Yves Saint Laurent • Y • Fragrances

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heyfattybumbum on 7/19/2012 6:17:00 AM more reviews by heyfattybumbum

Age: 44-55   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Cool   Hair: Blond, Curly, Medium   Eyes: Grey    

If I could only have one perfume ever again..this is the one ...I first bought this back in the 80's and had everything from the soap,lotions.deodrants & the talc...to die for!...I have 3 100ml bottles stashed away as I never want to be without it ...
I spray it into the air & walk through so it creates an aura of soft powdery rose which just wafts around you ....it lingers on your clothes which is lovely ..its a true classic ..I know its been reformulated but I really cant tell the difference ....I abs love Y ..its a true beauty...the bottle has'nt really changed either still a solid square glass bottle with a gold Y on the front & an attached gold spray cap.

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*TOP REVIEWER* highrise on 4/13/2012 3:53:00 PM more reviews by highrise

Age: 36-43   Skin: Other, Fair, Cool   Hair: Other   Eyes: Brown    

Years ago, I had a coffret of YSL minis, and Y was one of them (in the parfum). I hadn't yet become really interested in perfumes, and I still was a little scared of chypres. I liked this but preferred Paris and Rive Gauche. Y made me feel a little 'strict schoolmarm-ish', and I thought that my teachers in the late 70s may have worn it.
I've finally bought the edt, after years of learning so much about perfumes, and my own preferences. Both dry and fresh, but with a duskiness in the basenotes, Y has a gorgeous personality yet never eclipses the person wearing it. I adore it.

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*TOP REVIEWER* ella343 on 1/26/2011 3:08:00 PM more reviews by ella343

Age: 25-29   Skin: Sensitive, Fair-Medium, Cool   Hair: Black, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

There are more famous YSL perfumes—Paris, Opium, Rive Gauche, In Love Again—but this was the first, and it is as strange, reticent, gentle, elegant, and intelligent as Saint Laurent himself (the name is of course a play on his name, as well as the indefinite French pronoun). Y's verdant deeps, as tranquil and dusky, are brightened by peachy aldehydes and "the twilight-colored smell of honeysuckle" (Faulkner), its chypre character is highlighted, rather than obscured, with galbanum, hyacinth, narcissus, rose, vetiver, and patchouli, and the drydown is quite silky. Y strikes a gracious balance: its presence is quite distinctive, very much the chypre, but it remains very discrete and smooth, not even a hint of harshness, enough for the proverbial trapped-in-an-elevator-in-high-summer scenario. Its dignity seems to effect a outward froideur, but there's a Belle du Jour sense of inner life that makes it a far more sensuous fragrance than, say, No. 19, another green chypre.

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*TOP REVIEWER* hadas on 1/24/2011 3:02:00 AM more reviews by hadas

Age: 30-35   Skin: Normal, Fair   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Blue    

I have tried both the vintage EDT and vintage Parfum, and unfortunately I found the scent to disappear very quickly on my wrist even with the pure parfum concentration. After some gorgeously elegant green, fruity, spring-flower top notes, the scent seems to vanish into imperceptibility. But I am overstating the case. The truth is, although I cannot really smell it very strongly when I put my nose to wrist, I do get soft wafts of it drifting up at random times, and when I do I am absolutely entranced. The drydown, light as it is, is a lovely hint of rose, civet, and a bare hint of patchouli, set against an oakmossy chypre base. I can forgive "Y" for drying quickly down to such a subtle state, because the gentle caress of this perfume is all the more precious for its fleeting, peekaboo nature. Where other perfumes cry out from the wrist, Y merely whispers. Sublime is the word. Chypre lovers, this is a must-try. Just be patient with it: Like the rare event of a butterfly landing on your shoulder, bask in the elusive, precious moments of this perfume's perceptibility.

