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Black Opium Intense by YSL

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Black Opium Intense is yet another flanker from the Black Opium line released by Saint Laurent in 2019. An intense version of the popular fragrance was intriguing to me, so, I grabbed some to test it out for review. What does it smell like? How long does it last? Is it a better version of Black Opium?

What does Black Opium Intense Smell Like?

Notes include: coffee, licorice absolute, vanilla, blue absinthe essence

My Full Review

Here’s how YSL describes this fragrance: The sensuality of coffee is surrounded by the aura of the magnetizing note of blue absinthe. The thrill of a mysterious and daring addiction electrifies the new Black Opium Eau de Parfum Intense.

The original Black Opium EDP is a pretty powerful perfume, on my skin. As such, I was expecting Intense to be an absolute bomb, but it isn’t.

It is a pretty different fragrance from the others, but I was looking forward to a powerhouse. It opens up with a blend of the blue absinthe and licorice accord. It is an interesting pairing because the anise found in absinthe can often come across like licorice, in terms of smell.

That’s the top of the scent, with the usual coffee fragrance coming underneath. It isn’t a ‘boozy’ smell, if you’re thinking of the usual mixed drink style of perfumes. Just a smooth, slightly sweet, coffee aroma with a hint of vanilla.

The next phase, there does seem to be the jasmine floral note coming through. I know, that and orange blossom have been heavily featured in this series, but I don’t get any orange blossom in this one.

As it dries down, Black Opium Intense does get a bit powdery for a while. It isn’t a super baby powder experience or anything, but you do get a sensation of powder. It’s mostly about the coffee, licorice, slight vanilla, and jasmine. Most of the absinthe, has gone out the window.

That’s about what I get for the rest of the wear.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

The sillage is pretty moderate at its peak. That’s about up until the one hour mark and then it is pretty much a skin scent. Don’t expect a heavy projection bomb, this ain’t it. Not nearly as strong as the original.

The longevity is actually pretty good though, as a skin scent. It sticks around for 7-8 hours of wear. It’d be a lot better with some power behind it, but it didn’t just disappear entirely.

Seasonally, this is another autumn and winter wear. If it were stronger, I’d say it’d mostly be for the nightlife. But, as is, you’re not really going to choke out a room and can probably get away with wearing it in a variety of daytime situations.

To me, it’s not what I would consider a sexy smell. It’s all just fine, never really wowing me.

Overall Impressions of Black Opium Intense

Do I like this perfume? I mean, I don’t hate it. I think it is better than Nuit Blanche (maybe?), but worse than both Black Opium and Neon.

The absinthe and licorice pairing is interesting, just not incredible. The strength of the scent is a major miss for me. Although, a heavy licorice note tends to give me a headache.

There really just isn’t much here to praise, it’s mostly just saying to yourself, ‘well, that’s pretty good, I guess’. Licorice, coffee, absinthe, some vanilla/jasmine, and a slight powdery feel at times. If that’s enough for you, go ahead and give this YSL scent a try.

Black Opium Neon by YSL

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Black Opium Neon is one of the flankers from the best selling Saint Laurent line. I’m making my way through the perfumes from this line, in order to catch up on the reviews. Today’s entry was released by YSL in 2019. How does Neon Smell? Does it last long? What are the differences? Is it worth a buy?

What does Black Opium Neon Smell Like?

Notes include: coffee, dragon fruit, mandarin essence, orange blossom, jasmine

Click here to try: Yves Saint Laurent Black Opium Neon EDP 2.5 oz 75 ml Women NEW

My Full Review

Let’s see how YSL describes this perfume: When dark coffee meets the vivid & audacious dragon fruit. A vibrant & luminous addiction flashes through the new Eau de Parfum Neon.

Upon first spraying, Neon is noticeably different from the original Black Opium EDP, but you can still pick up the DNA of the original. After all, they still share coffee, orange blossom, and vanilla notes.

However, the weighting is completely different, as the coffee and especially vanilla are toned way down. The opening gives you a very citrusy smelling blend of dragon fruit and mandarin orange. I like it, as it gives Neon a nice burst of energy and a fairly tropical vibe.

That’s another aspect of this one that I like, Black Opium Neon is ultimately a lighter fragrance without the heavy embrace that the original could have.

