| Characteristic | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Rating | ★★★ |
| Top Notes | Bergamot, Lemon, Grapefruit |
| Middle Notes | Juniper Berries, Geranium |
| Base Notes | Cedarwood, Amber |
| Scent Score | ★★★ |
| Scent in Three Words | Citrus, Masculine, Refreshing |
| Fragrantica Rating | 3.86/5 (1,819 votes) |
| Amazon User Rating | 3.7/5 (167 votes) |
| Longevity | ★★★★ |
| Sillage | ★★★ |
| Price | $100-150/Bottle |
| Price Value | ★★ |
| Uniqueness | ★★ |
| Masculinity | ★★★★ |
| Lasts | 5-6 hours |
| Best Suited | Spring, Casual, Summer |
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Strong citrus opening | Synthetic feel |
| Masculine vibe | Not unique |
| Great longevity | Expensive |
| Spring scent | Not for winte |
We were really excited to try the new YSL MYSLF eau de parfum. Wrapped up in its sleek, minimalist bottle design, the fragrance promises to be a modern addition to the Yves Saint Laurent lineup. However, despite our anticipation, we walked away with mixed feelings regarding this hyped-up scent.
Upon the first spray, Myslf immediately draws you in with its masculine, citrusy notes that conjure up images of sunny spring days. A synergistic blend of Calabrian bergamot, Tunisian orange blossom, and other ingredients creates an unmistakably fresh aroma that seems perfectly tailored for warmer weather. However, one cannot ignore Myslf’s synthetic dimension which presents a somewhat boring, one-dimensional character. For a fragrance from the iconic house of Yves Saint Laurent, one expects more unique personality and artistry in the composition.
Story of YSL MYSLF
The history of Yves Saint Laurent (YSL) is one of luxury, flair, and the pursuit of excellence in the world of fashion and fragrances. Since its inception in 1961 by the eponymous French designer, YSL has been a frontrunner in bringing the finest mixtures of beauty and innovation to the world. As we move forward, we see YSL embracing a modern, fresh direction, which is evident with their new 2023 masculine release, MYSLF.
Created by master perfumer Christophe Raynaud, MYSLF is a fragrance that seeks to embody the essence of individuality and modernity. The introduction of this scent is a clear statement of YSL’s commitment to expanding its repertoire and adapting to the ever-evolving tastes of consumers.
With YSL MYSLF, it’s clearly an attempt to bring forward a fresh, modern fragrance that caters to the contemporary man. So let’s test out this fragrance to see if they delivered.
First Impressions
Bottle and Packaging
We received the Yves Saint Laurent MYSLF as part of a gift set for Christmas, which also came with a travel spray, and we were quite happy with the presentation. The packaging had a classy, designer feel to it that made us excited to try the product.
However, we found the bottle design to be somewhat odd – it was thin and tall, which made it stand out compared to other designer fragrances. The interesting design grabbed our attention. While it might not be to everyone’s liking, we found it gave a sense of uniqueness to the cologne.
But as we know with cologne reviews, it’s not the bottle or package we’re here to judge. It’s the scent.
Scent
Top
Upon the first spritz, we were greeted with a delightfully fresh and citrusy burst of Calabrian Bergamot and Bergamot. This invigorating opening definitely brought thoughts of a refreshing morning walk on the beach. However, we did feel like it reminded us a bit of other common colognes in the market.
Middle
As the fragrance started to settle on our skin, the scent transitioned into a more floral and aromatic feel, revealing an enchanting Tunisian Orange Blossom. This middle note added a touch of sophistication and warmth to the already fresh and masculine scent.
Base
Finally, in the dry down, we were met with a combination of Ambrofix™ and Patchouli, which resulted in a somewhat woody and slightly earthy finish. Though not entirely unique, the high-quality ingredients used in the base definitely made a difference in the overall fragrance.
Our experience with Yves Saint Laurent MYSLF was a pleasant one, albeit not completely groundbreaking. We did appreciate the benefits of this masculine, citrusy cologne that has a fresh and invigorating feel, especially during the warmer months. On the other hand, we couldn’t help but feel a bit let down, expecting more from a brand like YSL. While the scent has its merits, and trust us it does, we believe the slight synthetic feel to it all was nothing short of a disappointment.
So although the scent was not a bad one at all, the predictability and safe play from YSL makes it a 3 Star out of 5 for scent.
Performance
Longevity
We tried on the YSL MYSLF scent at around 10 in the morning, with 4 to 5 sprays around the neck, and it continued to perform strongly until about 3 in the afternoon when we started to notice it fading. In between, we went about our usual routine – walking around, working at the office, and running errands.
To learn more on how best to spray colognes to get the very best results for longevity, check out our beginner’s guide here!
Now for an everyday scent, you typically want it to last at least 5 – 6 hours which YSL Myslf definitely does. Comparing this to other fragrances, we’d give the longevity of MYSLF a solid 4 stars out of 5.
Sillage
We had a few people around us detect the scent throughout the day, which tells us it has a decent sillage. However, the right projection was achieved with about four to five sprays, which might seem a bit excessive for some people. Considering this, we’d give the sillage of MYSLF a decent rating of 3 stars out of 5.
Considering MYSLF’s performance, it turns out to be a versatile choice for daily wear during springtime. The citrusy opening and masculine vibe of the scent make it suitable for various occasions.
So of all the different elements of the cologne, its performance just about ticks the box.
Negatives
Price Value
We feel that the MYSLF by Yves Saint Laurent has some positive aspects, such as its masculine citrusy note, spring vibe, and strong longevity. However, the high price point doesn’t quite match up with what the fragrance offers. It’s not too unique or innovative enough to be demanding the $100 plus dollars it currently is.
Grabbing a scent like those for a price less than $70 would be a steal in our opinion, so maybe waiting until a sale, or getting it as a gift could make it worthwhile.
But compared to other spring competitors in the market such as Bleu de Chanel, and The Paradise Gardens in our opinion this cologne is overpriced.
Therefore, we give the price value 2 stars out of 5.
Other Negatives
Despite that spring vibe and fresh, citrusy, masculine scent, there are some downsides to this fragrance. One major aspect is its somewhat synthetic and boring feel. It might not be a compliment-getter like its competitors, and it lacks the excitement and uniqueness many fragrance enthusiasts seek.
The fragrance also doesn’t seem like a great choice for winter, so keep that in mind before selecting it as your go-to scent during colder months.
While it does cater to a niche spring market and boasts some good qualities, these negatives weigh the overall assessment down.
As a result, we give MYSLF by Yves Saint Laurent a 3 stars out of 5 in our overall assessment.
Despite some solid qualities, its synthetic feel, high price, and lackluster performance for a brand like YSL make it an average choice in the competitive world of fragrances.
