What Does Myslf by YSL Actually Smell Like?
Myslf is YSL's attempt at a modern masculine rose fragrance, and honestly? They kinda nailed it. This isn't your grandma's rose garden — it's a fresh, clean rose wrapped in orange blossom and a vanilla-ambroxan dry down that makes it totally wearable for guys.
The opening hits you with a burst of orange blossom and bergamot that's bright and slightly floral. Within about 10 minutes, the rose comes forward, but it's not the heavy, powdery rose you might be worried about. It's more of a dewy, modern rose that feels light and clean. The base settles into a smooth blend of vanilla, ambroxan, and a touch of woody musk that gives it a safe, skin-scent kind of finish.
If you've ever smelled Dior Homme or even some of the lighter Maison Francis Kurkdjian stuff, you'll get the vibe. It's in that same ballpark of "clean floral that guys can pull off without thinking twice."
Performance — How Long Does It Last?
Here's where things get a little disappointing. Myslf gets you about 5-6 hours of noticeable projection before it becomes a skin scent. Projection is moderate for the first 2-3 hours, then it sits close. For an EDP at this price point, you'd hope for a bit more punch.
- Longevity: 5-7 hours
- Projection: Moderate for 2-3 hours, then close
- Sillage: Light to moderate — won't fill a room
You'll probably want to reapply if you're going out at night. For daytime wear, it's actually fine since you don't need a beast mode fragrance at the office anyway.
When Should You Wear Myslf?
This is a spring and summer fragrance through and through. It's also solid for early fall when temperatures are still decent. Think:
- Office or work — it's inoffensive and classy
- Daytime dates — brunch, coffee shop hangs, walking around the city
- Spring evenings — light enough to not be overwhelming
- Any situation where you want to smell put-together but not try-hard
I wouldn't reach for this in winter. It doesn't have enough warmth or depth to cut through cold air, and you'll barely smell it after an hour outside.
The Honest Downsides
Let's keep it real:
- Performance is mid. For what YSL charges, the longevity should be better. Period.
- It's safe to a fault. Some people will find this boring. It's clean, pleasant, and... that's kind of it. There's no "wow" moment.
- The rose scares people off. Guys hear "rose fragrance" and run. That's not really a flaw of the scent itself, but it does limit who'll actually try it.
- Generic dry down. That ambroxan-vanilla base smells like half the fragrances released in the last five years. Once the rose fades, you're left with something pretty forgettable.
Buy or Skip?
If you're looking for a modern, clean fragrance that happens to have a rose note — and you're cool with reapplying — Myslf is a solid pick. It smells really nice. The problem is that "really nice" doesn't always justify the price tag when performance is this average.
If you already own something like Dior Homme or Bleu de Chanel, ask yourself if you really need another clean, safe scent. If you're building a collection and want something floral without going full feminine, this fills that gap well.
Rating: 7/10 — Smells great, performs okay, nothing groundbreaking.