Like Chanel, Yves Saint Laurent released his first perfume for women in 1964. He called it “Y” and described it as “a lush, heavy, and languid perfume.” The designer shocked the world of haute couture seven years later when he posed naked to launch Pour Homme, the first and best YSL cologne for men who care about fashion.
It’s been a little over 50 years, and now the brand has more than 216 colognes and perfumes. YSL colognes for men are sophisticated, sexy, and relaxed. They are long-lasting, high-quality scents for the picky man.
Everything about Yves Saint Laurent cologne is excellent, from the classic and manly Kouros that YSL debuted in 1981 to the cutting-edge, modern version of Y.
Lenny Kravitz, a rock star, became the new face of Y men’s cologne in 2020. He said, “I’ve always liked Yves Saint Laurent.” Of his work, his style, how he lives, and how brave he is. He was very different and took ideas from a lot of other places. I also had a lot of Saint Laurent clothes on hand. Always have. I didn’t have to think about or fit into this. It’s been a part of my life for a long time. There is a natural flow to the cooperation.
When I say that I like smell, you can trust that I have done my research. And when I think about the best men’s scents of all time, YSL colognes are right up there.
To save you the trouble of testing and sampling, we’ve compiled a list of the 8 best YSL colognes for guys. Read on to find your next signature scent.
1. THE BEST YSL COLOGNE SCENT IN GENERAL: Y EAU DE PARFUM
YSL’s Y cologne line for guys came out in 2017. In this impressive group, the Eau de Parfum stands out from the rest. This cologne by Yves Saint Laurent is current, calm, and manly.
Bergamot, lemon, and ginger are in the top notes. The main notes include orange blossom, juniper, clary sage, lavender, and geranium. The base notes cocoa, cedarwood, balsam, cinnamon, amber, Tonka, and vanilla. The result is a cologne that smells like wood and has fresh, spicy notes.
It takes work to make a smell that works in all seasons. But Y Eau de Parfum goes from Spring to Winter and all seasons in between without a hitch. Even better, this scent can be worn during the day or at night. The strength is long-lasting, which is excellent for your wallet because you’ll need to top up less often, so your bottle will last longer.
Y Eau de Parfum is the best scent, and women love it. You’ve found your signature smell, which is good news if you want to spend a lot of money on one YSL cologne this year.
2. L’HOMME TRAVEL SET IS THE BEST YSL COLLECTION SET
A gift set is one of the best ways to get your favorite YSL colognes. This YSL colognes set comes with a 0.33oz travel spray and a 3.4oz bottle of the L’Homme scent.
You most likely don’t over-spray if you don’t want your cologne to enter a room before someone else does. Though that’s not bad, your smell will probably be gone by the end of the day.
The 0.33oz spray is small enough to fit in a gym or wash bag. Then, keep putting on your cologne throughout the day to keep a light, fresh smell.
The scent of this Yves Saint Laurent cologne is a mix of warm citrus spices and fresh green flowers. YSL L’Homme works best in warm weather, like spring and fall, and is better worn during the day.
3. THE BEST YSL COLOGNE THAT LASTS: KOUROS
Kouros is the best YSL perfume for guys in terms of how long it lasts. This original scent was added to the YSL cologne collection in 1981.
We know what you’re thinking: this smell must be old. It’s a classic, but it still needs to be updated. YSL Kouros is always harsh and smoky, with notes of leather and wood that are very manly.
Rose, geranium, jasmine, clary sage, and bergamot are some of the lighter notes in the mix. But oakmoss, patchouli, vetiver, cinnamon, honey, musk, and cinnamon all do a much better job.
This cologne has excellent longevity, sillage, and projection, so you should be able to wear it for 8 to 12 hours or more. This animalistic scent smells best in the fall, winter, and deep nights. Shy people should not wear YSL Kouros. If you do, your smell will inevitably become the talk of the town.
4. THE BEST YSL COLOGNE SUMMER ITEMÂ L’HOMME
Have you ever considered why your favorite YSL colognes smell different in the summer and winter? A scent develops faster when the body is hot, so you’ll get to the base notes faster.
Also, heat makes the smell of your cologne stronger. This fact means a few things: You need a lighter smell, like citrus and green notes. Second, spray sparingly. Spray a little instead, then add more small amounts throughout the day.
L’Homme is the best summer smell. Fruity and sour notes make up the top notes. The middle notes are spicy and green, and the base notes are woody. This YSL cologne will make you smell clean, crisp, and new even after a long day.
5. L’HOMME PERFUME INTENSE BY YSL IS THE BEST WINTER SCENT
The amount of moisture in our skin drops when the temperature drops. Also, dry skin doesn’t hold scents, so your perfume will go away much faster. Which YSL cologne should you use instead if your favorite summer scent doesn’t work in the winter?
If you like L’Homme, YSL L’Homme Parfum Intense is like a bigger, stronger brother. On top of both YSL colognes are citrus and pepper notes. However, the Parfum Intense has a more substantial amber-woody base, and leather and suede notes give it a powdery finish.
This is the best YSL cologne for guys in the winter because of its rich, warm base notes. Remember to moisturize your body before spritz to make your smell more robust.
Do a patch test first to ensure this cologne is right for you.
