Yves Saint Laurent

Y Elixir vs Y EDP by YSL

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YSL keeps churning out flankers of the Y formula, which are all generally pretty good at least. Y Elixir is the release for the line in 2024. Meanwhile, Y eau de parfum has been the most popular edition for years now.

In this post, I want to compare and contrast each of these scents, and break down which is better by different metrics. Which smells best? Lasts longer? Is the better buy?

Tale of the Tape: Y Eau de Parfum vs. Elixir

Notes include: bergamot, apple, ginger, sage, vetiver, geranium, juniper berries, tonka bean, amber, cedar

Click here to try: Yves Saint Laurent Y Eau de Parfum Spray for Men, 3.3 Ounce

Read my review: Y EDP

Y Elixir

Notes include: lavender, geranium, oud, incense

Opening

Y EDP starts off with its bold kick. It’s a strong bergamot, apple, and ginger blend initially. Then, will come the amber, juniper berry, and tonka bean.

Though, that initial burst is quite juicy, bold, and blue.

Some people don’t seem to care for the opening act. I actually think that its that amber and juniper layer that can put some people who’ve tried EDP off. But for me, the apple and bergamot pairing really grabs my attention with its crisp bite.

The sage also comes through quite a bit, even at this early point of the process.

With, Y Elixir we are going to get something that is seemingly familiar, but goes in another direction. You will catch aspects of Y EDP in Elixir, no citrus, but there seems to be some of the apple still around (may just be the geranium).

Lavender and geranium are the stars here, especially the second one. The lavender gives this one a clean and soapy kind of aroma. But, that is more than offset by the spicy, earthy, crisp, woodsy freshness of the geranium.

Very cold and fresh in these early stages. Not as blue or bold as EDP for example. Though, this one has some depth and I enjoy how tame and easy to wear it is.

Oud adds to the base and the woodiness. However, it just isn’t all that massive of a note here in the early stages. Also, an incense note provides a smokiness which also isn’t too pervasive. Both are really nice in the support of the other two notes.

Which is better? I usually prefer eau de parfum to others in this series. Though, I think Y Elixir takes this opening act for me. It’s mellow, fresh, woodsy, and well put together.

Edge: Elixir

Projection

Y EDP is very strong at the start. I can spray my bottle and fill the room with its scent, with not too many sprays.

The first 30-60 minutes are powerful. After that, it’s strong before settling into something that is above average. Y EDP doesn’t radiate that scent like crazy the whole way through.

Elixir is no slouch. It just doesn’t hit the same high level that the eau de parfum does. It’s also slightly above average for most of the wear, but it also projects very well for that first hour or so.

Just not to the same degree.

Edge: EDP

Longevity

Y eau de parfum lasts for about 10 hours on my skin. For me, it’s still the best performing fragrance in this YSL series.

Y Elixir actually sticks around well. Falls a bit short of the EDP, but it’s better than Le Parfum, in this regard.

I get close to 9 hours of longevity out of Elixir. Quite good, not elite, and not as long-lasting as Y EDP.

Edge: EDP

Versatility

Y EDP and Elixir are both good, nearly year round. I might prefer Elixir in the hotter weather, but it’s not exactly built for that either.

Y Elixir without the bold citrus and apple notes, comes across as being a bit more mature and professional.

Elixir is a super versatile fragrance. It can do everything that Y EDP can do; plus, it can be an office wear, or something you spray on for a low key evening out. It’s attractive enough to catch attention, without being overwhelming.

Edge: Elixir

Overall Scent

Overall, this was a lot closer than I expected it to be prior to testing out Y Elixir.

Elixir is a really nice fragrance. As of now, it’s right up there with Le Parfum, tied for my second favorite Y cologne. I’m not sure which of them gets the nod, possibly Elixir, since it has better performance.

The opening act is really fantastic. It’s got just enough spice, some incense/oud smokiness, and really let’s that geranium note shine. I’m a big fan of geranium.

