Yves Saint Laurent

Libre Le Parfum by YSL

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Libre Le Parfum was released as a flanker to the popular YSL original back in 2022. I received a few samples of it some months back and tested it out. It wasn’t one that I was particularly excited about trying, but actually came away pleasantly surprised by this perfume. How does it smell? How long does it last? Continue below for my full thoughts.

Libre Le Parfum Overview

Notes include: ginger, saffron, mandarin orange, bergamot, orange blossom, lavender, vanilla, honey, tonka bean, vetiver

Click here to try: Libre Le Parfum

My Full Review

One of the main things that I notice early on with Libre Le Parfum, is how quiet the lavender note is on my skin early. Now, come to find out that it will be more substantial later on, I do like the change of pace from others in the series.

The opening has a good dose of mandarin orange/bergamot, while not ever taking over the composition. It’s held in check by the ginger, saffron, honey, vanilla, and especially the orange blossom. That is the floral note (and note in general) that leads the way here.

Parfum is warm and cozy. The spice is potent, while we get a thick sweetness as well, in this opening act.

After a few minutes, the citrus will fade, as will some of the ginger. Here, I get a mix of saffron, and honey with the orange blossom. The other notes will be sitting underneath this as the main accord for a while.

The next phase for me is the lavender coming on strong at the expense of the orange blossom. It will be even for a little bit, but lavender quickly takes on the dominant role out of the floral notes.

With that, less saffron, ginger is pretty much gone, but you get the tonka bean in their place. So, it’s really a vanilla and honeyed aroma at this point. A sweet, honey-vanilla dipped floral fragrance.

The dry down is mostly lavender and vanilla with a touch of vetiver poking through. Not as thick, still somewhat sweet, but more of a cleaner aromatic smell at this point. Closer to what you get with Libre and Libre Intense.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Le Parfum is a heavy and thick fragrance with plenty of projection. It will leave a nice scent trail for a long time. On me, it felt a tad weaker than Libre Intense, but it is still close to being the strongest of the bunch so far.

The longevity here is fantastic. I get 10-11 hours at least, with Le Parfum sometimes venturing into the 12 hour range. I don’t think it’ll go beyond that on my skin, but this Libre flanker is no slouch.

Seasonally, due to its ingredients and how heavy of a scent it can be, this one is made for the autumn and winter months. I wouldn’t expect to be wearing this outside during the summer months or if you live in a particularly tropical climate.

Add to that, this is one that can really shine in the nightlife, during those colder months. That warmth, sweetness, and enveloping cozy aroma is great. Attractive and bold with what it brings to the table.

Maybe not the best for formal wear or work (depending on your office). Some of you will be able to pull it off in that environment. But, this is just a really nice gourmand version of Libre.

Overall Impressions of Le Parfum

Overall, do I like Libre Le Parfum? Yes, I think it is the best release of the series thus far. I used to think that was Libre Intense, but this surpasses it. Also, it is easily better than L’Absolu Platine which came out around the same timeframe.

It does everything well, so long as you enjoy this sort of heavier gourmand style. It won’t be for absolutely everyone, of course, but I think that most people would enjoy this YSL perfume.

I’d say that this one is a buy. It’s definitely one to try out and see how it works for you, at the very least.

Again, it’d be my number one pick from the Libre line. I wasn’t a big fan of the original, but this and Intense really carry the banner well.

One of the better designer releases in the past few years. It doesn’t seem to get the same attention as things like Burberry Goddess (this is better) or even the other Libre options.

Black Opium vs Prada Candy Perfume Comparison

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So, here we are, back with another round of perfume comparisons. Today, we have two sweet and popular designers scents for women: Black Opium EDP by Yves Saint Laurent vs. Prada Candy. Now, both of these are the eau de parfum versions of each respective scents. Which of these two gourmand perfumes smells the best? Which gives a better performance? Please continue below for my full take of them head to head.

Tale of the Tape: Black Opium vs. Candy

Black Opium

black opium perfume review

Notes include: coffee, vanilla, patchouli, pink pepper, orange blossom, cedar

Click here to try: Yves Saint Laurent Eau De Parfum Spray for Women, Black Opium, 3 Ounce

Read my original review: Black Opium

Prada Candy

Notes include: caramel, musk, and benzoin

Click here to try: Prada Prada Candy Eau De Parfum Spray for Women, 2.7 Ounce

Read my original review: Prada Candy

Opening

The opening of Black Opium is probably when it’s at its worst. It’s messy and has a lot going on. Orange blossom, vanilla, and cedar among other notes are heavily present and intense. The YSL scent just takes about ten minutes to work itself out before the perfume really gets going.

