L'Homme Libre

Benaim and Polge are some of the biggest guns in popular perfumery, and it is encouraging to see that even the ground zero of mainstream fragrances; that is, the mens "aromatic", can still be reinterpreted in a unique and high-quality way. The trick here, then, is not only to avoid the standard "fresh-gere" fare: aqueous notes, citrus, resinous woods, and bitter "greens" like pine and cypress; but to build a bold, distinct fragrance using a sharp and full bodied note to give character. In this case the perfumers didnt have to reach very far. It is the unmistakeable hit of violet leaf that first springs out of this fragrance; at once green, wet, floral, almost vegetal in a way (fruity, cucumber-like notes are frequently mentioned). For one reason or another, Violet Leaf is not a dominant force in mens perfumery. Perhaps it is too floral or too strong/rich, but it is one of the few notes that is unmistakeable, even in lower quantities. Today's reigning king of violet leaf is (of course) Dior Fahrenheit, but even 13 years prior the note was heavily featured in Grey Flannel (but GF mixes violet leaf and violet flower, different from the violet "kick" we are accustomed to today). Scan the Grey Flannel reviews and you will see that it is more often compared to the younger Dior, instead of the other way around. For fun, open tabs for prominent violet leaf fragrances in the database, and then search for the keyword "fahrenheit" in the reviews to see just how powerful and rock-solid this association is. Even in fragrances with ostensibly unrelated pyramids, even a moderate use of the note will immediately have people drawing comparisons to Fahrenheit (perhaps this is a factor of ignorance, but the impulse must be acknowledged). So how similar to Fahrenheit is L'Homme Libre? Truthfully; not by much. The "petrol leather" duality is entirely missing here, and it is a big component in Fahrenheit. There are no real spices or woods or florals to speak of; the violet is front and center here. A much closer comparison would be Aqua Fahrenheit, which has strong notes of mint and basil (also present in L'Homme Libre) on a bed of patchouli (as in the YSL). A comparison to Narciso for him would be a bigger stretch. For what it is and what it does, L'Homme Libre is excellent. The violet has free reign of the structure; at the opening there are powerful grassy, chlorophyllic elements, fruity, juicy, watery cucumber and vegetable-like notes, and the subtle sweetness of unique floral signatures (no sugars here). Mint and basil add even more wetness and body. Citrus adds moisture only, but does not otherwise make itself known. I could not place star anise and nutmeg by name. The middle becomes more rounded, and this is where the fruit and cucumber notes really start to come out. They are fleeting and partial; you cant name them because they arent actually there, it is the Violet Leaf throwing shadows and playing tricks. Here the basil starts to overtake the mint. The base settles into a green patchouli, without the heavier earth and chocolate notes that come up when the note is amped up. Relatively linear, this is a great starter fragrance or everyday wear, or even a signature. In terms of its competition, it is very unique. Short of comparisons against other violet leaf powerhouses, you can't really do an apples-to-apples with other entries in this category. It is easy to wear, excels in all seasons, and projects and performs very well (4 sprays lasted 9-10 hours for me). It is sophisticated, classy, and youthful. For some people the fruitier aspects may be too "immature", but there is little that could be said negatively about this fragrance.

Love love love Libre! This was my 12th or so bottle in my collection and I was enamored on the first encounter after receiving a sample along with my La Nuit purchase from Macy’s in 2012. I wore the sample for a couple days at work and kept thinking, “I need to buy a bottle ASAP” after almost obsessively taking the vial out of my pocket and putting my nose to the cap every couple hours. My boss asked what I had on with almost a panicked demeanor. When I told her what it was and that it was only a sample she practically ordered me to go out and buy a bottle... if you say so haha. That was all the excuse I needed, especially considering she was a beautiful, very trendy/classy woman, the type many men would like to attract. She had good taste all around, so I trusted her enthusiasm for the scent. The rest is history. I’m on bottle number 4, the first 2 were 3.3 oz and the last 2 have been 6.7 oz purchases. I note this in almost all of my reviews; the purpose being to provide context and establish credibility. I own nearly 140 bottles in my collection, most of which I’ll never go through a full bottle of and it’s not because they’re not great, some I just gravitate toward more frequently. I have most of the classics, the crowd pleasers, deep ones, light ones, flankers, and hype beasts. This one though, for whatever reason, is in my personal top 10. It’s versatile, it’s sexy, and it’s unique. Scent: 9:10 Longevity: 8/10 on me, lasts a full work day. Projection/silllage: 7/10 It projects well, definitely not a skin scent yet still nowhere near being cloying Versatility: 8/10 It’s both classy and casual. I’d wear it to work, a social gathering, a day around the house, and a warmer night date. Works well in all seasons though I prefer it in the spring and summer months. It’ll still cut through the autumn and winter cold. Very refreshing. Value for money: 7/10 This can be found on discounters for around $55 on any given day for a 3.3 oz- totally worth it IMO. Overall: 8/10 I’m in the camp that refers to this as an UNDERRATED GEM. Cheers!!

