Nu Eau de Parfum (2001)
by Yves Saint Laurent

It's a travesty that this discontinued gem is not better known. What an absolutely stunning piece of composition! I derive much joy and satisfaction from its heavenly incense notes and white orchid has never smelled so seductive. Everyman should wear it at least once. A YSL man's classic no less (yes, I know it's marketed for women and what a mistake that was)- I even prefer this to Rive Gauche pour Homme.

For me, this is the ultimate incense scent. It is the prettier sister of Donna Karan's Black Cashmere, with the slight floral element smoothing out the harsh rasp of BC's aggressive attitude. It is beautiful on a cold winter's day and equally at home in jeans and t-shirt or a little black dress and heels.
Such a shame it has been discontinued.

I loved it at first sniff and fell deeper in love with it at the day wore on although its longevity might be a problem for some as I could still smell it on myself after a bath! Its not an overly feminine scent on me, the black pepper is probably the strongest note that remained so for me its an evening out perfume.

I love this one, and I think Nu is a very good name for it. It has a transparent quality about it, like a veil. The opening is a bit cold and dark on me, but then suddenly a wonderful floral note appears - it must be the white orchid - and the drydown is divine: warm wood, incense and sheer musk.

I don't find it owerpowering at all, but not weak either - more like if you've applied it on clothes that you've taken off, but the scent still lingers on your body.

Awful packaging though, I absolutely hate the bottle.

I find this to be one of my favorites. I know it is turning cold outside when I start reaching for this one. I think it is tres sexy and unique. Might be a bit too spicy for some people.

Is this really a feminine scent?

Wow, on me it smells extremely masculine. Much more masculine than many other scents I own that are marketed for men. I heard that there were a lot of men wearing this, but honestly I thought it was going to be a small compromise on my part and kind of a stretch like Gucci Eau de Parfum, but it really isn't. I generally don't believe in gender in scents, but this one is truly gender-less.

Nu is a nude scent: it is a skin scent, and it is absolutely lovely. I am writing about the EdP version. It is extremely musky and woodsy on its base, and a lot of incense and jasmine at the top. A bit bestial actually. So very musky and combine it vetiver, there you have it. It is not dark, but for some reason it reminds me of Ungaro III and Kingdom. They smell nothing alike, but I image similar people enjoying these scents for some reason.

I really like Nu. It will be a chameleon on different skins though. Quite heady, quite heavy, but I daresay also very sexy for a man.

The bottle of the eau de parfum is perhaps the most beautiful bottle - or container to be more accurate- I have ever seen.