The back half is still quite good, more lavender and geranium, with a woodsy undertone. The aroma itself is quite a bit like Y EDP at this point, just less dynamic and interesting.

I’m still choosing Y EDP. It’s better for the entirety of the wear and has a stronger performance. Though, Elixir was close to making this a coin toss, I just prefer EDP more.

Y Elixir is a very versatile scent and might be the one you would want to go with as a daily office wear or something along those lines.

Elixir at the higher price point, might feel too ‘run of the mill’ for some who want a bolder sort of fragrance. I really enjoy Elixir, but Y EDP is still probably a better bet for most people.

Winner: Y EDP

YSL Myslf EDP vs. Le Parfum

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Myslf by YSL has become a very popular fragrance since its release. Naturally, this is going to lead to more flanker releases under this name, the first of which is Myslf Le Parfum. Now that there are two options in the series, which is the better men’s fragrance?

I’ve bought two travel spray sizes of each of these scents to test out and compare. Which smells better? Lasts longer? Is ultimately the better buy?

Tale of the Tape: Myslf EDP vs. Parfum

Myslf

Notes include: bergamot, orange blossom, woods, patchouli, ambrofix

Click here to try: Myslf by YSL

My Full Review: Myslf 

Myslf Le Parfum

Notes include: black pepper, orange blossom, Bourbon vanilla, amber, patchouli, woods

Click here to try: YSL Myslf Le Parfum

Opening

Myslf begins with bergamot and orange blossom, as its main combination. It’s fresh and it also has a bit of a creaminess to how it smells, mostly due to the orange blossom note. Which doesn’t have as much of an opening sweetness, thanks to that large citrus start.

But, the very opening stage is a bergamot centered fragrance. That will change later on, but for the start it’s a fresh citrusy cologne.

Le Parfum opens up fresh and sweet. Here, there still seems to be a touch of that bergamot in the mix, but this version is much more orange blossom dominant.

The orange blossom sweetness is pretty bubblegum like, with how it comes across, but I think it is kept in check well by that top use of black pepper. A nice kick of spice but not too much of it.

It’s warm and I also get a decent amount of the woods and patchouli, during this opening act.

Which is better?

It’s neck and neck, but I actually might give the edge to EDP. That citrus opening really can capture my attention and I’ll give the original the go ahead.

Edge: EDP

Projection

Myslf for the first hour is actually fairly strong. Not a heavy fragrance, but it will create a substantial enough scent trail in your wake.

After that, it’s more of an intimate scent surrounding you. I’d say it sticks in that 1-3 foot range off of the skin, but it’s still noticeable.

Le Parfum is a heavier cologne than is the EDP. It is also the more powerful of the two, as far as projection goes.

Still, it’s not a great deal more powerful, and it’s not a beast. But, it does give you more punch throughout than the original.

Edge: Le Parfum

Longevity

With EDP, it will last for 6-7 hours on my skin. It’s okay, a bit disappointing for this price range, by no means terrible.

On my skin, Le Parfum seems to deliver 9 and possibly 10 hours on my skin, depending on the day.

It’s a pretty easy win for the newer scent and higher concentration.

Edge: Le Parfum

Versatility

Myslf eau de parfum is just such an inoffensive and easy to wear fragrance, that it can fit in pretty much anywhere during any time of year. It’s an easy on to just spray on as an everyday wear, but is attractive enough to hit the nightlife, even if that’s not it’s main function.

With Le Parfum, you get a lot of the same. Better than EDP in the colder weather, but doesn’t hold up to the same degree in the heat. It’s not bad in the higher temperatures, but EDP is better, in that regard.

I think Le Parfum is the better nightlife or romantic wear. It’s got greater depth than just being a clean daily wear.

As such, I would give it the slight edge here.

Edge: Le Parfum

Overall Scent

Overall, which one of these YSL fragrances do I like more?

