Yves Saint Laurent Pour Homme

This is a classic, timeless scent from the early 70's that does a wonderful and truly brilliant job blending the traditional citrus, herbal and woody components of the dirty/aromatic "citrus" genre that make it such an amazing fragrance - and stand out from all the rest! My friend, krmarich, points out what it is that is missing from the current formulations - Oakmoss. What a wonderful review, as well! The most current bottle I have is still very good (from prior to 2005 as it has a minimal list of ingredients, but the "YSL" logo is smaller, which means non-vintage...however, definitely prior to YSL being sold) and opens with a whole lemon - the fresh-squeezed juice and the bitter rind with bergamot and petit grain (this is, after all, a masculine citrus-dominant scent) put into a blender with fresh chopped lavender, herbs (mainly lemon verbena and rosemary with a hint of marjoram - the scent pyramid is correct). This is classic in structure - therefore, a bit restrained, but so classique! So, although it is slightly austere in the opening (not a bad thing for a citrus), the brilliant heart is where this comes into form as it transcends the fragrance into a truly rich, lush and aromatic woody fragrance. The rosewood smooths this composition and offers warmth, along with more light florals (including both a nice carnation-clove and geranium) as well as the important clary sage note, which brings eloquent harmony between the citrus, sharper herbs and florals. The base is predominantly vetiver and musk - although there are nice notes of sandalwood and cedar that one gets after about an hour into the wear. A touch of patchouli offers a nice earthiness and there is still the light touch of green moss (rich Oakmoss in Vintage formulation). This is a classic, French-styled aromatic woody citrus that delivers depth, power and longevity...dare I say the most in the genre (that is not Haute Concentration). More complex than Monsieur de Givenchy (but not necessarily better) and closer in depth of composition to Armani Eau Pour Homme and Chanel Pour Monsieur - YSL's Pour Homme offering is a refined, gentleman's scent with a nice entourage of complimentary notes. A classic among classics. For the gentleman...wearing this will always make you feel invigorated, masculine and more refined. Timeless. I will not buy any bottle of juice made by YSL past 2008 (when Yves Saint Laurent passed away and the house was sold to L'Oreal). Reformulations to virtually all the fragrances occured soon thereafter - and I am truly appalled with what has been done to the house that was orchestrated by a genius in Monsieur Yves Saint Laurent. This early creation was the signature scent, of his lifetime. However, his entire brilliant, genius body of work will live on forever, in older bottles for us to enjoy while we are here...may he R.I.P. Going back to the review of formulation prior to current, I concur with Shamus1's review as well - this scent is possibly for those who find French-styled fragrance to their liking - except that I, personally, find something here that is (while not "hip") definitely for the retro-crowd as well. A fragrance-lover's delight (and Patrick Bateman's fragrance in his medicine cabinet as he does his morning ritual) - this beauty embodies old-school masculinity. Subtleties, nuances, and aromatic touches that lend to a wonderfully fresh and long-lasting and mature scent...near perfection in Vintage formulation! Bravo!

Some sealed vintage samples of YSL Pour Homme popped up on eBay, and I was able to grab one before they disappeared again... it was so good I went out and got myself a partially used 60ml splash bottle. To say what many others here have already said: YSL Pour Homme is a three-dimensional, bona fide masterpiece. The lemon is neither sweet nor sour, but dry and utterly captivating with its supporting cast of woody and aromatic notes. To compare with other lemon-heavy citrus aromatics, YSL PH is undeniably classic, but still smells relevant. I'm not yet 30 and I wish this scent profile was still available these days. YSL PH avoids the old-fashioned style of something like Monsieur de Givenchy, which leans heavier into the carnation and oakmoss for a true barbershop experience. PH is also superior to Loewe Pour Homme (new amber bottle), for which the lemon to my nose is astringent and shallow compared to PH's multi-faceted depth. Still really like Loewe and Givenchy for what they are; but if you're looking for a classic lemon king, YSL PH tops the list. P.S. my girlfriend likes to joke that I'm wearing "Lysol Pour Homme," because she's a philistine who likes to ruin everything I cherish. Edit 06/2024: So my full-bottle partial I purchased is quite oxidized compared to the sample I originally purchased. And unfortunately, it means much of that wonderfully three-dimensional lemon doesn't last. It smells balanced and wonderful for the first 15 minutes, but it promptly progresses towards an obtrusive, mossy vetiver. Given how much I loved my sample, I still like this bottle; the lemon is certainly still there, but it lacks the balance that the sealed sample delivers. I made the mistake of wearing it to work, and my colleague asked why it smelled like grass in the room. It is now that I must go and wipe my tears. Update2: 11/2024. I have heard that Perfume Parlour in the UK delivers a solid dupe of YSL PH, titled "LXXI For Men." But I have yet to get my nose on it. I'll probably get it eventually though, and I'll leave a review here for it.

