YSL Black Opium dupe: Evrland Dark Desire

Why Black Opium sells the way it does

Black coffee against vanilla, with orange blossom keeping it from turning into dessert. It has been a top seller since 2014 because it works for a night out and, sprayed lightly, for a normal Tuesday. It is warm, sweet and easy to recognise.

The 90ml bottle sits around $230.

What we recommend instead

Evrland Dark Desire runs the same coffee and vanilla accord. The coffee is a shade darker and the florals sit further back, so it comes across a little richer and slightly less sparkly than the original. Sprayed once, on a scarf or a jumper, the difference is hard to name.

$55 for 50ml, which makes it a reasonable everyday bottle rather than something you keep for occasions.

Good to know

Sweet gourmand fragrances shift with the weather. This one performs best in cooler months. In February heat, one spray is enough.