Reviews of Opium pour Homme Eau de Parfum (1995)
by Yves Saint Laurent

Opium eau de parfum pour homme

There comes a time after years of wearing and appreciating the nuances of fragrance that one can see where one has been and the level to which one has evolved.

Kouros was my first foray into the YSL line and after 20 years it's still on my shelf- a new bottle, of course.

Lately I've been thinning out my wardrobe, trying to fine tune what I want at hand and also because I want rid myself of excess. Ah,the joys of turning 42.

The Opium eau de parfum pour homme had been on my radar for a few years but I had not given it much thought until I started searching out and edps and discovered the marvels of the basenotes forum.


The reviews were stellar so I knew I must try it.

The comments ranged from 'rich, warm, complex' to 'vanilla-like'.
They sum up my feelings about this eau de parfum. But I must add, 'masculine, thougtful, intimate'.

This is one fragrance that has garnered the most compliments for me though I rarely give much thought to what comments my fragrance will inspire.

Also, I honestly am happy, dare I say, 'feel' happy, to wear the Opium edp and this is because I can buy into the 'olfactory' trip that most of Houses want us to aspire to. Aspirational advertising doesn't work with me for the most part as I'm pretty happy and fortunately secure.

I wear this on sultry summer days and on deep, bleak days of Canadian winters. The Opium edp is familiar and comforting, intially strong and surefooted yet in the end subtle and reminiscent.

YSL's Opium edp is a joyful, nay, joyous! exception in an overcrowded and misdirected market of glass and alcohol.

Yes, I'd be pretty sad to find out that of all the YSL fragrance line they'd be silly enough to pull the Opium edp. Perhaps they'll tweak the packaging and re-market it as Hermes has done with Equipage? I pray.

I am on the verge of making this my signature scent because it is truly a well-balanced, well-thought out men's fragrance. In fact if I had to pick just one edp to have in my wardrobe, it would be the Opium edp. As an aside, the edt works nicely layered with the edp. Try it!

If any one knows where I can purchase the whole product line of Opium, do let me know. But in the meantime, buy it and enjoy!

Edit: Originally submitted 4-27-07

For forty-five minutes it’s a compelling and fun woody oriental with good spice and some of the ripe, plummy bubblegum note from the women’s counterpart, but it’s all down hill as the cheap, loud vanilla blows up becoming an intolerable burden for what can seem like an endless duration (especially true of the EDP). I always think of it as a fragrance for children. Indeed, I smelled it on a high school kid (I asked him what he was wearing), and damn near gagged. Other than a guy wearing too much Drakkar Noir and a few women in their loud, cheap fruity-floral orientals with nuclear radiance, this was one of the worst fragrances I’ve smelled on another person. They had the right idea, and weren’t terribly far from something decent, but small details make or break any fragrance. If you must have something similar, look into Opium pour Homme Eau d’Orient. Its structure is poverty stricken, and it’s fairly banal, but it’s a hell of a lot better then either concentration of the original. I still find it hard to believe it was even released, but as the great Edmond Roudnitska famously said, “Most perfumes today are bonbons”. Either way, there are a lot better bonbons than this.

The EDP version is a beautiful and complex oriental. I am not a big wearer of vanilla, but this is flat out good.

I reviewed this in Sept,2008 and at the time, it was my strongest frag in the drobe. It no longer is the most tenacious one I own, but is still one of the best cool to cold weather scents in my arsenal.

It's safe to say it is strong, terrific longevity and will always have a place in my rotation.

At first I really loved it and was amazed that I found a YSL fragrance I adored. However, after a couple of wears, I realised that it didn’t agree with my skin chemistry – it smelt a bit 'off' during the drydown.

Opium PH EDP shares some qualities with a typical Lutens scent (i.e. a rich, heavy and complex) but without the substantial sillage or longevity. Personally, I much prefer Arabie than this.

Also, I really do think that the bottle itself is in need of a serious revamp.

[Original submission date: 13 April 2008]

My boyfriend wears this and it drives me crazy... It's an incredibly sexy, overpowering scent, even more so when it is paired with an equally sexy man. I adore this scent.

A real beauty. Fortunately my skin loves intense fragrances so this never gets too strong on me. I even wear it in hot summer evenings. Interestingly enough I hated the Eau de Toilette version which I tried first. I wasn't really expecting to like the EdP but wow......! Medium sweet (on my skin)) velvety oriental which gave me the visual impact of a red transparent pillar lifting from the point of application. There was something familiar to this imagery that I couldn't quite put my finger on. Then looking at the directory notes I noticed it is a Jacques Cavallier scent, the same person who created Le Feu d' Issey. And then I knew that this is were I got the imagery. The exact same sensation of a "cold fire" lifting from the skin. Sander Man also creates the same impact.

