Fragrance Fragrance is an independent price-comparison service, not a retailer or marketplace. We do not sell, stock, ship, or accept payment for products. Purchases are completed on third-party retailer sites. We are not affiliated with or endorsed by fragrance brands. How buying works.

Prices are collected from third-party retailers and updated periodically. Always verify the price on the retailer's site before purchasing. We may earn a commission on purchases made through our links.

What does Opoponax smell like?

Opoponax is a study in balsamic warmth, opening with a bright but fleeting flash of orange zest and bergamot. This citrus entry quickly gives way to a heart of sandalwood and powdery florals, specifically hawthorn and Grasse jasmine. The initial spray can feel slightly medicinal or sharp to some, but this phase resolves within half an hour into a resinous, boozy character that feels like sitting by a fireplace. Wearing this fragrance feels like being wrapped in a heavy, vintage wool blanket. As it dries down, the emphasize shifts entirely to the base, where myrrh and benzoin create a smoky, golden atmosphere. The vanilla adds a soft, non-cloying sweetness that rounds out the resinous edges, while musk provides a clean, skin-like finish. It is a dense, comforting scent that leans into its "oriental" classification without becoming overly sugary or gourmand.

Details

House: Les Néréides
Gender: feminine
Longevity: 7.7 / 10 · 135 Parfumo ratings
Sillage: 6.9 / 10 · 126 Parfumo ratings
Season votes on Parfumo: Fall (76 votes), Winter (73 votes)
Occasion votes on Parfumo: Evening (66 votes), Leisure (62 votes)
Scent Profile: Sweet, Spicy, Resinous, Oriental, Powdery

Historical community ratings and votes imported from Parfumo. Values may have changed since import; the observation date is unavailable. Ratings reflect community opinions, not measured wear tests. Categories show up to two leading vote counts; votes are category selections and may overlap.

Community Insights

Enthusiasts frequently compare Opoponax to Guerlain’s Shalimar, specifically noting that it captures the resinous, smoky dry-down and "opoponax puff" characteristic of that classic, making it a popular alternative for fans of balsams.
The performance is widely praised as impressive for an eau de toilette; users consistently report that it lasts over eight hours on the skin with a noticeable presence that remains polite rather than overwhelming.
While marketed for women, the fragrance is a subject of debate regarding gender; many find the woody sandalwood and smoky resins give it a "barbershop" quality that makes it easily wearable for men.
The scent is overwhelmingly favored for cold weather, with the community reaching for it most often during fall and winter due to its "Christmas spice" and "snuggly" resinous profile.
Most users find it to be a high-value purchase, offering niche-quality blending and natural-smelling ingredients for a more accessible price point than similar resin-forward fragrances.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Opoponax suitable for office wear?+

While it is a rich, resinous scent, the sillage is moderate and non-intrusive. It is suitable for professional environments if applied lightly, though its warm character is most at home in leisure or evening settings.

How does this compare to other amber or "oriental" fragrances?+

Unlike modern gourmand ambers that rely heavily on sugar, Opoponax focuses on the medicinal and smoky qualities of myrrh and benzoin, balanced by sandalwood and a powdery hawthorn note.

Does this fragrance lean more feminine or masculine?+

Although categorized for women, the fragrance community considers it quite unisex. The absence of heavy fruits or "pink" florals, combined with the prominent sandalwood and resins, appeals to many men who enjoy woody, spicy scents.

Is this considered a "safe" blind buy?+

It is generally recommended for those who already know they enjoy notes of myrrh and benzoin. Some find the opening "medicinal" or sharp, so it is best for those who appreciate the development of complex, resinous perfumes.

Appears in Collections

Evening Fragrances2333 Feminine Fragrances2169 Fragrances Starting With O306

Similar Fragrances

Houbigant

Orangers en Fleurs

Eau De Parfum

Ex Nihilo

Fleur Narcotique

Extrait

Nobile 1942

Anonimo Veneziano

Eau De Parfum

Chloé

Narcisse

Eau De Toilette

Rabanne

Olympēa

Eau De Parfum

Rabanne

La Nuit

Eau De Toilette

Ormonde Jayne

Evernia

Eau De Parfum

Guerlain

Nahema

Parfum

No tracked prices yet

We are not tracking a current retailer offer for this fragrance yet.

View price details

No tracked prices yet

We are not tracking a current retailer offer for this fragrance yet.

View price details

What does Opoponax smell like?

