Description
Belle d`Opium is the new addiction by Yves Saint Laurent; a fragrance that is a disconcertingly bewitching new oriental.
It is a true olfactory manifesto and a profusion of rare and precious ingredients: Casablanca Lily blends with spicy Incense and
mysterious overtones of a Nargileh accord.
A woman who wears it is full of ambivalence, elusive and obsessive,
powerful and troubling, ingenue but dangerous.
Top notes: mandarin, Casablanca lily, gardenia, jasmine
Heart: incense, peach, white pepper, tobacco, hookah accord, fruity notes
Base: amber, sandalwood, patchouli, smoky notes
The bottle is a redesigned version of the original, updated with a flamboyant red wick and highlighted with a gold circle and cap.
The face of the fragrance is actress Mélanie Thierry.
Belle d`Opium is available as 30 ml, 50 ml and 90 ml EDP. Belle d’Opium was launched in 2010. Belle d’Opium was created by Honorine Blanc and Alberto Morillas.
HanWin – :
I’m not usually a fan of sweet perfumes and mostly avoid all the new perfumes that have come out over the last 8 years for that reason. But for a while I’ve been wearing chypres and they have made me quite gloomy (maybe it was the combination with the grey weather) so today I needed a little sweetness and something exotic.
Belle d’Opium is sweet but also floral and a little bit spicy. In short, it’s shisha: sweet flavoured pasty tobacco smoked through a waterpipe. Belle d’Opium evokes the smoke that comes out of the waterpipe, and that is also what makes this scent a bit airy and elusive. It’s more like a cloud hanging around you. In that sense this is very well done – they have been able to bottle smoke! But that might also explain why it was discontinued, being too ethereal for most people. Maybe it would have done better as part of a niche line.
Since it’s almost impossible to find now I settled for a close dupe: Sense & Emotion by Real Time is very similar and inexpensive, but unfortunately also even more ethereal. I’m not usually into dupes, but have found that when perfumes get discontinued or reformulated beyond recognition, eventually I’m left with no choice. Most dupes are of a lesser quality (not to mention the ugly bottles) but at least for a short time evoke the memories of the original perfumes.
arinavirte – :
Pure gorgeousness!❤️ This is NOT just another fruitchouli imo. This is similar in my mind to Elle! By YSL. But better..because it’s not so harsh,more fruity. But like I said..not typical❤️
IlyaKos – :
هذا العطر جميل جداً
و مختلف .. انيق و عصري نوعا ما
..
ينتمي الى عائلة تلك العطور
مثل عطر إيل او إيلي من نفس الشركة
و ديور مد نايت بويزن من ديور
الباتشولي بإيحاء اقلام التلوين الخشبية
بلمسة جديدة .. مسكية كريمية ربما
فحكمي عليه من تجربه واحدة
..
عموما
اراه واحد من اجمل عطور الشتاء
appollon – :
Right after I profess my love for this perfume, i look online to buy another bottle and it’s a very hard perfume to get your hands on in the US. I might be buying it at a duty free the next time i’m in Europe.
stinger100 – :
I LOVE THIS PERFUME! This is only day one of me wearing it but WOW. I think this might be my new signature scent. Its floral and warm and I keep getting whiffs of it on myself and can’t get enough. Its all around me. I honestly don’t even care if anyone compliments me or not because I LOVE IT. Although having a compliment would be nice because then I know it’s projecting at a good level.
b264 – :
I wanted to love it or at least to like it, but it doesn’t work for me, anyhow I have a big bottle of it, so if anyone is interested to buy or swap let me know 🙂 I am in Dublin.
snaipermoldova – :
I find Belle d’opium a difficult frag to describe, in order to help others create an olfactory image prior to blind buying.
On my skin it’s very lemon fresh, maybe bergamot instead of lemon, but definitely hesperidic. And this accord is very present throughout.
Apart from lemon I get a nice woody smell, like an actual log of wood in front of my nose (I adore this smell).
I also get a smoky element, like incense but nothing too heavy or pungent.
Fruits and flowers do not show up on my skin.
I love the name, bottle and concept of this perfume and, while it may not be perfectly executed, I like it. Wish it lasted longer and that the lemony element was less intense on me. But glad I added it to my collection as it’s becoming harder and harder to find.
