Opium Eau de Parfum 2009

I have a 2017 batch opium that I have just purchase for an estimate of $30 90ml.The moment my packaged arrived,I was hit by an almost covid-19 last month,hence,losing my strong and precious olfactory sense and taste.I told my friend who had received the parcel to keep it with her for a while whilst being sick.It;s one of the absolute worst things that could happen to a person whose life is based on smell. After a week,I got my Opium and could only smell just a bit during that time.I was so glad I could smell the ghost of this wonderful fragrance and that my sense of smell was coming back.It smells like it was diluted to a 1:10 ratio. Moving forward to the present when my sense of smell is 80% back and I'm thankful for the vaccine that didn't worsen my symptoms any further. Well,what can I say?I was only 4-5 years old when I first got acquainted with it on an event we were going.Dear Mother had Coco by Coco Chanel from the 80's,and a 7.5 ml refillable Parfum of Opium from the 80's and had worn this sparingly during the early 2003-2004 and had been hunting perfume shops for refills for that tiny terracotta flacon with golden filligree-like design that came in a rectangular box.It,for me was the epitome of what the Mediterranean is.This is my childhood in a bottle.This is what it's like growing up in a foreign country for me.This is what growing in Tripoli,Libya for me is like: The strong smell of marlboro,men in button down shirts showing a bit of their hairy chests,mustaches and beards,thick gold jewelries,cappuccinos in tiny white cups in that cafe and the dry summer heat that didn't burn my skin.And also that post office near where the Italian Cathedral once stood.And my mother's long bob hair and dark eyeliner and me during my little fat boy days and fondness of stationaries with Barbie on it.Scabbed knees and playing chef with dirt.Slow rock playing on our big ass panasonic stereo and static tvs with big behinds.Plasticine clay and the angry waves during the winter season,Ramadan and Eid altogether. Just like memories,this new formulation of Opium is indeed,just a ghost,its clearer now that i can smell better,of what type of ghost it is. I'm 22 now,And I remember all too damn well how thick,dense and almost syrupy the old Opium was.Smokey,sweet in a non-gourmand way and very resinous.I remembered how the scent trail would leave a trace in 7 flights of stairs.I am not exaggerating.I remembered smelling it at 17 working in a clinic back around 2018 and it was dense it smacked my face and I knew a client was wearing opium even though he was no longer in sight.It lingered on me till i got home. It unlocked forgotten memories. This is the middle child between the 80's born children.Coco is the oldest,Opium is the Middle child and Samsara is the youngest.I love them all and I hope i can find a vintage,if not,a good deal of Coco Coco Chanel.Then I'll be on top of the world having my 3 Queens.Perfumes in the 80's is really something else. The new formulation,is still a love for me.I'm still biased on the old reformulation where it's all over the place.This one is like a simplified mathematical formula.You can break down the notes.You can smell the patchouli there,you can detect the bitter bergamot rind and the powdery myrrh and incense,and the supporting vanilla.It also has the quality of a burnt scented candle.Which was described by my stepmom when I entered the car yesterday prior to visiting the grandparents at the cemetery. I feel like my mother when I wear this.Associating with her strong feminine aura and disassociating from her negative and toxic disposition.I feel like a drug cartel boss,I feel sad and happy at the same time.Takes me back to my little fat boy days. Hopefully,one day,I'll be able to find a vintage opium.For now,I'm about to purchase another 90ml bottle online(batch 2018) and hopefully,its better.I will learn to care less about it being a ghost,a memory and a glimpse of who it once was.And be grateful that we still have Opium,than having none at all. It is one of the fragrances that is like a poem from Baudelaire's Fleur du mal. And if this is a song to be played,its Lana Del Rey's Salvatore.

Opium EDP in its modern form opens with that unmistakable cinnamon‐spiced warmth, the kind that feels like stepping into a lacquered red room lit only by candlelight. The florals are blended into a soft, shadowy, peppered hum - never sharp, never medicinal, and absolutely nothing bright, citrus, or clean. The heart moves into a warm blend of incense, spice, and amber resins, all smoothed into a molten, glowing core. It’s warm, dense, and nocturnal - the classic Opium silhouette, but rendered with modern softness. The base is smoother than the vintage: amber‐vanilla, patchouli warmth, and a gentle balsamic glow. Still dense, still textured, still unmistakably Opium - but with the edges sanded down and the smoke dialled back. Performance: Strong but no longer nuclear. Long‐lasting, with a warm, resinous aura rather than a spiced inferno. On warm, resin‐amplifying skin, it becomes deeper, darker, more molten - the amber thickens, the incense smolders, and the spices glow like embers. Vintage Opium is a different creature entirely. Built before modern restrictions, it contained far higher levels of eugenol - the molecule that smells like clove, spiced heat, and peppered floral warmth. The opening is sharper, darker, and more aggressive: a spiced heat with real bite and an almost metallic edge. The resins are darker. The incense is heavier, with frankincense and thick myrrh in full ceremonial mode, and balsams with a medicinal, camphor‐like edge. The vibe is velvet smoke, ritualistic spice, resin cathedral, nocturnal decadence. The base is where the legend lives: dark amber, balsams, animalic warmth, and patchouli like velvet soaked in smoke. Richer, denser, more shadowed, and more unapologetically “oriental” than anything allowed today. Performance: Nuclear. Room‐filling. A scent that enters before you and lingers long after you leave. Bigger, darker, spicier, more resinous - the original archetype of the genre. Modern vs Vintage (in short): Vintage Opium - darker, smokier, spicier, resin‐thick, animalic warmth, sharper perceived florals, cathedral incense. Modern Opium EDP - smoother, rounder, amber‐vanilla warmth, softer spice, less smoke, more wearable. Vintage is the velvet inferno. Modern is the molten ember. Both are Opium - but one is a ritual, the other a memory of it. I rarely wear Vintage Opium because I have a tendency to “save it,” but when I smell it, my eyes roll to the back of my head. It’s a true masterpiece. Having finally talked myself into buying the modern EDP, the first spray felt flat and empty in comparison to vintage - but fortunately the dry down arrived quickly, and I’m enjoying it, just on a different level to vintage. I’m glad to have the modern because at least I finally feel like I can wear Opium again without worrying about preserving the irreplaceable. I will savour my vintage Opium for it's true home: the dead of winter. Final Thoughts Opium EDP today is still a beautiful, warm, resinous, spiced amber with a nocturnal soul. Elegant, sensual, unmistakably Opium - just not the wild, smoke‐drenched beast it once was. If you love molten amber, resin‐vanilla, incense warmth, and shadowed spice, the modern EDP still delivers that signature Opium glow.

