While I'm fortunate enough to be able to sample fragrances across all price ranges at this point in my beauty-writing career, I've actually gotten less picky over the years if you can believe it. If I've learned anything, it's that a good fragrance is a good fragrance—no matter how much it is. I used to think that more expensive equaled a superior scent by default, but I know now that that isn't true at all. You can find a $30 fragrance that earns just as many compliments as a $130 one, and that's something my wallet finds extremely comforting.
Admittedly, I haven't shopped at Target for a fragrance in years. When I was younger, though, that was the highlight of my shopping experience. Perusing the fragrance cabinet full of Ralph Lauren and Clinique was a treat to say the least, but now, the fragrances the retailer offers are better than ever. I recently discovered a $41 scent there that instantly became a new favorite. It's every gourmand lover's dream: sweet, rich, and decadent with a hint of spice. Normally, I'd guard my "you smell so good" secret weapon with my life, but honestly, this fragrance is just too good to gatekeep.
For everything you need to know about this magical scent, the brand behind it, and my other favorites from it, keep scrolling.
Key notes: Vanilla orchid, vanilla absolute, cardamom oil
This scent was my introduction to Scents Unearth'd. TBH, I didn't really know what to expect when I first gave it a spritz, but wow. Scents Unearth'd is a new brand on the market, and this is quite the introductory fragrance. The brand draws inspiration from cultures around the world to craft its unique scents.
While you might think, based on the key notes, that this a boring, one-note vanilla fragrance, think again. This particular vanilla scent has a lot of depth to it thanks to its spicier, nutty undertones. According to the brand, it was inspired by Papantla, Veracruz, which is known as the "birthplace" of vanilla. There, vanilla orchid is considered sacred and has ties to ancient traditions. They have what's called the Vanilla Festival crowning there—hence, the creative name.
If you like rich and sweet scents that wrap you in a warm hug, this one is for you. I'll be totally honest; I sample a lot of scents as part of my job, so I wasn't expecting this one to be anything super special when I tried it out, but I loved the way it smelled on my skin immediately. It offers a lot of projection and longevity, but not so much that it's overwhelming. I love the slightly spicy, nutty undertones thanks to the notes of cardamom oil in this. It really gives the scent a unique edge and keeps it from being too basic. The quality of the notes makes it hard for me to believe it's only $41, but I don't want to question it—I'll take the lower price point easily.
Key notes: almond milk, blue chamomile oil, vanilla honey
This gorgeous scent from the brand made it tough to pick a favorite. While it is lighter than Vanilla Crown, the notes of vanilla and honey add a subtle syrupy sweetness that blends beautifully with the notes of almond milk. Sometimes, notes that are more sugary can be a bit much if they aren't balanced correctly, but this one strikes the perfect tone. It's sweet and delicious but also light, airy, and creamy.
Inspired by ancient Egypt and Cleopatra's reign, the notes are borrowed from her alleged tradition of bathing in milk, honey, and rich oils. In fact, according to the brand, the blue chamomile oil in this was sourced directly from Egypt. The Cleopatra connection sold this even further for me because I love a good story. Honestly, this is what I would imagine she smelled like too.
Key notes: Passionfruit, rose nectar, coffee extract
Based on the name alone, I initially expected this fragrance to lean entirely floral, but I was totally wrong. The unique mixture of passionfruit and coffee extract make this scent so special. While different, it reminded me of a few of my favorite Sol de Janeiro body mists in the best way possible. It exudes South American charm.
Inspired by Medellín in Colombia (known as the City of Eternal Spring), this scent evokes the feeling of being at Feria de las Flores, the city's colorful celebration with parades of elaborate florals. Instead of going the traditional floral route here, though, I love that the brand decided to put a juicier note like passionfruit at the top. It's totally intoxicating when mixed with coffee and rose nectar. Again, I had a really hard time picking favorites among this bunch, but now that I've sampled a few of these, I can't wait to try some of the brand's other scents.
More Fragrances I Love Right Now
While I haven't gotten my hands on this fragrance just yet, I am obsessed with Korean fragrance brand Borntostandout. With key notes of cocoa, vanilla, tonka bean, and sugar, this scent will be right up my alley. I can practically taste how delicious it is.
The only disappointing thing about this fragrance is that it doesn't come in a bigger size (yet). To say I'm in love is an understatement. It's so milky, unique, and sweet with notes of matcha, oat milk, and sweet musk.
This scent from Ellis Brooklyn is a longtime favorite that I've recently been reconnecting with now that we're moving into spring. The fresh, solar notes of ylang ylang, Tahitian tiare, and ambergris really speak to me—they evoke a Hawaiian vacation almost instantly.
This is what I like to call my big-girl perfume. It's mysterious, sexy, slightly sweet, and leathery. I knew it would be good because Anfisa Skin founder Aly Korchemniy touts it as one of her top scents. She didn't steer me wrong—it's just as good as she said. While the initial dry-down made me a little nervous because it was so leathery, after letting it develop for 10 or so minutes, it turned into something sweet, dark, and lush. Not my usual scent MO, but it gives serious rich-girl energy, and I can't resist that.
This is another beachy, warm, and sweet scent that I just can't stop wearing. It's so light on the skin but so pretty. Every time I wear it, someone asks what I'm wearing.