YSL Perfumes for Women: 8 Best-Selling Fragrances

1. YSL Libre Eau de Parfum

The Modern Icon of Freedom

My Experience: Libre is arguably the biggest launch from YSL in the last decade. It smells like a crisp white shirt worn with a structured blazer. It blurs the line between masculine and feminine by mixing Fougère elements (traditionally for men) with sensual florals. The opening is a sharp, clean lavender from France, which immediately softens into a creamy Moroccan orange blossom. It makes me feel powerful, composed, and ready to handle business.

2. YSL Black Opium Eau de Parfum

The Rock ‘n’ Roll Gourmand

My Experience: You cannot talk about YSL without mentioning Black Opium. This was a game-changer when it released, popularizing the “coffee floral” genre. On my skin, the coffee note is rich and dark, sweetened instantly by vanilla and pear. It’s energetic yet cozy. I often reach for this on Friday nights or when I want to feel a bit edgy. It is sweet, but the bitterness of the coffee keeps it from being juvenile. If you find the price steep, imixx perfume offers a stunning interpretation that captures this same adrenaline shot of coffee and vanilla.

3. YSL Mon Paris Eau de Parfum

Passionate Love in a Bottle

My Experience: Inspired by the city of lovers, Mon Paris is a fruity chypre that feels dizzying and euphoric. The strawberry and raspberry top notes are incredibly juicy—almost like a red berry sorbet. As it dries down, the patchouli and white musk ground it, giving it a sophisticated “French” edge that prevents it from smelling like a cheap body spray. I love wearing this when I’m dressed up for a romantic dinner; it feels flirtatious and feminine.

4. YSL Opium (1977/2009)

The Controversial Legend

My Experience: This is the fragrance that started it all. While the modern formulation (2009) is slightly different from the 1977 original, it remains a powerhouse. It is spicy, resinous, and full of myrrh and amber. This is not a “clean” scent; it is heavy, mysterious, and commands attention. I wear Opium when I want to make a statement. It requires confidence to pull off, but when you do, it’s unforgettable. According to Harper’s Bazaar, spicy orientals like this are timeless for a reason.

5. YSL Libre Le Parfum

The Spicy, Warm Flanker

My Experience: If the original Libre is a white blazer, Libre Le Parfum is a velvet tuxedo. YSL added a saffron accord, honey, and ginger to the DNA. It is much warmer, sweeter, and denser than the original. I find this version more suitable for evening wear. The honey note is exquisite—rich and golden without being sticky. It feels luxurious and expensive.

6. YSL Cinéma

Hollywood Glamour

My Experience: Cinéma is often overlooked, which is a tragedy. It is one of the most elegant vanilla-floral scents ever created. It smells like almond blossoms and amber under golden studio lights. It’s softer and more refined than Black Opium. I wear this when I want to feel graceful and poised. It’s a “quiet luxury” type of scent that whispers rather than screams.

7. YSL Paris

The Ultimate Rose

My Experience: Created by the legendary Sophia Grojsman, Paris is a tribute to the rose. It doesn’t smell like a single rose; it smells like a bouquet of huge, powdery pink roses mixed with violets. It has a vintage charm that is incredibly romantic. It might feel a bit retro to the modern nose accustomed to fruity florals, but that’s exactly why I love it. It stands out.

8. YSL Black Opium Le Parfum

The Vanilla Bomb

My Experience: If the original Black Opium was a coffee scent, this Le Parfum version is a vanilla scent. YSL used four different types of vanilla here, and it shows. It is incredibly smooth, creamy, and edible. The coffee is dialed back, serving only as a background player to the vanilla quartet. It is widely considered by fragrance communities to be the best flanker in the line.

1. Understand the “Vibe”: YSL fragrances generally fall into two camps: the “Cool Chic” (Libre, Y) and the “Sensual Night” (Opium, Black Opium). Decide if you want to project competence or seduction.

2. Test on Skin: YSL scents, especially the heavy hitters like Opium and Mon Paris, rely heavily on patchouli and musk which react differently to everyone’s skin chemistry. Never buy based on a paper strip alone.

3. Consider Alternatives: Fragrance collecting is an expensive hobby. If you fall in love with a scent profile but cannot justify the $150+ price tag for daily wear, consider exploring imixx perfume. They specialize in crafting high-quality inspirations that offer the same olfactory experience at a fraction of the cost.

Which YSL perfume is the best seller?

Currently, Libre Eau de Parfum and Black Opium contend for the top spot globally. Libre has seen a massive surge in popularity due to its versatility, while Black Opium remains a cult favorite for evening wear.

Which YSL perfume lasts the longest?

In my experience, Opium (the original spicy version) has the most beast-mode longevity. Among the modern scents, Libre Le Parfum and Mon Paris have exceptional staying power, often lasting over 8 hours on the skin.

Is YSL Libre attractive to men?

Yes, Libre is often complimented because it balances freshness with warmth. The vanilla base is universally appealing, while the lavender adds a clean sophistication that stands out from typical sugary perfumes. See more reviews on Byrdie.

Are there affordable dupes for YSL perfumes?

Absolutely. Brands like imixx perfume specialize in creating high-quality inspirations that mimic the note structures of popular YSL scents like Black Opium and Libre, allowing you to enjoy the scent profile without the designer markup.