opium got a facelift, and she looks beautiful. i'm testing this (eau de parfum) for the first time in many years. this, along with chanel's coco (1984) are easily the two best offerings on the wall at sephora, by miles. first of all, the quality of the ingredients is obviously outstanding, YSL did an absolutely amazing job reformulating this. it is absolutely the opium i remember, but softer, more plush, much more wearable. it somehow never smells synthetic, even though it must be in this day and age. there's no more waiting hours for it to dry down to something gorgeous, it happens within minutes now. it smells like plush, dark velvet. whatever the "cat piss" acrid top note in the original formula was has been removed, and that is a good thing in this case. this opium is smooooth. there is not a hint of bitterness or anything acrid in this formula. i've taken two showers since i sprayed it on (2 sprays) and it's still going strong. the longevity and sillage are just outstanding. the new flacon is absolutely gorgeous as well, it was desperately in need of an update. as classic as the original opium bottle is, it always screamed early 80s to me. the new bottle finally does opium some justice. it's an obvious reference to the old splash flacons with the see-through circular window, executed perfectly. don't get me wrong here, the old flacon is still beautiful, iconic and perfect for the old opium...but this is not the old opium. new juice needed a new bottle. people who are complaining that the scent has been radically altered, are, for lack of a better term, tripping. this would never be mistaken for anything other than the legendary YSL opium, but it's been given a facelift that was in my opinion necessary if YSL wants to keep the current and future generations as interested in and addicted to opium as our mothers were in the 70s and 80s. props to YSL for keeping it current, I'm thrilled that this has become something i can now actually wear instead of just admiring it from afar on more mature ladies who pull off the original with aplomb. for those mourning the death of pre 2009 opium...don't panic. vintages are everywhere, reasonably priced and in great shape. opium is very soft, smoky, and powdery. exactly what i would imagine a plush turn of the century opium den to smell like. i'm getting mostly frankincense and myrrh, but it is softened beautifully by a lovely vanilla and jasmine. while there are some bad reformulations out there, this is not one of them. this smells simply BEAUTIFUL on me, even in this heat and humidity. this is going on my christmas list without a doubt. i can't wait to wear this stunning classic in cold weather. this would be amazingly sexy on a man but it's so good that i want it all for myself! better than coco, better than youth dew, better than cinnabar, LONG LIVE OPIUM!

I was 20 years old and about to be a new mommy when Opium came on the scene in 1978. Back then it was quite expensive and my new mommy budget didn't allow me to buy a bottle. Fast forward to 1984...I was older, my daughter was in kindergarten and I had a job. So I went downtown (I live in Chicago) to Carson, Pirie Scott department store (it's Target now grrr) and went to the Yves Saint Laurent counter. I bought my first bottle of Opium Eau de Toilette 1.7 oz spray, and instantly fell in love with her. She was warm, very spicy and womanly and I spritzed a bit of it on me before I left the store. At 24, I felt like I owned the world...I felt powerful, strong and sassy. I used it faithfully until it was gone, and it would be some years before I'd feel that magic again. I'm older now, and thought I'd buy a new bottle of Opium from this site called fragrancenet.com. I saw the repackaged version and decided to go ahead and get me a bottle. When she arrived, I immediately sprayed a little on my wrist. It was gone in 0.2 seconds! Wtf? Then it dawned on me that this formulation, while still having some of the DNA from the original 70s-80s versions, did not have that powerful beast-mode blast the 1978-80s versions had. Needless to say, I was kinda disappointed. But, I will still use her, but not with the same fervor as I had as a 24 year old in 1984. And it really grinds my gears to hear millenials call these still beautiful vintage scents (and others like Coco, Obsession, Poison, Halston, Youth-Dew, Magie Noire and others) "grandma scents" or "old ladyish" bc they aren't smelling like a fruit salad or cotton candy, or an apple, peach or pumpkin friggin pie or sugar cookies and pound cake. Those vintage scents gave young women in my day a sense of strength, independence and power where we felt the world was our oyster and those scents were the catalysts for that feeling. Now I'm an old lady AND a grandma and I'll continue using my vintage Opium, Obsession or Poison any day over smelling like vanilla extract in cake batter! So PLEASE STOP with these ageist remarks about our beloved fragrances. You go ahead and stay in Candyland and we'll stay with our vintage POWERHOUSE GROWN WOMAN scents!!!! Oh and not every scent is meant to be unisex!!! Alexis Carrington and Dominique Devereaux would be proud! Who are they? GOOGLE IT!!!

