Yves Saint Laurent Y

I'm writing this review after trying the EDT, EDP, live and le parfum and I'll try my best to compare them as objectively as I can. I own the EDT and EDP, and the le parfum and live I have tried multiple times from a sample. All of the fragrances of this series are some of my favorites. Even though these fragrances are from the same series, it would be a mistake to assume they're the same. Overall, their openings are similar, going for a fresh, natural and aromatic smell and all of them are great actually. They also have the same vibe, going for a natural walk in the forest idea. However they present you with a bit of a problem that if you would only try them for a short while it would be hard to notice any differences. The differences start when you get to the drydown. Each one has a different note in the drydown that has the major role. The drydowns also have a very different level of warmth to it which makes them suitable for different occasions or climates. Openings: If I had to choose, I would say the the le parfum has the best opening. It's deeper than the others and very intense. The EDP probably has the least stunning opening because there are no aldehydes in this one. The opening is still good however. The EDT has a more fresh opening but it lacks the intensity of the way the notes envelop you at the start like the le parfum does. The live version has an opening that is a bit unique compared to the others as it contains some added sweetness. Besides this, the store I bought this from has different info on the notes, those being: Top: Bergamot, lemon, ginger. Middle: Orange Blossom, geranium, sage. Base: Cacao, tonka bean, juniper. I think fragrantica is wrong on this one because there is definitely tonka bean in this one. Drydowns: Here the EDP is in my opinion the best. It really encapsulates the walking in a spring forest vibe extremely well with the natural and woody scents. Especially the amberwood in the drydown is just too good. The only bad thing that I have to say is that if you compare the EDP to the le parfum that the EDP is a lot less noticeable, which is weird because by itself it is my favorite. I would argue this is because the drydown of the le parfum has stronger smells. The drydown of the le parfum is the most warm scent of the series. The other ones go more for a fresh drydown but the le parfum does no such thing. It's more of a wood and mild spicy kind of smell, resulting from the ceder and tonka bean notes. I say mild spice because they have a certain softness to it. In this sense it's also pretty different compared to the other ones. The le parfum is clearly the most long lived as well. My only issue with the le parfum is that the woody-spicy-tonka bean smell is kind of predictable but that doesn't mean it's bad. The EDT is the more fresh. It is also the one I would prefer wearing in very warm weather. The musk note is very noticeable in the drydown and a nice addition. The musk is also not too dominating (which often happens) and well balanced with the other ingredients. The projection and longevity of this drydown is a bit weaker compared to the other ones. There is nothing wrong with the quality itself, it's more that your nose gets used to certain smells so if you own multiple of this series you might want to consider spraying some extra to make sure you get this one. The live version has a drydown that trades the slight woody smell from EDP for some added sweetness and freshness. After about an hour to 2 hours the smell can be very dense if you smell it up close so maybe don't spray too much, or take that as an indication that you have good projection, you choose. The EDT is also fresh but I would say this one more so and I actually like that a lot. The added sweetness however is another story, I would argue that it limits it's potential because it makes this one a lot less classy than the other fragrances in the Y line. It's a more straightforward smell and it doesn't have the depth the other ones do but it does smell amazing. Overall (for me personally): 1. EDP 2. le parfum 3. Live 4. EDT The EDP is my favorite, it gives you the vibe that this scent was made for perfectly. That being said, the other ones are good too and they can be more suitable depending on the occasion or weather. The le parfum I would highly recommend as well. The warmness of the smell really takes it into a different direction than the other ones. I'm definitely picking this one up if I can get a good price on it, if that means anything to you readers. The live I would recommend in warm weather or for young people or on a night out given that the projection packs quite a punch. The sweetness makes it less suitable for formal occasions however. I'm not sure whether I'll buy one because I'm not sure what I should do with it yet, but maybe. The EDT I would recommend in warmer weather if you want something more professional than the live version. The freshness of the EDT can't be denied and I'll still be using this a lot on formal occasions. If you're still with me after this wall of text, thanks for reading!

This is to my nose hands down the best of the line. That is, the 2017 original is far better than the 2022 reformulation and all the other flankers. For the life of me, I cannot figure out why they would think to mess around with this gem of a fragrance or why people think that the reformulation is better. I get it that this is somewhat subjective especially when very little separates fragrances in terms of rating but I also think that hype or lack thereof(as promulgated by the influencers of the fragcom) sadly plays it's role. In any case thank god I had the good sense to go and buy a couple of backups before the 2017 version is no more. But enough about the oddities and unpredictability of the fragrance world, lets talk about what makes this better than the reformulation and makes it a strong contender for the best blue fragrances today(easily in the top 3). It has a beautiful creamy(almost soapy) ambergris/vetiver/incense base that is significantly subdued in the reformulation or missing altogether, a ginger/bergamot/mint that pops in the top lifted to even greater heights by the aldehydes(ruined by the lack of mint in reform.) and a smooth apple/pineapple mid that pulls it all together and grounds it beautifully(both missing and replaced by lavender in reform.). The reformulation isn't terrible by any means but it loses it's edge for me and goes from one of the best designer releases of the last 7 years to something forgettable and not quite collection worthy. EDIT: Now I know this is not everybody's cup of tea and that there is a sharp almost abrasive note, certainly in the opening. I too detect this and was one of the reasons I wasn't very keen on it for a few years after it's release. It has since grown on me in a major way as I started to notice everything else that was going on with the fragrance and those sharp notes became less bothersome. The issue is, as far as I can tell, that there's a few fragrances out there that if you don't get the dosage just right it ruins the experience in a major way. For most fragrances this doesn't matter too much(a good fragrance is a good fragrance after all, the more the better) but every now and then we get a fragrance that just as it was masterfully put together requires masterful application. So, rule number one, do not apply on clothes, this amplifies and allows for that sharp note to remain present far longer than it has any right to. This is fairly potent stuff, 5 sprays max and let it dry on skin first before clothes come into contact with it. This way it reacts only with your skin chemistry and nothing else. If you do this you will experience soapy, creamy, sparkly, blue bliss for 6-8 hours.

