Description
In September of 2014 Yves Saint Laurent launches Black Opium, the new fragrance announced as a rock’n’roll interpretation of the classic that should highlight the dark, mysterious side of the YSL brand. Master perfumers Nathalie Lorson and Marie Salamagne, in collaboration with Olivier Cresp and Honorine Blanc, developed the composition. Notes of coffee, present in large quantities, dominate the scent. Additional accords are pink pepper, orange blossom, jasmine, vanilla, patchouli and cedar.
The perfume comes in the bottle designed as the last editions of the Opium collection. The bottle is dark and decorated with sequins that give a glam rock look.
The face of the perfume’s campaign is British model Edie Campbell, shot by Daniel Wolfe. Black Opium is available as 30, 50 and 100 ml Eau de Parfum.
gorinich – :
This is a really interesting and unique fragrance, that at the same time, agrees with many people. It’s not a fragrance that is usually on an extreme, it’s not usually either detested or the be-all, end-all. Maybe that’s why it’s considered mainstream when the scent itself is very complex and different. My experience is that the opening is very smoky, dark, coffee, and for some reason- oily, and in those moments, it’s very exciting and I feel cool, and sexy. The problem is, after that first 30 min it starts to dry down to a sort of oily, dirty vanilla-y pear that lasts for minutes before it completely disappears. For those that commend the lasting power of this, I don’t disagree as I’m sure it has something to do with my chemistry. I sprayed a good amount on both wrists 90 minutes ago and now there is a very faint sweetness left behind that would not be detectable to anyone else. It’s too bad because I do like this one. I’m curious to know if anyone picks up on the oil. If you’ve ever smelled a carrier oil like jojoba, or a very light olive oil, there is a distinct scent that is very prominent in this fragrance to me.
E_Dos – :
A divine combination of coffee, pear and vanilla.
Creamy, smoky and sexy at the same time.
Name another quality fragrance to do it so well??
The pear really makes this fragrance stand out for me.
Been rocking this since it came out and still in love.
I don’t understand how someone can say this is mainstream (besides the fact that due to the brand, marketing and price tag a lot of people wear this fragrance). Perhaps it’s not as ”dark” as the name suggests, but who cares when it smells so good!!
limar12 – :
Black Opium is what I wear when I want to wear something that is no that usual on me. I rarely like scent’s in dark black bottles, since they are often overwhelmingly “dark” and even masculine for me with too much musk, leather and spices.
But I really like this. The coffee, vanilla and just the right amount of sweetness is beautiful in this.
Although not a very unique scent these days, since this can so often be spotted on people especially during the night time, I really enjoy this one when I get a chance to wear this. I would not wear this to work, but this is a perfect night/winter time scent and cozy ebough to be worn home alone during evenings.
Kjdti1884 – :
Last season I tried Nuit Blanche, including the classic Black Opium. I clearly see the differences. Nuit Blanche is coffee, milk, vanilla, caramel, rice … It is associated with coffee dessert. Black Opium EDP is primarily coffee. Sweet mousse at the beginning quickly transforms into a scent of espresso with a delicate, vanilla sprinkles.The aroma is sweet and bitter, pleasant.
poxorklom – :
This is a perfume that I would always test when going to Sephora and love but always choose something else. I finally got a chance to swap this for a perfume I blind bought and wasn’t a fan of and am so happy I did. Best swap I have ever done (S/O to emt1986). I love sweet scents and there is just the right amount of spicy/coffee in here. It is clearly popular and I definitely understand why.
rua138Diobtetty – :
on My coworker, this smells like a huge, warm vanilla. On me, it is a thick, dark coffee in the opening, then it reminds me of drinking that same dark coffee in a room full of flowers. Smells completely different on my co-worker than on me, but I really like it. Also, this bottle I have does not smell similar at all to Sofia Love, to my nose.