I FINALLY found this for a relatively good price. Not cheap, but doable, so I picked it up before it got sold and it's everything that I'd hoped it'd be. I owned the Dua version of this, actually, and Dua does it justice I'm not gonna lie but the opening and certain nuances of the mid are just a lot better. Dua's version lasts eternally though, so definitely I'm gonna keep that one in my rotation but this one will get some use. Unfortunately, it's only a 60ml. It's almost full, but 60ml can go fast if you start using it every week. This has violet as the main player, you can't mistake it. If you really like Dior's Fahrenheit and you like the violet leaf in that, then this will give you a more modern interpretation of it. Fahrenheit is a lot darker than this, whereas this goes somewhat aquatic and it's sweeter as it seems to have some of the original L'Homme DNA in it, but the violet leaf just makes it so different from either of those and it also makes it more challenging. To me, this is my favorite of all of the ones I have so far - Ultime, La Nuit, the OG and now this one. I have the Le Parfum version coming in soon, and I'm sure I'll like that one a lot as well, but I'm such a big sucker for violet leaf and any fragrances that utilize it seem to be high in my rotation. I think this is a good signature scent for someone 30+, I don't think younger people would like this, but a guy in his 30s or 40s would probably get a lot of compliments from more mature women who might appreciate the more mature aspects of this fragrance. It's office friendly, so far I'm getting the sense that this one is going to last all day. Violet leaf fragrances always seem to last FOREVER on my skin, so I wouldn't be surprised if the 4 sprays I used last 6+ hours and then if I went a little heavier I wouldn't be surprised if I couldn't get up to 8-10. This is gonna be really versatile too. I'll have to come back and post updates as I get more wearings, but my first impressions are very, very positive.

I haven't reviewed a fragrance in over a year. I feel like I must come back and defend this fragrance! I really don't see how this fragrance is being bashed so much! I mean, look at the vote columns, majority is "love"! and I'm apart of that column because i fell in love with l'homme libre at first whiff! Is it fresh? Yes. Is it sporty? Yes. Youthful? Yes. Cheap smelling? Hell no! This is *my* perfect daily wear cologne. It instantly became my favorite when it hit my nose. it's so light, refreshing, and masculine all at the same time. The bergamot stays so fresh throughout all the stages of drydowns and that pink pepper is oh so complimentary. i also feel Libre tells its drydown stories well because it seemed like i was wearing something different every couple hours. I had to keep checking my arms to see if that AMAZING fragrance was still me. LOVE IT! Check out the advertisement video for this. It describes the scent perfectly. A man dancing down a busy city street in a suit. It's a fun fragrance! It smells like Chanel Bleu no doubt infused with the original l'homme which is a great thing if you ask me! It's like a daytime version of Bleu. Heh, i tried to recreate that combo buy spraying both one on top of the other and it was a huge fail. Just doesn't work! I actually kept smelling both colognes separately. Please give this fragrance a chance. It may not be a super complex fragrance but it sure as hell smells fantastic. I do think this juice will get praise in the future. Once upon a time we all hated Bleu... did we not?

In my opinion, one of the most underrated fragrances, currently. I really can't stress how much I love this stuff. I think they really should've just called this "Libre", and gave it a different bottle design. It's so good, I think it deserves to be a fragrance of it's own. The opening is very spicy/peppery. I can understand why some people may find the opening a little offensive, but I personally love the spiciness the opening brings. The opening is definitely very fresh, & very masculine. In my opinion, the drydown bears a slight resemblance to the opening of Carolina Herrera's "CH Men", which is possibly why I love this scent so much. The drydown is very soft, sweet, and alluring, which could make this a great date/night out scent. I think this scent is very unique in that the opening has a fresh, sporty edge to it, and as it dries down it turns into a dark, alluring, sexy fragrance. I would say this works great as an all year scent. In terms of performance, I get about 6-7 hours with this. I definitely recommend l'Homme Libre. It's highly underrated, and I don't believe that too many people currently wear it. It's not a familiar fragrance to most people, which will make you feel unique, and make you stand out of the crowd. It will garner compliments, and will last on your skin for a decent while as well. This is what I like to classify as a "hidden gem". I could be getting a little ahead of myself, but I can totally see this fragrance developing a huge following in the future.

