It’s not just M&S’s fashion that has gone viral in recent years; the British retailer’s fragrances have become equally covetable. Scents from the Discover range cost as little as £12, while the more premium Apothecary line rivals the likes of Le Labo, and regularly sells out.
Promising the same affordabilty but with extra luxury appeal, M&S’s new in-house brand, Studio, is an edit of eight fragrances, packaged in chic glass bottles reminiscent of Byredo and Dior.
In the lineup, which includes a discovery set (£12, Marksandspencer.com), you can expect refined, modern scents evoking vanilla, musk, amber, and tonka. Each unisex fragrance costs £22 and is designed to be worn solo or layered.
Naturally, the Studio scents have already garnered attention on TikTok – particularly for their layering versatility and comparisons to classic fragrances. Some have noted similarities to Tom Ford, Byredo and Jo Malone fragrances, while others have said that certain combinations create a custom scent.
How I tested
I’ve been wearing the collection since its launch last month – and five Studio scents have earned me countless compliments. After spritzing, layering and identifying the notes in each fragrance, here’s everything you need to know about M&S’s new Studio line – plus which luxury scents each of my favourites bottle are inspired by.
M&S Studio darkest vanilla eau de parfum
★★★★★
Alternative to: Tom Ford tobacco vanille
With notes of warm amber, tonka bean and patchouli, balanced by floral orchid and vanilla bean, M&S Studio’s darkest vanilla fragrance shares many of the same flavour profiles as Tom Ford’s cult tobacco vanille. But while the luxury scent will set you back £299 for 100ml, M&S’s bottle is less than £25. With its warm, velvety and high-end profile, it’s a grown-up scent that lingers all morning before it needs topping up.
Buy now £22.00, Marksandspencer.com
M&S Studio vanilla silk eau de parfum
★★★★☆
Alternative to: Phlur vanilla skin
M&S’s vanilla silk shares the same covetable blend of vanilla and soft musk as Phlur’s TikTok-viral vanilla skin parfum. Featuring top notes of lemon and orange blossom, M&S’s scent avoids being overly sweet thanks to “buttery shortbread” aromas.
Buy now £22.00, Marksandspencer.com
M&S Studio salted haze eau de parfum
★★★★★
Alternative to: Jo Malone wood sage and sea salt
My favourite summery scent from the Studio line, salted haze boasts a warm, creamy base and top notes of pear blossom. Seaweed, fig leaf, and lavender round out the scent, while cedarwood, sandalwood, musk, and tonka bean add depth. I’ve been spritzing it most days during the London heatwave – it’s a good affordable option for your work bag. The M&S fragrance evokes a similarly crisp, earthy feeling as Jo Malone’s wood sage and sea salt scent.
Buy now £22.00, Marksandspencer.com
M&S Studio amber creme eau de parfum
★★★★☆
Alternative to: Dolce & Gabbana velvet amber
M&S Studio’s amber creme eau de parfum shares the same top notes of warm amber and a veil of patchouli as Dolce & Gabbana’s velvet amber. Both feature a rich, creamy base that appeals to gourmand lovers, rather than sharp or citrusy scents. To enhance the fragrance, it’s a nice one to layer over M&S Studio’s sheer musk (£22.50, Marksandspencer.com).
Buy now £22.00, Marksandspencer.com
M&S studio dewy rose
★★★★☆
Alternative to: Byredo young rose
Drawing floral comparisons to Byredo’s luxury young rose fragrance, the M&S studio dewy rose is a fresh scent that combines delicate rose with soft notes and subtle warmth. While perfectly light for summer days, it’s an elegant and uplifting choice for year-round wear – and not overly sweet.
Buy now £22.50, Marksandspencer.com
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