I got this perfume as a gift to myself for Christmas – I know, I’m generous with myself. Ig got just the small 30 ml bottle because it’s my first expensive perfume and I want to slowly build a small collection of perfumes by buying just a few each year on special occasions.

I chose Black Opium because it was one of the perfumes that were often recommended to me and I also wanted something sexy and sensual. My preferences changed over time and now I’m moving on from fresh and fruity scents to florals and heavier perfumes. It’s just what I noticed I tend to gravitate towards.

I don’t know if there are differences between the versions of the perfumes. I got mine last year and it’s a 2018 edition, according to the batch code – I checked its authenticity even though I bought the perfume from a reputable store because you never know in Romania if it isn’t a knock-off.

The packaging is very beautiful in my opinion because the bottle looks just like jewelry. It’s a type of glittery bottle, except the glitter doesn’t come off. Plus, the pinky-silver glitter on the black bottle – simply gorgeous. The cap is simple, but I’m also not a big fan of those exaggerated huge caps that some perfume bottles have.

Top Notes: Green Tangerine, Pear, Pink Pepper
Middle Notes: Jasmine Tea Petal, Orange Flower Petal, Licorice, Bitter Almond
Base Notes: Green Coffee, Vanilla, Patchouli, Cedar, Cashmere Wood

For me, each perfume makes me think of a story and it makes me feel a certain way. I don’t have the most sensitive nose and I can’t pretend that I’m this big connaisseur when it comes to scents. I just know what I like and why I like it. For example, with Black Opium I can smell the jasmine and the light coffee scent, with a wooden undertone to it. That’s all. I can’t smell the tangerine, the pear or the scent of the orange flower, but I’m sure that this combination of scents is what makes this perfume a favorite for many.

It makes me think of luxurious garments, of glamorous events, of a sexy date night if you know what I mean. It also makes me feel more powerful when I wear it if that makes sense. It’s like it gives me a confidence boost because it’s a scent you can tell it’s there but it’s not sickening. At least in my opinion,

In terms of persistence and longevity, I think that it’s not necessary about the brand or the price, it’s really about the skin. On some people, a cheap perfume may last longer than a luxury one. Black Opium was pretty good for me because I can definitely smell it at the end of the day, granted more on the clothes than on my own skin.

Overall, perfumes I think are very personal and I can’t recommend one or note. My advice for buying perfume is to do your research, find out which notes you like and if you can find them in the respective perfume, smell the perfumes in store or if you’re like me and you don’t have where to get free samples, just buy some. That’s how I tried other high-end perfumes as well to see if I liked them by spending 1 euro or so for samples I bought online. It’s better to be safe than sorry.

Regarding Black Opium, it’s definitely a perfume that I love. I can’t say it’s my absolute favorite because I got my mind set on a particular La Perla perfume which I want to try and convince my husband to get me for Valentine’s Day – so keep your fingers crossed for me. I’m kidding, you don’t have to keep your fingers crossed, but it wouldn’t hurt.