordable perfumes that works the best. When you’re tired of smelling like a garden, go for this forestry scent instead! It has a gentle yet lingering aroma and it comes with an easy roll on applicator. Just apply it on your wrists and behind your ears, and you’re good to go!
Price: Rs 265. Buy it here.
7. Parag fragrances Natural Fragrance Sandalwood, 60 ml
Parag fragrances Natural Fragrance Sandalwood has a natural fragrance. It has a fragrance of sandalwood which smells amazing.
Price: Rs 799. Buy it here
With all the variety of exquisite and tempting fragrance listed above, keep experimenting with the fragrances complementing your accessories to feel fresh, confident and elegant. Lift your mood and evoke fond memories by using the right one. Whatever the reason, never stop smelling good. And remember to store the bottle in a cool and dry place; also don’t keep the bottle with its cap open to keep its essence intact for longer. Have you tried these fragrances yet? Which of these are your favourite? Do let us know in the comment section below.
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