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!
KONSTANTINA GIAVROUDI
December 30, 2015 at 4:51 pmI prefer YSL Black Opium eau de parfum..
@ntinaa321
Bridget plyer
December 30, 2015 at 4:32 pmLast time you had a contest for the opening black I wanted to win so badly but I didn’t so I went out and actually bought a trial size of it it is so beautiful I mean the scent is just unbelievable I’m hoping this time I can win it because I can’t afford it otherwise thanks for listening
Karen D
December 30, 2015 at 4:29 pmThey both sound good but I think the Black Opium eau de toilette I would try first.@karen_dietrich
Rajneet S
December 30, 2015 at 4:29 pmYSL Black Opium eau de toilette
Ashley Martell
December 30, 2015 at 4:28 pmThe original Black Opium – dark and mysterious is just the way I like things. @ashdmartell
nashath ullah
December 30, 2015 at 4:27 pmThe original YSL Black Opium eau de parfum appeals to me the most. I was looking at this in store the other day, smells devine!
nashath ullah
December 30, 2015 at 4:28 pmTwitter @princessnishy
Erinn Lishman
December 30, 2015 at 4:24 pmI’d love to try the new interpretation, as I like a brighter note in my fragrance! @thr33girls
BlessedTA
December 30, 2015 at 4:22 pmYSL Black Opium eau de parfum @BlessedTA
Jamie Johnson
December 30, 2015 at 4:16 pmI definitely think Yves Saint Lauren is on to something big with the coffee beans as part of their fragrances. I love the look of YSL’s Black Opium fragrance as well as the smell. I have to go with the original because it’s just more me. Plus, it’s a parfum, so it’ll last longer. I love the look of both of them, and they both smell fantastic! I worked as a barista for a time in college, and a little trick I learned while there was this: If you have a toaster oven, place whole coffee beans on it and let them roast awhile. I like the ones that no one really buys because they’re cheaper, and a lot of times you’ll find flavors don’t always taste as good as they smell. For example, you might like a pinch of cinnamon in your coffee, but find you aren’t so crazy about a whole pot of it. Use those beans to make your home smell like a bakery. It’s a really neat trick! People ask me all the time, what are you baking? I show them the beans, and even though they’re disappointed I don’t have a tray full of cookies, they at least know my house smells good. And there’s the added bonus of no calories! Smelling good makes me feel good. YSL’s Black Opium is just another wonderful example of how much scents affect our state of mind. I love good perfume. Too bad Santa forgot that this year. But that’s why God invented gift cards, right? Thanks Dave for another great giveaway. The perfume ones are always my favorite. Always,
@BaBy_J_55
Sandy Trojansek
December 30, 2015 at 4:16 pmDefinitely Black Opium!! @sassygirlcanada
gloria patterson
December 30, 2015 at 4:13 pmI just don’t know they both sound so good maybe the black opium
@1560gl
m knight
December 30, 2015 at 3:53 pmlove the YSL Black Opium eau de parfum version as it contains my two favourite scents: vanilla and jasmine.
Lorna Webster
December 30, 2015 at 3:52 pmGreen! @cupcake__kitty
Susan T.
December 30, 2015 at 3:52 pmI think I would prefer the YSL Black Opium eau de parfum with the black coffee bean notes. Jasmine and vanilla notes and the dark and mysterious description is totally appealing to me!
@suekitty13
stephen jones
December 30, 2015 at 3:49 pmYSL Black Opium eau de parfum/thank u!
@stephennpa
Sam Chau
December 30, 2015 at 3:49 pmBlack definitely
@waterbubble213
Valerie C.
December 30, 2015 at 3:46 pmI love the original with black coffee notes. I’ve never tried the new one, but, it sounds nice too.
@dragonfly777
Sofia
December 30, 2015 at 3:40 pmGreen for me …… @ kiss_of_air
katerina gian.
December 30, 2015 at 3:36 pmThe eau de perfume version is the best!!I love vanilla scent..@katestratos?
Jane Sandona
December 30, 2015 at 3:36 pmcoffee notes
Bianca Balutto
December 30, 2015 at 3:36 pmThe YSL Black Opium eau de toilette appeals to me the most it sounds like it smells divine
@b_balutto
Melike
December 30, 2015 at 3:30 pmperfume version is so delicious, and so heart breaker ♡
@minnuksa
Joanna
December 30, 2015 at 3:10 pmBlack Opium in an eau de toilette – black currant and citrus!
@Guppy5700
December 30, 2015 at 3:08 pmI tested the Black eau de parfum version at Sephora and loved it! Don’t think the green could beat it.
Melissa
December 30, 2015 at 3:02 pmI would love love to try the black opium ?
Melissabyrne4