Black Opium by Yves Saint Laurent
Brand: Yves Saint Laurent
Concentration: EDP
What it smells like
A heady, addictive blend of black coffee, white flowers, and vanilla — dark, sensual, and unapologetically modern. The coffee note is dominant and distinctive, making this unmistakable on the skin.
Is Black Opium worth it?
How it smells: Opens with pear, pink pepper and orange blossom, coffee and jasmine at the heart, then dries down to vanilla and patchouli.
Scent Score: 73/100 (Good). Lives up to the hype. People talk about it, and it delivers. Performance 61, reputation 83, versatility 73, layerability 92 and value 61, each out of 100.
Buyers say it lasts long, gets compliments and smells sexy. Hardly any complaints. Buyers rate it 4.8 out of 5 across 202 FragranceNet reviews.
Scent Character
Gourmand · Floral
EDP · Introduced 2014 · Women
Key accords: Pear, Pink Pepper, Orange Blossom, Coffee, Jasmine, Bitter Almond
Top Notes
- Pear
- Pink Pepper
- Orange Blossom
Heart Notes
Base Notes
Occasions: evening, date night, clubbing
Seasons: fall, winter
Fragrance overview
Black Opium by Yves Saint Laurent belongs to the gourmand fragrance family. A heady, addictive blend of black coffee, white flowers, and vanilla — dark, sensual, and unapologetically modern. The coffee note is dominant and distinctive, making this unmistakable on the skin. Black Opium opens with Pear, Pink Pepper, and Orange Blossom. The heart brings Coffee, Jasmine, Bitter Almond, and Licorice. It dries down to Vanilla, Patchouli, Cashmere Wood, and Cedar.
How to wear Black Opium
On skin, Black Opium by Yves Saint Laurent has longevity of 7-9 hours, heavy projection, an intensity of 9/10, EDP concentration. It's best in fall and winter. Reach for it for evening, date night, and clubbing. Its best layering match in the catalog is Fahrenheit by Dior. Apply Black Opium first as your base layer. Its gourmand character creates the foundation. Wait 30 seconds, then layer Fahrenheit on top for woody lift. Start with 2 sprays Black Opium : 2 sprays Fahrenheit and adjust to taste.
How the notes develop
Black Opium opens with Pear, Pink Pepper, and Orange Blossom.
The heart brings Coffee, Jasmine, Bitter Almond, and Licorice.
It dries down to Vanilla, Patchouli, Cashmere Wood, and Cedar.
What to layer with Black Opium
Fahrenheit by Dior
Signature Worthy · 98/99
Gourmand and woody scents naturally complement each other, and they share jasmine, patchouli, and cedar.
Order: Apply Black Opium first as your base layer. Its gourmand character creates the foundation. Wait 30 seconds, then layer Fahrenheit on top for woody lift.
Ratio: 2 sprays Black Opium : 2 sprays Fahrenheit
Lafayette Street by Bond No. 9
BuySame price for you · we may earn a small commission.Signature Worthy · 98/99
Gourmand and woody scents naturally complement each other, and they share jasmine and vanilla.
Order: Apply Black Opium first as your base layer. Its gourmand character creates the foundation. Wait 30 seconds, then layer Lafayette Street on top for woody lift.
Ratio: 2 sprays Black Opium : 2 sprays Lafayette Street
Bleecker Street by Bond No. 9
Signature Worthy · 98/99
Gourmand and woody scents naturally complement each other, and they share jasmine, vanilla, and patchouli.
Order: Apply Black Opium first as your base layer. Its gourmand character creates the foundation. Wait 30 seconds, then layer Bleecker Street on top for woody lift.
Ratio: 2 sprays Black Opium : 2 sprays Bleecker Street
Harlem Nights by Bond No. 9
Signature Worthy · 98/99
Gourmand and oriental scents naturally complement each other, and they share jasmine and patchouli.
Order: Apply Black Opium first as your base layer. Its gourmand character creates the foundation. Wait 30 seconds, then layer Harlem Nights on top for oriental lift.
