Kouros Fraicheur

Back in 1994 or 1995 in my mid-teen days, I bought Kouros as a friend of mine was using it and I actually like it a lot at the time. It had this sharp and harsh-citric note that instantly makes it recognizable. So, because we ́re not in the sme school or class, I could wear it without looking like I was copying him or anyone. But, as soon as that bottle finished i didnt buy more of it (stupid, I guess). I tried Xeruys Rouge and went with it which is also a looooovely fragrance and used a lot in my late teen days (what a success it was...ahahah). Back into Kouros "topic". An year ago I thought it would be cool to get one from the stores and it seemed like they were still being sold. I picked the white Kouros bottle (the original) sprayed one and once I smelled the testing paper, I just thought the formula must have changed over the years and there were few similarities (at least in the initial blast) when compared to what I used in the 90s. It was way darker and less citric ? A "deeper" scent, instead of a "happier" scent. My nose usually doesn ́t play tricks on me and my olfact has a great memory to detail (even tough I ́m not educated enough in the notes decomposition). Now I realized that Kouros had other versions too. Sure, why wouldn ́t it ? I remembered the bottle to be white or sort of, but it was 25 years ago. That ́s when I saw this semi-transparent bottlte called "Kouros Fraicher" I asked myself if my mind was playing tricks on me. Ordered a 10ml bottle from local internet market anddd....... voilá. This was the one !! What a class. There ́s a note that is different. Something Citric/lemon that was added into the place of the slightly removed dark note (civet?) which is still present. But this swap makes it very airy and shiny. Once is dries down it is very very similar to the old original Kouros.... just slighly less dark. I mean, between the original and the Fraicheur, in the original sometimes less is more, and with the Fraicheur more is more !! Both are great. Why this "Fraicheur" version is not sold these days in the stores or internet I cannot understand at all. If it is not possible to put it in the fragrance store markets, just market it to be sold in the internet like many other brands do. An incredible fragrance from the 90s which I am so sure lots of guys would want to buy again... and again... and again. This is truly a masterpiece, for me. YSL.... come on !! What are you waiting for ???

A lot of fantastic comments, reviews and perspectives here. I will adorn this. It is, absolutely and truly, "Fraicheur". The melodic tonality of the ginger, pineapple and orange blossom create a gorgeous, radiant and amazingly fresh top layer that is ethereal over green and herbaceous patchouli and sharp, crisp vetiver. The amber is warm underneath - not cloying and allows this breathe on your skin, acting as a true base layer. However, this is much more than that... I, personally, love this. Vintage Kouros is dear to me - and this is discontinued and rare as well! It will be worn on occasion, when the mood is right...or when I need to get into the right mood. Sensual aromatherapy in a beautiful flacon. The scent pyramid here is not complete - what is listed exists, but there is simply more. This actually has a lot of the notes of Vintage Kouros in a lighter, more crisp and ethereal composition. As this dries down, one will find, in a light, airy essence...the brisk musk, a dash of civet, and what is in a "fresher & more diffusive" presentation - the gorgeous base of Vintage Kouros (but, with a soft breeze infused, therefore "cleaner" and wonderfully integrated). It is rich, but not nearly as strong as the flagship, however it carries the pedigree. That is what is so amazing, so beautifuly. It shows on top and in the heart the amazing freshness and beauty, but dries down to reflect both what is listed here and the nuances and undertones of Kouros, just not as strong. Longevity is extremely good, if not excellent, for a fresh scent. To my friend, krmarich - indeed, they do not make them like this anymore. It is stunning and near perfection in a bottle! As much as I deeply love and have a fondness for Vintage Kouros, this bottle surpasses any and all expectations. It presents itself, brilliantly! Let this be for those who "know"...to savor and enjoy the last drops in existence. Cheers.

