I've Tested Hundreds of Fragrances—This Under-$100 Brand Always Wins Out

Notes: Skin musk, bergamot nectar, sheer jasmine, Australian sandalwood, white musk

Let's start with my all-time favorite—a perfume so good that I wrote a love letter to it. It smells warm and slightly sweet, yet it's grounded with musky notes. I always say that this is a perfume that makes me smell like myself but better. It's one of those perfumes that, when I wear it, people compliment me by saying, "You smell so good." They don't comment on the perfume itself or ask which fragrance I'm wearing. As the brand puts it, "If nude were a perfume, this would be it." 

Notes: Ginger, tangerine, jasmine, amber

Now for my second favorite perfume, Tangerine Boy. It's probably the simplest of all Phlur perfumes, but the bright tangerine note gets me every time. Even though it's citrus-forward, the spicy ginger and warm amber pull it back a bit. It's the perfect summer fragrance, but I wear it all year long whenever I need an invigorating pick-me-up. 

Notes: Lush fig, orris root, sandalwood, vanilla Madagascar

You won't find a Who What Wear editor who doesn't love this perfume. It smells somewhat green and herby, but there's a warmth to it, too, probably thanks to the vanilla note. I swear I'm not just saying this because of the name, but it reminds me of a cologne my dad used to wear when I was growing up (in the best way). Yet, it's neither traditionally feminine nor traditionally masculine. If you want a unique, signature scent, this is it. 

Notes: Sugar crystals, cashmere wood, vanilla

This scent was originally only available as one of the brand's Hair & Body Mists. Thankfully, the brand recently launched it in a concentrated eau de parfum. Notes of sugar crystals, cashmere wood, and vanilla make it a warm and spicy gourmand. And thanks to a subtle, sheer quality (it's never overpowering), it actually reminds me a lot of Missing Person. Unsurprisingly, I'm obsessed with it.

Notes: Bergamot peel, mandarin, freesia, jasmine petals, waterlily, vanilla orchid, amber, sandalwood, musk

The brand describes this scent as "An unexpected duality of softness and strength," and I agree, although I tend to say it's "perfectly balanced." A strong note of bergamot peel is softened with freesia, a strong note of mandarin is softened with jasmine, and so on. It's a warm, alluring, and undeniably sexy scent.

Notes: Sandalwood, amber, musk, saffron 

The brand says this fragrance is "Like a sensual embrace with a strong and sensitive type," and it "Evokes the comfort and intimacy of reliable love." Personally, I say it smells like a really, really good-smelling lumberjack, and I mean that in the best, most gender-neutral way. It's definitely woody (as the name implies), yet there's a cozy warmth to it too. Maybe that's why I love wearing it in the fall and winter.

Notes: Fruit gummies, orange flower, glazed musk

This perfume is the most nostalgic of the bunch. It's like someone took a bag full of sour gummy candy and turned it into an elevated perfume (weird, I know, but it works). I get a green apple vibe from it, which I love. Whenever I wear this, I feel like I'm paying homage to my old Y2K body mists.

Notes: Cardamom, mimosa, vanilla milk, sandalwood

I consider this one to be a traditionally feminine scent. It's soft, sweet, and slightly powdery, which is why I think lovers of perfumes like Marc Jacobs Daisy ($137) and Burberry Her ($135) would love this one. I, for one, am planning on wearing it to an upcoming bridal shower. It's that kind of fragrance. 

Notes: Bergamot, neroli, driftwood, solar musk

There is one word I'd use to describe this perfume: warm. There's just something about the combination of notes that makes this smell like sun-kissed skin if that even has a smell. It's basically a warm summer's day, bottled. 

Notes: Cassis leaf, Italian bergamot, jasmine, vanilla orchid

To me, this fragrance is genderless. It reminds me of other marine-inspired perfumes you wear when you want to smell fresh and airy, like Maison Margiela's Replica Sailing Day ($85) and Ellis Brooklyn's Salt ($110). With that being said, the floral notes of jasmine, bergamot, and orchid soften any sharp edges. It's like a fresh ocean breeze in a bottle.

Notes: Jasmine, gardenia, tuberose, sandalwood 

I was trying to figure out why I love this one so much, and it occurred to me that it's probably due to the tuberose note. I love tuberose because it lends a nostalgic warmth to any perfume. This one is no different. It's like they took a classic perfume from a department store's fragrance counter and updated it to be slightly fresher and more modern. In other words, it's classic yet not dated. I'm obsessed. 

Editor's note: This one is being discontinued, so if it speaks to you, snatch it up!