Vice Versa

The Verdict

Yves Saint Laurent launched Vice Versa in 1999 as a limited edition alongside a coordinating makeup collection, with the composition crafted by Karine Dubreuil-Sereni. The fragrance played with contrasts -- sweet and savory, simple and sophisticated -- expressed through a palette of reds, oranges, and pinks. It was discounted shortly after release, suggesting it underperformed commercially, but has since developed cult status with secondary market prices escalating to over $100.

The Black Narcissus blog positioned Vice Versa as a "Saturday night floral" -- sensual and honeyed rather than austere. Other reviewers were less generous, with one Fragrantica user dismissing it as a plain fragrance with no personality, concluding with "no wonder it was discontinued." The truth, as with many cult fragrances, likely falls somewhere between the devotion and the dismissal.

What It Smells Like

The opening is Vice Versa's most distinctive feature. Mandarin orange arrives with a savory twist, joined by what The Black Narcissus identified as a cherry tomato note alongside raspberry and blueberry. The combination creates a fresh fruitiness that reads as colorful and slightly unusual, with the tomato adding a green, vine-like quality that prevents the fruits from becoming cloying.

The heart is an expansive bouquet of tuberose, orange blossom, jasmine, peony, freesia, peach, and melon. The Black Narcissus described this phase as honeyed and sensual, with the tuberose and orange blossom creating a "Saturday night" warmth. The effect is lush, sweet, and unabashedly feminine without being heavy.

The base settles into vanilla, amber, cedar, musk, and iris, providing a vanillic, cedary foundation. The composition eases comfortably into a warm drydown that The Black Narcissus praised for fitting well into social situations, "whether worn for quiet evenings or nights out with friends."

When to Wear It

Vice Versa is a casual, sociable fragrance built for warm-weather enjoyment. Its fruity-floral character and unpretentious nature make it ideal for weekend outings, summer evenings with friends, and relaxed dining. The Black Narcissus described it as comforting and easy to wear, perfect for those seeking something "unmoody" without intellectual demands.

This is not a formal fragrance or a cold-weather choice. Its strengths lie in creating a lighthearted mood for warm, relaxed occasions.

Longevity & Projection

As a limited-edition eau de toilette from 1999, Vice Versa delivers modest performance. The projection is moderate, creating enough presence to be noticed in close proximity but never dominating a space. Longevity is adequate for casual occasions, lasting several hours before requiring reapplication. The cedary-vanilla drydown clings gently rather than projecting outward.

The Community Says

Vice Versa occupies a curious position in the fragrance community -- more discussed for its rarity than its composition. Positive voices praise its soft, floral character with a touch of orange, calling it one of the better YSL fragrances and describing it as bright and uplifting. The Black Narcissus appreciated its unpretentious, middle-ground appeal and the distinctive tomato-mandarin opening. Critics found it forgettable, plain, and lacking personality. The conversation about Vice Versa often circles back to the rarity effect -- whether discontinuation has genuinely elevated a good fragrance or merely inflated a mediocre one. Fragrantica, Basenotes, Parfumo, The Black Narcissus, and Influenster have all contributed to the discussion.

Who Should Buy This

Vice Versa appeals to collectors of discontinued YSL fragrances and women who enjoy playful, fruity-floral compositions with an unusual twist. If the idea of a mandarin-tomato opening paired with honeyed tuberose intrigues you, and you appreciate casual fragrances that do not take themselves too seriously, Vice Versa offers something genuinely different.

Anyone expecting a masterpiece worth the collector's premium should temper expectations. Vice Versa is a charming, lighthearted fragrance that happened to be born in limited quantities -- its appeal lies in its personality, not its profundity.

The Bottom Line

YSL Vice Versa is a playful fruity-floral with an unconventional savory opening that found its audience too late. Its sweet mandarin-tomato introduction, honeyed floral heart, and warm vanilla base compose a casual, sociable fragrance that has gained cult status through scarcity. Whether the hunt is worth the price depends on how much you value charm and novelty over power and permanence.