We tested M&S’ popular perfume dupes plus the £10 scent we preferred to the Jo Malone original
COLLECTING perfume isn't a cheap hobby.
Much like fine wine or cheese, many good perfumes carry a hefty price tag - thanks to high concentrations of perfume oils, luxury packaging, brand clout, or a mixture of all three.
But here's the thing - whilst there are some brilliant, expensive fragrances out there, there are also some amazing cheap options, too.
I've spoken about my love of before, and here I go again - because M&S own-label fragrances are excellent.
Not only are affordable (they cost just £10 a pop), but many of the brand's offerings have been compared to designer fragrances.
Social media is teeming with claims that some M&S fragrances are dupes of popular perfume labels like Le Labo and Chanel.
So, I grabbed my and popped down to my local M&S branch to see what all the fuss was about.
M&S Apothecary Warmth Eau de Parfum, £10 DUPE: Le Labo Santal 33, £230
Couting celebs like Ellie Goulding, Justin Bieber, and Ryan Reynolds as loyal fans, (£230) is a bit of a bougie buy.
This unisex EDP is leathery and woody, with cosy aromatic notes and a powdery finish.
Santal 33 is warming and reassuring - and M&S Apothecary's aptly named is a known dupe.
M&S Apothecary Warmth Eau de Parfum, £10, is a rich, comforting EDP with tangy spiced notes alongside a heavy, creamy base.
Despite its £10 price tag, I was surprised by how complex and intricately layered this perfume is.
Whilst it doesn't quite have 's delicate, powdery notes, I love's spicy, herbaceous notes, which remind me of a steaming cup of chai.
Why Everyone Is Loving M&S
(£38) is a beach bag essential.
This juicy, sumptuous body mist has gourmand notes of pistachio, salted caramel and almond - making it nearly good enough to eat.
It's the perfect summertime fragrance, making it perfect for a light refresh, but it will set you back £38.
So, fans of the fragrance have found a dupe in budget (£10)
One shopper says: "I'm a frequent buyer of another well-known brand, but no longer - this is £10 for 100ml compared to £30 - great smell and long-lasting, even use as a room spray."
Other shoppers love its holiday-esque aroma, with one saying: "Lovely scent. This is gorgeous. Fresh with a hint of coconut. Gives me memories of holidays!"
Whilst (£10) isn't quite cut out for a beach bag (thanks to its glass bottle), it certainly sent me to warmer climes.
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M&S Warm Neroli Eau De Toilette, £10 DUPE: Rabanne Lady Million Eau de Parfum, £86
Rabanne 1 Million was the smell of the 00's, with its iconic gold-bar bottle making its way into bathroom shelves across the country.
So, when the designer label launched (£86) in 2010 - the female equivalent - it was met with applause.
This floral, fruity fragrance has sugary notes of honey and citrus, alongside a heavier, warming amber base.
Sumptuous and elegant, with a sultry musk dry down, beauty fans can't help but compare (£10) to Rabanne Lady Million EDP.
Despite being an EDT - which tends to be lighter and fresher - (£10) is a well-known dupe of Rabanne.
I'd consider this M&S Warm Neroli Eau De Toilette as an evening fragrance - think late-night dinners and dashing in and out of taxis.
M&S Velvet Amber Eau De Toilette, £10 DUPE OF: Chanel No.5, £104
As possibly the most famous fragrance in the world, (£104) needs no introduction.
It's thought that the EDP earned its name after being the fifth sample Gabrielle Chanel smelt when creating her namesake fragrance, but this is widely disputed.
It has a gorgeous, balanced aroma which pairs floral notes of jasmine and rose with a creamy base of vanilla and sandalwood.
However, shoppers have noticed that (£10) is a dupe.
One shopper says: "I've been a Chanel buyer all my life but I refuse to pay £100 now."
Whilst the fragrance doesn't have the same staying power as Chanel, shoppers still say it's great value for money.
One adds: "A lovely scent, it is very similar to . It does not last very long but at that price you can afford to re-apply!"