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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 I unveil my list of 8 of the best YSL men’s colognes.
What are the Best YSL Colognes?
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How I Tested and Selected The Best YSL Colognes
YSL’s longstanding reputation for creating understated yet luxurious-feeling fragrances played the main role in my rankings.
I ranked the following colognes based on their Scent, Projection, Longevity, Versatility and Value.
The brand’s ability to capture a classic, timelessness in men’s colognes was a standout factor. Even if a particular scent might not cater to everyone’s personal taste, the craftsmanship and appeal could be appreciated universally.
In summary, the selection process involved immersing myself in the world of YSL colognes, considering not only their individual merits but also how they fit into the broader spectrum of men’s fragrance preferences.
In-Depth YSL Cologne Reviews
La Nuit De L’Homme
La Nuit De L’Homme Review
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.
Deep, dark veiled, and powerful, it features spicy accords and traces of warm woody accents. Even after a decade, I still consider it one of the best choices for a date fragrance.
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.
The warmth and seductiveness of this fragrance make it an ideal choice for chilly days. The notes get a chance to shine in this weather, creating a cosy aroma.
Top Notes: Cardamom
Middle Notes: Lavender, Bergamot, Virginia Cedar
Base Notes: Vetiver, Caraway
What we liked
- Perfect for Date Nights
- Sophisticated Spicy Accords
- Charming and Desirable Scent
YSL Y EDP
YSL Y EDP Review
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.
To me, this scent gives off a vibe reminiscent of Invictus Aqua in the dry down, not identical but sharing a similar freshness. It remains consistently fresh, making it suitable for various occasions and seasons.
The heart is decidedly sage, making it slightly peppery, while the ending features amber wood and Tonka bean. Amberwood contributes to the cologne’s staying power and is responsible for its ambergris vibe.
In my opinion, it outshines recent lackluster blue releases like Jimmy Choo Man Blue and John Varvatos Nick Jonas. Y Oud Parfum brings a richer and more appealing experience, retaining the versatility of the original. It’s a step up.
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
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.
The base is where the spicy leather, honey, and civet shine, giving a gentlemanly, sophisticated vibe. It’s a departure from modern fragrances heavy on ambroxan or tonka bean.
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 gentlemanly scent
- Bold, spicy and hugely appealing
- Excellent for over 30's
Opium EDT
Opium EDT Review
Opium By Yves Saint Laurent for Men is 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.
While Opium might not become my daily go-to, considering my extensive collection, it’s a fantastic choice for special occasions or dates when I want to exude a bold and distinctive aura
Top Notes: Black Currant, Star Anise
Middle Notes: Pepper, Galanga
Base Notes: Bourbon Vanilla, , Tolu Balsam, Atlas Cedar
What we liked
- A long-time date night favorite
- Fantastic performance (lasts 10+hours)
- Great for the colder months
YSL L’Homme Eau De Toilette
YSL L’Homme Eau De Toilette Review
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.
While L’Homme may have lost some hype, I believe it’s overshadowed by its younger brother, La Nuit de l’Homme. Don’t get me wrong; La Nuit is fantastic for date nights and sensual settings, but L’Homme is the versatile older brother that often gets overlooked. It’s suitable for dates, office wear, and practically any occasion.
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
- Soft yet sophisticated
- 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. Released in 1988, the aromatic woody fougere sports a fresh, spicy, lavender, ambery aroma.
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.
It boasts an extensive note pyramid, a characteristic I appreciate in contrast to many modern fragrances.
This versatile fragrance is suitable for various occasions, including the office, thanks to its nice projection in the first hour and a decent bubble around you. Longevity hits the sweet spot for me at 8 to 10 hours.
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 Longevity
- 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.
Now, performance-wise, it’s a champ. On my skin, I get around 9 to 10 hours of longevity, with 2.5 hours of solid projection. It gradually becomes a skin scent, lingering detectably for up to 9 to 10 hours.
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
- Solid Projection and longevity
- 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.
