Best Yves Saint Laurent Fragrances For Men [YSL Ranked]

The best Yves Saint Laurent fragrances for men are Yves Saint Laurent La Nuit de L’Homme abd YSL Y Eau de Parfum. Judging by sales, these two fragrances are best-sellers across the world. But there are a few other YSL cologne releases that are close in popularity such as Kouros.

Today, the fragrances follow in the footsteps of Henri Donat Mathieu Saint-Laurent. Starting from Christian Dior, Laurent went on to establish the fashion house. The first women’s perfume was released in 1964. Since then, the house launched more than 200 fragrances. Today, here’s what men are buying the most.

1. Yves Saint Laurent La Nuit de L’Homme

There’s no doubt La Nuit de L’Homme is going strong. It’s the type of fragrance that sells even in the case of an economic depression.

Represented as sexy, it’s a masculine fragrance that has gained its name with years of top sales across the world.

While some brands it very unique, others don’t see what the big discussion is around it.

If you check out La Nuit de L’Homme reviews, you’ll come across Jeremy Fragrance a lot. The guy loves it.

But is that good?

Top notes include one of the best cardamoms in the industry.

Bergamot, cedar, and lavender are among its mid notes.

Vetiver and caraway are their base accords.

By its name, the best Yves Saint Laurent fragrance is made for the man who goes out at night. It does seem to work a bit better during the night.

With a spin over the original cologne, it certainly is different. It’s no wonder many fragrance experts include it in their romantic recommendations as it has a sensuality to it.

Now, the quality of the juice makes it very popular and you can sample it in any fragrance shop.

If you ask those intro fragrances, they’ll tell you they have it but that they hate its popularity.

I don’t hate that it’s so popular as it makes money for the house and this means it gets to continue even when Laurent is not here among us.

If you’re considering for winter, spring, and fall, the fragrance is going to last about 7 hours on the skin.

It also draws in plenty of compliments if you’re into this type of fragrancing.

 

Dominant notes	Bottles	Season	Described as
Spicy cardamom	40ml 60ml 100ml	Winter Fall	Aromatic Spicy

2. Yves Saint Laurent La Nuit de L’Homme Le Parfum

Released in 2010, Le Parfum is such a warm performer it’s almost hard to dislike. The main reason you’d forfeit it is simply based on your personal views on flankers. But I’d say this is not the case here.

Bergamot, anise, and pepper are its spicy opening notes.

Lavender, labdanum, and fruits are its mid accords.

Vetiver, patchouli, and vanilla are its base accords.

Also made to be worn during the night, the fragrance has a dark appeal to eat. Ready to offer one of the leading experiences for nighttime wear from a designer house, it’s easily one of the worthy options if you’re a mysterious guy or someone who doesn’t follow trends.

Except for summer, it’s to be a solid performer

Characterized by solid projection, it’s the type of cologne that works solidly for special occasions.

Dark fruity tones, patchouli, and vetiver make it a bit more mature than the original La Nuit de L’Homme.

Added pepper and labdanum also make it a bit more intense than the original.

Introverts have been named as the best guys to wear it but there’s more to the mystery than just standing back from socializing.

Without the intense cardamom, its rather a scent characterizing a mature man, who teenagers might confuse with mysterious men.

Synthetic notes are still there. But many men can’t be bothered by choosing anything else as this perception changes within 5 minutes.

A few notes on its drawbacks are also needed.

For starters, it has moderate silage. If you want to be loud, this is not the right YSL for you.

I’d say it’s subtle which in my eyes is a very big compliment for a dark fragrance. Made to lay under the radar and not scream at your date ‘hey I’m wearing cologne’, it has the right DNA.

But one of its reviewers also said that this fragrance is nothing for a date night if you’re not dressing for the role. I agree with my whole heart. You cannot pull it off in slippers. You need to dress apart as well.

While projection and silage are modern, it does last for 7 hours on the skin which makes it a good purchase.

