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YSL Y Eau de Parfum fragrance
Yves Saint Laurent

YSL Y Eau de Parfum

EDP Masculine · 2018 · by Dominique Ropion
7.6 /10

YSL Y Eau de Parfum scores 8/10 for longevity and performs best in Mild conditions.

Best in Mild 8/10 longevity
From USD 85–130From EUR 78–120From GBP 67–103From PKR 24,000–36,000From AED 300–475From INR 7,055–10,790From SAR 319–488
8 Longevity
8 Sillage
8 Versatility
7 Value
6.8 Climate Avg

Fragrance Notes

Aromatic Fresh Spicy Woody Sweet
THE SCENT, LAYER BY LAYER

From the first impression to the lasting trail.

Top notes

The first impression

Heart notes

The character of the scent

Base notes

The lasting impression

Notes unfold and overlap differently on every skin.

Top Notes — first impression, 0–30 min

Heart Notes — the core, 30 min – 2 hrs

Base Notes — the foundation, 2 hrs+
Accord ProfileAromaticFresh SpicyWoodySweetACCORDPROFILE

Occasions & Seasons

Best For
Date Night Casual Evening Office
Seasons
Fall Winter Spring

Climate Performance

Avg 6.8 / 10
Extreme Heat
4/10
Average
45°C and above
Riyadh, Jacobabad, Kuwait City, Phoenix
Hot & Humid
5/10
Average
Around 35°C with high humidity
Dubai, Karachi, Mumbai, Miami
Warm & Dry
8/10
Excellent
Around 30°C with low humidity
Lahore, Delhi, Muscat, Los Angeles
Mild
9/10
Excellent
Around 20°C
Islamabad, Bangalore, London, San Francisco
Cold
8/10
Excellent
Below 10°C
Murree, Shimla, Moscow, New York

Expert Analysis

What Makes It Unique

The sweet-fresh duality that made Y EDP the dark horse bestseller — apple and sage is an unexpectedly addictive combo

How It Wears

The sweet apple note gets amplified in Gulf heat — dial back to 2 sprays in Dubai summer, but it's a Lahore winter champion

How It Compares

YSL Y EDP vs Dior Sauvage — two completely different approaches to the same 'versatile daily driver' goal

The Controversy

Critics call it a compliment-beast with no soul — fans say soul is overrated when everyone around you keeps asking what you're wearing

Is Yves Saint Laurent YSL Y Eau de Parfum Worth Buying?

The short answer: yes, with context. YSL Y Eau de Parfum is an EDP from Yves Saint Laurent that earns its reputation through wide appeal and a Aromatic, Fresh Spicy, Woody, Sweet character that is hard to argue with. The longer answer is what this review provides — climate scores across five zones, longevity data, multi-currency pricing, and honest comparison against the alternatives.

The sweet-fresh duality that made Y EDP the dark horse bestseller — apple and sage is an unexpectedly addictive combo

The Scent: Notes, Structure & Dry-Down

YSL Y Eau de Parfum opens with Apple, Ginger and Bergamot — an assertive first impression that carries across a room. Give it twenty or thirty minutes and the middle act arrives: Sage, Juniper Berries and Geranium. What lingers on skin and clothing hours later is the base: Amberwood, Tonka Bean, Cedar, Vetiver and Olibanum.

Strip it back to the bones and the profile reads Aromatic, Fresh Spicy, Woody, Sweet — easy to place and easy to wear.

How It Performs: The Numbers

Longevity (8/10): YSL Y Eau de Parfum delivers strong longevity for EDP. On most skin types expect 8–12 hours. A single morning application typically carries through well into the evening without reinforcement.

Sillage (8/10): YSL Y Eau de Parfum projects as a confident aura, detectable by those nearby. One or two sprays is all that is needed — over-application will overpower rather than impress.

Versatility (8/10): YSL Y Eau de Parfum is a genuine all-rounder — at ease at a wedding, a boardroom meeting, or a late-night dinner. From casual daytime to formal evening, it adapts without feeling out of place.

Value (7/10): Pricing at around $85 feels appropriate for what you get — neither a bargain nor an overreach.

