When it comes to fragrances, there are myriads to choose from Some are super popular like Dior Sauvage, which I backlink to every chance I get, while others are less known or at least less appreciated. I think this is because people are drawn to long-lasting powerful scents like Aventus and D&G Light Blue, so the ones that don't perform that well are easily forgotten.
So in today's post, I'm going to talk about 10 specific fragrances that I feel are often overlooked. In fact, some on this list you may have never even heard of. Now the reason they're probably passed over is because they're not phenomenal. Maybe you'll get two to three hours with most of these with very slight projection. Regardless, all of these fragrances are super cheap and still worth checking out, in my opinion.
Note: These fragrances are in no particular order.
Let's get into it:
1. English Laundry Signature for him
While English Laundry is a pretty well-known company, I feel like Signature probably gets overlooked a lot. In fact, I hadn't even heard of it before finding it at my local Marshall's. It only cost me $12 USD for a 100ml which is crazy cheap especially when you smell it.
 |
It smells like something more expensive. It's very soapy which is strange considering that there's nothing really that would give off that scent. Perhaps it's a combination of the lavender, amber, and musk, but I really don't know. Regardless, the scent is super attractive, and one that I really wish performed better.
I get maybe a few hours wearing it with maybe twenty minutes of decent projection. I know English Laundry typically makes cheap fragrances, but if I could make one perform a bit better, I think I'd choose this one.
Despite its lackluster performance, for $12, it's is definitely worth trying if you can get your hands on it.
2. Demeter Cardamom
Unlike Kitten Fur by Demeter which smells nothing like kitten fur, which may or may not be a good thing, Cardamom smells exactly like...you guessed it, cardamom.
Personally, I'm not crazy about the scent on its own, but my fiancee says it makes me smell like an Indian dessert because Indians tend to use a lot of cardamom in their sweets.
 |
| I received a 30ml bottle of Cardamom with my purchase of Kitten Fur, but a full sized bottle only costs $34. Definitely not a bad price for a decent fragrance. |
It definitely isn't bad though and considering the low price, it's is definitely worth getting especially if you like to layer your fragrances. Cardamom isn't a super common note in most fragrances, so when I've used this one I've added it to something else. After all, it's just a singular note.
On its own you probably won't get more than an hour or two, but when added with the right fragrance, it really does well. Demeter actually has a whole line of strange and singular fragrances. I don't imagine any of their stuff is worth bragging about, but it could make a fun gift. Check out their full line here!
3. Miniso Classic Energy
Ok, so I don't actually know the price of this one because it was a gift, but considering I've never seen or heard anything about this company, I have to think that it's one a ton of people are missing. I actually got it while in India, so it's possible that it's not available in the United States. I'm not sure.
But what I can say with certainty is that if you ever have the opportunity to get this one, you absolutely should.
It definitely gives off shower gel vibes; in fact, I'm pretty sure I use to use a shower gel called classic energy by Irish Springs. It's very citrusy and fresh: a great balance between being subtle and detectable. Like with everything else on this list, it's not going to last very long, but I get four to five hours out of it, which makes it one of the longest lasting on this list.
If anyone knows where I can get more from this brand let me know. I really would be interested in trying more from them!
4. Burberry London
This is probably my favorite fragrance on this list. The reason I think it tends to be overlooked now is because it is an older fragrance and I don't think it been reformulated. I believe it was rather popular back when it was initially released though.
 |
| I bought a 50ml unboxed bottle from my local Marshall's for $20, but because of the fabric attached to the bottle, I've never really known how much is in it. I'll definitely be rebuying this one when I run out! |
The notes that really dominate this one are cinnamon, tobacco, and leather. I've even heard a few people describe it as smelling like Christmas. As strange as that may sound, I definitely agree that there is something resembling the holidays in it. Perhaps the cinnamon and guaiac wood.
I get about four hours when wearing it and probably a good 30 or 40 minutes of light projection. It's really nice. The best part is that you can get a 100ml bottle for only $40 USD at fragrancex!
I bought mine at Marshall's for $20, but I only have seen it that one time, which is why I bought it. You could possibly find it there as well if you look hard enough.
Even though I don't wear this one that often, I think it is one fragrance that I'd like to permanently keep in my collection.
5. Burberry Weekend
Much like London, Burberry Weekend is an older fragrance; I actually think it's older than the former. And much like London, it was probably much more popular when it was initially released. Now, as far as I could find, it's barely mentioned. I think I found one or two reviews on it.
Really, it's a pretty decent fragrance, but it smells a bit too much like orange cleaner to me. You know, the stuff you use to clean off your counters.
This is probably because the top notes consist of six different fruits: bergamot, pineapple, grapefruit, mandarin orange, melon, and lemon. Of course, there are other notes including honey at the bottom, but all I get from this one is citrus overload.
If you like really fruity fragrances, you'll most likely be a big fan of this one. I do like the scent, but I like it more as a room freshener than something I wear.
Regardless though, you can find this one for super cheap at your local Marshall's as well. I think I paid $15 or $20 for it.
6. Al Rehab Cocoa Musk
This is probably one that a lot of people have never even heard of. It's definitely not the best performing or best smelling on the list, but it is probably the most unique out of the ten mentioned. It essentially is a well-blended chocolate meets vanilla gourmand fragrance. I've heard it described as smelling like Cocoa Puffs the cereal.
