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What does Opium smell like?

Opium is an uncompromising exercise in 1970s opulence. At its core, it is a dense tapestry of spice and resin that feels thick and shadowed, like the air inside a lacquered cabinet. The opening is a s...

Details

House: Yves Saint Laurent
Concentration: Eau De Toilette
Gender: feminine
Year: 1977
Longevity: 8.9 / 10
Sillage: 8.6 / 10
Scent Profile: Spicy, Oriental, Resinous, Woody, Floral
Best Seasons: Winter, Fall
Best Occasions: Evening, Night Out
Perfumer: Jean-Louis Sieuzac, Jean Amic

Community Insights

0

Fragrantica

The fragrance is widely regarded as a "beast mode" performer, with the community reaching a strong consensus on its exceptional longevity and room-filling sillage, especially in vintage bottles.
There is a significant divide between fans of the original 1977 formula and the 2009 reformulation; purists often find newer versions to be softer and more floral-forward, lacking the "rough" spicy grit of the original.
Enthusiasts frequently categorize Opium as a "divisive" or "crowd-splitting" scent, noting that its heavy resinous profile can be polarizing or cloying if oversprayed.
It is almost exclusively recommended for cold weather (winter and fall) or high-drama evening occasions, with many users advising against wearing it in office or casual settings.
While marketed "for women,"modern fragrance hobbyists often discuss Opium as a gender-neutral or masculine-leaning spicy oriental due to its lack of contemporary sweetness and heavy emphasis on balsams and woods.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the current Eau de Toilette compare to the original 1977 version?+

The original version is described as being much heavier on the spices and resins. The current reformulation is considered slightly "cleaner" and thinner, with a more prominent floral heart, though it still maintains the core incense and carnation character.

Is this a safe fragrance for a blind buy?+

No. Opium is a complex, heavy spicy-oriental that is famously polarizing. Because it lacks modern gourmand sweetness and features high concentrations of incense and clove, it is best to sample it first.

Does Opium last a long time on the skin?+

Yes, even in the Eau de Toilette concentration, it is known for lasting all day and into the night. It frequently stays on clothing for days and requires very few sprays to be effective.

Is this fragrance suitable for warm weather?+

Most users find Opium too heavy and "suffocating" for summer. Its dense resins and spices are better suited for the cold, where the crisp air helps balance its intense warmth.

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Also available as:Eau De Parfum·Eau De Toilette·Parfum·What’s the difference?

No tracked prices yet

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

View price details

Amazon

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No tracked prices yet

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

View price details

Amazon

Price not trackedBuy

What does Opium smell like?

Opium is an uncompromising exercise in 1970s opulence. At its core, it is a dense tapestry of spice and resin that feels thick and shadowed, like the air inside a lacquered cabinet. The opening is a s...

Details

House: Yves Saint Laurent
Concentration: Eau De Toilette
Gender: feminine
Year: 1977
Longevity: 8.9 / 10
Sillage: 8.6 / 10
Scent Profile: Spicy, Oriental, Resinous, Woody, Floral
Best Seasons: Winter, Fall
Best Occasions: Evening, Night Out
Perfumer: Jean-Louis Sieuzac, Jean Amic

Community Insights

0

Fragrantica

The fragrance is widely regarded as a "beast mode" performer, with the community reaching a strong consensus on its exceptional longevity and room-filling sillage, especially in vintage bottles.
There is a significant divide between fans of the original 1977 formula and the 2009 reformulation; purists often find newer versions to be softer and more floral-forward, lacking the "rough" spicy grit of the original.
Enthusiasts frequently categorize Opium as a "divisive" or "crowd-splitting" scent, noting that its heavy resinous profile can be polarizing or cloying if oversprayed.
It is almost exclusively recommended for cold weather (winter and fall) or high-drama evening occasions, with many users advising against wearing it in office or casual settings.
While marketed "for women,"modern fragrance hobbyists often discuss Opium as a gender-neutral or masculine-leaning spicy oriental due to its lack of contemporary sweetness and heavy emphasis on balsams and woods.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the current Eau de Toilette compare to the original 1977 version?+

The original version is described as being much heavier on the spices and resins. The current reformulation is considered slightly "cleaner" and thinner, with a more prominent floral heart, though it still maintains the core incense and carnation character.

Is this a safe fragrance for a blind buy?+

No. Opium is a complex, heavy spicy-oriental that is famously polarizing. Because it lacks modern gourmand sweetness and features high concentrations of incense and clove, it is best to sample it first.

Does Opium last a long time on the skin?+

Yes, even in the Eau de Toilette concentration, it is known for lasting all day and into the night. It frequently stays on clothing for days and requires very few sprays to be effective.

Is this fragrance suitable for warm weather?+

Most users find Opium too heavy and "suffocating" for summer. Its dense resins and spices are better suited for the cold, where the crisp air helps balance its intense warmth.

Is Opium different from Black Opium?+

They are entirely different fragrances. While Black Opium is a modern, sweet, coffee-and-vanilla scent, the original Opium is a classic spicy-oriental focused on incense, carnation, and balsams.

Can men wear this fragrance?+

Although marketed for women, Opium is frequently worn by men who enjoy deep, resinous, and woody scents. Its profile is closer to modern niche masculine orientals than to typical feminine florals.

Accords

Notes

TopClove//Coriander//Laurel//Pepper//Plum//Bergamot//Citrus fruits//Jasmine//Mandarin orange

HeartCarnation//Cinnamon//Orris root//Patchouli//Peach//Sandalwood//Lily of the valley//

BaseMyrrh//Frankincense//Opoponax//Tolu balm//Amber//Benzoin//Cistus//

Rose

Cedar

//

Musk//

Vanilla//

Vetiver//

Coconut

Appears in Collections

Date Night Fragrances1836 Evening Fragrances2333 Classic Perfumes944 Eau de Toilette Fragrances847 Feminine Fragrances2169 Fragrances Starting With O306

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Where to buy Opium

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

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.