Build Your Complete Fragrance Collection Under ?6,000 the Smart Way

Today, in the age of influencers, it is not difficult to spot a fragrance influencer who would suggest that a good collection requires expensive designer or niche perfumes. However, as a fragrance reviewer who has reviewed over 100 perfumes, I believe fragrance collection shouldn’t override your wallet. Tom Ford, the owner of the luxury designer brand Tom Ford, once said in an interview that his products are for those who have a “disposable income”. Today in India, young men are collecting fragrances like they have collected sneakers or watches instead of depending on one deodorant bottle which lasts till eternity. A carefully selected collection is very much possible while having a budget of around ?6,000.

While building a fragrance collection, few things need to be kept in mind. The first is to understand what sort of perfume one likes. Whether he likes Middle Eastern oud perfumes, clean freshies, spicy fragrances with a layer of musk, or herbal chypre fragrances. Whatever he loves the most, he must spend the least on that variety of perfume since he would likely use that perfume more than the others in his collection.

Secondly, while building a collection, the collector needs to have a limit over how many fragrances he owns. Fragrance collection hobby can be addictive so one must have a cap on how many perfumes he wants to own. Personally, I restrict my urge to sniff another bottle whenever my fragrance collection reaches six bottles because that’s all one needs if he has a really tight fragrance budget. One, for everyday workplace use; one for wedding or events; one for casual wear and three alternatives because let’s be honest – no one loves wearing the same scent every day.

With these things in mind, here are few perfumes that I would suggest along with their prices.

1. Fresh Everyday Wear

Wild Stone Code Iridium

Approximate Price: ?210

Dior Sauvage is one of the most popular fragrances in this world. While it costs over ten thousand rupees with its elaborate magnetic cap, over-the-top influence, and association with Hollywood actor Johnny Depp, it is also one of the most cloned perfumes in the fragrance world. Inspired versions of Dior Sauvage are dime a dozen. One such example is Wild Stone Code Iridium. Much like Dior Sauvage, it has a shower-gel scent profile that carries fresh, citrusy accords, a peppery touch, and an amber dry-down – making it ideal for college, dates and casual wear. Of course, there is a significant difference in quality but Code Iridum ensures that within your tight budget, it’s the results which matter.

Titan Skinn Raw

Approximate Price: ?1,500

Many would suggest that even in the Titan Skinn series, you would have better fragrances like Amalfi Riviera or Nova but if you are a white-collar employee, you need something that’s well suited for your office wear. Titan Skinn Raw has citrusy notes and provides an aromatic freshness with a sombre woody base – making it the most effective office wear and for warmer climates.

Scentedelic 1200 Micrograms

Approximate Price: ?500 – 1,500 (Depending on discounts, bottle size and presentation)

Imagine two of the most underrated designer fragrances in the entire perfume community are fused together with little to no compromise in the quality. Scentedelic, as a fragrance house, has launched multiple inspired perfumes so its safe to assume that this is their expertise. The 1200 Micrograms feels like a combination of Louis Vuitton Afternoon Swim (? 22,000+) and Bulgari Tygar (?9,000+) and the experience you derive is within the ?1,500 mark. It has a citrus, grapefruit opening with the dry down of ambroxan, which makes it incredibly luxurious for its price range.

2. Professional and Mature Choices

Jacques Bogart One Man Show

Approximate Price: ?500

Before the citrus fragrances took over as the standard masculine fragrances, the perfumes which prevailed in the men’s segment were herbal, mossy, a hint of spice and with a base of musk; more popularly known as the ‘chypre’ variety. Jacques Bogart’s One Man Show is a 1980 perfume which reflects this particular segment. While it may not appeal to the modern olfactory expectations, it introduces one to the bygone world of classic fragrances. The One Man Show deodorant is hence suitable if you are someone in the late thirties or beyond.

Nuvana: The Man Who Wore Vetiver

Approximate Price: ?500

Vetiver or Khus is probably India’s greatest contribution to the perfumery world. Of course, vetiver has been a part of all our childhood if you were born prior to the year 2,000. Desert water coolers used to contain vetiver straws on its sides. To prevent its stench, one also used vetiver-scented drops to these coolers. Vetiver straws were also used in thatched window curtains and it’s concentrated juice was also quite popular.

Many popular fragrances around the world like Guerlain Vetiver or Terre D’Hermes contain the vetiver note. The fragrance of vetiver showcases its earthy, green, and sophisticated character and when combined with citrus and musky undertones, it reflects olfactory brilliance. This is exactly what you get when you consider Nuvana’s the Man Who Wore Vetiver.