opium batch 9HAA = 2009 edp 30ml, that was still sealed until today. love it. i just don't get the whining over how horrible current versions of beloved fragrances are. the 2009 opium stands up and is as enjoyable as any of my precious vintages (as far back as the 30's--but most of my vintage means merely pre-regulatory reformulations.) it is no shrinking flower: it has power and warmth without being overwhelming. i don't need my fragrances to fumigate the room with a nausea inducing overload of suffocating florals and "muskiness." opium treats the "orange" leaning notes with respect with a substantial but subtle backup from the amber/patchouli. perhaps, this makes the fragrance more "unisex," or even masculine, garnering my strong affection. it has been said that the first true love is the strongest. so it is not surprising that some live with strong (perhaps inaccurate) impressions of the "original" perfume. i am not sure that any of us is the same person we were 20/30/40 years ago. our bodies, our senses, our experiences change. i know i carry memories of fragrances; and have often bought bottles of fragrances that i absolutely loved in the 60's, 70's, 80's but that seem almost unrecognizable. (and others retain their ancient allure too.) i am not sure any one of the newer bottles is exactly as i remember. but, the joy of perfume is that it is alive and to be felt. opium is a door to wonder. 2009 vintage is a darn good one. i also have a 2019 edt 100 ml (batch 38S300D) which may be the same formulation, but it does not seem as rounded and soft to me. don't know why. the 2019 is great, but in a shoulder to shoulder smell-off, it appears a bit louder than the 2009. not sure whether it is simply the age of the older bottle, or there really is a slight formula/ingredient difference. the 2009 appeals to me just a little more with its softer personality. i am learning that even the same fragrance might differ from batch to batch.

I have yet to smell vintage Opium, but this newer version has been on my radar for a while. When I worked as an au pair in France, the French mother used to spray this (or Serge Lutens Arabie) before going out at night. I have picked it up in department stores, and while I can't compare it to vintage Opium (yet), this is a beautiful oriental fragrance. It reminds me of Youth Dew, but without the spicy cola accord. It is a smooth, rich amber scent with well-placed floral nuances and a lovely incense-like quality. Having been raised Catholic, I love a good church-y incense note in perfume. Here, it doesn't take over and isn't too smoky - instead it marries well with the other notes. Opium opens with citrus notes, a little spice and some bold, powdery jasmine. The amber background emerges pretty early on, and is rich and balsamic, complementing the jasmine perfectly. It smells opulent here, reminding me a little of Amouage Fate (high praise indeed - one of the best orientals I have ever smelled). The myrrh comes to the fore as it develops - sweet and dark, rich and resinous - the source of the incense. It is not smoky, however - more pleasant as a result. As it develops, the amber accord does too - it becomes spicy thanks to the opoponax, while still resinous and slightly salty. Vanilla adds smooth sweetness, which rounds out the amber accord beautifully. Patchouli serves as an earthy counterpart to the rich, sweet amber-vanilla accord that pervades this scent. It fades eventually to a sweet amber skin scent. Sillage is quite strong and longevity is excellent. Traditionally feminine, but could be unisex today, Opium is a sophisticated, mature scent. Elegant yet sexy, cosy yet formidable, it is truly excellent. Best for evening wear during autumn/winter. I must compare it to the vintage version (if it is this plus Mysore sandalwood, I am in for a treat!) Liquid gold indeed. 4.5/5.

Opium EDP 2009 is a rich, deep, amber, sweet resinous, warm, intoxicating scent. I have tested today in store just out of curiosity and it is an instant love for me. Far off from any of the recent Black Opium line, Opium Parfum 2009 is absolutely amazing oriental scent. Don’t throw stones at me if you’re an Amouage fan for saying this, but it made me think about something that a high end Middle Eastern brand like Amouage would do when I’ve smelled this scent. This Opium has that depth, richness and complexity of an expensive fragrance even though it’s just an YSL/European designer older release. As far as season goes, this is fall and winter season bottled in my opinion. Performance is on the long lasting side with a strong sillage for the first hour than getting moderate. I am not quite sure how I didn’t notice this scent until today, because it’s my favourite scent DNA for cold weather. Might be because nobody speaks about this online, since it’s an old release. Anyway, it’s a fantastic balsamic, resinous perfume with a strong patchouli and vanilla base, that generally flies under the radar. For me it goes straight to my to buy list. As September hits, I am planning to buy a bottle because it’s fairly inexpensive, performs well and smells incredible! It’s checking all my boxes to say it simply... This Opium has nothing to do with the more recent Black Opium line, but it’s the superior version out of the two (entirely different) YSL’ Opiums!