After that, we get a still super sweet fragrance, but the vanilla and emergent coffee pair up to straighten out the composition.

Meanwhile, Prada Candy, is also sweet just darker. It doesn’t have the intensity and swaps in caramel to be paired with benzoin and some musk.

I love the benzoin note here and it strikes me as being sort of like a more feminine version of Body Kouros, which is actually a Yves Saint Laurent cologne.

Between the two? I prefer the start to Prada Candy. Black Opium gets better, just the opening struggles for a bit. It’s kind of messy and I think some of the later flankers to Black Opium got it better, in this regard.

Edge: Candy

Projection

Black Opium is very strong perfume. A couple sprays should do it for just about any occasion and any more than that just won’t be necessary. Prada Candy is much more of a light to moderate scent and cannot compete with the sillage of Black Opium.

It’s probably a good thing for Candy, as if it were strong, it’d start to get annoying. Nonetheless, the stronger of the two is the YSL fragrance.

Edge: Black Opium

Longevity

I get about 6-7 hours from Prada Candy, on my skin. That’s solid and could be useful in a variety of scenarios. Still, it’s nothing that’s amazing or of great value versus the Prada price point.

However, Black Opium is an all day wear. I got double digit hours out of that perfume with no trouble at all. Performance wise, the YSL is dominant. Some later Black Opium flankers didn’t seem to ever reach this same level.

As far as I’ve experienced with the original, it hasn’t gotten noticeably weaker over the years.

Prada is serviceable, but Black Opium gets you plenty of bang for your buck.

Edge: Black Opium

Versatility

Both of these perfumes are cold weather wears. Both can be worn casually or at work. Plus, have enough sexiness to be worn out at night. Perhaps, Prada Candy is a bit safer for work because it isn’t as loud, but that’s really the only edge I see.

Either is a nice and sweet selection that can be a easy reach when the temperatures start to drop.

Edge: Push

Overall Scent

So, the both of these perfumes are of the sweet, gourmand, and cold weather variety. Prada Candy is fairly linear and moderate in its presentation and performance.

You get the sweet and salty caramel and then later, more of benzoin and musk. There is also a dash of powder in there for good measure.

Black Opium EDP is a bold fragrance that isn’t dark like the name would suggest. It’s really sweet with vanilla and coffee.

Add to that, a warm pink pepper note, and the ever present orange blossom note. It has more of a rich and cozy feeling than does Candy, while also being more complex and ultimately more interesting.

Which is better? I’d go with Black Opium. For most ladies, it will be the better bet. Now, if you want something subtler, Candy might be the way to go.

However, Black Opium gives a better performance and outside of the opening 10 minutes of confusion, it smells nicer than does Prada Candy.

Winner: Black Opium

Belle D’Opium by YSL

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Belle d’Opium is a Yves Saint Laurent perfume that I’ve liked for a long time. However, since it came out back in 2010 and is discontinued, I hadn’t come across any in years. Luckily, I saw a sample for sale online recently, and bought it to do a full review.

How does Belle d’Opium smell? Does it last long? Is it worth tracking down a bottle?

What does Belle d’Opium by YSL Smell Like?

Notes include: Casablanca lily, mandarin, gardenia, incense, pepper, tobacco, peach, rose, amber, patchouli, vanilla, sandalwood

belle d'opium review

My Full Review

Here’s how Yves Saint Laurent describes it: The thrill of bewitching, a new oriental. An overdose of rare and precious ingredients: the narcotic scent of Casablanca Lily blends with spice swirling incense and mysterious overtones of a Nargileh accord. A true olfactory manifesto.

An interesting feature of this perfume is the Nargileh accord. Basically, creating the effect of hookah, with a smokiness, spiciness, and tobacco note. Perhaps, even a flavored smoke with the mandarin, peach, and other fruits.

After that opening act, the next phase is a sweet white floral blend with a decent amount of peach lurking underneath the lily.

While it doesn’t feel as smoky or spicy, as it did at the start. The ‘Nargileh accord’ still does have a presence here. It’s a light tobacco at this point, without as much influence from the incense.

The mood really matches that purple bottle. The fruity blend is feeling pretty jam like, at this point. Almost boozy, with how it can come across on my skin. Just not a hyper-sugary sort of sweetness.

