High street brands are increasingly dominating the fragrance market, with new collections from Boots and M&S proving that smelling luxurious doesn't require a hefty price tag. These bottles echo the notes of beloved luxury brands like Chanel, Yves Saint Laurent, and Tom Ford, but cost under £20.
Zara Golden Decade Eau de Parfum
Zara's Golden Decade is an elegant yet fresh scent, often cited as one of the most complimented fragrances. Its top notes of mandarin orange, followed by heart notes of orange blossom, jasmine, and lavender, create a floral amber profile. A base of vanilla adds warmth and depth, making it a suitable everyday scent. The fragrance is commonly known to be similar to Yves Saint Laurent Libre Eau De Parfum Intense, and while the YSL version may linger longer, the scents match harmoniously. Priced at £22.99, it's an affordable alternative to the £119 YSL offering.
M&S Apothecary Warmth and Midnight Blossom
Apothecary's Warmth Eau de Parfum from M&S is described as comfort in a bottle, with aromatic notes of cardamom, cedarwood, and sandalwood shared with the beloved Le Labo Santal 33. While few perfumes match Le Labo in wear, M&S matches it in all other categories. At £12.99, it's a fraction of the £176 price of Santal 33.
M&S also offers Midnight Blossom Eau De Toilette, which shares notes of soft jasmine florals and deeper, musky undertones with YSL Black Opium. As an Eau De Toilette, it fades faster, but at £8 a bottle, spraying more often won't break the bank.
Other High Street Gems
& Other Stories' Déjà Vu Mood features floral scents of jasmine and saffron, with aromas of Ambroxan, similar to Maison Francis Kurkdjian Baccarat Rouge 540. The juxtaposition of warm woody scents and jasmine adds a mysterious element, leaving a wearable fragrance that's not too musky or sweet. Like the M&S perfume, it's an Eau De Toilette, so it may require more sprays to match the punch of Maison Francis Kurkdjian fragrances. It's priced at £32.
Boots' Last Note collection, released last month, includes Echoes of You, which evokes a clean, just-out-of-the-shower feel. Opening with pink pepper and balm, it moves into iris, cashmere musk, and lily of the valley. The Boots fragrance evokes similar feelings to Glossier You, which shares notes of iris and pink pepper, and costs £12.99 compared to Glossier's £70.
