My current favorite.
I like smelly things. In our culture, it’s assumed that men don’t care, but I’ve never understood that. We get five senses. Men may like things that sound good, look good, feel good, and taste good, but appreciating good smells is a step too far. I love a good body wash, a good soap, a good candle, anything that makes my house smell good. And if you’re the same, you’ll recognize the journey every man goes through when he gets into it.
It starts small. Buy something that is cheap but smells good. Then suddenly you smell something before you buy it. Slowly, you start paying $7 for body wash instead of $4 just because of the smell. You’re still shopping at Target or somewhere else, but you smell what’s next. One of those luxurious scents that will stop you in your tracks, Ah, wow. Yeah, I understand. It smells good.
But then comes the price tag.
Spending $30 on a bottle of hand soap for your bathroom? No way. It doesn’t fit my budget, and honestly, it’s outside my values. That doesn’t happen.
So what do you do?
The problem is that once you start smelling really good, it’s hard to go back. Budget-friendly options now come in all sorts of qualities you can’t put your finger on. know When you smell it. Whether it’s soap, candles or body wash, budget-friendly products always have an olfactory quality.
It is even more noticeable if it has a masculine scent such as wood, tobacco, leather, wood, or musk. Even brands looking to improve such scents on a budget can’t escape the faint Ax-like tone. Once you catch it, you can’t get rid of the smell.
But the problem is this: You don’t have to settle for weirdness or go over your budget. I’m always on the go looking for new options, and after experimenting with all sorts of things, I’ve discovered seven affordable scents that skip the cheap feel and actually smell good. These are things that add sophistication to your daily life and space without spending money, like buying luxury candles in Soho.
Let’s get into it.
Cedar Balsam Hand Soap
Trader Joe’s ($3.99)
At $3.99, it’s basically a no-brainer. Strictly speaking, it is a seasonal item sold for a limited time to celebrate the holidays, but you can feel it when you smell it. But if you smell it outside of that context, you won’t immediately think, “Oh, that smells like December.” It has a cedar scent that works well. It’s great for the price and a welcome break from the floral or citrus scents you usually get at the lower end of the hand soap price range.
palo santo
Palo Santo, meaning ‘holy tree’, is a fragrant tree often used to purify a space or create a calming atmosphere. Unlike candles or incense, it does not burn continuously. Light it, let it smoke for a moment, then walk around the space before it extinguishes naturally. It’s like a match that smells good. This doesn’t mean it smells like matches, but it has the same effect of quickly influencing the scent of a space.
If you’ve ever been to a high-end menswear store like Buck Mason or Todd Snyder, you’ve definitely smelled it. These places definitely have a regular presence in Palo Santo. I know because I’ve smelled it and literally seen it done in stores. Palo Santo is also a scent note similar to musk, wood, and tobacco, and is often used in items such as colognes and candles. Burning the real thing gives you a concentrated source right away.
The scent lasts for about an hour. The great thing about this product is that it is very easy to use. You don’t have to remember to put out the fire or worry about it burning for too long. It’s also dirt cheap. You can find them anywhere, you can buy a little bundle of sticks at the farmer’s market, or honestly, you can even find them at Whole Foods.
Sandalwood + Cardamom Oil Body Wash
I have always been a fan of what Dove Men+Care does. I’ve tried several of their body washes, and as far as big box store men’s brands go, they do a really good job of presenting mature scents. It gives a more adult feel rather than a “grandfather feel” or a “teenage feel.”
This Sandalwood + Cardamom Oil Body Wash is part of the Restoration line and is another solid option. The scent is subtle. It has a woody scent, but it’s not overly perfume-like like Old Spice or Ax. I think it’s a great balance between foam, price, and smell that keeps me coming back to this brand. I received this product about two months ago and I can see that it is only about halfway through.
