Libre Yves Saint Laurent 2019 Eau de Parfum

It’s always nice to dive into the various facets of a fragrance through the reviews here and imagine the enchanting scenery it could transport you to. But to be completely honest, while I perceive this scent, I still feel like I’m in an overcrowded Douglas store; "Libre" unfortunately doesn’t change that. Although many people praise this fragrance to the highest degree, I personally cannot claim that it fascinates me.

"Libre" reminds me of a retro classic that comes off a bit more modern. The initial neroli note is extremely prominent, and that bothers me a bit, even though I generally like neroli. Lavender? Not at all. What follows is more reminiscent of an orange syrup with a hint of white flowers. However, it doesn’t come across as fresh or green, but rather sweet and a little rough or harsh - indeed syrupy. Towards the end, the fragrance develops a slightly creamy note, which counteracts the sweetness a bit.

Unfortunately, I have to say that this scent is very mass-appealing, but it doesn’t really excite me personally. I understand the intention behind creating a floral fragrance that doesn’t scream "princess," but is something more powerful. However, this isn’t the first perfume to exhibit such a DNA. I find the scent quite okay, but by no means stunning. Perhaps it also bothers me that I smell it almost daily in my surroundings, as so many people wear it.