SLKSLK84 – :
This is a great tobacco with floral which is what I had been searching for out of curiousity. I like it but not as much as I thought i would. I wish the vanilla was more pronounced.
I actually think that it’s a good thing how it stays close to the skin.
qwv100intitytek – :
Very sweet and rather rich. After a while the fruity notes die down and I’m getting warm florals and something musky/rich underneath. More grown up than I’d originally thought!
For those interested in a fantastic bargain version, Belcamshop.com now has a dupe of Belle and some WALMART STORES carry it – wow. For $8.00 you can hardly lose!
PS – They also carry Belcam’s version of La Vie Est Belle… Don’t thank me. 😉
Jonway – :
The Opium of the 80’s was my fav. and when this was gifted to me, I really wanted to love it but something never clicked.
Last week I figured out how to wear it – back of knees and back of my neck.
mangustyg – :
I am wearing this today. Words cannot describe how much I love this. Pretty much everyone I know has it. The only problem is that it doesn’t last so keep it in your purse! It is very calm and exotic at the same time. I love it! It is getting harder and harder to find it these days too!
ANAR-KHAN – :
I bought a part-used bottle and “liked” it. It isn’t strong enough for me, to be honest, and I swapped it away.
Before doing so, I tested it side by side with Rasasi Roohey Tehbak (which I also own); the scents are almost identical – good news for those who miss Belle d’Opium.
Please give the Rasasi a try – I think you will be pleasantly surprised, not least by the price!
waha502 – :
Recently purchased this for a steal for my mothers birthday. Orientals like this don’t sit well on me but they smell amazing on her. This reminds me of the Incense body spray by Impulse she used to wear in the 80’s except much more luxurious. Warm, ultra smoky and a little sweet as an oriental should be. A pity it is discontinued.
Merdu417JeomiWogkig – :
@gtabasso and @distantsamantha,
On me, Belle d’Opium is mostly lily, sandalwood, dried fruits, and maybe some Incense, other woods, and maybe a hint of patchouli. I only perceive a slight amount of pepper. I don’t smell tobacco per se.
I haven’t smelled Belle d’Opium Eclat, though, so I may find it more peppery.
Individual smellers and personal chemistry are so different with everyone!
tsabra – :
gtabasso: if this masterpiece of a fragrance isn’t to your liking, I’m more than happy to buy your bottle, ha!
It’s been years since the last time I tested Belle d’Opium, and I’ve been kicking myself for not purchasing a bottle when I had the chance.
I’m going to write a better review when I finally find this for a reasonable price, but now I’m just going to say this: to me, Belle d’Opium will always remain an epitome of a (* modern) peppery fragrance (* for women). When I tested it for the first time, I didn’t really know anything about perfume, and with its peppery and smoky white flowers Belle just simply blew my mind. And changed the way I experienced perfumes, for good.
For love’s sake, purchase a bottle if you have a chance!
(* ETA)
Lexax19 – :
Another fruity floral. No incense or tobacco. I can’t believe people can’t smell the mandarin in the top. It is all fruit with some underlying supporting muted florals and maybe a hint of patch in there to deepen it but not distinct. There’s lots of vanilla too. Fruity vanilla floral. What a waste of my money.
Бука 44 – :
So very hard to place exactly what this fragrance is, even though I will try.
When you spray it on, it pools on your skin as something quite oily – even when sprayed from far way. I took this a good sign for longevity, and it was. It instantly reminded me of oil burners, which I often associate with westernised oriental practices like yoga. That being said, the smell is seemingly beyond culture. It’s an amalgamation of different things which I find to be absolutely splendid. It drifts in and out of smoky incense that I wouldn’t be able to place as incense if it wasn’t listed as a note.
The incense is an incense that is more natural smelling, doesn’t exactly have that headache inducing quality that some do. This one is smoky, but more hypnotic that anything. Then there is jasmine, and a small amount of spices that aren’t immediately detectable. There seems to be pepper and sandalwood. all up, in comparison to the original Opium, there’s not much in common. However, the theme is still entirely there. Where Opium has an air of danger, pure intoxication and something of a sadness that comes from being intoxicated attached to it… Belle does not have that. This one is innocent to it all, she’s probably had a few alcoholic beverages and maybe smoked a joint … but she’s still fresh, and free of impurity. She’s head strong, a bit of a hippy… but overall entirely receptive to the advice from her family, the other Opiums.