I thought everything could happen, except that I was going to come across this wonderful flanker of King Kouros at a perfume shop in my country; I have seen it on ebay several times at very high prices, and I wanted to be able to find it in Colombia...well, I found it unexpectedly and, for the great price, I did not hesitate to take it home. Kouros Fraicheur sports the same DNA as the infamous king of perfumes for men, but it is much more "subtle" since the scent of civet is slightly perceived; I don't feel any pineapple, but I do detect orange blossom and ginger, ingredients that give the composition a more dynamic and modern vibe and make it more versatile for today's standards. Amber makes the scent a bit creamier. This perfume does feel very 90s, and it is somehow reminiscent of Montana Parfum d'Homme (and even Salvador by Salvador Dalí a little bit) as the citrus notes provide a more sparkling, less "rigid" aura than that of classic Kouros. That this is a woody chypre is totally right. The performance of this EDT is truly amazing--it lasts over 8 hours on the skin! Projection and sillage are moderate to high, which are incredible qualities for a perfume that was intended for warmer days. I think it works best during the daytime and it can be used regularly (however, in my case, I will treasure it to enjoy it for many years). To conclude, I would like to say that I really like Kouros Fraicheur a lot (why not? It's Kouros after all!), and I'm so proud to have this jewel in my collection. Score: Fragrance: 9/10 Longevity: 10/10 Projection: 9/10 Sillage: 9/10 Versatility: 8/10 Average: 9/10

Who designed Kouros Fraicheur? The original Kouros was created by Pierre Bourdon, but what about KF ? This fragrance is a camaleon. When I put the splash from the mini bottle , the concentrated fragrance had one opening and drydown. Using the EDT it is slightly different (more smokey). But in the end they all come together. The opening is beautiful. What is more amazing is that from the first spray to the end of the day drydown is that it assumes different olfatic sensations with different notes coming up. Of course, they all resemble the "Fraicheur" concept so you could identify that what you ́re smelling is Kouros Fraicheur in a second. Some of the notes ( perhaps the drydown ) I would bet that i ́ve smelled them somewhere. Eventually there will be another fragrance out there that will "match" Kouros Fraicheur at some point of it ́s drydown process. But not entirely as KF is unique. Also, I recently used it in a day where I went to the gym. I thought the smell would have already gone, but as soon as I started sweating the fragrance just came out of nowhere to the point I got "noticed" and heard a comment. I could understand that this is not a modern fragrance at all. But man, it is one of the most unique scents I have ever smelled and perhaps the one I love the most from the opening till the very drydown. There is still a market for this one to come back in all it ́s glory, even if reformulated.

★★★★★ Time flew, and here I am, reviewing Kouros Fraicheur for the second time. There was a time in my life that I was fully devoted on acquiring every formulation and version of Kouros. And I succeeded! Maybe it was my need to get closer to my absolute hero, my grandfather... I wasn't even born in the 80s, but many 80s fragrances were still going strong in the 90s, the beautiful decade of my youth. The original Kouros can be a tough business nowadays, it's bold, loud, challenging but undeniably elegant and unique. Kouros Fraicheur, is still the original Kouros, but its freshness lends it an incredible advantage, r o m a n c e. After all these years, having all Kouros bottles, I rarely wear Kouros, but Fraicheur always makes me feel that even though the world is changing, even if nostalgia of previews happy times becomes a necessity, you can still find beauty in life and in art such as perfumery. Vintage masculines tend to be conservative, and I am not a conservative person at all. Men can wear female marketed scents and vice versa, but sometimes it's ok to experience this "old world feel", when creativity was off the charts and artists would get inspired from life itself and not their mobile/pc screens. Kouros Fraicheur will always make me feel romantic, special and free.