To me, the opening act is mostly the fruit notes sitting on top of a prominent orange blossom with some jasmine thrown in. It feels sweet in more of a candy-like way for a gourmand. Like, more bubble gum and Starburst versus a baked goods gourmand.

During the dry down, is when I really start to get the original Black Opium vibes. I can pick up more of the coffee and vanilla notes, but really it becomes about the floral notes. Like a softer version of the original, with the fruit remnants still lingering.

Then, the very end of the road is a pretty faint by this point, coffee accord. A little orange blossom, still in the mix. It’s kind of surprising that the coffee is really the last one standing, but that’s just what it is.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

This isn’t a heavy fragrance, nor does it have a crazy amount of projection. Actually, it’s pretty moderate as a whole. From the description, I was expecting more of a loud club banger, but Neon doesn’t fit that bill.

I mean, you could wear it out in the nightlife, it’s just not going to fill a room. Spraying it on a t-shirt, I could pick it up from about 6 feet away, at its max. On the skin, it seems to be around that same level.

This one has a bit better staying power than Illicit Green, but not too much. On me, it’ll go just over six hours, maybe getting close to seven. However, it’s not going to be a massive double digit hour perfume, on skin.

Seasonally, it isn’t limited to the autumn and winter like the original. But also, it isn’t one for the summer months. Depending on where you live, it’s probably good through late springtime.

Neon feels more well put together than the original, with a somewhat more mature vibe. Not to say it’s old lady-ish, but the heavier coffee and vanilla gourmand features aren’t popping out as much.

This can be worn in a variety of situations, day or into the nightlife. You’ll probably just have to reapply if you’re making that transition. Neon isn’t a formal fragrance.

Overall Impressions of Black Opium Neon

Overall, do I like Neon? I do. In terms of how it smells, I like it slightly better than the original. It has more balance, is lighter, and I enjoy the fruity top notes. Dragon fruit is a nice touch.

The performance and sillage isn’t as good. Not terribly bad wear, but it doesn’t hit the same level as its predecessor.

If you didn’t like the original Black Opium, I doubt that this would change your mind. If you already own Black Opium, you probably don’t need this, unless you want to round out your collection.

For those who are just in the market for a Black Opium fragrance…it’s worth a shot to see if you prefer this edition. It’s not way better, but I have a bit of a preference for how Neon comes across.

Neon is one of the better releases from this line, but not the best of them.

Y Le Parfum by YSL

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Y Le Parfum is the latest release from the Y line of men’s fragrances here in 2021. It follows four other scents that YSL has put out over the past few years under this banner. I got a decanted sample of this stuff recently and have been testing out over the past few days. How does it smell? How long does it last? When should it be worn? Is it even worth a try?

What does Y Le Parfum Smell Like?

Notes include: apple, grapefruit, ginger, aldehydes, lavender, sage, geranium, patchouli, tonka bean, and cedar

Click here to try: Y Le Parfum

My Full Review

The opening act of Le Parfum is pretty similar in many ways to both Y EDP and EDT. You get the apple and ginger combination up top, along with the sage and geranium already peaking through.

The difference is, Le Parfum isn’t nearly as bold, has more of a sweetness, while being greenish and somewhat dark. Yes, you do still get the citrus/fruity notes, it’s grapefruit here. Though, the addition of the aldehydes, gives this one a bright/sweet/slightly fresh aroma.

I’m not too enthused with the opening, but it’s still pretty nice overall.

Once I get past this initial phase, I really begin to enjoy Y Le Parfum. It becomes softer, with hints of sage still providing an edge, but with an attractive sweetness.

It’s sort of comparable to Legend Night or Versace Eros, at this stage. Apple, tonka bean, lavender, cedar, and geranium are running the show. A somewhat dark sweetness with a fresh woody base. It just doesn’t have the same density to my nose, as those others.

The final stage is lavender, tonka bean, and a mix of the remaining fruity and woody notes. There are plenty of other scents which have done this pairing, though, it’s really great here. I couldn’t stop smelling the amount that I applied to my wrist.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

After having used Y EDP for a while, I was expecting Le Parfum to have somewhere close to a similar sillage, it doesn’t. It is fairly noticeable at the start but hangs quite close to the skin for the rest of the wear.

I’d rate it as a moderate fragrance and not one that is going to take over a room. My favorite part of the wear, just happens to be when Y Le Parfum is at its weakest point.