careprost – :
Coffee bomb in the begining. Couldn.t notice the pepper, sweet, light gourmand, it didn.t impress me. Armani Code Satin is a much better option when looking for a potent sweet perfume. It does last long
saxmax – :
Some people are comparing this to Britney Spears “Prerogative” and it’s quite spot on to it. I find this to be a little more floral and more masculine than prerogative, which is labeled unisex. Black Opium is mature, a little masculine, but very nice. As a guy, I think I pull this off well. You can detect the coffee and vanilla, but it’s not as heavy you’d expect. In fact, at first spray you can get the coffee the most. The pear evens it out making it not to warm and not to sweet. It’s just the right amount of sweetness. The florals (jasmine and orange blossom) are dectectable too. They just don’t come across as modern sugary sweet, more like mature almost powdery smelling. Either way, I’m liking this more than Britney Spears Prerogative. I find this to be the more masculine one.
romanlyolya – :
I have tried Black Opium twice now. The opening is very fresh and I don’t get any coffee. I don’t dislike the opening but I don’t like it either. The drydown however is divine! The coffee and vanilla just pop about 45 minutes after my first spray.
That being said this fragrance doesn’t last long on my skin and it isn’t powerful on my skin either. I like it but I am not sure I want to spend the money on a FB since it does not seem to last long.
Starscream – :
This smells amazing! I just wish it can last longer like la vie est belle because it is so expensive. I recieve compliments wearing this
Ulriht – :
Black Opium is my most recent purchase and
it is divine.
This has so many reviews no need to go through every note except one, licorice. I generally do not like this note, especially if it is dominant, but this is so well blended it just peeks through. The coffee and vanilla are so luscious. I adore this!
Seemingly soft on my skin, yet noticable to others. Wonderful fragrance. Will repurchase.
Игорече – :
I am a coffee drinker. I noticed that this fragrance makes me feel sleepy just like the aroma of cup of coffee does. So cozy. Against the ads invoking an image of wild night out, I’m not sure I can stay awake until 10pm…I’m about going to bed 😉
JolToof – :
In the dry-down smells–surprisingly to me, at least–a little like Narciso by Narciso Rodriguez. Marshmallows roasting on a cedar stick.
roseta – :
Can never make up my mind about this one. I loved it on a friend and own it now. It’s cozy and vanilla coffee-ish but I feel confused to wear it, it throws off my olfactory equilibrium if that makes any sense. I’ve looked up many reviews with others suggesting occasions for use; lounging around by yourself on autumn days, date nights, with others describing it as a “formal” perfume(there is such a thing, apparently) and even a unisex fragrance- so I’ve resolved I can’t decide how to dress when I wear it-cozy sweaters, perhaps? and keep it to enjoy alone on cold days.
ibn.abdula – :
Sweet, warm, sexy and beautiful. I know it’s popular and “everyone wears it” but there’s a good reason for that. It smells awesome! I get a sweet, spicy, vanilla marshmallow coffee. The bottle is perfect for the scent, albeit shaped weird lol.
grayv – :
Perfect night time autumn-winter fragrance. It’s cozy and sexy at the same time, love the coffee-vanilla mixture and it’s a shame I’ve been waiting for so long to get my hands on it.
match1984 – :
This is my recent purchase and I am obsessed with it. Totally recommend it.
starkofff – :
I get mostly vanilla, coffee, pear and licorice from this fragrance.
Licorice and coffee are strong before vanilla and pear softens it but they still stay in the mixture. I can also smell pink pepper every now and then.
In the end I’m left with a soft mixture of pear and vanilla.So licorice and coffee are the strongest for me and I enjoy that part very much because that is what separates Black opium from other sweet perfumes.
Is this unforgettable? No. Is it worth getting? If you have a soft spot for sweet scents and miss something less serious, then yes.
Moderate sillage and longevity, can be over sprayed easily. Appropriate for any occasion.
Seger – :
Yummy yummy yummy! I’m in coffee-lovin gourmand heaven! Okay so no, this perfume is not breaking any barriers, and no, it doesn’t develop much past the initial spray. But it doesn’t need to. It’s perfect the way it is! I don’t require a fragrance to be an earth shattering masterpiece to enjoy wearing it, and this is one of those kinds of perfume. It opens with a rich coffee/vanilla scent, and softens a bit on the drydown to let in the white floral nuances. It’s a touch synthetic, but I have yet to smell a perfume that isn’t these days!
