Opium (1977)

This was my first designer fragrance when I was 16 for Christmas. I was hooked straight away and wore it for decades until the formula was changed.

When I was a teenager, everyone I knew started wearing Opium. It was a phenomenon but felt pushy, although I love some pushy vintage scents with similar notes, and my romance (and minimal experience) of the opium pipe in Asia. The opium poppy is among my favorite flowers, so I like the picture, just not the dense cloud of the scent that dominated the end of the seventies. That era was another confirmation of my resolve, and inability, to conform. Still a rebel half a century later and still find Opium aggressive.

Opium, launched in 1977, was an extraordinarily controversial fragrance for its time. Even its name, "Opium," refers to the narcotic substance extracted from the green seed pods of the poppy. At that point in his life, Yves Saint Laurent was living through a period marked by excess, drugs, and addiction. Together with Pierre Bergé, he envisioned a fragrance that would embody exactly those ideas: addiction, desire, hypnosis, and obsession. In a perfumery landscape dominated by elegant, well-mannered aldehydic florals, this true olfactory "drug" was born. The launch was surrounded by controversy. The fragrance faced numerous boycotts for its direct references to Chinese culture, particularly in light of the historical context of the Opium Wars between China and Great Britain. And yet—or perhaps precisely because of that—Yves embraced the aesthetic even further. The bottle was inspired by traditional Chinese lacquerware, while the advertising campaigns, photography, and entire visual identity explored this orientalized fantasy. Much of this was fueled by Yves's artistic fascination at the time, particularly following collections such as Les Chinoises for the Fall/Winter 1977 season. It was within this chaotic, psychedelic, and highly controversial atmosphere that one of the most iconic fragrances in history was born. It became an immediate commercial success, once again cementing Yves Saint Laurent's name in the world of perfumery. I was reborn in the darkness... and honestly, it would be almost indecent not to love this. The opening is an oriental explosion: warm, dense, and overflowing with spices. Clove immediately commands attention, nearly dominating the composition, while a subtle citrus sparkle attempts to brighten the initial darkness before quickly being swallowed by the fragrance's overwhelming richness. As it develops, cinnamon takes center stage in an almost hypnotic way. Warm, enveloping, and irresistibly sensual. There's also a nuance that reminds me of aldehydes, adding an unusual brightness amid all that density. The patchouli feels dry and slightly camphoraceous rather than earthy or damp, creating a beautifully sharp, green character. Then comes the base: the resins. Everything here is crafted with remarkable richness. Castoreum appears subtly, adding an animalic touch reminiscent of warm skin and clean perspiration, amplifying the fragrance's carnal nature. The myrrh is simply addictive. The incense is incredibly prominent. It genuinely feels like stepping into an esoteric shop where strong cinnamon incense is burning, surrounded by spices and ancient clay artifacts. The experience is almost ritualistic. The drydown remains centered around this magnificent blend of intense cinnamon, incense, and resins. Tolu balsam contributes a warm, smooth balsamic facet. Ironically, there is sweetness here, but never in a gourmand way. The vanilla works alongside the resins merely to soften the composition without ever turning it into a sweet fragrance. Occasions? Cold evenings, elegant parties, and any moment when you want to be remembered. This fragrance is unique. Splendid. Addictive. A true olfactory drug. Easily one of the greatest perfumes I have ever experienced.

