My Friends Always Comment on How Expensive I Smell—This On-Sale Perfume Is the Reason

Last Update: 7:00am Wednesday 26th November

From Black Friday beauty tools to advent calendar sales, numerous great offers are available at the moment. In my opinion, this year's Black Friday beauty sales are the best yet. With brands such as Victoria Beckham Beauty and Beauty Pie offering stellar discounts, it's safe to say that I've already been topping up on some of my favourite products.

However, nothing has got me quite as excited as seeing my favourite expensive-smelling perfume on sale. Of course, I'm talking about Merit's Retrospect L’Extrait de Parfum. I've written all about my love for this fragrance (in fact, I regard it as one of the best perfumes ever created), and it's currently 20% off in Merit's Black Friday sale (the biggest of deals considering Merit only goes on sale once a year). Not only that, but the brand is also giving away a free, ultra-chic card case with every order.

I've pretty much been obsessed with this fragrance since it launched back in October 2024. While it's much more affordable than most of my luxury perfumes, it smells so expensive, thanks to a delicate concoction of floral notes. A base of musk, vanilla and moss adds that warm, second-skin feeling, while the addition of aldehydes brings a beautifully fresh, clean, sparkling element to the scent.

The most impressive bit? This perfume features nearly 30% fragrance oil, ensuring a highly concentrated formula that lasts all day. It was actually developed in Paris using the highest-quality natural extracts, which is why I can't stop raving about it. After having it in my collection for over a year, I can confirm that it sits beautifully on the skin, and I can even smell the warm, fresh, cosy aroma on my clothing long after spritzing.

Shop Merit Retrospect L’Extrait de Parfum

Shop More Merit Black Friday Deals

What Is Black Friday?

Black Friday weekend is an annual sale shopping event that originated in the US. It marks the end of Thanksgiving and the start of the festive shopping season, resulting in the majority of well-known—and even, in recent years, smaller—brands and retailers heading into a period sale for a full four days.

When Is Black Friday 2025?

Black Friday will fall on Friday 28 November 2025, and you can expect deals across the whole weekend and into Cyber Monday, which falls on Monday 1 December 2025. Our editors will be busy compiling the best of the Black Friday savings, whether it be clothing deals or beauty tools deals for you.

When Does Black Friday 2025 End?

Black Friday sales tend to run over the weekend and end on Cyber Monday, which will fall on Monday 1 December 2025.

What Is Cyber Monday?

Cyber Monday is the final day of sales of the Black Friday sales period. In 2025 it will be Monday 1 December, and is typically the last chance to snap up savings.