Desire

Desire opens with a huge blast of jasmine, the same heady, almost narcotic white floral that makes Lush's Lust so polarising. Ylang-ylang and a soft rose join the bouquet, while creamy sandalwood and a touch of vanilla round out the base into a sensual, tropical warmth. It is the same dirty-jasmine idea the original built its devoted following on, intensely floral and unapologetically bold. Against the original the Perfume Parlour version reads a little flatter and cleaner, the deep indolic facet that gives Lust its love-it-or-hate-it character somewhat tamed, and as a budget scent the longevity falls short of Lust's astronomical staying power, settling closer to the skin. Still, it projects with floral presence in its opening hours. This is a sensual, bold pick for spring through autumn, suited to dates, evenings and confident casual wear, delivering the heady-jasmine idea at an accessible price.