Black or green coffee notes? (tell us & win YSL) One of the big fragrance successes of the past two years has been YSL’s Black Opium fragrance. It was an instant sensation in France when it debuted landing at the number one position at launch. This success quickly spread throughout Europe and now North American fragrance enthusiasts are discovering the unique scent. It is the first floral coffee scent with a high percentage of coffee bean notes. The original eau de parfum was the creation of no less than four master perfumers. Nathalie Lorson, Marie Salamagne, Olivier Cresp and Honorine Blanc. (Fragrance houses will often use more than one perfumer to create a scent because each has his or her own specialty and mastery over certain notes)
YSL Black Opium eau de parfum
The original Black Opium launched in an eau de parfum version with notes of black coffee beans, pink pepper, orange blossom, jasmine, vanilla, patchouli and cedar. It was meant to have a dark, mysterious mood but I find the coffee notes give it a comforting and uplifting feeling.
YSL Black Opium eau de toilette
In August 2015, YSL unveiled a new interpretion of Black Opium in an eau de toilette version. The new version arrived in the same flacon shape as the original but this time featured green coffee bean notes for a brighter effect. The perfumers used fresher, greener shades of flowers, tea and fruit for an energizing feel. The notes in the eau de toilette include: black currant, pear zest, citrus, green mandarin bark, green coffee beans, jasmine tea, sweet orange blossom, white musk, and white woods.
Edie Campbell
The face of both scents is British model Edie Campbell. She has also appeared in YSL Beaute makeup collection ads.
The Giveaway: I gave away both scents to one lucky reader. Brenda S from Canada told us her favourite. We drew her name at random from all the entries. Congrats Brenda!
747 Comments
Scott Newton
January 6, 2016 at 4:54 pmThe EDP wins hands down!
@madlc
Rehab Farouk
January 6, 2016 at 4:01 pmYSL Black Opium eau de parfum
TAMER MOHAMED SAYED
January 6, 2016 at 3:59 pmYSL Black Opium eau de parfum
Suzana Pizeta
January 6, 2016 at 1:19 pmBlack Opium
@pizetasuzana
Rachael Scialabba
January 6, 2016 at 8:46 amI like the green coffee bean best.
Suha
January 6, 2016 at 8:36 amThe original Black Opium sounds heavenly!! 😀 Would love to try it! – @smagixx
Laura HANTZ
January 6, 2016 at 7:45 amHi !!!
Definitely Black Opium !
Thanks for all this amazing contest !
Leya
January 6, 2016 at 4:44 amOh, I will definitely love the green one. It contains fresh citrus notes which are my favourite! Thanks for the chance.
@makeupzealot
Katie
January 5, 2016 at 10:14 pmBlack!
rebecca
January 5, 2016 at 10:10 pmgreen please
rebecca
January 5, 2016 at 10:09 pmmmm green
Abigail
January 5, 2016 at 4:34 pmDefinitely Black Opium!
cathy p
January 5, 2016 at 3:11 pmI love the Black Opium!
Alexandra
January 5, 2016 at 1:36 pmOriginal Black Opium!!
@Alexandra__Ada
John Agwazim
January 5, 2016 at 12:59 pmYSL Black Opium eau de parfum.
@jewao9
lynette r
January 5, 2016 at 12:52 pmBlack Coffee @beautysweeps on TW
Julie F
January 5, 2016 at 12:44 pmBlack Coffee @julielaura1
Michele D
January 5, 2016 at 9:59 amThe Eau de Toilette sounds nice!
anna gk
January 5, 2016 at 9:25 amYSL Black Opium eau de toilette
@Gk_annaa
Cristina Lazar
January 5, 2016 at 1:44 amBlack coffee
brandon cerny
January 5, 2016 at 1:22 amThe Original Black Opium sounds awesome and mysterious!
twitter@cernybrandon
IrishnCali
January 5, 2016 at 1:02 amDid somebody say Coffee !!! Yum Black coffee, Strong, Energizing ,Uplifting ahhhh =) I’m sure it’s a high note. 🙂
Tebetha Chiquette
January 5, 2016 at 12:16 amBlack coffee I feel richer smells, I would love to try black opium.
melanie borhi
January 4, 2016 at 11:18 pmOriginal black opium. Would love to win this.
@BorhiMelanie- twitter username
Brandy
January 4, 2016 at 10:41 pmI like the original scent of the black opium.