Yves Saint Laurent – Body Kouros: Overview, Smell, Notes & More!

Body Kouros by Yves Saint Laurent is a popular perfume for men with a spicy amber scent, which was released in 2000.

Body Kouros (Eau de toilette) is a spin-off fragrance of Yves Saint Laurent’s Kouros (also known as “The Scent of Gods”), introduced in 1981, and Kouros Fraicheur, released in 1993.

Overview

• Brand: Yves Saint Laurent
• Fragrance:  Body Kouros
• Release: 2000
• Gender: Men
• Perfumer: Annick Menardo

Fragrance Notes

• Top Notes: Incense and eucalyptus
• Heart Notes:  Chinese cedar and clary sage
• Base Notes:  Benzoin and camphor wood

What Does YSL Body Kouros Smell Like?

The smell is a classy combination of sweet and spicy – with sexy and mildly masculine undertones.

It is also oftentimes described as Oriental spicy.

It has the distinct warm, musky, and rich fragrance of amber, with a subtle hint of spice.

The initial whiff is the fresh and medicinal eucalyptus incense mix, which also comes off as smoky.

Then it fades into an earthy, woody lavender mixed with a mild leathery scent.

Then, when the fragrance finally settles in the body, there’s a smell of vanilla with hints of menthol.

Body Kouros is made up of the following main accords or components: amber, wood, warm spice, camphor, smoke, balsamic, and vanilla.

How Long Does YSL Body Kouros Last For?

It smells the strongest within the first two hours but lasts between four and eight hours.

Overall, it  is known to have an above-average longevity.

It is also known to have a moderate sillage.

Sillage is the perfume trail left in the air when the wearer of the perfume leaves the room.

When Should You Wear It?

This is best for casual, day-to-day wear.

Body Kouros is not really designed for formal occasions.

Men usually prefer to wear this during the fall or winter seasons.

The sweet and spicy fragrance of Body Kouros contains a note of vanilla; the scent of vanilla is known to induce headaches, so perhaps this is the reason why fans of this perfume tend to avoid it during the summer.

Winter calls for musky, amber scents, which are some of the most prominent fragrances of YSL Body Kouros.

If you want to smell good in the cool months, then this men’s fragrance is indeed one of the most popular choices.

Where Should You Wear It?

Many men use Body Kouros by YSL on fun nights out at clubs, although some fans wear it on regular days too – you can wear it just about anywhere.

This is the type of perfume you wear to the grocery store, the office, or to visit your friends and family.

You can also wear this on a casual date.

This low-key perfume is not ideal to be worn to weddings, funerals, or special events, such as awards ceremonies.

This is your boy-next-door smell – subtle, fresh, casual, cozy, and warm.

Presentation and Value For Money

The bottle design is black and squarish, like a plastic or ceramic flask.

It is simply the black-colored version of the 1981 Kouros.

You can’t see the contents of the bottle.

The lightweight, straightforward bottle design is by Alain de Mourgues.

It has simple lettering, with YSL written across it. 

The 100ml, or 3.4 ounce, bottle ranges between $45 to $60, depending on the retailer.

The price is reasonable, considering it comes from a trusted brand.

It’s a good deal because it is sophisticated, clean, and fresh.

The longevity and sillage of the perfume match the price.

The design house is known for its wonderful perfumes.

The perfumer is respected and has a following and this fragrance is well received making it a good investment.

The Bottom Line

The perfume has many fans that truly love its fragrance.

Some wearers even love this more than the original 1981 Kouros.

It is affordable with an unpretentious bottle design and above-average longevity.

It’s a perfume for the chilly months as it evokes warmth and coziness.

The combination of menthol and nature evoke a comforting fragrance.

The original Kouros is cited as one of the top fragrances for men.

As the spin-off perfume, Body Kouros has the same reputation.

Perfumes that Smell Like YSL Body Kouros

The top three perfumes or colognes that smell like Yves Saint Laurent Body Kouros are:

1. Lolita Lempicka by Lolita Lempicka

Although Lolita Lempicka is a perfume for women, it smells a lot like YSL.

The fragrance designer is the same: Annika Menardo.

However, Menardo teamed up with Christian Dussoulier to create Lolita Lempicka, which was released in 1997.

The smell is based on licorice, with vanilla included in the base notes.

Body Kouros has vanilla nuances as well.

It is woodsy, with a green ivy note, which Body Kouros has nuances of.

2. Midnight in Paris by Van Cleef & Arpels

This men’s cologne is known for its spicy amber scent, which links it to Body Kouros.

It was released in 2010 and created by Domitille Michalon Bertier and Olivier Polge.

Midnight in Paris by Van Cleef & Arpels shares almost the same main accords as Body Kouros, including amber,  sweet aromatic spice, balsamic notes, and almond.

It evokes both citrus and leather as well.

It’s masculine, but not overly masculine. 

3. Pi by Givenchy

This woody, amber fragrance has also been compared to YSL Body Kouros.

Launched in 1999, the fragrance was designed by Alberto Morillas.

Pi, from the design house of Givenchy, is known for its sensual, masculine scent.

Pi has almost the same main accords as Body Kouros.

Some of Pi’s main accords are vanilla, sweet amber, and almond.

It’s aromatic, warm, and spicy.

It is also one of the most popular fragrances for men.