A Full Review of YSL Y Eau de Parfum Intense
It’s always fun experiencing new fragrances, especially when they’ve been hated so much online. Before I met with someone at Nordstrom to check out YSL Y Eau de Parfum Intense, I scoured the internet to try and get an idea of what I was about to get myself into. Some raved about the scent, while others thought it was a waste of money. I was excited to get my nose on the scent, regardless of what my opinion turned out to be.
YSL Y was first released all the way back in 1964, marketed as a men’s scent. It featured about twenty notes, on-brand for an era that prioritized consuming in abundance. At least, from a fashion and beauty perspective.
It was reimagined in 2017, capitalizing on the easy-going blue trend that would take over the designer fragrance industry as we knew it. Its flankers are regarded as the better iterations, especially the Eau de Parfum and infamous Parfum variants.
This YSL Y remix on paper is intriguing. Much of the love for YSL Y EDP falls upon its use of apple at the top. It added a sharp sweetness that drove it to the top of people’s minds. However, YSL Y Eau de Parfum Intense goes without the apple note, substituting it for something drier.
At the top we have ginger, bergamot, and juniper berry followed by sage, geranium, and lavender. A Dee dive into the heart reveals vetiver, Patchouli, and Cedar.
On a cold, rainy day, I went ahead and tried out YSL Y Eau de Parfum Intense. The bottle was a deep, muddy blue, shaped like the rest of the Y family. The ribbed cap felt nice in the hand, although it was a bit light for my liking.
The first spray was a whirlwind. I expected a sharp burst of citrus and florals with a kick of ginger. However, the first spray turned out to be more relaxed. It was just as pungent as other variations, although it lacked the initial sweetness. The first smell was aromatic, light, and fairly refreshing. It felt like I stepped out into a garden after a tough day being cooped up inside.
After the first few minutes, I could understand why people’s heads were turning in both directions. YSL Y has generally been a youthful DNA that prioritizes freshness over maturity. I was hoping this new flanker would be like Acqua di Gio Profundo, but it had a much earthier overtone.
The dry down turned out to be a much more natural, mature version of its brothers. If YSL Y EDP is a kid who just graduated college, the Intense flanker is his brother working through the ranks of an established law firm. It has the matureness of a seasoned professional, without the stereotypical Wall Street flair.
The addition of patchouli in the base makes for a much more rounded-out fragrance. It misses out on the sweetness of other flankers, instead finding revitalizing freshness from the floral components. It still has depth, just like its brothers, although it’s a much more woody, powdery, and slightly citrusy.
If I had to describe this fragrance in one sentence, it would be a mature, woody scent with hints of pine, powder, citrus, and delicate florals made for someone looking to grow out of a gorgeous fragrance line while maintaining bits of nostalgia.
YSL Y Eau de Parfum Intense lasted about 6 hours on my skin with a moderate projection, catching attention for the first hour and a half. The fragrance is available in 60ml and 100ml bottles, currently sold in North America among other select regions worldwide.
