Expert Advice: How to Choose a Fragrance

Meet Aura Ambrette by Studio at M&S, a signature scent with a twist. Developed using AI in collaboration with our expert perfumers, it’s designed to react with your skin chemistry, creating a scent that feels unique to you every time you wear it.

At the heart of this limited-edition perfume, you’ll find ambrette seed CO2, pink pepper absolute and pear skin accord, coming together for a fresh, softly spiced finish. Think of it as the perfect addition to every outfit, whatever the occasion. Love that.

When it comes to choosing your signature scent, think about the kind of smells you prefer, and how long you want your perfume to last. If you prefer a light, fresh fragrance for everyday wear, look to scents with fruit or citrus notes. If you prefer a deeper, more lingering scent, try something with wood, amber or vanilla. Fragrances tend to be grouped into different families:

• Floral fragrances are soft and feminine

• Amber fragrances are deep and warm

• Woody fragrances are more unisex

• Fresh fragrances are light and airy

• Chypré fragrances are dark and deep

Discover your complete fragrance wardrobe with our new M&S Studio eau de parfum collection; the perfect starting point for experimenting with different fragrances. You’ll find a curated range of scents, each striking the perfect balance between timeless elegance and contemporary allure that you'll instantly covet.

To know how a fragrance performs on skin – whether it’s an eau de toilette or an eau de parfum – it’s important to understand its composition. Each perfume is composed of top notes, middle notes and base notes.

Top notes are what you smell initially – they’re light and fresh, but don’t last long on skin. The middle notes of a scent are its true character and tend to be made up of florals, fruits, spices and herbs. The base notes provide the depth and longevity to each scent, and are typically made up of vanilla, amber and woods. Our restorative Apothecary fragrances each feature the main notes printed on their bottles, so you can choose based on the kind of scent you generally prefer.

When testing fragrances, always allow them to develop for a few hours and observe how the different notes evolve. Also note that your skin type, pH levels and how hydrated your skin is can influence how fragrances smell on you, so always spray on your pulse points before making your final decision.

Moisturised skin will help improve the longevity of a fragrance – try matching your body lotion to your perfume. Always store your fragrance in its original box and in a cool, dark place to help preserve its true character. Try our range of perfumes from top beauty brands, including Floral Street, Estée Lauder and lots more.