already in 1977 I had access to YSL Opium. to start with this here, Edt Vaporisateur. quickly I also acquired an Extrait, which was thèn still 0.25oz7.5mL or 0.5oz15mL. the 7.5mL parfum was prized at (if I remember correctly) 130 guilders. as it was such a heavy, heady fragrance, there was not thát much difference between the two. if only a 'Perfume Format' isn't thát handy to begin with. plus the fact that the perfumes often are softer and more sleeping than the much more up front Edt's. I didn't remember if I could place the perfumes at all the right Pièd-à-Stalles qua Strength and Perfume Family. the 1980s had still to begin and in the 1970s (and it was in 1974 I first visited a Perfumery) I quickly made the discovery that I, as the gay half of a Boy-Twin, had obvious prevalence for women's perfumes. if I spritzed a Men's cologne on, I immediately felt that wasn't me. these were for my brother. I remember liking Chanel No5, No19, Miss Dior, the Givenchy's I found too light, as I did Rive Gauche and (probably) Y. I loved Ivoire. and thàn Opium arrived. that was quite another cup of tea. yet as I can remember I also loved Cinnabar and the more so, Youth Dew. instinctively I knew these were all in the same Niche. Opium, No5, Youth Dew, Cinnabar, Charlie. (as how I remember it.) so somehow I never experienced Opium as such outré perfume nor as I had any reservations to the name. how well the 1980s would fit in my template ! then in hindsight a lot of things became clearer. you develop a 'Taste in typical perfumes' as you try them (and are willing to pay a lot of money). and I was. ironically we came from a poor background and I was raised by Communist voting parents. so my worldview was ultraleft. so it was paradoxical to buy perfumes (costly, not much of a communist thing to do), buying perfumes as a boy (with which I never showed the smallest indignation or masquerade or whatever). perhaps it was helpful we weren't raised in whichever manner religiously. we were rather raised against all religion. so I didn't had any biblical premonitions of how I should behave as a boy. I was just being myself. I also bought nail lacquers and lipsticks from Chanel and (then still called) Christian Dior. with my Nurses salary I bought a hell of a lot perfumes. and we all know that that is quite a common salary. and I also loved to give my mother perfumes. bc she was really raised in a poor neighboorhood. so I loved Opium without realizing that I just loved THESE kind of perfumes. Heady, Opulent, Flower perfumes. Opium was definitely within my Taste Boundaries. only in the 1980s my perfumes got a more political range. I have experienced Opium as a 1970s perfume and somehow never saw it in its insulary state. yet it was also special for me. what (more in hindsight) must have struck me were the plethora of Spices, the Plum (always a favorite of mine and ... smellable !), the Flowers Jasmine, Rose, Carnation, Orrisroot, Vanilla and Lily of the Valley, be it that they were smothered in a Spicy, Syrupy Melasses. the Castoreum a note of which' singularity I had no idea. all the Woody notes (Sandelwood, Cedar, Vetiver, Patchouli). the Amber and Resins. this was an Incident Perfume of Hyperdense and Supervolatile Alarmistic Statement. it was just all of my taste.

I have a full bottle from 1985 if anyone is interested.

Been using a '94 made bottle this memorial weekend to feel close to my late mother. Without reading the notes I get a bold, seductive, not-too-sweet amber incense fragrance rounded out by florals and spices. Mostly clove and cinnamon, some rose, carnation, jasmine, and a warm tonka sandalwood base. In my opinion, the classic YSL Opium is the best feminine representation of an exotic amber fragrance in the history of perfumery. Usually incense fragrances feel cold, stone-y, and church-like to me. But the spices and aldehydes give Opium a bright and radiant warmth. This fragrance is timeless. If fragrances could be assigned human identities, Opium would be Dita Von Teese. Or Stevie Nicks. Or the woman Peter Steele is singing about in T.O.N. "Black N°1". Seductive, dark feminine energy. I'm so glad I have this masterpiece to refer back to while the modern fragrance world is over saturated with the same repetitive and safe white floral, musk, and vanilla boringness. 🖤

Hi, I have one bottle left, without packaging but almost unused. If you're interested in purchasing it, feel free to message me and we can arrange the sale

Sometimes I wonder if I've woken up in heaven! As a man who loves spicy, amber, oriental bombs this caught me by surprise. I was on a hunt for something with heavy cloves, cinnamon and cedar and Opium EDT (vintage) caught my eye so I took a chance on 30ml still boxed on ebay and damn I'm glad I did! This one explodes like Jaipur EDP on steroids with bitter herbs and stunning amber. I can't understand how this is meant to be a female fragrance - Dear God this is sending this man into orbit! I applied 3 sprays as recommended under my shirt and I agree, 3 sprays is all you need. This is a show stopper, room filler, animalic beast of a fragrance, a lion that silences the room without having to roar! I'm probably going to have to hide this one from my teenage daughter because she has impeccable taste in fragrance and I don't see it lasting very long around her! Worth every penny and then some. Probably going to be my fragrance of 2026 as I don't see anything getting close. Right, I'm off out in the car to gauge people's reactions. 💥

