Cuir
Cuir by Yves Saint Laurent is an unisex eau de parfum in the luxury price tier. It opens with mandarin, cardamom and violet leaf, moves into clove, oud and suede and dries down to patchouli, cedarwood, bourbon vanilla and sandalwood. Expect around 8 hours of wear, and it projects at a moderate level.
Notes, explained
Opening
- Mandarin Soft, sweet, almost powdery citrus. Gentler than orange.
- Cardamom Cool, aromatic spice with a eucalyptus lift. Smells expensive.
- Violet Leaf Crisp, watery green with a metallic edge. Cool rather than fresh.
Heart
- Clove Hot, dry and dental. Powerful — a little goes a long way.
- Oud Resinous, medicinal, barnyard-adjacent wood. The most expensive note in perfumery.
- Suede Soft, powdery leather. Much gentler than the real thing.
Dry-down
- Patchouli Damp earth and dark chocolate. Either you love it or it's your least favourite note.
- Cedarwood Dry, pencil-shaving woodiness. Clean and structural.
- Bourbon Vanilla Richer, boozier vanilla. Darker than the standard version.
- Sandalwood Creamy, milky wood. Soft and almost edible.
Smells like this
- Atkinsons 1799 Oud Save the King
- Gallivant London
- Di Ser Kyara
- Yves Saint Laurent 24 Rue de L'Université
- Lattafa Adeeb
- Lancôme Idôle L'Intense
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