The 7 Best YSL Colognes for Men, Tested by Our Grooming Expert

Woody and sensual, this fragrance is all about charm, sophistication, and class. Notes of bergamot, ginger, and cedarwood make it both spicy and woody—perfect for everyday wear. We urge you, however, to not think of it as just a daytime fragrance. This one has legs, which is why it’s such a classic. It smells just as good during the day as it does when the sun goes down—sophisticated, elegant, and a little understated (in a good way). It’s more like a wardrobe staple: your favorite leather jacket that fits you perfectly or a bespoke suit, something you can wear for every occasion and for every season.

Bold, seductive, and edgy, this signature scent is a luxurious dream. Sage and apple give it a citrus base, while vetiver and tonka bean add nuance. Even with all that complexity, this scent is youthful and modern, kind of like the younger brother to L’Homme. That youthfulness gives it a versatility that makes it a good signature scent option. Personally, we think it’s best as a daytime scent, but it’s one of those colognes that really is appropriate no matter what and adds an air of youthful sophistication wherever you are.

Fresh and bright, this is a clean scent for men who like the lighter things in life. Geranium, lavender, and incense come together to make a refreshing, elegant fragrance that lingers all day. The newer formula (which is what you buy now) improves the longevity of the original version, so this actually does last way longer than many other similar fresh scents you may know. The combination of staying power and freshness is what makes this one of our favorite daytime scents. It’s not too overpowering for the office and casual enough that you can wear it on the weekends, too—even if you’re just running errands or heading to lunch.

Dark and intense, this cologne is an edgy scent with equally bold packaging. Lavender and geranium give it a smooth finish, while a base of cedarwood adds complexity and darkness. Compared to the other versions of Y, this is definitely the most intense. It’s bold and distinctive and not only has great longevity but good projection, too. However, it’s not so strong that it’s going to overpower the room when you walk in. It’s equally wearable for day or night, but we favor it for more of a nighttime vibe because it is on the darker, sexier side.

Warm and inviting, this spicy, woody scent has bitter orange, oakwood, and vetiver—it’s like delicious-smelling amber whiskey in a bottle. There’s a nostalgic, vintage quality to this scent that plays into that whiskey vibe, too. It’s a bit old school and traditionally masculine, but in a way that doesn’t seem old fashioned or fussy. As you wear it, it evolves into something more modern and, while still masculine, it softens as it dries on your skin. It’s the perfect choice for guys who appreciate craftsmanship but don’t live in the past.

It’s all in the name—this is for the night owls. With a warm, woody spice blend, this mysterious scent is rich and intoxicating. It pairs best with a leather jacket or your best suit because this is a mature, sophisticated cologne that still has a bit of a wild side to it. On one hand it smells classic and traditional and on the other it’s a little rakish. No matter what, though, it makes an impression in a very, very good way.

Yes, this is on one hand a classic fresh fragrance, but there is a modern youthfulness to it that makes it stand out from the crowd. The culprit is the heavy dose of orange blossom—a sweet, floral note—that lends a tongue-in-cheek vibe to what would otherwise be a pretty standard freshie (the top note is heavy on the bergamot). The real magic here is in the drydown, when the orange blossom mixes with patchouli, giving it a staying power that allows the floral freshness to stick to your skin way longer than other fresh colognes out there.