Anche oggi indosso l'opium degli anni 80, non la versione attuale dopo 2009,ci tengo a distinguere bene. Negli anni 80 eravamo adolescenti,ragazzi, e sentivamo questo profumo caldo e vaporoso in giro,e io ne ero infatuato. E come me tanta altra gente. Opium è il profumo. Mi accompagna da 40 anni, trovo ridicole da sempre le recensioni che lo attribuiscono alle vecchie signore. Oggi gli olfatti sono stati ammaestrati a riconoscere e amare solo due o tre note,sintetiche e puzzolenti tra vaniglia oudh tuberosa finta e incenso. Infatti per la strada sento solo un profumo,sembra che tutti usino il solito. Puzzolente e chimico. Ma loro credono che sia sexy. Opium evoca il sole,il caldo torrido,il deserto, il colore dorato di spezie e ambra,il marrone di ocra. Non staro a descriverlo ancora dato che ormai è cosa fatta e rifatta. Ogni volta che lo indosso qualcuno ne rimane vittima. Ultimo un mio cuginetto di 12 anni che dopo averlo sentito su di me,ha fatto di tutto per farselo comprar da sua mamma e se ne fa il bagno ogni giorno. Quindi la storia delle vecchie signore è una immensa stupidaggine. Oggi in tutta la nicchia,profumieria araba e fesserie varie non esiste un profumo buono ricco e originale come questo opium,che nella sua formula originale aveva centinaia di ingredienti e naturali, e nessuno ha mai visto una reazione allergica...

my grandma loves the scent very much, she gave me this bottle and it very much smell like old lady. never in a bad way of course. All I can smell in this is amber, though that may just be from how old it is. I love it a lot, maybe ill wear this more when im 60

Exquisito perfume,tan mágico y oriental que no se olvida jamás, adictivo igual que su nombre,tan bien argamasado que difícilmente se puede crear uno parecido ( menos en los tiempos que corren),he de decir que el señor Saint Lauren se inspiró descaradamente en un perfume mucho más antiguo: Tabú de Dana que se creo allá por el 1940, y Opium es de 1977,se que tiene varias inspiraciones como un conocido perfume vintage de estee Lauder,( imagínese cual).No obstante es una creación maravillosa en todo su conjunto.

Opium is one of the rare perfumes that feels truly mythic - an opulent tapestry of smoldering spices, a hypnotic floral haze, and a deep, dark, resinous depth that seems to glow from within. Among its swirling spices, a warm ribbon of cinnamon rises unmistakably to the surface. Few fragrances earn the title of masterpiece, yet Opium does so effortlessly.

I purchased the 2009 formulation last year, fell in love and decided to invest in some bottles of the earlier formulations. WOW! I wore a bottle of this OG formulation to work the other day and it really is just unreal. It hugged me all night long and just is an ethereal super warm, ancient, earthy and sweet incense.

This is actually a real Master piece! this is the Monalisa of perfumes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

