Yves Saint Laurent is one of the original Haute Couture houses and an icon of Parisienne fashion and fragrance. The best YSL Libre perfumes blend delicious fruits and feminine florals with tempting vanilla and exotic musk.
Despite being relatively new, the Libre fragrance collection has become one of the most iconic in the YSL stable. Each fragrance brings zesty fruits, lavender, jasmine and orange blossom, yet introduces an array of additional aromas.
Blending the classically sensual and sweet elements that YSL is known for with bolder and muskier notes, Libre is a collection filled with striking aromas guaranteed to turn heads.
Best Libre Perfumes From YSL
The best Libre perfumes combine tempting fruits and inviting floral notes with intoxicating vanilla and sensual musk. Here are 4 decadent scents to consider.
1. Libre Eau de Toilette
Review
First launched in 2021, Libre Eau de Toilette is a lighter, brighter sister to the original Eau de Parfum that incorporates fresher, more youthful elements for a feminine and carefree scent.
Uplifting opening notes of tangerine, bergamot and lavender lead to a floral heart of delicate jasmine and orange blossom.
Perfumer Anne Flipo has crafted a discreet base of ambergris, sweet vanilla, and exotic musk that does not detract from the initial brightness. Settles to a zesty white floral fragrance that’s easy to wear.
Top Notes:
Tangerine, Bergamot, Lavender
Mid Notes:
Orange Blossom, Absolu Jasmine, White Jasmine Tea
Base Notes:
Musk, Vanilla, Ambergris
Seasons & Longevity
A light, bright and airy perfume with white floral and fruity notes, Libre Eau de Toilette, is the perfect daytime scent for spring and summer.
The lightness works against it in terms of durability, but the base of musk and ambergris gives it a little oomph and assures at least 4+ hours of wear from one application.
Benefits & Drawbacks
| Pros | A fresh, carefree and youthful Libre fragrance that’s easy to wear |
| Cons | Did not last as long as I would have liked, so be prepared to re-apply if out all day. |
2. Libre Eau de Parfum
Review
The original Libre Eau de Parfum (launched in 2019) showcases an incredibly complex scent profile. Created by Anne Flipo and Carlos Benaim, Libre Eau de Parfum commands attention.
A bouquet of fruity oils creates a sweet and complex sillage that melts into a floral heart of jasmine, orange blossom, lavender and earthy petitgrain.
Upon dry-down, the vanilla comes into its own, supported by cedar and musky notes. Dries to a feminine white floral scent with moreish vanilla that does remind me of Hugo Boss Alive.
Top Notes:
Mandarin Oil, Petit Grain Oil, Lavandine France Oil, Blackcurrant Accord
Mid Notes:
Lavender Oil, Jasmine Sambac Absolute, Jasmine, Grandiflorum India Absolute, Orange Flower Absolute
Base Notes:
Vanilla Extract Madagascar, Cedarwood Oil, Ambergris Accord, Muscs
Seasons & Longevity
This robust, mature scent is both sexy and bold, working best in autumn, winter and spring. If you want to turn heads in the office, Libre Eau de Parfum will give you what you need.
I have a full bottle in my collection and find it a perfect day-to-night scent that will offer around 6+ hours of wear with good sillage and projection.
Benefits & Drawbacks
| Pros | The original Libre oozes class and sophistication with its beautiful floral & vanilla fusion. |
| Cons | Maybe a little too popular, so you may blend in with the crowd, but I still love it! |
3. Libre Eau de Parfum Intense
Review
The striking Libre Eau de Parfum Intense was created by Anne Flipo and Carlos Benaim and launched in 2020 as a more intense and powerful addition to the collection.
Retaining fruity and floral layers of tangerine, bergamot, and lavender up top, it’s the orchid and jasmine in the middle that are genuinely intoxicating.
Vanilla dominates this fragrance, with ambergris and vetiver in the background. The result is undeniably bold that’s filled with that iconic YSL spirit!
Top Notes:
Tangerine, Bergamot, Lavender
Mid Notes:
Jasmine Sambac, Orange Blossom, Orchid Accord
Base Notes:
Tonka Bean, Vanilla, Ambergris, Vetiver
Seasons & Longevity
Libre Eau de Parfum Intense is the ideal perfume for formal evening events in fall or winter. Smells very expensive and classy.
The benefit of this strength, of course, is that you should be able to get 7+ hours from a single application. It projects nicely and leaves a sensual sillage trail behind you.
Benefits & Drawbacks
| Pros | Smells very expensive and sensual and evolves nicely as the hours pass |
| Cons | Not super versatile, save for colder season special occasions |
4. Libre Le Parfum
Review
I’ll admit, I was very excited to try out Libre Le Parfum, and it did NOT disappoint. Launched in 2022, this rich, sweet, and slightly smoky fragrance exudes complexity.
Bergamot, mandarin, ginger and saffron create a spectacular opening, while the heart notes of orange blossom and lavender (keeping true to the Libre DNA) add sweet and herbal edges.
After 10 minutes, Libre Le Parfum becomes rich and intense, offering dark sweetness from vanilla bourbon and honey notes that feel sexy and intense on the skin.
Similar to Libre Eau de Parfum Intense, yet this Le Parfum version has more of a nocturnal boudoir feel.
Top Notes:
Bergamot, Mandarin, Ginger, Saffron Accord
Mid Notes:
Orange Blossom, Lavender
Base Notes:
Vanilla Bourbon, Honey Accord, Vetiver
Seasons & Longevity
Thanks to its richness and depth, Libre Le Parfum is perfect for autumn and winter evenings when the crisp air lets the notes bloom without becoming overpowering.
I found this scent created a giant bubble, and you can expect around 8+ hours of performance before the perfume fades entirely. This one is on my must-have list!
Benefits & Drawbacks
| Pros | A rich and decadent addition to the Libre collection. A blind buy for the winter. |
| Cons | Maybe too sweet for some |
Ingrid’s Top Pick
YSL Libre Le Parfum
My top pick has to be the new YSL Libre Le Parfum, as it is utterly glamorous and evolved the longer you wear it on your skin.
The vanilla and honey accord work incredibly well with the feminine florals and feisty ginger and saffron combo.
Conclusion
The Libre collection may be small, but it contains the essence of YSL glamour in each scent. The best Libre perfumes range from the youthful EDT with its bright and sparkling aroma to the rich and incredibly sophisticated EDP’s that are perfect for glamourous temptresses.
One of the most underrated facets of this collection is the compatibility and blendable nature of its scents. Mix one or more together, and you will find you have created an entirely new fragrance that balances the best features of each.
This collection lives up to its name – you have the freedom to tailor it to you, so be bold! Don’t forget to check out my review of 6 Stunning YSL Black Opium Perfumes.
Our Libre Perfume Quick Guide
| Perfume | Season | Longevity Hrs | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | YSL Libre Eau de Toilette | Spring/Summer | 4+ |
| 2 | YSL Libre Eau de Parfum | Autumn/Winter/Spring | 6+ |
| 3 | YSL Libre Eau de Parfum Intense | Autumn/Winter | 7+ |
| 4 | YSL Libre Le Parfum | Autumn/Winter | 8+ |
Further Reading
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