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happywoman28 on 10/21/2010 4:43:00 AM more reviews by happywoman28

Age: Unknown   Skin: Dry, Fair-Medium, Neutral   Hair: Blond, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Blue    

Smells of lemon, oakmoss, and jasmin to me. It does have that perfumey quality that unfortunately gets branded "old lady" on these reviews but if this is old lady then I want to be an old lady. I love this. I have over two dozen favorite perfumes and I use this one the most. I happen to like a perfumey smelling fragrance at times, and so do most men I have found. I can't stand the aldehydes in perfumes like Chanel No. 5 but these aldehydes are wonderful, because of the chypre--the lemon and oakmoss. And the spray bottle is incredibly elegant and retro, not having a cap but instead an elaborate all-in-one gold spray top. How I wish that "old lady" descriptor would finally die. It makes those who use it sound so bimbo. It's a quality in fragrance that announces "this is perfume" which is not done any more in new scents. But in this case, and in a few other cases, it's wonderful.
This is an elegant French perfumey chypre, and it's heavenly.

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mikaela71 on 5/24/2010 10:54:00 AM more reviews by mikaela71

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination, Fair, Cool   Hair: Blond, Curly, Fine   Eyes: Hazel    

ABSOLUTELY TIMELESS AND GORGEUSE IN A VERY FRENCH AND CLASSY WAY.

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

chrystelica on 4/16/2010 8:57:00 PM more reviews by chrystelica

Age: 25-29   Skin: Dry, Fair, Warm   Hair: Brown, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Blue    

Mixed feelings on this one. If you're in the mood for a heavy, old-fashioned chypre, look no further. It is strong on the oakmoss, yet still light enough to wear on a warm day and not feel too overbearing. However, it does have that very perfumey, almost "old lady" kind of smell (that, I know, is not a good term to use on here).
If you'll excuse my saying that, overall it is a lovely fragrance, a 'blast from the past' sort of feel. There is something likeable about this one. Something almost mysterious. It is kind of nice, I will probably wear it again.....

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*TOP REVIEWER* Dagney on 7/25/2009 10:06:00 PM more reviews by Dagney

Age: 30-35   Skin: Acne-prone, Medium, Warm   Hair: Black, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

Beautiful chypre. Opens with lovely aldehydes then dries down to woody green and oakmoss. Some fruitiness in the drydown too so not as dry as other chypres like Givenchy III. Long lasting, classic, and very wearable.

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*TOP REVIEWER* luckylouie on 3/7/2009 6:23:00 AM more reviews by luckylouie

Age: 44-55   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

Alas - this is absolutely horrible on me. Sharp, acrid, musty, smoky with undertones of cat pee. ONce again it just goes to show how much our body chemistry has to do with how a fragrance smells on us. I do quite well with chypres as a rule but this is definitely the exception. Try before you buy (this was given to me as a gift).

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

*TOP REVIEWER* callmecordelia on 8/11/2008 2:10:00 AM more reviews by callmecordelia

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Fair, Warm   Hair: Brown, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Green    

I really like chypres, but this one goes a little weird on me sometimes. I sprayed it on my wrist and petted the cat, and my brother picked the cat up and said "Why does she smell like curry?" And then I sniffed my wrist. My nose isn't good enough to name the spice, but it's definitely a component in both curry and paan, the stuff you chew after eating curry. On my wrist, the top notes just vanished, leaving only that curried murk.

But on clothing or on my neck, Y doesn't do that at all. It stays summery and bright and floral, definitely green, similar to Chanel No. 19 but more interesting, less smooth and rounded IMO. I've never had this experience with a fragrance. Very odd.

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*TOP REVIEWER* moongrrl on 6/24/2008 9:47:00 AM more reviews by moongrrl

Age: 25-29   Skin: Sensitive, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

If you like chypres and green scents, Y may be your perfection-in-a-bottle. At first spritz, it's a big green and powdery rush of aldehydes. Hold on, because after a few minutes of drydown, the loudness is gone and Y is slightly peachy, slightly flowery (honeysuckle and narcissus), and very mossy skin scent. I agree with other reviewers, both on here and on the blogs, that Y is quality ingredients with an inoffensive bent (It is a great office frag), BUT I don't find it especially "ladylike" or "elegant". In fact, because of Y's inherent dry freshness, I like wearing it most when I'm going to be outdoors, getting hot and dirty. If I had found this scent years ago, I might have worn it exclusively. It nearly always feels right.

