Purple Cloud

Purple Cloud opens soft and creamy with coconut, a hint of hibiscus and bergamot, the airy, slightly milky overture that defines this modern patchouli. The heart turns plush with osmanthus, tuberose and a smooth, thinned patchouli, while the base deepens into cashmeran, cocoa-tinged warmth, clean musk and ambrette. Against Byredo's Velvet Haze, this dupe gets the velvety coconut-patchouli concept right and keeps that chic, understated feel, but the original's luminous grey transparency and refined longevity are toned down here, leaving a cosier, more linear wear that hugs the skin. Longevity is moderate. It is a sophisticated, sensual scent - equally at home on casual days and intimate evenings - delivering much of Velvet Haze's plush charm at a fraction of the niche price.