Opium EDP is hands-down the most complex frag I have ever owned. There is a lot going on here. This stuff smells amazing . . . on paper. On me, not so much.

Make sure to sample this one (as with ANY of the others in the YSL Opium line) before diving in. I so wanted to like this. But on me, it's too incensy, too spicy, and too hot. It also has crazy monster sillage and the longevity of a Taoist monk, so I can't wear it just for my own enjoyment. At age 28, I think I am too young for this one. Maybe in about 30 years.

This one could be in Lutens line for sure, and at least it chould/probably should be labelled as in unisex. Really, women should get into this as well.
Amazing, luscious mandarin note at the top of the smoky, thick benzoin-patchouli base. Has some ginger too, also something a bit minty in this. Intoxicating, stong fragrance.

The only thing I miss about Eau de Toilette version, is more pronounced blackcurrant note. In EdT, it comes out amazing.

Incredible...in both scent and lasting power...an example of the power - beats the original Kouros!
The vanilla is much more refined in this. I am literally blown away.

Next to the original Polo, this is the best of the best. Great for anytime, but best for the evening...trust me.

Much more refined, and long-lasting version of Opium pour Homme. As has been stated before, the fresh, peppery elements are more subdued than in the EDT in favor of the rich, spicy oriental notes. Very long lasting and extremely powerful. This one is easy to over apply, but in moderation can be one hit of a fragrance! My favorite of the Opium pour Homme concentrations.

When I tried this the first few times it was in the middle of summer on stinking hot days. I thought it was appalling.

Then I tried it since it was repackaged. And I must've had some very stale testers before, because this is a masterpiece.

Grandeur is the only word I can use to describe it with.

Hot, peppery, velvety with a delicious vanilla base and smooth rich spices enveloping the whole.

Divine!

The opening is a dark fruit hue that brings to mind prunes and raisins. It's says it blackcurrant but the blackcurrant I've come across never smelled this good. It's next phase enters into a deep vanilla/amber accord. Never overtly sweet or cloying, the accord lasts ages on end. Compared to the other two, the vanilla here is more rounded and smooth. There's also a lack of spice (pepper and star anise) that really stands the EdP apart from the other two. Definitely the most refined of the lot, it would be hard to wear this in any occasion other than a formal night out.

best by far with pure class!
this is what real men smell like

My Husband (He is British and very minimalist) wears this and has since before we met. It smells delightful on his bare skin and I must say it is appealingly sexy and exotic. It makes no sense however that I detected pumpkin! but this may be an effect of his chemistry on the fragrance. He tends to make everything smell of pumpkin spice and witches brew. It is delicious! I whole-heartedly recommend this to the right man (attractive, classy, and bewitching! perfect for a warlock!). All kidding aside, lovely notes and spices. Much better than the femme version which I detest.

Everyone has an opinion and is entitled to it; however, I simply cannot understand the reviews of pluran and snifferdog regarding this most refined and elegant composition by YSL. It is simply one of the very best men's perfumes ever created. Along with Escada PH EDP, Monsieur de Givenchy, Christian Dior's Eau Sauvage, JHL, Caron's Pour Un Homme, this stands as one of the all time pillars of men's perfumery. I've used it since it's introduction and pray it is never discontinued. It is one of the most complimented upon fragrances I've ever worn. LOVE IT!

I spent 4 weeks researching on perfume and its response in order to find my holy grail. Along the way, I found this love: Opium for men (Parfum).
It is rich, sensual, seductive, strong, dark yet sweet and appealing and addictive. The name says it all.
I was amazed how my taste has changed. Couple years ago, I prefer fragrance which is quite light, crisp, fruity and fresh. Now, I favour rich, strong, old fashioned, deep, dark, sensual, seductive scent.
Eau de Parfum does smell different and much stronger than EDT version. and Women Opium do smell different also.
Opium pour HOmme EDP is a rich scent containing lots of spice with a hint of sweetness. It can be a bit heady for light hearted snifter but if your main objective is seducing and make him/her addicted to you and never leave the door, this could be the mysterious tool.

The house of YSL has a long and storied history of excellent fragrances, and Opium EDP is certainly one of the house's best offerings.

Opium EDP is an intoxicating oriental. The defining accord is a spicy sweet scent conjured by the interplay between the fruity blackcurrant and spicy peppers. The balance is perfect - it smells sweet but never cloyingly so, with the peppery heart providing an ambrosial quality to the fruity top notes. Opium EDP settles into a soft vanilla drydown with a herbal balsamic tinge. Longevity is fantastic - while the intoxicating sillage simmers down after 4 hours, the longevity averages 7-8 hours.