She can be worn more frequently than regular Opium, but maybe less than Black Opium.
If I could compare this to any of the flankers, I think it’d have to be Opium Fleur de Shanghai or Opium Pour Homme EDP.
AledQ – :
miss you gem
Napitok – :
This is a very elegant evening fragrance, i don’t know why i didn’t wrote a review the first time i tried it.
On me, it is a nice mix of incense, pepper and flowers and, unfortunately, something that smells fecal/rotten. I don’t know which note (or combination of notes) is responsible for this, but it doesn’t disturbs me much, because these unpleasant smell is really very light and not always perceptible. Most of the time i get a modern, mysterious, spicy floral. It reminds me of the original Opium, but this is very toned down.
I would recommend it to spicy florals fans or to people who want to try a spicy floral fragrance that isn’t overbearing.
Sillage : close to the skin
Uniqueness : 8/10
P.S: it has the potential to offend, so it is not a safe blind buy, even considering that it is not too strong.
SoyhomeHomhen – :
A wonderful incense follows a wonderful rose opening.
Then keeps kissing the skin and moving around with a creamy sandalwood and some spices, a hint of tobacco and lily, still this is not a flowery fragrance.
A fragrance for a woman who doesn’t need to seem a cake to feel self-confidence, or a vanilla-almond ice-cream to face the world.
A woman (or a man, really) who doesn’t need to be conforted by food, she finds in the power of her perfume the reflection of the power of her personality.
Infact, it’s discontinued.
Luckly, there is niche, where still incense, sandalwood and mhyrr have their dedicated space.
Xeroxhkasy – :
A gorgeous oriental
The first thing i thought when smelling this was that it shares many similarities with purple elixir by yves rocher. Definitely has that grape smell but not as intense.
As this settles i the smell of frankincense along with some light pepper.
Unfortunately i don’t smell any lilly in this, which is what i was hoping for. But still quite impressed with this scent.
John Ch. – :
Don’t be fooled by the first scent you get when you spray it in the air, cause the initial spray is horrible. But please, please, give it a chance to matur eon your skin and you’ll discover a true beauty. Of course, it is a very mature fragrance, not what i usually wear. But I love it: it is classy, elegant, sensual, and I always search for it smell on me when I wear it, which is a good sign. After the initial terrible spray, it becomes delicate and almost subtle, though it has a pretty good sillage. It is not overwhelming like the original, it is more airy and it has that little something impossible to describe. Anyway, I like it a lot. My aunt used to wear the original Opium for several years and I have a bottle of it. I rarely wear it, but I do it once or twice a year for the souvenir. My boyfriend hates it. lol I prefere Belle d’opium. I am 32 and, even though I think it is more mature, it fits better for my age than the original Opium.
communist – :
This is probably the only “Opium” I’ll ever enjoy. The original is just not me. (I love the Black Opiums…. but that isn’t really in the family scent-wise)
This is light, but very peppery, then smoky/incense. I don’t get any florals or fruit outright, but I can feel/smell them mixed in there. I def get the tobacco/hookah too.
This blends into something I like… I’m just not sure how much I like it. It’s def not my regular genre of perfumes (I’m a gourmand/sweet freak)… but I do get a smoky, peppery, slight fruit/floral incense/tobacco. And it’s not bad! I put quite a bit on my sweater today, and I can smell it wonderfully, but it does strike me as a light airy scent, even tho it has heavy/serious notes. This isn’t cloying/heavy to wear. I’m wearing it to work today on a warm winter day (40sF– warm for Feb in Michigan)
I blind bought a tester because it’s OOP and I had to try it.
I am really enjoying this! More than I thought I would! It’s a nice light perfumey floral incense now. Very light, but noticeable, lasting all day (ok, I did use about 8 sprays this morning). Since sillage and potency is average, I don’t think I’m offending anyone, and it’s not really an ordinary/generic smell. Very nice! I’ll enjoy my 90ml.
