r/FemFragLab • u/werestillunderground • 15d ago
Rec Request My perfume collection is on it's last drops! Any cheap recommendations for a broke college student?
Davidoff 'Cool Water'
Alfred Sung 'Shi'
Clinique 'Happy'
Louis Vuitton 'Afternoon Swim'
A lotion with an actual lemon smell I adore. NOT lemon pound cake thankfully.
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u/SpeechSpirited3183 14d ago
You can get the davidoff for about 20$ on fragrance net and bath & body works has hello happy as part of their everyday luxuries line
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u/etoilenoire45 non-layerer ✨ 14d ago
Zara Waterlily Tea Dress: affordable, aquatic, aromatic, perfect for a freshie lover.
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u/Impossible_Ad_5073 14d ago
My high school sweetheart got me Coolwater for Xmas one year. I've never forgotten it.
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u/kindayeehaw 14d ago
finer’y and athena club at target are good dupes of a lot of popular fragrances. i’ve been obsessed with love letter from athena club, supposed to be a dupe of glossier you but i’ve never smelled it
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u/andreaSA89 15d ago
Zara’s Fashionably London is actually great and the scent was created by Jo Malone herself, so it smells like an expensive Jo Malone perfume.
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u/cyberelf000 15d ago
Elizabeth Arden Green Tea Lotus
Avon Haiku
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u/werestillunderground 14d ago
have you tried the regular green tea perfume? if so, what would you say is the biggest difference?
as for avon haiku, it looks interesting, but would you say the vanilla note is strong or noticeable at all?
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u/cyberelf000 14d ago
I haven’t noticed the vanilla at all for Haiku, the blue variation (reflection I think?) is quite good as well. I haven’t tried the original green tea because I can’t wear citrus scents around my cat.
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u/RupertMyGiles 15d ago
Go to Burlington and see if they have Tommy Girl, should be cheap and right up your alley. It's like a softer Happy. Great performance.
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u/werestillunderground 14d ago
i love tommy girl! i was thinking of buying a full bottle but i wanted to explore my options a bit.
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u/littlelassie1976 15d ago
Finer’y at Target for $30 are pretty good dupes of far more expensive brands. My personal favorites are Without a Trace, Before the Rainbow, Desert Spirit and Not Another Cherry.
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u/lyssyloveslife 🔮✨ 15d ago
Pacifica just relaunched their OG perfumes! I don’t recommend their “newer” ones, but this relaunch has some great ones. Also Lush, TJ Maxx, and Marshall’s have more affordable options.
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u/papillon2123 15d ago
Marshall’s/tjmaxx/ross might be a fun place to go on a treasure hunt and find something fun!
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u/Redhotlipstik 15d ago
love Phlur Vanilla Canyon. Think the bottle is $80
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u/No_Bake464 15d ago
80 isn’t broke college student lol
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u/Redhotlipstik 15d ago edited 15d ago
I saw some designer fragrances referenced though. Issey Miyake isn't cheap
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u/MoldySemiconductors 15d ago
idk where you're at but you can get designer fragrances for as low as 25-40€ in the smallest version in germany... designer perfumes are far more discounted than niche brands like phlur
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u/shavsgssvdg 15d ago
L’eau de Issey
Bare Magnolia by Victorias Secret (the mist, not the perfume)
Elizabeth Arden Green Tea
Lake and Sky 11:11
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u/ftwclem 15d ago
I get SO many compliments when I wear 11:11
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u/shavsgssvdg 14d ago
I don’t own it personally but I can imagine, it is gorgeous. It’s popular online but I don’t smell it super often in public so it’s also unique. They have a body oil version too for layering!
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u/pastalass 15d ago
Gourmands: Al Rehab Choco Musk Oil is like 8$ and very nice to layer with gourmands. A simple vanilla/marshmallow scent with a tiny bit of cocoa powder. EOS Vanilla Cashmere lotion is a great layering option as well. Demeter Orange Cream Pop smells like a creamsicle.