Y is harder to find than nearly all other YSL scent, but, once located, it's usually at a great price.

5 out of 7 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

JaleR on 5/22/2008 12:59:00 PM more reviews by JaleR

Age: 36-43   Skin: Oily, Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

Classisism, Paris and Haute Couture - if you're into that type of thing, Y is your perfume. The green chypre type which siuts all elegant women and will never disturb anybody.

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darkhoney on 3/19/2008 9:17:00 PM more reviews by darkhoney

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Fair   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

I had all but given up on a honeysuckle scent that would work for me, but this the spirit of the flower: the dewey sparkle, the creamy sweetness, the touch of bright green, a slight depth of shadow. For me, all of the other notes mearly support the ideal of honeysuckle. There is no sourness on my skin as there are with other greens or chypres. I mearly become a clean, sweet, fresh blossom, ripe for pure indulgence.

EDT the drydown reminds me of my childhood piano teacher...I just can't wear it. Lovely, but not for me everyday. I will have to stick with AO Honeysuckle Rose conditioner for the scent!

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*TOP REVIEWER* lillie_munster on 1/18/2008 7:53:00 AM more reviews by lillie_munster

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

One of the most beautiful green chypres around. When i noticed how long it hadn't been reviewed here i had to change that!
The notes were already mentioned, i'd maybe like to add that you might have to try it twice, when i first test-sprayed Y on a summer day, a few years ago in a perfume-shop, it was green and fresh, even a bit fruity (but not in a pink, more in a green-yellowish way), elegant and still seducvtive. When i used it a few months after for the first time in winter, the aldehydes came out stronger and the top was not as green but a bit more floral (esp. honeysuckle and a green jasmine).
In my opinion you can wear it anytime and anywhere, it fits a confident and stubborn girl/woman with a handsome and sometimes elegant appearance. A very French attitude, in a way. Uncomplicated but lost in thoughts.
The scent was created by young Yves Saint Laurent (as his debut in perfumery) to give women a voice, an own way, to step away from many of the the demure and playful florals of the 50ies and 60ies without losing their feminine charm.
I personally adore the vetiver and oakmoss accords that come out strongest in the base. It makes me feel grounded and natural with a French egde.
Lovers of Mitsouko EdT and Miss Dior (vintage and new) should at least give it a try.

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*TOP REVIEWER* bmichlig on 11/8/2007 6:47:00 PM more reviews by bmichlig

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination, Fair, Warm   Hair: Red, Curly, Coarse   Eyes: Green    

I am a die-hard floral chypre girl, and in discussing another of that ilk with Tania/brooklyntbone, she mentioned Y by Yves Saint Laurent. I was in the midst of putting in an unsniffed perfume order (the only way I can do it up here in the land of no shopping) and decided to tuck this into my cart. I am so glad I did.

Osmoz lists the details as follows:
Born 1964
Tope notes of Peach, aldehydes, gardenia, honeysuckle. Middle notes of narcissus, hyacinth, rose and orris. Base notes of patchouli, vetiver, civet and benzoin.

The orris made me nervous at first - that note often doesn't jibe with either my skin or my sensibilities. But in this composition it is a supporting character, serving just to smooth and soften the whole bouquet. For the first hour or so I pick up mainly those white florals - gardenia, narcissus, honeysuckle. And at first I thought, well, perhaps this is a swapper, since white florals aren't my thing unless they are well wrapped in something to anchor and diffuse them. But after that hour, which was actually pleasant, although I didn't feel like "myself", boy is the drydown something lovely. Soft, warm, elegant, NOT austere or sever in any way. Reminds me a bit of Mitsouko, although Y speaks sotto voce while the divine Miss M is a bit louder. Reminds me a bit of Miss Balmain, although with that one the iris and rose are MUCH more prominent. A little bit like Jolie Madame, but more modern smelling (still def. a vintage style scent, though).

All in all, just plain beautiful. I cannot wait to wear this for real - not just a spritz in the crook of my arm, but a veil of it on my chest so it can rise and envelop me in it's luxurious embrace.

