YSL Libre by Carlos Benaim and Anne Flipo 2019
From the archives: This is my review of what was then the new launch of YSL Libre. Spoiler alert: I still agree with myself.
YSL Libre was launched around the same time as Lancôme Idôle and I rather liked the billboard contrast between brooding Dua Lipa and the romance of Zendaya on a white horse. Which to pick? Just like outfits, you can fit both into your wardrobe.
Libre was created by the dream team of Carlos Benaim and Anne Flipo, both favourites of mine. I bet you already own one of their creations, even if you don’t know it yet. When I first tried Libre as a tester in my local House of Fraser I was unimpressed and thought it cold and angular. I then went into Superdrug and tried Lancome Idôle and was all “Aww, roses, I like you best!” Fast forward a few months and now I have my own sample of YSL Libre to contemplate and focus on. Update- it’s really grown on me.
Libre is primarily a lavender cologne with eau de parfum staying power. It has the strong herbal facets and the dry, masculine trail that is so characteristic of it. For a modern launch, it’s gone its own way and done its own thing, a bit like its talented spokesmodel. It’s not trying to please the crowd, it’s showing the crowd something new. Lavender, isn’t new, I hear you say, but these days, it is. Yet even Guerlain couldn’t quite hold back from adding toffee to its lavender tribute, Mon Guerlain.
It’s almost hard to get past the lavender intro as it takes up all the seats, but I did catch a clean breeze of neroli and petitgrain, giving this a feminine yet feisty edge. If you’ve seen the film Colette, this is Keira Knightley in a gentleman’s tuxedo. Smouldering, individual and zero frogs given if you can’t handle a girl in a suit.
Where to buy it
YSL Libre is widely available. I bought my sample from the former Feel Unique Pick and Mix sample service . These days you can buy it from Perfume Click, among others.
Disclosure
I paid for this sample myself. I use affiliate links, so sometimes I may or may not gain a very small commission if you use the links in some of my posts. My opinions are always my own and cannot be bought.