Last year, I was trying to find an alternative to YSL Black Opium for my girl because she loves the iconic amber vanilla scent. The smell of this perfume is so balanced in every note; that’s why finding the exact replica is tricky.
However, after immense testing, I figured out some closest dupes that smell like the warm spicy notes of Black Opium.
So, if you are looking for the same, read along!
What Does YSL Black Opium Smell Like?
Yves Saint Laurent released Black Opium in 2014 as an amber vanilla scent for women. It’s a great composition of YSL that introduces the dark & mysterious side of classic notes. Here, Coffee is the dominant scent with mildly sweet, spicy vanilla accords.
The scent starts with a fruity, boozy opening, leading to a fresh nutty smell with hints of floral undertones of orange blossom and pink pepper.
Then the identical coffee nuances arrive in the heart notes and transition the mild aroma into the bold and sensual one. After a while, when the perfume dries down, you will get a cocoa and caramel candy smell of coffee & Licorice.
And finally, you will get the sweet woody smell of cashmere wood and vanilla, with an exciting twist of patchouli. Plus, bitter almond & cedar create a long-lasting undertone that starts in the middle note and lasts forever on your skin.
Top Note: Pink Pepper, Orange Blossom, Pear.
Middle Note: Jasmine, Coffee, Licorice, Bitter Almond.
Base Note: Cedar, Vanilla, Cashmere Wood, Patchouli.
So, in this perfume, you perceive the most different aromas that can create a memorable evening with your partner. Actually, I love this fragrance; whenever she wears it, it blows my mind.
You can say it’s a balanced fusion of sweetness with bitter caffeine notes.
The smell is perfect for winter nights when you wanna spend some quality time with your special people. This feminine fragrance lasts 6 to 7 hours with moderate sillage and strong projection.
Which Perfumes Smell Similar To YSL Black Opium?
Now you have enough information about Black Opium By YSL, let’s start mentioning its dupes.
I’ve shortlisted some perfumes that are close enough. Not all of them are exact replicas, but they can still be good alternatives.
Here is the top 5 fragrance that smells similar to YSL Black Opium:
1. Black Opium Nuit Blanche Yves Saint Laurent
Top Note: Bourbon Pepper, Rice, Anise.
Middle Note: Orange Blossom, Coriander, Coffee, Peony.
Base Note: Milk, Sandalwood, Vanilla, Caramel, White Musk.
Black Opium Nuit Blanche by Yves Saint Laurent is another perfume that belongs to the same line and smells identically. The brand launched this in 2016 as a famine amber vanilla fragrance.
This third edition of black opium is inspired by Nuit Blanche (the art festival of Paris). You also find some similar coffee notes in this line, like Black Opium Extreme & Black Opium Intense.
It starts with a balsamic woody flavor and a hint of pine and citruses. You feel a mild yet identical essence of rice and anise that actually smells like some caramel candies.
A few minutes later, this sweet milky aroma gradually transformed into the bold smell of coffee and coriander. Both ingredients have an intense whiff, so peony and orange blossom help to reduce the boldness to present a beautiful, sensual scent.
At last, the perfume offers a sweet, musky, woody smell of musk, sandalwood, and vanilla. In this final note, you also find powdery, savory notes that come from milk and caramel. The soft candy smell lasts over 6 hours with noticeable projection.
When to Wear
It’s the best option for fall and winter days. With its fresh yet playful nature, this perfume can cover your formal to casual events. The coriander and coffee smell turns your monotonous event into a joyful one.
Why Should You Buy
- Perfect balanced fusion of coriander & coffee.
- Closest and most appreciable dupe of Black Opium.
- The smooth and creamy texture of musk makes this smell sexy.
- Best pick for those who enjoy the sweetness.
2. Zara Gardenia 2017 Zara
Top Note: Bergamot, Raspberry, Tangerine, Peach, Lemon.
Middle Note: Jasmine, White Flowers, Gardenia.
Base Note: Vanilla, Cedar, Patchouli, Cashmere Wood, Musk.
Zara Gardenia was launched in 2017 as an amber floral scent for women by Zara. It’s the most affordable dupe of Black Opium.
Though both perfumes have different notes, you will find similar smells from the first to last sniff. The fragrance starts with citrusy, fruity, juicy bergamot, raspberry, and lemon, where the tangerine and peach add an undertone aroma that emphasizes the overtone.
After the top note, you feel the iconic smell of jasmine & gardenia with a white floral essence. It feels like a flower festival, with some balsamic alcoholic aroma.
Last but not least, the fragrance turns into a warm woodsy smell of cashmere wood and cedar. The scent is so relaxing, with some smooth, creamy smell of musk and vanilla.
Where all the active scents create a bold aroma, patchouli has an earthy aroma that lasts more than 6 hours.