Yes indeed, Kouros Fraîcheur is a fresher and lighter version of Kouros. The opening is a bit harsh on my skin; the mixture of civet and pineapple isn't the most pleasant (pineapple is among my least favorite fragrance notes) and can smell kinda sour. Yes, the urinous civet is still present here, although tolerable and starts to become barely noticeable at all once this begins drying down. The "sour" smell also goes away within a few minutes. To me Kouros Fraîcheur is a wonderful fresh, soapy version of Kouros, free of any off-putting notes to turn people away, except for the first few minutes. Gives off an "Irish Spring" vibe, similar to that of Sung Homme by Alfred Sung, just not as obnoxious. The patchouli in the base is great, too - it blends perfectly with the citrus and vetiver. The sillage and longevity are also very good, as I can get anywhere from 8 to 10 hours out of Kouros Fraîcheur. It's such a shame that Kouros Fraîcheur had to be discontinued. It fetches for high prices nowadays online and is getting harder and harder to find... if you have the chance to try it, or you're a fan of Kouros, most certainly try this. A good example of what a "fresher" flanker or "sport" version should be.

You either love Kouros or you hate it. There is seldom an in-between. But for those who feel Kouros is too difficult to bear or find themselves wishing for a lighter Kouros, Fraicheur is it. Original Kouros is a beast. It is brash and in your face. However, after some hours it drifts into something more refined. It is an acquired taste, I'm sure. But worth it, IMHO. It speaks to me on a special level, like no other fragrance. Still, at times Kouros can be a bit much even for one who loves it. Fraicheur steps in for relief with an echo of the original Kouros, but a much softer and gentler approach. It doesn't have the staying power of original Kouros, but then it's not meant to. I might be hard pressed to wear it on a hot summer day, but on more temperate days of the warm season its just fine. Btw, I'd say that this a no-brainer alternative to the Kouros Eau de Sport (which I find to be a crippled original Kouros and not really worth bothering about). There are often small 10ml bottles of Fraicheur floating about on the "fleabay" market, so grab one and discover it for yourself. 9.5/10.

Surprisingly it only took me a few days and I found this amazing fragrance!!! If you find the original Kouros old or out dated, the fraicheur version is PHENOMENAL. I ♡ the opening aroma with a powdery/sweet aromatic scent fab during the summer/fall months especially during the daytime!! When I first sprayed it on my skin I could pick up a hint of pineapple loaded with patucchli making it ABSOLUTELY STUPENDOUS! Vetiver and orange blossom gives is a warm herbal aromatic aroma delicately balancing the overall aroma. After several hours this juice settles I can still smell the powdery scent with amber which makes my partners hormones go wild. Guy's, I'm not kidding women ♡ a sweet warm vib with a hint of spicy notes against a man's body...this juice does exactly that. Longevity and Silage are both very high quality lasting at least 6hrs hours. I can still pick up a whiff 2hrs hours more. Overall view, YSL has created several FABULOUS fragrance, Kouros fraicheur has to be in the top 5 of this powerhouse. This is a no brainer...PERFECTION from YSL

★★★★★ One of the few times when I do not know what to say. I love how this flanker has a very strong personality. I also love how elegant it is. I need to mention also how much I love the way it can be sharp and assertive when you spray it and then turn to a sensual romantic soapy drydown, I have to confess that I absolutely love to layer it with Kouros Plein Air lotion, and when I do I feel luxurious and eternal! It is summer, spring, winter, fall and love, sex, romance, virility all in one. Definitely has the iconic character of the original, but it is its own entity. I must have typed the world "love" too many times already, but this rare piece of art deserves it. Nothing has the soapy sensual aura of this, the european elegance it exudes. Best flanker ever, alongside with Kouros Eau De Sport.

