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Yves Saint Laurent is a globally recognized brand that epitomizes timeless class. Fashion, makeup, skincare, and fragrances make up the highly reputable brand’s product lines. The fashion house boasts multiple classic fragrances and continues to wow the world with new and innovative ones.
YSL colognes are iconic, high-quality, and enduring. Indeed, almost every fragrance enthusiast has owned a bottle at one point or another. They are also some of the most popular, best-selling fragrances on the planet. Read on as we unveil our list of 8 of the best YSL men’s colognes.
What are the Best YSL Colognes?
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What To Look For in a Perfume
When choosing the best Saint Laurent cologne for you, a friend, or your significant other, you need to remember that fragrance choice is highly based on personal taste and preferences.
To help you narrow down your choices, consider factors such as performance, staying power, and fragrance concentration. The season and occasion are also essential considerations when choosing a YSL cologne.
Ultimately, choose a scent you adore, one that complements your lifestyle and mood — one that makes you feel cool, self-assured, manly, or enticing whenever you wear it.
What’s Unique About YSL Colognes for Men
YSL colognes have been a long-standing favorite among men of all ages and backgrounds. The scents produced by the company have often been associated with a calm yet confident masculine nature.
The brand has come up with some understated yet extremely luxurious-feeling fragrances that are hard to find among its competitors. There’s a certain classic, timeless element that YSL seems to have perfected when it comes to men’s colognes.
This means that even though the scents might not be everyone’s cup of tea, they can still be appreciated by almost anyone. So, without further ado, let’s take a look at these excellent colognes.
How We Test Perfumes
Determining the best YSL colognes was challenging since they are all excellent. That said, we analyzed the various fragrances based on key parameters such as the overall performance, scent type and quality, versatility, and value for money.
In-Depth YSL Cologne Reviews
La Nuit De L’Homme
La Nuit De L’Homme Review
If you have a hot date coming up and plan to impress your partner, then you’d probably want to get your hands on La Nuit De L’Homme. Created using contrasting ingredients in 2009, this intense and deeply seductive fragrance is arguably one of the sexiest men’s colognes available. No wonder many men have had it as their signature scent since its debut, contributing to YSL’s increasing popularity.
This cologne’s bold sensuality and seduction is a silent battle between restraint and reckless abandon. Deep, dark veiled, and powerful, it features spicy accords and traces of warm woody accents. The scent was produced by 3 prominent noses – Anne Flipo, Dominique Ropion, and Pierre Wargnye.
La Nuit De L’Homme’s opening explodes in a fresh and spicy cardamom accord, evolving into sparkling bergamot, cedar, and lavender accords. The base reveals cumin and vetiver, giving the mysterious scent a sensual, luxuriously elegant ending.
This men’s perfume is hugely popular and a sure compliment puller. In addition, it sports moderate longevity and sillage. The contemporary YSL classic is ideal for work, evening, or formal wear in cold or temperate weather.
Top Notes: Cardamom
Middle Notes: Lavender, Bergamot, Virginia Cedar
Base Notes: Vetiver, Caraway
What we liked
- Smells fantastic
- Sophisticated and refined
- Makes you feel charming and desirable
YSL Y EDP
YSL Y EDP Review
YSL formulations are designed to exude freshness and class, and YSL Y Eau De Parfum is no exception. This 2018 release was formulated by the renowned perfumer Dominique Ropion as a seductive interpretation of Saint Laurent’s iconic white T-shirt and black jacket ensemble.
Y EDP redefined masculinity. Inspired by the innovative YSL himself, the fragrance is bold, fresh and designed for the youthful male. The cologne is what is referred to as an aromatic fougere, a fragrance inspired by nature. Fougere fragrances thus typically boast clean, natural aromas.
The scent opens with a fresh, juicy burst, the apple notes lending it a hint of sweetness. The heart is decidedly sage, making it slightly peppery, while the ending features amberwood and Tonka bean. Amberwood contributes to the cologne’s staying power and is responsible for its ambergris vibe.
YSL Y EDP is incredibly versatile. It’s the kind of fragrance you reach out for when unsure what to wear. In other words, it is ideal for all seasons and occasions – whether hot, cold, formal, or casual. This is a keeper and should adorn every gentleman’s cologne collection.
Top Notes: Bergamot, , Ginger, , Apple
Middle Notes: Sage, Kuniper Berries, Geranium Absolute
Base Notes: Amberwood, Cedar, Vetiver, Tonka Bean, Olibanum
What we liked
- Sexy fragrance with an Irresistible smell
- Makes an excellent signature fragrance
- The scent remains fresh even in high heat conditions
Kouros Eau De Toilette
Kouros Eau De Toilette Review
This is another aromatic fougere from Yves Saint Laurent. Released in 1981, Kouros was also referred to as King Kouros or The Scent Of Gods and held a mythical standing in the fragrance world (Kouros is the name of a nude male sculpture from Ancient Greece).
Kouros has a powerfully commanding presence, and first-time users either like it immensely or totally dislike it. I would therefore not recommend a blind buy.
Intensely masculine, the luxurious fragrance contains an exquisite blend of aldehydes, bergamot, jasmine, coriander, vanilla, and traces of honey. Pierre Bourdon is the perfumer behind the formulation.
Kouros sports one of the most beautiful drydowns. It also has decent staying power. For best results, wear it during the day in mild weather. This YSL cologne is most appropriate for a gentleman aged 30+.