Also, the longevity here isn’t great. I get 6-6.5 hours of wear from this one. Maybe it’s gotten to 7 a few times. Not horrendous, but for the price and the previous entries in this series, it’s disappointing.

Only slightly better than Eau Fraiche, which at least has the excuse of being a lighter summer wear. This just doesn’t have the YSL Y EDP performance level.

Even applying the fragrance to an old t-shirt didn’t yield much better results.

Seasonally, Le Parfum is a versatile cologne. I’d stay away from the extreme highs or lows in temperatures, but it wouldn’t feel out of place in autumn, spring, or the moderate days of the other two seasons.

This Y scent has a more mature and subtle profile than the others in the series. It doesn’t have that bold ‘punch you in the face’ power of EDP and it has a complexity that the others don’t. Suitable for many age ranges and occasions.

Overall Impressions of Y Le Parfum

Overall, do I like Y Le Parfum? Yes, particularly the dry down period. The opening isn’t amazing to me, as it feels like a muted EDP, but it distinguishes itself in the second act.

The problem for me is, I already own EDP and this doesn’t do enough in terms of performance, to separate itself.

The opening is the strongest point and it feels like a lesser than EDP. By the time it takes on that sweet and enjoyable dry down, the fragrance is pretty weak.

As of right now, this is my second favorite Y scent, after EDP. Some aspects of it, I actually like better, but it doesn’t take the top spot in its totality.

However, Le Parfum might be a good solution for those who think that EDP is too loud. It has gotten less likeable for me over time, though. Le Parfum doesn’t seem like a great deal, based on its starting price.

Though, once you can grab discounted bottles, it’s worth a try. Very nice fragrance, just not top tier, in my eyes.

Y Eau Fraiche by YSL

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Y Eau Fraiche is another flanker from the Y series that YSL seems to be cranking out. Not that I’m really complaining, since I like them well enough. Eau Fraiche came out in 2020, to complement the summer season, when the EDP and EDT aren’t really going to work. How does it smell? Does it last long? Is it worth a buy?

What does Y Eau Fraiche Smell Like?

Notes include: lemon, pepper, ginger, mint, juniper, lavender, geranium, and cedar

My Full Review

Y Eau Fraiche kicks off with that immediately recognizable Y blend of notes. Here, you get overlap with the EDT from lemon, ginger, and mint in particular. Gone are the sage, pineapple, and apple. Very much cleaner and brighter than the original, but with a spicier bite.

There is a black pepper note, which joins that mint, and ginger. Cold and refreshing like a lemonade on a hot day.

The second time that I wore Eau Fraiche, I was near the beach with sunscreen on my arms, and it just felt like a very natural pairing with this cologne. Really great in that environment.

Y Eau Fraiche isn’t an aquatic per se, quite aromatic, in fact. But, I do get the same summertime poolside sensation that I get with Light Blue Eau Intense (review). Citrus and juniper without the same ‘amberwood’ heavy formula as that D&G fragrance.

As it moves along in the wear, the pepper and ginger fade away from my skin, and I get more geranium and cedar. Eau Fraiche starts smelling a bit more like the EDT, with less of the cold lemony punch, that started us off.

That’s about it, in terms of development.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

The sillage with Eau Fraiche is light, but actually fairly good for this type of fragrance. A light summertime refresher, with plenty of lemon notes? It’s not too bad.

Expect it to radiate about 3-5 feet away from the skin, at its height, unless you’re going off with the sprays. From there, Y Eau Fraiche will stick close by and be fairly intimate.

While it’s not a powerhouse, the longevity was again good for this style of cologne. I can smell it on my skin hours into the wear and it seems to hit the 6-7 hour mark in total. Y Eau Fraiche at least makes the wear a worthwhile experience.

Seasonally, spring or summer, weighted heavily towards the latter. This is one you need to wear when it’s hot as hell out. Daytime, when the humidity has risen, and you have to venture around town for the day.

Eau Fraiche has a youthful energy to it, though, it could absolutely work for an older man.

Overall Impressions of Y Eau Fraiche

Overall, do I like Y Eau Fraiche? I do enjoy it. It does smell a lot like the other entries into the Y series, however. Which is good, but it doesn’t cover a lot of new ground, other than being a summer wear.