YSL Opium EDT - 1977 version About the bottle: late 1970s–very early 1980s, 1/4 oz dab-on mini bottle that was full and sealed. Opening: In my bottle, the original citrus lift did not survive intact; it now presents as a brief phase of sour aldehydes on first application. This lasts only a couple of minutes before dissipating, and should be understood as normal material degradation in a vintage fragrance rather than a flaw. I’ve seen this phenomenon in many vintage fragrances; I speak more about this further down in my review. Once this initial sour phase clears, my Opium EDT settles quickly into its true character. Heart: The heart of the original Opium EDT is distinctly spice-led. Clove takes center stage, supported by cinnamon and a clear carnation note that adds a clove-like floral warmth. Incense remains present but restrained, functioning structurally to add depth without becoming smoky or dominant. Beyond carnation, individual florals aren’t easily isolated. They remain blended into the composition, adding body and softness while the spiced accord leads. Orris root contributes only a faint powdery texture, and is notably controlled - an unusual restraint for a material that often dominates compositions! Base: As the fragrance dries down, a pronounced natural sandalwood base emerges: warm, dry, and grounding, rather than a cold synthetic. Natural patchouli used in moderation plays a supporting role, providing structure without heaviness. Overall sweetness increases gradually over time, driven by resins rather than vanilla (similar to how midcentury Tabu is structured). The effect feels consistent with tolu balsam and benzoin - warm and balsamic, rather than syrupy. Incense remains architectural throughout, supporting the woods and resins without overtaking them, like an orchestra playing in perfect harmony. Projection & Wear: Applied from a dab-on mini bottle such as the one I own, projection is intimate and noticeable within approximately 8-12 inches of the skin. Atomized application would likely provide greater initial radiance! But IMO this version of Opium EDT is clearly designed for warmth, density, and presence rather than aggressive projection. ⸻ Important Note on Evaluating Vintage Perfume: I never evaluate a vintage fragrance based on first contact (it’s equally important to never decant a vintage fragrance when you first open the cap) Long-sealed perfumes often require brief, controlled air exposure in order to re-equilibrate to their true character. In my experience, 20-30 seconds of air contact followed by another short airing the next day is usually sufficient in many cases. I test with tiny dabs to assess progress before deciding on additional exposure; some fragrances require multiple airings over a period of time (sometimes weeks) before they come back to life. This bottle of Opium EDT is a clear example of why patience matters when evaluating vintage perfume :) ⸻ Final Thoughts: Had I judged this fragrance on first contact alone, I would never have pursued it further. After a few brief airings over a period of a couple of weeks my stance changed completely. In its settled state, this version of Opium EDT is warm, balanced, and deeply appealing — enough that I now intend to eventually acquire a larger bottle for wear. What I’m smelling now is the Opium I remember from my childhood (it was one of my mother’s signature scents): richly spiced, softly resinous, and masterfully composed. I’m glad I took the time to air out the bottle properly, instead of rushing to write a negative review based on my first contact.

I picture Meryl Streep in Death becomes Her smelling just like this! I have the vintage edt for the record, and even though it is an edt, don’t be fooled, it will knock you off your chair! This is such a complex artistic scent! Revolutionary for its time, definitely scandalous, as some stores refused to stock it based on its name. This is a scent that dominates the room. One spray of the vintage formulation is enough but still very wearable today! I also have the newer formulation and it’s toned down a bit. I’ll have to review that soon. This is spicy, woody and resinous with a bit of a powdery drydown. It is an icon in perfumery! I’d say the initial spray is slightly dated, maybe only because I distinctly remember it from decades ago. I’m trying to smell it as if it’s new to me as a different scent, and I don’t think it’s dated at all, more of a classic. It is stunning in the fall and winter. You will definitely be noticed in this, but don’t overspray or you make choke out those near you. One light spray and it is sexy as heck! It makes me feel opulent and a little dangerous all at once!

Opium, a dark seductress, an alluring mix of heady spices, thick florals and smoky woods, the epitome of Oriental delight. In this day and age of skin like scents and gourmand overload, Opium (both classic and the modernized version 2009) smells like a power punch to the senses. Being an Indian guy, and growing up with curries loaded with spices and flavors, Opium truly smells like home, but I still cannot deny the magic this fragrance weaves upon me, it lasts for hours on skin and days later on clothes. But I've learned the trick to opium (I've got versions that are from the 90s and early 2000s) is to apply only two or three sprays max and that too never on my neck, but on my chest, stomach and lower back, and that way the scent diffuses in a way that gets great feedback. I only use this scent on very rare occasions and at night, as this scent seems perfectly fit for the night and it goes for any season (it's a lot more intoxicating on summer nights, as sweat seems to really amp up the scent to come across as a sensual primal scent) during colder nights it comes across as a scent that evokes going into a city in the past, it smells like Diagon alley, it smells like knockturn alley, it smells like Hogwarts, it smells like tales from Earthsea, it smells like Narnia, it smells like Lovecraft, it smells like Bram Stoker, it smells of times gone by it smells nostalgic, it's not a smell I would call old (it's too great a fragrance too be deemed old), But opium evokes that feeling of reading a classic novel where escapism meets mystery, horror, antiquity, shock, darkness, beauty, ugliness which you cannot look away from, it evokes an emotional avalanche which speaks to you and catches you in a wave of delight. I love this scent and wish it remains in this world for those of us willing to embrace Opium for all that it wants to say. Opium is stories told in fragrance form. 10/10. A Masterpiece.