Top Notes: Aldehydes, Bergamot, Coriander, Clary Sage, Artemisia
Middle Notes: Patchouli, Geranium, Carnation, Jasmine, Vetiver, Cinnamon, Orris Root
Base Notes: Honey, Civet, Musk, Leather, Amber, Oakmoss, Vanilla, Tonka bean
What we liked
- A classic
- Bold, manly, and hugely appealing
- A unique and unforgettable masculine scent
Opium EDT
Opium EDT Review
Opium By Yves Saint Laurent for Men was introduced in 1995. The creator of this masterpiece was Jacques Cavallier. He was inspired by an exotic blend of lush blooms, spices, and deep woodsy accords.
An exotic, warm, and spicy offering, this addictive cologne is pretty intoxicating. It also holds a distinct elegance and sophistication that makes it supremely captivating. This YSL scent was created for a strong personality.
The opening is warm and full of spice. It features vanilla notes and fruity black currant accents. The initial sniff is sharp, but the black currants soon mellow down. They settle to reveal spicy anise and pepper, releasing a burst of freshness. At the base are sweet vanilla, cedarwood, and a warm balsam cloud, with the thick balsam responsible for Opium’s exotic, dream-like vibe.
A tad pricey, this cologne is worth splurging on. The bold sillage and beast mode performance ensure you get your money’s worth. It’s perfect for nightlife and the cold seasons.
Top Notes: Black Currant, Star Anise
Middle Notes: Pepper, Galanga
Base Notes: Bourbon Vanilla, , Tolu Balsam, Atlas Cedar
What we liked
- A long-time favorite
- Fantastic performance (lasts 10+hours)
- Great for the colder months
YSL L’Homme Eau De Toilette
YSL L’Homme Eau De Toilette Review
The classic Yves Saint Laurent L’homme was released in 2006. Refreshing, sexy, and bearing a simple presentation, YSL L’homme bears the signature YSL DNA — a delicate, fresh woodsy scent — and several YSL fragrances are offshoots of this cologne.
YSL L’homme is subtle with a soft yet utterly masculine aroma. The opening is rather intriguing and features light, citrusy bergamot combined with warm, spicy ginger and basil accents. The base notes include creamy Tonka bean, vetiver, and sandalwood, laying the base for a herbal, woodsy finish.
Ginger is the most prominent note in this fragrance, while violet ushers in a floral touch. The overall effect is an ultra-herbal green scent with peppery hints.
This fantastic smelling fragrance is suitable for wear day and night throughout the year.
Top Notes: Bergamot, , Lemon, , Ginger
Middle Notes: Basil, Iris, White pepper, Violet
Base Notes: Tonka Bean, Sandalwood, Vetiver, Oakmoss
What we liked
- A timeless cologne
- Smells fantastic
- Ideal for most occasions
Jazz Eau De Toilette
Jazz Eau De Toilette Review
Jazz by Yves Saint Laurent is a classic YSL scent from the 80s era. The nose behind Jazz YSL is Jean-Francois Latty. Released in 1988, the aromatic woody fougere sports a fresh, spicy, lavender, ambery aroma. It evokes class and a sense of purpose and was quite popular in the 1990s.
Jazz delivers a slightly spicy opening featuring bergamot, nutmeg, and anise notes. A floral, well-blended dry down with traces of woody accents wraps up this fragrance.
This scent smells terrific and is best suited for casual wear. However, it’s quite a versatile fragrance; thus, you can wear it all year in various settings. It’s not so easy to find, though, and is more of a collector’s item.
Top Notes: Lavender, Anise, Nutmeg, Basil, Coriander, Artemisia, Bergamot, Cinnamon
Middle Notes: Geranium, Jasmine, Iris , Carnation
Base Notes: Sandalwood, Musk, Amber, Cedar, Tonka Bean
What we liked
- Great scent
- A vintage cologne from the late 80s
- Timeless, classy, and elegant perfume
La Collection M-7 Oud Absolu Eau De Toilette
La Collection M-7 Oud Absolu Eau De Toilette Review
If you like oud scents, then consider trying out this cologne. A rare find, M-7 Oud Absolu was Yves Saint Laurent’s 7th masculine fragrance, hence the M-7. The amber woody fragrance was released in 2011.
A deep, warm, slightly sweet orangy opening and smoky dry-down are what you get with the M-7. The heart bears prominent patchouli which is soon followed by myrrh and a soft oud. This combination results in the unique cherry cola aroma that forms an integral component of the original M-7 scent.
This sexy, luxurious fragrance is made with high-quality ingredients. Excellent as a signature scent, M-7 Oud Absolu is not a beast performer, but it will give you decent projection and longevity. While it’s somewhat pricey, this is a collector’s item and definitely worth the splurge.
Wear M-7 Oud Absolu during cold seasons or chilly evenings. It has a distinctive, appealing scent, making it appropriate for office wear.
Top Notes: Mandarin orange
Middle Notes: Patchouli
Base Notes: Agarwood (oud), Myrrh, French Labdanum
What we liked
- An absolute masterpiece
- Gorgeous, appealing aroma
- Warm and soothing
Wrapping Up
A YSL cologne offers class, style, and ultra-sophistication. And since the fragrances cover a broad spectrum of aromas, including light, fresh, intense, and woodsy, you are sure to find one to suit your preferences.
If you’re in the market for a YSL scent, consider going for a gift set. These often contain complementary products like deodorant, aftershave, and shower gel — giving you more value for your buck.