Now for the big debate, which you do you get if you don’t have either this one or the original? My advice is to get both.

On the evening or nights where you simply go out you spray the original. But during the nights where you might wear something black or when you make the effort to match an outfit, this is it.

I get that neither are affordable but they’re worth saving up for.

 

Dominant notes	Bottles	Season	Described as
Spicy fruits	60ml 100ml	Winter Fall	Dark Sweet Spicy

3. Yves Saint Laurent Y Eau Fraiche

Summer is just around the corner and I’ve already listed two wintertime Yves Saint Laurent fragrances.

Released in 2020, Eau Fraiche is going to be on my skin a lot this summer.

Lemon, pepper, and ginger are its opening notes.

Geranium, mint, juniper berries, and lavender are its mid notes.

Olibanum and Cedar are its base notes.

Its longevity sits around the 5-6 hours mark which is more than I need for the hot summer days in the sun hopefully, not still stuck inside our homes.

It’s as good as the entire Y line.

Eau Fraiche comes with a citrusy opening which is very summer-like. It might have the opening of a refreshing summer alcoholic drink to some men.

Often seen as a sports version of the original Eau de Parfum, it starts to fade this bergamot note.

With its fresh ginger in there, it spices up the opening. Juniper and mint make their way later on.

With a fresh appeal, it comes off as a friendly scent. In the heat, mint is going to be a refreshing note that’s going to offer the impression of coolness which is not bad judging by how this summer’s forecast look.

Men who’re looking for a bit of sweetness in their best Yves Saint Laurent fragrances are not going to find it even in the drydown. There’s a clear distinction YSL made here as the company kept all ingredients fresh with a refreshing interpretation.

As a new release, it wasn’t sampled by enough men for me to get an opinion on. But I did manage to smell it myself before the pandemic and I think it’s going to be a hit in a few months when this is all over.

It shouldn’t come with high expectations of originality. Men should have reasonable expectations with a fresh Y DNA and a few summertime accords.

If you’re wondering about the perfect outfit, it might be anything from casual T-shirts to office attire.

Pricing is also going to depend on how this current virus crisis ends. At the moment, Nordstrom, Sephora, and Macy’s offer it at a similar price and it might drop with around 10% in the following months.

Dominant notes	Bottles	Season	Described as
Mint	60ml 100ml	Summer Spring	Fresh Aromatic

4. Yves Saint Laurent Y Live

Y Live is one of the most complimented 2019 fragrance releases. It features grapefruit, bergamot, and ginger in the opening. Orange blossom is in the dropdown together with juniper, cocoa, and cedarwood.

The opening of this fragrance is very disputed in the community. Some say it comes with grapefruit while others say there’s no grapefruit at all.

But there is sweetness in the opening which comes across as pleasant. But it may be a pear. Whatever it is, you shouldn’t get your hopes upon the quality of this note as it does come across as synthetic.

With a blue profile drydown, it does have an Invictus resemblance. Some say the fruits are present in the drydown as well. But it’s hard to distinguish which these fruity notes are. It’s not like they’re well blended but their synthetic profile makes them hard to distinguish.

All this being said, the fragrance is a summertime performer. It may be cologne you choose over other blue scents and it has the potential of becoming a signature scent.

There’s nothing wrong with the fragrance is it is mass appealing. However, its problem remains the price.

On wordpress-917340-3184335.cloudwaysapps.com I’ll keep looking for the best price and update the article as needed. If you find it at discounters, it’s going to be a very good choice.

At the moment, there are no signs of it being discounted by 30% which is the right way forward for this YSL release.

 

Dominant notes	Bottles	Season	Described as
Juniper, orange blossom and cocoa	60ml 100ml	Summer Spring	Fresh

5. Yves Saint Laurent Y

This summertime manly fragrance gets a lot of attention. It aims to offer a summertime scent for generation Y or those born between the 80’s and the ’90s. Does it succeed? Let’s check it out.

There are plenty of notes in this perfume. Opening accords feature bergamot, aldehydes, ginger, lemon, and mint.

