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YSL has once again brought out a new entry into the Myslf lineup. This time, it’s Myslf Absolu for 2025. I’ve been really enjoying testing out this fragrance, but I wanted to do a post comparing it to the original.
So, which fragrance smells better? Which Myslf lasts longer? And is Absolu a better buy when compared to Myslf EDP?
Tale of the Tape: Myself Eau de Parfum vs Absolu
Myslf EDP
Notes include: bergamot, orange blossom, woods, patchouli, ambrofix
Click here to try: Myslf by YSL
My Full Review: Myslf
Myslf L’Absolu
Notes include: ginger, bergamot, cardamom, orange blossom, woods, patchouli
Read my review: Absolu
Opening
Myslf eau de parfum starts off with bergamot and orange blossom as its main two note. It’s fresh, dynamic, and also has a bit of creaminess to the scent. The orange blossom adds that quality, but doesn’t bring too much sweetness during the beginning.
The very opening stage is bergamot-centered though. That shifts later on, but at the start it’s a fresh citrusy cologne.
Absolu really kicks off strong with ginger taking centerstage alongside that familiar bergamot note. It does have this cool spiciness to it, quite fresh, and cardamom becomes more noticeable after 5-10 minutes.
That initial citrus burst in the opening pulls back and it shifts into a spicier floral blend with the ginger, cardamom, and signature orange blossom.
At this point, the scent has warmed up from that initial cooler vibe. It still carries a sparkling, slightly sweet quality. The spiciness isn’t as intense and Absolu has transitioned into its floral heart. Orange blossom, obviously.
Which is better? I actually do think they’re close and more similar to each other than to Le Parfum.
Ultimately, I like the ginger and cardamom additions to the mix. Not as heavy with the bergamot, but that early clean spiciness is really complementing the core DNA very well.
Edge: Absolu
Projection
Absolu isn’t a heavy fragrance. It doesn’t have the same density or thickness as the Le Parfum version. However, it actually projects really well for a designer scent.
The first few hours especially have serious reach for me. Not a complete beast or anything, but I feel like I get plenty of coverage with Absolu for a good amount of time.
Myslf EDP for the first hour is actually pretty strong. Not a heavy fragrance, but it creates a substantial enough scent trail behind you. It never hits the same level as the other YSL scent though.
After that, it becomes more of an intimate scent surrounding you. I’d say it sticks in that 1-3 foot range off the skin, but it’s still noticeable.
Absolu is more substantial and has the further reach.
Edge: Absolu
Longevity
Myslf EDP lasts for 6-7 hours before it fades away completely. It’s fine, just not a great performer.
Longevity-wise, I still get 9-10 hours with this one, which is what I get with Myslf Le Parfum. So it’s about equal performance between those two and better than the EDP.
It’s a pretty clear cut separation between them, as expected with the higher fragrance concentration.
Edge: Absolu
Versatility
Myslf eau de parfum is easy to wear and can fit pretty much anywhere during any time of year. Maybe not during daytime in summer, but outside of that it’s fine.
It’s easy to just spray on as an everyday wear, but attractive enough for nightlife, even if that’s not its main function. It’s not going to overwhelm and works for all age groups without issue.
Seasonally, Myslf Absolu works year-round basically. I’d say it’s better in moderate to warmer temperatures. Again, skip the height of summer with this one too.
Daytime or nighttime. A well put together floral cologne whose fresh spiciness also plays up during the evenings. I think that is what separates it from EDP. It’s more detailed and refined.
Crowd-pleasing with a bit of an edge. This could easily be plenty of people’s main fragrance or only one for that matter.
Edge: Absolu
Overall Scent
Overall, which of these two fragrances do I think smells better? While I do like what I get from Myslf eau de parfum, I just think that Absolu is the best cologne in the line thus far.
The ginger, the cardamom, and the blend overall is just superior. Even comparing it to Le Parfum, I think that it’s more approachable as a floral cologne for most people, and adds some depth to this orange blossom formula.
The bergamot and orange blossom focus of EDP is nice, but it just doesn’t hit the same level for me as does Absolu.
The question for you is do you want to spend an extra $80-100 (currently as of writing), on this new Absolu?
For some, it might not make sense. If you already have one of the other Myslf fragrances and you enjoy that, I don’t really believe that you need a second or third option. They’re different from one another, but also occupy a lot of the same space.
Update: You could also try an ‘inspired by’ take on either of these two, as alternatives from the Dua Brand: True Self or the Absolute version.
Myslf EDP is a nice cologne. It’s popular, well-liked, complemented, and is a great option for daily wear. It’s simple, but it’s simply not as good as the more intriguing and better performing Absolu.
What that’s worth to you? I don’t know. For me, if I grabbed a full bottle of any of these YSL scents, it’d by Myslf Absolu.
Winner: Absolu
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Best Men’s Colognes started back in 2013, as a way to share my learning experiences with the different fragrances that I’ve owned, as I dove head first into the hobby. Since then, that new hobby grew into a consistent passion, helping millions of readers along the way. I have personally written reviews for well over 800 perfumes and colognes for both men and women. This is along with writing hundreds of other in-depth fragrance guides.