It’s actually a somewhat tight contest between these two or at least. For me, while I really do enjoy the opening act of EDP, it’s not as exciting on the dry down.

Plus, that fresh and clean heavy citrus, type of aroma isn’t something that I always want.

With Parfum, I think that it gets better and the longevity is also gives it an edge. Between them, I lean more towards Parfum. The more that I wore each of these scents, the more Le Parfum started to grow on me.

The vanilla, amber, and orange blossom blend are really great in the back half. Le Parfum has moment where it is powdery, then it’s woodier, then it’s more of an amber floral.

Which the trio of those three notes is also found in Le Male by Gaultier and during the heavier vanilla parts, there is a bit of a resemblance.

There’s more depth here, you’re just giving up the bergamot citrus explosion that you get with Myslf EDP.

However, I will add a caveat. Myslf Parfum is a much more floral fragrance. It’s actually smells quite a bit like the long-discontinued, YSL L’Homme Parfum Intense. Just with more depth and better performance.

(Note: The Dua Brand now has their ‘inspired by’ fragrance based on EDP. So, one could buy a bottle of that and get a bottle of Le Parfum from YSL, if you can’t decide). 

It’s like they took the original, added vanilla, stripped most of the citrus, and fused it with L’Homme Parfum Intense.

It’s also more unisex and some might find Myslf Parfum to be feminine with how it comes across. So, if you prefer the citrus floral aroma, you’ll want to go with Myslf EDP instead.

But, if  you have the opportunity I’d test both of them out. Again, I like both and it’s not a huge gap between them, but I do seem to have a definite preference for Le Parfum.

Winner: Le Parfum

YSL Myslf vs. Dior Sauvage EDP

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Myslf has become a popular fragrance from YSL in the relatively short time since its release. This is of course a short time when compared to the massive decade-long success of Dior’s Sauvage lineup.

Now that they are competitors, these two colognes will often be the final two scents that guys are deciding between which to get for themselves. I want to compare the two and give my own opinion on the better options, after having tested and worn each of them.

Now, since Myslf was released as an eau de parfum, I’m going to be comparing it with Dior Sauvage EDP, instead of the original EDT formulation.

Tale of the tape: YSL Myslf vs. Dior Sauvage EDP

Myslf

Notes include: bergamot, orange blossom, woods, patchouli, ambrofix

Click here to try: Myslf by YSL

My Full Review: Myslf 

Dior Sauvage EDP

Notes include: nutmeg, bergamot, ambroxan, vanilla absolute, lavender, Sichuan pepper, anise

Click here to try: Sauvage by Dior Eau de Parfum Spray 100ml

Read my original review: Sauvage EDP

Opening

Sauvage EDP starts things off with its ambroxan note, a smoky vanilla, and lavender. It’s warm, clean, and has a lot less of the lavender than the original Sauvage.

The bergamot, up top is lighter, and then you get spicy pepper later on in the wear.

But, that Sichuan pepper will share duties with both anise and nutmeg, which allows it to come across less harsh and more balanced than EDT.

I never expected to be too much of a fan of this opening, with the ambroxan. But, this formula really nails the weighting of all of the ingredients extremely well.

Myslf begins with bergamot and orange blossom, as it’s main combination.. It’s fresh and it also has a bit of a creaminess to how it smells, mostly due to the orange blossom note.

But, the very opening stage is a bergamot centered fragrance. That will change later on, but for the start it’s a fresh citrusy cologne.

If I were comparing Myslf to the EDT version of Sauvage, I’d give the YSL a pretty easy victory in this category.

However, the EDP is better. It has more complexity than the original and really sets a great tone early on. It’s a pretty close match, I do like the bergamot in the YSL cologne, but I’m going to go with Sauvage.

Edge: Sauvage EDP

Projection

Myslf for the first hour is actually fairly strong. Not a heavy fragrance, but it will create a substantial enough scent trail in your wake.

