Black Opium
The fragrance that put coffee on the modern fragrance map. Bittersweet espresso layered over vanilla and white florals. It smells like a 2 a.m. café you don't want to leave.
Check price on AmazonWhat Black Opium smells like
Top notes
pink pepper, orange blossom, pear
Heart notes
coffee, jasmine, licorice, almond, bitter almond
Base notes
vanilla, patchouli, cedar, cashmeran
How to read this
Top notes arrive first and last around fifteen minutes before giving way to the heart. The heart notes carry the true personality of the fragrance for the first one to two hours. The base notes emerge slowly and are what remains on skin and fabric long after the rest has faded. They define the lasting impression and the depth of Black Opium. Read our full guide to fragrance notes.
How it wears
Longevity
8h
Sillage
strong
Season
fall/winter
Occasion
evening
Price tier
$$
Year
2014
Longevity explained
Measured in hours on skin with a standard four-spray application at 20°C. Individual results vary with skin type and conditions.
Sillage explained
Close means it stays on skin. Moderate means people nearby will notice. Strong means it precedes you into a room.
Price tiers
$ is accessible under £60. $ is mid-range at £60 to £120. $$ is premium at £120 to £250. $$ is luxury above £250 for 50ml.
Who is Black Opium best for?
Best for
Best for her
Occasion
Evening and special occasions
Season
Autumn and winter
Office / Work
Apply lightly
Date night
Excellent choice
Gift idea for
Girlfriend, wife or mother
Black Opium is the ideal fragrance for women who want a oriental / amber scent for evening and special occasions. Its strong projection means one or two sprays is enough. Apply with restraint in enclosed spaces and offices. With solid longevity of around 8 hours, it delivers strong value per wear and holds up throughout the day without needing a reapplication.
Black Opium is at its best autumn and winter. It works particularly well for evening and special occasions, and its premium price tier makes it a considered, deliberate addition to a collection. As a gift idea, it lands well for girlfriend, wife or mother, especially those who appreciate oriental / amber fragrances.
If you are still exploring options, browse all oriental / amber fragrances in the Perfume Finder to compare longevity, sillage and price side by side, or add Black Opium to the comparison tool to see it measured directly against alternatives.
Compare Black Opium against any other perfume
Drop Yves Saint Laurent Black Opium into the comparison tool alongside up to three other fragrances and see how notes, longevity and sillage line up side by side.
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About Black Opium
Black Opium performs best primarily in cooler months when ambient warmth amplifies its character. Its oriental / amber character and strong sillage make it well suited for evening occasions. Because it fills a room and announces itself confidently from across a space, you can calibrate your application to the setting. Starting with two sprays on pulse points and adjusting from there is a reliable approach.