Clean Shaven 21
Brand: Clean Shaven
Masculine · EDP · £10.94
Inspired by Yves Saint Laurent YSL Y.
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Y vs Clean Shaven 21
Description
21 is Clean Shaven's aftershave interpretation of Yves Saint Laurent Y Eau de Parfum, the 2018 release built around Dominique Ropion's composition and YSL's own description of it as the scent of an iconic white t-shirt and black jacket. Product Overview Sold as 50ml at 25% EDP concentration for 10.94 pounds against an original that retails from around 75 pounds for a comparable size. The bottle displays only the Clean Shaven name and the number, with the Y comparison stated on the product listing. Scent Profile Opens with bergamot, ginger and apple, a fresh, slightly spiced fruit accord that is brighter than most masculine citrus openings. The heart brings sage, geranium and juniper berries, an aromatic, herbal turn that keeps the composition grounded and masculine. It settles into vetiver, cedarwood, tonka bean, amber woods and olibanum, a dry, woody, incense-tinged base with just enough sweetness from the tonka to soften it. Technical Structure and Development Composed by Dominique Ropion, Y was designed to be fresh without being generic, leaning on ginger and juniper for distinctiveness against a crowded field of citrus aromatics. The ginger-juniper combination in particular is a harder accord to replicate cheaply, so budget interpretations tend to read closer to a generic bergamot-vetiver fragrance than the original's more specific spiced character. Performance At 25 percent EDP concentration, expect moderate longevity of roughly 4 to 6 hours with soft to moderate projection, gentler than the genuine Y's reputation for confident, all-day performance. Wear Scenarios - Office and everyday daytime wear across most seasons - A versatile signature scent for someone wanting one bottle for most occasions - Spring and early autumn, when the fresh-woody balance suits the weather - Layered under a heavier evening scent for added freshness Scent Family Positioning Sits in the aromatic fougère family, a modern, cleaned-up take on the classic fougère structure built around fresh top notes and a dry woody base. Inspired By and Style Comparisons Direct interpretation of Yves Saint Laurent Y. Within Clean Shaven's own range, shares some structural DNA with 13, the brand's Giorgio Armani Stronger With You interpretation, both being modern, versatile fresh-woody scents, though Y is drier and less sweet. Flankers and Variations Y has expanded since 2018 into Y Le Parfum, Y Eau Fraiche, Y Live and other concentrations; 21 is built around the standard 2018 Y Eau de Parfum. Market and Community Reception Y is frequently recommended in fragrance communities as one of the strongest modern designer launches from YSL's masculine line, praised for avoiding the generic aromatic-fresh formula many competitors fall into. Clean Shaven's own customer reviews for 21 note the ginger-fruit opening as a recognisable match with a noticeably shorter dry-down than the YSL original.
Notes
Top Notes
Heart Notes
Base Notes
Main Accords
Tags
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Performance
Style Lane
Atlas Match
Best Notes Match
Rayhaan Cadiz
Shared notes: Bergamot, Ginger
From This Brand
Clean Shaven 09
Same DNA Style
Armaf Infinity Silver
Inspired by Yves Saint Laurent YSL Y
Community Reviews
1 reviews with an average rating of 6.6 out of 10.
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Community Ratings
- Overall: 6.6/10
- Scent Accuracy: 7.5/10
- Longevity: 5.5/10
- Projection: 5.0/10
- Value: 8.5/10
What Reviewers Say
Atlas AI Analysis — 6.6/10
21 by Clean Shaven functions as a utilitarian interpretation of the modern aromatic fougère archetype established by Yves Saint Laurent Y Eau de Parfum. The composition emphasizes the signature ginger, apple, and bergamot opening, delivering a crisp and slightly spicy fruitiness that aligns with mass-appeal designer standards. While the transition into the herbal heart of sage and juniper berries remains recognizable, the complexity of the original’s aromatic structure is somewhat streamlined. The base settles into a dry, woody profile dominated by cedar and amber woods, though it lacks the deep resinous olibanum nuances found in the higher-priced inspiration. Performance metrics for 21 are grounded in its budget-tier positioning. Despite the advertised 25 percent oil concentration, the fragrance provides a moderate longevity window of four to six hours. Projection remains controlled and conservative, making it a safe choice for enclosed environments where more assertive scents might be intrusive. This technical profile suggests a reliance on more volatile aromatic compounds that provide an immediate impact but lack the sustained fixative power required for all-day wear without reapplication. In the broader fragrance dupe ecosystem, 21 is positioned as an entry-level utility scent for the cost-conscious consumer. With a price point significantly lower than the retail cost of the YSL original, the value proposition is centered on accessibility and daily functionality. It is particularly suited for those seeking a versatile signature scent for office and casual daytime use. The scent's profile is most effective in temperate seasons like spring and early autumn, where the balance between citrus freshness and woody warmth can be maintained by the ambient temperature.