After that, it’s more of an intimate scent surrounding you. I’d say it sticks in that 1-3 foot range off of the skin, but it’s still noticeable.

Sauvage EDP is a beast. It will project itself much further and has a heavier feeling than you’re going to get with the YSL. Now, that might not be a great thing, depending on your tastes. However, it will provide some power.

Plus, after a few hours it will moderate, while still maintaining a high level of performance. It’s an easy win for the Dior scent in this category.

Edge: Sauvage EDP

Longevity

Myslf is an okay performer in terms of how long it lasts, it’s just not great. Every time that I’ve tested out the YSL fragrance, I’ve gotten around 6-7 hours worth of wear out of it.

With Sauvage eau de parfum, it will go for over ten hours on my skin. I’m not sure exactly when it quits, but it’s a much better performer than is Myslf EDP. Actually, any of the Sauvage entries seem to have a better longevity than the YSL.

An easy win for Dior.

Edge: Sauvage

Versatility

I think that this is where Myslf EDP has a distinct edge versus Sauvage EDP. And that’s not taking away from the versatility of the Dior, which is still quite good.

Myslf is just such an inoffensive and easy to wear fragrance, that it can fit in pretty much anywhere during any time of year. It’s an easy on to just spray on as an everyday wear, but is attractive enough to hit the nightlife, even if that’s not it’s main function.

Sauvage is less of a formal wear and something that works better in the autumn and winter months, the eau de parfum formula at least.

Overall Scent

Overall, which of these fragrances is the better buy? Again, since I’m comparing the two eau de parfum releases, I have a fairly distinct winner for most guys.

It’s going to be Sauvage EDP. If this were between Sauvage EDT and Myslf, the YSL would win easily, since I’m not too big of a fan of the original Sauvage. The eau de parfum really improved things, in my mind.

I think that it is the more interesting of the two fragrances. It has more depth and a greater variety of aromas to enjoy throughout. Beyond that, the performance of the Dior is much better.

That being said, I do like Myslf as a daily wear scent. While it is popular, not everyone already wears it like they do with Sauvage (the best selling fragrance on the planet).

So, if you want something more unique or that’s a better low key kind of daily wear that still smells good, you will probably want to go with the YSL scent.

Otherwise, just going off which of the two I think is better, it’s Sauvage EDP. I could enjoy wearing either, but I do have a preference for it versus Myslf EDP.

Winner: Sauvage EDP

Opium Pour Homme EDP by YSL

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Opium Pour Homme eau de parfum was released back in 1995. I haven’t come across a bottle of this concentration in many years, even after owning multiple bottles of the EDT version. I saw a bottle for sale on eBay while scrolling through fragrances, and immediately bought it.

Now, this is a discontinued cologne, but I want to do a full review of it anyway. How does this vintage scent hold up? Does it still last long? Is it worth a try?

Opium Pour Homme Eau de Parfum Overview

Notes include: star anise, black currant, Sichuan pepper, vanilla, ginger, balsam, cedar

My Full Review

Luckily, I managed to buy a bottle of Opium EDP both in its original box and sealed in the plastic wrap. This purchase and my buy of Kouros Fraicheur, both came, as they originally shipped.

I looked up the batch code for this bottle and it’s from 1997, during the Sanofi Beaute era of YSL Parfums. Actually having the box, made it easier to narrow down.

Based on the bottle alone, it would’ve been a 1995-1999 (maybe 2000, depending on when the change to the markings took place after the sale to PPR) guess as to when this scent was bottled.

It’s a 50mL (1.6 oz) bottle that can be refilled (or at least could’ve been).

Anyway, Opium EDP opens up with a blast of spice and the blackcurrant note, giving it a slight fruitiness. The blackcurrant in this old bottle isn’t all that great anymore. A bit sour, sort of like how the top citrus notes play out in my bottle of L’Homme Haute Concentration.

