Opium
Opium by Yves Saint Laurent is a feminine-leaning eau de parfum from 1977 in the designer price tier. It opens with mandarin, coriander and pimento, moves into carnation, jasmine, rose and cinnamon and dries down to opoponax, myrrh, labdanum and patchouli. Expect around 11 hours of wear, and it projects very strongly.
Notes, explained
Opening
- Mandarin Soft, sweet, almost powdery citrus. Gentler than orange.
- Coriander Warm seed spice, slightly citrusy. A quiet workhorse.
- Pimento Allspice — clove, cinnamon and nutmeg at once. Hot and rounded.
Heart
- Carnation Spicy, clove-like floral. Old-school and a bit peppery.
- Jasmine Heady, sweet and slightly animal underneath. Rarely subtle.
- Rose Can be jammy, green, peppery or soapy depending on the type. Not one smell.
- Cinnamon Sweet heat. Reads festive, sometimes to a fault.
Dry-down
- Opoponax Sweet myrrh. Balsamic, warm and slightly medicinal.
- Myrrh Bitter, smoky resin. Ancient-smelling and slightly cool.
- Labdanum Sticky, leathery resin. Dark honey and old books.
- Patchouli Damp earth and dark chocolate. Either you love it or it's your least favourite note.
Smells like this
- Acqua di Parma Note di Colonia IV
- Amouage Jubilation 25 Woman
- Chanel Coco
- Fragrance Du Bois Oud Bleu Intense
- Carner Barcelona Megalium
- Carner Barcelona Felino
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