Yves Saint Laurent Fragrance review

YSL Black Opium Glitter Review: Sweet Marshmallow Musk

Name: YSL Black Opium Glitter Review: Sweet Marshmallow Musk
Item: Yves Saint Laurent Black Opium Glitter
Author: Vivir

A gourmand flanker that swaps the original's coffee intensity for a powdery marshmallow musk.

By Vivir · October 22, 2026

YSL Black Opium Glitter Review: Sweet Marshmallow Musk - Product Image

Yves Saint Laurent released Black Opium Glitter in 2024, a new flanker to its blockbuster Black Opium line. Marketed as a 'marshmallow musk' interpretation, it aims to capture the original's addictive gourmand character while adding a softer, powdery sweetness. The fragrance is classified as a women's Eau de Parfum and sits under the L'Oréal Groupe umbrella. The perfumer behind Glitter has not been officially disclosed by the brand, though the original Black Opium was crafted by Nathalie Lorson, Marie Salamagne, Olivier Cresp, and Honorine Blanc. On Fragrantica, Black Opium Glitter holds an overall rating of 3.73 out of 5 based on 1,553 votes. The scent opens with pear, green mandarin, and lemon; its heart is orange blossom; and its base combines vanilla absolute, marshmallow, coffee, musk, and patchouli. YSL Beauty confirms the presence of a marshmallow musk accord, brewed coffee, orange blossom, Bourbon vanilla from Madagascar, and Indonesian patchouli heart. This review breaks down the notes, performance, and value to help you decide if Glitter deserves a spot on your vanity.

Longevity

3.0

Projection

2.0

Sillage

2.0

$30-$175

SpringSummerFallWinter

Accords

sweet vanilla powdery citrus white floral coffee warm spicy musky patchouli fruity

Notes Pyramid

Top

PearGreen MandarinLemon

Heart

Orange Blossom

Base

Vanilla AbsoluteMarshmallowCoffeeMuskPatchouli

Scent Journey

Opening 0-30 min

The first 0-30 minutes bring a bright, fruity-citrus lift from pear, green mandarin, and lemon. It is fresh and slightly tart, though the sweetness of the underlying gourmand base is already perceptible.

Heart 1-2 hrs

After 1-2 hours, the heart reveals orange blossom, adding a soft white floral touch. The marshmallow and vanilla begin to emerge, creating a creamy, powdery sweetness that softens the initial citrus.

Drydown 4+ hrs

From 4 hours onward, the base dominates: vanilla absolute, marshmallow, coffee, musk, and patchouli. The coffee is less prominent than in the original Black Opium, while the marshmallow and vanilla create a cozy, powdery finish. The patchouli adds a subtle earthy depth.

Performance Dashboard

Longevity 3.0/5

6-8 hours (varies; several reviewers report it fading faster than the original Black Opium).

Projection 2.0/5

Moderate — multiple Fragrantica reviewers note weak projection compared with the OG.

Sillage 2.0/5

Moderate to soft.

When to Wear

SpringOK

SummerAvoid

FallBest

WinterBest

date nightnight out / clubbingevening eventscold-weather everyday wear

Pros & Cons

Sweet, marshmallow-forward gourmand that adds a new twist to Black Opium
Approachable and cozy for cold weather
Moderate price point for a designer EDP

Performance is weaker than the original Black Opium
Projection and sillage are moderate to soft
May be too sweet or powdery for some
Perfumer not disclosed

Price & Value

$30-$175

Mid-range for a designer EDP; the 30ml is affordable for sampling, while the 90ml sits at typical luxury pricing.

“Reasonable if you love the scent profile, but sample first given mixed performance reports.”

Reformulation History

No significant batch variations reported.

Who It's For

Ideal For

women who enjoy sweet gourmand fragrances
fans of the Black Opium line looking for a softer, marshmallow twist
those who prefer moderate projection and intimacy

Not Recommended For

those who dislike sweet or powdery scents
people seeking strong projection and all-day longevity
hot-weather wearers

The Family

Black Opium Eau de Parfum Yves Saint Laurent

Black Opium Extreme Yves Saint Laurent

Black Opium le Parfum Yves Saint Laurent

Black Opium Illicit Green Yves Saint Laurent

Explore More

Similar Fragrances

Black Opium Eau de Parfum Yves Saint Laurent

Black Opium Extreme Yves Saint Laurent

Black Opium le Parfum Yves Saint Laurent

Black Opium Illicit Green Yves Saint Laurent

Clone Alternatives

Marshmallow & Coffee-style gourmand dupes (e.g. 'Opium Noir'-type inspired oils) Various Middle-Eastern dupe houses (Lattafa, Maison Alhambra, Dossier)

You May Also Enjoy

La Vie Est Belle Lancome

Angel Mugler

Good Girl Carolina Herrera

More from Yves Saint Laurent

YSL Black Opium Yves Saint Laurent

Opium (Vintage) Yves Saint Laurent

Opium pour Homme EDP (Vintage) Yves Saint Laurent

YSL Opium Yves Saint Laurent

YSL Y EDP Yves Saint Laurent

YSL Opium pour Homme Yves Saint Laurent

Layering Ideas

Layer with an unscented moisturizer to improve longevity.
Pair with a vanilla or coffee body lotion to amplify the gourmand facets.
Apply to pulse points and clothing for better projection.

Final Verdict

Black Opium Glitter is a pleasant, sweeter flanker that trades the original's bold coffee for a powdery marshmallow musk. It works well for cozy evenings, but its moderate performance may disappoint fans of the original's projection. Sample before committing, especially if you expect beast-mode longevity.