Super energetic and very fresh spicy profile. Has a similar violet note to Fahrenheit which gives it some classic masculinity on this otherwise light and airy scent. However this is a much more modern and less brash fragrance than Fahrenheit, besides the violet note theres no real similarities. Great anis that is well blended and gives it a nice touch. YSL L ́Homme DNA can be sensed in the backbone of L ́Homme Libre but this is probably one of the most distinct flankers. It also has some "blue" characteristics but the uses of the spice notes and the vetiver / patchouli base notes brings it further into the herbal field during dry down. I do not love the opening to be honest as it is quite a pink pepper blast. But that intensity is soon replaced by a greatly balanced and invigorating fragrance. (Edit - I think the opening was a bit altered because it was the juice in the straw since probably 2011. Second wear the opening is much cleaner and better). This would be great right after the shower on a warm day. Seems to have good projection and longevity, especially considering it is still a L ́Homme flanker. Highly recommend but not at the crazy prices I see today ... if you see a good deal grab it to wear it. (I have the original, clear cap version - not sure if its different).

A fresh, safe cologne with a uniqueness of its own. In the collection of about two dozen colognes that I own, this one emptied the fastest. It's just a great scent that you can wear anywhere. I only wish the sillage was improved. It lasts, surprisingly, a long while Strangely though, it started to smell a bit like brine to my nose (maybe the pink pepper or an accord with basil) but settled and widened into a lovely, fresh scent, reminiscent of a breezy afternoon at a St. Tropez yacht club. If lapis lazuli had a scent, this would be it. Edit: two years later, I’m halfway through my second bottle of this. My collection is up to about two dozen frags, but still, find myself drawn to this one for summer days. Still, a beautiful scent though I’m currently leaning to woody, vetiver scents and incense-laden potions. Shame that they’ve discontinued this. Edit (again): I'm now on my third bottle - was happy to find a 100ml last year at a very good price. Still love it. Someone above reviewed this saying that it smelled like pickles - I understand - I commented that there's a 'brine' tinge to this but it's not a bad thing. Just surprising but it settles quickly.

I believe this is under rated, maybe because its one of many flankers or just doesn't get any love. but its a nice fragrance, it's a spicy sweet woody masculine fragrance, yes, its generic but that doesn't make a fragrance bad in my opinion, especially when its done well like this. it's also clean, fresh and sporty but without citrus notes like lemon,grapefruit,bergamot .e.g which is good. It's a perfect gym scent, perfect casual scent and great for cool spring/summer days, it's a crowd pleaser nothing game changing or different which is why many will turn away at first sniff but its really good. Projection for the first 2 hours is amazing could smell it leaping of my skin constantly. but longevity is pretty poor 4-5 hours max. Its also inexpensive if you look around as it isn't a top seller like the others in the line. So overall a solid scent for someone that just wants a good masculine fragrance 7/10.

So, how do we stop these companies from reformulating and discontinuing our favorite fragrances? Boycott the discontinued/ left overs of reformulations or the whole house since others from the house are bound to be too, or pay 10xs the price for the left overs.. why pay more for a fragrance that you cant create memories to hold onto with or introduce to our little ones? I will no longer buy a discontinued left over or a “vintage” original of reformulation again. Support the cause, don't be the problem because after all they will ultimately end and it would be a waste of time and money.. and if you continue to support their schemes then expect many more of your favorite fragrances to fall. I cant even trust the brands or houses doing it unless it was a regulation cause which also sucks.

I really like this fragrance, is very fresh and modern too. I detect in its output immediately violet leaves and anise, then the elements that give the spicy touch with nutmeg and pepper, although violet leaves are held in almost all development appear, reminding me a little a phase of Acqua Farenheit Dior. Finally, I found a smell like soap classic fragrances maybe given by the combination of leather, vetiver and patchouli. For me it is one of the best fragrances has done Yves Saint Laurent in recent years but still not at the level of previous classics. I recommend it for people over 30 years of daily use. While it is not a scent that innovates has a smell that do not consider it generic, has very good longevity at least in my skin 8 to 9 hrs and nothing intrusive.

Was given this fragrance today from a friend and I love it! It is not like your average men's fragrance, it is fresh but with a lot of spice. I love spicy aftershaves so this is amazing! The only thing is, I dont feel like this has much progression. This smells exactly the same once its sprayed and when its fading. This is the only problem I can find. I love the bottle and especially the lid! It fits really nice in your hand and it is displayed well on my fragrance shelf! This is also a pretty strong scent, it holds on me for a good few hours and it does also project, so obviously this is a bonus! Basically once this fragrance is gone, I will be buying the full 100ml. Beautiuful!

