Body Kouros (2000)
by Yves Saint Laurent

This is one of the few sweet scents that I like enough to give it a full-fledged thumbs up. I think it's because, although the sweetness is quite pronounced, it isn't the point of Body Kouros. It's just so many things at once: cool, spicy, smoky, modern, powdery, and yes, sweet too.

How you view this fragrance really depends on your frame of mind when you put it on. At times, it smells refreshingly clean, like something I'd put on after a workout. At other times, it's hot, sweet, and ragingly seductive. Most of the time, it has a nice spicy/powdery cutting edge feel to it, which is helped along by the striking addition of eucalyptus.

It might give you some trouble in the heat, but I still feel that it’s appropriate for a summer night if applied sparingly.

For the record, this scent has nothing whatsoever to do with the original Kouros. Instead, Body Kouros is Annick Menardo’s second masculine take on the licorice flavored woody-oriental theme she introduced with the original Lolita Lempicka. It is also much the better of the two. It is sweeter, darker, and spicier than Lolita Lempicka, but more smooth, suave, and balanced than the comparatively clumsy Lolita Lempicka au Masculin. In sillage and potency it lies between the two. I actually find it louder than Lolita Lempicka, with ample projection, but better mannered than the sometimes intrusive au Masculin.

Most importantly, Body Kouros avoids au Masculin’s crude, sinus-bludgeoning woody amber base note, resulting in a far more gratifying drydown. So, if you’re a man who likes the whole licorice oriental idea, but don’t feel comfortable owning a “feminine” fragrance, Body Kouros will do the job for you, and admirably. (Conversely, if you like Body Kouros and want something a wee bit drier and more transparent, you might sample the original Lolita Lempicka. Wiser critics than I have judged it a fine scent for men.)

I bought this frag blind last year and I really, really wanted to like this...but its just doesn't cut it for me. I found it too overwhelming, woody and eucalypticly...i waited for the dry down in anticipation, but alas found that it too was far too strong, and uninspiring and the camphorwood in the scent is just awful.

I will never buy a frag blind again after buying this monstrosity.

Shame though.

A terrific balance of sweet and spice that never goes overboard with either, as some other fragrances tend to. Wears well on me in cool and warmer weather, which is also a plus with a fragrance that has a heavy spice component.

And speaking of that spice component, one thing I particularly like about the spicy accord of Body Kouros is that it doesn't evoke a particular gourmand or body odor spice. It's unique enough that even at a distance it's clear that it's my cologne and not...something I ate. In a word, unique.

Good sillage, but not whopping overbearing. Lasts longer than most. If you like a well-balanced sweet/spice that borders on being an Oriental but never quite makes it there, odds are you'll appreciate this one.

I have worn it every week since it's launch several years ago, it's my favorite of all time. i can't say enough wonderful things about it. i get so many compliments on it, it's liked by everyone! i am very sad that ysl has discontinued it.

"Aimed at sporty youngsters"-?

Can't imagine anyone under the age of 25 appreciating this. If JPG's Fleur de le Male got into bed with Chanel's Egoiste (mace?), they would create Body Kouros. Absolutely scrumptous Fresh Woody Oriental. However, the middle notes seem missing-goes from a yummy top to a soft, powdery base with just a fleeting glimpse of a heart. The official notes seem to exclude any floral notes, which are surely there-maybe Orange Blossom like the le Male series? Anybody know?

BTW, I am a 42 y/o woman who wears some men's, such as M7, le Male and Fleur de le Male, & Egoiste. Shocked that this very affordable and forgotten scent made my short list within moments of application.