The white floral notes are a tug of war between the lily and the gardenia. Though, I do really like the balance between them. Jasmine, is around.

As we transition, the patchouli note and amber will come out more. It does have a ‘fruitchouli’ perfume smell for a good portion of the wear. I like it, I think that it’s a fine example of the type versus a lot of others out there nowadays.

The tail end for me, is a sweetish blend of more of the lily than gardenia. Amber with sandalwood, less of the patchouli, and perhaps a dab of vanilla to tie it all together.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

This one does have some substance. It’s not massive, but it’ll leave a scent trail and can project quite far at times. It’s sort of weird. Belle d’Opium will feel like a strong fragrance, then, be absolutely light at other times.

All in all, it’s above average, but seemingly not capable of blowing the doors off with normal spraying.

The longevity for me is good, but not great by any means. Somewhere in the 7-7.5 hour range, on my skin. At times, you expect this to be more of a beast, but Belle never fully takes on that role.

Seasonally, Belle is built for autumn through early spring. Maybe late spring, if you live in a colder area. This YSL has a good amount of body and a thicker feel without being overly heavy.

Still, enough to it to where the heat and humidity of the summer months wouldn’t be too appealing.

Belle d’Opium is well put together, but not formal. It has a sensual and nightlife kind of vibe mostly, but not super serious or stuffy. A bit more than the usual casual fare, great for certain parties or evenings out for cocktails.

Overall Impressions of Belle d’Opium

Overall, do I like Belle d’Opium? Yes, this is one of my favorite releases from the women’s side of things at YSL. It was kind of a shorter lived fragrance, somewhat forgotten now, but it was a gem.

The opening with the fruits, hookah, and white floral notes is great. I love how the fruit notes come across here and the gardenia and lily play off of one another.

The performance is above average, but not too much so. It’s not exactly a weak point, since that aspect is still quite good, it just could’ve been better.

Is it worth picking up? Since the remaining bottle go for nearly $200 each, as of posting, it probably won’t be worthwhile for most people to get one for themselves. Collectors or just those who want to get deeper into the fragrance hobby, and missed this, could do well with this perfume.

Mon Paris Lumiere EDT by YSL

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Mon Paris Lumiere is another entry from the fairly long-running YSL series. This perfume was released in 2022. I got a sample of this a while ago, with another order of fragrances, so I tested it out for a full review. How does Lumiere smell? Does it last long? Is it worth a try?

What does Mon Paris Lumiere Smell Like?

Notes include: Isparta rose, lemon, jasmine, datura, white lotus, patchouli, musk

My Full Review

Here’s how YSL describes it: A chypre floral aquatic, as radiant and vertiginous as being loved under Parisian skies. The hypnotic fragrance of datura flower is embraced by the radiance of the white lotus flower and the elegance of the Isparta rose heart absolute. The scent of ecstatic love, a clash of light for an everlasting trail. 

Lumiere opens up bright, sweet, with an aquatic/ozonic accord underneath. It makes the floral notes seem like they’re floating in water.

Early, it’s notes of lemon, white lotus, and the datura. A few minutes in, I get some jasmine, but that never feels super powerful in this mix. At least on my skin.

It’s a tad odd, when I smell it sometimes, but I think Lumiere works. I do like the fresh and energizing aroma that this has, even if I’m not sold on the early lemon use.

The next phase, is more floral and musky. Less of the ozonic aspect and the citrus will start to fade. It becomes more rosy, less lotus, and the jasmine is still involved. Not dominated by any of the floral notes here. Everything seems balanced for the duration.

Basically, Mon Paris Lumiere will end with it’s floral notes, freshness, patchouli, and musk. Not super deep or complex.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

This is a lighter and fresher scent, but Mon Paris Lumiere isn’t one that is super airy or non-detectable. Actually, overall between it’s ability to leave a scent trail and just project more generally, is a bit above average. At least, for a couple of hours.

On my skin, this one will stick around for 6-6.5 hours. It’s nothing that’s going to be a beast performer. It’s just pretty much okay, across the board.

Seasonally, Lumiere is a warm weather perfume that’s built for spring and summer. It’s not as heavy as others in the series, so, this YSL can be a good change of pace for those who like this formula and want a springtime variant.

It’s more of a daytime wear. It’s not very formal, but it’d work for most circumstances and can be worn by any age. There’s nothing here that is going to be off-putting for most people.