If you are looking for a sensual, deep and fiery fragrance, look no further than Opium EDP. Its a finely crafted spicy oriental with layers of sensuality. It is addictive, sedative and comforting all at the same time. It brings alerts senses and relaxes the mind. Continued use of this captivating concoction can lead to loss of rational decision making capabilities - not yours, but of the people lured in by your sillage ;)

Magic in a bottle. Mystery and luxury of an emperor. Danger and poetry.
I first met it in 1995.
After 11 years now i know that i ve found my HG.
It s better even of Serge Lutens Orientals.

Far better than the EDT. I really like it but still I prefer other fragrances to use,as it is to classy for my age.

I salute, and then envy, the review submitted by graffham:

"There comes a time after years of wearing and appreciating the nuances of fragrance that one can see where one has been and the level to which one has evolved."

Had I known this one sooner, if only... He said what I wanted to, but couldn't put into words. I'm still new to this one and try to find the "fresh" notes I find in the Edt,
this one shall NEVER leave this wardrobe - if I can find it, as it's not sold here:-((( Please YSL!!! 10 thumbs up

Hmmm - smells like "Opium Dark" Similar to the EDT except thicker, and heavier on the deep sweet notes, while lighter on the sparkles and peppers. It starts out especially dark, and the fresher notes and spices reveal themselves after 10 minutes or so. I like the EDT better, since my favourite notes, the fresh and peppery ones are alot more prominent.

Unfortunately, I find that the wonderful spices, peppers, anise, etc of both versions disappear too soon, leaving a dead wood smell which leaves a film in my mouth.

One tiny spray from the 50ml EDP lasts about as long as two full sprays of teh 100ml EDT.

THe bottles are actually almost the same size, except that inside the blue plastic of the EDP which is the same size as the EDT bottle, there is a small 50ml bottle.

Contrary to the previous reviewer, I find that this version gives me a headache on the wrong days, versus the EDT.

I want to be rich enough to literally bathe in this stuff! WOW!

I wasn't terribly fond of the EDT version, as it had a strange note that gave me just a bit of a headache -- can't really put my finger on it. But oh, boy, I fell in love with the EDP version, and how! It lasts forEVER, and (like the Eau Extreme version of Guerlain's L'instant), it just seems to take all that is wonderful about the EDT version and concentrate it down into a heady potion. Can't recommend this stuff enough!

I was recently out to dinner with my boyfriend, and he asked me what I was wearing. It was Opium. We got back to my apartment, he sniffed the bottle and said, "You know, from the bottle, I would think that I wouldn't like this. But ON you, it smells AMAZING." That's plenty enough for me to give a wholehearted thumbs up. And as a side note, it lasts forever. I smelled it on my wrists the next morning.

When it first came out, I really didn't like this one, probably because I didn't like how its spiciness was just to pronounced in the EdT version. After reading that the EdP was a different and more sensual and refined animal, I picked up a bottle, adn I've received nothing but compliments with this one. I'm actually a fan of the original womens version, and I always thought that it was too "masculine" for a woman. The Parfum version seemed to be pronounced of musk and spice, and the floral nuances were subdued enough to make me think it was more for for a guy. As JHL is for the gentleman, Opium is for the self indulgent. Keep a bottle (of EdP) in your arsenal!

i HAVE smelled the edt version and after owning the edp all i can say is uh-uh, no way! it's not bad but the edp has some differences..much richer and longer lasting...you will smell this on you the next day after a nice night out! musky, oriental, sexy, rich...where does one find it now??

Chaotic top notes smell like a mix. Drydown, however, is wonderful. Mostly amber with a bit of musk and some gourmand notes. Incredible projection and duration. Beautiful bottle.

An excellent EDP, oriental/gourmand mix. Well blended with spices, vanilla and amber, smells almost like a well made cake. Very sensual, not an office scent

I never smelled the EDT-version of Opium and I'm not going to because for me, this is how a winter-fragrance should smell. It's warm (hót), sensual, long-lasting and very comforting! And although it's a real powerhouse, it's never agressive or in your face.

Two words-- HOT & HEADY. That is it. Your hear fragrances decribed as "heady" all the time, but YSL Opium Homme is IT (as far as men's go). I have the EDP, it's beautiful. I have not tested the EDT, but why bother. EDP is rich, rich, rich and lasts. The scent itself is all dark bourbon, vanilla, and musk on me. I can smell the pepper, too. Lovely. I find Opium almost too potent to be sexy. It feels more dangerous than anything. Interesting note: the editor of French Vogue (female) wears this, and if you see her you'll understand the scent. She is raven-haired, all laser-cut black Dior Homme tailoring and YSL ruffles and sex. French, classy, and mysterious-- like her fragrance.