Y Eau Fraiche by YSL

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?

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What does Y Eau Fraiche Smell Like?

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

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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.

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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.

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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.