The Man Who Wore Vetiver, hence, is an excellent choice for people who are seeking something different than mainstream perfumes.

Ajmal Silver Shade

Approximate Price: ?900

Do you remember the scented erasers you learnt of when you were a child? Often, in the shape of a fruit, they used to have a peculiar scent which mimicked the fruit – often of a melon. Very few perfumes actually recreate this sort of scent; the most well-known being Creed’s Silver Mountain Water. The perfume accords are higher-end metallic, combined with fruits and citrus. Much like any perfumes on the expensive end, Silver Shade is approximately 90-95% similar – with a different yet clean, airy feel. This works particularly well in office and formal environments.

3. Comfort and Signature Scent Territory

Scentedelic Magic Muskroom

Approximate Price: ?500

Another gem from Scentedelic, this one is a near-inspired version of Initio’s Musk Therapy. The fragrance focuses on clean, powdery musk with black currant accords that provides a rather comforting softness: versatile, pleasant, and easy to wear throughout the year. This perfume has the potential to become a signature scent.

Park Avenue Euphoria EDP

Approximate Price: ?300

For most of us, Park Avenue is a brand existing within familiar territory. Most of their fragrances balance freshness, mass appeal and a bit of difference than the usual drugstore perfumes in the market. Euphoria EDP is no different. With an opening of lemon and orange and the base of amber and musk, this one is an affordable fragrance meant for daily wear and something uncomplicated.

4. Sweet, Smoky and Evening Fragrances

Beardo Whisky Smoke

Approximate Price: ?400

Initially, I did not want to try this. Neither did most of the fragrance-loving people in the our Facebook group I knew of. This is because most of them prefer either an expensive niche or a designer fragrance. Gradually, I started finding them on every third reel while scrolling, going to the market and finding them on the shelves of cosmetic stores, and gradually even my facebook friends started to use it as a signature scent.

Turns out, I wasn’t exactly disappointed when I tried it for the first time. It has a sweet, cigar-like smoky and whiskey-like vibe; something unheard of in this range. The Beardo Whiskey Smoke is hence, an ideal partner for every purpose.

Maryaj Native Forest

Approximate Price: ?600

You need to look out for offers because this is one of the items you’d get after buying another Ajmal scent. Sometimes, it’s available for 1,200. Other times, even as low as 400. Maryaj Native Forest has an ever so slight citric opening, which is followed by a woody-green profile; vintage in its nature. It adds depth and variety to the collection while remaining budget-friendly.

5. Exploring Oud

French Essence Oud

Approximate Price: ?400

While Oud has been a standard fragrance in the Middle East, its popularity is now increasing in India thanks to the boom of the perfume industry during the coronavirus period. The smell of oud is strong and it isn’t for everyone. Besides, it is also a perfumer’s work of art which makes it more well-rounded by infusing other fragrance notes like vanilla, musk, florals and so on. However, the raw materials of oud are expensive as well. If you’re searching for a well-rounded oud perfume without spending a fortune, French Essence’s Oud is just the one for you; with its agarwood blended with musk and patchouli in its base notes, which gives a clean, masculine, Middle Eastern vibe. The French Essence Oud is one for the winters and evenings!

Paris Corner Ministry of Oud – Oud Royale

Approximate Price: ?1,500

Paris Corner is one of the most well-known Middle Eastern perfume houses that manufactures close to identical pieces. This one, the Oud Royale of Paris Corner’s Ministry of Oud series, is a near identical version of Creed’s Royal Oud.

Now, the problem with oud perfumes are all in its dry down. This is because the oud notes and accords amplify a fragrance with its distinct character. An inexpensive oud would most likely combine with our body odour and amplify that if you’re wearing on a warm occasion. That isn’t a problem you would face if you were to use the Oud Royale of Paris Corner’s Ministry of Oud. It’s rich, dark and significantly more refined than entry-level oud perfumes; a much more versatile fragrance which one can carry all weather.

6. A Fragrance Inspired by the Indian Coast

Heavenduft Coastal India

Approximate Price: ?700

This is what I would call a masterpiece original version. When we speak about Indian and Middle Eastern Indie houses in general, many are stereotyped as mass clone producers. This one has a character of its own. Inspired by India’s coastline, this carries aquatic and bubble-gum like accords with a touch of watermelon and vanilla. All in all, it feels like one is carrying a delicious cake around. If you are not hesitant to try out sweeter perfumes, this is the one for you. Ideal for warm and casual wear. One scent that I might compare it to is the original Paco Rabanne Invictus, with this one being more on the gourmand side.

• Article by Shreyan Laha