DeniSSSR – :
Smoky fruity goodness. I am not usually a fan of fruity scents, but the mix of woods and incense added to this one really transforms it into something special. I wish the base notes were stronger but the tantalizing whiffs of tobacco, incense and woods wafting through are enough to keep pulling my nose to my wrist. Towards the drydown you definitely get the Opium DNA. This scent is so low silage and fleeting on my skin unfortunately that I don’t think I would ever purchase a larger bottle though. This is however A truly lovely and unique scent, it’s a shame that it has been discontinued.
prosto-romkola – :
Oh how I wish YSL still offered this, alongside Black Opium! What a stunning lineup that would be. The opening is good, but the drydown is best. Belle d’Opium is light (to me), with syrupy florals but not too fruity overall. I’m not getting a lot of the deeper sandalwood, smoke, and tobacco, but they’re there. It could be because I normally wear heavier scents though (Opium being one of them). Belle d’Opium still is a very deep perfume, compared to other fruity-florals, which is how I would classify it in addition to being oriental-woody. It leans at varying moments toward Armani Si (blackberry, rose, amber), CK Deep Euphoria (rose, patchouli), YSL Mon Paris (jasmine, gardenia, red berries), and occasionally even has a hint like Poison (I don’t know why). It’s what I’d call a September scent, carrying over warm freshness from the summer while heralding the coolness of fall. Therefore I like it for summer, fall, and winter. My only complaint is that it has low sillage; I had to spray more than normal to even smell it on myself.
dfervcxs – :
Both the original and Eclat versions are simply intoxicating. You just can`t stop sniffing at them! The mix of incense, tobacco and dried fruits topped with the flowery notes of gardenia and casablanca lily are really truly sexy and exotic, I never smelled anything like this perf before and I was SHOCKED to see it discontinued so soon! A friend is also besotted with it, I bought her the first bottle she has had and it`s nearly all gone..I try to keep them as long as possible, but I`m keep finding myself using them instead..I also like the Vapours version of Opium, although that`s a different story altogether, but similarly addictive to the senses. Nothing average, usual, or `I`ve smelled this before somewhere`-type tthing with these scents, although they do try to copy them nowadays..
tgkppt – :
Why, why, why did they discontinue this? Such a lovely fragrance! Warm, mysterious and the right amount of spice, incence and wood. Simply a fresher more modern take on the classic Opium.
While I love the original Opium, this was an easier scent for me to wear. And for the people around me as well. Was a perfect fall and winter night time fragrance.
Maybe not exactly as potent and longlasting as the original, but still good enough for me. Two or three spyays lasted all night on me.
Edit: Yes! Got hold of another bottle at an ok price. Will be able to enjoy this Beauty once again..
born1000 – :
It’s a very warm and comforting fragrance.
heckfy2011 – :
POOR LONGEVITY??? This thing LASTS all day and Night on me!!! It’s very LONG LASTING.
yran1976 – :
I loved this fragrance, its so rich and smokey. It feels so expensive as well. I would get compliments whenever i go. Sadly this has been discountinued and replaced by black opium which in my opinion is a very mainstream and aimed for teens for its sweetness. I just wish i had invested in a large bottle or two before it was pulled out the market.
Degrodat – :
Interesting. Different. I’m getting a strong bath soap scent..lavender-ish. this one hurts my nose. Hmmmm
Сергей 1972 – :
Whenever I think flanker, I automatically imagine it to be like the original, but with a twist. This is nothing like my beloved original Opium. Yes, it’s pleasant, but it certainly doesn’t have the head turning oomph of the original. It’s a safe bet for almost anyone who enjoys oriental woody fragrances, but not one I’ll be scrambling to buy. Average silage and longevity.
92961317 – :
Belle d’Opium Revisited.
Tested is today, years after my first review.
This feels much better nowdays. It is probably very suitable for autumn, mild temperatures and high humidity. I managed to get so many notes that my original “all-about-gardenia” impression had ignored.
Yes, the *Casablanca lily*, a beloved yet so elusive note, missing it since the Donna Karan signature perfume, is there.
And then the incense twist. And even a waxy accord (?), is it the patchouli? And later yes, some peach(!). All melting down to a *dusty* oriental.
So it is somehow floral and colorful but it turns quickly into a *dry* “chypre-style” scent, even though you don’t have the basic chypre notes. For instance, it resembles Panthere by Cartier after a while.
I am so impressed. Yes this is a true sequel in the true Opium tradition. And it does become a skinscent. Oh, yes.
sailor7 – :
I lyered it with L’Eau d’Issey Pour Homme and the result is phenomenal. l’eau dissey gives it a crisp citrus vibe to an already oriental deep beautiful fragrance like opium.
strannik1968 – :
Don’t buy it, they said. It has a poor longevity, they said.