I’ve tried others on the same line: Eucalpitus + CedarAnd I’ve never met anyone I didn’t like. This is an easy purchase and I would definitely choose it again. Although, you know me, I’ll probably grab a different scent next time to see if it’s there.
Mahogany Teakwood Intense 3 Core Candle
Bath & Body Works$10 off
Surprisingly, I am new to Bath & Body Works. Of course, they were in every mall I lived near, and I even bought gifts there when I was a kid. But for myself? It never crossed my mind. To be honest, it was the kind of store where you go in, take only what you need, and leave as quickly as possible.
But while I was spending some time recently, I did some searching. Turns out, they’ve taken their menswear line to the next level. Not everything is a hit. Some fall into the trap of “manly marketing,” which goes by the name: bourbonBut overall, there’s a lot to like.
On this particular day, they were running a deal where all three candles were $10. So I chose Mahogany Teakwood Intense. First impression? It has an amazing premium and masculine scent without being overpowering. And for $10 for a large three-wick candle, I felt like it was a good buy.
What surprised me was the performance. One day I burned it for a while, and the scent was still there when I got home the next day. I’m not new to candles, cheap or expensive, and I can honestly say I’ve never experienced anything like it before. The scent lasts and doesn’t smell cheap or artificial. It’s really impressive.
bonus? The sticker on the bottle came off cleanly, leaving behind a smooth, matte, translucent black glass. This glass wouldn’t look out of place next to more expensive decorations. It’s like finding clearance-style items that blend seamlessly with expensive items.
Now here’s what I found out about Bath & Body Works. It’s basically J.Crew selling scented products. The list price is not the actual price. The next time I went, they didn’t sell candles, but all body care products were $5.95. They always have some kind of deal going on so don’t pay full price.
Avoid aerosol colognes. (Even the scent of my favorite spritzer bottle or candle has that cheap Ax cologne feel to it in an aerosol for some reason.) I haven’t tried their body wash yet, but I’m sure I will at some point.
Overall, the Mahogany Teakwood Intense candles were an amazing product, and I’ll definitely be checking back to see what else they have to offer.
Sea + Surf Body Wash
method man$11.48 for 28 ounces
I picked up the Method Men Sea + Surf body wash that was on sale at the time. I tried it out while finishing up another bottle, and here’s the deal: It tends to be a little brighter and a little more perfume-like than Dove Men+Care, but it’s still firmly in the “soap” category. It’s not overpowering, doesn’t leave a bad feeling on the skin, and has a subtle look, smell, and luxurious feel.
What does Sea + Surf smell like? It is not a floral, citrus, or woody scent. Just “clean” without switching to the “laundry detergent” area. The bottle is large and I like the design. I think it would look good in the shower too.
On the foam side, Dove Men+Care has the edge, but Method also holds its own. It’s a solid choice, especially if you’re selling.
Vetiver + Amber Hand Wash Refill
Method Gel Hand Wash Refill$8 for 32 ounces
I went through a whole liter of this before I remembered to take pictures. For about $8 you can get a liter of this amazingly luxurious smelling soap. It’s probably the closest product to something like Aesop at its target price.
I would definitely buy it again, especially to refill the glass bottles. Easy choice.
The scent of the world market
After trying a few different scents, I became a fan of World Market scents. They have cones and sticks (obviously), and what I like about them is that they’re cheap and the packaging is great. We offer the classic scents you’ve come to expect, as well as more curated and unique options.
For me, especially with budget scents, I like to smell them before I buy them. Cheap scents may or may not fail. What one brand calls “sandalwood” may be completely different in another. That’s how I first encountered World Market’s options. My fiancé got some as a gift, and when I found more in store, I was surprised at how cheap they were.
The packaging is a bonus. For example, the orange product shown here comes in a nice glass bottle with a clear label. It’s the kind of thing that looks good when you sit on it. There’s no need to hide it. If you’re in World Market, it’s definitely worth checking out.
What is your current favorite? Keep the list going in the comments below!