Much like most on this list, I rarely wear this one, and when I do it's normally either to layer with something else or just to wear around the house.
I really like how simple this fragrance is too. When I initially apply it I get a mix of the chocolate and musk, with the vanilla coming in about 20 to 30 minutes in. It really reminds me of a sweet dessert; something you would want to eat. For that reason, it could be a good one to wear for an intimate situation
I'm not sure where the best place to find this one is, but I bought a 50ml on anabis.com for $12 USD which is crazy cheap. Let me know if you've found this one on any other sites and for how much.
7. Dermot O'Leary Vetiver and Cedarwood
I bought this one over in India because it seemed unique and I had no idea who Dermot O'Leary even was. Come to find out that he's a popular radio host or something over in the UK, which makes this one a celebrity scent.
And what have I taught you about celebrity scents?
Right. They typically suck.
This one is no difference, but the combination of vetiver, cedarwood, and spices is probably one of the best I have ever experienced. I just really wish this stuff lasted for over an hour.
 |
| Despite being a celebrity scent, Dermot O'Leary Vetiver and Cedarwood is actually really nice. It might not perform very well, but if you like cedarwood, you'll love this one. |
When I first put this on I get a strong rush of the cedarwood and pepper. As it dries down a bit, the vetiver definitely becomes more prominent. The scent is really good. Actually, ever since getting this one, I've been looking for a similar wood-based scent. The closet I've been able to find is Dior Homme 2020, but unfortunately, it isn't as dark as Vetiver and Cedarwood.
If anyone knows something similar to this one, please let me know!
8. Versace The Dreamer
This is probably the most popular fragrance on this list, but I felt it still deserved a spot on here because there are so many other, better advertised Versace fragrances, that I could easily see this one being over looked. The Dreamer is also the last fragrance created by Gianni Versace, which gives it a sort of sentimentality that the other, more popular fragrances don't have.
 |
| I bought a 50ml bottle of The Dreamer from Marshall's for $20 USD |
This one is very unique because it combines tobacco notes with florals including rose, carnation and geranium. I won't lie, it's not my favorite scent out there, but I always feel like I understand Versace's vision a bit more when I wear it. Like I said, it definitely has some emotional value to it.
When I initially apply it I get a lot of the floral notes mixed with a subtle hint of the tobacco and a certain sweetness. It's actually a very relaxing fragrance, one that's entirely different from any of Versace's more modern fragrances which tend to be loud and have strong projection. The Dreamer is definitely more refined and sophisticated.
I feel like this is one you will either love or hate, but regardless I absolutely think it's worth picking-up a bottle from your local discount store.
9. Tru Fragrance Artisan Woods
This one is probably the most random on this list because I found it once, and only once, in the perfume section at Marshall's. It only cost me $12 USD, and as such, you can probably guess that the performance is very subpar, but for a fragrance that wasn't even in the right department, its scent is so enticing.
Much like Vetiver and Cedarwood, I really wish this one lasted longer. It is only an EDC concentration which means that there isn't even much fragrance in it. But what is in it is really good.
I haven't been able to find any information on this one, but I'm assuming that, considering its name, the fragrance consists of mostly woods. I definitely get a bit of pepperiness as well, but mostly I detect a lot of patchouli, sandalwood, and a bit of cedar.
It is a lot sharper than the wood in Dior Homme 2020; I'm guessing because of the spice that seems to be in it.
Unfortunately, I only get maybe an hour out of this one with virtually no projection. I mostly use it before bed.
Regardless of its lackluster performance, if you ever come across this one, do yourself a favor and get yourself a bottle. I mean, $12 is basically a steal.
10. Tommy Bahama Very Cool
Rounding out my list of 10 fragrances that you probably overlooked, is one that I myself overlooked at least a dozen times before buying. The only fragrance house I see more at Marshall's than English Laundry is Tommy Bahama, which is actually why I avoided this one for awhile. I was just expecting it to be subpar, and although I wasn't wrong, Very Cool does have a certain freshness to it that I really like.
The primary players in this one are ginger, orange, and bergamot, although there is a bit of spice that comes out as the fragrance persists. Much like Artisan Woods, I primarily use this one at night or around the house.
It doesn't last long enough to justify wearing it out and the projection is pretty weak, but regardless, I think that it is one that is worth picking-up especially considering the price. I think, like a lot of these, I spent $20 USD for a 100ml bottle.
It does have a rather generic smell, so don't expect anything unique from this one, but it is a nice cheap fragrance to add to your collection especially if you're a fan of citrus-based scents.
---------
Conclusion:
Well, there you have it: ten fragrances I have in my collection that you probably have either overlooked or never even heard of. Just to reemphasize, these aren't the best fragrances out there; in fact, some of them aren't even decent. But I do think each of them is interesting and worth having in your collection.
As an aficionado and curator of fragrances, I like getting both the more expensive designer and niche brands as well as the cheaper, not so great brands. Not only does it save me a lot of money compared to people who buy only niche, but it adds a certain variety to my collection that wouldn't be there if I only had well-known brands.
So what do you think of my list? Would you add anything? Remove anything? What's your favorite cheap fragrance that you feel gets overlooked often?
Let me know in the comments!
-Ryan S.
No comments:
Post a Comment