Some women collect shoes, others handbags. Me? I collect fragrances like I'm building an archive for future generations. I simply can't resist a delicious new scent, and because of this, I've become known among friends and family as the person who always smells good. It's a title I take very seriously. It also means I feel a certain civic duty to test every noteworthy fragrance launch that lands on my radar.
So, when Marks & Spencer gave me an early heads-up about its new own-brand Studio fragrance collection – eight luxury-inspired scents priced at a very reasonable £22.50 each for 100ml – my interest was immediately piqued. With many perfumes now comfortably sitting north of the £80 mark, M&S' promise of a designer-like scent experience without the eye-watering price tag feels particularly appealing. It means those shopping on a budget can still indulge in something special, and I can recommend them without feeling like I'm encouraging someone to spend the equivalent of a small utility bill on perfume.
Although the Studio fragrances have only just launched online, they're already gathering momentum on social media. Just this morning, I spotted someone comparing the vanilla scent to Kayali's cult Vanilla 28 (£110). And if there's one thing I've learned from years of writing about beauty, it's that once TikTok starts drawing fragrance comparisons, stock levels should start sweating.
I won't tell you to sprint to your nearest M&S, but perhaps a power walk would be appropriate.
M&S' own-brand fragrances have long had a reputation for punching above their weight in terms of complex scent profiles. My one criticism – and one I've heard echoed by others – is that longevity hasn't always been their strongest suit. The Studio collection claims to change that, offering eau de parfum formulas designed to linger from morning through to evening. Big claims indeed.
After spending approximately three seconds reading the press release, I immediately emailed M&S asking if I could try all eight fragrances ahead of launch. A few days later, a very exciting parcel arrived on my doorstep. Eight perfumes meant eight days of testing, so naturally, I got straight to work.
Monday: Sheer Musk
Scent match: Diptyque Fleur de Peau, £102
As someone who owns and adores Diptyque's musky Fleur de Peau, there are definite similarities here. Both fall into the soft, skin-like musk category, but while Fleur de Peau is built around powdery iris and ambrette seed with a subtle peppery freshness, M&S' Sheer Musk is creamier and a touch warmer. It doesn't have quite the same complexity as Diptyque's, but I think it captures the expensive 'your skin but better' feeling remarkably well.
Overall, a good Monday scent. No compliments but I felt clean wearing it – and that's after two sweaty tube commutes.
Tuesday: Tonka Tabac
Scent match: Le Labo Tonka 25 EDP, £74
As someone who has happily justified the cost of Le Labo's Tonka 25 on more than one occasion, I was intrigued by Tonka Tabac from the moment I saw the name, so I wanted to give it a spritz early in the week. Tonka 25 is moodier and more complex with its smoky cedarwood and addictive tonka bean base, and M&S' take is softer and sweeter, but still has plenty of depth.
Overall, this was a definite evening scent for me – sophisticated but still easy to wear. I had one person in my work lift look like they were about to ask me something, but other than that, no notes, just that I caught myself sniffing my wrists throughout the day, which is usually a very good sign.
Wednesday: Vanilla Silk
Scent match: Phlur Vanilla Skin EDP, £99
What I like about both Phlur and M&S' Vanilla Silk is that they both steer clear of the sickly-sweet vanilla territory that can make fragrances smell cheap, instead pairing creamy vanilla with soft musks for an expensive finish. Phlur's version still has the edge when it comes to complexity, but I was pleasantly surprised to find M&S' version won when it came to staying power.
Overall, this was probably my favourite of the range so far. I wore it out to a Wednesday evening mum and baby event and finally got a "you smell nice" compliment, which, in my books, is the fragrance equivalent of a five-star review.
Thursday: Ginger Flower
Scent match: L'Occitane Cèdre Gingembre, £65
I've smelled L'Occitane's ginger scent before at beauty events, but it's not one I've ever taken home with me to my own fragrance collection. The reason is that I'm not really a ginger kind of girl – I prefer creamy to spicy scents. I can appreciate it's a hero though – and M&S has done a really excellent job of bottling the Marmite note. I'd actually say I prefer M&S' Ginger Flower over L'Occitane's version because it's got citrusy top notes that add a summery sparkle to the scent.
Sadly, no "where is your scent from??" questions today, but then again, I was just working from home for the most part of my Thursday.
Friday: Amber Crème
Scent match: Victoria Beckham Beauty San Ysidro Drive EDP, £170
Again, I don't own a VB Beauty perfume, but I have smelled this, and I've been trying to find an amber scent like it. M&S' Amber Crème has notes of amber (of course), vanilla, rum, patchouli and crème anglaise, while Victoria's pricey scent features saffron, rose and amber. M&S's take is sweeter, but it's also much more daytime wearable, I think. Although I do love the addition of the oud-y saffron in the designer version.
Surprisingly, my boyfriend asked if I was wearing something different while we were out grabbing dinner, which almost never happens because he's so used to my changing perfumes, so I'll take that as one big compliment (he said it in a nice way, I promise).
Saturday: Dewy Rose
Scent match: Phlur Rose Whip, £99
Phlur's Rose Whip was the first perfume to make me think of the floral as something more than just an 'old lady' note. It's because it has complexity with amber, cashmere wood and musk. Similarly, M&S' Dewy Rose blends amber into the mix, making it less powdery than just a simple floral fragrance. I still wouldn't pick a rose perfume for myself, but I do know how trendy they are, so M&S has been clever in adding one to its Studio line-up.
No compliments today, but I did spend most of my time with two two-year-olds. I'm sure if they could say anything more than the names of In The Night Garden characters, they'd have passed on some praise.
Sunday: Salted Haze
Scent match: Byredo Gypsy Water, £155
Salted Haze and Gypsy Water aren't directly comparable, but they are both aquatic scents, I'd say, and share a similar fragrance mood. Gypsy Water – one of my all-time loves – blends notes of pine needle, sandalwood, amber and citrus, while Salted Haze features pear blossom, seaweed and cedarwood.
When I first spritzed on M&S' version, I thought it was too chemical-y, but that dried down after a few minutes. I would say that's true of many of the Studio scents – you do really have to give them a moment to do their thing. If I didn't know it was from the high street brand, I absolutely would have guessed it was from a Byredo-type designer, and that's the most praise I could give – no external compliments needed.
Monday: Darkest Vanilla
Scent match: Kayali Vanilla 28, £80
I saved what I thought would be the best for last – and I was right to. As a vanilla girl through and through, I've long loved Kayali's rich perfume, but M&S' Darkest Vanilla has knocked it off my top spot. With notes of warm amber, tonka bean, patchouli, orchid and sweet brown sugar, it's so much more than just another vanilla scent – it has the complexity I long for in a sweet perfume. It's not as heady as Kayali's, but I like that.
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Rounding off my 8-day great scent experiment, I reeled myself in two compliments from Darkest Vanilla – and both from industry professionals, at that. I think that says all it needs to.