Overall it still smells delicious! Sexy? I guess that’s a matter of opinion but I got quite a few compliments the first day I wore it. This is an awesome winter must-have! I’d caution against over-spraying it though, as the sillage carries for quite awhile with just a few spritzes. A more timid and candylike version of this would be Sofia Vergara’s Love, which I find too sweet for my tastes. I’m happy to stick with Black Opium. 🙂
Scent 8/10
Sillage 7/10
Longevity 8/10
Elfxf – :
At first this seemed very generic to me and I would keep skipping over it when I would perfume shop but once I actually sprayed it on me I could tell right away this fragrances subtle nuances. It’s the coffee pear accord coupled with a touch of patchouli that makes this special. I don’t sense the rest of the notes besides then vanilla which is apparent. I love that coffee note and I like how easy it is to wear this fragrance, it feels casual enough for any situation yet can also be used for a special occasion.
sergeyfarber – :
Tested that one and all the flankers recently – what can I say, they all are too similar and too simple, and too flat. Typical sweet caramel sugar, ethyl malthol, which sounds the same from every skin. It doesn’t develops even, just getting more and more silent on skin with time.
Not even close to Angel or other legendary gourmand perfumes.
chela65656565 – :
I love it when a perfume is so aptly named and this time it is a good thing. This juice is indeed addictive. I put it aside, after wearing it for the entire week, to enjoy my other sweet gourmands but found myself craving for it.
I love that it is complex. It develops and shifts and changes. One rainy day, it smelt mostly like powdery vanilla with jasmine mixed it. Sometimes, after a few hours, it smells like sticky sweet pear syrup. I love the drydown. It mainly dries down to a sweet Frappuccino. Like you spilt some caramel Frappuccino on your clothes and left it to dry.
I enjoy this so much that I am looking at buying both the dry oil and the lotion. I want to drench myself in this.
Projection and longevity is fantastic. This is what I would consider as the gold standard of Eau De Parfum concentration. It lasts for at least 6 hours in the hot and humid climate here. Throughout the day, I get whiffs and burst of that addictive sweet scent. I do not work in an air conditioned environment so perspiration always melts my perfumes right off my skin. But I find with Black Opium, it stays on for most of the day, although it gets much fainter after 6 hours.
andrey12 – :
I bought a sample of this a couple of years ago, When I sprayed in on I thought eww no way! So I threw it in the drawer , I’ve noticed that over the last year my taste in perfume has changed so much ! So I found it last night and thought who knows maybe I’ll like it this time , Boy am I ever glad I revisited this gem! I was in love at first whiff !! It’s so warm and comforting wow! I immediately ordered a full size bottle! My advice is if you don’t like this try it again at different times of the year as I have found that does make a huge difference! It’s going into fall , The weather is starting to get chilly this perfume took on a whole new smell! It screams fall! Also even though it’s not listed I am getting a Tobacco smell . Does anyone else get tobacco?
Tathymact – :
The bottle:
Who ever made the bottle really capture the essence of the perfume I didn’t have to smell it to guess it might of been a dark sweet smell. The sparkles are a plus for me.
Inside the bottle:
Dark.Sweet.Spicy.Sexy. Those are the first thing I think about when i smell this perfume. When you spray it you get the sweet vanilla and strong coffee smell. After a few seconds kicks in the pear to give the perfume different aspect to it.When it dries you can smell the spice and patchouli better but the coffee really makes spice and patchouli bearably. Perfect for someone who is not a huge fan of spice or particular with patchouli. You do get hints of florals but to be honest there not as noticeable the star of this perfume is the coffee and vanilla.
Overall:
This perfume is perfect for someone who is looking for a sexy going out night time smell that will last all night even to the morning. It’s very alluring.I know some people say this perfume is starting or already “basic” I disagree even though yes every perfume smells different on everyone and everyone is getting it. I find that black opium has a mind of it’s own and becomes something unique to the person who is wearing it and will be different for everyone who is feeling themselves (Cue the Beyonce/Nicki Minaj song).
moyyinars – :
Nice but that’s about it. A bit more sophisticated than the average sweet coffee and vanilla body spray but still a bit one-note. Cozy.
aviard – :
I do really love this one. To me, it is fall in a bottle. I first sampled it two years ago, and wore it all autumn long – to the pumpkin patch, apple picking, etc. I didn’t purchase a bottle when I used my sample up, and did not revisit this fragrance at all last year. I have another sample now, and am currently wearing it. I forgot how delicious this is. On my skin, it is all coffee and vanilla. It’s sweet and seductive and yet still stings my nostrils – in a good way, if you can believe it. That must be the pink pepper.