6. YSL COLOGNE’S BEST EVERYDAY SCENT IS THE Y EAU FRAGRANCE
If you want something refreshing, energizing, and zesty daily, then Y Eau Fraiche is the best YSL cologne.
This Y Eau Fraiche is great for the day and warm months like Spring and Summer. Some notes include lemon, ginger, pepper, geranium, mint, juniper berries, lavender, and cedar. Our favorite thing about this smell is that the lemon could be more fancy and elegant. Instead, it is fresh and zingy. Men who are always on the go will love this morning pick-me-up.
We like how light this YSL cologne is, but some guys might need to change how it smells. An Eau Fraiche smell is a very light perfume wash that should last between 3 and 6 hours. You must reapply it several times during the day to keep your smell.
Putting on your cologne right after getting out of the shower on wet skin can also make it work better.
7. BEST NIGHT OUT AT YSL COLOGNE: LA NUIT DE L’HOMME
When the sun goes down, put on a Yves Saint Laurent cologne that makes you feel hot and sure of yourself. YSL La Nuit de L’Homme is the best cologne for high-class events and hot dates.
La Nuit is part of the L’Homme collection, so sharing some notes with that collection makes sense. You’ll initially smell bergamot and pepper, but the middle and base are where things get interesting.
Fruity notes are at the heart of the scent. The notes in this YSL cologne give it a cheeky, young vibe that sets it apart from others. Along with the usual vetiver, the base has patchouli in it.
The durability is good; you can wear it for about 7 to 8 hours. The scent does not spread very far; it stays close to the skin. There might be a better YSL perfume for you if you want one that makes a statement from across the room.
8. TUXEDO IS THE LUXURY YSL COLOGNEÂ
You might think famous perfume houses have nothing to offer you if you’re a perfume snob who likes to spend a lot of money on niche luxury cologne brands. Not so fast.
Yves Saint Laurent showed off his perfumes in a vest in 2015. Classic YSL clothes are the inspiration for this five-piece high-end line. If you want to smell classy and classic, Tuxedo is the best YSL cologne.
Some notes include Violet leaf, bergamot, rose, black pepper, lily of the valley, patchouli, ambergris, and bourbon vanilla. YSL Tuxedo is an actual work of art. It is boozy, rich, smooth, and spicy.
Tuxedo is a fragrance for both men and women, but the patchouli and coriander make it smell more manly. Patchouli is a note that guys either love or hate. We think this YSL cologne will make you fall in love at first taste. But because tuxedos are expensive, trying them on first is still a good idea.
HOW TO CHOOSE A YSL COLOGNES
SIZE
Size matters, and that’s the first thing you should consider before buying a big bottle of your favorite Yves Saint Laurent cologne. Typically, the bigger the bottle, the less it costs per spray. If a 3.4 oz bottle is the right choice, go for it.
On the other hand, the smaller 1.7-oz size might be better if you’re trying a new smell or picking one that will be your signature holiday scent. Or, why not get a cologne set like L’Homme with Travel Spray and have the best of both worlds? The set has a 3.4-ounce spray and a 0.33-ounce pocket spray for guys who like to clean up on the go.
WHAT DURATION DOES IT LAST?
Yves Saint Laurent colognes are perfect and last a long time. The oils in the Eau de Parfums are very concentrated—about 15 to 20 percent. Because of this, their scent will last 6 to 8 hours, far longer than other brands.
If you want to take fragrances further, choose Kouros because it lasts long. This smell will easily last up to 12 hours, so you’ll still smell like a date from sunset to morning. But if you like to wear different YSL colognes at night, you don’t want the smell from the day to stay on your skin. Y Eau Fraiche is a light cologne worn for two to three hours.
SEASON
If you want to find the best YSL colognes for guys, you should change it to match the seasons. Some scents work all year. It’s easy to tell which cologne is better for cold weather. To do this, think about scents like L’Homme Parfum Intense that are spicy and woody for fall and winter.
Choose love colognes with a bright citrus, fresh, and floral scent for spring and summer, like the well-known L’Homme by YSL. Consider getting a test patch before deciding on your summer YSL cologne. If you’re interested in buying perfume, Michael Edwards says, “Pay attention to how it works in warmer weather. Different fragrances will work differently depending on their materials.”
END OF THE STORY
You can’t go wrong with any YSL colognes. However, one YSL cologne stands out: Y Eau de Parfum. That’s right, you can wear Y Eau de Parfum any time of the year, day or night. This classy cologne smells wise and manly but has a modern, young vibe. Â
FAQs
Which YSL perfume is the best?
The best YSL colognes for guys have to be masculine and pleasant. The Y Eau de Parfum came out in 2018 and was made by the French master perfumer Dominique Ropion. This scent stands out from the rest because it has fougère solid notes, one of the main types of perfumes.
Fougère is the French word for fern, and it refers to natural, fresh, and clean colognes. This YSL cologne is beautiful because it can be worn day or night and all year. In other words, this is the best YSL cologne you can buy on a tight budget.
How long does YSL perfume last?
Like all brands, YSL EDP will go bad at some point. But don’t worry—there are some things you can do to make it last longer. When you spray your favorite YSL cologne, the timer starts to run, so always put the top or stopper back on after use.
Second, to keep the cologne from going bad, keep your favorite bottle in a dark place, away from natural and artificial light, and, if possible, in its original box. Also, look for a dry place that is far from any water.
