I love a good beauty splurge as much as the next person does – "treat yourself, it's been a tough month!", I say to myself every month. But when it comes to seeking out a beauty bargain cheaper than my TFL fare and Pret lunch (that is, separately), you best believe I'm all for it. The current financial climate may be bleak, but let's chase the highs with a great-smelling perfume in hand.
Which leads me to Primark's £5 PS... Soft Scents Eau De Parfum in 'Other Girl'. It's £5. Five Great British Pounds. I have spent more on a sad desk salad that tasted of regret, and yet, here is a perfume that will last abundantly longer and get me loads of compliments. Sad desk salad, do better.
Now, 'Other Girl' may sound vaguely threatening, like the plotline of a straight-to-Netflix thriller, but it's actually disarmingly lovely. It opens with a bright, slightly sugary burst before settling into something warmer and faintly creamy. There's vanilla at the core, but it's lifted by a sparkle of citrus and a prickle of pink pepper, so it never tips into fully fledged cupcake chaos.
Overall, the vibe is soft, airy, everyday femininity with a warm, slightly spicy edge. And it's become a go-to of Cosmo's Beauty Assistant, Urmi Pandit, especially for layering. Her favourite way to wear it? With Merit's Retrospect Extrait de Parfum for extra depth, making for relentless compliments.
Oh, and did I mention that it's an eau de parfum (EDP)? This means that it'll generally last longer than an eau de toilette (EDT) because of its higher concentration of fragrance oils. Lingering time = 6–8 hours!
So, in an era of £200 fragrances, there's something deeply chic about a fiver that simply smells good. Other Girl? It girl energy, actually.
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Lia Mappoura (she/her) is the Beauty Writer at Cosmopolitan UK, with over four years of experience reporting across the brand's print, social, video and digital platforms. Lia covers everything from emerging trend analysis to viral celebrity hair and makeup moments, making her an expert at spotting the season’s next big beauty look (before it takes over social media feeds).
In 2025, she was named The Rising Media Star at the Love Perfume Awards with The Perfume Shop, recognised for her outstanding digital fragrance content and for building genuine authority within the space. She is passionate about challenging outdated beauty stereotypes, championing inclusive representation in beauty, and educating readers on the trends, products and conversations shaping the industry today. Follow her on Instagram or find her on LinkedIn.