This is exactly what I thought too after the first couple of times I tried it. One hour, one and a half if I was lucky – is all I could get out of Belle. I appreciated this more domesticated version of Opium, and they do have the same incense vibe to them (I must admit that being a lucky owner of the VERY first version of the original Opium I am a sinful heretic that manages to dislike it, while Belle was much more likeable for me).
Yesterday I was to a picnic in the park and I could smell a gorgeous fragrance coming from someone. So gorgeous that I had to interrogate two women who were standing close by. One was wearing Wonderstruck by Taylor Swift and the other one Lovely by SJP – and I knew it wasn’t them as neither are sophisticated enough to be that fragrance. Later on in the car I realised I could still smell it, so I went to smell my wrist in disbelief… and there it was! Belle (that I applied the day before to wear for dinner) has totally upstaged Amor Amor by Cacharel that I applied in the morning (and could no longer smell, although it’s one of the most long-lasting fragrances), and was shining like it never shone before. As for me, I was hopelessly in love.
Pendalf-99 – :
To kill a fragrance like this… One of the sexiest perfumes I have ever had and definitely one of my favourites. I am so scared to use my half bottle but I also cannot stay away.
This has a bit of bitterness in it that balances down those dried fruit, patchouli and peach notes and I think it is so outstanding. What was YSL thinking when they removed this gem from their collection, seriously?
all-furnitura.ru – :
I’ve only ever skin tested this twice; that was all I could take. Once would have been enough to never put it on again, but I had to make sure that it really was the perfume. It opened with a terribly synthetic plastic. This lasted for almost an hour. During this time I felt mild nausea and significant skin crawliness. The skin crawling actually reached the point where I felt that I was experiencing tactile hallucinations. It never quite triggered a migraine. I have no idea what I was reacting to and I have yet to ever experience the same response to a perfume.
As for the scent, it was very smooth in an airy/wispy way. I got mostly the fruity notes most strongly, they smelled very dried but not too sweet. The florals were background players, and despite being very white were wiped clean of all indoles. It’s a light, yet lingering scent. I still got wafts even 10 hours after applying.
Viluch – :
Magnificent Fragrance… It has a unique divine smell. It´s a masterpiece
Явін – :
I have fallen in love with Belle d´Opium this weekend. Never thought that would happen but with several testings I am hooked. 🙂
dimanmart – :
First of all, I have never smelled the original Opium. To me, the reviews just scream “strong” and “spice souk in the UAE” which is really not my style.. so I won’t be one of those “this is nothing like the original” reviews, it’s a total solo of Belle d’Opium.
This is one of my all-time favourites. I actually shrieked when I heard it was being discontinued. Now I just buy any new/second hand bottles I can get my hands on, I can’t imagine ageing without this one.
Whether light or heavy, cutsey or dark, warm or cold I like perfumes that has sex appeal and this one has plenty.. I have had people chase me down streets/train carriages/out of bars asking me what I have on. I read a few reviews that said “good for cold nights” etc, but I like to wear this in maximum humidity- it just radiates better in swampiness (and makes swampiness easier to bear too if you smell fabulous!) plus I think its because it also has a strong oriental vibe, it suits the more asian climates.
I didn’t even realise I liked incense until I met this one. If any salesperson had offered an incense-y perfume up til now I would have said no, because I don’t really want to smell like a hippy.. but its just so darn sexy when it’s done right!! It just transforms the what would be a non-offensive clean beautiful scent into an alluring one- it turns up the sensual levels a few notches and on this particular occasion, balanced with clear white florals and a fresh opening of peach, it’s just delicious!
It has just the right amount of dark elegance and the all important (to me) lust factor. I imagine a dark-dewy-skinned beauty with the perfect cateye floating down dark hallways wearing something gorgeous like a silk sari that flows behind her into hidden rooms in a huge palace for a secret love affair…
I would not wear this to the office (my office doesn’t deserve such precious liquid! lol) but on any date after sundown. it is lush and sensual, more suited to demure but confident, ennui (in a good way), mysterious, quietly passionate personalities, the kind of woman that has no trouble at all being on her own. If you’re bright and chirpy, you probably won’t suit it.