Plus, the perfume covers moderate to strong sillage.
When to Wear
Zara Gardenia is the best choice for winter & fall evenings. This perfume is also preferable for your formal or office days.
Why Should You Buy
- Most affordable clone of YSL Black Opium.
- Fresh opening with a bold ending.
- Long-lasting with excellent projection.
3. The Only One Dolce&Gabbana
Top Note: Bergamot, Violet, Orange.
Middle Note: Pear, Coffee, Orange Blossom, Iris, Rose.
Base Note: Vanilla, Patchouli, Caramel.
The Only One by Dolce&Gabban is the calm and delicate dupe of black opium that artistically shows romanticism. The Only One, released in 2018, is a feminine amber vanilla perfume.
After the first snuffle, you will get citrusy fresh notes of orange and bergamot that last only a few minutes. But the violet lasts more than others and adds with the second notes. Violet is the main element that makes this perfume sensual from the start.
Second, you will perceive the iconic coffee smell, but here you will find them in a moderate way. The most exciting part is that you get all the scents in this part but can’t feel them individually.
At last, caramel comes into the coffee and vanilla notes, creating the signature smell of YSL Black Opium. Iris, rose, and patchouli propagates the base smell lasting around 6 hours with moderate sillage.
When to Wear
This perfume is preferable for winter and fall date nights. Where you wanna attract your loved one with a sexy and seductive scent. It presents a perfect moment when it blends with your skin and makes a delightful aura.
Why Should You Buy
- Best dupe for romantic events.
- Rich and smooth perfume with a warm aspect.
- Fresh and captivating with a good dispersal ability.
4. Black Opium Eau de Toilette Yves Saint Laurent
Top Note: Pear, Citruses, Black Currant, Green Mandarin.
Middle Note: Orange Blossom, Jasmine, Tea, Coffee.
Base Note: White Wood, White Musk.
Now it’s time to discuss another scent that belongs to the same perfume line of black opium. In 2015 Yves Saint Laurent launched Black Opium Eau de Toilette for women as an amber vanilla fragrance.
It’s also an exclusive item of YSL, similar to black opium. The smell starts with the same tones of fresh fruity, citrusy notes of mandarin and pears. Black Currant and citruses make a refreshing fusion that offers a playful starting.
The fresh smell converts to a bold coffee smell, but in this version of black opium, you will feel a mild smell of jasmine, tea, and coffee, where the luminous sweet orange blossom gives a twist of fun and fantasy.
At last, you will get a smooth and creamy texture of white musk with a mild yet noticeable smell of white wood. The woodsy notes highlight sensuality with an attractive coffee touch. This sexy coffee and woody notes last over 8 hours with excellent sillage.
When to Wear
This perfume is best for fall nights and a good winter option. It’s also a perfect combination for formal programs where you wanna create a bold appearance.
Why Should You Buy
- A lighter yet long-lasting version of YSL black opium.
- Good choice for day and night wear.
- The alluring coffee and warm woody notes can attract your loved ones.
- Perfect for the solid feminine character.
5. Hundred Silent Ways Nishane
Top Note: Peach, Mandarin Orange, Tuberose.
Middle Note: Jasmine, Gardenia, Orris.
Base Note: Sandalwood, Vanilla, Vetiver.
Hundred Silent Ways was launched in 2016 as a unisex perfume by Nishane. It’s the most appealing perfume that is similar to black opium, also a good pick for a masculine personality.
From the first sniff, you feel a peachy smell that blends with tangy fresh notes of mandarin orange zest. Plus, you will perceive a delicate note of lavish caramelized tuberose that is also noticeable in the heart notes.
The total fresh citrusy smell turns into a flowery fragrance of jasmine and gardenia. And a versatile fresh floral smell of orris mixed with the tuberose make an amazing smelling party.
This floral note drastically changes into the sweet woodsy aroma of sandalwood and vanilla, whereas Vetiver’s earthy smoky smell cuts the sweetness and balances them all together.
The appealing scent lasts 10 to 12 hours, depending on your sweating tendencies.
When to Wear
It’s a preferable unisex perfume that goes with every season and offers great longevity on summer days. Moreover, you can put them on formal to casual programs.
Why Should You Wear
- Only unisex dupe of Black Opium.
- Long-lasting warm scent with great sillage.
- The perfect combination of wood, fruits, and flowers.
Final Line
It’s hard to find the exact match of the iconic YSL Black Opium. This type of proportionate balance of coffee, wood, and fruits rarely comes in the perfumery world.
But after massive research, I found that the five dupes of Black Opium have similar notes with additional touches. If you enjoy black opium, these fragrances won’t disappoint you.
Comment in the box for extended queries about any of these; I would love to answer them.
