Opium has been around for ages. When YSL fragrances come to mind, I can't help but think about the original scent that made its mark in the perfumery. With all the oriental scents that spawned over the years, Opium remains to be the classic oriental fragrance.

The first Opium perfume launched in the 1970s was teeming with oriental warmth and spice. The richness and depth of the notes is something that only a person who has an acquired olfactory sense for orientals can appreciate its notes. And for those who have gotten used to the lighter fragrances that's going around in the perfume kiosks today, Opium may come off as too overwhelming and sometimes, too dated.

Flankers - either you love them or hate them. The tweaking of the notes creates a whole new experience in any fragrance line. You compare and contrast by sniffing your way through the melange of accords that made the original notes more pronounced or in most cases, the spin-offs muted the notes to blend with the contemporary scents.

Over the years, the YSL fragrance house released a new line of Opium flankers which seemingly danced with the fashion statements of the times. The revered oriental notes are still there. The nuances of lightness and freshness added brings out a familiar experience embellished with less stifling accords.

Opium Eau d'Ete

This summer version is an easy to wear Opium fragrance. It's citrusy and leaves a burning aromatic firewood in the dry down. The subtlety of Opium Eau d'Ete didn't lose the rich-smelling essence of the earlier Opium.

Opium Fleur de Shanghai

Opium Fleur de Shanghai mimics the original but in a demure and delicate sweetness the parent lacks. Some people call this Opium for beginners because it doesn't surprise you with heady notes of oriental accords.

Opium Fleur Imperiale

This is similar to the original Opium devoid of the carnation notes. It's lighter, a bit fruity and certainly more pleasant in a toned-down fashion.

Opium Orchidee de Chine

The exotic-flowery version of Opium. Very mysterious and feminine without losing out the traditional spice of Opium.

Opium Poesie de Chine Pour Femme

The oriental-vanilla fragrance without the cloves. It's lighter, softer and sprinkled with tangerine freshness at the beginning of the notes. Another summer-wearable fragrance from the Opium collection.