Where to Buy
Check current price and availability on Amazon.co.uk
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the signature scent profile of the Clean Shaven brand?
Clean Shaven focuses on the "Barbershop" and "Grooming" aesthetic, specializing in scents that are fresh, crisp, and undeniably clean. Their DNA is built around the idea of a fresh-out-of-the-shower experience, focusing on high-quality citrus, cooling mint, and traditional aromatic herbs like lavender and rosemary.
Can Clean Shaven fragrances be used as aftershaves and perfumes?
While the brand has its roots in traditional grooming, their fragrances are formulated as Eau de Parfums to ensure they last far longer than a standard aftershave. They are designed to be "skin-friendly" while providing enough punch to work as a daily-wear fragrance that stays noticeable throughout the workday.
Is Clean Shaven a good brand for the office or gym?
Yes, Clean Shaven is arguably the best "utilitarian" fragrance house for those who want to smell fresh without being overwhelming. Their profiles are non-offensive, uplifting, and professional, making them a top choice for office environments, gym bags, and warm weather where heavy ouds or ambers might be too cloying.
What is Clean Shaven 21 a dupe of?
Clean Shaven 21 is a dupe of Yves Saint Laurent YSL Y. It interprets the original scent profile using high quality alternative ingredients at a fraction of the price.
What does Clean Shaven 21 smell like?
Clean Shaven 21 opens with Bergamot, Ginger, Apple, moves into Sage, Geranium, Juniper Berry, and settles on a base of Vetiver, Cedarwood, Tonka Bean, Amberwood, Olibanum. It is built to capture the character of Yves Saint Laurent YSL Y.
Is Clean Shaven 21 long lasting?
Clean Shaven 21 is EDP with a community longevity score of 5.5 out of 10 and a scent accuracy score of 7.5 out of 10. It offers a budget friendly alternative to the original.
What does EDP mean?
EDP stands for Eau de Parfum. It typically contains 15 to 20 percent fragrance concentration, giving stronger performance and longer longevity than EDT. Most Middle Eastern clone brands release their fragrances as EDP, which is a significant reason they tend to outperform designer equivalents in longevity and projection at a lower price point.
What is an extrait de parfum?
Extrait de parfum, also called pure parfum, contains the highest fragrance concentration, typically 20 to 40 percent. It lasts the longest, projects most richly, and develops the most complex dry-down. Bujairami releases all its fragrances as extraits, which is a significant part of why the brand has developed such a strong reputation for performance.
What is maceration and should I let my new fragrance macerate?
Maceration is the process of fragrance molecules fully integrating and settling after production. A newly bottled fragrance can smell sharp, synthetic, or unbalanced because the individual ingredients have not yet harmonised. Leaving a bottle to settle for two to four weeks is standard practice in the fragrance community. Remove the cap and let the bottle breathe overnight to accelerate the process. Most heavy Middle Eastern releases benefit significantly from maceration.
What is a blind buy in the fragrance community?
A blind buy is purchasing a fragrance without having smelled it first, based on notes, reviews, community consensus, and comparisons to fragrances you already know. The Atlas compare tool, scent accuracy scores, and community reviews are specifically designed to reduce the risk of a disappointing blind buy by giving you data before you spend money.