Designer perfumes don’t have to drain your bank account. Here's the secret
This beauty hack is taking over social media and helping perfume lovers smell luxurious for less, without sacrificing quality or style.
Why perfume prices are skyrocketing
High-end perfumes cost more than just the scent in the bottle; branding, celebrity endorsements, rare ingredients, and lavish packaging all push prices up and can make it seem impossible to smell luxe for less.
With some luxury scents retailing for thousands of rands, fragrance lovers are finding creative ways to enjoy beautiful aromas without overspending.
How to smell luxe for less? The affordable fragrance hack is all about layering fragrances.
Fragrance oils: The budget-friendly game-changer
Fragrance oils are concentrated scents without the alcohol found in traditional sprays. They last longer on the skin and cost a fraction of what luxury bottles do.
A small roll-on can act as a base layer for your favourite perfume, making it last all day and stretching your bottle’s lifespan.
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How layering works
Layering is the art of combining multiple scents to create depth, richness, and staying power. If you’re asking how to smell luxe for less, start by applying a fragrance oil first, then spritz your perfume on top, essentially priming your skin to hold on to the scent.
Pro tip: The oil locks in fragrance molecules, meaning fewer reapplications and more savings.
Picking the perfect oil
Match your oil to your perfume’s notes:
Vanilla or amber oils: warm up gourmand scents.
Rose or jasmine oils: Amplify floral perfumes.
Citrus oils: Brighten woody or musky fragrances.
Or go fully custom with unscented carrier oils like jojoba, adding essential oils for a personal signature.
Tips: Layer like a pro
- Hydrate your skin: Use an unscented moisturiser first.
- Apply oil: Pulse points are key – wrists, neck, behind ears.
- Mist perfume: Lightly spray over the oil layer.
- Let it settle: Avoid rubbing to keep molecules intact.
Save money, smell luxe
Layering can double the lifespan of your perfume, saving you hundreds of rands a year. It also lets you mix and match for endless scent combinations without buying multiple bottles. This fragrance hack is about discovering how to smell luxe for less.
South African brands like Tapputi Egyptian perfumes offer affordable, high-quality oils, including designer-inspired scents for under R300.
Layering fragrance oils is a beauty hack that makes perfume more affordable, creative, and personal. With the right oil, you can smell like luxury for a fraction of the price, turning it into the affordable fragrance hack you must try.
