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What does Opium smell like?

Opium is not a quiet fragrance. Launched in 1977 by YSL with perfumers Jean-Louis Sieuzac and Jean Amic, it arrives with the kind of confidence that clears a room — or fills it, depending on your pers...

Details

House: Yves Saint Laurent
Concentration: Parfum
Gender: feminine
Year: 1977
Longevity: 9.2 / 10
Sillage: 8.9 / 10
Scent Profile: Spicy, Oriental, Woody, Floral, Smoky
Best Seasons: Winter, Fall
Best Occasions: Evening, Night Out
Perfumer: Jean-Louis Sieuzac, Jean Amic

Community Insights

Based on 7 discussions

RedditFragrantica

Performance on vintage Opium is considered exceptional — the kind of sillage that fills a space and longevity that outlasts an entire evening and then some. Even reformulated versions are considered potent enough that overspraying is a real risk.
The reformulation debate is one of the most discussed aspects in the community. Long-time fans widely consider the modern versions a diminished version of the original, citing reduced intensity, altered spice character, and a smoother but less compelling drydown compared to vintage extraits and early EDPs.
Opium is treated by many fragrance enthusiasts as a landmark oriental that newer releases are measured against — including YSL's own Black Opium, which some vintage fans view as a completely different genre aimed at a different audience.
Its polarizing nature is well-documented: some find the density and resinous warmth deeply compelling and empowering, while others find it cloying or overwhelming, particularly in enclosed spaces or warm weather.
The consensus on occasion is consistent: this is a fall and winter evening fragrance. Wearing Opium to a summer afternoon event or an office would be considered a significant miscalculation by most who know it well.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the Parfum concentration differ from the Eau de Parfum or Eau de Toilette?+

The Parfum is generally considered the concentration closest to the original vision — richer, more resinous, and with better longevity and depth in the base notes. The EDP and EDT tend to present a smoother, lighter version where some of the spice and resin intensity is softened. If you're looking for the full weight and complexity of Opium's oriental base, the Parfum is where it lives.

Is Opium worth buying in its current formulation, or should I seek out vintage?+

This depends on your expectations. The current formulation is still a bold, recognizable oriental — it performs well and is far from subtle. However, the fragrance community broadly agrees that vintage versions, particularly older extraits and early EDPs, have a depth, spice, and resinous fire that modern versions don't fully replicate. If you're curious about Opium for the first time, the current Parfum is a reasonable entry point. If you've fallen in love with vintage Opium specifically, the modern version may feel like a compromise.

Is Opium for women only, or can it work on other genders?+

It's marketed as a women's fragrance, but its profile — heavy spice, resin, incense, wood, and musk — reads as neither inherently feminine nor masculine in any strict sense. Anyone drawn to dense oriental fragrances should feel free to try it regardless of gender marketing. It's a bold fragrance first; the gendering is largely a product of its era.

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Also available as:Eau De Parfum·Eau De Toilette·Eau De Toilette·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 not a quiet fragrance. Launched in 1977 by YSL with perfumers Jean-Louis Sieuzac and Jean Amic, it arrives with the kind of confidence that clears a room — or fills it, depending on your pers...

Details

House: Yves Saint Laurent
Concentration: Parfum
Gender: feminine
Year: 1977
Longevity: 9.2 / 10
Sillage: 8.9 / 10
Scent Profile: Spicy, Oriental, Woody, Floral, Smoky
Best Seasons: Winter, Fall
Best Occasions: Evening, Night Out
Perfumer: Jean-Louis Sieuzac, Jean Amic

Community Insights

Based on 7 discussions

RedditFragrantica

Performance on vintage Opium is considered exceptional — the kind of sillage that fills a space and longevity that outlasts an entire evening and then some. Even reformulated versions are considered potent enough that overspraying is a real risk.
The reformulation debate is one of the most discussed aspects in the community. Long-time fans widely consider the modern versions a diminished version of the original, citing reduced intensity, altered spice character, and a smoother but less compelling drydown compared to vintage extraits and early EDPs.
Opium is treated by many fragrance enthusiasts as a landmark oriental that newer releases are measured against — including YSL's own Black Opium, which some vintage fans view as a completely different genre aimed at a different audience.
Its polarizing nature is well-documented: some find the density and resinous warmth deeply compelling and empowering, while others find it cloying or overwhelming, particularly in enclosed spaces or warm weather.
The consensus on occasion is consistent: this is a fall and winter evening fragrance. Wearing Opium to a summer afternoon event or an office would be considered a significant miscalculation by most who know it well.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the Parfum concentration differ from the Eau de Parfum or Eau de Toilette?+

The Parfum is generally considered the concentration closest to the original vision — richer, more resinous, and with better longevity and depth in the base notes. The EDP and EDT tend to present a smoother, lighter version where some of the spice and resin intensity is softened. If you're looking for the full weight and complexity of Opium's oriental base, the Parfum is where it lives.

Is Opium worth buying in its current formulation, or should I seek out vintage?+

This depends on your expectations. The current formulation is still a bold, recognizable oriental — it performs well and is far from subtle. However, the fragrance community broadly agrees that vintage versions, particularly older extraits and early EDPs, have a depth, spice, and resinous fire that modern versions don't fully replicate. If you're curious about Opium for the first time, the current Parfum is a reasonable entry point. If you've fallen in love with vintage Opium specifically, the modern version may feel like a compromise.

Is Opium for women only, or can it work on other genders?+

It's marketed as a women's fragrance, but its profile — heavy spice, resin, incense, wood, and musk — reads as neither inherently feminine nor masculine in any strict sense. Anyone drawn to dense oriental fragrances should feel free to try it regardless of gender marketing. It's a bold fragrance first; the gendering is largely a product of its era.

What occasions is Opium best suited for?+

Evening wear and night-out settings overwhelmingly, with fall and winter as the ideal seasons. Its projection and sillage are too substantial for daytime office use, and its warmth and density make it uncomfortable in summer heat. Think candlelit dinners, winter evenings, or situations where you want a fragrance that makes a deliberate impression rather than quietly accompanying you.

How does Opium compare to Black Opium?+

They share a name and little else in terms of character. Black Opium — in its various flankers — is built around coffee, vanilla, and sweeter, more contemporary accords aimed at a modern audience. Original Opium is a deep, resinous, spicy oriental with incense, carnation, and frankincense at its core. Fans of vintage Opium generally treat the two as entirely separate fragrances; appreciation for one doesn't necessarily translate to the other.

How much should I apply?+

Less than you think. Opium's sillage is significant even in moderate amounts — it's a fragrance that projects well beyond your skin and lingers considerably. Starting with one or two sprays and giving it time to settle before adding more is strongly advisable. In warm or enclosed environments, err even further on the side of restraint.

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 Winter Fragrances480 Classic Perfumes944 Feminine Fragrances2169 Parfum Fragrances1015+ 1 more

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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.