Fragrances inspired by Black Opium Eau de Parfum
The original
Black Opium
Yves Saint Laurent
The two side by side
Our verdict
Editor reviewedWhat they share
Every one of its 11 notes is in the original, including Pear, Pink Pepper, Orange Blossom
The main difference
Near-identical note list, differs in proportion
What they share
Every one of its 11 notes is in the original, including Pear, Pink Pepper, Orange Blossom
The main difference
Near-identical note list, differs in proportion
Our verdict
Midnight Nymph and Black Opium are incredibly similar, sharing almost identical notes and accords.
What they share
Every one of its 11 notes is in the original, including Pear, Pink Pepper, Orange Blossom
The main difference
Near-identical note list, differs in proportion
Choose Midnight Nymph when
You want a longer-lasting, more intense fragrance.
What they share
Every one of its 11 notes is in the original, including Pear, Pink Pepper, Orange Blossom
The main difference
Near-identical note list, differs in proportion
What they share
Every one of its 11 notes is in the original, including Pear, Pink Pepper, Orange Blossom
The main difference
Near-identical note list, differs in proportion
What they share
Every one of its 11 notes is in the original, including Pear, Pink Pepper, Orange Blossom
The main difference
Near-identical note list, differs in proportion
What they share
Shares 10 of its 11 notes, including Pear, Pink Pepper, Orange Blossom
The main difference
Adds cashmeran, drops cashmere wood
What they share
Every one of its 11 notes is in the original, including Pear, Pink Pepper, Orange Blossom
The main difference
Near-identical note list, differs in proportion
What they share
Every one of its 10 notes is in the original, including Pear, Pink Pepper, Orange Blossom
The main difference
Without cashmere wood
What they share
Every one of its 10 notes is in the original, including Pear, Pink Pepper, Orange Blossom
The main difference
Without cashmere wood
What they share
Every one of its 11 notes is in the original, including Pear, Pink Pepper, Orange Blossom
The main difference
Near-identical note list, differs in proportion
What they share
Every one of its 10 notes is in the original, including Pear, Pink Pepper, Orange Blossom
The main difference
Without licorice
What they share
Every one of its 10 notes is in the original, including Pear, Pink Pepper, Orange Blossom
The main difference
Without licorice
What they share
Every one of its 9 notes is in the original, including Pear, Pink Pepper, Orange Blossom
The main difference
Without cashmere wood and licorice
What they share
Every one of its 8 notes is in the original, including Pear, Pink Pepper, Orange Blossom
The main difference
Without almond and cashmere wood
What they share
Every one of its 8 notes is in the original, including Pear, Pink Pepper, Orange Blossom
The main difference
Without almond and cashmere wood
What they share
Every one of its 8 notes is in the original, including Pear, Pink Pepper, Orange Blossom
The main difference
Without almond and cashmere wood
What they share
Every one of its 9 notes is in the original, including Pear, Pink Pepper, Orange Blossom
The main difference
Without licorice and patchouli
Our verdict
Black Opium EDP and Lacura Dark Blossom both bring that addictive coffee-vanilla punch, but Black Opium stands out with its richer depth, smoother transitions, and more refined blend.
What they share
Shares 8 of its 11 notes, including Orange Blossom, Jasmine, Vanilla
The main difference
Adds almond and cashmere wood, drops musk
Choose Dark Blossom when
You want the Black Opium vibe for a fraction of the price.
What they share
Shares 9 of its 10 notes, including Pear, Pink Pepper, Orange Blossom
The main difference
Adds mandarin, drops almond and cashmere wood
What they share
Shares 9 of its 11 notes, including Orange Blossom, Cedar, Patchouli
The main difference
Adds cashmere wood and pear
What they share
Shares 8 of its 11 notes, including Orange Blossom, Cedar, Patchouli
The main difference
Adds almond and cashmere wood, drops mandarin
Our verdict
While both share a clear coffee-vanilla DNA, Black Opium distinguishes itself with a smoother, richer profile, justifying its premium price.
What they share
Shares 7 of its 11 notes, including Pink Pepper, Cedar, Patchouli
The main difference
Adds almond and cashmere wood
Choose Opera Noir when
You're on a tight budget but love the Black Opium DNA.
