Boots just launched a £13 perfume range – and I'm surprised how luxe-smelling and long-lasting they are
Boots knows all too well that smelling good doesn't have to cost a fortune
Finding your signature scent can sometimes be a gruelling task that requires lots of trial and error, spritzing perfumes onto a plethora of tester cards and often costing you a pretty penny in the process too.
The best perfumes for women usually come with a hefty price tag to match, whether that's due to their designer names or high-end blends. In truth, nowadays, it's rare to find long-lasting perfumes that don't set you back triple digits.
That's where expensive-smelling perfumes under £60 come into the mix. In fact, Boots has done one better and launched a lineup of five scents that cost just £12.99 each – and I've been spritzing all of them over the last few weeks.
Notes: Banana Flower, Coconut, Pear, Jasmine, Lily of the Valley, Apple Blossom, Musk, Amber, Sandalwood | Type of fragrance: Tropical floral
For those who typically reach for tropical, beachy scents, look no further than Soft Island Drift. The eau de parfum opens with banana flower, coconut and peach, before blossoming into a floral heart and drying down to reveal a creamy base of soft musk, vanilla, amber and sandalwood.
Notes: Bergamot, Mandarin, Pear, Baies Rose, Jasmine, Neroli, Orange Flower, Rose, Musk, Amber, Vanilla, Woods | Type of fragrance: Fresh floral
Alternatively, if you prefer to take a fresher approach, your go-to destination will be Velvet Bouquet. Upon first spritz, you'll be introduced to notes of bright bergamot and fresh pear. Its heart reveals floral notes of white flowers and rose, which settle into a warm amber musk for a comforting aroma.
Notes: Pink Pepper, Balm, Iris, Cashmere Musk, Lily of the Valley, Dry Amber, Musk | Type of fragrance: Warm amber musk
On the opposing end of the scale, Echoes of You takes a warm amber musk approach. It opens with a punchy spark of pink pepper and transforms into a heart of velvety iris and cashmere musk. Its warm amber base completes the fragrance with a soft, skin-close scent.
Notes: Strawberry, Peach, Apple, Pink Grapefruit, Gardenia, Rose, Jasmine, Red Berries, Vanilla, Musk, Cedarwood, Amber | Type of fragrance: Fruity floral
If fruity is number one on your fragrance agenda, you'll want to meet Into the Orchard. Think juicy strawberry, pink grapefruit and lemon blossom, complemented with a heart of soft gardenia. The perfume is then wrapped up with warm cedarwood and creamy vanilla musk, mimicking golden hour.
Notes: Bergamot, Peach, Rose, Patchouli, Jasmine, Vanilla, Amber, Musk | Type of fragrance: Soft, creamy vanilla
Prefer gourmands? Vanilla Portrait is a true soft cocooning vanilla scent with hints of bergamot and peach. The rich and velvety soft floral notes are complemented by an amber base that lingers all day long.
When it comes to shopping affordable perfumes you quite often have to compromise on not-so-luxe packaging, but that's not the case with the Boots Last Note range. These blends are housed in beautifully chic, minimalistic bottles with a gold sphere lid that makes them look more expensive than they are. Not to mention, they're also a great addition to your dressing table.
As for what's inside, despite their friendly price tag, these perfumes don't have that alcohol scent that a lot of affordable fragrances tend to boast. These are scents that instantly hit you upon first spritz. You're also getting 50ml of eau de parfum for just £12.99, and if my calculations are correct, that's quite impressive value for money.
There's something for everyone in this debut collection, from tropical sun-drenched florals to warm amber musks and a soft, creamy vanilla scent; you're sure to find a blend that suits your personal fragrance preferences.
As for longevity, these aren't perfumes that you'll have to frequently keep topping up every few hours. They radiate a cloud of fragrance that moves with you, wafting with every movement and following you around as you go about your day.
