Nu Eau de Toilette (2002)
by Yves Saint Laurent

I like Nu EDT: it isn't nose-piercing at all. It is softer and smoother than the EDP.

I am in the foyer, a newer addition to the old house, not too distinct and artistically done. There is a fine floral arrangement with sprays of orchid amidst greenery that is a centre piece on entering, and some lovely chairs newly upholstered in fine leather. This is a cool room with plenty of space, and as time passes a gentle intrusion of incense seeps upwards.

My girlfriend bought NU EdP the other day and since I am the perfume enthusiast in our relation, I looked in on the sight to se what is being said about it… And to my great surprise, there is a discussion going on wether this is a unisex fragrance or not… I know that many Americans find us Europeans a little queer and that is alright, but we definitely need to draw the line somewhere here… NU meaning “naked” in French is an almost overly feminine scent, which is so archetypical to female floral evening fragrances, that would I ever meet a man in a narrow alley wearing this, one has to wonder if you did not take a wrong turn somewhere. In a time of breaking the classical gender boundaries, sure you might find someone wearing this, but I definitely think that would be an anomaly, even in France (in spite of what can be said about the French men in general).
The EdP NU from YSL epitomizes what is so unique about the French women – their incredible skill of bringing out their femininity, elegance and sophistication. This is not something to be worn in the office, nor in a crowded place if you do not want to cause people nausea – but instead in an ambient soiree where you want to accompany some outstandingly elegant threads with the right fragrance and definitely with some skin showing... Unmistakably feminine, elegant and wonderful!

Lovely stuff, but this stuff is about as unisex as Annette Funicello's bra. That is to say, no holds barred, that applying this stuff will make you smell really, really, REALLY damned girly. (And no, I don't care what they do in Europe.)

Don't get me wrong -- I'm all for breaking down bad barriers between the genders. That said, Nu is NOT for you (whether you're male or female, or something in between) if lush florals bother your nose, as this is some very heady stuff, IMHO.

And yes, the other reviewers are right in saying that the EDP version is a) better (richer, deeper, more complex) and b) somewhat -- but only somewhat, I hasten to add -- more masculine.

Yes, I like this fragrance quit a bit; however, subsequently after smelling Addict by Christian Dior (which smells almost identical to Nu), I find myself leaning more towards the Addict. Although both are quite nice and long-lasting, the Addict has just an element about it that I find slightly more intriguing than Nu. I would consider both fragrances (Nu and Addict) unisex fragrances. In my opinion, I would save these fragrances for early autumn all the way through winter, but not into spring.

In fact there are two different scents; there is the EDT: (Bergamot, White Orchid, Jasmine Absolute and Incense Absolute); and EDP: (Bergamot, Wild Orchid, Incense Absolute, and Sandalwood) which are quite different from each other. And, I really
like them both, but do prefer EDP! EDT is slightly more 'feminine' if you will... AKA not as, (dark and mysterious in my opinion), as EDP (which again I do prefer for myself). But, they are both quite rich and sultry scents that leave you feeling like a mystery waiting to be solved... Mystery... many will attempt... but very few if any will ever solve! So!!! When just in the right 'mood' and you decide to treat your body and senses with something a little out of the bounds of the ordinary... you spray NU on your bare skin and the image of what that woman who wears this scent will look like just appears before your eyes... Raven black hair, deep red lips... (if you have raven black hair, you can get away with wearing deep ruby nail polish too ;) ... and then the sexy black lace undergarments over which only leather will suit the scent of YSL NU in my opinion. So on go the tight black leather pants, and a formfitting black shirt and then... And NU swirling like an alluring goddess out of your every pore with the power to create and power to destroy with merely just a smile... But perhaps NU is entirely something else to other woman, to me however, IT IS WHAT IT IS!... But... (It always makes me feel sexy in a most dark, seductive and mysterious ways... like I said, I cannot wear it without a pair of leather pants LOL)...