I've spoken before of my love for a good perfume (both eye-wateringly expensive ones and more affordable options), but there's one purse-friendly fragrance that has been literally turning heads whenever I wear it recently. And I've decided it's only polite to share it with everyone. After all, last night at a work dinner, three different people asked me what scent I was wearing—so it must be good, right? Well, it turns out the fragrance in question isn't really perfume at all but a body mist. Yes, as in one of those plastic pump bottles of scent that you probably kept in your PE kit at school. Worry not, though. This one has the mastermind behind luxury fragrance house Byredo behind it but at a seriously affordable price point.
Delivering on way more than sellout summer dresses, & Other Stories is probably the high-street store I recommend most for beauty products that rival the most luxurious brands on the market. As for their fragrances? Trust me—they smell seriously expensive. And it's no surprise when & Other Stories has Ben Gorham, founder of Byredo (and probably my favourite ever fragrance brand), working on its scents. And while you won't find any Byredo alternatives, you will find seriously original and complex perfumes that smell incredible. As for the specific scent I always get compliments on? The Arabesque Wood Body Mist (£13).
Described on the bottle as a "deep earthy oud with a twist of citrus", it doesn't immediately sound like the kind of fragrance that would appeal to me. I tend to opt for musky skin scents, violet-heavy florals, or amber-spiked gourmand fragrances. However, this body mist delivers a zingy freshness that I always find myself returning to during the summer months particularly. It's zesty with lemon and ginger, but dries down into those amber undertones that I like for an expensive-smelling edge.And it's not the only & Other Stories fragrance that I rate. Ahead, keep scrolling for the other affordable scents that I keep on rotation from the high street store.
Discover the Best & Other Stories Fragrances:
1. & Other Stories Sardonyx Fire
This is my favourite-ever & Other Stories perfume, so I'm delighted it also comes in this handbag-sized body mist formula. It's a deep floral with hints of vanilla that reminds me of balmy nights on holiday.
I have repurchased this perfume so many times. Despite costing less than £30 it smells incredibly expensive and it lasts so well on the skin.
2. & Other Stories Sicilian Sunrise Body Mist
This uplifting citrus scent smells like the best homemade lemonade—in a good way, of course. Sharp, freshly-juiced citrus fruits and sun-soaked woods combine for a warm, summery scent.
I've always spritzed perfume through my hair to improve the longevity of my chosen scent, so I'm a big fan of fragrances created specifically for this cause.
3. & Other Stories Fleur de Mimosa
If you're not ready to embrace '90s-esque body mists, these portable perfume oils make a chic alternative. This one smells of fresh mimosa and musk, and is totally dreamy.
So many fragrance experts have told me that the key to smelling great all day is to layer your scent and one of the easiest ways to do that is by wearing a body lotion that matches your perfume. Not only do the ones from & Other Stories smell great, but they sink into skin effortlessly.
4. & Other Stories Miami Muse
& Other Stories even gets sweet scents right. Unlike the sickly aromas more affordable options often create, this one contains pink pepper to lend a grown-up edge to the cotton-candy heart.
Apply this to pulse points for a subtly lingering scent.
5. & Other Stories Perle de Coco
A creamy coconut scent with hints of vanilla and caramel—this & Other Stories body mist screams hot summers by the pool. Sadly, I tend to wear it while lugging two kids to the park but it still brings me so much joy. Plus, it manages to be gourmand without being the slightest bit cloying.
A glow-boosting version of the original summer body mist. Simply spritz it over skin to leave behind a subtle shimmer and plenty of sheen.
6. Solar Essay
This is definitely a summer scent, but a more sophisticated one than your usual contenders. It has those traditional tropical notes—coconut, tiare and tonka beans—but there's also sparkling lemon, florals via cyclamen and mimosa, and earthy cedarwood to ground this uplifting perfume.
7. Rose Revival
I'm a big fan of rose scents anyway, but I know they often get a bit of a reputation as the kind of perfume that your nan might wear. This one, however, is not your grandmother's rose. It's decidedly modern with lush rose absolute and sweet magnolia teamed with ripe pear and cedarwood for an aromatic, fruity twist.
A travel-sized hand cream infused with skin-nourishing shea butter and that same, wonderful scent.
This story was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated.
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