I love smelling something coming from someone else and thinking, I have to get that. Which is exactly what happened with this gem. I was riding with my co-worker and kept getting this out of the shower smell that was spicy fresh and sweet and just had to have it. Asked him what it was and thankfully he was able to describe the bottle enough for me to figure out which ysl he was talking about. He's one of those guys who's like "oh I don't know my wife bought it for me", and I'm thinking like damn my wife doesn't buy me shit. Anyway I went to Macy's the same day and picked it up! Awesome freshy, very underrated, and a great compliment getter!

I don’t consider myself to have a refined nose for fragrance. I do know what I like (and don’t), however, and after hours in a Sephora with the help of a very, very, patient shop employee I discovered L’Homme Libre. I am not able to wear scents at work, so a few years later I still have a little precious in the bottle. After the COVID experience, and working from home now, I realized I can smell any damned way I want. But what to do after YSL killed my beloved? I haven’t found an heir apparent, but Gentlemen Only has a very close opening that hits my nosefeels. Something about Invictus Platinum seems familiar as well.

I find this fragrance to be under appreciated compared to other ysl fragrances. It has Better longevity the l'nuit (very over hyped). Anyway to the scent... I get a fantastic burst of violet leaf at the very beginning which i find lingers around through the entire lasting of the fragrance and a touch of basil after 5- 10mins with the merest suggestion of star anise. After half an hour or so the pepper comes through strong but blends in nicely with the vetiver once that makes an appearance. I dont really detect much patchouli or nutmeg though?! All in all a great fragrance which deserves better praise. 7.5-8 out of 10

This is a young strong sophisticated refined gentleman in a bottle. It has just the right amount of woods, spices and freshness, but that high quality energetic violet note really sets it apart. I get great projection and longevity, though it's never too strong. I get so many compliments from the ladies with this one. Just yesterday I put it on, and 2 women asked me what I was wearing. My girlfriend in particular asks me to wear this all the time. It never fails to get her in the mood. Even though any man can wear it all season round, my girlfriend often steals my bottle to wear it for herself.

This has some of my favorite notes (violet leaf, pink pepper, vetiver) so naturally I really enjoy it. I have La Nuit also and yes it is outstanding but the two are completely different and meant to be. I happen to love them both. Different fragrances for different occasions. I currently only have YSL Libre as a decant but I will be buying a full bottle soon. I can see myself wearing this casually in many situations. As you can see in the reviews though it is a bit polarizing. I would suggest you do what I did. Get a decant and judge for yourself before blind buying a larger quantity.

I just love this scent. its unique, sexy, fresh in its own way like nothing else. compliments everytime I wear it and people ask me what is this scent and I don't tell them what it is. actually I say a friend gave me this in a small decant and I dont know the name of the fragrance. I love this in a bad way so I dont want anyone in my world know it or use it (JUST ME). The most amazing thing about this scent that those stupid fragrance reviewers do not talk about it so it remains special and unique (Please no one mention this scent to the german guy Mr.Jeremy)lol.

fresh,subtle,spicy,its absolutely versatile. just like what it advertised that this fragnance suitable for almost every occassion and condition, but what im little bit disappointed that this fragnance has no develop at all, it almost straight from the opening to the ends. its true that this fragnance has a great performance thats a plus but i pretty choose another that have a better smell rather than no development at all.what im picturing to this fragnance is so blue, just like the thin fresh airy of blue cloud. Scent : 7,5 Sillage : 7 Longevity : 7,5

Otherwise respectable sibling to YSL's L'Homme carries its own weight, though not quite as memorably. A watery fruity semi-spicy that's likely to not mix well with perspiration in super hot conditions. Better suited for milder, cooler evening wear. A yummy scent no doubt, and a reliably good Plan B in the right conditions. Arguably unnecessary though, especially in the shadow of the superior L'Homme. Perhaps more satisfying in the 40ml or 60ml presentation versus the 100ml. Worth enjoying, though its repurchase appeal is uncertain. ★★★ (out of ★★★★).

I love it. It's a standout of the YSL L'Homme Line for good reason in my opinion. Spring, Summer, Early Fall and rainy days. Especially rainy days I rock it casually or to work; day or night time. The compliments flow in as well as the questions of "Wow what are you wearing? It's really nice." I understand that it's not for everyone and most people wrote it off and hated it. But as time goes on and it's discontinued indefinitely, people may rediscover it and say it's a gem. To the people that are bashing it now, thanks in advance.