This brilliant Kouros flanker was released during the Sanofi and Gucci era with the Sanofi Fraicheur version being remarkably stronger than the one from the Gucci era. This is, as said already, like the original (vintage) but with the civet and musks toned down significantly and pineapple and soapyness added to make it less offensive and perfectly wearable during warmer weather without losing the Kouros dna! This is also perfect to be layers with a good spray of the original to amp it up if needed. It still lasts 8+ hrs and performs really well. A msterpiece, just like the original! Rating: 9.5/10

Oh, my king, forgive me, how i have forgotten thee. Smelling you after so many years, I cannot help but wonder are you not the inspiration for a popular fragrance that many claim to be a pretender to your throne. Nevermind. You are and always will be the one. Kind of phony on my side since I said the same for the original, the white K. Nevermind. You got the same dirty musks, use the same soap and visit the same toilet, so it’s alright. Those juicy pineapples you feast on may be a distinguishing feature, but they can hardly hide who you really are. And this time I will rate you. *****

This is gorgeous, insanely well executed. It's hard to keep the sticky, pissy vibe of the original but add a freshness, aromatic aspect to it, like pretty much what an urinal cake does. This is it. It requires a distinct taste and appreciation. Not for everyone, you should have been born at least in the 80s. Otherwise go play with the metallic mainstream designers and watch Jeremy Fragrance videos. This wasn't created for you, it's not your cup of tea. This is so good. Yin and yang. Clean and dirty. Soapy and pissy. Fresh and warm. Federer would wear this.

I wish this one were the original Kouros. The balance of the ingredients is pitch-perfect. I love the original, but this one is much better. It's deep and rich, but still very light on its feet. This achievement is simply remarkable. This is one of the frags that I really wish I had stocked up on. I remember very fondly where I bought this in '95: Saks on Fifth Ave. I got so many complements on it. This was before I really got into collecting. I'm more aware now of the occasional need to hoard certain frags.

كوروس في اول ظهور له لا يشبه اي كوروس اخر بين ايدينا الآن ..!! .. حتى الاصدارات التي تحتوي على صفيحة معدنية فضية .. و تباع بسعر عالٍ لا تشبهه ابداً .. و لكن هذا لا يعني ان العطر اليوم سيء بل انا افضل الاصدارات الاخيرة اكثر ..!! .. عموماً كوروس لم يكن بافتتاحية صابونية ابدا .. بل كان فريش و حمضي ..!! نعم انا امتلك اول نسخة ولازالت تحتفظ بكل جمالها .. اقرب ما يكون لها هو هذا الاصدار كوروس فريشا .. دون الرائحة القذرة ..!! .. تبا كم هو رائع ..!! شخصياً اراه اجمل كوروس على الاطلاق

I love Kouros because it's the fucking shit...It's the most delicious, mind-blowing fragrance that I've ever owned!!! I imagine Kouros Fraicheur is also deliciousness in a bottle, and it must be as good -some would say better- as the classic EDT. Why do designer houses stop making these unique sublime fragrances and deprive us of such amazing olfactory treats? It beats me!

Thanks a lot. I never seen that anywhere and was very curious. What I can honestly tell is that Fraicheur is a masterfully created parfum. It lived a few years and not just one season but it is strange why it was discontinued. Lack of sales ? It should be released again and I am sure lots of original Kouros fans would want to have the fresh twin. L'Oreal, it is your turn !

This is just a tad sweeter version of vintage Kouros. Perhaps that sweetness comes from pineapple, maybe not. Still the camphor and incense, and of course civet are there. "Hot herbs" are there as well. It could be a "vintage Kouros to go" for someone who still wears vintage Kouros and doesn't want to choke people out. Glad I bought it.

Original Kouros but not animalic as it was and this has freshier notes like more lavender and with more aftershave Cologne vibe. I really like this. I think this is more versitale version of Kouros, I wish i will have a bottle of this in future. Just pure love...

Truly the Fraicheur is much better than the original Kouros, It is more fresh and citric with a sweet touch of vanilla and less musky than the old version. It is just lovely and casual man fragance, perfect for summer time!!

Rare Notes & very good for men. You spray & go into crowed, everyone will smell only u. Its strong and very smooth. If you want to be noticed in the crowed, Then go for it. I LOVE IT