M&S shoppers snap up £16 perfume that ‘smells far more expensive’ for 60p in deal

Starring notes of jasmine, amber and bergamot, the affordable fragrance could rival much more expensive perfumes for a fraction of the price

Marks and Spencer is revered for its epic food hall and stylish clothes – but more recently, there’s another category the retailer has been excelling in: perfume. The high-street favourite has become renowned for its Discover fragrance line, and we’ve found a way to get one of the most popular scents for less than £1.

For a number of years, the Discover Eau de Toilettes have been praised for their luxurious scents on a budget, but it was widely acknowledged by shoppers that the longevity wasn’t that of more expensive fragrances. As such, M&S recently released some of its bestsellers in a more concentrated Eau de Parfum – a stronger, longer-lasting fragrance, but maintaining an affordable pricepoint.

One of the highest-rated from shoppers is the Soft Iris Eau de Parfum 50ml, which usually retails at £16. The refined, everyday scent can be picked up for 60p when shopping via TopCashback, making for an impressive saving for fragrance enthusiasts.

The website, which rewards customers with cash back when they shop at selected retailers, is offering new members a £15 sign-up bonus when they register for an account and spend at least £15. For new members and new customers of M&S, the perfume works out at 60p after cashback. For existing M&S customers, it would be 87p – still saving more than £15.For shoppers who already use TopCashback, they can get the fragrance for £15.60, or £15.87 respectively.

Soft Iris is one of my favourite scents from the collection. I have long adored the soft, powdery scent in the Eau de Toilette version, which led me to purchasing the Eau de Parfum version for my mum at Christmas. The fragrance combines iris and jasmine with bergamot for a fresh scent, while the base of vetiver, amber and patchouli provides a warmth that lingers throughout the day.

According to Marks and Spencer, the eau de parfum formulation offers a ‘richer fragrance experience than traditional perfumes’, making it practical for everyday wear or special occasions. One thing is for certain – it smells far more expensive than it’s price tag would suggest.

Another affordable fragrance that features notes of jasmine and amber is Kylie Jenner’s Cosmic, which costs £35 for a 30ml bottle. As someone who would usually avoid celebrity fragrances, I make an exception for this one, with it being one of my most complimented in my extensive perfume collection.

The fragrance has a 4.6 star-rating from shoppers, one of which said: “Love, love, love! I adore this smell – it subtle and soft but you can smell it nicely. I recently heard that every woman should have their own signature scent and I’m calling dibs on this one.”

Another added: “Bought without trying, but pleased. Quite sweet but not too overpowering. Perfumes from the big names are so expensive. This is a surprisingly good buy for every day.”

Some are still finding it doesn’t last as long as they’d like, writing; “Very pleasant, gentle floral. Soft and powdery. Only downside doesn’t last long enough on me.”

A fourth wrote: “Bought this as an alternative to more expensive perfumes and am very impressed. Smells lovely. It doesn’t last quite as long as more expensive perfumes but for the price you can afford to re-apply.”

For those seeking something a little more intense and longer-lasting, Phlur’s Soft Spot shares some notes with Soft Iris. Priced at £99 at Space NK, it features jasmine, amber, sandalwood, vanilla and musk. This scent is seriously addictive and not as powdery as Soft Iris, but a lovely addition to a perfume collection nonetheless.

For those looking to expand their fragrance wardrobe, or discover a new signature spritz, M&S has launched a Discover Eau de Parfum Intense Gift Set for under £30. Inside the set, shoppers will find four of M&S’ bestselling fragrances in their new intensified form, designed to offer extended wear on the skin. The edit includes the aforementioned Soft Iris, as well as Pink Pepper, Warm Neroli and White Coconut.

How to get Soft Iris for 60p through TopCashback:

• Sign up for or access your existing TopCashback account.
• Search for M&S and select ‘Get Cashback Now’.
• Proceed with your order as normal.
• Cashback will be tracked and credited to TopCashbacks account following confirmation.