When you bite a clove, you feel its taste but I feel this perfume I think that's taste is smells like.I feel spices and a little bit of plum

Very heady and herbal. I really do not like this scent unless I press my nose very close to the skin where the woody notes reside. I wouldn’t call this dated, in fact I have no idea what people mean when they call a perfume with timeless and widely used notes ‘dated’. The drydown is very in-your-face without much warmth, and very resin-heavy as the floral notes dissipate rather quickly. I’m not experiencing a very harmonious scent profile, and it almost smells oxidized. For me, what would really elevate this scent would be a sweet fruity note at the base. Edit: I paired this perfume with Sticky Dates from Lush, and now it’s a beautiful and balanced mix of sweet and spicy notes. Huh. I don’t know how to feel about this.

I bought a smaller vintage bottle as a present for my girlfriend. This formulation is from 1984. Unfortunately we both were underwhelmed on how it performed on her skin. It was just okay. At first we thought that the juice has gone bad. But when I tried it on my skin (my normal body temp is 37.3°C and I'm always hot, even in cold winters) it exploded in a fireworks of carnation, frankincense, cinnamon & amber. It was one of the most magnificent perfumes I've ever experienced. Since this fragrance exudes charisma & joie de vivre, it would be a perfect fit for an energetic, passionate, vibrant woman. Maybe a Leo, Aries or a Sagittarius! ♌♈♐️ Opium is NOT minimalstic or discreet. She isn't timid or withdrawn. Her mere presence enchants & demands obeisance! This scent achieves its peak potential on skin with warm or hot body temperature. So if you've constantly got cold hands, it might not work well for you :) ☃️ Honestly this is so fucking good. It feels like my brain melts everytime I take a sniff of my arm.

May my grandmother who was lowk tapped in rest above. will always think of when i was 12 burying my face in her garments when we would hug. i would smell this scent on her every couple of months she came over to visit. When she eventually passed, my mother, being her only daughter, was handed down all her lotions, creams, perfumes, rollers, etc. However this one, while i was digging in my mothers cabinet, was lying around. I was already a fan of the YSL fashion lines, i thought why not give their scents a try as well. 8 hours later i still smell it all over my hands, reminding me of her glow in the final hours, witnessed through a photographic lens.

Incredibly beautiful. I forgot how good Opium was. Testing a vintage mini. (Update: just got a 30 ml bottle still in box from ‘77. It has been perfectly preserved) So, first of all, to experience the beauty of vintage Opium you must NEVER stuff your nose straight into the perfume. This will be off putting. The animaliacs in the vintage will be offensive and dirty and we are no longer accustomed to smelling them. Up close, this fragrance has no sweetness. It can almost smell nonsensical. But in the air … you DO get the sweetness. Its very beautiful in the air. In fact its in the air that i get the sweet fruitiness… which is sitting atop a beautiful mound of spices and depth. As a child, someone in my life was regularly wearing this. I knew this before i bought it, because ive always been pretty familiar with Opium, but i still cant remember who it was in my life who wore it. It wasn't my Mom, or my big sister. Probably my step-mother was wearing this before she switched to Poison in 1985. Best guess. That was the only other close older female in my life in the early 80s. Anyway, i knew before i bought the mini that i loved it. I just couldnt remember the smell of it. And i was right. My memory of loving this smell was correct. To me, this smells straight up like a sauna… fragrant wood, essential oils, and sandalwood soap, and as it dries down its a gorgeous celebration of spices. Hard to describe in a way that would do it justice, but oh so very beautiful. The vintage really only needs ONE SPRAY and it will give a gorgeous scent aura that will last all day. To me, this is not dated at all. I am positive i could wear it today and that i will receive enthusiastic compliments.

