Everyone likes to smell nice, but not everyone wants to wear perfume. Some people are allergic to it, the scents give some a headache and some can’t handle a smell quite that strong while some can’t just afford it.

Whatever the case, you still don’t have to go without a lovely signature scent if you don’t want to. While there are some fantastic perfumes out there, you can find plenty of alternatives to perfumes as well, most of which are natural and all of which smell just as wonderful.

Scented Lotion: Scented lotions are a great alternative to perfumes. You can get a lotion that smells like just about anything – even that amazing perfume you can’t afford. If you want a light, barely there scent, you can find that as well. The best part is, you’ll be moisturized as well, so your skin will be soft and supple, and sweet smelling all day long!

Body Spray Body sprays are also a great alternative but it can be overpowering, so you have to be careful. They are way cheaper than most perfumes and you can find a great one to suit your budget. However, be careful about what kind of spray you choose, and remember that just a few pumps will do the trick. Do not over-spray it!

Powders Another great alternative is Powder. Babies smell so sweet and fresh every time you pick them up because of the baby powder constantly sprinkled on them. You can also get that kind of fresh smell with some powders. Apart from making you smell good, a sprinkling of powder will help keep you cooler in the heat. You can go natural or look for something that’s like a perfume. Loads of scented powders can be found in the market and the smell is not as overpowering as sprays or lotions.

Body Wash If you don’t want a heavy scent but you do want a fragrance to linger on your skin, then scented body wash might be the answer. It can linger long after you’re out of the shower, but it’s in no way overpowering. You can also look for complementary lotions and/or body sprays in the scent you prefer. For the ladies, Victoria’s Secret specializes in that kind of thing.

Essential Oils Essential oils are probably the most popular alternative to retail perfumes. They come in every scent you can imagine, and they’re perfectly natural. You can even find a variety of scents that you can’t find in either perfumes or body sprays. You don’t need to use a lot to smell good, and you won’t suffer from any adverse reactions. However, they are not so popular in Nigeria.

Homemade Fragrances This might sound strange but it’s an amazing thing to try out. I plan on trying it out myself very soon. There are lots of tutorials you can find on the internet on how to make your own fragrance. It is a great option, because it will allow you to put together the scents you like, which can be hard to find among most perfumes.

Go Natural…. Finally, you don’t have to wear a fragrance at all if you really don’t want to. You could actually just wear flowers in your hair or something like that. Not everyone has to wear perfume or cologne, and many people choose not to for a variety of reasons. Sometimes the natural smell of your skin is the best fragrance of all! Just use a deodorant at least to avoid body odour.

So really, you don’t have to use a perfume if you don’t want to. You can choose any of these options and stick with whatever suits your body and pocket….what’s most important at the end of the day is that you smell good.