I heard they discontinued this for the black opium, I haven’t smelled that one yet but it better be good… although I highly doubt a coffee note could hit the same lustworthy allure in this one!
Nona38 – :
I don’t find belle similar to original opium just as it’s other flankers
As an individual fragrance,belle is wonderful,very special and not a typical feminine perfume,it smells like a fruit flavoured tobacco,a peppery fruity cigar,it’s smokey,spicy and woody there is also enough fruity notes,making the spicy smokey sandalwood youthful and enough florals to make it feminine,there is also just a hint of sweetness,it’s thick and not that heavy the same time,it’s very sexy in it’s own special way(like givenchy hot couture but I don’t mean they smell similar)
It’s a scent,others can know you with it,very good Staying power and projection without becoming too much heavy or strong,not as strong as opium but still very good,not everyone’s cup of tea but a well made,great perfume..unfortunately things don’t go as well as it sounds on my skin
Patchouli is not rated as a dominant note,but just as usual my skin amplifies it,so this opens with a blast of peppery,smokey patch on me,I know it’s a base note but in my case it often shows up as soon as spraying,so opening part is very masculine on me,it’s difficult to believe this is a feminine fragrance,I think it’s not just patch,I blame patch and incense combination that creats such a hippy like odor,after couple of minutes I can smell some lily dominant florals and peachy fruits added to this peppery smokey patch but still they’re not enough to balance strongness of dirty patchouli.I can only enjoy the drydown,which is weirdly less woody and patchouli calms down,so I can get fruity peppery tobacco and a hint of florals
I can see it can be an amazing scent on others,but my skin chemistry can’t get along with it..on me it’s a chyprefruity more than oriental woody
It’s a cold weather’s scent and in heat is unbearable for me
If you’re looking for something similar to opium ,belle may disappoint you deeply,but if you’re looking for a mature floral fruitchouly,a spicy/smokey one,or a sexy fragrance not with a girly vibe,a sexy fragrance with a strong personality and a masculine undertone you will probably love it
❤❤❤
apatmebra – :
I was upset when I heard this fragrance was discontinued. It must be that my chemistry really agrees with this fragrance since there dont seem to be many fans on here. I have a big collection of fragrance and this is still in my top 10. Its the most seductive tobacco/white floral. Its not too sweet but just beautifully balanced between the smokey incense and the hypnotic fragrance of night scented floral. It always garners compliments and I can see why. It has a moderate sillage but lasts many hours on me. Its my fragrance of seduction – nuff said.
greenkinder – :
I… I can see why this was discontinued. It’s not doing much for me. It certainly does not evoke the almighty Opium, but it also fails to impress me as a standalone fragrance. I find the fruitiness a bit disturbing in combination with the incense, they simply don’t go together, it becomes a bit unsettling (and not in a good way). At the same time there is not enough going on in this one to keep me interested. It even reminds me of… dare I say it… Jimmy Choo EdP?
wovkodav – :
Belle is a fruity floral Oriental and it looks like it’s the least popular of the Opium fragrance line. Why is that? This is really beautiful. It’s not as intense as I thought it would be and it has more of a fruity floral quality to it so if you like fruity florals this would be very comfortable to wear. I smelled peach and mandarin very sweet and fruity fresh and delicious, not quite a fruit bomb but clearly fruity. There’s white flowers of gardenia jasmine and lily which I really like as I’m a fan of white flowery scents. The “Opium” touch here is tobacco and incense, plus patchouli. These 3 notes turn the fragrance a bit smoky but it’s still subtle and sweet, like a weird but pleasant kind of peach scented incense. It smells powdery too, probably the flowers and the incense combination. The dry down is woodsy with sandalwood. It wears a long time it’s full bodied not too strong but definitely a perfume worthy of the Opium moniker.