Vintage EdT c. 1986 Opium caused quite a stir when it was released. On the U.S. side of the pond Estee Lauder was pissed off. Ms. Lauder and Co. thought Opium was a blatant copy of Youth Dew, and true they do have a lot in common. Upset enough that the following year they released Cinnabar for the one-up. On the Euro side of the pond, Opium’s strength and durability was unheard of, concentrated to what, today, would be considered an EdP (or even, dubiously, parfum) level. Couple that with its controversial name, grand and operatic nature yet massive diffusiveness, and it put the Eastern side of the Atlantic into a frenzy. I side more with the Euro proponents on this one. Opium is glorious. It’s not glorious anymore, but that is a different post. However, I do see why Lauder bemoaned and hissed at its creation. It is very much like Youth Dew, which I also love, but it is sufficiently different - mainly that it has a French chic and silken texture that isn’t present in the more rough-and-ready-Wild-West and even stronger Youth Dew. Aldehydes abound throughout the perfume’s life, creating a soft and powdery texture that presents everything through a haze. Enter into the den, if you dare. The fruit, spice, and herb opening is luscious. The bitter orange zest, the hesperidics, the bay leaf and clove - they create this beautifully fragrant cloud that smells of the most exotic of North African or West Arabian dishes. Positively mouthwatering. You want it, you’re jonesing, badly. Then, rising up like an opium cloud to whisk you into inebriated ecstasy is a carnation forward heart, creamy and peppery and superbly musky, accented with smooth, round, aromatic cinnamon, a big slug of elegant and fruity roses, and myrrh smoke. Heady. Man, is this perfume heady. Be ready. We’ve been transported from earthly deliciousness to the mind-warping divine. We’ve OD’d though. We’ve done too much. We’re not just high, we’re slipping into an afterlife under a warm and massaging blanket as one of the best amber bases in the last fifty years takes us on a magical transport into eternity. This base is everything: sandalwood, cedar, labdanum, civet and musks, vanilla and tonka, patchouli, incense, vetiver, leather - everything that has ever been in an amber base is here but instead of a morass it’s a beautiful mosaic where you can’t tell where one tile/note ends and another begins, but they’re all there in perfectly rich, elegant, airy, celestial harmony. I’ll forgo any drug or addiction references beyond this point; I can’t reduce this perfume to such depravity. But there is something about it, something that is “difficult”. Anyone who has owned this perfume in a real-deal vintage version will tell you that it is absolutely unconditional love, but sometimes it’s a bit much. It’s enormous, distracting in the best ways, grabbing hold of you with a death grip and not letting go, and there are moments when you say “I love you, but I can’t”. Living with Opium is a lot like having a toddler: there will be many times you “just can’t” with your toddler but even in those moments if anyone tried to take it from you, you’d kill them.

This is my gramdma’s signature scent since this perfume came out. Everytime I think of this perfume or smell it, it makes me think of her. Very unique smell that i automatically associate with my grandma whom I love very much

this is the fragrance of anger. it is red cheeks and downturned eyebrows, ever-present frowns, and utter blade-sharp glances across the room. a cacophony of resinous and balsamic incense, smoldering spices, cloying fruits and florals, and disgusting, sweaty musks. not to denigrate the quality of this fragrance (it is among the most beautiful I have ever smelled), but its very marketing reflects just as cogently the fury of the scent: dubious, racist (very much so--the one part of this scent i will not excuse), closed-minded, and irrational. i cannot resist it. this scent makes me want to go recluse, never speaking to another soul for days on end. it makes me want to rip my life apart by my own hands. it is, crudely put, a drug. it can ruin me, just like my anger. to wear it is to let a leash go--air out the smoke of one's inner self--and release onto the world an ozone-penetrating silage of pure hubris and wrath. it does not represent me, but it is still me just the same. my own anger for your scrutiny. don't breathe it in, or you might just become addicted.

Opium, the scent itself, is decent enough, with bold spices set foremost (clove & cinnamon take the lead), then deepened with resins & woods, and more subtly sweetened with flowers & fruit. The dee drydown is a powdery amber stil with nicely spiced. All notes are pleasantly balanced and fully blended into a harmonious whole, ..but even in 1977, none of this was groundbreaking or unique. Youth-dew, take a bow. Don't get me wrong. I'm not here to moralize about originality, appropriation, or the appropriateness of perfume names and ad campaigns that equate drug addiction with fashion (& fragrance) merch addiction. If the shoe fits... Besides at this point, original Opium is largely just a historical relic for vintage aficionados anyway. No, I don't find it exceptional or better than some other spicy oriental scents of the era, ...but if you do like its particular take on the style, or its now-faded status-symbol cachet, then by all means, find yourself a bottle, either new (?), ...or preferrably, old.

This scent is ALOT, it is a lot of stuff happening at the same time. Hard to pick out notes but smoky balsamic and a lot of carnation, these damn cloves man. It is note a love but it is decent. It needed something sweet to really balance it out, it smells so old now instead, which usually is not a bad thing, but does not help the cause in this case.

