Sure, everyone loves a bargain, but me? I'm – humble brag incoming – an elite-level deal hunter. Case in point: My vinted addiction (read: fixation on low-balling post-four-hour doomscroll). But beyond the realm of second-hand shoes, nothing delivers quite the same thrill as tracking down an affordable perfume that doesn't compromise scent. Who knew getting your penny's worth could be so... orgasmic? Up next on TLC's My Strange Addiction...
Now, as self-appointed fragrance connoisseur of Cosmo (and, seeing as The Perfume Shop crowned me The Rising Media Star at the 2025 Love Perfume Awards, perhaps not entirely self-appointment), I've amassed quite the catalogue of affordable perfume recs. And sitting proudly within it? M&S – a tried, tested and trusted high-street brand that never fails in the fragrance department.
Time and time again, Marks and Sparks has delivered eau de parfum formulas that linger for hours on end and, crucially, don't cost an arm and a leg. And just this week, they added eight more eau de parfums to their roster under a new unisex edit, STUDIO.
Naturally, in the name of boots-on-the-ground beauty journalism, we spritzed our way through all eight and after much sniffing, debating and unsolicited office fragrance commentary, we've narrowed it down to two of our favourites. Read on to discover which ones have us racking up compliments.
M&S Sheer Musk review
Skin scent girlies, step to the front, do I have a spritz for you! Sheer Musk is a solid dupe for one of my favourite and maybe the most popular skin scents amongst beauty fans, Glossier You. It has more of a slight sweetness on first spray than You does, but the notes (pink pepper, musk and ambrette) are the same.
If you like a little feminine gourmand, you will like the hint of sugaryness on the first spray, but as it settles, it becomes a true, warm, cosy skin scent. The word sheer is so true to the scent. Not because it's light (it is, but it’s still very much present), but because it has the essence of a sheer nightie, or a chic sheer cardi that you’d wear on a date night. The wear time is long, and it really shapeshifts as a scent, starting sweet and warm, morphing into a cosy, woodier vibe and then settling down into a combination of all of the above.
M&S Salted Haze review
While pure salt itself is mostly odourless, the characteristic of smelling "salty" doesn't turn me on (not like a Vinted bargain does, anyway). I'm talking briny seaweed, post-cardio sweat and the natural decomposition of marine life... AKA, fish. But (!!) one whiff of M&S's Salted Haze and suddenly, I'm planning on relocating my entire life to the seaside. Thankfully, however, we're subbing the pong of cod, hake and scampi for a calming wash of pear blossom, bergamot and cedarwood. Think less South End, more luxury coastal escape.
It opens with a crisp freshness, underpinned by delicate aquatic notes that subtly drift through as the fragrance dries down. Over time, sandalwood, musk and tonka bean emerge, lending to a creamy, skin-like, sensual finishing touch. Compliment-worthy, much? Me thinks so!
At a time where everything from rent to matcha lattes seems to grow more expensive by the day, it's comforting to know M&S isn't pricing us out of good ol' olfactory pleasure.
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.
Keeks Reid is the Beauty Director at Cosmopolitan UK. While she loves all things beauty, Keeks is a hair fanatic through and through. She started her career in beauty journalism in 2013 as editorial assistant at Blackhair and Hair magazines working her way to Acting Editor of Blackhair magazine at 23 years old. She spent much of her career working in trade hairdressing media at Hairdressers Journal, Salon International and the British Hairdressing Awards. Which is why she is a regular contributor to Cosmo's Curl Up franchise. Now, alongside her Cosmo work, she presents, creates content on social media and works with a range of beauty companies; from magazines and websites to beauty brands and salons.
