I ditched a £112 limited-edition Jo Malone perfume for £15 Boots scent

Now summer has officially arrived, my summer wardrobe has emerged too, but a seasonal wardrobe shift also demands a corresponding change in fragrance. I’m a staunch advocate of the philosophy that ‘a great outfit turns heads, but a great perfume leaves a memory’, making the selection of the right one absolutely essential, regardless of the time of year.

Sundresses aren’t typically my go-to choice, but when I do opt for one, I require the ideal scent to complement it. Several years ago, I discovered that fragrance – Jo Malone’s Rose Blush Cologne.

I never imagined I’d gravitate towards an overtly floral fragrance, but this particular one exudes sophistication without feeling ‘aunty-like’, it radiates total girl-boss energy, and it certainly creates a lasting impression. There’s just one snag – it’s limited-edition, making it difficult to track down, and when it does occasionally resurface, it commands £112.

That being said, I’ve been searching for a more budget-friendly alternative to my beloved Jo Malone fragrance for some time now and I believe I’ve discovered a gem with a £14.99 scent from Boots, which has genuinely taken me by surprise. Priced at under £15, Jawhara’s Sultan Rose serves as the ideal daily spritz when conditions are glorious and warm.

It isn’t a ‘dupe’ for my Jo Malone fragrance, but it does present a distinctive interpretation of the rose character. Sultan Rose delivers an intense, woody, and spicy Middle Eastern-style rose oud, whereas Jo Malone Rose Blush offers a breezy, fruity-floral, limited-edition cologne with a fresh, spring-like quality, reports the Manchester Evening News.

In fact, Jawhara’s Sultan Rose aligns more closely with my typical scent preferences. I generally gravitate towards spicier fragrances, making it an ideal summer compromise for me.

Jawhara says: “This perfume opens with warm saffron accord and Akigalawood, which lead to an elegant heart of majestic rose accord and powdery peony. A delicate base of vanilla incense adds a subtle sweetness, reminiscent of the gentle breeze of an Arabian rose garden.”

It is marketed as unisex, though having tested it on both myself and my boyfriend, I would say it leans slightly towards the feminine side. While he wasn’t keen on wearing it himself, he was pleasantly taken aback by how beautifully it developed on my skin.

At £15, I anticipated a rather subtle fragrance, yet it proved considerably more potent than I had anticipated. It does naturally require more frequent application than my Jo Malone cologne, though given the significant price difference, this hardly comes as a shock — and at £15, I’m more than happy to spritz it generously.

For those who aren’t particularly drawn to floral scents and favour something more gourmand, Sweet Dates is well worth exploring — also priced at £14.99 on the Boots website. This fragrance is genuinely unisex; so much so that my boyfriend actually claimed it for himself — high praise indeed from arguably the most discerning person I know when it comes to perfume.

Sweet Dates is an ambery, fruity Eau de Parfum that opens with an enticing combination of sweet vanilla and zesty raspberry, before luscious date accord introduces an exotic depth enriched by earthy patchouli. A velvety base of caramelised amber accord and cedarwood rounds off this opulent, sumptuous fragrance.

It bears similarities to Lush’s Sticky Dates bodyspray (£29), yet costs half the price. While Lush’s version remains a staple in my fragrance collection, Jawhara’s Sweet Dates feels slightly less cloying, and more refined for warm summer evenings and date night.

Once more, it doesn’t quite match the longevity of some pricier alternatives available. However, for slipping into your handbag to refresh throughout the working day, or at picnics and BBQs, it’s an absolute steal.

Within the broader Jawhara collection, the Jawhara Golden Nectar Eau de Parfum combines bergamot, tuberose and musk for a lighter floral scent. For a warmer, more masc-leaning scent, the Jawhara Amberwood Nomad Eau de Parfum blends cardamom, cedarwood and myrrh.

Oud Velvet, likewise, tilts towards the masculine spectrum. It delivers a profound, woody-amber aroma featuring saffron, oud and creamy vanilla.

The complete £14.99 Jawhara range is available to purchase on the Boots website.

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