YSL Black Opium EDP 1.6 oz – Product Summary

Name: Yves Saint Laurent (“YSL”) Black Opium Eau de Parfum
Size: 1.6 fluid ounces (~ 48 ml) — a mid‑sized bottle, not quite the typical 50 ml, but substantial enough for regular wear.
Launch: Introduced in 2014.
Perfumer(s): Nathalie Lorson, Marie Salamagne, Olivier Cresp, and Honorine Blanc.
Fragrance Family / Style: An oriental‑gourmand perfume — sweet, warm, with a coffee twist. Bold, sensual, and designed for evening or colder weather wear.

Scent Notes & Composition

Here are the main fragrance notes and how they evolve:

Layer	Notes / Accords	What You’ll Likely Smell / How It Feels
Top / Opening	Pear, Pink Pepper, Orange Blossom	Fruity & spicy start — the pear and pink pepper give a juicy, slightly sharp brightness; orange blossom adds a floral spark. The opening is attention‑grabbing.
Heart / Middle	Coffee, Jasmine, Bitter Almond, Licorice	This is the signature. Coffee plays a strong, dark tone, soothed by jasmine florals, with an almond’s nuttiness and a slight edge of licorice. It makes the fragrance rich, more layered.
Base / Dry‑down	Vanilla, Patchouli, Cedar, Cashmere Wood	Warm, sweet, woody. Vanilla stands out and offers gourmand appeal, while patchouli and cedar give depth and some earthiness; cashmere wood softens the edges. It lingers.

Performance: Longevity, Projection, Sillage

Here’s how Black Opium performs in real life, based on reviews and user feedback:

Longevity (how long it lasts on skin/clothing): Moderate to good. Many users report several hours — often around 6‑8 hours on clothing or well moisturized skin; on the skin itself possibly less. Some say after that the scent becomes subtler.
Projection / Sillage (how far the scent carries, how noticeable around you): Quite strong in the early hours after spraying. The opening is attention‑grabbing; over time the projection softens, becoming more intimate.
Dry‑down: Sweet, vanilla and coffee tones tend to dominate with woods & subtle florals behind. It becomes warmer and softer as time passes. Many enjoy the lingering vanilla / gourmand feel.

Pros & Cons

Here are what many see as the strengths and limitations of this perfume.

Pros:

Distinctive Coffee‑Vanilla Signature – If you like gourmand scents with coffee, Black Opium gives that bold coffee hit with a sweet, dessert‑like twist.
Evening & Night Appeal – It’s seductive, confident, and a bit daring: great for nights out, colder seasons, or special occasions.
Bottle & Branding – The dark bottle with glittery / lacquered finish looks stylish and eye‑catching, adds a touch of glam.

Cons:

Sweetness May Be Overwhelming – If you’re not into sweet / gourmand perfumes, the vanilla and sugary tones may feel a bit heavy or too saccharine after the initial hours.
Moderate Longevity Depending on Skin / Application – On some people the scent tends to fade faster, especially on skin, though clothes retain it longer. Some buyers expect more staying power for the price.
Not Super Unique – Because it has become very popular, it might feel familiar — you may smell it on others. Depending on how much you want uniqueness, that could be a drawback.
Projection Diminishment – After the opening and first few hours, it becomes softer and more intimate; those wanting persistent projection may find it fades into a skin scent.

Who It’s For

Based on the scent profile and performance, here are suggestions for who will like Black Opium, and when / how to use it best:

Best for: Those who like gourmand / dessert‑like perfumes; fans of vanilla + coffee blends. Also good for evening wear, going out, colder weather, or when you want something bold, noticeable and sexy.
Less suited for: If you prefer fresh, clean, citrusy, green, or very subtle fragrances. Also, if you need something professional and muted for office or hot weather, this might feel too heavy.
When to wear it: Evenings, dinner, parties, dates. Fall & winter are ideal due to the warmth and richness. But spritz modestly in day‑time if you love it.
How to apply: Use pulse points (neck, inner wrist), clothes or scarf for extended projection. Moist skin helps (e.g. after body lotion). Avoid rubbing wrists together as usual (this can distort top notes).

Final Thoughts / Rating

Overall Impression: Black Opium Eau de Parfum is a strong statement fragrance. It delivers a well‑balanced gourmand scent built around coffee and vanilla, with enough layers (fruity, floral, woody) to give complexity. It’s not shy; it’s made to be noticed.

Value: Pricing tends to be premium, as with many designer fragrances. Given its popularity, performance is decent though not exceptional in every situation. If you love this kind of scent, many users feel it’s worth the cost; but if you’re unsure, a sample or smaller size is smart.

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