Yves Saint Laurent
Opium
Yves Saint Laurent's legendary spicy oriental (1977), Opium scandalised and fascinated: cinnamon, clove and orange blossom on an amber, vanilla and resinous base. An opulent, provocative trail.
Main accords
Pyramid & evolution
Unofficial sources Data drawn from unofficial sources, not from the house: this pyramid (like the year and gender shown) may contain discrepancies.
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Opening First minutes
Mandarin · Pepper · Star anise
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Heart ~30 min to 2 h
Cinnamon · Orange blossom · Patchouli
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Base Several hours
Vanilla · Incense · Labdanum · Amber · Leather
What its composition says
- 11 materials declared, against 7.6 on average in the catalogue: the formula is fuller than usual.
- 5 materials in the base for 3 on top: the pyramid is built for staying power rather than for the opening.
- Star anise: its rarest material, which only 28 of the 1,980 perfumes analysed in the catalogue contain — about one in 71.
- Vanilla: conversely, a material of the common core — 35% of the catalogue contains it.
Frequencies measured on the Olfact catalogue only.
Scent profile
Estimates derived from the composition — not measured.
Wear time
Excellent
9 h and more estimated on skin
Projection
Powerful
a trail that arrives before you and lingers after
Ideal seasons
Time of day
Made for cool to cold weather — below 15 °C (59 °F).
Ideal occasions
- Dates & seduction Its warm, sensual facets play the card of closeness.
- Evenings & nights out A present trail that holds its own when the light drops.
Avoid if…
- you like to stay discreet or work in a confined space.
- you shun warm, opulent trails, especially in summer.
If Opium by Yves Saint Laurent seduces, it is through its enveloping warmth: a sensual trail that settles in and that you want to find on yourself again.
Our picks
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Dior Poison Amber Floral Warm spicy Shares 4 accords, including amber.
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Carner Barcelona Rose & Dragon Amber Leather Warm spicy from €180.00 Shares 4 accords, including amber.
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Dior Hypnotic Poison Gourmand Amber Vanilla Shares 4 accords, including amber.
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Guerlain Habit Rouge Amber Leather Citrus Shares 4 accords, including amber.