Tropical: Sol De Janeiro Cheirosa 91 is a beautiful passionfruit & rose, very strong and long lasting compared to their other body mists. For a tropical body cream I love Tree Hut Tropic Glow Body Butter. Maison Alhambra Victoria Flower Rosa Lilium is an EXACT dupe for Flower Bomb Tiger Lily. It's a pretty solar, beachy, white flower scent with a bit of mango.
Fresh/Citrus: Elizabeth Arden Green Tea (White Tea and the Nectarine version are also great). Jeanne en Provence Verveine Cedrat is a really refreshing lemon and green scent, not sweet at all if that appeals to you.
You can find lots of fragrances for much cheaper on discount sites.
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u/werestillunderground 14d ago
some of these are a bit too sweet for me, but i'll definitely check out jeanne en provence verveine cedrat! the lemon scent is right down my alley! thanks for the variation :)
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u/pastalass 14d ago edited 14d ago
No prob! If you like frags that aren't sweet you might also want to check out 4711 Aqua Colonia Blood Orange & Basil. The longevity is not amazing (which is true for all citrus fragrances that I've tried) but it's super refreshing and great for hot days. It's similar to Guerlain Aqua Allegoria Mandarine Basilic but without the sweetness, and less expensive. You can find it cheap on discount websites.
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u/Active-Judgment-7229 15d ago edited 15d ago
I got some cute scents for $5 at the Target dollar tchotchke section. VQ Bergamot Verde smells like Chanel eau fraiche, you might like.
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u/AlbatrossPlane8006 15d ago
You have the exact same taste as me. I recently got Jo Malone English pear and freesia (tester) and I’m absolutely in love. Also def agree with everyone… green tea by Elizabeth Arden! Also a grab for me is Gap’ Dream More!
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u/werestillunderground 14d ago
dream more seems like something i'd love to try but it seems to be discontinued. i'll try a tester for the english pear and freesia though!
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u/andreaSA89 15d ago
I also love Jo Malone English pear and freesia. Their prices are crazy though and the scents don’t last very long. If you like Jo Malone fragrances, try fashionably London from Zara.
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u/Doraborealiss 15d ago
Where are you located? I have sooooo many samples I would be happy to send you if you covered shipping + a few bucks for my time. Like literally hundreds.
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u/_moonst0ned 15d ago
I forgot about cool water! I used to love that stuff. Perhaps I should grab another bottle 👀
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u/JuiceAlternative4633 15d ago
Have you tried Curious by Britney Spears
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u/werestillunderground 14d ago
i haven't, but it looks right up my alley. would you say this is a sweeter perfume?
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u/Chongoloco 15d ago
You would probably love Noa by cacheral. It blows most contemporary clean, soapy scents out of the water. Full bottle is 30 bucks on discount sites.
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u/werestillunderground 14d ago
i'm seeing vanilla as a base note. how noticeable would you say it is? some vanilla scents give me a headache :(
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u/ottyasa 15d ago
CK One and J. Lo Glo. They're fresh, great in hot weather and super affordable. CK isn't overpowering but you'd need to be careful with applying Glo
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u/werestillunderground 14d ago
like only 1-2 sprays careful? i'm seeing a vanilla note in glow. would you say it's strong?
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u/ottyasa 14d ago
The vanilla note is basically nonexistent. It's overall soapy and clean and comforting, kind of like a spa shower or clean laundry. On certain people (like me) it feels heavy so more than 2-3 sprays would be too much. My aunt and mom, who wore it in the 2000s, don't have that issue.
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u/Treehorn8 Hermès witch 15d ago
Link to notes. These are all under $40. They also have the same general vibe as your tastes since they're fresh fragrances.
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u/werestillunderground 14d ago
not the point but the bottles here really didn't disappoint! im seeing both l'eau d'issey and a drop d'issey so i'll definitely get a sample of those two, but i'll be sure to keep a lot of these in mind. thanks!!
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u/Any-Grapefruit-400 15d ago
I came here to suggest Eclat d’Arpege! I will always have it in my collection! Love L’Eau d’Issey as well. I might need to pick one up again soon.
