How to Smell Expensive on a Budget, According to Experts

Cosmopolitan

6 days ago

Flaunting a Birkin used to be the ultimate symbol of wealth. But today's displays of affluence are a lot more nuanced. People aren't paying attention to designer bags or shoes, but rather, they're focused on how to smell expensive. "How to smell expensive" has over 35 million views on TikTok. It makes sense: Unlike owning a high-end handbag, smelling expensive isn't just reserved for the top one percent.
Think about it: How you smell alters the way you carry yourself. Even if you aren't necessarily rich (yet!), smelling expensive can shift how you're viewed by others, says head of fine fragrance at Givaudan North America, Matthieu Befve. "Scent has become an emotional anchor—a tool for self-expression, comfort, and connection in an increasingly sensory-driven world," he says. "The desire to smell expensive reflects a deeper craving for confidence and emotional relevance. It's less about price and more about embodying an empowered and aspirational version of self."
How is it possible to reek of wealth without dropping a ton of money? Well, Debóra Xavier, product development manager at Rio-based perfume brand Granado, explains that smelling lavish doesn't come down to the price of the perfume. What really matters is the quality of the juice and the resulting scent's uniqueness.
Sandalwood and cashmere woods are often described as creamy for their velvety, smooth scent that adds a bit of warmth to fragrances, especially in the dry down, says Xavier. "Both are comforting yet sensual and give perfumes a polished finish." These creamy wood notes are also designed to linger longer than other facets, creating an impressive scent trail. And the longer a scent lingers, the more expensive they tend to smell. It's perfume math.
Both sandalwood and cashmere woods play an integral role in Ariana Grande's newest scent Lovenotes Plush Vanilla. While you may think that this would smell like a vanilla cupcake with buttercream icing, the two woody notes add a rich, warm depth that softens the sugar factor and ups its sophistication. Woodphoria, a classic from Boy Smells, is equal parts fresh, spicy, and enveloping with hints of coconut water, cardamom, fig leaf, sandalwood, and a touch of cedar. Finally, Maison Louis Marie's iconic wood-centric scent, Bois de Balincourt, smells like a whisper of generational wealth with layers of sandal, cedar, and amber wood swirled with comforting spices.
"Softly salty and warm amber adds a sensual, enveloping richness that lasts beautifully on skin," Xavier says. This is another note that tends to remain on skin for hours, and it gives the illusion that you smell incredible, rather than the perfume.
Amber is one of those rare ingredients that smells incredibly regal as a stand-alone note in perfume, which is why Nemat International's Amber Roll-On is so well-loved. It's a single-note oil that can be worn on its own or layered to add more depth to other fragrances. Glossier You Doux is a full-bodied, smokey combination of palo santo, myrrh, and frankincense is mellowed with both ambroxan and ambrette and often garners compliments (such as comments "wow, you smell expensive"). Coach concocted a show-stopping blend in Gold Eau de Parfum that opens with a sparkling hit of pink peppercorn before warming with yummy vanilla, almond blossom, and—you guessed it—amber.
When you think of expensive floral notes, rose perfumes might be the first one that comes to mind. Rose is, without a doubt, one of the most prized fragrance ingredients, but it's difficult to find an affordable perfume that smells like freshly picked roses. More often than not, rose notes in accessible scents can come off synthetic, which is why if you want to smell expensive on a budget, you should opt for iris, violet, or neroli-based scents.
Befve describes violet as "elegant and refined." Iris has a powdery tinge that "conveys understated sophistication and a cool, aristocratic vibe," says Xavier. And neroli, with its slightly bitter undertones feels "clean yet bright, evoking effortless elegance," Xavier adds.
Snif Me is an incredibly personal scent that mixes stone fruits with iris. The result is something otherworldly, and I can barely believe this unique perfume is under $70 (especially considering iris is one of the world's most expensive fragrance ingredients). Issey Miyake Solar Violet smells like delicate sunbeams grazing your garden in the morning. When combined, violet and iris emit a candied, powdery effect, while pear adds an unexpected juicy pop. Cyklar Naked Neroli will have people thinking you just stepped out of the most luxurious shower, thanks to a mix of bright, soapy citrus notes blended with honeyed neroli.
Musks are the backbone of many perfumes, and Befve says this facet adds "depth and richness, making the scent feel smooth and expensive." This is one of the most complex notes in perfumery because it has an evolving quality to it. Depending on what it's paired with, musk can smell powdery, sweet, earthy, or even animalic;. When it's the main note, it gives off the aura that you, rather than a perfume, smells naturally luxe.
Take Phlur's award-winning Missing Person. Layers of musks, airy florals, and warm sandalwood wrap you in a comforting embrace to make you feel at ease and less alone. Lake & Skye's aura-enhancing 11 11 has become a cult-classic for the way it cloaks you in a magnifying musky radiance (I swear I smell like the best version of myself when I wear it). As for Free the Musk from Dossier, a dash of spices and heady florals give this a carnal depth that exudes confidence—and will have people thinking you only stay at five-star hotels.
Both of our experts say to avoid overly-saccharine scents because they tend to smell synthetic, cloying, and downright cheap. Don't fret quite yet, gourmand lovers. The key to smelling expensively sweet, according to Befve, is to keep things delicate by avoiding sugary notes. "Hints of vanilla, almond, and fig feel comforting and upscale when balanced—not syrupy," he explains.
Henry Rose made one of the most intoxicatingly mature vanilla scents with Dave. There's no mistaking the sweet vanilla heart, but an opening of zesty citrus, a middle of nutty almond blossom and earthy lavender, and a base grounded with rich tonka and cocoa, proves that vanilla can smell seriously upscale. Granado's Baunilha & Açafrão was inspired by royalty, combining vanilla with musk, jasmine, and a burst of saffron. This is one of the newest scents in my collection, and I feel like the queen of New York when I wear it. Le Monde Gourmand's Figue du Forét may be the most affordable pick at just $28, but the heavenly mix of fig, white tea, and almond milk rivals some of the most high-end scents in my collection.
For the most part, experts suggest avoiding anything that is sickeningly sweet or smells medicinal. "Overly sweet, synthetic notes—like cotton-candy accords, artificial fruit notes—especially synthetic peach or strawberry—or excessive vanilla without balance can be potentially cloying," says Xavier. That's not to say that any fruity scent will smell like a bargain. Use your nose, play around, and follow your best judgement.
Another thing to keep in mind: Just because a perfume projects far or lasts long on your skin doesn't mean that it inherently smells expensive. "Stronger is not always better with perfumes," Xavier says. "Sometimes subtle sophistication wins over loud complexity."
With any of the picks mentioned, you'll literally feel (and smell) like a million bucks. But, you should also take into account that scent is extremely personal, and we suggest using this guide as an outline to find the best ~bourgeoisie~ perfume that feels most like you. "When a fragrance feels aligned with your identity—whether it's soft and clean, warm and cozy, or bold and edgy—it creates a kind of personal luxury that no price tag can define," says Befve. "Perfumes that feel rich in texture, intention, and self-expression... that's what makes a scent truly luxurious."
Mary Honkus is a beauty contributor for Cosmopolitan with over seven years of experience researching, writing, and editing beauty stories, including a deep dive into what makes orris the world's most expensive fragrance note, and finding the best solar scents. She is an authority in all beauty categories, but has a sweet spot for fragrance with a collection of over 200 scents. She believes everyone should smell amazing no matter their budget, so she consulted fragrance experts to put together this comprehensive guide on how to smell expensive.