I got my hands on the new Yves Saint Laurent Black Opium Eau de Parfum Glitter and I was pretty hyped to try it as it has a marshmallow note. I am, like most of the gourmand fragrance community, obsessed with anything marshmallow. YSL promised this to be a warm, spicy, gourmand with notes of Marshmallow Musk Accord, Coffee Accord, and Vanilla Bourbon Absolute. I was being really smart and logical when I purchased this and went with the smaller travel-size spray as I do have a love hate relationship with Black Opium. It’s a scent I really have to be in a mood to wear and it’s rare I actually do wear it. It’s just a bit too dark for me.
However, when they did this new edition I was intrigued with all the delicious gourmand notes and away I went to make my little purchase. It set me back $35 and at the time it was a blindbuy because I was eager and couldn’t wait for it to drop in stores so I ordered it online.
Unfortunately, it’s a nope for me. I don’t like it. Well, that’s not true. I love the glittery bottle it comes in! You won’t get that with the travel-spray but if you are headed in for a larger bottle purchase the bottle is really pretty with pink and silver glittery.
This is a very strong, shape fragrance and I failed to smell the gourmand notes in it. It’s very orange blossom heavy which isn’t a bad thing but every note in this perfume feels challenged, dominated, and conquered by patchouli. It’s such a heavy, dense, dark fragrance because of the note. The fragrance is supposed to start with lighter notes like pear and lemon but I don’t smell that. It moves into middle notes of orange blossom which is actually very noticeable even after the fragrance dries down you’ll still get a good hit of it mixed with the patchouli.
The base notes is really where I was hoping to get some fluffiness as the coffee, vanilla, and marshmallow are supposed to be in the final dry down but musk and patchouli are as well and patchouli completely eliminates everything else. You get a sugary patchouli with hints of orange blossom as the fragrance dries down and settles onto your skin. It’s really deep, dark, sultry and far, far from gourmand in my opinion. It’s just to strong and it lingers on the skin for ages and ages.
It’s absolutely a statement fragrance and one that stands out. If you’re in an elevator this is sure to overpower everyone inside with you not to mention the scent will likely linger well after you exit. It’s just not for me and a bit too potent. I think the oddest thing about the launch is it is a Spring 2025. This seems like it would’ve made a great pick for Fall or Winter but heading into Spring not so much! It’s way too strong!
Oh well! That being said, I’m pretty sure Yves Saint Laurent Black Opium fans will absolutely LOVE Glitter. But if you’re looking for a gourmand fragrance that smells like marshmallow this isn’t it.
Have you smelled Yves Saint Laurent Black Opium Eau de Parfum Glitter? Did you like it? Or was it a skip?