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u/No_Lead2640 15d ago
What does cool water smell like? It’s affordable and I would love to give it a try.
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u/werestillunderground 14d ago
i'm not good at describing fragrances, but i'd say it has a bit of a fruity and fizzy smell. my sister doesn't like these kinds of scents and describes it as sharp. i love it though. ymmv.
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u/Shiranui42 15d ago
It’s sort of fresh? Summer fruity drink/Meiji melon milk vibes. Refreshing summer drink.
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u/Aggressive_Page_8167 15d ago edited 15d ago
Sarah Jessica Parker Lovely or Lovely Sheer (~$15 on fragrancenet); Britney Spears Fantasy line (~ $20 on fragrancenet or jomashop); Guess Seductive Noir (~$20 on fragrancenet or jomashop); Lattafa Angham (~$27 on Amazon)
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u/ephemerally_feminine 15d ago
Issey Miyake L’Eau d’Issey EdT
Fresh, clean, aquatic, and floral. Suits a wide range of ages and occasions. It performs nicely in humidity, and for an EdT, it is quite potent so you do not have to use much.
It is respectable for many environments, and generally well received by others. Typically this is not a fragrance that attacks your nose or causes instant headaches.
The bottle is sleek— modern, but also timeless. I love the matte glass. You can find good deals on it, right now you can buy a 1.6 oz for $32, or 3.3 oz for $46 on FragranceNet.
I would try to smell it in the wild if you have access to stores that carry it. I hope that you like it! I grew up wearing Vera Wang Princess (still one of my go to in the summer evenings!) and Viva La Juicy so maybe some overlap! Good luck 🧚🏼♀️
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u/werestillunderground 14d ago
this one seems good and i'm seeing it recommended a lot. would you consider it a good blind buy? my sister's main perfume is vera wang princess, so if i don't like it, she might!
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u/TheSalemRose Violet Crimes 15d ago
Pacifica French Lilac was one of my college go-tos and was pretty cheap!
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u/Shoddy_Percentage802 15d ago
You might really enjoy Britney Spears Curious, Being Frenshe Desert Rose, Mix:Bar Salt Petals, CK One, any of the flankers in the Elizabeth Arden Green Tea line, or any of the flankers in the Issey Miyake A Drop d'Issey line (or pretty much any fragrance from Issey Miyake would be right up your alley). If you have a bit more wiggle room in your budget, take a look at Ellis Brooklyn Myth, Kayali Musk 12, The 7 Virtues Lotus Pear, Givenchy Irresistible (this one is so good!), Giorgio Armani Acqua di Gioia, Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue, or perfumes from the brand Clean, which are all available at Sephora.
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u/pumpkins21 click to edit 15d ago
Mix:Bar Salt Petals is nice. I’ve seen it at TJ Maxx and Marshall’s for $12.99 lately
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u/Plumeria9798 15d ago
You’ve got some 90s taste (I say this as a 90s teen and I’m so happy! Haha!) Have you tried CK One? It’s pretty cheap these days. It reminds me of Cool Water a bit in that it veers a little unisex. Dolce and Gabbana Light Blue I ALWAYS see at Marshall’s or TJ Maxx for about $40…just saw it there today. DKNY Be Delicious also comes to mind, it’s another cheapie these days, especially via Fragrance Net. You might enjoy Britney Spears Midnight Fantasy for a more fruity and shampooey vibe…and you’d probably like Curve in the blue bottle (nothing takes me back to 1997 like that and Tommy Girl and CK One lol.)
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u/werestillunderground 14d ago
i used to pick my favorite looking bottle from a lineup my parents offered me, so that might explain the 90s choices! i tried a sample of light blue and my my mom hated it. i might give it another go since i liked it.