Opoponax is a study in balsamic warmth, opening with a bright but fleeting flash of orange zest and bergamot. This citrus entry quickly gives way to a heart of sandalwood and powdery florals, specifically hawthorn and Grasse jasmine. The initial spray can feel slightly medicinal or sharp to some, but this phase resolves within half an hour into a resinous, boozy character that feels like sitting by a fireplace. Wearing this fragrance feels like being wrapped in a heavy, vintage wool blanket. As it dries down, the emphasize shifts entirely to the base, where myrrh and benzoin create a smoky, golden atmosphere. The vanilla adds a soft, non-cloying sweetness that rounds out the resinous edges, while musk provides a clean, skin-like finish. It is a dense, comforting scent that leans into its "oriental" classification without becoming overly sugary or gourmand.

Details

House: Les Néréides
Gender: feminine
Longevity: 7.7 / 10 · 135 Parfumo ratings
Sillage: 6.9 / 10 · 126 Parfumo ratings
Season votes on Parfumo: Fall (76 votes), Winter (73 votes)
Occasion votes on Parfumo: Evening (66 votes), Leisure (62 votes)
Scent Profile: Sweet, Spicy, Resinous, Oriental, Powdery

Historical community ratings and votes imported from Parfumo. Values may have changed since import; the observation date is unavailable. Ratings reflect community opinions, not measured wear tests. Categories show up to two leading vote counts; votes are category selections and may overlap.

Community Insights

Enthusiasts frequently compare Opoponax to Guerlain’s Shalimar, specifically noting that it captures the resinous, smoky dry-down and "opoponax puff" characteristic of that classic, making it a popular alternative for fans of balsams.
The performance is widely praised as impressive for an eau de toilette; users consistently report that it lasts over eight hours on the skin with a noticeable presence that remains polite rather than overwhelming.
While marketed for women, the fragrance is a subject of debate regarding gender; many find the woody sandalwood and smoky resins give it a "barbershop" quality that makes it easily wearable for men.
The scent is overwhelmingly favored for cold weather, with the community reaching for it most often during fall and winter due to its "Christmas spice" and "snuggly" resinous profile.
Most users find it to be a high-value purchase, offering niche-quality blending and natural-smelling ingredients for a more accessible price point than similar resin-forward fragrances.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Opoponax suitable for office wear?+

While it is a rich, resinous scent, the sillage is moderate and non-intrusive. It is suitable for professional environments if applied lightly, though its warm character is most at home in leisure or evening settings.

How does this compare to other amber or "oriental" fragrances?+

Unlike modern gourmand ambers that rely heavily on sugar, Opoponax focuses on the medicinal and smoky qualities of myrrh and benzoin, balanced by sandalwood and a powdery hawthorn note.

Does this fragrance lean more feminine or masculine?+

Although categorized for women, the fragrance community considers it quite unisex. The absence of heavy fruits or "pink" florals, combined with the prominent sandalwood and resins, appeals to many men who enjoy woody, spicy scents.

Is this considered a "safe" blind buy?+

It is generally recommended for those who already know they enjoy notes of myrrh and benzoin. Some find the opening "medicinal" or sharp, so it is best for those who appreciate the development of complex, resinous perfumes.

Accords

Notes

TopOrange zest

How does the "Impérial Opoponax" version differ from this one?+

They are the same fragrance; "Impérial Opoponax" is simply an alternative name used for the scent within the Les Néréides collection, maintaining the same citrus, jasmine, and resinous composition.

Which seasons are best for wearing Opoponax?+

This fragrance is most popular in the fall and winter. The "boozy" warmth of the vanilla and resins performs best in crisp, cold air and can feel a bit heavy or powdery during the high heat of summer.

//

Bergamot

HeartHawthorn//Sandalwood//Grasse jasmine

BaseMyrrh//Benzoin//Vanilla//Musk

Appears in Collections

Evening Fragrances2333 Feminine Fragrances2169 Fragrances Starting With O306

Similar Fragrances

Houbigant

Orangers en Fleurs

Eau De Parfum

Ex Nihilo

Fleur Narcotique

Extrait

Nobile 1942

Anonimo Veneziano

Eau De Parfum

Chloé

Narcisse

Eau De Toilette

Rabanne

Olympēa

Eau De Parfum

Rabanne

La Nuit

Eau De Toilette

Ormonde Jayne

Evernia

Eau De Parfum

Guerlain

Nahema

Parfum

Where to buy Opoponax

No tracked prices yet.

We don't track a retailer offer for this fragrance yet — check the Amazon link below for current availability.

Amazon

Price not trackedBuy

No price tracked yet. Join the list and we'll email you if one shows up.

Fragrance Fragrance is an independent price-comparison service, not a retailer or marketplace. We do not sell, stock, ship, or accept payment for products. Purchases are completed on third-party retailer sites. We are not affiliated with or endorsed by fragrance brands. How buying works.

Prices are collected from third-party retailers and updated periodically. Always verify the price on the retailer's site before purchasing. We may earn a commission on purchases made through our links.