Mid accords include violet leaf, sage, geranium, apple, and pineapple.

The base accords include musk, ambergris, incense, balsam fir, cedar, and vetiver.

The overall appeal of this scent is its great green freshness. But musk is also very potent in the drydown.

The projection is very good on this best Yves Saint Laurent fragrance for men. People will smell it 2-3 feet away. Its longevity is 6-8 hours which is welcomed in these fresh scents.

But for me, the scent is a bit different as it has a sweetness to it. Unlike other similar sweet fresh summertime performers, it’s not a tropical drink and this is what allows me to wear it to formal occasions as well.

Fresh and breezy due to the aldehydes, it’s not the most versatile men’s fragrance for the summer. It mainly works for black tie events and I can safely say it’s in the same category as Versace Eros.

Now, even this YSL release has its doubters. Most guys who don’t like it have a few things to say about the synthetic vibe of the scent.

This is certainly true in the opening. But the notes become considerably more pleasant in the drydown.

Judging by its impressive longevity, the fragrance has plenty of time to settle on the skin and it allows men to enjoy its true character.

The EDT version of the perfume is a third more affordable than the EDP. But if you can spend a bit more for the Eau de parfum version, you’re going to get a substantially better experience.

 

Dominant notes	Bottles	Season	Described as
Musk, aldehyde	40ml 60ml 100ml	Summer Spring	Green aromatic

6. Yves Saint Laurent La Nuit de L’Homme Eau Électrique

As a La Nuit de L’Homme flanker, the initial expectations for Eau Électrique weren’t too high in the first place.

Just think about how successful La Nui de L’Homme is and how many clones it has seen as a result. The fragrance was in a class of its own.

But the Electric Water version isn’t bad either.

Mandarin, apple, and orange are among its opening notes.

Lavender, geranium, sage and orange blossom are its mids.

Vanilla, tonka bean, cedar, patchouli, vetiver and cashmere wood are its base notes.

Even Eau Électrique is similar to Versace Eros. Geranium here is a bit mint-influenced and its why it’s so similar to the Eros.

Lavender is also there but I don’t think it’s too intense for those who don’t like floral scents.

At the same time, I don’t think it’s too similar to the original DNA. As a result, you can own both.

But even this scent is going to be interpreted as a crowd-pleaser. There are just a couple of reasons not to buy it, such as not being truly original.

But this fougere interpretation is going to be very interesting. Vanilla and tonka bean are the most intense here.

Since it’s also one of the nighttime scents to consider, it’s certainly hard to pull off during the summer.

But in the winter and late fall, it’s going to be very interesting amon the best Yves Saint Laurent fragrances.

In terms of resemblance, I also find it a bit close to my Armani Code Profumo. Both sweet and tonka bean-heavy, the fragrances are going to impress anyone who loves strong silage.

You’re going to get silage of a few feet. Its longevity sits around 7 hours with very weak performance past 5 hours. It lasts long, it has good silage and it’s different than the original La Nuit de L’Homme. It works.

 

Dominant notes	Bottles	Season	Described as
Vanilla, tonka bean	60ml 100ml	Winter Spring Fall	Sweet aromatic

7. Yves Saint Laurent Kouros

Always among Yves Saint Laurent best-selling fragrances, Kouros comes with a very animalistic vibe.

Opening notes include coriander, bergamot, clary sage, and Artemisia.

Clove, jasmine, geranium, iris, carnation, and cinnamon are its mid notes.

Incense, ambergris, oakmoss, patchouli, vetiver, honey, leather, musk, tonka, and chivet are its animalic base notes.

Now, this is a vintage scent with a vintage DNA. But it still works today and it’s nearly impossible to skip I if you’re a YSL house fan.

There’s plenty of moss and patchouli in it. As a result, the heavy scent may only be pulled off by masculine men.

I’d say it mainly works for a gentleman over 30.

