Claudia Winkleman's perfume is a musky classic that 'smells like sex' - and it's perfect for winter
You could say she's pretty faithful to this classic YSL fragrance...
Claudia Winkleman doesn't want to smell like a meadow; she wants to 'smell like sex,' and this sensual perfume, with its rich spices and heady amber base, is the only one for the job.
While the list of best long-lasting perfumes boasts many a delicate and timeless scent, from powdery florals to fresh citrus blends, if you're someone who gravitates towards warmer, sexier signatures, we have another suggestion for you. Or we should say Claudia Winkleman does, as The Traitors presenter let slip her own favourite fragrance and, per her description, "it smells of pure filth."
She, of course, means that in a good way, having told Grazia that it's the 'only' perfume she wears. As for what this sensual scent is, it's a bona fide perfumery icon that first launched in 1977 and marries musk with hypnotic florals and hints of vanilla. Plus, best of all, it's refreshingly affordable for a celebrity-loved designer fragrance...
RRP: from £67 for 30ml | Notes: Bergamot, mandarin, Lily of the Valley, carnation, myrrh, jasmine, patchouli, vanilla and amber
Existing somewhere between a chic evening scent and an autumn/winter perfume, YSL's famous Opium blends sparkling notes of mandarin and a bouquet of white florals with spicy and warming hints of amber, vanilla and patchouli. It's spicy, rich and perfectly alluring, and thanks to its iconic square bottle with gold detailing, it's a luxe-looking addition to your dresser.
When it comes to the best perfumes for women, while there are several niche and less mainstream scents to be found (like these French perfumes), a handful of iconic brands never stray from the rankings. Chanel and Dior, for instance, and of course, Yves Saint Laurent. And though Libre often steals the spotlight as a popular amber perfume, YSL's Opium is also a very iconic blend (with many iterations now available, like Black Opium), and it just so happens to be Claudia Winkleman's all-time favourite signature.
"I only wear Yves Saint Laurent Opium," Winkleman told Grazia when detailing her morning routine, adding that she always opts for the 'old, brown bottle.' As for why she loves it, the presenter quipped: "It smells of pure filth. It's the best smell - it's musky, and it's dirty."
As mentioned, this timeless scent first launched in 1977 and opens with zingy notes of mandarin and bergamot, which then give way to hints of white florals, including Lily of the Valley and jasmine, before drying down into something altogether muskier. At its base are patchouli, amber and vanilla, which afford this scent its bewitching and sexy appeal. It's rich, heady and ideal for those who steer clear of traditionally feminine or delicately fresh fragrances, which is also why Winkleman adores it.
"I don't want to smell girly, I don't want to smell like I've just walked across a meadow," she explained: "I don't want any of that. I want to smell like sex!"
As you can probably deduce from Winkleman's description and taste in scents, this iconic YSL number lends itself perfectly to the evening but will also grant its wearer a very chic and lingering scent in the daytime.
