Head to head
Yves Saint Laurent Black Opium and Valentino Donna Born in Roma are often compared by people choosing between the two. Black Opium is a gourmand fragrance and Donna Born in Roma a floral one, and they share pink pepper, jasmine and vanilla. They are related in style but clearly different once you smell them side by side.
Black Opium stands apart with pear, orange blossom and coffee, while Donna Born in Roma brings blackcurrant, bergamot and cashmere wood. They are rated the same for longevity (long-lasting), and they project about the same (strong). Both have a typical price of $130.
How we picked. We put the two fragrances side by side using the data in our catalog: notes, olfactory family, longevity, projection, the seasons and occasions each one suits and its typical price. A fragrance smells different on each person, so try both on skin if you can. Prices are typical US retail prices and may differ at checkout.
| Black OpiumYves Saint Laurent | Donna Born in RomaValentino | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical price | $130 · 3.0 oz | $130 · 3.4 oz |
| Concentration | Eau de Parfum | Eau de Parfum |
| Launched | 2014 | 2019 |
| Family | Gourmand, Amber | Floral, Amber |
| Top notes | Pear, Pink pepper, Orange blossom | Blackcurrant, Pink pepper, Bergamot |
| Heart notes | Coffee, Jasmine | Jasmine |
| Base notes | Vanilla, Patchouli, Cedar | Vanilla, Cashmere wood, Woody notes |
| Longevity | Long-lasting | Long-lasting |
| Projection | Strong | Strong |
| Best seasons | Fall, Winter | Spring, Fall, Winter |
| Occasions | Date, Formal event | Date, Everyday |
| Style | Seductive, Mysterious | Seductive, Urban, Romantic |
Yves Saint Laurent
$130 · 3.0 oz · EDP · Women · Gourmand
Black coffee, vanilla and white flowers: a shot of night-time adrenaline, sweet and addictive.
Choose Black Opium if you want a more mysterious character.
Valentino
$130 · 3.4 oz · EDP · Women · Floral
Jasmine and bourbon vanilla in a studded bottle. Roman haute couture with street attitude.
Choose Donna Born in Roma if you want something better suited to warm weather and a more urban and romantic character.
Answer 7 quick questions about the person and the occasion, and we will match the fragrances that fit best.
Take the quizThey are rated the same for longevity (long-lasting), and they project about the same (strong). Longevity also depends on your skin and on how much you apply.
Both have a typical price of $130. These are typical US retail prices for a standard bottle and change often, so check the current price before buying.
They share pink pepper, jasmine and vanilla. They are related in style but clearly different once you smell them side by side.
For spring and summer, Donna Born in Roma is the better fit. For fall and winter they are about equally suited. Black Opium is at its best in fall and winter, and Donna Born in Roma in spring, fall and winter.
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