Still, not terrible, for how long its been shelved.

This does have the same balsam presence, as I notice in the EDT version, but here it is sitting under much more spice. The anise note is strong and is backed by a powerful blast of Sichuan pepper.

Quite warm, medicinal, spicy, and you can say that this has more relation to the opening of Opium EDT for Women.

For me, the pepper dies down first. That’s when I can notice the bit of ginger peaking through.  Opium becomes smoother, with an emergence of the vanilla, and great balsamic influence.

What’s interesting here, is the eau de parfum has a powdery aspect to it that I find is lacking in the edt version. Not a ton, but it’s there.

The back half of this is fresher, sweeter, with an ambery finish. Less of a powerful punch and more of a simple and well put together scent. Comparing it to the EDT, I get more cedar in the dry down, which was probably the weakest part of the lower concentration cologne.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

The opening act is pretty strong here. You get a nice reach and scent trail going with this Saint Laurent fragrance.

I’d call the sillage strong. Well above average at first. Then, it will settle into something that is more moderate and has sort of an airy feel to it, rather than being a dense cloud .

It lasts over 10 hours for me, but it’s not a powerful 10 hours. More like it’s just sort of around, during the back half of the wear, after a much more substantial start. Honestly, not too much more powerful than the bottles of Opium EDT that I wore many years ago.

Spicier yes, just not a massive amount of difference in the performance.

Seasonally, this is autumn and winter all the way. It really shines in the colder weather, so it seems I won’t get much use of this one for at least a few more months.

I like to have Opium EDT on in the daytime, but with the greater depth and intensity, EDP can fit in either night or day.

It’s different from most of what’s out there today. Opium EDP isn’t going appeal to most of the younger set. There is a refinement here, still with appeal for plenty of people, just not something that’s going to be a daily wear for most.

It’s darker and does have an attractive or sexy aroma. Very masculine.

Overall Impressions of Opium Pour Homme EDP

Overall, do I like Opium EDP. Yes, it’s one that I’ve always appreciated and I do greatly prefer this version to the eau de toilette.

That ramped up spiciness really sells it for me. The anise here is potent, with an added warmth of spice from pepper and ginger notes. The ‘medicinal’ kind of aroma that this YSL fragrance can have, may not be for everyone.

It’s still a modern cologne, much more approachable than those that came before it, despite being released about 30 years ago. Still, it is different from much of the mainstream offerings today, especially from YSL itself.

Is it worth getting? For some people, yes. My bottle was just over $100. Though, I’ve seen other Opium EDP bottles going for way more than that. To me, approaching $200 is a tad too much, unless you’re a collector.

The EDT is much more available, but the last batches of that aren’t as good as they once were. My current bottle of that, is pretty mid, especially the performance.

Apparently, this was discontinued much later than I thought it was. Not sure exactly when, but I think it was still for sale in a few places around Europe not too long ago. Though, it’s done for good, as of now.

Opium EDP is a scent that I love adding to my collection. In a sea of men’s fragrances, which seem to copy one another, it’s nice to be able to wear something that’s completely different every so often.

6 Fragrances Similar to La Nuit de L’Homme

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La Nuit remains a very popular scent and YSL has created a bunch of different flanker fragrances, using its name as a draw. However, some of the recent batches, don’t seem to have the same staying power as the older ones. Plus, La Nuit de L’Homme can be expensive to buy, especially when you don’t get the same value.

So, what are your options, if you’re a guy who wants a similar experience or cheaper alternative to this cologne? In this post, I want to present six options which may do the job for you.

Cologne Alternatives to La Nuit de L’Homme

 

Midnight Inspiration

Midnight Rendezvous by Dua Brand– So, updating this page, I have now found an inspired by alternative to, La Nuit. If you want a cheaper fragrance that tries to match the YSL version, this one from Dua is it.