Climate Performance: Where YSL Y Eau de Parfum Works Best

Of the five climate zones we score, YSL Y Eau de Parfum does best in mild (Islamabad, San Francisco) at 9/10 — it keeps its shape there instead of turning sharp or fading fast. The number to watch is extreme heat (Riyadh, Phoenix) at 4/10, where you are better off reaching for something else.

The sweet apple note gets amplified in Gulf heat — dial back to 2 sprays in Dubai summer, but it's a Lahore winter champion

Its average across all five zones is 6.8/10 — broad enough to wear most of the year without second-guessing the weather.

To see how it ranks against every other fragrance for your conditions, run the Climate Matcher.

When to Wear YSL Y Eau de Parfum

YSL Y Eau de Parfum is best suited to Date Night, Casual, Evening, Office. The projection ensures presence without deliberate effort — ideal for outdoor gatherings and social occasions where you want to register.

Seasonally, YSL Y Eau de Parfum performs best in Fall, Winter, Spring. The climate data supports this range, though performance at the extremes — deep cold or intense heat — may vary.

YSL Y EDP vs Dior Sauvage — two completely different approaches to the same 'versatile daily driver' goal

What YSL Y Eau de Parfum Costs — and Whether It Is Worth It

Internationally, YSL Y Eau de Parfum sits at $85–$130. That is mainstream designer territory — an accessible price for a fragrance intended for regular rotation.

Regional pricing: PKR 24,000–36,000 in Pakistan, AED 300–475 in the UAE, ₹7,000–₹11,000 in India. The currency switcher at the top of this page converts every price on the site — EUR, GBP, SAR and more — using current rates.

Where to buy: Internationally: Sephora, Nordstrom, Macy's, department stores. GCC/UAE: Widely available — Sephora, Paris Gallery, Faces. Pakistan: Available — Scentsation, J., Naheed, online retailers.

Best YSL Y Eau de Parfum Dupes, Ranked by DNA Match

YSL Y Eau de Parfum has workable budget alternatives — none a carbon copy, but each close enough to scratch the same itch for a fraction of the outlay, ranked here by how near they sit to the original:

Maison Alhambra Joy Intense (60% DNA match): $17 / PKR 4,200 / AED 42 — a saving of approximately 80% versus the original.

Lattafa Fakhar (55% DNA match): $16 / PKR 4,000 / AED 40 — a saving of approximately 81% versus the original.

The Clone Finder searches the full database by note DNA if none of these fit.

Verdict

YSL Y Eau de Parfum earns its place in the conversation through consistent performance, a clear identity, and data that backs the reputation.

An overall 7.4/10 puts YSL Y Eau de Parfum in solid-but-situational territory: strong where it is strong, ordinary elsewhere. Match it to the right season and occasion and it pays off.

Critics call it a compliment-beast with no soul — fans say soul is overrated when everyone around you keeps asking what you're wearing

Still deciding? Put it head-to-head against anything else in the database — scores, notes and prices side by side.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does YSL Y Eau de Parfum last?

YSL Y Eau de Parfum has a longevity score of 8/10. On average skin, expect 8–12 hours. Performance can vary with skin type, application method, and ambient temperature — heat accelerates diffusion while dry skin absorbs fragrance faster.

Is YSL Y Eau de Parfum worth the price?

At around $85, YSL Y Eau de Parfum by Yves Saint Laurent is fairly priced for what it delivers. Its performance scores, climate range, and composition quality make it a strong value proposition.

What does YSL Y Eau de Parfum smell like?

YSL Y Eau de Parfum is characterised by Aromatic, Fresh Spicy, Woody, Sweet accords. Opening with Apple and Ginger, the heart revolves around Sage and Juniper Berries, settling into a base of Amberwood and Tonka Bean.

Is YSL Y Eau de Parfum good for hot or humid weather?

YSL Y Eau de Parfum was not designed for extreme heat (score: 5/10). In genuinely hot climates, reserve it for cooled indoor environments or evening wear.

What is the best clone or alternative to YSL Y Eau de Parfum?

The closest alternative is Maison Alhambra Joy Intense at a 60% DNA match. At around $17, it represents a saving of approximately 80% versus the original.

Is YSL Y Eau de Parfum for men or women?

YSL Y Eau de Parfum is marketed as a Masculine fragrance. Fragrance gender classifications are marketing constructs. Wear what you love.