Myslf L'Absolu Yves Saint Laurent 2025

I mentioned this in my Y Le Parfum (2025) review, but we really have to step back, look at the pricing of these designer, department-store fragrances, and hold brands like YSL accountable for this slop. Myslf L'Absolu costs over TWO HUNDRED dollars for a 100ml bottle at retail. Let's see what costs the same or less than this AT RETAIL:

Absolue d'Osmanthe Eau de Parfum - $200/100ml
Tabac Nomade - $210/100ml
Je Suis un Homme - $190/100ml
Bonne Chauffe - $180/100ml
Ambre 114 - $205/120ml

Let's stop pretending there is some big cost gap between designers that smell like a scratch-and-sniff on a magazine page and high-quality, well-executed niche fragrances. Or hell, high-quality, well-executed designer fragrances. Sauvage Elixir and Guilty Elixir de Parfum pour Homme run rings around this poor excuse for a perfume.

I first sniffed this on a tester strip, thought, "eh, more of the same" and gave it a 4 rating for being marginally pleasant, but completely unoriginal. I recently was sent a sample from an ad on social media. I've been dreading putting it on. For good reason. Putting it on skin I realized it isn't pleasant. At all.

The sweetness is overwhelming and annoying. One statement mentioned methyl anthranilate; while not familiar with the scent of that particular aromachem, I'm going to agree that this smells mostly like a really really synthetic grape scent, combined with an "orange blossom" that smells like you described the scent of orange blossom to an alien who has never seen a flower before, and they had to construct the accord. It stings the nostrils, in a really bad way. I keep wiping my nose like Slavoj Žižek.

An absolute scrubber. But this is worlds apart from other fragrances that I think are scrubbers that are trying to be unique, or interesting. If a new Gualtieri or ELDO is a scrubber I'd still give it a 3 or a 4. The uniqueness, the desire, the attempt at artistry is there. There is nothing redeeming about Myslf L'absolu. It tries to be an unoriginal, safe, mass-appealing fragrance and can't even do that.

Edit: Drydown is not too bad, reminiscent of "Myslf | Yves Saint Laurent". Raising my rating slightly

This one is wierd. When I tested it I did it totally blind, expecting some ambroxan-citrus fresh designer, kinda mass appealing, but it is not the case.
It opens with a bitter bergamot, not very fresh, more spicy, then almost immediatly turns sweet floreal, distinctly powdery. It's some kind of floral bouquet, but I can perceive violet over the rest of floral scent even if not listed in the notes (A trick of my nose?).
Someone mentioned down here methyl anthranilate, and yes, it is not only listed in the materials but it is what is responsable of the "orange blossom" declared in the notes (no idea why methyl anthranilate should be "maroccan" tho). This material brings with it some grapes sweet nuances, and they are present here too paired with some wierd chemichal-metallic note that comes and goes here and there (maybe to match the silver metallic bottle). All considered it smells wierd, like not well done, the bitter-sweet contrast is somehow offputting until finally it lays down in the drydown of general patchouli thing, not too fresh, not too earthy, not committing, sort of middle of the pack ordinary designer patchouli.

I must admit that this is disappointing. Yes you can signature this (but why in the hell someone should do something like this?) because it is not too aggressive and patchouli is four season but it is not a well done fragrance, it seems rushed to me, not refined, the bittersweet idea doesn't achieve anything in particular and is somehow offputting.
And the price... I didn't even wanted to talk about it, but I can't resist, what a stupid pricing for such low quality product. Best thing is probably the bottle.

I was trying all three of the ysl myself perfumes and this is the one i liked more because of the opening but after some time the floral scent really comes through and almost becomes feminine. Thanks to the bergamot it doesnt fully lean feminine and still keeps that masculinity. Its a very mass appealing fragrance you cant go wrong with it, its very easy to like. Only thing is that the price is not fully justifiable.

Designers use a mixture of ingredients. It should not be surprising that YSL would do the same. This is a powerful blast of metallic and citrus. Is it real orange blossom? Doubt it, but I don't care, It gives me a dopamine rush. It smells like heavy metal and a bouquet of flowers. I know that's strange, but that is the vibe I get. I even smell some grape, why? I don't know.

The bottle design works, the brand name works (I am like 60/40 positive with my YSL ratings,) and it's marketed as being loud and strong. Heck, I go for BDC EDP; Green Irish Tweed, and even Sung Homme styles, these are not super sweet, but Absolu works for me. It scratches this soda sweet smelling itch, and I'm here for it. I love it.

8.5+ out of 10 for me.

the original ysl myslf edp dna is clear and present but with added spices, the ginger is great as well. performance is solid as well.
a different, bright, uplifting twist. i live in texas with warmer weather and this can definitely be a daily wear, but will for sure be my go to for summer nights out.