“Coffee, pink pepper, and dark flowers — the night shift's perfume.”
A coffee-vanilla gourmand from YSL's Black Opium line — the 2014 launch from Nathalie Lorson, Marie Salamagne, Olivier Cresp and Honorine Blanc, the dark feminine counterpart to the original Opium. Pear at the top, a coffee-jasmine heart, settling on a vanilla drydown. A fall and winter evening fragrance.
The take
What works
- ●Coffee-vanilla combination is addictive and crowd-stopping
- ●Dark florals add unexpected complexity
- ●Strong projection without being aggressive
Trade-offs
- ●Too heavy for anything above 60°F
- ●Popular enough that originality is gone
More from Yves Saint Laurent
Notes
Top
Mid
Base
Performance
Fit
Best in fall and winter, at night. Leans feminine.
When
- Spring, 24%
- Summer, 15%
- Fall, 85%, best
- Winter, 98%, best
- Day, 38%
- Night, 100%, best
Occasions
Gender
Smells like
Similar scent DNA — if you own one, you may not need the other
- Near-exact
Alhambra
Opera Noir
$20–$30
- Near-exact
Dossier
Ambery Vanilla
$20–$35
- Very close
YSL
Black Opium Extreme
- Very close
YSL
Black Opium Illicit Green
- Very close
YSL
Black Opium Nuit Blanche
- Close
YSL
Black Opium Neon
- Close
YSL
Black Opium Le Parfum
YSL
Black Opium Over Red
Nishane
Hundred Silent Ways
Lancôme
La Nuit Trésor Fleur de Nuit
Banderas
Her Secret Desire
D&G
The Only One
Dior
Poison Girl
Sol Janeiro
Cheirosa '76
Rabanne
Pure XS For Her
Alhambra
Glacier Bella
V&R
Flowerbomb Extreme
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CK
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Frequently Asked Questions
What's a cheaper alternative to YSL Black Opium?
Maison Alhambra Opera Noir matches at 95% similarity in our database. $20–$30 vs $70–$165 — it captures most of the DNA at a fraction of the price. Not identical, but the gap is smaller than the price difference suggests.
What does YSL Black Opium smell similar to?
Closest matches in our database: Dossier Ambery Vanilla (93%), Yves Saint Laurent Black Opium Extreme (87%), Yves Saint Laurent Black Opium Illicit Green (85%). Strong DNA matches — same scent family and similar composition.
How long does YSL Black Opium last?
5–7 hours on most skin (good longevity) with noticeable sillage.
When should you wear YSL Black Opium?
YSL Black Opium is best in fall and winter, at night. It suits date nights and nights out.
Is YSL Black Opium worth it?
At $70–$165, yes for this tier. Coffee-vanilla combination is addictive and crowd-stopping. Dark florals add unexpected complexity.