I still don’t think I’ll purchase a full bottle, but it’s a pleasant scent and evokes those fall feelings for me. I don’t care that some consider it “the basic bitch of perfumes.” There’s a reason this beauty is so popular!
Ms.Ana – :
This is so good. Realllly goooooood! It is sophisticated yet doesn’t give me that heavy floral that most fragrances that are labeled as such tend to have. To me, this exudes class. I imagine a well dressed educated professional woman wearing this as her heels pound the pavement. Definitely worth the coins!
zarim84 – :
Black Opium is definitely a unique, complex fragrance, I’ll give it that. While I’d admit that, to me, is does smell very high end and there’s a quality to it that will entice you to take another whiff, it just didn’t do it for me as a perfume. I gave my bottle of Black Opium away to someone who can better appreciate it’s uniqueness. The coffee note is very pronounced, as well as the spices. I find the vanilla to be subtle and not too sweet. The white florals brighten it’s dark intensity. This a such a hard fragrance for me to describe, it doesn’t smell awful, but it doesn’t smell good to me either. I honestly believe it’s the patchouli note that keeps throwing me off, as I can’t stand the smell of patchouli. Imo, if they took the patchouli note out of this, I might find it to be a wonderful fragrance. Black Opium is unique and makes a statement, but it’s most certainly not for everybody.
Edit: So I felt I needed to come back & edit my review of Black Opium. I said in my previous review that this fragrance will entice you take another whiff. It does, indeed, and another whiff, and another whiff! As much as that darn patchouli note kept throwing me off, I found I just wanted to keep sniffing. I don’t know what it is about this scent that I find so alluring, but I had to purchase another bottle lol! I layered Black Opium with a bright singular scent (my secret :P) and OMG it’s amazing! The layering toned down that pesky patchouli note and added even more contrast to the fragrance. I love it! Moral of the story… if you find that a fragrance keeps pulling you in, even if you feel indifferent about, don’t ignore the pull. Also, don’t give the perfume away if you have it, or you’ll be shelling out another $100+ for more haha.
bobmbora – :
Gorgeous bottle and scent! as a lover of the original opium I was begging to trial this! heard amazing things and this does live up to it’s hype! its sweet yet strong and could be worn at any age in any weather. Its a cosy and warm scent that everyone will love. Its super long-lasting and draws in many compliments – my only issue is at times everyone I know is wearing this and this is the only scent I can smell which makes it feel a bit less unique and special.
But this would be a perfect gift for anyone as its a gorgeous scent.
Длиннющий – :
I like this perfume i feel like it quite a sexy scent and its very long lasting get plently of comments on it but i feel at first its a bit overpowering but then it settles and i like it.
Belaz – :
Okay, I’m a guy and I smelled this today for the first time when I visited Sephora with my girlfriend. As a guy, I hate smelling lots of florals in women’s fragrances and my girlfriend typically leans toward sweeter perfumes, which I like. I have a large collection of men’s fragrances for myself but my girlfriend is just getting into trying out different fragrances for herself. Being unfamiliar with women’s fragrances, we explained to the SA we were looking for sweet with not alot of florals. She pointed us to black opium and WOW am I glad she did. This stuff is heavenly. I will be purchasing the largest bottle that Sephora offers for my girlfriend for either her birthday or Christmas. My girlfriend loved it and thought it was unique and different from everything else we tried and I thought she smelled delicious. I wouldn’t call the fragrance itself sexy, but it is a bit of a darker scent that has some depth to it which makes it a bit mysterious, and that is what is sexy about it. I literally kept leaning in to smell her whenever I could.
The vanilla and coffee notes are really what stood out to me in this and I LOVE both vanilla and coffee in fragrances and this perfume just does it so well. Coffee can give off a bitter vibe in a fragrance but this is so smooth and eventually fades into the background. Love it. If you are considering buying this I would definitely try it in person and try to get a sample from Sephora if you can before pulling the trigger on a full bottle. While most of the reviews are positive including my own, it is not everyone’s cup of tea. But for what it’s worth, coming from a guy, I love the way this smells on my girlfriend, very alluring, smooth, and kind of sexy scent. Just my $0.02 🙂
vampir34 – :
This smells good & yes it is a lot like Sofia Vergara Love but I really prefer Love. I got this for the coffee note, which I really love in perfums. I was disappointed that I got no coffee. It smells like sweet dark berries on me. I was also shocked at how little longevity I got out of it. With these notes I thought it would be strong. I only got 3 hours & it was gone. Ill stick with Love, It is very sweet but balanced well with that dark coffee.
