Yves Saint Laurent
MYSLF EDP

2023

PERFUMER
Christophe Raynaud

bergamot
vert bergamot

orange blossom absolute

patchouli
ambrofix

‘MYSLF is the expression of the man you are, with all of your emotions and nuances. A twist of the traditional woody fragrance family with flowers. A statement of modern masculinity to celebrate your true self. The expression of the man you are, with all your nuances. A statement of modern masculinity, embracing all his facets and emotions. The first YSL BEAUTY woody floral for a contrasted trail of modernity. At first, a fresh & vibrant accord made of bergamot heart from Calabria and vert de bergamot. At heart, a raw & beating orange blossom absolute heart from Tunisia crafted for YSL beauty. At last, a sensual & textured woods accord made of patchouli heart and Ambrofix.’  – Yves Saint Laurent

In my opinion this is one of the more lackluster releases in recent years. I ask MYSLF, Y? (I’ll see MYSLF out).

I know I’m sounding harsh, but I fail to grasp how a brand as large as Yves Saint Laurent, with all their resources and market research, ends up with this product as their flagship release. And then have the audacity to market it around individuality, when it’s not setting a single toe off the beaten path.

To get it out of the way, MYSLF doesn’t smell horrible or anything, but it neither smells interesting, original or high quality. It’s one of the most synthetic feeling and generic designer releases that I’ve ever tried, which makes the name and concept come across as a cruel joke.

I also think it smells dated by a couple of years already at the time of release. Which isn’t a great place to start from obviously, but especially not to kick off a new line with, that assume will be expanded on with flankers in the years following it.

MYSLF has a prominent orange blossom, which positions this asa flanker of – or counterpart to – the YSL Libre women’s line in my head. It’s perfectly unisex to moderately traditionally masculine leaning in my opinion. At the same time, the orange blossom in the opening could have a feminine leaning feel to people who aren’t used to niche and unisex perfumes and are more comfortable with traditionally men’s marketed releases. I think MYSLF definitely goes masculine enough for this not to be an issue for anyone after the opening though.

Frankly, I just don’t enjoy it. The orange blossom is muddied and sweet, with only a hint of freshness from a not-really-acidic citrus. The top notes may sound citrussy and fresh, but this fragrance is neither warm and cozy, nor fresh and bright. It’s middle of the road in any way imaginable and notes aren’t distinguishable to me. I love bergamot, but this is a harsher, greener petitgrain-like scent that lacks the essence of what I know bergamot to be.

I can see some La Nuit de L’Homme in this. There’s a plasticy, bubblegummy watery/aquatic tinge that recalls Invictus in here as well (although MYSLF is not as sweet), Luna Rossa Ocean. Even JPG Le Male Elixir at times. A mix of everything common in Sephora over the past 5 years.

Before sampling MYSLF EDP on skin, I tried in store and it was by a margin the least exciting new release that I came across. It doesn’t even have the ‘sparkling top note’ trick that helped the success of fragrances like 1 Million to lure people in; MYSLF feels too bland from the get go, uninspired and perhaps most problematic, without any discernible DNA of its own.

I’m sure marketing will give this a big push, but I’m curious how it will be received. By the way, it’s good to note that at the time of this review, I have seem mostly mildly positive reviews, so I’ll probably be proven wrong. But that doesn’t mean I have to agree.

Disclaimer: I dislike the Y line and never got along with La Nuit De L’Homme either, so clearly the YSL men’s releases and me are not a match. I do enjoy the Vestiaire collectiona and vintage women’s marketed YSL’s).