COP OR FLOP: Do You Need the New Black Opium Illicit Green Perfume in Your Collection

I may earn a commission for purchases made through links in this post, however, all opinions are my own—YKTV.

Is this a safe space? The obvious answer is yes. I’m am not a huge fan of the cult-classic YSL Black Opium Eau De Parfum—there I said it. To clarify, I think the OG Black Opium smells great but it’s not a must-have in my fragrance collection. The slight powderiness of the fragrance is a bit off-putting for me. It reminds me of whatever fragrance my third-grade teacher drowned herself in daily or something my mother or grandmother would adore. But moving right along.

What is Black Opium Illicit Green Eau De Parfume?

YSL came in swinging 2022 with a new version of the beloved fragrance dubbed Black Opium Illicit Green. This reimagined version of Black Opium features new scent notes like fig and mandarin for a fruity non-powdery twist on a fragrance that perfume aficionados know and love. Of course, I blind purchased the fragrance when it dropped at the end of January to see if this was a version of Black Opium that could claim a spot in my growing fragrance collection.

What are the fragrance notes for Black Opium Illicit Green Eau De Parfume?

Price: $30 (travel spray), $78 ( 1oz perfume spray), $115 (2.5oz perfume spray)
Fragrance Family: Warm & Spicy–Warm & Sweet Gourmand
Key Notes: Green Mandarin, Fig, Coffee
Top Note: Fig Leaf, Green Mandarin, and Pear
Middle Notes: Fig, Jasmine and Orange Blossom
Base Notes: Bourbon Vanilla, Coffee, and Patchouli

Fragrance Description: ” Like a shot of adrenaline, this fragrance features a signature accord of black coffee twisted with luscious, juicy green mandarin and creamy fig. A zesty and unique take on the classic Eau de parfum, Black Opium Illicit Green is energizing and thrilling to wear.” Sephora.com

READ LATER: An Honest Review Of Kilian’s “Princess” Perfume (Brace Yourself)

What’s the difference between the original Black Opium perfume and the New Illicit Green?

If you have a decent nose for identifying scent notes, you’ll immediately notice the hint of fig and mandarin which makes this perfume a lot less powdery than its predecessor. Both scents overall smell pretty much the same. With that being said, if you already own the original you may want to skip the newest version unless you’re a die-hard Black Opium fan that wants to collect them all like infinity stones.

My Thoughts: Is Black Opium Illicit Green Worth The Hype?

Let me start by saying I absolutely prefer the Black Opium Illicit Green over the original. As I mentioned before, the fruity notes did wonders for making this fragrance non-powdery which is my preference. Black Opium Illicit Green is as sexy as the original but more fitting for my personal tastes. I’m all for wearing perfume whenever you want but I’d label this as a Fall/Winter/Nighttime kind of fragrance. It’s sultry and sexy which is why I wouldn’t wear it during the day or in the middle of the summer.

Packaging + Bottle

For this Black Opium launch, YSL didn’t stray too far from the original packaging and bottle, only putting a hint of green to distinguish it between its sister scents.

Does the scent of Black Opium Illicit Green Eau De Parfume last?

After wearing it on three occasions, I have to say not so much. After just a couple of hours of wear, the scent is pretty faint. I’ve experienced the same thing when wearing the Original YSL Black Opium Perfume. For fragrances that can feel very overpowering at first, they become rather subtle rather quickly. I thought that this was just a “me thing” but when I did a poll on my Instagram, most people felt the same.

However, if you’re really into any of the Black Opium fragrances and want to make them last longer, I’d recommend applying Vaseline on your pulse points before spraying in order to help the fragrance last longer.

Pro-Tip: Apply Vaseline to your pulse points (wrists, inner elbow, chest, behind ears and behind knees) before spraying perfume to increase the longevity of the fragrance. You can purchase Vaseline on Amazon, Target, CVS and most other drugstores. (Click links to shop).

Where can I buy Black Opium Illicit Green Eau De Parfum?

YSL Black Opium Illicit Green Eau De Parfum is exclusively available at Sephora and YSL. You can shop or save to your wishlist by clicking the buttons below.