Overall Impressions of Lumiere

Overall, do I like Mon Paris Lumiere? It’s pretty good. It’s probably somewhere between the original and Mon Paris Intensement. I liked Intensement more than the first one. Lumiere isn’t doing anything wholly different or better than either, however.

The lemon and white lotus combination, in the early stages is nice enough. There’s nothing here that blows me away, but this is a likeable release from YSL.

Likeable at full price? Probably not. If another from the Mon Paris series is one of your signature scents, you’ll almost certainly like this one. If you didn’t care for one the others, this one isn’t likely to make you a new fan.

A pretty good perfume, with fairly average performance. Get it for a discount, if you can. Or, just skip it entirely.

5 Best YSL Black Opium Perfumes

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Black Opium is still one of the best selling ladies’ fragrances on the planet right now. Due to that fact, it has spawned a bunch of flanker fragrances trading off of the success of that name. This always raises the question as to which is the best Black Opium? In this post, I want to present my top 5 picks to vie for this title.

What are the Best Smelling Black Opium Perfumes (Ranked)?

The New Best

Black Opium Le Parfum– Coming back to update this list a few years later, I now think of Le Parfum as being the best of this series. 

This one is a very vanilla based version of the Black Opium style. Early, it is lighter on the pear and green mandarin, while also having a good dose of cinnamon to go with its various vanilla notes.

Much smoother and a cleaner presentation versus the original EDP. The coffee here doesn’t feel like roasted beans. Rather, it is like a cinnamon and vanilla coffee drink, especially early. The coffee though, isn’t too powerful in the mix, however.

Warm, sweet, and somewhat spicy. A well above average sillage and can last in the 8-9 hour range, making it also one of the best performers in the group. Le Parfum Review

Green

Black Opium Illicit Green– While the original Black Opium has better performance than this, I like the smell of Illicit Green more so. It reminds me most of Neon, from the series, but Green smells better.

It’s lighter and cleaner in the opening act with green mandarin, pear, and fig. You can very much tell that this is a Black Opium perfume, but has a bit of a different take, in order to make it distinct enough.

I get more coffee than vanilla in this one. But, that’ll be joined by fig, orange blossom, and patchouli in the dry down. Less of that initial freshness. Though, I still enjoy it. Performance is okay, just not great. Illicit Green Review

The Original

Yves Saint Laurent Eau De Parfum Spray for Women, Black Opium, 3 Ounce– I was never a huge fan of the original Black Opium EDP. However, it is still among the best of this line, overall.

I do think that Neon, listed below, smells marginally better. Though, EDP has much superior performance.

If you haven’t tried this one by now, the opening act can be kind of a mess. White flowers, vanilla, and cedar are kind of just thrown at you.

But, it does get better as things move forward. When the coffee and vanilla fully take over, with some pink pepper thrown in…this is really very nice.

The performance really separates this one from the other flankers. 8+ hours of wear on the skin, easily, and often hitting 10+. It is also stronger with its sillage.

Again, you may find that the others smell better for you than the original, but this brings the total package. Black Opium EDP Review

Best Smelling, Decent Performance

Yves Saint Laurent Black Opium Neon EDP 2.5 oz 75 ml Women NEW– If the coffee and vanilla are too much for you in the original EDP, Neon could be an option, as those notes aren’t nearly as strong.

This one opens up with a nice mix of dragon fruit and mandarin essence. It is energetic and a bit tropical and just not as heavy of an experience as EDP. For the beginning of the wear, it is the fruit notes with a stronger orange blossom and jasmine coming through.

The next phase, is quite a bit like the original. Slightly different weightings of the notes, with a very similar smell. It isn’t a completely weak scent, it spends much of the wear as pretty moderate, and will last for close to 7 hours. 

If this one, were just a bit stronger, it’d be another spot higher for sure. Still, it’s a good fragrance. Black Opium Neon Review

 

 

Most Unique

Black Opium Intense– Based on the name, you might think that this would be an amped up version of EDP…but it’s not. It’s actually much softer, but with 7-8 hours of wear.

What it does have going for it, is a unique blend that utilizes blue absinthe and licorice. It’s smooth with that licorice aroma being prominent throughout. This is all sitting on the coffee and vanilla, which is a different sort of smell, yet kind of familiar during the dry down.

Is the uniqueness amazing? To me, no. It’s pretty good, but even switching things up like this didn’t move it to the top of the list. Black Opium Intense Review