Seamus Hammond
The original Opium perfume was launched in 1977 by Yves Saint Laurent. The oriental-spicy fragrance for women was created by perfumers Jean Amic and Jean-Louis Sieuzac. Its top notes are a mixture of mandarin orange, plum, clove, coriander, pepper, and bay leaf. The middle notes are predominantly floral, including jasmine, rose, lily of the valley, carnation, and cinnamon. The base notes are woody, with sandalwood, cedarwood, myrrh, opopanax, labdanum, benzoin resin, and castoreum. While the perfume has been reformulated over the years, with some variations in the intensity and balance of its notes, Euphorisme d’Opium is said to be closer to the original formula.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Perfumers | Jean Amic and Jean-Louis Sieuzac |
| Introduced to the market | 1977 |
| Top notes | Mandarin orange, plum, clove, coriander, pepper, bay leaf |
| Middle notes | Jasmine, rose, lily of the valley, carnation, cinnamon, peach, orris root |
| Base notes | Sandalwood, cedarwood, myrrh, opopanax, labdanum, benzoin resin, castoreum, amber, musk, patchouli, tolu balsam, vetiver |
| Bottle designer | Pierre Dinand |
| Bottle design inspiration | Inro (small Japanese lacquered cases) |
| Bottle size | Medium |
| Longevity | Long-lasting |
| Scent | Spicy, floral, sweet, woody, rich, deep, heavy, languid, oriental, exotic |
| Similar perfumes | Euphorisme d’Opium, Estee Lauder Cinnabar |
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What You'll Learn
Euphorisme d’Opium is a close alternative
Euphorisme d'Opium is a close alternative to the original Opium perfume. While it is not a 100% dupe, it is based on the original Opium formula, with added enhancements.
Euphorisme d'Opium is a strong and potent scent, with a smooth, sleek, and rich fragrance. It has higher levels of black pepper and rose than the original, and the overall impression is of clove, spicy florals, and incense. The perfume has a longer development time, with a soft, intimate scent of spiced ylang-ylang and jasmine with bergamot, and a creamy vanilla base.
The original Opium, on the other hand, has a cloud of spices, including pink pepper, clove, and cinnamon, with a heart of spicy florals and a raw, sensual honey tone. It is an intoxicating fragrance with a warm, smoky dry-down.
Euphorisme d'Opium is a modern take on the original, with a sheer and gauzy opening that develops into a full-bodied and rich scent. It is a 21st-century chypre/Oriental fragrance with a delicious orange and pimento base.
Overall, Euphorisme d'Opium is a close alternative to the original Opium, with a similar rich and spicy scent, but with a modern twist and a smoother, more approachable feel.
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Black Opium Eau de Parfum has similar notes
Black Opium, on the other hand, is described as a "seductively intoxicating" fragrance that captures the essence of the edgy and daring woman. It opens with notes of adrenaline-rich coffee and sweet vanilla, which meld into the softness of white flowers. The result is a long-lasting, warm floral vanilla scent that captivates the senses. The coffee notes in Black Opium play on the tension between the dark bitterness of the coffee bean and the femininity of the white flowers, enriched by the sensual appeal of vanilla.
While the original Opium is known for its unique and rich scent, Black Opium offers a modern interpretation with a strong presence of coffee and vanilla notes. The vanilla notes in both perfumes create a sweet and sensual base that is a signature of the Yves Saint Laurent fragrance collection. Black Opium, with its emphasis on coffee and vanilla, presents a more contemporary take on the Oriental-spicy theme of the original Opium.
Both perfumes share a common theme of exoticism and sensuality, with Black Opium leaning more towards the edgy and modern, while the original Opium evokes the sophisticated Orient and imperial China. The original Opium has undergone a reformulation in 2010, and while Euphorisme d’Opium is closer to the original formula, it still differs in certain aspects, particularly in the strength of its opening notes.
Overall, Black Opium Eau de Parfum shares similar notes with the original Opium, particularly in terms of its Oriental-spicy theme and the presence of vanilla. However, Black Opium stands out with its prominent coffee notes, creating a unique and modern fragrance that appeals to the daring and edgy woman.
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Opium pour Homme is the male version
Opium is a women's perfume created for the French fashion house Yves Saint Laurent. It was introduced to the market in 1977 and quickly generated publicity with its controversial name. The original Opium perfume is an Oriental-spicy fragrance with a mix of fruits, spices, and floral middle notes.
In 1995, YSL launched the male version of Opium, called Opium pour Homme, created by Jacques Cavallier of Firmenich. Opium pour Homme is a sharp, oriental, woody fragrance with a blend of vanilla, ginger, pepper, and cedar. The vanilla note is the main note, fused with base notes of cedar and Tolu balsam.
Opium pour Homme is a masculine scent that captures the sophistication of the Orient and the exoticism that Yves Saint Laurent wanted the original Opium to evoke. The male version of Opium is a sharp and woody fragrance, creating a rich and deep scent that is both classic and classy.