TiffanyMap80 – :
Got my first 7.5ml Black Opium last year and I’m definitely in love. The sweet vanilla scents are quite strong in the beginning (which is sooo addictive and soothing for me), followed by the coffee smell. Black Opium gives me the elegant (and YES!) mysterious feelings at the same time. Not to exaggerate it, but I can’t stop smelling my hands once applied. Btw, It lasts for about 4-5 hours in my skin.
I use this as my signature scent for the last one year before I accidentally spill all of the bottle on my makeup bag *my bad 🙁 I’ve been looking for the full size for a month now, but all the perfume stores (in Indonesia) that I went to didn’t have it due to the “out of stock”. The last time I saw the full size is in Changi Airport Singapore.
However, all of this is based on my perspective. If you plan to buy one, it’s better to find the “vial size” or at least try it first. Because (as far as I observe), there are 2 types of Black Opium users: The LOVERs or The HATERs, no in between LOL. It’s just my perspective anyways 😉
Nathanias.co
August 5, 2018
GrearnattNany – :
The top notes are intoxicating but when it dries down on my skin is smells like burnt plastic. I want to cry because I love the opening so much. Sofia Vergara Love, which is somewhat similar, dries down to berries and ends up smelling so much beer. Even though I prefer Black opium’s opening.
Zaiver – :
I think Jay369 is absolutely right. I have almost fallen in that opiatic fan club because relied on what I smell first minutes, it was luxurious version of Miss Britney Fantasy or vanilla milkshake or any delicious dessert. The initial notes are sweet and uplifting in narcotic way, I was so happy and almost buying it, and thought they selected right formula to be predecessor of another narcotic church-like pillar perfume of 80’s. But hey ho, lo and behold, after hour I wished to run somewhere and wash-it-of-as-soon-as-possible! There’s just something cheap in the last phase, like that dessert gone bad. Maybe they have left that church incense of the original and don’t reveal? You never know, I see polarising opinions, for each it’s own. On my skin it’s terrible and there speaks the one who enjoys well made sweet orientals.
BMP88 – :
I’d say wait at least an hour before u decide to purchase, don’t let it fool u..
seambDrorreek – :
I was really looking forward to smelling this fragrance. I absolutely adore the original OPIUM and based on the hype I figured I was in for something amazing. The very first thing I thought of when I smelled this is Haute Couture by Givenchy….total sweet and sticky gourmand scent w a pear in the background. It’s sultry and close, it stays w you like spilled coffee & melted chocolate In a hot car. Smells good enough to eat, but then suddenly you are sick to your stomach. For myself, way too sickeningly sweet..
kdu209intitytek – :
I really like this. Lasts well, and smells like vanilla coffee. I do smell some licorice which isn’t my favorite but I can get past that and enjoy every other note. (I do no smell the pear note thankfully, that’s one I tend to avoid.)
Will continue using and purchasing.
Walther – :
I don t smell the coffe :/ but I mostly get fruits and sweetnes. No coffe :// it s so sad :(( it reminds me of jimmy choo, which is too fruity and sticky sweet. I don t like them :((
Xeroxdaxzd – :
I bought it because of all the hoopla and even made my girls buy it too!
Its a Spice Market!! And I’m and Indian for god-sakes !
I use it once in a while but totally not worth the Hype and no its not sexy at all.
Pinythishanty – :
This perfume projected itself beautifully on my sister’s skin, the coffee smells delicious and creamy. Much to my sister’s delight, it turns out very masculine and screechy on me. The Nuit Blance version is kinder on my skin but still too masculine on me as well. I gave both bottle to my sister, im so glad she could pull it off and happens to love the scent.
Hoonlilkinvar – :
Mind I’m writing this review based on this perfume as a stand-alone as I’ve never really tested the original Opium.
I remember being totally enchanted by this when I first tested it in a store.
