Libre by Yves Saint Laurent is an oriental floral perfume and YSL’s best-selling fragrance. It is a scent that exudes sophistication and modernity, with lavender, orange blossom, musk, and vanilla coming together to create a unique, long-lasting perfume. Eau de Parfum.

YSL Libre was created for the modern, confident woman who embodies freedom and independence. It captures the spirit of a woman who is unapologetically herself and fearless in expressing her individuality. In fact, “libre” means free in French. With its contrasting delicate and bold notes, Libre meant to go beyond the boundaries of traditional femininity by combining typical “feminine” notes with typical “masculine” ones, thus creating an unforgettable scent for a woman who is both powerful and sensual. As captured by E. Villanueva in Vogue Scandinavia, “Libre is a scent that is sweet but is not soft, it’s strong but is not loud, it’s powerful but is not overwhelming. It will bring confidence while maintaining smoothness and will lift up without pushing others through.”

Scent Description

Libre is a floral oriental fragrance. It harmoniously blends contrasting notes to create a sophisticated and modern scent: delicate floral notes with sensual and warm ones. It’s a statement fragrance but never feels overpowering.
The scent opens with bright and juicy mandarin and blackcurrant. Then, the heart of the fragrance follows: lavender, Moroccan orange blossom, and jasmine. As the scent dries down, the warm, sensual base notes of vanilla, ambergris, and musk emerge, creating a lingering, comforting, and alluring trail.

Notes

Top: Mandarin, Blackcurrant, Petitgrain
Heart: Orange Blossom, Jasmine, Lavender
Base: Vanilla, Cedarwood, Ambergris, Musk

Sillage and Longevity

YSL Libre has an impressive sillage, leaving a noticeable trail without being overwhelming. It also has excellent longevity, easily lasting 6-8 hours on the skin, sometimes even longer. This makes it suitable for both day and evening wear.

Who Is It For?

YSL Libre might be your signature scent if you enjoy fragrances with floral and warm, sensual undertones. It’s a modern fragrance with depth, complexity, and sophistication. While the floral heart makes it lean feminine, the underlying warmth and slight sharpness could also appeal to those who prefer slightly more unisex scents.

Best Occasion to Wear Libre YSL

YSL Libre is a versatile fragrance suitable for various occasions, from everyday wear to special evenings. Its bright opening makes it ideal for daytime, while the warm base notes make it perfect for a romantic dinner or a night out.
Seasonally, it shines particularly in the cooler months—autumn and winter—when its warmth can truly be appreciated. However, the citrus notes prevent it from becoming too heavy, allowing it to be worn in spring as well.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Complex and well-balanced blend of floral and warm notes
• Strong projection and longevity
• Modern and bold, yet sophisticated enough for various occasions
• Universally appealing, with a touch of uniqueness

Cons

• May not be for those who prefer lighter, fresher scents
• The lavender note might be a bit sharp for some, especially in the opening
• Slightly on the higher end price-wise
• Some find it too “unisex” for their liking

YSL Libre Collection

Since its launch in 2019, YSL Libre has been a popular fragrance, and like many successful perfumes, it has spawned several flankers. These are variations on the original scent, often with a focus on highlighting or adding new notes to the composition.

YSL Libre Intense
A more intense, richer and deeper version of the original. It features a stronger concentration of vanilla and amber. It also features an increased emphasis on the jasmine note, creating an even more decadent floral experience.

YSL Libre Le Parfum
This is the most opulent of the flankers. It takes the original and adds a spicy saffron accord, giving it a warmer and more opulent feel. It’s often described as the most intense and long-lasting of the Libre flankers.

YSL Libre L’ Absolu Platine
This version introduces a “white lavender” accord, which gives a cooler, more refreshing edge to the signature lavender and orange blossom combination. It creates a contrast between warm and cool, with a slightly metallic and icy feel.

YSL Libre Flowers & Flames
This flanker that emphasizes the floral aspects of Libre. It features a blend of lily, coconut palm tree flower, and orange blossom, creating a warm, sunny, and slightly tropical vibe.

YSL Libre L’Eau Nue
L’Eau Nue is the latest YSL Libre flanker. It a citrus floral. Reminiscent of the Mediterranean summers. It retains the signature orange blossom and lavender of the original Libre, but with citrus notes like green mandarin and bergamot, giving it a brighter and more energetic opening.

YSL Libre retails for $100 for 50ml via YSLBeauty.com or 122 Eur via Sephora.it.