M&S' Aura Ambrette reminds us of Davina’s signature skin scent, for a fraction of the price

For those seeking a chic new signature that could easily be mistaken for a much pricier one, M&S' Aura Ambrette definitely warrants a spritz - especially if you're already a fan of musky scents that evolve as the day goes by.

While fragrance is definitely one area of your beauty routine where you can justify more of a splurge, there are plenty of affordable alternatives to the best long-lasting perfumes out there too. M&S' perfumes, for instance, are touted for their luxe-smelling blends at not-so-luxe prices, with many boasting similarities to very iconic, designer ones. This is especially true of the retailer's newer Studio Collection, with one blend, in particular, being compared to a certain celebrity-loved skin scent.

You've no doubt heard of Escentric Molecules' famous Molecule 01 perfume, which possesses just one note: Iso E Super - a synthetic musk that smells slightly different on everyone. It's become something of a modern cult classic and is a known favourite of both Davina McCall and Ruth Langsford. Now, M&S has entered its own musky perfume into the mix, and having smelt it first-hand, our team have a lot of good things to say...

Our thoughts on M&S' Aura Ambrette perfume

It's safe to say that soft, second-skin-like musks, like Glossier You and Le Labo's Another 13, have become quite a sought-after genre in recent years. Of course, the classic olfactory families, like florals and oud perfumes, never go out of style, but the demand for these understated perfumes that boast a personal, signature feel is at an all-time high.

Now, as mentioned, Marks and Sparks have brought out their own iteration, which combines spicy hints of ambrette with warm sandalwood and that distinctive skin-like molecule, Iso E Super, to create what they are dubbing 'a transformative fragrance.' Many shoppers have claimed that it smells similar to Escentric Molecules' hero blend but also that it seems to change every time they smell it, so naturally, we simply had to sample it for ourselves.

Digital Beauty Writer Naomi Jamieson understands the appeal: "There's something so intriguing and hypnotic about this scent. On me, the sandalwood and musks really cling; it's warm and a little bit sweet, but there's also this very sophisticated spiciness to it, which I love. It's cool and grown-up but also soft - the sort of scent you can wear anytime, no matter the season or occasion. Despite its softness, though, I was actually so surprised by its lasting power. I could smell it for hours after spritzing, and could still detect it on my clothes the following day. An impressive feat for an under-£30 perfume, in my experience.

"I would say it definitely exists in the same musky realm as Molecule 01, but the two are different. As mentioned, this M&S scent pulls woodier and more powdery on me, but I do think it's a lovely option for fans of the former - as well as lovers of ambrette-centric scents. The beauty of perfumes with Iso E Super, though, is that the note reacts and translates differently on everyone's skin, so I would definitely recommend trying it for yourself. "

Digital Beauty Writer, Sennen Prickett, also gave it a whirl as someone who loves 'second-skin' scents. She notes that, alongside its Iso E Super molecule, which uniquely adapts to your skin, "its added notes of ambrette and sandalwood enhance its softness and cosiness, which is why I’ve been spritzing it non-stop, especially now that we're in the depths of the colder winter months.

"All in all, this perfume's blend is the perfect recipe for becoming my signature scent."