I have a full bottle of the EDP, so I probably wouldn’t get this, unless I got a heavy discount. Even then, I have other summer fragrances, that could make this the odd cologne out.

Conversely, I might use this as an alternative version of Y EDP for summer.

It’s clean and really does a great job in the heat, though. The citrus notes and cool fresh burst of notes like mint, ginger, and juniper make for a very easy wear.

Even though Eau Fraiche is much more limited in its uses, I actually like it better than EDT, even with the degree of similarity.

If you enjoy the Y series and you want a scent for those hot days, Eau Fraiche is worthy of a look.  Don’t expect it to be a jack of all trades, but it does well within its parameters.

La Nuit de L’Homme Eau Electrique by YSL

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On my way out of El Prat airport, I once again stopped into a duty free shop to explore the fragrance selection, and came across a newer offering from Yves Saint Laurent…La Nuit de L’Homme Eau Electrique. The blue color and the name caught my eye, so I figured that I would try this one out and wear it on the flight home. In this post, I am going to give my initial impressions and opinions about this cologne after a single wear.

What does La Nuit Eau Electrique Smell Like?

Notes include: cedar, vanilla, tonka bean, cashmere, vetiver, lavender, apple, geranium, bergamot

Click here to try: Yves Saint Laurent La Nuit De L’Homme Eau Electrique Eau De Toilette Spray 100ml/3.3oz

My Full Wear Review

OK, so, going into this test I had zero expectations or notions about Electrique. In fact, I’d never even heard of it. I think that’s the best way to do a review of this sort, since my mind won’t be clouded by what I ‘wanted’ the cologne to be, and can simply judge it based on merit.

I sprayed this one twice on my arm about an hour or so before my transatlantic flight back to the US from Spain. Update: I’ve since had a travel spray size of Eau Electrique and am updating my thoughts throughout this post.

It initially struck me as smooth with a creamy/powdery offering of tonka bean with a woody base and some fruit thrown in to boot. Electrique was really fresh and drew me in from the very jump and I could smell it on me as I walked to my boarding gate.

That’s a very simple test of whether or not I think something is worth my while, is it an enjoyable addition to the background of my everyday life? For Electrique, I vote that yes, it is.

Eau Electrique opens with a noticeable apple and some citrus notes. The apple, tonka, vanilla, and lavender are really present up top with the main tonka bean note. Really, apple and tonka bean.

Then, the second wave brings in geranium paired with that lavender sitting under a tonka/vanilla combo.

The notes in Electrique have some overlap with Versace Eros, but, I think they are two different fragrances and the similarities aren’t that noticeable.

Eros is a much louder and has more of a citrusy aroma than does Electrique, though, the tonka bean and apple notes are shared.

Update: I could also compare this to Montblanc’s Legend Night, but noticeably lacking the heavy cardamom note.

Electrique is understated and while it has some sweet elements, it never becomes overbearing. I think the prevalence of the cashmere was a nice touch and gives Electrique some more separation from the original La Nuit.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Projection wise, Electrique was good during my one off test. It was noticeable during the wear and even kind of heavy at first. It isn’t a complete beast or anything but it is getting close to crossing that line.

I got 7-8 hours of use out of it. The last few hours it was more of a skin scent. However, I can’t really say for certain how it will perform with just one wear but it seems legit enough. Update: Yep, 6-8 hours, consistently.

Electrique is more suited toward cold weather wear. It worked fine in an air conditioned environment but I’m not sure that’ll hold up in the heat. Update: Not great in high heat, but moderate springtime temperatures, it is fine.

It does seem to have some versatility as both a casual fragrance and one which will work as a date night type of cologne.

Overall Impressions of Eau Electrique

Overall, is La Nuit de L’Home Eau Electrique worth a buy? I actually really liked wearing this fragrance. It’s nothing Earth shattering; but it is very good. It gives good performance and has a very attractive scent with a tangential relation to the original La Nuit.

It’s a good bet as an Eros alternative, if you don’t like the lemon note there. Also, the geranium can come across a bit like mint. It’s not a dupe, but they do have a very similar style.

Eau Electrique has now been discontinued, so, grab a bottle while you still can for cheap.

Electrique is a smooth and fresh fragrance with a powdery finish and a woody heart. It’s not super outstanding or ‘special’ but it is really damn nice.