Y Eau de Parfum by Yves Saint Laurent

If you’re looking for ‘versatile’ in the dictionary, you’ll find a picture of this fragrance; suitable for any occasion and any month of the year. Totally recommended, whether for yourself or as a gift, because it’s hard to find someone who doesn’t like it. Although for my wallet it’s a bit pricey, I think it’s totally worth it for what you pay, plus the longevity and projection are more than decent, lasting easily a full workday, an afternoon with friends, a special event, or a date.

It’s the best fragrance I own; everyone likes it and you can use it for any season and any occasion. It will generate plenty of compliments, it lasts a long time, and projects very well. It’s definitely a blind buy.

Perfect balance between sweet and fresh. The apple and tonka bean provide a sticky sweetness, while the incense and cedar in the background give it that masculine and elegant touch. Receives compliments left, right, and centre and never fails. A must-have in any man’s collection. A solid 9/10.

I won’t reinvent the wheel, but this perfume is THE KING in capital letters and will remain so. It’s the quintessential clean, daily, versatile blue. If I had to go to a deserted island with only one scent, it would undoubtedly be this. It performs in all seasons (perhaps it loses a bit in winter as it’s a blue), but the scent is so bright and the performance so good that the season doesn’t matter. Office, gym, dates, events… it covers everything; it’s the winning horse. Forget about Fakhar Black or Odyssey Megas. Those perfumes where people ask what you’re wearing. The Ayrton Senna of scents. Absolute number one.

I tried it in the store with my boyfriend and truly hated it. It must be because it reminds me of an old man… But my comment isn’t meant to offend its users; I’m young and I understand that this fragrance was at its peak in years when I and my boyfriend weren’t even born. It’s pleasant to a certain point but it evokes thinking of elderly gentlemen.

What more is there to say? After wearing it daily for two weeks, I haven’t received the compliments promised, not even from my girlfriend, yet it’s an absolute stunner. The opening is a juicy apple that gives a boost, the dry-down is a creamy cleanliness, and it settles into wood with ambroxan. I recommend it to everyone; even if you can’t afford the bottle, buy a decant and experience it. It’s my favourite fragrance, it lifts my spirits. If you’re looking for something for any occasion or weather (avoiding extremes), this EDP delivers. Blind buy? Yes, if you don’t mind spending, although at £1,000 it’s pricey (here in Argentina). I’d go for an Arabic clone that replicates the scent, though sometimes they smell off at first. This is the Stephen Curry of fragrances: it never fails.

I fell for the hype and thought it would be spectacular, but after smelling it and the Fahkar Black (which is identical), I say it’s a forgettable aroma with almost no projection. It smells clean but synthetic. It’s not ugly, but for the fortune it costs, I expected something that would urge me to buy it immediately.

After trying it carefully, I conclude it’s not the big deal, despite being super hyped. I almost bought the original but went for the Arabic dupe ‘Yeah Man’. At first, it seemed mediocre, not evolving or projecting; I thought the YSL original wouldn’t smell like this. I went to the official store and tried the original: it smells the same as the Arabic version, synthetic and not much more. Yes, the original projects more and is a bit deeper, but at first glance, they are the same. I’ve tried better blues. My recommendation: if you’re a fanatic, buy it, but for me, it’s not the big deal.

It’s a proper stunner, fresh, sweet, smells clean, projects brilliantly, lasts a good while, and is super versatile. I wore it for a party, work, class… it never fails, a compliment bomb.

Ideal for everyday wear and the office, it projects a sophisticated image. It smells fresh without being cloying or intrusive. The green apple notes mark the beginning, then fade according to skin pH. The bottle is elegant, though the packaging isn’t as refined. It lasts 6-7 hours on skin with 5 or 6 sprays. The bergamot refreshes, the ginger spices it up, and the woody base with tonka bean balances it all. It’s herbal, with a slight sweetness, but above all fresh and citrusy. Perfect for summer or autumn, though it also works well in winter without being too heavy for night. For young adults aged 23 to 40. Reasonable price for the quality.

Eau de Parfum is a contemporary classic. It completes the triumvirate of blues with Sauvage and Bleu de Chanel. These three will define our era, just as Acqua di Gio did in its day. It follows the fougère script: citrus top, aromatic heart, and a wood base with tonka bean that adds sweetness, which is the least I like. It’s super versatile: office, afternoon, night, any season. It feels less youthful, leaning towards over 30. It lasts about eight hours on skin and much longer on clothes. Anecdote: one drop on the wrist with a silicone watch and it lasts a week. As a downside, they are very overused, just like Bleu and Sauvage, but like Acqua di Gio in the 90s, they are authentic fragrances that transcend. A man’s collection must have one of these three. The price isn’t excessive for a top tier today.

A good fragrance, good performance, versatile, fresh with sweet nuances but without becoming cloying.

An all-rounder perfume for any occasion, very versatile. It’s nothing extraordinary but it fulfils its function. It’s rich, masculine, and complimentary. The performance isn’t the best but it’s not low either; just right and sufficient for 6 hours. The trail dominates everything for the first two hours, then obviously drops. I really like it; I recommend buying blind.

An expensive and overhyped perfume; the DNA tires the nose. Dylan Blue smells much better than this, for example.

Scent 9/10, longevity 6/10 (for the price). I could have saved five times the cost with its near-exact dupe, ‘Yeah! Man’ by Maison Alhambra. What a shame.