Ratio: 2 sprays Black Opium : 2 sprays Harlem Nights
Nuits de Noho by Bond No. 9
BuySame price for you · we may earn a small commission.Signature Worthy · 98/99
Gourmand and floral scents naturally complement each other, and they share jasmine, vanilla, and patchouli.
Order: Apply Black Opium first as your base layer. Its gourmand character creates the foundation. Wait 30 seconds, then layer Nuits de Noho on top for floral lift.
Ratio: 2 sprays Black Opium : 2 sprays Nuits de Noho
Pairings to approach with care
Azure Lime by Tom Ford
Not Recommended · 30/99
Black Opium has noticeably more projection — use a lighter touch with it to keep the blend balanced. Azure Lime brings a citrus contrast to this gourmand scent.
Order: Apply Black Opium first as your base layer. Its gourmand character creates the foundation. Wait 30 seconds, then layer Azure Lime on top for citrus lift.
Ratio: 1 spray Black Opium : 2 sprays Azure Lime
Privé Thé Yulong by Armani
BuySame price for you · we may earn a small commission. Is FragranceNet legit?Not Recommended · 30/99
Black Opium has noticeably more projection — use a lighter touch with it to keep the blend balanced. Privé Thé Yulong brings an aromatic contrast to this gourmand scent.
Order: Apply Black Opium first as your base layer. Its gourmand character creates the foundation. Wait 30 seconds, then layer Privé Thé Yulong on top for aromatic lift.
Ratio: 1 spray Black Opium : 2 sprays Privé Thé Yulong
Related fragrances and why
- Black Opium Over Red by Yves Saint LaurentBuySame price for you · we may earn a small commission. Is FragranceNet legit?— Another version of Black Opium from Yves Saint Laurent.
- Black Opium Le Parfum by Yves Saint Laurent — Another version of Black Opium from Yves Saint Laurent.
- Black Opium Pink Glaze by Yves Saint Laurent — Another version of Black Opium from Yves Saint Laurent.
- Fahrenheit by Dior — Both include jasmine, patchouli, and cedar.
- Lafayette Street by Bond No. 9BuySame price for you · we may earn a small commission.— Both include jasmine and vanilla.
- Bleecker Street by Bond No. 9 — Both include jasmine, vanilla, and patchouli.
Frequently asked questions
Which notes are listed for Black Opium?
Black Opium opens with Pear, Pink Pepper, and Orange Blossom. The heart brings Coffee, Jasmine, Bitter Almond, and Licorice. It dries down to Vanilla, Patchouli, Cashmere Wood, and Cedar.
How long does Black Opium last, and how strong is it?
Black Opium by Yves Saint Laurent has longevity of 7-9 hours, heavy projection, an intensity of 9/10, EDP concentration.
When should you wear Black Opium?
It's best in fall and winter. It suits evening, date night, and clubbing.
What layers well with Black Opium?
Fahrenheit by Dior is its strongest match (98% compatibility). Gourmand and woody scents naturally complement each other, and they share jasmine, patchouli, and cedar. Apply Black Opium first as your base layer. Its gourmand character creates the foundation. Wait 30 seconds, then layer Fahrenheit on top for woody lift. Start with 2 sprays Black Opium : 2 sprays Fahrenheit.
Reviewed alternatives
- Opera Noir by Maison Alhambra — Follows the same coffee-floral recipe: pear and pink pepper up top, jasmine and coffee in the heart, and a cedar, patchouli and vanilla base.
- Ambery Vanilla by Dossier — Dossier sells Ambery Vanilla as its own impression of Yves Saint Laurent Black Opium. They share pear, pink pepper, licorice, jasmine and orange blossom.
- Gardenia by Zara — Both pair bright orange blossom with roasted coffee over creamy vanilla, the coffee-floral signature of Black Opium.
- No 76 Spicy Amber Vanilla by MIIM.MIIC — Modeled on YSL Black Opium: coffee and vanilla over soft white flowers, the same sweet, dark gourmand feel.
Compare all reviewed alternatives to Black Opium by Yves Saint Laurent
The original it's compared to
Layering guide
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