Second review: I finally got around to buying a proper bottle of YSL Pour Homme - it's certainly not as old as the other bottle I have, but oakmoss is listed in the ingredients, and it definitely smells awesome. I can't say much that's different from my previous assessment, other than this newer bottle definitely hasn't been damaged one bit; all the notes are there in full force, with the citrus/verbena/petitgrain accord so strong and in-your-face that it almost burns my nostrils! The opening continues for at least a good half hour on my skin before progressing seamlessly to a more subdued, herbal middle, finally landing on a very Guerlain-esque lavender/oakmoss accord, buoyed by the slightest animalic note. This may be a newer bottle, but does it ever pack a punch and not give a rat's ass about any IFRA restrictions! What I enjoy the most about this fragrance is the talent and ingenuity that obviously went into making it - YSL Pour Homme starts as an almost piercing citrus/herbal chypre, but eventually dries down into a subtle yet indistinguishably old-fashioned animalic fougere. For a fragrance to cross those two genres of perfumery almost seamlessly as it dries down is a testament to the artistry and appreciation of detail that went into classical perfumery. ...which is where I'll make my closing statement: this is definitely not a fragrance for everyone. It's quite loud, smells a bit older, can be abrasive, and probably should be worn sparingly. However, you can put me with those who love it, because I don't care about any of those things - it's one of the best classic masculine fragrances, period. Easily in my top ten vintage masculines and surely worth trying for any classic fragrance lover who hasn't gotten around to it yet. I'm almost kicking myself for waiting so long to try this stuff!

Yves Saint Laurent Pour Homme.... This fragrance opens with a strong sour lemon along with lavender, this only lasts 2 minutes until it gives way to the mid which is a clean, soapy, woodsy yet with dirty herbal undertones in the background reminding you that this fragrance was born in France. This fragrance is extremely easy to wear (after the first 2 minutes) It calms down into a dirty, clean, soapy, creamy dry down that is quite simply what I want to smell like. Compared to the Haute Concentration version this one is less soapy and more youthful smelling where as the Haute Concentration verson has a soapier smell and is more serious/professional smelling. Smell 9/10 The first 2 minutes are not my cup of tea but the rest of the 10 hours is what I spray it on for. Also a side note; sweat and this fragrance do not mix well so if it's 90-100 degrees use Pour Homme Haute Concentration instead it's more fresh. Sillage 9/10 Not the best but it delivers and you will be smelled. IMO perfect for warmer weather but maybe not strong enough for winter. 2-3 sprays to the chest is what I do and it works. Longevity 10/10 8-10 hours everytime, strong for the first 3 hours then it hangs in there for 7 more hours and I still smell good when I come home from work. Versatility 9/10 I avoid this fragrance on the very very hot days. Other than that its good for everything A must for men who appreciate classic citrus fragrances.

An extinct classic that should not have disappeared !! These masculine seventies with citrus and citrus with an aromatic point were apparently simple, fresh, discreet, but maintained at all times a great charm, the charm of naturalness. Here we find a citrus outlet, with real citrus, the composition is naive, primitive, beautiful to which is attached a powerful and pleasant lemon grass, an aromatic point of rosemary and a green touch to make it super masculine. All this aroma holds up quite and lasts until dried. The fresh lavender feels clean, crystalline, like the water of a spring and an almost nerolí by the petit grain that tones very similar stays behind the citrus with a soft point of geranium giving all this a floral accent. The trio of most used woods in perfumery appear and accompany the drying: sandal, cedar and vetiver to increase the effect forest and give body, all with a slight dry touch so that the fragrance remains very masculine, but feeling at all times that sensation Citrus-aromatic so good from the beginning. The duration is correct and the wake too. Pour Homme has that "do not know what" that makes a fragrance to become elegant and charming. Rating: 8