Yves Saint Laurent Nu

Yves Saint Laurent Nu, Reviewed by the Numbers

Every fragrance review promises honesty; few bring receipts. For Yves Saint Laurent Nu — the 2001 EDP from Yves Saint Laurent built on Warm Spicy, Balsamic, Smoky, Woody, Aromatic — the receipts are climate scores, longevity hours and price-per-bottle across markets. They are all below, and they tell a clearer story than any list of adjectives.

A cult classic with a daring, smoky incense and spicy profile, ahead of its time.

Yves Saint Laurent Nu Notes Breakdown

Yves Saint Laurent Nu opens with Cardamom and Bergamot — an assertive first impression that carries across a room. As the opening settles, the composition pivots to its heart of Orchid, Incense and Black Pepper. Hours in, what remains is the foundation: Vetiver, Sandalwood and Musk.

Strip it back to the bones and the profile reads Warm Spicy, Balsamic, Smoky, Woody, Aromatic — easy to place and easy to wear.

Performance: Longevity, Sillage & Versatility

Longevity (8/10): Yves Saint Laurent Nu 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 (7/10): Yves Saint Laurent Nu projects as a confident aura, detectable by those nearby. Application to pulse points — wrists, neck, and behind the ears — maximises projection without overwhelming the room.

Versatility (7/10): Yves Saint Laurent Nu is context-aware, performing well across a range of situations without feeling mismatched. From casual daytime to formal evening, it adapts without feeling out of place.

Value (8/10): At around $100, Yves Saint Laurent Nu delivers significantly more than its price tag suggests — one of the better value propositions in its category.

How Yves Saint Laurent Nu Handles Heat, Humidity & Cold

Of the five climate zones we score, Yves Saint Laurent Nu does best in cold (Murree, New York) 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 3/10, where you are better off reaching for something else.

Its heavy, warm nature makes it unsuitable for daytime use in hot climates, but perfect for chilly winter nights or formal events.

The composition explains it: Bergamot is a volatile material that flashes off quickly once the temperature rises, taking much of the character along.

Its average across all five zones is 6/10 — 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.

Occasions & When to Wear

Yves Saint Laurent Nu is best suited to Evening, Special Occasions, Winter Wear. Its projection is calibrated for the occasions listed — confident enough to register, controlled enough to remain appropriate in close quarters.

Seasonally, Yves Saint Laurent Nu performs best in Fall, Winter. The climate data supports this range, though performance at the extremes — deep cold or intense heat — may vary.

Often seen as a precursor to modern niche incense fragrances, a bolder designer offering from its era.

Yves Saint Laurent Nu Price Guide

Internationally, Yves Saint Laurent Nu sits at $100–$180. That is mainstream designer territory — an accessible price for a fragrance intended for regular rotation.

Regional pricing: PKR 20,000–35,000 in Pakistan, AED 350–600 in the UAE. 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: Rare (Discontinued). GCC/UAE: Rare (Discontinued). Pakistan: Rare (Discontinued).

Verdict

Yves Saint Laurent Nu earns its place in the conversation through consistent performance, a clear identity, and data that backs the reputation.

An overall 7.2/10 puts Yves Saint Laurent Nu in solid-but-situational territory: strong where it is strong, ordinary elsewhere. Match it to the right season and occasion and it pays off.

Widely mourned discontinuation has made it a holy grail for collectors, often fetching high prices on the secondary market.

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 Yves Saint Laurent Nu last?

Yves Saint Laurent Nu 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 Yves Saint Laurent Nu worth the price?

At around $100, Yves Saint Laurent Nu by Yves Saint Laurent is an excellent value for its price category. Its performance scores, climate range, and composition quality make it a strong value proposition.

What does Yves Saint Laurent Nu smell like?

Yves Saint Laurent Nu is characterised by Warm Spicy, Balsamic, Smoky, Woody, Aromatic accords. Opening with Cardamom and Bergamot, the heart revolves around Orchid and Incense, settling into a base of Vetiver and Sandalwood.

Is Yves Saint Laurent Nu good for hot or humid weather?

Yves Saint Laurent Nu was not designed for extreme heat (score: 4/10). In genuinely hot climates, reserve it for cooled indoor environments or evening wear.

Is Yves Saint Laurent Nu for men or women?

Yves Saint Laurent Nu is marketed as a Feminine fragrance. The composition, while marketed to women, has qualities that cross traditional boundaries — nuance and restraint rather than sweetness and convention.