Rive Gauche pour Homme (2003)
by Yves Saint Laurent

A few years ago, I had not yet entered the world of colognes. Being a young man in college, it eventually became necessary that I have at least something in my wardrobe for nicer occasions. Uninspired, and very much liking the smell without much thought, I bought a bottle of Brut for Men. It seemed inoffensive, clean, and somewhat enjoyable. However, it didn’t take long before most of my female friends were telling me that I smelled “old” or that I reminded them of an uncle, father, or even grandparent. No one seemed to think it smelled bad, just that it didn’t seem to fit a man in his early twenties.

Which brings me to the one unshakeable problem I have with Rive Gauche: I feel like I smell old again. Make no mistake about it, as nice and as high quality as a fragrance as this may be, it is still simply Brut for Men done very, very well.

This cologne probably deserves a thumbs up, especially since I haven’t been told I smell old while wearing yet. Then again, it’s only a matter of time. After the fantastically complex top notes dissipate, you are left smelling of Brut until the Patchouli dry down takes over (which is as enjoyable in its simplicity as the top notes are in their depth). Good take on an “old” classic.

This is the best of anything I own and probably will ever own. At first spray, yes, you get the barbershop smell but after, what you get is such a fresh, clean, warm and inviting scent that no other fragrance house can match. If you go to the YSL site and see the advertisement for it, you get a little understanding of the scent and why it is and always will be a classy fragrance for any man. It is not easy to find here in Canada, so if you do find it or more, buy them all. I bought 1 some months ago and decided to return to that place and bought the other 5 and requested more. All of my other stuff is being sold on ebay because, now that I have Rive Gauche, there is no need for others (Mind you, I am holding on to the Kouros Fraichuers I was lucky to find).

Plus, the longevity is unbelievable....even exceeding that of Kouros. I spritz a few sprays in the morning around 8am and it is now 9:30 as I type this and it still projects the scent so others can even identify something, yet, it is simple and inviting because of the mature sweetness.

Thank you YSL.

Did test it first at card and find it not really good enough but it changed a lot at my skin. It´s not an 100 % safe frag for everyone not but nevertheless a very safe choice.

I am using rive gauche now since 3 months and can say that every time when i use it (especially when i use the shower gel) i am thinking i am in a turkish hamam and getting lathering. The Edt isn´t very soapy but clean and fresh in an often here mentioned "barbershop" style. It is also spicey enough to use it every time everywhere. Summer Winter Day Evening Casual Formal.

I find it interesting that someone did say here in his review Rive Gauche is the 501 of the fragrance World. I am not so expierenced with all fragrances to say that but i believe it now after 3 months with it, really.

I wore this at a party this weekend, and multiple girls proceeded to approach me and comment me on how good I smelled. One even licked my face, but that may have been from inebriation?

Rive Gauche has become one of my favorites. The first spray was just heavenly. Something about this fragrance makes you feel great... It is suave, rich, professional, and classic. This is sophistication in a bottle. AND, it's manly without being cloying. One of YSL's finest.

Barbershop clean, and earthy in the nicest possible way.

RGpH opens with an invigorating, comforting, and smile creating barbershop accord. This accord lasts for about half an hour on me and comes and goes for the rest of the day.

The middle and base of RGpH consist of a beautiful balance between sweet and earthy notes. The sweet notes stop the fragrance from ever becoming too dark and dirty, and the earthy notes help to keep the sweet notes singing an enjoyable harmony.

RGpH consistently lasts 10 hours on my skin, and I never stop enjoying its development and recapitulation.

RGpH is a confident, enthusiastic, and engaging smell that seems to bring people closer—encouraging them to chat with the wearer. It’s great for days when one needs to make a good impression on new people.