What happened? 🤔🥺 This was one of the first perfumes I bought this year and yes it's truly a vintage 90s release but it used to smell so damm good! Now... It's pissy and horrid. Only when I wash it off does the lingering scent remind me of what I fell in love with. It's not in a sunny spot, has only been opened a few times since purchase and it's just gross! 😭 Why? I'm finding the same with a few of the mini perfumes I bought this year. My Mon Guerlain used to be jammy and horrible but now it's creamy and wonderful! Same for my Diptyque Eau Rose, it's pissy smelling too and they're all authentic! My Paco Rabbane 1 million golden Oud used to reek of cigarette smoke and now it still reeks but with a sweetness that wasn't there before. I'm a little confused and concerned that I might've given away scents I could've fallen for but will never know. Check your collection from time to time and don't forget to give ones you didn't like a second chance. They may have evolved or expired. 9.5/10 at first... Then 5/10 soured so fast! 😭

Grandma wore this from the 80's all the way until she died in 2020, and she knew what was up! This was her, no it is her in a bottle. Grandma doesn't smell like Opium, Opium smells like Grandma. At least mine anyway, Grandpa bought her a new bottle every year on Christmas and all but once it would end up empty. If you want to say the profile has changed since pre-2000 batches, or that it feels more synthetic, maybe, fine, I'll give that to you. But don't EVER fret about this stuff not being strong (enough). I haven't smelled the old (20th century) stuff, but it's still nuclear today. This is like Lapidus Pour Homme strength but for women. I don't think there's anything YSL could do to make this formula weak, even if they wanted to and tried. Every single gift I ever received from her for like 2 decades smelled like Opium. Every pair of clothes she ever washed for me, anything at all that I was given which sat in the same room as her for 2 hours, smelled like Opium, up until she died. Even after, I had shirts with it I refused to wear let alone wash because of missing her, and 6 months after when I finally got the gumption to wear the stuff, it still had a faint trace of, you guessed it... Opium, modern Opium. The last card she sent me got a spray onto it because she knew I appreciated the scent so much, and that was there like 9 months before I just lost track for Christ's sake. Off a bottle from 2019. I have an old partial of it from 2006 and it smells almost identical short of the old one being a hair more resinous. The animalics in old Opium may be a good thing that has decreased and become synthetic over the years, but it may even make a different thing. It's not what I remember my amazing, gracious, generous, and patient grandma for. What is has been since the Tom Ford era of YSL and on, is. Her patience is really something that sticks out especially in regards to Opium. It smells very patient in a way, or at least like the lady who would wear it is. It's a super slow-burn on skin and it just has so many notes it ebbs and flows between many of them as it dries down. It cannot decide between being floral, sweet, incense-y, and spicy, while doing all in this extremely narcotic way pretty much until the end of the day (10+ hours drydown) when it reels back to the ambers more. All notes are discernable with a nose trained at picking frags apart note by note, but I feel like you lose some of the magic when you approach this with a developed nose. All the notes are playing the best smelling game of Twister ever, it becomes something special, especially when you don't know why. This has been on the market for almost half a century for a reason. Don't let my grandma wearing this fool you, Opium is timeless.

Hello fragrance fam, on todays reformulation guide were covering the greatest Oriental scent ever created, Opium EDT by YSL For Women! The original formulations of Opium are known for being a deep resinous cinnamon, jasmine and clove bomb. It's a dark and alluring scent with notes of myrrh and oppoponax, that is often compared to Estee Lauders Youth Dew. In it's modern form, the synthetic notes have lost a lot of the natural appeal they once had before reformulation. Generally I would state it's been reduced to a sort of sweet incense fragrance. The good part is, it's relatively easy to identify vintage Opium bottles. Basically the square red bottles, with the glass circle in the middle are the post 2009 formulations of Opium. Any of the rectangular Opium bottles with a red cap, will be vintage Pre-2009 formulations. The older the bottle, the more bold of a scent profile you will receive. * USA, visit our web store VintageDecants If you would like to sample this fragrance in it's vintage formulation, along with hundreds of other discontinued and rare fragrances to choose from. Hope this helps, and enjoy the journey!