Hopelessly Addicted (Yves Saint Laurent: Opium, Eau de Toilette)

Member Name: DiamondCat

Product:	Yves Saint Laurent: Opium, Eau de Toilette
Date:	06/05/08 (106 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: very unique fascinating classic fragrance

Disadvantages: none

Since I was nearly 14, in the summer of 1991, I have been in love with Opium. It will always outshine everything else. At the time I had no idea that it was even perfume. A relative who is a Monica Belucci lookalike wore it. I was awkward and rather ugly and greatly impressed by her.

Years later, on smelling this wonderful scent again, an acquaintance told me what it was. I was in my late teens then. I kept my nose alert for it everywhere. It always gave me the same buzz as when I was younger. But I never considered using it, it seemed too ladylike and I'm not really feminine. Until my now husband handed me a fancy looking gift. It was a bottle of Opium, Eau de Toilette, and it changed my mind instantly. He loves it and knew I did and, thankfully, ignored my opinion at the time. Strangely enough, it's turned out to be the one fragrance that gives me great confidence.

Anyway, the only dilemma I now face is wanting to smell it all the time, and also wanting to keep it special. I really get high blood pressure if I smell it early in the morning on someone sloppy looking. There should be fines.

The fragrance notes are: Mandarine, Jasmine, Carnation, Vanilla. It is described by YSL as an oriental spicy harmony. Don't quote me on this, but it seems to indicate a similar idea to Chanel's Allure - a continious blend instead of top, middle and base notes. In any case, it does seem to stay unchanged, and just eventually fades - as Allure does.
Interestingly, though it contains vanilla, I wouldn't call it sweet. Probably that's why it never seems overpowering, even if I or someone else wears a generous amount.
There is a new "summer" version/ special edition. But I'm not considering that, one should leave classics untouched. Or give the new thing a new name.

Which leads me to the last aspect - the products that carry the scent of Opium and their aproximate prices: (there are probably more than listed below; the first four are featured on the website, the last one I came across in a store)

Parfum bottle (pure perfume) 7.5ml £58

Eau de parfum 30ml £39
50ml £53.50

Eau de toilette 30ml £32
50ml £46
100ml £64.50

Body lotion 200ml £29.50
Body cream 200ml £42


There are cheaper prices out there. But personally I have no problem with the RRP, considering what a special product it is. It is a luxury, not a mainstream item. You're definitely not just paying for the name.
Additional tips:
- using the lotion or cream will significantly increase the "life time" of
the perfume in two ways; 1 you layer the fragrance, 2 moisturized
skin holds the smell better (any unscented vody lotion prior to
perfume is helpful

- to prevent the smell and texture from changing, any fragance should
be kept in its box, in a cool dark place; at least away from sunlight
and heat sources
- if you buy on ebay or the like - I'm not aware of YSL imitations - check
the seller's reputation, and that the product is new; you don't want the
smell to have changed


If you've lasted this long, thanks for reading and your patience. I hope it will help make you into a fellow addict.

Summary: the Rolls Royce of perfumes