When it comes to affordable fragrance, few retailers do it better than Marks & Spencer. Once best known as the home of Percy Pigs, the high-street hero has become a beauty powerhouse in its own right — and the new 'Studio' fragrance collection proves that luxury scents don't have to break the bank.
M&S has been building its fragrance credentials for some time, thanks to collections such as Discover (home to some impressively convincing perfume dupes) and Apothecary, its spa-inspired line of calming scents. The shiny, new ‘Studio’ range marks their venture into more premium scents, yet a bottle will only set you back £22.50.
The collection currently features eight unisex fragrances, ranging from airy gourmands to richer, more opulent blends. They can be worn on their own, or layered for a custom scent.
Naturally, as someone who's perfume-obsessed (don't ask how many bottles are currently on my vanity...), I couldn't resist trying them all. Thankfully, M&S also offers a £12 Fragrance Collection featuring mini versions of each scent. Consider it a fragrance flight.
The lineup
Darkest Vanilla
Darkest Vanilla Eau De Parfum
Our flight starts with Darkest Vanilla, a fragrance that has already drawn comparisons to the much pricier Tom Ford Tobacco Vanille.
It opens with a rich burst of vanilla, while a heart of tonka bean brings warmth and subtle spice, echoing the indulgent feel of its luxury counterpart. An amber base helps to balance the sweetness, lending depth.
Consider it a grown-up gourmand — rich and velvety, yet surprisingly wearable. And don't just take my word for it: it's already garnered several five-star reviews on the M&S website.
Salted Haze
If you think affordable perfumes lack presence, think again. The fresh scent hit me as soon as I opened the bottle.
Think of it as a coastal walk, bottled. Aquatic notes of seaweed and pear blossom create a sea-air breeziness, while lavender and bergamot add to the clean, uplifting feel. A base of cedarwood creates balance, with a subtle hint of musk underneath.
It's clean, fresh and perfectly captures that just-back-from-the-beach feeling. If you’re a fan of Jo Malone’s cult Wood Sage & Sea Salt, this will be a winner.
Vanilla Silk
Clearly, vanilla fans are well catered for in the M&S Studio line-up (which is fantastic news for me). While the other vanilla scent leans richer, this one takes a softer, more citrusy approach.
Unusually for a vanilla fragrance, the note sits in the base, settling onto the skin with a warm, creamy finish.
What struck me first was the burst of citrus, thanks to a zesty lemon top note and a heart of orange blossom, giving it an almost more-ish lemon meringue-like quality. Mouth-watering.
Amber Créme
If I had to pick the scent that smells most expensive, it would be Amber Crème. It opens with a delicious note of brown sugar before settling into a rich amber base that's warm, velvety and addictive.
A subtle hint of rum gives it a slightly heady feel, while tonka bean brings warmth and spice. It smells far more expensive than its £22.50 price tag would suggest.
Safe to say, my perfume sniffing accomplice (my mum) has already snatched this one for herself.
Dewy Rose
I'll admit, I'm not usually drawn to floral fragrances, but this one won me over. Delicate, airy and effortlessly pretty, it perfectly encapsulates the feeling of being nestled in a country garden on a warm summer's day.
It opens with fresh rose petals before an oud heart adds depth and richness. As it settles on the skin, a warm amber base brings a subtle sweetness.
Tonka Tobac
Rich, smoky yet somehow sunny, this fragrance finds a beautiful balance.
A heart of tobacco gives it a warm, smoky depth, while an unexpected top note of juicy plum cuts through with a subtle sweetness that makes it inviting. An ambery base of myrrh lends the fragrance a complex, expensive-smelling dry-down that lingers beautifully on the skin.
Ginger Flower
Bright, uplifting and softly floral, Ginger Flower is exactly what it sounds like.
You're first met by the fresh, peppery note of ginger, while citrus and orange blossom create a delicate floral heart. These are grounded by a subtle musky base, resulting in a fragrance that feels fresh, light and easy to wear for summer.
Sheer musk
Clean, soft and effortlessly wearable, Sheer Musk is a brilliant addition to any fragrance wardrobe. On first sniff, it reminded me of a muskier version of my favourite perfume, Glossier You. The two share a pink pepper top note, giving them a similarly fresh yet comforting feel.
M&S's version sets itself apart with a heart of soft cashmere and vegan sublimolide™ musk. Ambrette absolute lends velvety softness, while delicate rose adds a gentle floral touch.
The fragrance collection
Fragrance Collection Eau de Parfum Discovery Set
Indulge in the full lineup with the discovery set (also brilliant for tucking into your suitcase on your next summer getaway).
