Black Friday is the best time to buy fragrance. Whether you’re shopping the shelves at Boots or your go-to niche perfumer, it’s the only time of year when you can find nearly every scent on offer.
If you’re someone who wears perfume daily, you’ll already have your top-tier choices: maybe you’re a sucker for Le Labo Santal 33 or you’re addicted to Glossier You.
Then there’s the crowd-pleasers at Gucci, Byredo’s complex blends and the genderless scents at Harry Styles’ Pleasing. Either way, the final weekend of November is the best opportunity to get whatever’s on your list for less.
If you’re feeling adventurous and up for choosing something new, winter’s the time for heady blends powered by comforting vanilla, warm woody notes. Dressing up for a big night out? Try sultry musk or tobacco. Since aroma doesn’t travel as well in the cold, I’d recommend going for a potent eau de parfum over an eau de toilette or cologne so it’s not lost when you’re out and about.
Now we’re knocking on the door of the festive season, it’s a great opportunity to treat someone while making the most of your Christmas gifting budget. If you’re not sure what they’re into, most of the top fragrance houses offer discovery sets which will be on offer, too. And since these are usually minis, they’re handy for those who like to spritz on the go.
Our top tip? Shop around the multi-brand retailers as well as the brand’s own websites to make sure you’re getting the best deal. Liberty and Space NK are the best for niche brands while Boots, Superdrug and The Perfume Shop are better for the well-known blends.
Best Black Friday Deals On Men's Fragrances
Dior Sauvage Eau de Parfum 60ml
Dior Sauvage is one of the most versatile fragrances for men. It’s a fresh, woody blend with a subtly masculine finish which works for pretty much any situation going – and, right now, it’s £15 off.
Was £85
Buy now £70.00, Boots
Tom Ford Tobacco Vanille Eau de Parfum Spray - 50ml
An instantly recognisable Tom Ford scent, Tobacco Vanille is one of the most iconic winter scents you can buy. Silky smooth and rich, the spicy notes of vanilla, tonka beans and cocoa balance sweet romance with a spicy confidence. Gentlemanly charm in a bottle.
Was £220
Buy now £177.60, Sephora
BOSS Bottled Night Eau de Toilette
Splash out on a brand new fragrance for less this Black Friday. Amazon has this deal on BOSS Bottled Night for 63 per cent off the RRP.
Was £119
Buy now £49.99, The Perfume Shop
Malin & Goetz Leather EDP
This unisex fragrance is a fun play on the leather theme, uniting its nots with muted florals and wood for a vintage scent that, like leather, gets better with time. It opens with lotus flower and the spice of pepper and clove, before unfurling to a heart of muguet, orchid and green violet. Base notes hum with cedarwood, sandalwood and of course, the star ingredient itself. Vegan friendly.
Was £86
Buy now £77.40, Liberty
Le Labo Tonka 25 100ml
Le Labo describes Tonka 25 EDP as “evoking the smell of warm skin” – and the brand couldn’t be more right. When you first spritz, you get the top notes of sweet vanilla and woody cedar. Then it settles to a powdery musk which is so subtle it feels as if it's your natural scent, making it perfect for guys who like their aftershaves understated. And, like all of the brand’s sprays, the scent sticks from morning to night.
Was £234
Buy now £198.90, Liberty
CREED Aventus Eau de Parfum 50ml
There is a reason why this fragrance features in best roundups the world over. The name literally translates to success and it will certainly give you the confidence to be one with its woody and fruity aromas. It’s a masculine scent but the kind that your girlfriend will want to borrow with its notes of bergamot, blackcurrant, apple and pineapple anchored with musk, oak moss, ambergris and vanilla.
Was £210
Buy now £132.00, John Lewis
Best Black Friday Deals On Women's Fragrances
Chanel N°5 Eau de Parfum Spray 30ml
Chanel’s N°5 is oft dubbed “the very essence of femininity”. The iconic aroma is defined by its powdery floral bouquet aroma that has stood the test of time. Not your typical vanilla aroma, it centres around May Rose and jasmine with a zesty citrus opening. But once it settles on the skin, what remains is a deep, smooth and sensual vanilla trail that lasts. The flacon is almost as instantly recognisable as the aroma itself with its minimal, square glass exterior.
Was £75
Buy now £60.00, John Lewis
Gucci Flora Gorgeous Orchid Eau de Parfum for Women
The gourmand aroma in the beloved Gucci Flora Gorgeous collection, the yellow-toned flacon is filled with the rich and potent notes of vanilla and orchids. It is a scent that plays off contrasts by setting the warming touch of vanilla with the fresh marine Ozonic accord that brings balance and prevents it from becoming overly sweet.
The fragrance leaves a lasting impression where only a little goes a long way and is refillable.
Was £95
Buy now £76.00, Boots
Tom Ford Black Orchid Eau de Parfum Spray 100ml
Does it get any better than a Tom Ford fragrance? The perfect blend of masculine and feminine, anyone who leaves clouds of Black Orchid in their wake exudes a certain understated sophistication that’s sure to turn heads.
Fusing floral notes of jasmine and gardenia with the strength of sandalwood and vetiver for distinctly blurred gender lines, it’s crafted using a high concentration of perfume oils so a little most certainly goes a long way.
Was £152
Buy now £106.40, LOOKFANTASTIC
Armani Si Eau de Parfum
This addictive aroma from Armani sits in the chypre scent family. It has a top of blackcurrant liqueur, a heart of rose de mai absolute and freesia and a base of patchouli and oakmoss. The heady aroma is one that stops passersby in their tracks to ask you what you’re wearing. It was formulated back in 2013 but remains as popular today as ever.
Was £95
Buy now £66.45, lookfantastic
DIOR Miss Dior Eau de Parfum 100ml
Natalie Portman approved and therefore in our basket, Miss Dior is a light and floral note that is universally adored. The blossoming bouquet is overflowing with freshness from the notes of Lily-of-the-Valley, peony, iris and rose. At the base, however, it becomes creamy and comforting from the elements of musk, vanilla, benzoin, tonka bean and sandalwood. Cue the compliments.
Was £145
Buy now £130.00, Boots
Best Black Friday Deals On Fragrance Gift Sets
Sana Jardin Discovery Set
Not only do Sana Jardin’s scents smell amazing, but they’re also responsibly made to empower female harvesters in the supply chain. The brand helps them to learn new skills, create their own products and earn an independent income.
Was £35
Buy now £24.00, Sana Jardin
Aesop Fragrance Anthology Volume I
Australian beauty expert Aesop is known for its complex, spicy scents, perfect for the colder months – and the mini pump spray bottles are perfect for your handbag. Why not try them out for 20% off?
Was £35
Buy now £28.00, Space NK
Jo Loves A Miniature Fragrance Discovery Collection
My new hack for always smelling good on the go? Chucking a few mini sprays into various bags and pockets so I’m never without a fresh spritz. Jo Loves’ discovery collection is in Cult Beauty’s Black Friday sale at 30 per cent off. There are seven vials including White Rose and Lemon Leaves, a light and elegant scent that transports me to sunnier climes.
They’re also a great way of packing various perfumes into 100ml airport liquid bags.
Buy now £18.90, Cult Beauty
When does Black Friday end?
The event always runs until the Monday afterwards, known as Cyber Monday. This year that is December 2.
That said, many retailers have allowed their Black Friday sales to turn into pre-Christmas sales, sometimes running onto Boxing Day and even January. Reductions can fluctuate so if you see something you like at an agreeable price - don’t wait.
