I Wear YSL Fragrances on Repeat—But These 5 Get Me the Most Compliments
From longevity to dry-down, here are the scents worth the splurge.
Fragrance has long been a preferred method for dabbling in luxury. Maybe spending five figures on a handbag isn’t quite in the budget, or perhaps a designer keychain or pair of sunglasses feels too ephemeral to invest in. In moments like these, an eau de parfum or cologne—especially from a heritage house like YSL fragrances—can hit all the right notes (pun intended), offering months, even years, of indulgence for a fraction of the price of a garment or accessory.
For these reasons and more, nearly every storied designer label has an accompanying range of high-end scents: Chanel, Loewe, Dior, Valentino. Among the most influential in both fashion and scent is Yves Saint Laurent. Founded by the designer of the same name in 1962, the YSL label is associated with powerful femininity—think Le Smoking, the androgynous tuxedo so famous it has its own Wikipedia page, or the 1980s shoulder pad craze the brand is credited with sparking.
That same spirit can be found in the YSL fragrances. From the iconic—and once scandalous—Opium, released in 1977, to the brand’s current bestselling Libre range, there is, in my opinion, a strong spiritual thread that runs through them all: These are bold, sensual scents for those who want to make an impression. The floral notes are often strong, but these fragrances are not for the shrinking violet.
I took a deep dive into five of the brand’s top fragrances, spritzing, sniffing, wearing, and learning about their compositions. Read on for my complete guide to the most popular Yves Saint Laurent fragrances.
The Best YSL Fragrances
- The Crowd-Pleaser: Yves Saint Laurent Libre Eau de Parfum
- The Youthful Pick: Yves Saint Laurent Black Opium Eau de Parfum
- The Unisex Pick: Yves Saint Laurent MYSLF Absolu
- The Cozy Holiday Pick: Yves Saint Laurent Libre Vanille Couture
- The Modern Pick: Yves Saint Laurent Babycat
Libre is arguably Yves Saint Laurent’s reigning flagship fragrance, and for good reason: Bright and floral, it’s lady-like but commanding, much like the designs of Monsieur Saint Laurent himself. A decidedly floral scent, it leads with orange blossom and lavender heart, while vanilla bourbon and musk create a grown-up, slightly mysterious base. Plus, the bottle—which features an asymmetric black top and a chain-like YSL logo across the flaçon—has become a bit of a shelfie icon.
Fragrance family: Floral
Key notes: Orange blossom, lavender heart, vanilla bourbon
Review for MC: “You know how French women famously have lifetime signature scents? Libre would be a prime candidate for the honor. It’s floral-forward in a very classically feminine way, but the vanilla bourbon gives the fragrance a striking quality that makes it clear that the wearer is about her business. (It makes a great work fragrance, in my opinion.) When wearing this one, you’re that girl and that woman.” — Eden Stuart, Contributing Writer
Eden Stuart tests YSL Libre Eau De Parfum.
A member of the Opium family of fragrances—known for its controversial history and sultry scents—Black Opium is sort of the “leather and lace” of fragrances. The coffee and vanilla notes create a dark and moody base, while the white flowers add a youthful levity. It’s little wonder why Zoe Kravitz is the longtime face of the fragrance: It has “rock and roll queen” written all over.
Fragrance family: Warm, gourmand
Key notes: Black coffee, vanilla, white flowers
Review for MC: “This has become one of my top picks for a night out. I keep wanting to describe it as ‘smudged eyeliner as a fragrance’; the feminine florals come through strong, at least for me, enveloping the almost smoky-sweet coffee and vanilla notes that add some attitude. There’s a fair amount of spice, too. She smells like a good time, but with a touch of sophistication” — Eden Stuart, Contributing Writer
Eden Stuart tests YSL Black Opium Eau de Parfum.
Cool and spicy, ginger and bergamot provide a fresh opener for MYSLF, while orange blossom adds brightness. The base notes of patchouli and woods cultivate the depth associated with “masculine” fragrances, but MYSLF Absolu never smells overwhelming thanks to those effervescent top notes, which is probably why so many reviews cite the unisex appeal.
