Opium Poesie de Chine pour Femme by Yves Saint Laurent bottle
Yves Saint Laurent

Opium Poesie de Chine pour Femme

4.3/5 · 344 votes Feminine 2008
Main accords
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Fragrance notes

Top notes
Heart notes
Base notes

Character

Longevity3.7/5
Sillage3.3/5
Day100
Night68
Fall89
Winter71
Summer42
Spring36
Our take

Opium Poesie de Chine pour Femme opens with a shower of citrus: tangerine, mandarin, and ginger lending a sharp, almost fizzy brightness that feels more like a spritz of juice than a heavy oriental. That freshness is deceptive though, because the heart slides in with magnolia and jasmine, creamy and slightly indolic, a white floral that refuses to stay demure. Then comes the real story: myrrh and patchouli meet vanilla and musk in a base that’s warm, balsamic, and softly sweet, like a lacquered cabinet full of dried fruit and resin. This is a fragrance that walks the line between mainstream and niche, wearing its synthetic edges with pride but never feeling cheap. The overall character is a silk robe embroidered with gold thread, elegant but with a hint of opium den languor. And here’s the honesty: the longevity is acceptable, around four or five hours, and sillage settles to a polite arm’s length after the first burst. That makes it perfect for autumn evenings or winter afternoons when you want a soft, spicy glow rather than a shout. Who should wear it? Someone who loves a citrus opening that melts into a vanillic, floral amber without turning cloying. Who should skip? Anyone who can’t tolerate patchouli or wants a bold, projecting beast. It’s a refined, slightly melancholic beauty, best worn when the air cools and you crave a touch of warmth.

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