Boots has launched a new collection of affordable fragrances inspired by luxury high-end alternatives. The Last Note range includes five travel-friendly 50ml perfumes priced at £12.99 each: Vanilla Portrait, Echoes of You, Velvet Bouquet, Into the Orchard, and Soft Island Drift.
One scent in particular is stacking up in sales. Vanilla Portrait Eau de Parfum is described as a 'rich, velvety and softly floral' fragrance with a lingering base of amber notes. It blends crowd-pleasing notes of bergamot, peach, rose, patchouli, jasmine, vanilla, and amber musk, making it a warm and comforting choice for everyday wear as autumn and winter approach.
Shoppers praise the 'expensive' scent
Love for the budget-friendly perfume has already poured in online. One shopper wrote: "Amazing. Came yesterday smells so beautiful and expensive, proper vanilla perfume and lasts ages!" Another fan said: "This vanilla, especially for this price, is 10/10. It has a creamy almost caramelish smell, just a gorgeous fragrance."
A third buyer added: "Received this morning, gorgeous initial scent. Worn out and about all day and still strong smelling. Smells very similar to the Habi Vanilla Cloud, makes for great layering."
Mixed reviews and other budget options
While there are no negative reviews for the vanilla scent on the Boots website as of yet, the perfumes might not suit every taste. One reviewer who chose Soft Island Drift said: "I actually like this, but not everyone will. It smells exactly like those banana foam sweets."
Shoppers may also consider the M&S Studio Darkest Vanilla Eau De Parfum 100ml, priced at £22.50, which blends vanilla bean, tonka, and amber. M&S also offers the Discover Soft Oud 100ml, a £12 eau de toilette with warm notes of oud and vanilla.
Luxury alternatives from Jo Malone
For those with a larger budget, Jo Malone has launched three limited edition colognes inspired by vegetables: Carrot Blossom, Scarlet Beetroot, and Velvety Butternut. The latter is dubbed the perfect transitional scent into autumn, with notes of smooth butternut, warm tonka bean, and patchouli, opening with a fresh hit of ginger. The Velvety Butternut Cologne is priced at £59 for a 30ml size.
