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Libre Le Parfum by YSL

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Libre Le Parfum was released as a flanker to the popular YSL original back in 2022. I received a few samples of it some months back and tested it out. It wasn’t one that I was particularly excited about trying, but actually came away pleasantly surprised by this perfume. How does it smell? How long does it last? Continue below for my full thoughts.

Libre Le Parfum Overview

Notes include: ginger, saffron, mandarin orange, bergamot, orange blossom, lavender, vanilla, honey, tonka bean, vetiver

Click here to try: Libre Le Parfum

My Full Review

One of the main things that I notice early on with Libre Le Parfum, is how quiet the lavender note is on my skin early. Now, come to find out that it will be more substantial later on, I do like the change of pace from others in the series.

The opening has a good dose of mandarin orange/bergamot, while not ever taking over the composition. It’s held in check by the ginger, saffron, honey, vanilla, and especially the orange blossom. That is the floral note (and note in general) that leads the way here.

Parfum is warm and cozy. The spice is potent, while we get a thick sweetness as well, in this opening act.

After a few minutes, the citrus will fade, as will some of the ginger. Here, I get a mix of saffron, and honey with the orange blossom. The other notes will be sitting underneath this as the main accord for a while.

The next phase for me is the lavender coming on strong at the expense of the orange blossom. It will be even for a little bit, but lavender quickly takes on the dominant role out of the floral notes.

With that, less saffron, ginger is pretty much gone, but you get the tonka bean in their place. So, it’s really a vanilla and honeyed aroma at this point. A sweet, honey-vanilla dipped floral fragrance.

The dry down is mostly lavender and vanilla with a touch of vetiver poking through. Not as thick, still somewhat sweet, but more of a cleaner aromatic smell at this point. Closer to what you get with Libre and Libre Intense.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Le Parfum is a heavy and thick fragrance with plenty of projection. It will leave a nice scent trail for a long time. On me, it felt a tad weaker than Libre Intense, but it is still close to being the strongest of the bunch so far.

The longevity here is fantastic. I get 10-11 hours at least, with Le Parfum sometimes venturing into the 12 hour range. I don’t think it’ll go beyond that on my skin, but this Libre flanker is no slouch.

Seasonally, due to its ingredients and how heavy of a scent it can be, this one is made for the autumn and winter months. I wouldn’t expect to be wearing this outside during the summer months or if you live in a particularly tropical climate.

Add to that, this is one that can really shine in the nightlife, during those colder months. That warmth, sweetness, and enveloping cozy aroma is great. Attractive and bold with what it brings to the table.

Maybe not the best for formal wear or work (depending on your office). Some of you will be able to pull it off in that environment. But, this is just a really nice gourmand version of Libre.

Overall Impressions of Le Parfum

Overall, do I like Libre Le Parfum? Yes, I think it is the best release of the series thus far. I used to think that was Libre Intense, but this surpasses it. Also, it is easily better than L’Absolu Platine which came out around the same timeframe.

It does everything well, so long as you enjoy this sort of heavier gourmand style. It won’t be for absolutely everyone, of course, but I think that most people would enjoy this YSL perfume.

I’d say that this one is a buy. It’s definitely one to try out and see how it works for you, at the very least.

Again, it’d be my number one pick from the Libre line. I wasn’t a big fan of the original, but this and Intense really carry the banner well.

One of the better designer releases in the past few years. It doesn’t seem to get the same attention as things like Burberry Goddess (this is better) or even the other Libre options.

Libre Intense by YSL

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Libre Intense was released in 2020 by YSL, as a follow up to the immensely popular and powerful Libre EDP. I got a sample of this, along with the original to really test them out and see how each differs from one another. Here’s my direct comparison post. In this one, I am going to do a deeper review of Libre Intense. How does it smell? Perform? Is it worth a try?

What does Libre Intense Smell Like?

Notes include: lavender, orange blossom, orchid, vanilla

Click here to try: Yves Saint Laurent for Women Libre 1.6 oz Eau de Parfum Intense Spray

My Full Review

Before we get into my review of Libre Intense, let’s see how YSL describes it: The iconic structure of Libre, a tension the lavender from France and the orange blossom from Morocco, reinterpreted in a suave and sensual way. The intensity of a melting floral core, where orange blossom flower absolute & blazing orchid accord fuse. A fragrance like a shout of freedom, the freedom to live everything with excess.

Libre Intense starts out with a sweet aroma. I don’t find it to be sugary or candy-like, but the citrus top and vanilla do give it that bright, warm, and upbeat attractiveness. It’s actually a great deal like YSL’s L’Homme Parfum Intense, but more vanilla.

The opening gives you quite a bergamot and orange-laden aroma. Both the fruit and the orange blossom itself. Which is why it strikes so close to that men’s YSL scent.

The lavender note is going to be present in this Libre flanker, but less so than in the original. That one had more of that note and a greater muskiness. This one goes more with the vanilla note and a balanced floral foursome.

Here it is: lavender, orange blossom, jasmine, and orchid. Orange blossom is strong early on, but my nose gets more orchid during the dry down stages. Jasmine is present, but it does come on all that strong, on my skin.

The vanilla qualities will ramp up, as the initial bergamot and orange juiciness fades. You also get tonka bean here, so there will bee that creamy and powdery aroma versus the soapy lavender of the original.

The ambergris, white floral notes, and vanilla end this one. It actually feels much drier and the sweetness has gone down a whole lot, by the late stage of this wear.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Sillage wise, Libre Intense will leave its mark. This perfume is powerful, can project like crazy, and will never really be considered weak.

It’s not the absolute most powerful fragrance that I’ve come across or anything. But, for a designer scent, Intense is massive in comparison to most others…including the original.

The longevity here is also great. It will easily hit double digit hours, and went 12+ hours in my experience while testing it out.

So, performance isn’t an issue and not something you’d need to worry about. Except, maybe going overboard with the sprays.

Seasonally, Libre Intense is more of a cold weather fragrance. I’d stick to this from autumn through early spring. I wouldn’t venture into the summer months with this on, seems like it’d melt pretty quickly.

A cozy fragrance, but one that doesn’t completely shy away, more like a blanket that wraps you.

This one is probably better for adults rather than teens. It has a more mature vibe, not old-ladyish, but wouldn’t match with most younger girls or younger adults.

It is attractive, has a certain sexiness to it, and can absolutely venture into the nightlife.

Overall Impressions of Libre Intense

Overall, do I like Libre Intense? I do. It’s a good fragrance on the whole and I do enjoy it much more than the original.

Mainly, less lavender makes this one better. It’s sweeter, has more orchid and orange blossom versus Libre. This one is more balanced, while actually living up to the Intense name.

I like that opening especially, as it reminds me of L’Homme Parfum Intense, which was great but had mediocre performance. Libre Intense does not, but does change into the dry down away from that YSL scent.

The latter stages are closer to the original. But, the lavender still shares the stage with the other floral notes. Still, orchid and orange blossom, mainly. It’s creamier and just feels richer than the first one.

The floral and ambergris end, isn’t my favorite. However, I like the opening and middle enough, for it to be not too big of a deal.

This one lasts freaking forever, has a great ability to project, and can leave a scent trail in your wake. For a designer and not niche perfume, this YSL is a monster.