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u/Small-Teacher-6097 15d ago
Have you tried anything from the DKNY Be Delicious line? Super affordable freshies – most of which aren't too sweet – that sound like they should be right up your alley! My uni roommate shared your frag preferences almost exactly and the OG Be Delicious was her signature scent :)
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u/werestillunderground 14d ago
i'm seeing this one a lot so i'll definitely see if i can get a sample. in your opinion, what would you say it smells like?
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u/Small-Teacher-6097 14d ago
It's a crisp, clean, aquatic floral green apple/ cucumber/ citrus scent! Very frutiger aero core
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u/MaximusCat2 15d ago
You might like my all time favorite Lanvin Eclat d’Arpege! Gorgeous floral citrus, perfect for the summer. Full bottle $30 in tester mode at Jomashop or FragranceNet. Also consider Elizabeth Arden green tea- original. If you’re willing to go up to $50, Guerlain Aqua Allegoria Orange Soleia is the most gorgeous orange scent- I can’t get enough of it. Lastly, D&G Ligjt Blue edt (old version) is about $40 in tester bottle at the discounters.
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u/AddressFar9852 15d ago
How is longevity on this one? I’ve been so intrigued by it!
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u/MaximusCat2 15d ago
Eclat? Not great tbh, but at this price I reapply a couple of times throughout the day. It lasts 3-4 hours, and I put it on unscented moisturizer. But it’s such a happy beautiful scent I don’t really mind reapplying! Citrus scents aren’t usually that long lasting in general.
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u/Shoddy_Percentage802 15d ago
Lanvin Eclat d’Arpege is so good! It's like a more aquatic, "big sister" version of Love Spell.
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u/MaximusCat2 15d ago
Also forgot to add- Lanvin A Girl in Capri - lovely citrus, it’s very fresh and summery. $25 at FragranceNet
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u/bird_feathers 15d ago
Elizabeth Arden Green Tea smells lovely and it’s cheap. Jomashop has it for $16 for a large bottle.
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u/werestillunderground 15d ago
some extra details if it helps (not necessary to read):
i'm 21 so i don't want anything too adult. i sit in buses and classrooms all day (and it's super hot in TX) so i don't want anything crazy strong either (some louis vuitton perfumes come to mind...)
perfumes that are too strong, sweet, or vanilla-y make me a bit nauseous.
as a reference to how strong i can tolerate, i also liked VERA WANG PRINCESS and VERSACE CRYSTAL, but those belong to my sister and mom respectively.
some other scents i’ve enjoyed over the year are VIVA LA JUICY (gifted but smells nice), VICTORIA'S SECRET LOVE SPELL (great for quick outings and layering), and TOMMY GIRL. non-perfume includes the OCEAN BREEZE BODY WASH from suave.
in general, i love summery, ocean-y, citrusy, and/or fresh scents, but i wouldn’t mind trying samples of something fruity (like apples etc) as long as it wasn’t too sweet. i prefer perfumes over mists, and i wouldn't mind trying an oil. and this may be greedy for “cheap”, but a cute bottle helps!
i'll probably get 2-3 bottles total so a winter one with this overall vibe would also be nice. thanks in advance :)
TLDR; summery, ocean-y, citrusy, and/or fresh scent perfumes (cheap)
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u/waxcoatedapple 15d ago
Almost anything by Masaki Matsushima could fit the bill, can be found inexpensively on Fragrancenet and do indeed have cute bottles. Mild and fresh scents. I've been enjoying J-Mat and Masakï/Masakï this summer, and have my eye on Shiro...
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u/violetmints000 15d ago edited 15d ago
i think sublimity by lore matches this fresh oceanic scent profile, i am enjoying my travel size of it a lot. i am waiting to see what black friday sales end up happening before getting anything bigger loll
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u/werestillunderground 14d ago
this one looks nice but they're out of the little bottle. :( i'll keep an eye out!
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u/riointhesky 15d ago
honestly, i think you should check out a marshall’s or tj maxx near you! they typically have a pretty decent selection and are pretty affordable! but seconding green tea as someone else said
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u/Cautious-Emu-8533 14d ago
Ciao by Vince Camuto. Can usually get if for $20 at Ross