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
Jennifer
January 12, 2016 at 6:23 pmI want the eau de parfum
angela
January 12, 2016 at 12:24 pmOpium is a legend…these new versions seem very interesting because i love coffee!
Karen Myszka
January 12, 2016 at 11:51 amI would like the original Black Opium with notes of black coffee beans. Thank you!
Timothy Killoran
January 12, 2016 at 9:22 amI would choose the newest interpretation with Green Coffee Bean. Thank you for the opportunity to win.
Linda Bradshaw
January 12, 2016 at 4:16 amI would like either one but I would love to try the YSL Black Opium. Thank you for the chance. Linda Bradshaw , W810forHim at yahoo
sandra davis
January 12, 2016 at 3:19 amYSL Black Opium eau de parfum
deborah penney
January 12, 2016 at 12:14 amthe Black Opium please and thank you. @mnch39
John H.
January 11, 2016 at 10:20 pmThe Black Opium for sure.
Jennifer H.
January 11, 2016 at 10:07 pmI like the Black Opium.
Carol
January 11, 2016 at 9:55 pmI would like the original Black Opium with notes of black coffee beans.
Pamela Gard
January 11, 2016 at 4:26 pmBlack Opium @niiba44
Denise Welch
January 11, 2016 at 4:16 pmI like the Original Black Opium @denisewelch71
Joyce Smith
January 11, 2016 at 1:54 pmThe Black Opium is beautiful !!!! @KirraaSmith
rhonda ellis
January 11, 2016 at 12:07 pmthe black appeals to me
JoAnn Garrity
January 11, 2016 at 10:58 amYSL has great fragrances, love them, I want to try anything new from YSL.
Annette C.
January 11, 2016 at 9:27 amThe black coffee notes appeal to me.
@dreamflyer100
Stella Kouraki
January 11, 2016 at 4:45 amYSL Black Opium eau de parfum !! twitter:@6KGHbcvWirhpoP8
Renee Louise Chaumont
January 11, 2016 at 2:54 amOriginal is always best in my opinion and I LOVE black coffee!
@Chaumontor x
Wendy
January 10, 2016 at 11:51 pmHonestly, I am entering this contest for my mom. She has always worn the regular Opium in the red and gold box. Not sure if she even knows there is a black Opium, out there. If she does, I know she doesn’t own it. I would love to give this to her as a belated birthday gift. She had a major health scare over the holidays and it is something our family is still learning to adjust to. I would really like to put a smile on her face. I think she would love to try either bottle of the black Opium. Thank you very much for your consideration.
Spirit Wilson
January 10, 2016 at 8:12 pmI prefer the original Black Opium on my husband!!
Nina Thornton
January 10, 2016 at 6:59 pmI have used both and prefer the Original Black Opium @Dirt Mom01
MaryAnn Casey
January 10, 2016 at 2:42 pmI’d say the original. It has pink pepper and vanilla, which I love. The second one has tea and I loathe the smell of tea.
Lisa Palmese
January 10, 2016 at 11:57 amThe Original Black appeals to me most. It sounds more complex in high and low notes but I would love also to try the Green it sounds Clean and Fresh and lighter.
Linda Sutton
January 10, 2016 at 3:58 amRegular Opium perfume is the perfume I wear all the time when I can afford a bottle of it. I would love to try the Black Opium.
Zhixin Wan
January 10, 2016 at 3:41 amAnyone. Thanks.