To start off, I love this fragrance now. But if you were a child alive and breathing in the 80s, you were likely traumatized by this stuff. I lived in sheer terror of it and the women in giant shoulder pads that bathed in it. It seemed like everywhere you went, every elevator, every boozy hug from an aunt, every store entrance, there was just a massive, suffocating cloud of Opium that made you feel as if you were being embalmed alive. It seriously put a damper on my trying to be a Ninja Turtle at the mall. How times have changed. Because I'm drawn to my own childhood trauma like a moth to a flame, I now love it. And YES, before some dainty do-gooder hurls themselves onto a fainting couch, I realize this is a MUCH more tame version of the original. If your aesthetic is "clean girl" who smells like Bounce dryer sheets and emotional stability, remain calm and back away slowly. The opening is a throat punch of tangerine and heavy cloves. It's spicy and unapologetically LOUD. As it dries down, it turns into a smoldering pit of myrrh, opoponax, and amber. It smells like high mass at a cathedral run by drag queens. Take that as you will. You'll love it, or you'll hate it. There's very little room for in between. It’s loud. It’s wildly inappropriate in the best way. And it might just ruin some kid's afternoon at the mall. Frankly I wouldn't have it any other way.

I picked this up today after having dreamt of this fragrance for a while. Thought I was picking up a 50ml EDT, turns out it was a 90ml EDP at an amazing price. And it is my favourite blind buy ever. This is the new, reformulated Opium EDP with the twisted wick in the middle. And gosh, it's everything I imagined it would be when reading base notes/reviews. I'm a 25 year old fragrance n00b-ish (mom likes perfume but it's not my style; I also blind bought Black Opium and Maja Myurgia during undergrad after searching for deeper, more fulfilling fragrances. I was disappointed, especially by BP's obnoxious sweetness and lack of longevith). I've been frantically collecting fragrances and have gotten too many in the past short while (Shalimar, Obsession, Tabu, Mahora, 273 Rodeo Drive, Macadam... All in one well-priced haul, nonetheless) but non have spoken to me as immediately as this Opium. It is deep, smoky, incense-laden, spicy, and sensuous, as overused as those words are they describe it perfectly. But it is not as myrrh incense-heavy as Shalimar and is balanced by some florals that come out, providing depth in the incense. The sillage is pretty darn good and I'm enveloped in a scent with a feeling of glee. I love it, I want to be hugged by Opium on dark, stormy nights.

YES. OK. We get it! The current, on the market YSL Opium does not smell like the 1977 Opium. Nor does it smell like Opium from the 1980's, 1990's or even about half of the 2000's. But...it smells very, very similar and this is a good thing (mostly). I know, love and cherish the original Opium. My Mom and beloved, late Aunt wore this from the late 70's up until the late 90's or even early 2000s. It is comforting to me, yet it has always been a very sexy, deep, mysterious scent. Even the original formula, when used lightly!!!! was strong, but amazing! The new/current formula is for sure not as strong, but it is NOT weak either. Sillage and longevity are less than the 70's Opium, but the current one is no slouch either. I get a good 6 hours of wear, maybe longer depending on temperature and humidity! Of course it does not stay full power for 6+ hours, but it does not just go away like many high end scents do nowadays! Opium is very UNISEX. You're saying...what?! Yes, unisex. It is warm, spicy and deep. There are no florals and I have never felt Opium is "old lady" smelling. Opium is like warm skin, sex and very spiced. I think everyone should try it. Or maybe you shouldn't ;) I want to keep getting all the compliments!!

While this isn't the Opium of old, ( that perfume was something EVERY woman wanted, because it was THE iconic scent of that day) it's still quite good and I'm glad I popped for the perfume instead of settling for the EDT. So very well blended, its hard to define the notes, which is how expensive perfume in that day was...starting with Chanel no. 5, really good perfume that was worth a damn, was a well blended concoction, not a one-note attar. This still has the lovely DNA of the original and while this won't appeal to all the fruity/ bubblegum/marshmallow perfume wearers of the younger generation, it's a big YES for anyone over 35, with a mature perfume palette. This is a grown woman's perfume, not a woman in the making. You may not be in the mood for it every day, but there will be times that this and ONLY this will do! Although I find it better for fall/winter, this would be great for any nighttime, even in the summer, with an easy hand. I still think it would be fine in the club. And yes, men could wear this too. Men's perfume has stretched past pine trees, leather jackets and ocean scents. This would be awesome on the right man, one with class, and a good suit.

Immaginate Opium come un incantesimo liquido custodito avidamente in un talismano, il cui oblò centrale funge da porta iniziatica, da occhio che tutto vede, ed invita a dischiudere il mistero che questa fragranza incarna. Opium è un antico rito divinatorio. È la verità rivelata ed elargita dal pantheon mesopotamico. All'apertura la fragranza è un velo dorato intriso di note mielose, che avvolgono con la stessa sontuosità ed opulenza di un tessuto regale dell'antica persia, portando con sé l'eco di un banchetto imperiale. L'essenza continua nella sua seducente ipnosi con una pleiade di note e spezie orientaleggianti in grado di evocare il fascino delle mille e una notte, rendendo l'iniziato protagonista di un destino scritto tra i simboli arcani. Le note balsamiche e di mirra emergono come i ricordi di un'esistenza già vissuta, risvegliata dal presagio di una cartomante inebriata dai fumi d'incenso. Il viaggio iniziatico termina con una catabasi ambrata, capace di incantare e sedurre quanto il flebile tintinnio della danza di un'odalisca, conciliando l'inscindibile dualità tra sacro e profano. Opium non racconta, opium risveglia.

