pssst - I Do Opium

Long ago during the summer of our youth, Himself returned from a business trip with a gift that changed my life forever: He presented me with my first bottle of Opium. Since that time, I've never truly been the same.

I still dabble occasionally with White Shoulders and Narcisse. Obsession and Green Tea are welcome on my dressing table--my tastes in scent remain eclectic. But it is Opium that friends remark upon and new acquaintances ask about. It is Opium that clings to my sweaters and jackets. It is Opium that announces to all and sundry that Herself has recently passed this way. The other fragrances are mere flirtations. As all my family and friends know, Opium has long since become my signature scent.

Indeed, Opium has become my addiction. Whenever my supply runs low, serious effort is expended to ensure procurement of a new bottle before the old one is dry. I have been known to go to extreme measures to replenish my supply. I'm not too proud to drop heavy hints before birthdays, holidays, and other occasions when gift-giving is merited. For example, as Himself and I approached our 34th wedding anniversary, my then-current bottle was over two-thirds empty. This meant that the possibilities for negotiating my resupply were, um, promising. . . .

Opium has an exotic spicy fragrance that overlays just a hint of musk. It is neither overpowering nor subtle, and it tends to accentuate each wearer's body chemistry in a way that is as unique as the individual herself. The result is a wondrously earthy sensuality that is the aromatic counterpart of a low raspy voice.

Opium addicts who like to layer their scent know that the parent company, Yves Saint Laurent, offers a number of additional products in the Opium line, including soap, shower gel, body creme, body moisturizer, dusting power, and body oil.

Opium is known almost as well for its presentation style as for its scent. The classic terracotta and gold stoppered container is always on my dressing table--even if the bottle itself is empty. It sets a worthy standard. The outer packaging for the classic bottle is a sturdy oval case made of molded plastic and/or pressed board, depending on the product it protects. The outer container for my .26-oz parfum bottle even includes a space in the base to hold the corded tassel that is part of the design. The outer container repeats the terracotta and gold of the stoppered bottle, adding golden foliage and black accents. The overall look is quite striking.

The simpler design for the eau de toilette spray bottle pictured in this review category borrows many of these same elements. The spray bottle is much more practical, especially for travel, less likely to leak or spill than the stopped bottle. Nontheless, men wishing to score higher points with the women in their lives should opt for the classic version. Its impact is rather like the difference betweem a diamond and cubic zirconium!

Of course, Opium is a costly addiction. In the States, a 1.6-oz/50-ml bottle of eau de toilette sells for $50-55 at the cosmetics counters of upscale department stores (though persistent shoppers can find sales and discounts courtesy of both brick-and-mortar and online retailers). The department stores may be a bit more costly, but their supply is reliable and, unlike the discount sellers, they maintain a full range of other items within the Opium product line.

In my own experience, there is no question that wearing Opium makes me feel more attractive and desirable--a situation from which Himself is satisfied to reap the advantage. After all, it was he who started the whole thing with that long-ago gift. . . . Still, as a matter of record, just because I took the fall doesn't mean I didn't notice the push!

An Opium for Men is now also available--though I confess that this fact leaves me feeling a vague kinship with those members of Augusta National Golf Club and Royal Troon who express mild outrage over the possibility of having women join their ranks.

© DAnneC/BawBaw, Updated and Reposted 2004