As a perfumer and fragrance evaluator, I’ve often found that truly modern compositions walk a fine line between accessibility and character. Y by Yves Saint Laurent—crafted by the legendary Dominique Ropion—is a commendable example of this balance. Positioned as a scent for Generation Y, this fragrance speaks not just to youth, but to versatility, ambition, and self-definition. The opening is crisp, clean, and energetic—aldéhydic and citrus notes combine with the sparkle of ginger and mint to create an invigorating introduction. There's a synthetic brightness from the aldehydes, but it’s polished and uplifting rather than harsh. The transition into the heart reveals a fruity-green accord, with apple and violet leaf playing against aromatic sage and geranium. The pineapple is subtle but cleverly woven in, adding a modern twist without overwhelming the composition. What I truly appreciate in Y is its base: ambergris, balsam fir, and incense add complexity and longevity, giving this fresh scent a masculine backbone. The cedar and musk lend a polished, slightly resinous dry-down that projects a sense of quiet confidence. It doesn’t scream for attention but stays present in a room—an olfactive signature that’s both professional and approachable. While this is a designer release aimed at a broad audience, it maintains a surprisingly refined structure. It’s ideal for warmer months—spring and summer, especially—and performs well in both daytime and casual evening settings. Its appeal lies in its versatility: the white T-shirt and black jacket analogy used in the campaign is apt—clean and classic on the surface, with structure and style beneath. For those just beginning their fragrance journey or looking for a reliable modern aromatic-woody, Y is a solid and well-rounded choice. A contemporary classic in the making.

This was one of a potent and projecting fresh perfume I smelled after long time. Opening was fresh and fruity(pineappleish mintish) along with some black pepper like smell which I don't know which note represented. After the initial opening the mid and dry down still smelled fresh (Sauvage like) which seems to be of Ambergris fresh aquatic smell. Also, the dry down smelled herbal-like (Carom Seeds like) which I personally liked but my mom didn't like. It's fresh paper like smell in drydown with rest of pineapple like fruity like and mint like. It fooled me to be like Bleu De Chanel a little (EdP version which I have) on strip but the moment I smelled BDC I could see a clear difference (BDC has lavender, barbershop like dry down). I still don't know why it reminded me of BDC. But, to make you imagine I can say it has Invictus like opening (60%), Mid-Dry down has Sauvage+BleuDeChanel mix (60%). But much younger perfume compared to most names I mentioned. It is versatile and fits all seasons (almost). _____________ Smell - 8/10 Uniqueness-6.5/10 Lasting-9.5/10 Sillage-10/10 Compliments- 7.5/10 Age- below 35 or anybody who wants to feel young & modern. _____________ P.S. When I tested this, I also tested AcquaDGio Absolu & Black XS. I asked 2 girls from make-up section to number these three. Both ranked Absolu 1st, Black XS 2nd and YSL Y 3rd. Same goes to my mom. According to me- YSL 1st, black XS 2nd, Absolu 3rd. Among all three YSL Y edp lasted like beast!!! Guys like YSL Y more compared to girls. Girls like Absolu more than most guys. Black XS is common liking among girls and guys,maybe.

This fragrance single handedly made me a fragrance collector. Prior, I would rotate between 5 fragrances (mostly the Polo line, Versace pour homme and CH men). I remember smelling this in 2017 and I really enjoyed it, but I ended up purchasing YSL L'homme Ultime that day. The sales rep gave me a sample and I became obsessed with this fragrance, but didn't buy it because I was a broke college student with a minimum wage job at that time. Fast forward to 2020, I went down the rabbit hole of seeking reviews of this fragrance and other fragrances. I ended up buying the EDP because reviewers said it was a better version of the EDT, but I do not agree and it was very cloying. What makes the EDT great is the airiness, the smell of summer, the symphony of notes harmonizing with one another perfectly, and I also like how it smells like you have been at the pool all day and just took a shower. It is nostalgic to the summer days of not working and being carefree. This is the best YSL Y fragrance in my opinion and I don't get why people say it is a weak performer because this thing is really strong and lasts all day on me. At the end of the day, people, including myself, can noticeably smell it. On my skin, the performance rivals the EDP because the EDT can also get me nauseous so I only use 4-6 sprays. I am glad to own two bottles of the original formulation because the new one is similar, but they definitely made it closer to the EDP and added in sweetness from the vanilla. The OG is the perfect everyday casual scent for days you just want to wear an easy scent that is mass-appealing. 10/10