Perfume Parlour 2013 EDP

M £ Favourite

Dark Times For Men

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Perfume Parlour Dark Times For Men is an Eau de Parfum launched in 2013. Dark Times For Men opens with Watermelon, settles into a heart of Lavender, Basil, and Lemon Verbena, and dries down to a base of Dark Chocolate, Patchouli, Cashmeran, and Coumarin. Perfume Parlour's Dark Times For Men carries a Favourite verdict, a fruity-led wear.

A budget take on Lacoste L.12.12 Noir. Dark Times reproduces the signature fresh watermelon opening over a cocoa-cashmeran base, but renders the original's smooth aromatic blend flatter, with the watermelon louder and the warm chocolate drydown thinner.
What our verdicts mean →
  • Fresh
  • Confident
  • Uplifting
  • Grounded
  • Sophisticated
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Dark Times For Men Eau de Parfum bottle
Inspired by
Eau de Lacoste L.12.12. Noir by Lacoste
93%
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Our estimate of scent similarity, calculated from published notes. How we score it

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Eau de Lacoste L.12.12. Noir the original Dark Times For Men inspired by

Scent Profile

Composition

Timeline

Showing: Overall Blend

Top, heart and base are the brand's own listing, not a timing claim - the industry classifies a note by its character as much as by how fast it fades. Each curve here is modelled from that material's own volatility, so groups can overlap when a house lists long-lasting materials in its heart.

ScentArt

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Performance & Mood

Performance

Longevity
Short (2-4h)
Projection
Intimate
Intensity
Light

Mood

Mood Energising
Calming
Character Playful
Serious
Sentiment Uplifting
Brooding

When To Wear

Best Seasons

Best For:
Spring Summer
Also Works:
Fall

The fresh watermelon and aromatic herbs make it ideal for spring and summer, still wearable into autumn.

Best Occasions

Best For:
Office Casual
Also Works:
Date Sport

Clean and crowd-pleasing, it suits casual daytime and office wear with enough warmth for a date.

Declarable allergens

We derive these from the materials behind this fragrance's notes, not from the bottle. Each one is likely, not confirmed. The list is partial - the box can name others.

In standard patch-test panels

Other declarable allergens

The large name is the everyday one. The small name is the INCI form on the box, so you can compare the two. Reactions differ between people. A patch-test panel is not a ranking of risk. How we derive this

About

Dark Times opens on the same juicy, invigorating watermelon that defines Lacoste L.12.12 Noir - bright, slightly sweet and instantly recognisable. The heart brings an aromatic green twist of basil, verbena and lavender that keeps things fresh and clean-shaven in feel. The base is where the 'noir' comes from: a soft dark chocolate dusted over creamy cashmeran, sweet coumarin and a grounding patchouli. Against the original, this Perfume Parlour version pushes the fresh watermelon higher and longer, while the seductive cocoa-cashmeran depth in the base reads lighter and less rounded, so it leans more fresh-aromatic than warm. Longevity is moderate and projection sits within arm's reach after the opening. An easy, versatile fresh-woody scent for daytime casual and office wear that nails the L.12.12 Noir vibe at a fraction of the price.

Similar

Compare & Pair

Layer

Wear two at once. See what layers well with Dark Times For Men Eau de Parfum - the blends worth trying, and how each one scores.

Complement

Round out the rotation. See what complements Dark Times For Men Eau de Parfum - fragrances that pair with it, worn side by side.

Where to buy

Prices for the United Kingdom ·

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Drawn from community reviews and editor-reviewed before publishing on . See our methodology and disclosure policy.