What they share
Shares 7 of its 11 notes, including Pink Pepper, Orange Blossom, Coffee
The main difference
Adds almond and cashmere wood
Our verdict
Black Opium and Elixir are near-identical takes on a gourmand profile, but the key difference lies in price and subtle nuances.
What they share
Shares 8 of its 11 notes, including Vanilla, Coffee, Almond
The main difference
Adds cashmere wood and licorice, drops liquor
Choose Elixir when
You're seeking an affordable alternative to Black Opium.
What they share
Shares 7 of its 11 notes, including Vanilla, Coffee, Orange Blossom
The main difference
Adds almond and cashmere wood
Our verdict
Black Opium EDP by YSL and Zara Gardenia both channel a sweet coffee-vanilla allure, but Black Opium goes bolder and lasts longer, making it ideal if you want a show-stopping, night-out scent.
What they share
Shares 5 of its 9 notes, including Pear, Orange Blossom, Coffee
The main difference
Adds bergamot and gardenia, drops almond and cashmere wood
Choose Gardenia when
You want a more affordable option.
Our verdict
While both share a sweet, coffee-vanilla DNA, Effects of Uniq diverges from Black Opium in its overall execution.
What they share
Shares 6 of its 11 notes, including Pear, Coffee, Orange Blossom
The main difference
Adds almond and cashmere wood, drops caramel and mandarin
Choose Effects Of Uniq when
You're on a budget and want a similar vibe.
Our verdict
While both Black Opium and Prerogative share a sweet, coffee-centric profile, they cater to different preferences.
What they share
Shares 2 of its 11 notes, including Pink Pepper, Coffee
The main difference
Adds almond and cashmere wood, drops amberwood and apricot
Choose Prerogative when
You're on a budget but love coffee scents.
What they share
Shares 5 of its 15 notes, including Pear, Coffee, Jasmine
The main difference
Adds bergamot and mimosa, drops almond and cashmere wood
What they share
Shares 5 of its 16 notes, including Pink Pepper, Jasmine, Vanilla
The main difference
Adds aldehydes and bergamot, drops almond and cashmere wood
Our verdict
While both share a sweet, warm, and woody profile with jasmine, Black Opium leans into a bolder, gourmand coffee and vanilla sweetness, demanding attention.
What they share
Shares 1 of its 11 notes, including Jasmine
The main difference
Adds amber and animalic, drops almond and cashmere wood
Choose White Amber when
You prefer a subtle, everyday fragrance.
Our verdict
Black Opium EdP is richer, deeper, and has stronger projection and longevity, thanks to its bold coffee-vanilla punch that makes it a true attention-grabber for nights out.
What they share
Shares 2 of its 11 notes, including Vanilla, Jasmine
The main difference
Adds almond and cashmere wood, drops amber and mandarin
Choose Midnight Blossom when
You prefer a more floral, creamy softness.
Our verdict
Black Opium is the obvious pick for impact: sweeter, richer and far more seductive, with a coffee-vanilla gourmand profile that reads evening-ready and attention-grabbing.
What they share
Shares 3 of its 11 notes, including Cedar, Patchouli, Pink Pepper
The main difference
Adds almond and cashmere wood, drops amber and bergamot
Choose Night Sky when
You want a budget-friendly option.
Our verdict
Black Opium and Summer Nights share woody notes, but diverge dramatically.
What they share
Shares 2 of its 8 notes, including Jasmine, Cedar
The main difference
Adds aquatic and lemon, drops almond and cashmere wood
Choose Summer Nights when
You prefer light, airy, and fresh scents.
Scent profile
How we judge a match
We score each pairing on the two fragrance profiles: shared accords, overlapping notes, longevity and projection, and the occasions each suits. A good inspired-by scent captures the original's character rather than copying it molecule for molecule.
The full method, and what to look for in a dupe. Prices are UK retail and change often. Check before buying.
Inspired-by fragrances. Not affiliated with, endorsed by or produced by Yves Saint Laurent. Match scores are our estimate of how alike two perfumes smell, calculated from their published notes, not a measurement. How we score similarity.