This is one of those fragrances that is pretty much iconic, I did not really buy it to wear around town, or because I particularly enjoy the notes listed, i bought it to time travel.... and it took me on a wonderful journey. It took me to a beautiful Italian Catholic church where a glamorous and mysteries woman veiled in black lace has come to light a candle for her dead lover. Somehow this scent seems sombre to me as well as seductive, perhaps because we are so rarely hit with such a myrrh explosion in our day to day lives. As someone who does not regularly attend church the smell of myrrh makes me think of death and the final blessing of the body performed at a funeral rite, somehow this is not a bad thing, if anything it adds an emotional element to the experience that is very personal and humanistic. I imagine this would suit a very mysterious woman who is selective with her words, unfortunately that does not describe me, but I appreciate this fragrance for being bold and daring and iconic. I am a fan of YSL, to me they make some of the most memorable perfumes and this is no exception.

I first smelt this on holiday in Lanzarote and fell in love with it. I bought it on the spot and despite the weather being hot, happily wore this in the evening, very lightly sprayed. On me the myrrh and oppopnax really come out on me and smell smoky and like incense. I do understand why some would get head-shop vibes from this, but as a lover of spicy perfumes and the smell in head-shops, no complaints from me! Longevity is incredible and despite being a strong perfume this really blends well with the skin, hence it being signature-worthy. I can easily wear this during the day in the cooler months. I wouldn’t wear it to work as it is very strong (need to try the edt to see if that is more office appropriate). There are similarities to Youth Dew which was my beloved maternal grandmother’s signature scent but I don’t think this is as sweet as Youth Dew and for that reason I am happy to make it one of my own signatures. Definitely a classic for a reason, just beautiful. I cannot compare it to vintage versions, but this version is perfect for me.

I own a vial of this that I've been milking for years and am eager to get a full-sized bottle. It's super oriental and spicy. Not floral at all. The myrrh is strong in this one. There is something very "opiumsy" about it that Black Opium definitely doesn't share; it's the exact vibe that I imagine as an Opium den in the 1970s (which I love). There's a powdery element to it which I suppose is why so many consider it "old" smelling, but I definitely adore it. For me, it's basically for someone who shares a Chanel nr 5 profile but is much edgier, sexier and cooler. Very boomer femme fatale in her youth, if that makes sense. For me it makes sense for nighttime in any season but definitely not a daytime scent. It's so mysterious and definitely smells like you know secrets. As someone who frequently wears Black Opium when going out, I'd love the full-sized bottle to wear out to fancier occasions: galas, events, etc., whilst BO feels more light a clubbing/house party perfume.

What an addictive perfume this is! I bought it out of curiosity, since I already own the older EDT formula (in the bottle with the rounded golden cap) and wanted to compare them. The "new" 2009 version is something entirely different. At first not what I expected or even liked, but it has now completely won me over. There is something about it, in the opening, that reminds me of Coca-Cola syrup and cinnamon chewinggum. Now, this could be a harsh critique, but it really isn't! The dry and smoky incense is still there, but not in your face anymore, and less bitter. It sneaks up on you in the dry down; enveloping you lightly rather than making you naseous. At last there is the powdery makeup scent which lingers for hours on skin. Not like the powerhouse older version that I have, but still nice and not least fun! I have been using it non stop since I got it, reapplying again and again to get that cheerful opening fizz, and later the restful and comforting base.

I bought a bottle of this about 5 years ago, when I was only 16 years old. Back then, any perfume that I smelled, didn't smell good to me. Except for this one, so I had to have it. I never liked the typical 'young girl' fragrances, I always preferred more 'mature' scents and this one is definitely one of those. I didn't wear it much though, because where would a 16 year old girl wear a perfume like this, which to me smells like a fancy night out? Definitely not to school! I still own it, I sniff it occasionally and remember, why this was the first perfume I fell in love with but I think I'm going to wait for a few more years to wear it. About the smell... to me it smells sexy, very spicy. Nothing like I've smelled before. It's a special scent, that no one's going to forget once they smell it on you. The longevity is amazing, even though I only use one spray (it's incredibly strong), it lasts on me forever.

Opium opium opium.... What can i say This perfume is absolutely addictive. Like, i spray it at every chance i can get. But that’s the issue with it. For an edp, it really does not last long enough and disappears within a few hours. However, opium is an absolutely beautiful gem which has definitely stood the test of time. I really think it depends on the wearer, though. I, for instance, suit it perfectly. I’ve had girls come up to me and ask what i’m wearing, then be shocked when i tell them it’s opium. On me it’s a delicious animalistic cinnamon spice white floral mix with a really addictive sharp sour quality. It truly smells delicious. Really sexy and beautiful. Don’t try on a card, try on YOU because i tried it on a card before and it smelled pretty bad, i was shocked when i tried it on myself and how good it smelled. I would drink this if i could.