It’s like sitting down in front of some sugary caramel mocha with a nice piece of tres de leche on the side. I really really like this A LOT as it is (taking aside it apparently not holding a candle to / having very little to do with the original fragrance).
However while in European fall/winter weather this impression lasted a solid chunk of the day, in hot humid weather like where I live now the scent sadly gets pressed down to the skin quite quickly and after 3 hours you’ll have to come up REALLY close to me to still detect some coffee and soft sweet vanilla.
Also I’m not getting any peppery notes on me, yet definitely some patchouli.
So in conclusion, this sure would make a nice cozy winter/fall scent for anyone who likes the smell in coffeehouses. For hot humid weather it’s a pass though cause the performance just falls flat too quickly.
Might repurchase if I’m ever staying in a cooler place again.
Blidaybrainna – :
No idea how this compares to the original but on it’s own I genuinely like that bubblegum smell, I think the notes are totally inaccurate, none of them crossed my mind when I sampled it. I thought it was interesting.
Шрам2108 – :
The only thing I like about this perfume is its dry down. No seriously. Just the dry down.
Black opium is like a punch to the face, too sharp, too cloying, & gives me headaches.
I can’t wear this. It’s scary enough to even think about spraying it.
It does last a while, but if you want a migraine go for it.
I’m being honest, I don’t really care if anyone hates on my comment. Each to their own.
oksanaZ – :
This perfume smells a lot like Loverdose Diesel and Black Musk from the Bodyshop.
Teliks – :
I expected a lot more coffee and vanilla. I think the pear may have ruined it for me. I can see a lot of people loving this scent though.
nemod – :
With a name like BLACK Opium, I was thinking this had to be seriously, no holds barred – SEXY- right? Umm, I guess I just don’t get it. Now, original Opium, the non-black version is the SEXY, killer stuff as far as I’m concerned. That Opium is penetrating, hypnotic, spicy, it’s OMG! But this perfume spinoff left me with a goofy look on my face, and then, nausea…It smells just like a woman wearing some cloying perfume holding a cup of Wawa coffee. Honestly, that’s exactly what it smells like to me. What a disappointment for all the hype!
phiguitatot – :
I love it! Coffee, vanilla and white florals are divine combination. On my skin, I definitely smell the flowers and they’re surprisingly strong.
lmk282bedyWelty – :
I wanted to love this ’cause I love regular Opium, but there’s something I can’t stand about the opening (I think it’s the coffee) and then it’s just sort of weak on me after a couple of hours.
OrdedeNumdamb – :
It has a strong smell to it.. its too overpowering than the other perfumes I have I don’t think it suits me I think this perfume would suite someone who is outgoing and likes to party.. not for me.
xzk291Negeltzex – :
I prefer Nuit Blanche for the top and middle but the drydowns were so similar on me I bought this as well. I thought it was slightly stronger (warmer and sweeter) but now I’ve got it home it doesn’t seem very strong and I’ve used 8ml in a week respraying. Husband can’t smell it very much either..
andrey271172 – :
Doesn’t last and I chose Good Girl over it for that reason and that I got no compliments on it. But Good Girl? Men and women gave me nice compliments.
rnp772JeomiWogkig – :
I am surprised to see that i still have not written a review for Black Opium.
BO is a very pleasant perfume. A grown up gourmand that smells expensive and has a touch of mystery to it. It is not very original, but it is very well done. Good sillage, not overly sweet, well balanced. I specially like the fact that the pear didn’t turn aquatic on this one.
I would recommend this fragrance to young, introverted and intellectual woman who also have a sensual side.
Final note: 8/10
Бай Андрей Иванович – :
It really doesn’t stand out from all of the other floral-fruity pink liquids that every drugstore smells of nowadays. I expected a lot more from the name (and the brand) but this is just a mildly entertaining fruity gourmand with some additional irritating spicy note that makes me want to sneeze.
Vitas_7077 – :
While I do understand that many gourmand lovers are really into this scent, I just don’t get the popularity it seems to have? For me there are barely any distinguishable notes in Black Opium, only a one-dimensional sticky sweetness. This is pure bottled Starbucks, a mainstream fragrance that is like its bottle very glittery, but unlike it definietly not dark. I wanted to add a gourmand scent to my collection, but this is not it, so I gave mine away.
kudraviy7 – :
Makes me think or dating and romance, even though I’ve never worn it on a date or while in a relationship, actually.
