Opium

Parfumour’s Interpretation of Yves Saint Laurent Opium

Opium is a rich spicy oriental, and our version keeps that feel: a fresh citrus and jasmine opening, a spicy carnation and myrrh heart, and a deep ambery base.

The Story Behind the Scent

Yves Saint Laurent’s Opium became a legendary oriental, a bold, glamorous scent built around warm spices, myrrh and opoponax over a rich amber base that has defined the style since 1977.

Our interpretation follows that character. We keep the mandarin, bergamot and jasmine bright up top, let carnation, myrrh and opoponax warm the middle, and finish on a deep amber, patchouli and sandalwood base.

How Our Version Compares to the Original

The original is a designer classic sold at full designer pricing. We build ours at a high perfume oil concentration and sell direct, so you get the same character for a fraction of the price.

Who It’s For

It suits anyone who loves a bold, glamorous, spicy oriental for evenings and cooler weather, without paying designer prices.

Notes

Top notes: Mandarin Orange, Bergamot, Jasmine

Heart notes: Carnation, Myrrh, Opoponax

Base notes: Amber, Patchouli, Sandalwood

How it Smells

It opens bright and spicy, with mandarin, bergamot and jasmine giving a rich lift.

The heart is warm and full, with carnation, myrrh and opoponax adding a spiced depth.

The base is deep and glamorous, with amber, patchouli and sandalwood giving a lasting finish.

Common Questions

How close is it to Yves Saint Laurent Opium?

It stays close to the rich, spicy ambery character of the original. It is our own interpretation rather than a copy, but the impression is very familiar.

How can it cost so much less than Yves Saint Laurent Opium?

Most of the price of a designer fragrance goes to the brand name, packaging and retail markup rather than the liquid itself. We put our budget into the scent and sell direct, so you get a comparable experience for a fraction of the price.

Is this the same perfume as Yves Saint Laurent Opium?

No. We do not use the same formula or ingredients. It is an independent interpretation made to evoke the same style at a much lower price.

How long does it last?

You can expect several hours on skin. Spraying onto clothing as well as skin helps it last even longer.

Who is it best for?

It leans feminine and is made for evenings and cooler weather.

How should I apply it?

Spray on pulse points such as the wrists, neck and inner elbows. A light spritz on clothing makes it last through the day.

Disclaimer

Yves Saint Laurent and Opium are trademarks of their respective owners, and all rights remain with them. Parfumour is not affiliated with, endorsed by, sponsored by, or connected to Yves Saint Laurent in any way, and no business relationship of any kind is implied. Our product is an original interpretation created to evoke a similar scent profile, and the trademark names are used purely for honest, descriptive comparison, so that you can quickly identify the style and fragrance family you are looking for. We make no claim to sell the original product, and we do not use the same ingredients or formula. Any similarity lies in the overall impression of the scent as interpreted by our own perfumers, not in the source materials.