Opium EDT by Yves Saint Laurent

Opium EDT was released in 2009. It is of course a follow up to the original classic perfume that was released back in the 1970s by Yves Saint Laurent. But, how does this modern edition stack up? What does it smell like? How long does it last? Is it actually worth a try?

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What does YSL Opium EDT Smell Like?

Notes include: mandarin, bergamot, lily of the valley, jasmine, carnation, vanilla, myrrh, amber, patchouli

Click here to try: Opium EDT

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My Full Wear Review

So, I am reviewing the eau de toilette version of Opium which was reworked in 2009. It does smell a lot like what I remember the original, but it’s not going to be exact to what the 1970s version was. Some notes, just aren’t in the composition.

Anyway, I’m going to judge this one as a standalone since I don’t currently have a bottle of the original edition available to me.

This opens up with a freshness thanks to the citrus top notes, led by the mandarin orange. The spice is there and it’s warm. This will be with you for the entirety of the wear, so if you don’t like it, you won’t enjoy Opium EDT.

Another aspect that I get here early on, is a clean and underlying soapy quality to this blend. Jasmine is already peaking through, along with that stem of the carnation and the top lily of the valley. Jasmine and lily giving it that soap sort of smell.

A bit greenish, not super noticeable unless I press my nose close to the skin. The carnation brings that aspect and the spice too. The clove from the original is absent and it seems the carnation will pick up some of the slack.

I will say, from what I remember of Opium, this version is less intense and seems to be more balanced overall.

The next phase sees the citrus leave entirely from my skin, the myrrh steps up and this becomes about that note and the floral ingredients mostly. I will start to notice more patchouli into the dry down.

It’s sweeter with more of a balsamic type of scent. Resinous, then seemingly morphing into more of a straight amber. Maybe, some of the vanilla influence?

For the rest of the way, the myrrh and carnation will be the main attractions. Jasmine, amber, patchouli, and vanilla are around in varying strengths and decline as it begins to evaporate.

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Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

The opening of Opium is still bold with a far reach and a sillage that will leave a trail of scent in your wake. Even as an eau de toilette, this one certainly isn’t weak.

Well above average. However, it will settle closer to the skin

The longevity is very good, but not outstanding. I get 8-9.5 hours of wear from this YSL perfume, depending on the day. For most purposes, that is going to be just fine.

Seasonally, I like Opium EDT in autumn through early springtime. It’s resinous qualities really come alive in the colder weather and it can kind of get messy, if it’s too hot outside.

This can be a daytime or evening type of perfume. I think this would serve as more of a signature scent, now that it’s so different from most other mainstream designer fare, that’s usually much sweeter and fruity.

It’s not going to be for everyone, but it’s a fragrance that can work well in a pretty wide variety of situations.

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Overall Impressions of Opium

Overall, do I like Opium EDT? I do. I’ve always been a fan of the Opium series, even the Pour Homme edition which I used to wear. Even if this doesn’t 1 to 1 compare to the original Opium, it still has enough of the original’s spirit to be a very nice pickup.

It is a bit simpler, but more approachable than what I remember. Still, it doesn’t have the same sort of aroma that most perfumes do nowadays. It’s a very particular vibe to a certain time period. Which, may or may not be what you want in particular.

I like the myyrh and even the carnation. It’s not usually my favorite flower, but it is one that really used to get put in a lot of fragrances, and it’s always worked well within the Opium blend.

Performance is still quite good. Nothing spectacular, but it does outpace plenty of other EDT’s out on the market.

Opium is one that you should try out before committing to, if you’ve never smelled it. Again, not a scent that’s going to be for everyone. Though, it can be an absolute love for many people, when they do jell with it.