9 out of 9 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

maggieray on 10/28/2007 8:35:00 PM more reviews by maggieray

Age: 36-43   Skin: Other   Hair: Other   Eyes: Other    

Well now. I've had this floating around on and off. Was cleaning out my collection, spritzed this--the cat came running into the room, sniffing excitedly. Under the lounge chair, my jacket, right up to me, my wrist--then licks it. Never happened before. Well alrightie :). Let's test it around humans.

Update: It's fabulous. The edt is fresh with a flowery bite and warms to a soft woodsy-fernsy finish. Not bad at all. Alluring rather than blatant sex.Good stuff.

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

la_sabina on 10/7/2007 12:53:00 PM more reviews by la_sabina

Age: 25-29   Skin: Dry   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Green    

Unfortunately chypres are not for me, I've also tried Chanel Cristalle among others, and it's the same effect - smells way too ladyish on me (I'm 27). Sephora's perfume finder(http://www.sephora.com/browse/me/index.jhtml) suggested that if I like Ralph Laurens Romance - one of my all time favourites - then I would most likely enjoy YSL "Y" as well, since the notes would be similar - well it couldn't be more wrong. While Romance is quite young and sparkly, "Y" went all soapy and musky on my skin. After a couple of hours all I was left with was this sweet ladyish smell. Good staying power though. This bottle goes straight to my grandmother.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

lalki1 on 9/1/2007 1:58:00 PM more reviews by lalki1

Age: 30-35   Skin: Sensitive, Fair, Warm   Hair: Blond, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Green    

This is a beautiful light chipre, normaly chipre fragrances smell very bitter and harsh on me but this one just glows. i had such a hard time this summer loving any fragrance on me, every thing i put on felt heavy and unbecoming, untill i foun Y, it saved my summer.

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Booksniffer on 3/19/2007 8:55:00 AM more reviews by Booksniffer

Age: 36-43   Skin: Dry   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Blue    

Buying this one was a mistake. I was actually looking for something that smells like the discontinued Givenchy III ( I still am, desperately) and came across Y.The delicate flowers,the green notes, the oakmoss... It reminded me so much of the Givenchy fragrance that I didn't even bother to sniff it on my skin, and boy do I regret it!
Not that it turns out to stink on me, but the animalic notes ( the amber and the styrax probably) become quite overpowering when I wear it.
Whenever I use it I feel uncomfortable, like I am asking for men's attention and its direct intimate consequences... And this is not like me at all.
It has been described by reviewers as elegant, well it definitely is, but it is, in my opinion, also terribly sexually explicit. I could imagine a curvy, spontaneous (though classy) twentysomething sex kitten (Scarlet Johansson?)wearing this and it would be perfect.The fact is I am a petite, flat chested brunette in her early forties.
Don't get me wrong. I am not saying that only young, beautiful women are entitled to wear sexy fragrances, but this one is about spring,the blooming of flowers and sensuality.
In a seductive mood, I would rather turn to something like Opium, Paloma Picasso or a sultry Guerlain, more suitable if your twenties are long gone.
But it is VERY beautiful indeed.

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*TOP REVIEWER* freegracer on 12/29/2006 4:56:00 PM more reviews by freegracer

Age: 44-55   Skin: Other   Hair: Other   Eyes: Other    

Another of the great green classics. If Long Lost Perfume's dupe of Crepe de Chine is a hard pinch in the fanny (and it is), then YSL's Y is the soft brush of a man's lips against your cheek. Y is very green and very mossy and, yes, easy for me to wear. Thanks to a lovely MUAer (((M))) I was able to try YSL's Y earlier this year. Love at first sniff. While the top notes are very green, the drydown becomes soft, subtle, chic and quite elegant. Y was YSL's first fragrance and is a truly gorgeous scent with its balance of fruit, florals, greens and moss. How sad that Y has been relegated to an obscure back shelf. It surely deserves better than that and is far superior, in my opinion, to YSL's latest releases. Lovers of Chanel No 19, Ma Griffe and Vent Vert should consider Y for their own fragrance wardrobe. Top notes include greens, peach, honeysuckle and gardenia. Heart notes are rose, jasmine, orris, hyacinth while base notes include oakmoss, amber, vetiver, styrax and sandalwood.

4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No