The high street has long offered budget-friendly alternatives to cult beauty favourites, and M&S has built a solid reputation for getting its fragrances just right. Its apothecary range, in particular, has become an insider favourite for those who want a luxury scent without paying designer prices.
In 2022, the store’s smoky warmth eau de parfum went viral on TikTok, thanks to its resemblance to Le Labo’s santal 33 scent. But that isn’t the only designer fragrance to which M&S perfumes have been compared. The retailer has started to expand its lineup for those looking for cheaper alternatives to the likes of Jo Malone’s wood sage and sea salt, and Sol de Janeiro’s cheirosa 62.
Of course, designer fragrances can easily hit three figures, but these M&S scents start at just £7, making them far more wallet-friendly.
Whether you prefer fresh or musky, floral or fruity, these are the M&S scents to reach for – especially if you’re a fan of Le Labo, Jo Malone or Carolina Herrera.
Read more: The best perfumes for women, from sandalwood to florals
M&S apothecary warmth eau de parfum, 50ml: £12, Marksandspencer.com
M&S’s Le Labo alternative has fast become a cult classic. Hailing from the high street stalwart’s apothecary range, M&S’s warmth parfum blends aromatic notes of cardamom, cinnamon, cedarwood and sandalwood to evoke a scent that rivals santal 33. Infused with essential oils, the warming fragrance comes in a 50ml bottle – the same size as Le Labo’s, but costs £160 less.
M&S sea salt and neroli eau de toilette, 30ml: £7, Marksandspencer.com
Fans have compared this scent to Jo Malone’s signature wood sage and sea salt scent (from £56, Johnlewis.com) and at £7, M&S’s sea salt and neroli eau de toilette is a steal. While we are yet to test this for ourselves, it features notes of neroli, mandarin and musky sea salt, lending it similar salty, fresh and earthy aromas to Jo Malone’s fragrance.
M&S black pepper eau de toilette, 100ml: £10, Marksandspencer.com
If you’re looking for an inexpensive alternative to a popular eau de toilette for him, this black pepper scent has been compared to Davidoff adventure (£30, Thefragranceshop.co.uk) on TikTok. M&S has noted that its eau de toilette marries notes of vanilla with amber, resulting in a warm, sweet and spicy scent.
M&S sweet pistachio eau de toilette, 30ml: £7, Marksandspencer.com
If you’re a Sol de Janeiro devotee, in particular the brand’s Brazilian crush cheirosa 62 (£19.20, Lookfantastic.com), this eau de toilette is said to be similar. The fresh pistachio essence combines with subtle hints of tuberose and tonka bean, resulting in a fragrance that M&S describes as reminiscent of warm pastries and delicate blooms.
M&S midnight blossom eau de toilette, 100ml: £10, Marksandspencer.com
An alternative to the YSL black opium eau de parfum (£102, Boots.com), which is well-known for its black coffee and vanilla scent, this midnight blossom eau de toilette blends notes of sweet jasmine, tuberose and amber for “soft florals and warm, musky undertones”, according to M&S.
M&S velvet amber eau de toilette, 100ml: £10, Marksandspencer.com
The grown-up sister to M&S’s now-discontinued velvet rose perfume, the velvet amber scent is being hailed an even better rival to Chanel’s iconic no5 scent (£126, Boots.com). Offering a high street alternative, you could add M&S’s velvet amber to your online basket 12 times before it matches the price of the designer offering. Described as a “rich amber scent” by the retailer, expect fragrant top notes of neroli blended with bold white flowers.
M&S soft iris eau de toilette, 100ml: £10, Marksandspencer.com
With TikTok claiming this eau de toilette strikes a strong resemblance to Chanel’s coco mademoiselle scent (£126, Chanel.com), M&S describes it as a “delicate floral fusion”, with iris, jasmine and bergamot alongside orange blossom and vetiver, amber and patchouli as the base. Plump for this over the designer fragrance and you will save more than £100.
M&S gardenia and vanilla eau de toilette, 30ml: £7, Marksandspencer.com
If you love daisy by Marc Jacobs (£54, Boots.com), TikTok reckons you will love this purse-friendly eau de toilette. M&S’s scent pairs notes of vanilla and sandalwood alongside sweet and floral grapefruit and gardenia, which the retailer describes as flowery and charming.
M&S warm neroli eau de toilette, 100ml: £10, Marksandspencer.com
TikTok believes the store’s warm neroli is a rival of Paco Rabanne’s lady million scent (£89, Boots.com). The cheaper alternative is characterised by similar notes of neroli and citrus. Touted as being a fresh fragrance with earthy tones, the budget 100ml buy is described as elegant and warming.
M&S fresh mandarin eau de toilette, 100ml: £10, Marksandspencer.com
This fresh mandarin eau de toilette is said to offer an affordable alternative to Carolina Herrera’s good girl (£98, Boots.com), which has been billed as “intensely seductive”. M&S’s scent features fruity cassis, orange flower and mandarin as the main event, with jasmine, ylang ylang and rose for a floral accompaniment to sweet tonka bean, vanilla, amber and sandalwood.
M&S pink pepper eau de toilette, 100ml: £10, Marksandspencer.com
Calling to Lancome’s la vie est belle perfume (£97, Lookfantastic.com), M&S’s pink pepper scent is considerably cheaper. The designer scent is loved for its rich, fruity fragrance, with M&S’s cheaper option balancing similar orange flower blossom and jasmine notes, layered over a sweet base of vanilla, amber musks and patchouli.
M&S red berries and rose eau de toilette, 30ml: £7, Marksandspencer.com
This red berries and rose eau de toilette from M&S has been likened to Giorgio Armani’s Sì (£69, Lookfantastic.com), owing to its sweet scent. With red berries and rose teamed with warm base notes of vanilla and amber, this high street scent is an absolute steal at just £7.
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