Yves Saint Laurent
YSL Black Opium EDP
“Coffee, pink pepper, and dark flowers — the night shift's perfume.”
A coffee-vanilla gourmand from YSL's Black Opium line — Nathalie Lorson's 2014 launch, 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
Notes
Top
Pear
Pink Pepper
Orange BlossomMid
Coffee
Jasmine
Bitter Almond
LicoriceBase
Vanilla
Patchouli
Cashmere WoodCedarPerformance
When to wear
Occasions
Gender
Featured in
Earned a spot in 3 of our editorial picks
Smells like
Similar scent DNA — if you own one, you may not need the other
Black Opium Nuit Blanche
Yves Saint Laurent
Hundred Silent Ways
Nishane
The Only One
Dolce & Gabbana
Black Opium Extreme
Yves Saint Laurent
Black Opium Illicit Green
Yves Saint Laurent
Black Opium Le Parfum
Yves Saint Laurent
Black Opium Neon
Yves Saint Laurent
Black Opium Over Red
Yves Saint Laurent
Ambery Vanilla
Dossier
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Frequently Asked Questions
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?
8–10 hours on most skin (excellent longevity at 80/100) with solid projection.
When should you wear YSL Black Opium?
Strongest in winter and fall, evening-leaning. Suited to date night, night out, casual.
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.
Details
- Perfumer
- Nathalie Lorson
- Collection
- Black Opium