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Black Opium, Yves Saint Laurent
Vanilla · 2014

Black Opium

by Yves Saint Laurent
Rating3.9 ★ 35,052 votes
GenderWomen
Year2014
Price$$$$Designer
VanillaCoffeeSweet
Best for winterNighttime wearmoderate sillageModerate
Cheaper alternatives →
Compare
Collection
In the same corner
Ambery Vanilla Dossier
Ambery Vanilla Dossier
90% match
Absolutely Irresistible Givenchy
Absolutely Irresistible Givenchy
85% match
Black Opium Intense Yves Saint Laurent
Black Opium Intense Yves Saint Laurent
85% match
See it on the map →

The pyramid

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Top / Heart / BaseThe three tiers of the pyramid: first impression, the character, and the long-lasting foundation.More in Learn →
11 notes
topfirst impression
PearOrange BlossomPink Pepper
heartthe character
CoffeeJasmineBitter AlmondLicorice
basethe foundation
VanillaPatchouliCashmere WoodCedar

At a glance

community scores
Longevity
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LongevityHow long a fragrance lasts on skin.More in Learn →
58
fleetingeternal
Sillage / projection
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ProjectionHow far the scent radiates from your skin while you stand still. The 'sillage / projection' votes on fragrance pages blend the two, so read them as overall reach.More in Learn →
44
intimateenormous
Price value47
overpricedgreat value
Gender lean9
femininemasculine

Accord radar

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AccordA blend of notes the nose perceives as one unified smell - like a chord made of musical notes.More in Learn →
top 8 · +2 more
VanillaCoffeeSweetWhite FloralWarm SpicySoft SpicyWoodyFruity
Full accord breakdown

Main accords

top 10
Vanilla
Coffee
Sweet
White Floral
Warm Spicy
Soft Spicy
Woody
Fruity
Balsamic
Powdery

Community profile

community votes
Longevity
very weak
3%
weak
10%
moderate
47%
long lasting
32%
eternal
8%
Sillage
intimate
11%
moderate
53%
strong
30%
enormous
7%
Season
spring
10%
summer
7%
fall
38%
winter
44%
Time of day
day
27%
night
73%
Gender
female
73%
more female
19%
unisex
7%
more male
0%
male
0%
Value
way overpriced
5%
overpriced
23%
ok
55%
good value
14%
great value
2%

What people say

What people love
perfectwinterseasonintriguingdarkmysteriousopeningenjoyablelikecreamcoffeefeminine
What people criticise
excessivelysweetcloyinginitialsmokycoffeenotefadesquicklyresemblesnothingoriginal

Smells similar

by scent profile
94% match
Opera Noir Maison Alhambra
Maison Alhambra
vanillacoffee
91% match
Hidden Accords Unique'e Luxury
Unique'e Luxury
white floralcoffee
90% match
Ambery Vanilla Dossier
Dossier
white floralcoffee
85% match
Absolutely Irresistible Givenchy
Givenchy
white floralpatchouli

Similarity is based on note and accord overlap, not molecular analysis.

Where it sits

nearest by scent

Open the full scent map →

How its notes pair

Orange Bloss…Pink PepperPearJasmineCoffeeLicoriceBitter AlmondVanillaPatchouliCedarCashmere Wood
topheartbase

Signature pair: Bitter Almond and Vanilla

Open its full wheel →

The Black Opium line

12 versions
2024Over Red
More Cherry, Citrus
Less Soft Spicy
Projects less
Compare →
2022Le Parfum
More Cinnamon, Citrus
Less Soft Spicy
Projects less
Compare →
2021Extreme
More Cacao, Patchouli
Less Soft Spicy
Compare →
2016Nuit Blanche
More Lactonic, Caramel
Less White Floral
Compare →
2019Intense
More Aromatic, Bitter
Less White Floral
Compare →
2022Illicit Green
More Citrus, Green
Less Soft Spicy
Compare →

Differences come from accords and community votes on longevity and sillage.

All perfumes similar to Black Opium →Cheaper dupes →All comparisons →Black Opium vs Opera Noir Maison Alhambra →Black Opium vs Hidden Accords Unique'e Luxury →Black Opium vs Ambery Vanilla Dossier →

In plain words

The main accords of Black Opium are vanilla and coffee. It opens with Pear and Orange Blossom, reveals Coffee and Jasmine at its heart, and dries down to Vanilla and Patchouli. It lasts long and projects moderately; people reach for it in autumn and winter, mostly in the evening.

How a perfume unfolds →