Black Opium Illicit Green

I had written a review of this one a little bit ago, but I felt like maybe I wasn't giving it a fair shake. Recently I've been reaching for this more and more, and I have discovered how much I genuinely enjoy it. YSL Black Opium Illicit Green opens a little sharp and citrusy, but immediately settles down and you can start picking apart the rich, deep layers. I do not own a single BO flanker aside from Illicit Green, so I can't make any comparisons to the OG BO, but I find this to be such a thick, dark, inviting smelling parfum. It's unusual that I like it so much given that I stick with more juvenile gourmands or green/chypre scents. You can definitely smell the coffee, vanilla, and fig in this. I don't get any other florals, and I don't smell the patchouli in it (maybe it's just blended down into oblivion and I can't pick it up). I only smell citrus within the first five minutes, otherwise it's a very smooth scent and gives off an aura of "unbothered bitch" to me. This compliments my morning cigarette better than any other fragrance I have (fellow smokers can probably relate to how scents clash with cigarette smoke). Originally, I dogged on this one for being "weak" and "underwhelming", but I never really tried anything new with it to see if I could make it pop. I was using it the same way I use my other scents, (wrist spritz, walkthrough, lil neck spritz) but it wasn't doing it any justice. This fragrance performs poorly on skin, but it SHINES on clothes. I sprayed my jacket with it LAST WEEK and it's still ridiculously noticeable, like I had just sprayed it. This scent buries itself in the fibers of your clothes, so if you're struggling to get good performance, skip the skin application altogether and just put it on your clothes. Trust me, it does more than enough that way. Dare I say she even gets loud on clothes.

Black Opium Illicit Green by Yves Saint Laurent is an absolute gem! Let me tell you, this fragrance is all about the seductive power of fig, with a touch of vanilla sweetness and a hint of irresistible coffee. It's like a secret elixir that awakens your senses and casts a spell of allure. When you wear this scent, you can't help but feel a surge of confidence, like you're stepping into a world of possibilities. The fruity notes add a playful and vibrant twist as if dancing on your skin, while the white floral whispers delicately in the background, adding an elegant and feminine touch. The warm spicy undertones provide a subtle hint of mystery, like a captivating secret you keep to yourself. A touch of citrus brings a refreshing zing that brightens the composition, while the woody notes ground the fragrance, giving it depth and stability. And let's not forget the green and fresh accords that infuse a sense of vitality and modernity, making it perfect for any occasion. Black Opium Illicit Green is more than just a fragrance; it's an experience. The scent accompanies you on your journey of self-discovery, helping you embrace your sensuality and become more comfortable in your own skin. It's the perfect companion for those moments you want to captivate without even trying, leaving a trail of intrigue and admiration in your wake. It's a fragrance that embodies your unique blend of confidence, vulnerability, and a desire to be effortlessly sexy. It's a true game-changer and an essential addition to your perfume collection.

Oh the most controversial fragrance of all time people, you just make her more popular, don’t you know that! First off I still have my OG bottle from 2014. I will always have her. She is dense, she is thick, and she is obnoxious and I love her. The coffee is non existent and the floral bomb you get it crazy, but something is so addictive about this scent. I have 100 plus frags in my collection. I do not discriminate. I find the thrill of trying new frags despite what people have to say so this leads me to the Illicit Green flanker.. Opens super fresh, like a green sour apple almost. I initially sprayed it and that was my first thought, green apple! You 100 percent have the OG Black Opium DNA in this but its a bit tamer. Not soft but maybe a touch subdued. The dry down is beautiful. I get a tiny bit of coffee with lactonic feels but still holds that infamous floral DNA the OG has. The jasmine comes out to play very lightly which makes this scent feel a bit more classy shall I say, not so "cLubBing" like most people bash opium for. I highly suggest people give this a try before condemning it because of the original. This is a nice fresh take on the OG. Has decent longevity, 5-6 hrs on skin and 8 on clothes (I overspray FYI). As for the price, ehhhh. YSL you are paying for the name. If you can get it onsale, def grab it! Will be a lovely scent for spring/summer/fall.

The reason why I bought 'Illicit Green' instead of 'Extreme' version is simple. 'Illicit Green' propelled me into fruit harvest season while I've never been a lover of the fig. And I also believe that none of my fragrances have this prevailing note, but still.. Fig makes itself the protagonist in its own way, what I've done in last few hours has been to nontop spraying to feel it over and over again. Just by lifting the caps and smelling their dispensers, differences between these two are clear. While 'Extreme' is much denser and more sugary like a cappuccino, 'Illicit Green' is not a cappuccino, the coffee note declines the invitation (once again it's a snort to me). The biggest difference is about freshness. 'Illicit Green' is very juicy and botanically fresh, so close being edible, is inviting to bite down on, and tasty. A renewed twist for a more joyful, playful look. At this instant 'Extreme' becomes a languid embrace and abandonment, by cocoa powder notes. Overall this creation appears more fruity and less sweet to my nose. The juiciness and semi acidity of the fig seems to give a more bitter taste. I don't know how anyone could imagine mixing coffee with fig, they did it and it's masterful.

Just tried this in the store and I am in LOVEEE!! I’m not familiar with any of the BO flankers (or even BO before today) so this was my first experience with the line and wow.. honestly a bit speechless like I don’t even know how to fully articulate how “me” this is.. quite literally the first thing that came to mind when I smelled it was “holy sh*t this is my essence in a perfume” It’s warm, subtly spicy, and sweet with a beautiful floral touch.. the coffee note is not overpowering at all but instead sooo divine, seductive and really ties everything together. The fruity notes bring an amazinggg balance and adds a fresher, slightly citrusy and almost creamy(?) aspect to it (probably the fig?) I did smell the OG in the store just so I can compare and the best way I can describe this one is literally just a fresher, slightly lighter, more spring-esque version of the original.. exactly what I was looking for since I found the OG to be a bit heavier, less fruity and possibly not as much as an every day scent.. and didn’t have that slightly fresher aspect that I love from this one.. bought a bottle off Mercari as soon as I got home!