So strong, so titillating and alluring. The formula has been watered down a notch but oh whatever, it’s still iconic. This is probably what Blackie’s room in the One Eyed Jack’s in Twin Peaks smells like. Oriental spicy bomb that some people simply cannot adore because they are too busy smelling like they worked the night shift over at Willy Wonka’s factory. Sorry, im with the boomers on this one, its absolutely phenomenal! Smells so resinous and rich, but also quite alternative compared to the milquetoast perfumes we have today. The pachouli and that characteristic indolic scent always hold steady in the back meanwhile the resins permeate, it’s so good. And dont even get me started on the sillage and lasting power. Crack for the soul for someone like me. Hopefully one day we can 180° through the trend of boring scents into bold scents like this

I did not like this when I was younger. It would not have even crossed my mind except I was bored at an airport and wandered into the duty free shop to kill some time. Smelling it now that I know more about fragrance was like a whole new experience. It’s a beautiful scent. Yes, the opening is strong and, to me, there’s a short time between opening and dry down that it smells like candle wax. I think it’s the myrrh. But then the dry down is a journey into such beautiful amber with patchouli and vanilla just lending some depth. It’s so good and truly does last so long. This isn’t my everyday scent but I do find myself reaching for it regularly. It’s that sweet and rich amber goodness blended just beautifully. So glad I wandered into that duty free shop and gave it a chance!

I only own the eau de parfum in its current formulation, yet I definitely have vague memories of Opium from somewhere at some point during the early 2000s. Obviously, a lot of people were not happy with the 2009 re-formulation. Comparing to flankers from the 70s, 80s, and 90s, I can only imagine that Opium has lost a great deal of depth and character. No doubt, the removal of oak moss and introduction of artificial civet (to name but a few alterations) has given the fragrance a skeletal, if not uncanny valley like quality. That said, I still think Opium is a great scent. Like a Noir film, it's sensual, yet also sinister. Song wise, I definitely think of 'Morphine' by Boy Harsher. In terms of projection, it's an absolute powerhouse. Two sprays are really more than enough.

This is a very influential perfume that paved the way for many of the fragrances that are out today. It is not often that you find modern women's perfume with this level of spiciness, which is why I think it could easily be categorised as unisex as it does have an Old Spice/Spicebomb vibe. Not many young women seem to go for this type of scent anymore, which is a real shame as I think the original Opium is glorious and unique. Whenever I wear it I get lots of people ask me what I'm wearing, and even though this fragrance has been reformulated it is still one of the most powerful projectors in my collection. Not a safe blind buy, however this is a fragrance for a bold, one-of-a-kind woman who is comfortable in her own skin and cares little for the opinion of others.

I had kids, so I stopped commenting and reviewing on here for about 10 years or so. Having a job and kids doesn't leave much time for hobbies as intense as perfume, well I find good perfumes intense anyway. This EdP is great, I have the "vintage" and several of the newer ones. Let the newer one sit for 5 or 6 years and unless you have a Nez, you can't tell the difference for general wear. Both are beautiful, timeless. Yes, it may be hard for some to understand or appreciate but all good perfume is. But more importantly, if you like it wear it. The ones who don't understand it are just limited. I mean, I can't stand Delina but I understand its appeal. Edit: Case in point, I bought and really enjoy Delina Exclusif. Still have a harder time with Delina OG.

Totally disagree with the reviewer below ... firstly, I think most of us wear perfume first and foremost for our own pleasure - if it is enjoyed by others then it's a happy coincidence. I recently retested Opium and I must say I think the reformulation has been done superbly - in fact, it seems a lot more refined and smooth. Still has an powdery snuggliness, which tempers it's more exotic notes. I would say it's sexy - it certainly has all the credentials - and my husband loves it. I keep mine on my bathroom shelf for use by my guests - and most leave saying they are off to buy their own bottle. I'd say Opium's charms are being rediscovered, as are so many of the powerhouse perfumes - as an antidote to the cloying candied world of modern perfume.

I almost sold my 50 ml edp, but I have just changed my mind - today. "Opium" really just IS encredibly unique compared to what I have been buying lately. Dark, sexy, spicy, warm, oriental, seductive and in your face. She, "Opium", doesn't take no for an answer. The first time I bought it, I was 14 years younger then I am now, and I kind of feel that my maturity and "Opium" will enjoy and benefit more from each other at this point and forward in my life, then was ever possible back then. I will spray very carefully though. One spray from as far away as possible, making a wonderful and sensual "Opium" mist to walk into, will be the best way for me to make sure I don't overspray this sexy and insisting seductress.

I was searching for a new powerhouse signature after finding out about L’Oréal acquiring Mugler (thus, a bad reformation of my favorite Angel was likely on the way). I tried Opium on a whim at a store while picking up what I’m sure would be my last bottle of Angel before it got rebranded. It was love at first sight. Right away I could detect the incense, cinnamon, amber, and myrrh. It was what I wanted Chanel Coco to be (another lovely scent, but Opium is more exotic and spiritual somehow). The torch has been passed from Angel to Opium. With a perfume collection of over 100 scents, I consider it nothing short of divine that I found my new soulmate as I made a bittersweet farewell to Angel.

this was my nana's perfume. I barely wear it because the bottle I have is the one she used. I love this perfume, it smells like safety and being right where you need to be. the mandarin orange is strong for me in this, most of my friends cant smell it, but i can. my nana owned a small calamondins tree in her house, which she gave to my mom (and i get to see & smell often), and the fact that she wore a daily perfume that had that citrus scent and a mini tree growing citrus is such a her thing to do. the bergamont and lily of the valley mixed with the mandarin really just engulf you in something that feels safe, and then the amber settles in and its just gorgeous!!

