Why is there such a big difference in price between perfumes?

Let's put ourselves in the situation... You want to give a top perfume to your special person... and you find one like Baccarat Rouge 540 by Maison Francis Kurkdjian (DIVAIN-611) . Its very name already indicates exclusivity and luxury, so you can guess a high price, so the almost 200 euros that it costs do not surprise you (or maybe it does). But what will surely surprise you is finding its equivalent in DIVAIN for only 17.95 euros .

How can this be? Why are some perfumes overpriced, while others that are very similar are super affordable? Let's find out.

Unique and exclusive ingredients

The world of perfumery is no exception to the “everything has already been invented” philosophy. That is why master perfumers strive to create fragrances that are as innovative and special as possible.

And what is the only way to achieve this? By creating a unique combination of ingredients, which often requires using raw materials that are either extremely exclusive or a rarity in themselves. And these ingredients are not cheap, so the final price of the aroma increases.

Some of the exclusive ingredients in expensive perfumes come from remote places or their extraction is extremely complicated, as in the following cases:

• Ambergris : A secretion produced by some species of sperm whales , the price of which is 5,000 euros per kilo . It also provides a unique aroma and also increases the fixation of the fragrance.
• Orris : The scent of iris root is very reminiscent of violets, but it is much more special. Its high price of 3,000 euros per kilo is due to the fact that the extraction of this essence can take from 3 to 5 years .
• Oud : This wood of Asian origin (also known as agarwood ) is a real object of desire for perfumers, as it gives the fragrance body and intensity . It smells like a mix between wood and hazelnut, and is very popular in expensive men's perfumes and in oriental perfumes. Its price is also around 3,000 euros per kilo .

But really, nowadays almost all branded perfumes (except some Niche perfumes are made using chemical formulas that imitate natural essences , so raw materials are not the main reason why the price of a fragrance is so high. In fact, according to the popular British newspaper Daily Mail , the price of the fragrance itself usually does not exceed 3% of the total .

That remaining 97% is due to the two factors that we develop below (in addition to the profit margin, of course).

Design and packaging

As is well known to everyone, the most expensive perfumes come from the most exclusive fashion brands in the world such as Bvlgari ; where design and attention to detail are its maxims.

So, they can't bottle their fragrances in simple bottles made of normal materials, no. They want the bottle to be a real collector's item so that the perfume becomes an object of desire not only for its aroma. To do this, they hire some of the best product designers, whose fees are reflected in the final price of the perfume.

Then there is the (not so isolated) case of some bottles containing gold, sapphires, rubies or even diamonds.

Advertising campaigns

Although advertising campaigns are undoubtedly what decisively increase the price of a perfume. Some of the best perfume ads feature stars such as Rihanna , Johnny Deep or Kate Moss , and hiring them is not exactly cheap.

Where to find the best cheap perfumes online

If you are one of those who do not pay much attention to the exterior and prefer a good interior, equivalent perfumes are your solution.

At DIVAIN , we prioritize the quality of the fragrance above all else, avoiding expensive advertising campaigns and luxury packaging . We opt for bottles with simpler designs, but very aesthetic and taking care of every detail to make them special even if they do not contain gold, diamonds or are designed by a renowned designer. Ours are made of glass with a wooden stopper . This way, we manage to lower prices while maintaining exceptional quality .

In addition, if you buy two or more, you can get your cheap perfumes online without shipping costs and with the option of returning them if you don't get the right scent.