It’s attractive, but not aggressively seductive.
This is something I tend to sleep in when I’m stressed out, it’s very comforting in the winter.
It feels very gourmand to me.
I get nothing of the original Opium perfume, they don’t feel like siblings or even like a mother and their estranged daughter.
However, it is a nice scent in it’s own right and it’s something I smell around me often in the city.
I’m not sure if anything in it stands out to me as particularly special, it’s just something that becomes wonderful when worn by the right person.
This could even be an amazing scent for a bride, there’s an odd intensity to it while not being and overtly strong scent and I can totally imagine smelling this somewhere and being flooded with memories of the event, spraying a bit on my pillowcase before going to bed etc.
I imagine the sweetness of it will make some sickly, I’m lucky to not have any hypersensitivities and blind-buying this wasn’t a bad call on my part although after wearing CK One yesterday this does feel quite powerful in comparison.
DJ_Strike – :
This perfume is a beauty. The sweetness of the pear and vanilla blended with the intriguing coffee gives off such a sexy scent.
The name Black ‘Opium’ fits it so well because it really is an ‘opium’, it really is addictive like a drug.
It also should be worn in moderation because a little goes a looong way. The sillage is good.
It lasts really long on me and on my clothes. I could still smell it after 6 hours. And if I don’t wash my top the scent can last days !
All in all, sick creation by the house Saint Laurent.
Avtosheff – :
I really really really love this scent!! The sweetness of the vanilla and coffee notes just makes me want to sniff my arms when I spray it. The vanilla notes in the dry down just smells delicious and warm and not obnoxious like JPG Scandal. But alas!! The scent just does not last longer than 1 hour on me and it’s disappointing. For an expensive perfume I was hoping for the longevity to last at least 5-6 hours. But I love the flanker and it looks beautiful in my collection. One of my favourites.
emadi – :
yg tercium wangi coklat, vanilla, karamel..
terlalu manis lah wanginya
NKFlint1 – :
Oh Black Opium, where did we go wrong? I thought it was love at first sniff! I used a good amount on my last vacation (my friend helped, it’s one of her favs) only to come home and fall quite abruptly out of love. To be honest and fair, my nose smells most sweet/gourmand perfumes on a one dimensional level it seems. It can’t tell between vanilla, honey, praline, caramel, it’s all just SWEET. Which is what I love about Black Opium, when you first spray it you get a nice candy sweet with the coffee hinting in the background. But then maybe 30 minutes later the patchouli comes to play and it doesn’t play nice, at least not on my skin, I get a weird burnt smell after that. No thanks! I love the bottle though.
expacleMeance – :
I sprayed this perfume literally five minutes ago and can barely smell it on my skin…such a disappointment. This was given to me by a friend and I’m sure someone in my life will love it – just doesn’t work at all for me. Smells like Crayons in the top note.
Edit: Okay, Black Opium has been on my skin for about 45 minutes…I keep getting a waft of morning breath after coffee with cream and lots of sugar. Weirdly pleasant but still very mild.
2nd edit: Black Opium is perfect to wear to bed as it is sweet and soothing and while sleeping, I am not as concerned with the poor sillage. 🙂
Mezfa408JeomiWogkig – :
That’s my favorite signature parfume! I’ve met with this enchanting smell in Italy,Florence in 2015. Normally I like fragrances hardly but this smell caused me to buy it immediately. Everytime I smell, it causes me to pass by myself.
Sugary, sweet fascinating winter fragrance..
117 – :
Somehow this is a perfume where the top notes disappear before you’d notice them. After applying it on my wrist, I thought: coffee with brany. Later: more brandy: Even later: more coffee. Some time after drydown: coffee latte. Likeable gourmand-type scent (I did not smell the pear at all), but I realised that indeed many women wear it. Very mainstream.
TWiqtieN – :
I received a complimentary sample of this scent in the mail to try. The main notes (black coffee, vanilla bean, and white flowers) sounded lovely, however the dominant scent once applied was alcohol. The other scents are there too and blend well together, and become more prominent the longer it is worn. Unfortunately by the time they dominate the alcohol the overall scent itself has faded. It’s a bit overpowering, but becomes