JIEHA – :
Fragrance Review For Belle D’Opium YSL
Top Notes: Mandarin Orange Gardenia Jasmine Lily
Middle Notes: Incense Peach Tobacco Fruity Notes Pepper
Base Notes: Amber sandalwood patchouli
Beautiful fruit flavored tobacco. This flanker for Opium may not fit into the same category of intense patchouli and woods of the original masterpiece, but it’s a very enchanting Oriental perfume. It opens with fresh and juicy fruit notes of citrus courtesy of a mandarin orange by far my favorite citrus. Other fruits I detected included a ripe sexy peach. The combination of peach and mandarin is delicious but this scent is not a fruity nor even a fruity floral. Once the fruit scent dissipates the scent turns into a gardenia and night blooming jasmine that I’m crazy about. These flowers have been dipped in incense and so they are smoky flowers, with an indolic nature. There is no musk listed in the notes but there is something like an animalic dirty quality but in a very provocative way. The dry down is aromatic with patchouli, herbal and smoky followed by a very good sandalwood. The dry down is what gives this scent the Opium touch. This is a really enjoyable Opium and although I love the original this is really much more wearable and people-friendly. Others smelling it on you will love the peach and the jasmine as well as the subdued smoke effect. Despite the patchouli this is not too strong. It sits close to the skin. Beautiful. I find it suited to formal events in the evening. I like this and I’m giving it some time to really blow my mind but I’ve worn Black Opium and I really enjoyed that scent though this one has more of the patchouli and incense that was what made the original Opium so unforgettable. Not bad.
sanias53 – :
There is something magical about this perfume.
Sain Laurent has a thing with making rounded, well balanced perfumes that are not too edgy or controverse, but also not boring. It is fine balance of a story and character but packed in a way that would suit most people, or at least won’t offend them.
Belle d’Opium is a beautiful story. It has solid roots in the original Opium (insence, spices, amber, wood..), it has that elegant and slightly vintage vibe, half oriental half european. It has that mysterious witch-potion smell.
It is a night fragrance but I wouldn’t say a winter fragrance. It is not sticky sweet or heavy and it doesn’t bother in warm weather, not me.
The fruit and amber give the sweetness but incense and tobacco give cold, dark note, so the result is somewhere inbetween.
After all these words I still can’t figure out what it is that makes this fragrance so deeply mysterious, dark and beautiful in the most gentle and seductive way.
It should have never been discontinued.
DIIIMON С – :
This fragrance is s magical! mysterious oriental scent. Like sweet tobacco, cinammon and roses. I like it very much. Perfect for winter night.
ludana – :
Belle d`Opium, very beautiful!
Profumo buonissimo, intenso ma non eccessivo.
Peccato che anche questo sia fuori produzione.
<3
замирчик – :
The opening is brutal to me. However the drydown comes quickly and it turns into a lovely scent. I get a smoky/woody/floral fragrance. It is hard to describe but definitely something special. I would reserve this for night time and cooler weather. Probably not a safe blind buy though.
ABra – :
This is interesting… Smokey, spicy, dirty. The opening was a massive disappointment to me. It’s kind of gross. Rotting fruit and lots of pepper. But wait! It gets better. Much better as time goes by. I don’t think I would buy this for myself though.
Update: I agree with all the posters below, the longevity is very poor.
lex_nuton – :
Why O Why Was This Absolutel Gem Ever Discontinued? A Total Disgrace That Yet Again Such A Beautiful Perfume Should Be Treated In This Way!! First It Was Elle & Now It’s Belle D Opium,What Or Who Next!! Elle Was One Of My All Time Favourits & I Was Torally Devastated When I Learnt It Was Being Discontinued!! Don’t Loose Heart The YSL SA On The In Store Counter Said,There’s A Really Beautiful New Opium Arriving Real Soon!! Because I Know Her Very Well She Gave Me Four Samoles Of It To Try Out,& Im Glad To Say That Indeed I Really Did Like It & Got Loads Of Compliments When I Was Wearing It!! & Then Bang It’s Gone!! I Honestly Think That YSL Are Following In Christian Diors Footsteps,Once There Was The Gorgeous Midnight Posion & Now There’s None!! Absolutely Disgraceful What These Perfume House’s are allowed To Get Away With!! They Certainly DON’T Deserve Loyal Brand customer’s!! I Honestly Think It’s ALL Up To Us To Voice An Opion When It Comes To These KindA Thing’s!! After All These Company’s Are All Pretty Good At Grabbing Our Hard Earned Money!!
рудый – :
This is beautiful! I initially tried it in winter and had a few sneezing fits. Have been trying it again now in summer, seems like totally the wrong time for this type of scent, but the sneezing fits are gone. So happy about that!!
After the initial alcohol blast, the perfume moves quickly to an intense incence and pepp