The Blanc vs Black Opium

The Blanc receives mixed reviews from the fragrance community, with opinions varying widely on its scent profile and performance. While some appreciate its fresh tea and herbal qualities with good longevity, others find it soapy, old-fashioned, or overly cologne-like. The fragrance is notably finicky for some wearers, with the scent changing dramatically or smelling chemical/plastic at times.

Black Opium by YSL is recognized by the r/fragrance community as a popular statement fragrance choice, particularly mentioned as an example of a bold evening scent. While it has dedicated fans who appreciate its strong projection and distinctive character, the community acknowledges it's polarizing and not suitable for everyday or versatile wear, with some finding it overly sweet or artificial depending on skin chemistry.