A) Jean Rish Bergamot Intense Price: $40 (website- sold out) Purchase Price: $14.29 Company was founded with the belief that luxury should be expressive and accessible, creating fragrances that don’t just smell good — they have something to state. They proudly make their products in the US, locally formulating and sourcing their materials with the idea that fragrances tell a story. They’re designed to be worn, remembered, and loved. It’s luxury rooted in care, precision and authenticity. Fresh Bergamot with hints of Lemon and Mandarin, balanced by Orange Blossom, Lavender, and Rosemary. The scent settles into Patchouli, Cedarwood, and Amber, creating a clean yet powerful fragrance for the modern man. - TOP NOTES – Bergamot, Ginger, Cardamom - MIDDLE NOTES – Orange Blossom, Warm Wood - BASE NOTES – Patchouli, Vanilla bourbon - LONG LASTING – Crafted as an Eau de Parfum (EDP), Jean Rish impresses with a rich scent that lasts up to 6 hours, all wrapped in packaging as stylish as it is timeless. Scent: Bright and citrusy Fragrance Setting: A cool, but warm Summer evening wear. Sillage: 6-7 hrs B) Hopificio Firenze Oriental Wood Price: $47 (website- eBay & Mercari) Purchase Price: $14.29 Created by an Italian fragrance house, the fragrance has been compared to Initio Side Effect and Bvlgari Black. It’s a smoky, velvety concoction of sandalwood, vetiver, and patchouli. I don’t have bottom, heart, or top notes unfortunately. Scent: Warm and woodsy Fragrance Setting: A cool evening wear. Sillage: 5-7 hrs There isn’t much online regarding both of these fragrances, but my experience with them is enjoyable in fragrance and sillage. These were great and solid blond buys, saving roughly $60 for both. Currently enjoying Bergamot Intense as I head out to a friend’s home for some long overdue camaraderie. For your consideration, Jean Rush Bergamot Intense and Hopificio Firenze’s Oriental Wood. As usual, your sillage may vary, fragrance discretion is advised.

I thought it would be fun and helpful for anyone just getting started / on a limited budget in this hobby for us to start a thread on top budget picks: anything you can find that’s at least 50ml for $50 and under. This doesn’t have to just include ME brands or clones, it can also include designers you can find at discounters. These should be bangers you actually love to wear that offer fantastic value for the price! Here are some that I’ve come across that I’m so glad to have in my collection: - Fragrance World Star Man Nebula - Versace Man Eau Fraiche - Lalique Ombre Noire - Jimmy Choo Man Ice - Rayhaan Aquatica - Givenchy Gentlemen Only

Parfums de Marly is a true niche house because it focuses exclusively on fragrance, but to me it sits somewhere between traditional niche and luxury designer. The quality is consistently high, the presentation is outstanding, and the fragrances are easy to wear without becoming overly challenging. That is probably why the house has become one of the biggest gateways into niche perfumery. While the brand draws inspiration from 18th-century French luxury, most of the fragrances are designed to be appealing rather than artistic for the sake of being different. One thing I appreciate is the blending. Most Parfums de Marly fragrances smell smooth, refined, and well put together. Whether it’s Layton, Greenley, Sedley, Althair, Carlisle, Herod, or Haltane, they generally smell polished and expensive without being difficult to wear. Performance is usually very good, with solid projection, sillage, and longevity. That said, I do have some criticisms. I think the house is heavily influenced by hype, and because of that, some people act as if every release is a masterpiece. I don’t see it that way. Several fragrances share a similar polished DNA, making parts of the lineup feel somewhat repetitive. If you own a handful of Parfums de Marly fragrances, you may start noticing overlap. Another downside is the price. While the quality is very good, I don’t think every fragrance justifies its premium cost, especially now that the house is widely available at luxury department stores like Nordstrom and other upscale retailers. In many ways, it has become a mainstream luxury brand that happens to specialize in fragrance rather than a small underground niche house. Overall, I think Parfums de Marly is one of the safest niche houses to recommend. It offers high-quality fragrances with broad appeal, excellent presentation, and dependable performance. If you’re looking for truly artistic or boundary-pushing perfumery, there are houses that go much further. But if you want luxurious, well-blended fragrances that consistently smell great and attract compliments, Parfums de Marly deserves its reputation.