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
Holly S.
January 9, 2016 at 6:13 pmThe green would suit me most. Thanks! @hollystormetsy
Zara H
January 9, 2016 at 2:41 pmI would love to try the one with the green coffee notes. The brighter scent appeals to me more.
Janine H
January 9, 2016 at 3:12 amI’d pick the edt, with the green notes @doctorjanine
Marianna
January 8, 2016 at 8:24 pmThe YSL Black Opium eau de parfum is my favorite fragrance lately, whenever i go to our local perfume and make up shopping center, i spray it on me, it’s such a warm comforting perfume. Fingers crossed that i am the lucky girl to win these two beautiful perfumes.
Twitter: @MissMarianne3
Debbie Hinson
January 8, 2016 at 8:10 pmThe YSL Black Opium eau de parfum appeals most to me
@debbiehs
Karla Sceviour
January 8, 2016 at 6:27 pmThe YSL Black Opium appeals to me!
@ksceviour
Lubka K.
January 8, 2016 at 1:40 pmBlack Opium EdT. Thanks. @mejlik
Tina Lehmkuhl
January 8, 2016 at 1:28 pmYSL Black Opium eau de toilette. I love more subtle frangrances. @TinaLehmkuhl
Tk Long
January 8, 2016 at 1:04 pmOh I forgot my twitter name: @tklong4u
Tk Long
January 8, 2016 at 1:02 pmBlack Opium all the way. I have wanted this fragrance for a very long time. The cedar and Patchouli, Oh my gosh I love it… So thanks Dave for this amazing chance to maybe finally own it…
Carol Nine
January 8, 2016 at 11:25 amI like the original Black Opium best because of the notes of cedar. I don’t like flowery scents as well.
karalyn
January 8, 2016 at 10:42 amI would try the eau de toilette because the green coffee makes for a brighter scent and that appeals to me! @Kpc512
Robin
January 8, 2016 at 12:12 amYSL’s Black Opium @Saradwen
Anita Jude
January 7, 2016 at 8:44 pmYSL Black Opium eau de parfum………..thanks for the chance @judeanita
Maria Montero
January 7, 2016 at 12:42 pmI absolutely love YSL Black Opium eau de parfum! @Pinkd00r
Paula Daniels
January 7, 2016 at 11:02 amBlack Opiu wow!
Julie Simpson
January 7, 2016 at 5:54 amYSL Black Opium has the scent profile that works best with my chemistry and the pink pepper cedar wood combined with the patchouli I’m sold. I and not the fruity rosy scents smell not great on me. You had me at cedar!
@Hathor47
Emily
January 7, 2016 at 12:49 amI think I would like the green coffee beans better since it’s lighter
Gianna Grammoseni
January 6, 2016 at 11:40 pmYSL Black Opium eau de parfum
Stephanie Upton
January 6, 2016 at 8:49 pmI loved the original, haven’t yet smelled the edt version but it does sound a little lighter and I think I may like that slightly more.?? So green beans it is, lol, I mean coffee beans of course!?? Thanks Dave!! @lyssarose210
Patricia Mohl
January 6, 2016 at 8:05 pmYSL Black Opium eau de toilette @PAFM1964
Serena A
January 6, 2016 at 7:07 pmblack coffee beans @AIDANFER
Rajee
January 6, 2016 at 7:05 pmlove both YSL Black Opium eau de parfum
Rajee
January 6, 2016 at 7:05 pm@momsfocus
Beverly Wilson
January 6, 2016 at 5:21 pmYSL Black Opium eau de parfum. Thanks for the Chance to Win this great prize.
J Culver
January 6, 2016 at 5:04 pmGreen one! @jmculver