Black Opium is a modern take on the classic YSL Opium released in 1977. It’s an equally addictive fragrance, notable for its bold, gourmand direction.
While it was perceived as a risky move, as the original Oriental composition remains flawless, Black Opium is one of the best-selling perfumes by YSL, with its luscious notes of honey, chocolate, and vanilla.
YSL Black Opium is a rock and roll fragrance that showcases the energy of black coffee and the sweet seduction of white flowers. The femininity of Black Opium’s scent profile displays the enticing contrast between its light and dark elements.
The overall scent is hyper-feminine. It comes on strong but quickly settles on the skin with a well-rounded, mellow scent. The stunning floral notes pair perfectly with its uniquely pleasant essential oil aroma.
The musky and yet sweet quality of Black Opium gives off an air of sophistication and maturity unlike any other.
| Brand | YSL |
| Perfumer | Nathalie Lorson and Marie Salamagne, Honorine Blanc, Olivier Crespo |
| Type | Eau de Parfum |
| Year Released | 2014 |
| Discontinued? | No |
| Gender | Women |
| Accords | Amber Vanilla |
| Longevity | 8-12 hours |
| Occasion | Evening wear, date nights |
| Season | Fall and winter |
What Does YSL Black Opium Smell Like?
Black Opium briefly opens with a fresh, sweet pear while showcasing the subtle richness of coffee. The deep and smooth coffee notes fuse with nutty hints of almond and licorice. Adding to its lovely scent profile, Black Opium features spicy pink pepper and wonderful touches of orange blossoms and white florals.
The contrast between its caffeine gourmand accords and the vibrant flower notes is impeccable. Underneath lies herbaceous patchouli and creamy vanilla. The slightly bitter and earthy notes melt nicely with coffee. While Black Opium delivers beautiful intensity, patchouli mellows down its overall fragrance composition. The sweetness of vanilla dominates, further adding to its delicious gourmand character.
Black Opium is a semi-linear fragrance that does not undergo dramatic changes as it develops on the skin. Instead, it dries down deeper into earthy and cozy patchouli while maintaining its coffee-floral and sweet notes from opening to finish.
As Black Opium is one of YSL’s top-notch perfumes for women, purchasing one from the website and online retailers can be challenging. Fragrances that feature a similar scent include Mont Blanc Legend Limited Edition, Bvlgari Omnia by Mary Katranzou, L’aqua di Fiori Inizzio Acqua, and Marc Jacobs Daisy Eau So Fresh Sorbet.
YSL Black Opium Notes
| Top | Pink pepper, pear, orange blossom |
| Middle | Bitter almond, jasmine, coffee, licorice |
| Base | Cedar, cashmere wood, vanilla, patchouli |
How Long Does YSL Black Opium Last?
YSL Black Opium lasts on skin and clothing for 12 hours or longer. As an Eau de Parfum, a little application goes a long way.
A small bottle lasts ages, making it a great value. The skin scent smells even better than when it is first applied. Its staying power further improves when worn during colder months of the year. The sweet gourmand scent performs better on the skin than on clothes.
While Black Opium does not have the superior staying power of the original, its moderate longevity is nothing to complain about.
Sillage and Projection
The above-average sillage and projection leave something to be desired. While Black Opium is a tamer perfume powerhouse than its predecessor, it exhibits powerful sillage and projection. You need only two sprays to create a cloud that projects six inches above the skin.
Although projection slightly drops at the end of the first hour, it remains beautifully above the skin for another few hours. The skin scent develops on the skin at the beginning of the seventh hour. The sillage and projection work perfectly on skin types that naturally enhance the fruity, sweet, synthetic, and musky scents.
When to Wear YSL Black Opium
Black Opium is an absolute crowd-pleaser. The richness of coffee and the sweetness of vanilla make it the perfect fragrance for date nights, clubbing, and other evening social gatherings. It’s also a lovely scent to wear for important business meetings.
While many consider Black Opium their signature scent and wear it all year long, it shines the brightest in colder weather. It comes off too sweet during spring and summer but is more lovely and sensual when worn during the fall and winter months. Its warmth delivers a boost of confidence and is a pretty mood booster.
Is YSL Black Opium For Men, Women, or Unisex?
Black Opium is a splendidly sweet and simple coffee-vanilla scent that is a sure hit for those looking for an ultrafeminine fragrance with lots of sex appeal. Its allure is timeless and will make its wearer confident in any setting or occasion. This flanker is for the city girl who wants to make a statement.
The opulent aesthetic of the bottle with glitter all over showcases the feminine potency that it holds. It’s a modern and sensual fragrance that can last all day long. Black Opium is a delicious women’s perfume without being too overpowering and in your face.
YSL Black Opium FAQs
When was YSL Black Opium released?
Black Opium was released in 2014 and was designed to share the similar addictive traits of its predecessor, Opium released in 1977. This women’s perfume was envisaged by master perfumers Marie Salamagne, Nathalie Lorson, Honorine Blanc, and Olivier Crespo.
Why is YSL Black Opium so popular?
YSL Black Opium is elegant and sexy but in a playful way. It has a powerful, rich fragrance that does not overpower. It is what sophisticated women wear to be in a good mood for clubbing or romantic dates.
Is YSL Black Opium discontinued?
You can purchase YSL Black Opium on the official website. It comes in 10ml, 30ml, 50ml, 90ml bottles. YSL offers recurring delivery every few months for women who have made it their signature scent and wish to stock up on the fragrance.
How much is YSL Black Opium?
On the official website, Black Opium bears a price tag of $78.00 for 30ml and $162 for 150ml. You can also purchase the perfume at lower prices, with a 30ml bottle for $37.84 and a 150ml for $129.40 from other shops.
Does YSL Black Opium smell good?
You cannot go wrong with Black Opium. It’s the perfect fragrance for partying night outs. It is oozing with sex appeal and lifts women’s confidence. Black Opium smells sweet and delicious and will sweep men off their feet.