The colorless eugenol and benzoin work well with patchouli here. However, it’s a style of making a perfume that is now completely outdated. But nostalgic fans are certainly going to still find it appealing. It might be the true Y generation YSL perfume in production.

The question is, can you use it?

Today, you’ll go to find it for around $50 which completely changes its appeal.

I do believe that as a man, you should own a true man’s fragrance. You’re going to wear such a cologne with a booth or a lumber’s jacket. You’re going to wear it out hiking, fishing or doing anything else which is hands-on physical.

The good news is that the fragrance’s popularity seems to be leading to a much-anticipated formulation.

If it would be made today, it would use fewer natural ingredients and more synthetics. But it would also be much more wearable by the younger crowd.

So what do women think about it?

Most women immediately categorize it as an older man’s fragrance. It may be liked by mature women who’ve been through a few fragrances. But I’m almost sure most young ladies are not going to be drawn to this perfume.

 

Dominant notes	Bottles	Season	Described as
Musk, patchouli	40ml 60ml 100ml	Winter Fall	Animalic

8. Yves Saint Laurent L’Homme

This warm spicy fragrance already has a name to it as it’s been launched in 2006. Since it’s been around for a few years, I’m sure you’re already familiar with it.

If you don’t know it, you need to hear about its notes.

They include ginger, lemon, and bergamot.

Spices, white pepper, violet leaf, and basil are its aromatic mid notes.

Tonka bean, cedar and Tahitian vetiver are its base notes.

The opening of the fragrance is bergamot-dominated. But ginger is also there to spice up the smell a little bit.

Creamy citruses are also present in the fragrance and they give it a pleasant sweetness.

The ginger then becomes stronger in the drydown. Violet and basil are also clear and I’m a very big basil fan.

Woods and musks are also solid in there.

In terms of the right person for the fragrance, you are free to wear it regardless of what I say. But it’s going to be a fragrance that works on any man over the age of 18.

The main issue with its reformulation is its shorter longevity. Only lasting for 5 hours, the fragrance is not going to win any longevity prizes.

However, the compliments you may get during these 5 hours is impressive. I’ve got 2 in a day which doesn’t usually happen.

Since it’s been around for a few years, other men are also going to wear it. You need to be OK with the fact that you’re not going to be the only persona wearing it.

But the fragrance can be one a signature scent and except the cold months of the year, it’s going to impress every person around you and that includes both men and women.

Performance is also almost there. Silage is low to moderate. Performance is also limited to 3-4 hours.

Dominant notes	Bottles	Season	Described as
Bergamot, ginger, violet, tonka	100ml	Spring Summer	Sexy floral-woody

9. Yves Saint Laurent L’Homme Sport

A Sport YSL might not be something men welcome with open arms. When I got my hands on its 60ml version, I wasn’t sure what to expect as most already told me I was going to be disappointed.

But I wasn’t.

Finally, I found a YSL fragrance to wear during the day, not only during the night. It surely turned into one of the gym fragrance variations. Furthermore, it works during all seasons which means it’s often in my gym bag.

I’m not going to tell you to wear it at the gym as well. I know there’s plenty of guys who don’t wear cologne at the gym.

But for me, its fresh luxurious feel works to uplift my mood, which is just what I need before heavy deadlifts.

Bergamot, aldehydes, and verbena are in its opening notes.

Woody notes and coriander are there in the drydown together with cedar and amber.

Now, the problem with this scent is that not many guys recommend it. Everybody is interested in telling me how it’s not as good as the original.

But for me, the fragrance is better than L’Home with its spin on the original DNA.

This can also be seen as a major advantage. Not all men want to tell you about it as it smells good. But women like it and most women can name the house, which means they’re already familiar with it.

Now, its notes are true to how it smells.

There’s citrus in the opening with a few woodsy notes in the drydown.

With a fresh lightweight appeal, there are not surprising in it. But I think its particularly valuable in its 60ml bottle.

If you don’t like sports fragrances, it might not be for you. At the same time, if you love the original L’Homme too much, you might also want to skip it.

