Yves Saint Laurent 2018 EDT

F ££ Favourite

Black Opium (2018)

by Nathalie Lorson , Marie Salamagne , Olivier Cresp , Honorine Blanc

Share
Card A shareable image of this fragrance - its verdict, notes and profile. Save or copy it to post anywhere.

Yves Saint Laurent Black Opium (2018) is an Eau de Toilette launched in 2018, created by Nathalie Lorson, Marie Salamagne, Olivier Cresp, and Honorine Blanc. Black Opium (2018) opens with Bergamot, Lemon, Coffee, and Pear, settles into a heart of Orange Blossom and Jasmine, and dries down to a base of Musk, Cedar, and Patchouli. Yves Saint Laurent's Black Opium (2018) carries a Favourite verdict, a floral-led wear.

This EDT version of Black Opium is a solid choice for those who found the original EDP a bit too much. It's lighter, fresher, and a damn sight easier to wear, though some miss the intense coffee hit of its predecessor. Expect a divisive opinion - some adore its bright lift, others find it a watered-down disappointment.
What our verdicts mean →
  • Modern
  • Energetic
  • Sensual
  • Relaxed
  • Warm
Check price on → Check prices ↓
Black Opium (2018) Eau de Toilette bottle

Scent Profile

Composition

Timeline

Showing: Overall Blend

Top, heart and base are the brand's own listing, not a timing claim - the industry classifies a note by its character as much as by how fast it fades. Each curve here is modelled from that material's own volatility, so groups can overlap when a house lists long-lasting materials in its heart.

ScentArt

ScentArt Explorer What is ScentArt?

Performance & Mood

Performance

Longevity
Moderate (4-6h)
Projection
Moderate
Intensity
Moderate

Mood

Mood Energising
Calming
Character Playful
Serious
Sentiment Uplifting
Brooding

When To Wear

Best Seasons

Best For:
Fall Winter
Also Works:
Spring Summer

A cold-weather scent - best worn in winter and autumn.

Best Occasions

Best For:
Date Casual
Also Works:
Office

Its lighter nature and brighter accords make it suitable for a wider range of occasions than the EDP, including casual daytime wear and intimate dates. While some reviews note excellent longevity and sillage, others describe it as a more intimate scent, suggesting it's less ideal for formal events or sports.

Declarable allergens

We derive these from the materials behind this fragrance's notes, not from the bottle. Each one is likely, not confirmed. The list is partial - the box can name others.

In standard patch-test panels

  • Citral Geranial from Lemon

Other declarable allergens

  • Bergamot Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Peel Oil from Bergamot
  • Synthetic musk Hexamethylindanopyran from Musk

The large name is the everyday one. The small name is the INCI form on the box, so you can compare the two. Reactions differ between people. A patch-test panel is not a ranking of risk. How we derive this

About

A vibrant twist on the classic, this opens with a zesty burst of lemon and bergamot, softened by sweet pear. The heart reveals delicate jasmine and orange blossom, weaving through a subtle coffee undertone that’s more nuanced than in the EDP. It dries down to a comforting whisper of patchouli, musk, and cedar, creating an intimate yet warm finish.

Similar

Compare & Pair

Layer

Wear two at once. See what layers well with Black Opium (2018) Eau de Toilette - the blends worth trying, and how each one scores.

Complement

Round out the rotation. See what complements Black Opium (2018) Eau de Toilette - fragrances that pair with it, worn side by side.

Where to buy

Prices for the United Kingdom ·

ScentVerdict earns a commission from purchases - this doesn't affect our verdicts.

Drawn from community reviews and editor-reviewed before publishing on . See our methodology and disclosure policy.