Fragrance family: Warm, woody, spicy
Key notes: Bergamot, ginger, cardamom, orange blossom, woods, patchouli
Review for MC: “I just cannot stop smelling this fragrance; it’s like it was created in an ‘Appeal to Eden’ lab. I tend to gravitate toward both spicy and fresh fragrances, so it’s admittedly right up my alley. But I think what I find most appealing is how it wears: After the orange blossom settles a bit, you’re left with a light, spicy scent that’s both playful and powerful.” — Eden Stuart, Contributing Writer
Eden Stuart tests YSL MYSLF Absolu.
Featuring the orange blossom and lavender that characterize the Libre family, Vanille Couture adds vanilla caviar and rum absolute. These notes help to cultivate a sweeter, warmer juice—pretty much exactly what one is looking for during the holidays. (It’s like the olfactory version of wearing a cream-colored cashmere sweater by the fireplace.) It’s housed in the same angular bottle as the OG Libre, just with an all-over gilded upgrade.
Fragrance family: Gourmand
Key notes: Vanilla caviar accord, rhum accord, orange blossom
Review for MC: “If you prefer your winter fragrances warm but not spicy or woody, Libre Vanilla is a must-try. It bears the characteristic floral, slightly fruity profile that unites all the Libre fragrances, but with a slight gourmand bend that makes it feel cozier. When it dries down on me, I don’t quite smell the orange blossom, but I don’t mind at all: It leaves me with a more ‘wintery’ scent that’s really beautiful and softly lush.” — Eden Stuart, Contributing Writer
Eden Stuart tests YSL Libre Vanille Couture Limited Edition.
Part of YSL’s couture-inspired Le Vestiaire des Parfums collection, Babycat is designed to “capture the essence” of leopard print (a pattern closely associated with Yves Saint Laurent). It’s a spice-forward fragrance with loads of warmth, making it a great choice for those who enjoy the slightly unisex, warm-and-spicy trend that has dominated the niche fragrance space over the last several years.
Fragrance family: Woody, spicy, warm
Key Notes: Pink and black peppers, vanilla, suede accord, olibanum essence and resin, saffron accord
Review for MC: “If I had to describe this scent in three words, they’d be ‘sexy as hell.’ It’s complex and elegant: On my skin, there’s actually a bit of a faint, powdery freshness that makes the perfume feel all the more modern. When wearing it, I feel like I should be walking down a busy street with a very elegant coat and a big, chic designer bag; it’s a ‘put-together baddie’ kind of fragrance.” — Eden Stuart, Contributing Writer
Eden Stuart tests YSL Babycat.
Other YSL Fragrances to Consider
- Libre L'eau Nue Parfum: Winner of the 2025 Marie Claire Fragrance Award for Most Innovative Fragrance, Libre L’eau Nue is the brand’s first alcohol-free fragrance. Bergamot and green mandarin create a light and lifted juice that’s regularly described as “fresh” and “clean” by reviewers online. Marie Claire beauty writer Ariel Baker describes it as “a citrus floral fragrance that is perfect for people who like to smell like they just stepped out of the shower."
- Mon Paris Eau de Parfum: A light and fizzy fruity-floral, Mon Paris is frequently referred to as “girly” and “pretty” in reviews. Its red berry notes (especially strawberry) are the star of the show, with supporting performances by datura flower and patchouli. It has fans of all ages but is often cited as a particularly great gift for a young person as an introductory fine fragrance.
- Black Opium Eau de Parfum Over Red: The cult hit of the Black Opium range, Over Red adds a subtle cherry note to the coffee and vanilla found throughout the Black Opium range. Fans say it lacks the medicinal smell sometimes associated with cherry fragrances, especially when it dries down and becomes more coffee- and vanilla-forward.
How We Tested
To evaluate the top Yves Saint Laurent fragrances, Eden Stuart personally sniffed, wore, and researched all five fragrances provided by the brand. She also researched the brand's other fragrance offerings, scouring reviews and social media posts.
While the best Yves Saint Laurent fragrance for you will vary based on personal preference, you truly can't go wrong with one of the items on this list.
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