While the original Opium for women has top notes of mandarin orange, plum, clove, coriander, and pepper, as well as floral middle notes of jasmine, rose, and lily of the valley, Opium pour Homme has a more simplified blend of spices and woods, creating a sharp and oriental scent. The vanilla note in Opium pour Homme provides a smooth and sweet touch to the fragrance, while the ginger and pepper add a spicy kick.
Overall, Opium pour Homme is a sophisticated and exotic fragrance that captures the essence of the original Opium while tailoring it to the masculine taste. It is a well-loved scent that has stood the test of time since its launch in 1995.
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Estee Lauder Cinnabar is comparable
Opium is a women's perfume created for the French fashion house Yves Saint Laurent. It was introduced to the market in 1977 and quickly gained publicity due to its controversial name. The scent is described as Oriental-spicy, with top notes of mandarin orange, plum, clove, coriander, pepper, and bay leaf. The middle notes are floral, consisting of jasmine, rose, lily of the valley, carnation, cinnamon, peach, and orris root. The base notes are woody and sweet, with sandalwood, cedarwood, myrrh, opopanax, labdanum, benzoin resin, castoreum, amber, musk, patchouli, tolu balsam, and vetiver.
While there may be no exact duplicate of the original Opium perfume, some comparable alternatives are available. One comparable perfume is Estee Lauder Cinnabar. Although Euphorisme d'Opium is considered closer to the original Opium, Cinnabar is often mentioned in the same breath as Opium. Cinnabar is described as smoother and less aggressive than the original Opium. It is said to be sheerer and more approachable to a modern audience.
Euphorisme d'Opium is another comparable perfume that is based on the original Opium formula. It is described as strong and potent but with a sheer and gauzy quality. The levels of black pepper and rose in Euphorisme d'Opium are said to be higher than in the original. This perfume is long-lasting and has positive reviews for its elegant and sleek scent.
Black Opium Eau de Parfum is another YSL perfume that is described as a seductive and intoxicating women's fragrance. It has top notes of adrenaline-rich coffee and a sweet, sensual vanilla base. This perfume is inspired by the edgy and daring woman, with a combination of dark bitterness and femininity.
Overall, while there may be no exact duplicate of the original Opium perfume, comparable alternatives such as Estee Lauder Cinnabar, Euphorisme d'Opium, and Black Opium Eau de Parfum offer similar sensory experiences with their own unique twists.
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Opium's scent is long-lasting
Opium by Yves Saint Laurent is a long-lasting perfume with a unique scent. Customers have described the fragrance as "long-lasting", with one review noting that it "lasts all day". Another review states that the scent "lingers for hours". The perfume's strong and intoxicating fragrance is due to its mix of spices, florals, and resins.
The top notes of Opium are a mixture of fruits and spices, including mandarin orange, plum, clove, coriander, pepper, and bay leaf. The heart of the fragrance is a spicy floral blend, with notes of jasmine, rose, lily of the valley, carnation, cinnamon, peach, and orris root. The base of the perfume is a sweet woody blend, with notes of sandalwood, cedarwood, myrrh, opopanax, labdanum, benzoin resin, castoreum, amber, musk, patchouli, tolu balsam, and vetiver. This combination of notes creates a rich, deep, and potent fragrance that lingers on the skin.
Euphorisme d’Opium, a variation of the original Opium, is also noted for its longevity. While the scent is described as "gauzy" and "sheer", it remains strong and potent. The levels of black pepper and rose in Euphorisme d’Opium are higher than in the original, contributing to its strength. The perfume continues to soften and change over time, with the spiced florals, incense, amber, and vanilla becoming more prominent in the third hour.
Black Opium Eau de Parfum, another variation of the original, is described as a "long-lasting fragrance". This perfume combines the strong scent of coffee with warm floral notes and a sweet vanilla base. The combination of these notes creates a seductive and intoxicating fragrance that captivates the senses.
Overall, the Opium perfume collection by Yves Saint Laurent is known for its long-lasting fragrances. The original Opium, as well as variations such as Euphorisme d’Opium and Black Opium, have all received praise for their longevity and ability to linger on the skin.
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Frequently asked questions
The closest perfume to the original Opium is Euphorisme d’Opium, which is based on the original formula. However, it is not a 100% dupe.
The top notes of Opium are a mixture of fruits and spices, including mandarin orange, plum, clove, coriander, pepper, and bay leaf.
The floral middle notes of Opium consist predominantly of jasmine, rose, and lily of the valley, with additional notes of carnation, cinnamon, peach, and orris root.
The base notes of Opium are woody and sweet, containing sandalwood, cedarwood, myrrh, opopanax, labdanum, benzoin resin, castoreum, amber, musk, patchouli, tolu balsam, and vetiver.
Yes, Yves Saint Laurent launched Opium pour Homme in 1995. The main note is vanilla, with additional notes of black currant, galangal, star anise, ginger, pepper, cedar, and tolu balsam.
