Black Opium Yves Saint Laurent 2019 Eau de Parfum Intense

When I first had Black Opium Intense on the test strip at Douglas, I thought, what a bitter mess, who buys that? So I sent myself a bottle of the standard Black Opium through a lovely perfuma and compared it to the Dupe from La Rive. I was a little disappointed, because I had hoped that the original would smell longer and more intense than the Dupe. But no way, sometimes I couldn't tell the difference after a little time.

Because of the many good reviews and because I have noticed as a newcomer that the first impression can be deceptive about the further course of the fragrance, I ordered the Black Opium Intense. Arrived today, I directly put a sprayer on a piece of paper. As expected, the first impression was unpleasantly bitter but after a few minutes I couldn't put the note away. It now smells to me just as I had imagined the original Black Opium: dark, slightly floral, pleasant sweetness mixed with a fine coffee note. Elegant and wicked. The scent is clearly perceptible without killing me and if I imagine sitting next to a person who smells like that in the bus I could stand it very well without getting off with a headache afterwards.

Nevertheless I find the Intense as an everyday fragrance unsuitable for me. In my opinion it smells more like night and going out. Not exactly to a chic restaurant for a romantic dinner for two but great for a stroll through discos, clubs or even hip pubs. A scent that I will put on when I want to experience something. For an evening where anything can happen and as a background for a body-hugging, dark outfit, I imagine it to be perfect.

I am glad to have given this fragrance a second chance, because it deserves it. It will probably now take a permanent place with me, because I really like it very much.