Midnight Rendezvous is based on the vintage 2010 formula of La Nuit and is a more concentrated extrait de parfum. 

I haven’t tried this one in particular from Dua, but I’ve owned over 10 of their scents at this point. They really strike close to what you want from this designer colognes. There are a ton of reviews for this one and are overwhelming saying that Dua hit the mark with Midnight Rendezvous.

There is usually a slight maceration process, meaning it can be a few months, before it fully develops and really hits its best. But, even the initial uses are still very good, these scents just get better thereafter.

The Other La Nuit

Yves Saint Laurent La Nuit De L’homme Frozen Cologne Spray, 3.3 Ounce– I’m going to start with this flanker, just to give it a mention, but it has been discontinued. Frozen was a different take on La Nuit de L’homme, with more citrus, spiciness, and geranium.

If you can find a bottle, it is worth a try, because it has better performance than the newer bottles of La Nuit. If you can find a bottle, I doubt it will be cheap, but I’m putting it here anyway.

Best Cheaper Option

F by Ferragamo Black By Salvatore Ferragamo For Men Eau De Toilette Natural Spray, 3.4 Fl. oz./100 ml– Ferragamo Black is one of the most popular, if not the most popular men’s fragrance of this design house. This is probably because of its similarities to La Nuit by YSL. Yes, it does smell quite a bit like our target, but not exactly.

It features a very prominent lavender note, which is paired with crisp apple from the opening, this is a familiar aroma in a lot of men’s scents. Later, the smooth creamy tonka bean emerges with a sharp black pepper note, to give it a nice masculine edge.

It clean, fresh, and dry…but doesn’t have that cardamom note. Really, for the price, this is probably the best cheap option for a La Nuit ‘clone’. Even if, it isn’t exact. 

Geranium Fresh with Sweetness

Trussardi Riflesso Uomo Eau De Toilette Spray 100Ml– This one is an interesting fragrance, with a mid-tier price. It’s has plenty of similarities to La Nuit, but features a creamy tonka bean note and geranium, in lieu of the cardamom.

It’s got that fresh spicy feeling up top, but then, transitions into a very lovely sweetly floral fragrance, with a nice tonka/apple combo.

The apple and grapefruit are fresh and adds some sweetness to the top of this fragrance. Of course, with the violet leaf and those two fruit notes, there is a watery aroma here, that is more pronounced than what we get with the YSL.

The apple is really a separator between it and La Nuit, along with that lack of cardamom. It’s style is similar even if it’s not the same exact smell, and Riflesso also has elements of Mont Blanc Legen, but it leans closer to our target versus that cologne.

 

Close to La Nuit but Spicier

Ombré Noir 60ML (Alexandria Fragrances)– Ombre Noir isn’t a super cheap option, more middle of the pack, but does have a very similar overall profile to that of La Nuit. The opening act is different, however, this feels spicier and drier than the YSL.

Then, after a while, the two do become very close in terms of how they smell. You of course get the cardamom, hint of citrus, and lavender. All of this sits on top of fresh cedar.

The performance is pretty good, as well. If you can find a bottle for $40 or less, it’d be a good La Nuit substitute.

Warmer, Sweeter, and Vanilla 

Halloween Perfumes Shot Men’s Edt Spray, 4.2 Ounce– I like this one. However, it isn’t an exact copy of La Nuit. Halloween Man Shot is more of a mix between the YSL fragrance and Legend Night from Mont Blanc.

Man Shot actually has the cardamom note, like La Nuit, but features a strong vanilla, powdery iris, and boozy undertones.

Halloween Man Shot is warmer, sweeter, and more enveloping than is La Nuit. I don’t think it’s nearly as good, but it is much cheaper. It’s sort of like how the original Halloween Man is like 1 Million by Paco Rabanne.

Although, this is probably a better example of a cheaper alternative cologne. Again, this isn’t a clone, but provides a similar foundation while giving the wearer a new experience.