Few perfumes manage to feel both cozy and daring at the same time, but YSL’s Black Opium has been pulling off that trick since 2014. Its coffee-and-vanilla signature makes it one of the most recognizable women’s fragrances on the market. Here’s a grounded look at what’s actually inside the bottle, how long it lasts, and which size makes sense for you.

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Fragrance family: Ambery floral gourmand ·
Key notes: Black coffee, vanilla, white flowers ·
Launch year: 2014 ·
Available sizes: 10 ml, 30 ml, 50 ml, 90 ml, 100 ml, 150 ml ·
Longevity: 6-8 hours (moderate to strong)

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts

2What’s unclear
  • Exact retail price for 90 ml varies by country and retailer
  • Longevity can differ based on skin chemistry — some users report 4-6 hours while others get 11+ hours
  • Sillage intensity can vary depending on application and skin type

3Timeline signal
  • Original Black Opium launched 2014 (YSL Beauty US); Intense version followed in 2019
  • Wear tests show scent can remain on clothing for 24+ hours (Who What Wear)

4What’s next
  • Check gift sets and travel sizes for best value — Boots and Parfumdreams carry exclusive sets
  • Consider Black Opium Intense for a stronger, spicier alternative

Six attributes define the core identity of Black Opium Eau de Parfum — here’s the official profile.

Attribute Value
Brand Yves Saint Laurent
Fragrance name Black Opium Eau de Parfum
Year launched 2014
Perfumer Nathalie Lorson, Honorine Blanc, Marie Salamagne
Target audience Women
Concentration Eau de Parfum (EDP)

What Are the Key Notes in Black Opium Eau de Parfum?

Top notes: pear, pink pepper, orange blossom

The opening of Black Opium is noticeably fruity and slightly spicy. According to Who What Wear (fashion and beauty publication), the top includes pear and mandarin, while pink pepper adds a light bite.

Heart notes: coffee, jasmine, bitter almond, licorice

  • Roasted black coffee is the star — Who What Wear describes it as providing contrast to the sweeter elements.
  • FragranceMarket (online fragrance discounter) lists jasmine, bitter almond, and licorice in the heart, a combination that adds a dark, almost edible complexity.

Base notes: vanilla, patchouli, cashmere wood

The dry-down is warm and woody. LUXSB (luxury fragrance retailer) notes vanilla, patchouli, cedar, and cashmere wood in the base, while FragranceMarket adds cashmere wood for a soft, comfortable finish.

Bottom line: Black Opium is a gourmand fragrance built on real coffee bitterness and sweet vanilla, not a simple floral. For buyers who like warm, sweet scents with an edge, this is a safe bet. Those who prefer lighter, fresh florals may find it too heavy.

The implication: the coffee-vanilla duo makes this fragrance polarizing — either it clicks or it doesn’t.

What Sizes Does Black Opium Eau de Parfum Come In?

30 ml bottle

Boots Ireland (leading pharmacy and beauty retailer) carries the 30 ml option, ideal for testing or travel. Price is typically around €55–€65.

50 ml bottle

The 50 ml is the most popular entry size. Parfumdreams (German fragrance retailer) markets it as the sweet spot between value and commitment. Expect €75–€90.

90 ml bottle

The 90 ml size is a mid-volume option priced around €100–€130 depending on retailer. Parfumdreams and Boots often stock it.

100 ml bottle

Many retailers, including Parfumdreams, also offer a 100 ml bottle. Price typically falls between €110 and €130.

150 ml bottle

The largest standard size is 150 ml, available at Boots Ireland and selected department stores. It offers the best per-ml value for committed fans.

The trade-off

Buyers chasing value should skip 30 ml and 100 ml in favor of the 90 ml (often priced lower per ml than 100 ml) or the 150 ml for long-term use.

The pattern: 90 ml hits the sweet spot between cost per ml and total spend for most buyers.

How Much Does Black Opium 90 ml Cost?

Pricing for the 90 ml Black Opium Eau de Parfum varies by country and retailer. At Boots Ireland and Parfumdreams, the typical range is €100–€130. YSL Beauty US does not list a 90 ml option directly, so authorized third-party retailers are the primary source for this size.

Price comparisons across retailers

  • Boots Ireland: around €100–€120
  • Parfumdreams: around €110–€130
  • Department store prices may be higher; check for seasonal sales and gift sets
Verify before buying

Price varies by retailer and region — always confirm with official YSL Beauty or authorized sellers to avoid counterfeits.

The catch: no single official price exists, so shoppers need to compare across retailers for the best deal.

Is Black Opium a Long-Lasting Perfume?

Longevity on skin

Sillage and projection

YSL Beauty US (official brand website) markets Black Opium as a long-lasting perfume. Most reviewers agree projection is moderate to strong for the first 3-4 hours, then settles into a skin scent.

The catch

Reported longevity varies widely — 4 hours on some skin types vs. 11+ on others. If you can, test a sample on your own skin before committing to a full bottle.

What this means: pre-purchase sampling is not optional — it’s the only way to predict performance on your skin.

Confirmed facts vs. What’s unclear

Confirmed facts

  • Black Opium Eau de Parfum launched in 2014 (YSL Beauty US).
  • Key notes include coffee, vanilla, and white flowers (Who What Wear).
  • Available in 10 ml, 30 ml, 50 ml, 90 ml, 100 ml, 150 ml (Boots Ireland).
  • Fragrantica and Boots confirm longevity around 6-8 hours.

What’s unclear

  • Exact retail price for 90 ml varies by country and retailer (no single official price).
  • Precise batch-to-batch consistency for longevity — user reports range from 4 to 11 hours.
  • Sillage intensity can differ based on application method and environment.

“Black Opium is a sexy gourmand scent suitable for evenings out.”

Who What Wear (fashion and beauty publication)

“The fragrance can still be smelled on clothes the next day after a morning spray.”

Who What Wear

“Black Opium consistently lasted between 11 and 11.5 hours in two tests.”

Kafkaesque Blog (independent fragrance blog)

For buyers in Ireland and the UK, the choice is clear: if you want a signature scent with real staying power and a distinctive coffee-vanilla profile, Black Opium is a reliable pick. But because longevity varies with skin chemistry, testing a 10 ml travel size first is the smart move — or you could end up with a 90 ml bottle that fades faster than you’d like.

Additional sources

en.wikipedia.org, youtube.com, instagram.com, reddit.com

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can Black Opium be worn during the day?

Yes, many users wear it as a daily scent. Its sweet coffee-vanilla profile works well for office and casual settings, though the moderate-to-strong sillage may be too intense for some.

What is the difference between Black Opium and Black Opium Intense?

Black Opium Intense has a higher concentration of coffee and adds spicy notes like black pepper and chili. It lasts longer (10+ hours) and projects more strongly.

Does Black Opium contain real coffee extract?

YSL doesn’t disclose exact ingredients, but the accord is built to smell like roasted black coffee. Most reviewers describe it as a convincing coffee note.

How should I store Black Opium perfume?

Keep the bottle in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight and temperature fluctuations. The bathroom is not ideal due to humidity.

Is there a travel-size option for Black Opium?

Yes, YSL offers a 10 ml travel spray. Boots and other retailers also sell gift sets that include a mini bottle.

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