I am your poor college student, and as much as I’d love to drop my nonexistent money for a beautiful perfume like Honoré Des Prés or Tsi-La, I need to save it for food for when my meal plan runs out (highly likely). Hence, here are some natural perfumes that don’t contain phthalates (commonly found in “parfum,” these mimic estrogen and confuse your body), are more budget-friendly, and still smell awesome.
(from left to right)
Love & Toast Mandarin Tea Perfume: I first tried it on in a small store called Wyler’s a couple summers ago in Brunswick, Maine (you must go there – it is a store of the most utmost cuteness) and every time I visited the store again (many times), I would dab a bit of the sample on my wrist because I loved it that much. It’s a zingy citrus tea and it is awesome. Whenever I am feeling like I need a pick-me-up in the mornings, I use this. ($9)
Essence of Vali EOV Botanical Perfume Oil: This is my sexy perfume. At first I thought it would be too spicy for me, but it has grown on me to the point where every morning I choose this (whether or not the day’s occasions call for extra sexiness). It’s spicy and as in the words of its creator, “warm floral, slightly citrus, earthy, and sensual and uplifting at the same time.” ($15)
Love & Toast Paper Flower Perfume: Feminine, floral, flirty, you get the alliteration. When I’m wearing flowery clothing, I wear this to match. Don’t laugh at me. ($9)
Note: People often find that natural perfumes don’t last as long as synthetic ones (see this article by Tsi-La), but I think that people can take the extra 5 seconds to reapply if they need to. It is a small price to pay. I usually find two dabs of either Love & Toast actually lasts me the day, but the EOV blends into me as the day goes, which I don’t mind.