But for me, it’s up there with the top sports performers. It’s not at the same level as Dior Homme Sport or Channel Allure Homme Sport, but it beats out Tiffany’s For Men Sport, Lalique Encre Noir Sport, Lacoste Essential Sport, and L’Eau D’Issey Pour Homme Sport.

But the fragrance does have its issues. First of all, it has a synthetic vibe you’ll easily pick up if you own quality niche fragrances.

Its performance is arguably an even bigger problem. It only lasts for 4 hours on my skin. Its projection is mild and it’s there for a couple of hours.

But who makes any valuable sports fragrances today that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg? Sometimes, I just want a plain T-shirt and my favorite sneakers and this is the right fragrance for such a sports outfit.

Dominant notes	Bottles	Season	Described as
Bergamot, woods	40ml 60ml 100ml 200ml	Spring Summer Fall Winter	Citrusy

10. Yves Saint Laurent M7 Oud Absolu

Who knew that I’m going to talk about another oud fragrance? Probably everybody.

Most men like this scent even if it’s not something I’d personally go for.

Mandarin, orange, patchouli, French labdanum, myrrh, and agarwood are its notes.

As you can expect, it’s a true wintertime performer.

I’m still trying to make it work during the spring months, especially with a bit of layering. But I can’t recommend anything worth giving a try at the moment.

Oud Absolu is easy to recognize. It comes with a dark brown juice that you’ll easily recognize in shops.

I’ve mentioned Lalique fragrances with the previous scent and this is the type of packaging the fragrances come with.

The notes in this incredible fragrance are very masculine. It’s probably the least masculine men’s Saint Laurent fragrance.

Oud and mandarin have a strong presence.

When it comes to the Yves Saint Laurent M7 comparison, I think it holds it’s own very well. The fragrance impresses from the start and I’d even skip the M7 for the M7 Oud Absolu.

However, its wintertime performance is what keeps me from recommending it wholeheartedly.

The projection on the fragrance is medium to high making it one of the best Yves Saint Laurent fragrances for men.

But the price on it might also be too much. Yes, there are a few clones that can be as good initially. However, given you only save $20-$30 on a clone, there’s no point in trying it out.

When it comes to fragrances, I think the intensity is as follows Ralph Lauren polo Supreme Oud < YSL Oud Absolu < Dunhill Icon Absolute Eau de Parfum.

While you see its not the most intense oud, it’s certainly very potent.

 

Dominant notes	Bottles	Season	Described as
Oud, mandarin	40ml 60ml 100ml 200ml	Spring Summer Fall Winter	Citrusy

Final considerations on the best Yves Saint Laurent fragrances for men

Yves Saint Laurent fragrances for men are very interesting. They combine pure art with a few split-opinion scents. YSL is today one of the most popular fragrance houses for men as you’ll see it in almost all major fragrance shops.

I’d even challenge you to walk into 3 fragrance shops and I bet a sales clerk is going to greet you with at least one perfume from the house.

In terms of overall versatility, there’s plenty to expect with the best Yves Saint Laurent fragrances for men. You can even create a small 2-3 fragrance collection with YSL perfumes alone without feeling you’re missing out. It’s a successful house even if I’m a bit upset about them as they don’t come out with a new Kouros.

FAQ

What is the newest YSL perfume?

Black Opium Snake Jacket is the newest YSL perfume.

What does Yves Saint Laurent smell like?

Cardamom, fruits, and spices are recognized notes in Yves Saint Laurent fragrances, as seen in dominant accords listed above.

Who makes YSL perfume?

Yves Saint Laurent perfumes are made by the Yves Saint Laurent French fashion brand.

What does YSL mean?

YSL stands for Yves Saint Laurent, the name of the company’s founder.

Is YSL perfume good?

YSL perfumes are very good, as seen above. They get a serious compliment from both men and women.

How long does YSL cologne last?

YSL cologne lasts from 4 hours to 8 hours on average as listed above.