How to build a small perfume collection on a budget

You do not need a shelf full of expensive bottles to smell good every day. A small collection of three to five well-chosen scents covers almost everything you do, and with 30ml bottles from R70 you can build one for less than the price of a single designer perfume.

Why a small collection beats one signature scent

One scent for everything sounds simple, but it never quite fits. A light fragrance disappears on a cold night, and a heavy one feels like too much at work on a hot day. Having a few options lets you match your scent to the moment, which is also why a small collection makes each bottle last longer. You are not wearing the same one every day.

Step 1: Start with three bottles

The easiest starting point is one scent for each part of your life: a fresh one for daytime, an everyday one you can wear anywhere, and a richer one for evenings. A bundle of three bottles is R180, which works out to R60 each.

A fresh daytime scent

Onlyou No. 8162 is a good pick here. It mixes mint, bergamot and cardamom over clean musky woods, and it is crisp and easy to wear in the heat. It is made for anyone, so it suits any wardrobe.

An everyday scent

Onlyou No. 8211 is a polished green fougere of bergamot, lavender and mossy woods. It is the kind of scent you can wear to work, to a meeting or out for lunch without thinking about it.

An evening scent

Onlyou No. 866 glows with saffron, jasmine and amberwood. It is warm, a little smoky and instantly noticeable, which is exactly what you want after dark.

Step 2: Grow to five

Once you know what you reach for most, add two more. A bundle of five is R240, or R48 a bottle, and it is the best value per bottle for building a wardrobe. Good additions are something sweet, like Onlyou No. 8259, with its blackcurrant, lychee and caramel, and a second everyday option for variety.

Step 3: Learn what you like before you add more

If you are not sure what you enjoy, it helps to understand notes. Our beginner's guide to perfume notes explains how to read a description and know what a scent will smell like before you buy. You will quickly notice which families you keep coming back to, and your next bottles will be much easier to choose.

Step 4: Look after what you own

A collection only saves you money if the bottles stay fresh. Keep them somewhere cool and dark, and spray them on moisturised skin so they last longer. We cover the details in our guide on how to make your perfume last longer. For choosing between light and heavy scents through the seasons, see fresh vs warm perfumes for the South African climate.

What it costs

Bottles are R70 each, 3 for R180, 5 for R240 and 7 for R360. Delivery is R90 nationwide and free once your order passes R300, so the seven-bottle bundle ships free. Orders are sent through The Courier Guy and most arrive in 3 to 5 days. You can build your own bundle and mix any fragrances you like.