The first time I tried this a few months ago I really disliked it and thought it smelt like a new age store full of incense. I tried it again today (along with the EDT version) and now love it. I can now strongly smell the citrus and amber notes. The jasmine is also gorgeous. I weirdly couldn't smell these notes the first time just an incense smell. Absolutely heavenly. Really coming around to loving oriental fragrances lately. I personally don't smell a huge difference between the EDT and EDP versions. I do however find the EDP can be slightly overpowering so prefer the EDT which is good since the EDP version is being phased out in stores in my country.

My Mam bought this as a Christmas present by mistake- she meant to get me Black Opium. But do you know what, I actually really like this, theres something special about it. Opium reminds me of those 'hippy' shops, with the displays of crystals and the faint smell of incense in the background, as we used to have such a shop in my hometown that I spent alot of my time in when I was a teenager, this brings back good memories. My Mam messaged me when I told her I was wearing it and asked if it smelt too 'old' to me, i think if you are feeling confident then you can definitely pull this off. Not one to wear to work though, unless you dislike your colleagues 🙃

Myrrh and indolic flowers, along with other resins and amber, are the key to this legendary perfume! It is among the most funeral perfumes that I had the opportunity to test. The image opium edp gives me is clear: The funeral ritual in the Orthodox religion, from beginning to end. The natural wax candles that burn at the end of the deceased person, the coffin with the deceased person, the flower crowns and the flowers brought, which are almost withered and which mingle with the sharp smell of formalin, the freshly dug grave pit, and the burnt resins from the famous church censer . This is Opium, a pleasure to wear, in key moments.

Because fragrance trends change over time, if this was released in 2021 this would not be a feminine fragrance. The notes are now considered decidedly masculine. It's a strong fragrance with a wild sillage and longevity that smells like a holiday mandarin orange. The citrus sits underneath, and strong aromatics like clove and allspice sit on top with aldehydes. Because of everyone wearing masks, many people are preferring powerful fragrances. I get compliments every time I wear this, but that's because I'm a man. I think it would smell dated (like Youth Dew), and not vintage (like No. 5), on a woman.

The original Opium was and is my favorite perfume of all time. It was aptly named, for it surely did make a person almost high. I remember wearing it, my then-boyfriend wearing Ralph Lauren "Chaps," and between the two of us we were a paradise of scent. The 2009 isn't the original; it's short something that it needs to give it that final ooomph! But it's still ridiculously good. It's hard to believe there's no cinnamon in it. This is one of the very few perfumes my current gentleman friend invariably complements me on. (The others are Shalimar and Good Girl.) I like a class act, and this *is* one.

The 2009 version and even the versions before it are not the same as the original. The latest versions are very nice for what they are, but the name should have been changed. The original was never sustainable. If you love that Opium-esque smell, I recommend trying E. L Youth Dew, even todays formulation. IMO, it is a richer, denser, longer-lasting perfume than the 2009 Opium. Both perfumes are formulated around the Mellis accord template. Thus, they are very similar, along with Tabu and Cinnabar. However, some may feel Youth Dew is too potent to wear. Both men and women can wear any of these.

Who wants to smell like a church? Well, me apparently! I'm in love with the resinous sweetness and smokiness of Opium EDP. It's a perfect and comforting balance of spicy and balsamic notes with just the right amount of barely noticeable florals. This makes the fragrance perfectly unisex and I proudly wear it as a man. Sadly, I have not had the chance to smell the original formulation, but it must have been a total blast. The continuous reformulations are unfortunate, yet Opium EDP remains one of the few interesting scents with a personality in the current YSL lower-tier fragrance lineup.

A bottle of Opium contains in itself a history of perfume. It takes us along to a journey through the strenght of its great predecessors: Youth Dew's soap & spice, Tabu's honeyed oranges and roses — and still manages to smell, well, like Opium. In the 70s, Opium encompassed the past at the same time it expressed something new, inciting a wave of imitators and sparking an amber renaissance in perfumery. And now, in 2021, it does not smell dated at all. As a matter of fact it still smells original, fresh, quite unlike anything else. This is timelessness. This is great perfumery.

One of my signature scents. I love it even though it gets a lot of hate. I love how after a few minutes of wearing it smells of a spicy cupcake. Its not a sweet fragrance but a spicy cinnamon type of fragrance. It's the fragrance that my husband instantly recognises. This isn't a safe blind buy and I can say that this can be used by men too ! This perfume has no resemblence to black opium which I do not like. When black opium was first released I blind bought it thinking I'd love it ended up gifting it to one of my friends. Black opium is more sweet this is more spicy

One Of My Signature Scents As A Sexy Hippy Goddess,, Sweet Mandurian, Lilly Of The Valley, Bergamot, Which Smells Like Lavender, With A Tang Jasmine Smells Sweetly Exotic ,Rich Vanilla ! Then It Gets The Earthy Grove Vibe On With Myrrh, Amber Patchouli, Opoponax ! Don't Know What That Last Ingredient Is But It's Some Aromatic Exotic, Root Herb Or Resin, Probably Used In Incense or Oils In The 60's. I Can't Afford The Original Opium But I Often Use Opium Oils, For The Same Effect! For A Lot Less Money.! It's Not Grandmas Perfume Unless Grand Ma Was At Woodstock!

