As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This means that if you click on an Amazon affiliate link on my pages, I receive a commission based on that qualified purchase. It doesn't cost you any more money and it helps keep the site running.
For this entry into the men’s fragrance, head to head match ups, I want to do a comparison between two recent releases from Yves Saint Laurent: Y eau de toilette vs. Y EDP. Which one of these colognes from YSL, smells the best?
Which has better performance? Which is the top buy? I have worn and reviewed each, linked below, and will now share my thoughts as to how the compare to one another.
Tale of the Tape: Y EDP vs EDT
Y EDT
Notes include: bergamot, ginger, aldehydes, violet leaf, geranium, sage, cedar, musk, incense, ambergris, fir
Click here to try: Yves Saint Laurent Y Eau De Toilette Spray 100ml/3.3oz
Read my original Review: Y EDT
Y EDP
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 original review: Y EDP
Opening
Y EDT opens up with a cool and crisp aroma. There is a light bergamot note, along with aldehydes, which gives the EDT a bright and sunny disposition. Underneath that, is violet leaf, ginger, and a light ambergris. It is a very good smell, light, and clean.
The aldehydes and the bergamot are the most attractive parts here. Though, I do also always love a good ginger note.
Y EDP starts off with bergamot also, but this is paired with a stronger, crisp apple note. With these two fruit notes, is a coolly spiced ginger note, and underlying tonka bean and amber. It is super fresh, with some warmth, and a great smoothness.
The second layer of EDP, gives you juniper, sage, amber, and tonka bean. This one has plenty going on and is a deeper fragrance than the original.
Which is better? While I like the Y EDT opening, I do like the eau de parfum version, even more. The apple note with the ginger, is a great pairing, and just has a better smell than the original.
Edge: EDP
Projection
Neither of these scents, has a huge sillage. The EDT has a moderate sillage, that move more into something that sticks closer to the skin. Still, it will be noticeable and I’m never really disappointed with how EDT performs.
The EDP isn’t a total beast either, but the greater concentration, does give it a more pronounced sillage than the original.
I’d say it’s definitely in the strong camp, just not completely overpowering in my experience. Though, the first hour can be pretty powerful and leave a trail.
Now, that does start to change with heavier spraying. You can indeed make this YSL fragrance into something quite potent. Nonetheless, an easy win for it versus EDT here.
Edge: EDP
Longevity
With the EDT, I get 7 hours of wear on my skin. Not great, but not terrible, either. It’s actually pretty good when compared to many other EDT concentrations on the market.
Just not elite, but I haven’t had any problems with it. EDT holds up pretty well and just doesn’t go super weak or anything an hour into wear. You get to spend some time appreciating it.
The EDP, however, will go for 10+ hours and easily has the upper hand in this category. It’s sillage is strong, but its longevity is darn near elite. Particularly, for a mass appealing designer cologne.
With my full bottle of Y EDP, this is pretty standard with how it lasts. Never dropping below that 10 hour mark for me and can go quite a bit further than that. Not that you really need it to, in most any scenario.
Edge: EDP
Versatility
Seeing as they are so highly related, I don’t see any major difference between them here. Both are good year round, but especially in the spring and summer.
However, going into the upper boundaries of heat and humidity, you might want to have a summer scent on hand. Maybe find a bottle of Y Eau Fraiche, if this series is your thing.
They can be worn during any occasion, also. I would say that the EDP has more of an appeal or sexiness, but that’s about it. Maybe you go with EDT, if you want a lighter and fresher sort of daily wear. It’s more low key than EDP.
Edge: Push
Overall Scent
I do like the way that Y EDT smells, it’s a solid fragrance, but does fall short of the eau de parfum version. The EDT has a clean aroma, with a balance between fresh and sweet notes, and a good performance.
I like the aldehydes and ginger notes and it is a cologne, that could easily be a daily wear.
The EDP is just better. The smell, the strength, and the performance is all better. It is more complex, you have an herbal sage, and the same ginger at the top.
The apple sets it apart, with a crispness, that pairs very well with the amber and tonka bean notes. The commonalities are definitely there, but this is more of a blue-ish ambroxan sort of fresh scent.
If you want something lighter and more low key fresh, you can now get good deals on the EDT version. I’ve seen bottles for as low as $35, recently.
I think that the EDP version of Y, is going to be quite popular going forward, as its smell and performance are top notch. Plus, the whole vibe of the cologne, has a true mass appeal.
Update: it definitely did become pretty popular. I’ve personally bought a bottle of the EDP and still wear it from time to time. Not nearly my favorite anymore, but I still like it from time to time, when I want a clean ‘blue’ cologne to wear..
Winner: Y EDP
Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc, or its affiliates.
User Review
( votes)
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.