I had in 90 ́s my first bottle of Opium, I loved it from the start till drydown. I wanted to buy from nostalgy OPIUM again and tried the current version. Bottle is beautiful! I did not like the opening (but I guess tester was not used for some time) - it was harsh and smelled like a mix of 3 old perfumes, luckily I kept the paper - middle notes - were soapy and aldehydic, but the drydown is what I remember the old OPIUM to be from the opening it was clove/carnation. The dry down is authentic and veeeery beautiful. This version requires patience.

I love this smell, I read the reviews about it, I thought that I should like it. One fragrance consultant said it smells like old ladies, but I love this smell. It smells like sexy church. For me the smell of amber and myrrh associates with a cold church in the wintertime, with natural beeswax candles lit everywhere and people dressed up, perfumed, perhaps grieving a loss. This is a weird description, but it is an amazing smell. It is a fantasy, nothing less. It reminds me of Aqua di Parma Colonia Mirra, but I believe with a better price.

Sexy enigmatic sensual . I have always been in awe of this perfume since I picked it up , I’m 21 so I haven’t had the chance to smell the original. I can only imagine how beautiful and delicious it must smell. This perfume is a feeling and an atmosphere , is just oozes confidence and sultry elegance you just don’t find in other perfumes . Polarising yes , mature to some but just undeniably enigmatic . I have never smelt someone else wearing this . It’s just so individual and unique. I will always be in love with this fragrance .

god help me i’m drowning in liquid gold. what a way to go! EDIT 4/24/23: testing Opium 2009 (Opium l’Encens, i call it) again today and— sweet myrrh and cloves on my fingers and hair, jasmine and bergamot on my sleeve, and the faint soap of lily-of-the-valley wafting over everything... it’s so good! though i’d previously preferred the EDT, i think the EDP is winning now? less citrus, more powder, still a hint of clove/carnation... i can’t stop sniffing my own personal incense cloud. what a difference a year makes? /current edp

I love these heavy, incense-y, spicy fragrances. This reminds me of Shalamar which I also have and love. I've never had opportunity to try the original but this formulation on it's own is stunning. It won't be for everybody. It's not a mass appealing fruity, floral, everyday scent. But if you like more complicated scents, you can't do much better. It comes across as an expensive, night out kind of fragrance but I'll wear it anytime.

On my skin this smells like church. My aunt wore Opium parfum in the 80s and my teenager self used to (illegally) raid her make-up drawer and perfume cupboard. The reformulated EDP to me is a sinful courtesan retired to a monastery. A former smouldering, voluptuous beauty is now a dry, bony, cornette-and-habit clad nun. She is still hot though. Like the magnificent, opulent Toledo Cathedral warmed by golden rays of southern sun.

Today I’m wearing my Opium which I’ve had a love/hate relationship with since it’s been in my collection, but this day I love it enormously and 100% delighted with it. It’s the first time for me to smell the beautiful citrus in this and I discovered it was me who was smelling so beautiful while chatting with a work colleague, this is several hours after applying, I’m so happy and will be wearing this grand fragrance all week 💖

I learnt to appreciate Opium rather late. Now I have no words to describe its beauty. This gem is from an era when designer brands brought potent, high and, I dare say, niche-quality creations. I mean, look at that bottle. How alluring, mysterious and sexy. Balsamic and spicy with the crispiness of lily-of-the-valley lingers so nicely in the background. Dark, vamp and even gothic. One of my favourites in my collection.

I’m male. I grew up loving the ‘77 EDT, which was stronger than today’s extraits. But this EDT is damn good. I got a cheap bottle from the drugstore and while it isn’t as clove-laden as the original, it is still the spicy sweet myrrh resinous powerhouse I remember. 3 sprays is beastly. I don’t think it’s especially feminine. Confident men can rock this over the holidays. Smells like warm holiday spice!

Heavy on Myrrh and amber it instantly soothes my head. Heady perfumes are never my go to but this is just heaven. This perfume is listed as spicy but I can't smell any spice to my amateur nose. I have frankincense and myrrh essential oils. I'm surprised frankincense is not a listed note as it seems to be in there. All in all I just love this. I know what I will be getting for Christmas, the EDP. ✨

Words can't explain how much I adore this perfume. My family hated it on me, compared it to incense and old woman. I guess I love the smell of old woman! But really, this smell makes me feel sexy and confident. Powerful and intriguing. I really need to buy more!!! It is my birthday in 2 days. My mam and sister put money together to buy this for me since I adore it so much. :) happy birthday to me!

Maybe it was the old formulation, but this new one is actually something I like. Younger me did not like Opium, but I'm wearing a sample today and feeling that I love it as much as I love the other powdery orientals -Shalimar, Youth Dew, and its a bit of a strong Chanel No.5. It has a soapy undertone to me, I normally can't stand bergamot in a fragrance but this is quite muted. Jasmine stands out.

This perfume is amazing! Be warned, it's very strong. I instinctively put on 2 sprays, as I'm used to weaker perfumes, and I was almost overwhelmed. The smell of incense and face powder is intense, but I love it. It smells like a woman who's going to give you the most eerily accurate tarot card reading of your life. I do think it requires a certain aura to pull off, and I'm not sure I possess it.