Libre Flowers & Flames

An unnecessary flanker? Perhaps it is. It's close to Libre EdP, you can't deny that. It's close to Libre - but Flowers and Flames is better 👍(IMHO). Unexpectedly, I loved the original Libre when it came out, even though Mon Guerlain is my lavender standard in perfumery. The original Libre was never a true lavender fragrance for me - while Mon Guerlain has a floral lavender, the lavender in Libre just provides a certain freshness in the background - and that freshness is herbaceous lavandin, that is quickly masked by the marine ambergis note and the sweetness of tonka vanilla. I liked Original Libre because of the sun-soaked orange blossom note - and the spicy-sweet drydown of tonka, vanilla and cedar. Flowers and Flames, by comparison, offers the same orange blossom bliss, but everything else is better: the first notes offer fresh bergamot and lavandin, but the lavandin is softer now - and it smells like lavandin, not just any fresh note. The orange blossom is complemented by the lily - and what a beautiful lily it is! The lily is gently underlined by the coconut note, which makes the middle notes very creamy, elegant, sensual and soothing. I can still detect a hint of maritime ambergis in the finish, but it's very toned down. I like that, because on my skin the ambergis developed too much in the direction of a (masculine) deodorant note. Instead, some green juicy notes and an airy spicy sparkle have been added, which smell much more elegant and interesting, but are still kept in the background. The whole fragrance offers a picture of sunshine and creaminess, a golden glow in this cold, wet northern European fall 🌞. I already have it - every bit of sunshine is much needed...

Oh my heavenly constellations, this is BEE-UUU-TEEE-FUL!!! This is definitely on my “must have you, gotta have you, oh, I WILL have you!” list. I don’t often find a flanker that I like more than it’s original parent, but this has me hooked. I’ve sampled Libre and its flankers over the past several years, really wanting to like them. However, the lavender in the edp and edt would go too soapy on my skin, and the intense and le parfum were way too sweet. When l'absolu came out, I was hopeful, but it smelled too aldehydic for me. Now, the newest flanker has all the best notes of the og that kept me from liking it and it’s incarnations, but instead of medicinal/soapy, the lavender note in F&F is smooth and softly sweet— it smells more like blue lavender (which I love) rather than the more common herbaceous variety typical in bath salts and soaps like Yardley of London. This is so well blended that it succeeds in being floral and fresh, yet warm and rich at the same time. I love it when I find a frag that successfully combines contradictory scent profiles this way, because it makes the fragrance appropriate for wear in many different situations and seasons. Flowers and Flames can be worn anytime, anyplace. It’s light, joyful, warm, sensual, playful and elegant all in one bottle. I am so happy I finally found a Libre for me! *edit*— I bought it!🥰

This perfume is divine, and it's among my favorites. Here in this flanker, it's warmer, creamier, sweeter, floral, much more opulent, and yes... Solar... And the angels sing, amen! It was precisely this characteristic that won me over, because I'm a lover of solar notes. I know many people are bothered by the lavender note in the traditional Libre, but I personally love it. However, in this one, the lavender is well hidden, in a much softer form; I barely notice it in this perfume. It clearly has the Libre DNA, which is unmistakable. In the top notes, it opens with notes of bergamot, orange blossom, and a more subdued lavender with a brighter floral. These solar notes I perceive perhaps come from the presence of coconut, which is present here and gives this nuance, this milky, creamier, warmer creaminess, making this perfume very pleasant. The difference between this Libre and the others (I'm actually only familiar with the EDP, EDT, and Intense) is that it has a more prominent floral heart and a more pronounced warm, creamy side, along with lots of lily. It projects beautifully, lasts incredibly well, and looks beautiful on my skin. It's a perfect scent for fall, winter, and spring, for mild days and cooler temperatures. It performs fantastically!!! I absolutely loved it!!!

Another story for you: Yesterday, I felt like Goldilocks at my local department store looking for a summer-appropriate version of Libre (it's warming up in NZ, yay!). So here's what I tested: 1. The og/edp was too potent/sweet/boss babe, I'd wear it to work and when I mean business in fall/winter. 2. The edt was too light and orange blossomy (I still like a bit of POWER!) 3. The Intense I've never liked and today I was reminded of it (too sharp/too much lavender) 4. The Platine was an immediate no (eww aldehydes/Chanel 5 vibes) 5. The white one is like a cologne water (weak yet expensive!) 6. The newly arrived Vanille Couture is just delightful, perfect for next fall (I don't need it now) Flowers & Flames hit the spot! It's sweeter than the og, less sharp, and more creamy; I love the orange blossom, coconut, lavender, and vanilla scent bubble it creates, yum! I passed on it last summer because it wasn't discounted online, and I don't pay full price unless desperation hits (ahem ahem Atomic Rose, DBIR Extradose, & BR540 Extrait). Ladies, this is an elegant, creamy, and lovely summer scent, not so much for the beach, but for drinks at the beach club, if you know what I mean...

I really do enjoy this flanker!!! The opening is a lot more “perfumey”, perhaps more heady, than I was anticipating, but I think it’s just because this flanker is literally on beast mode and the white florals are prominent. Coconut is a note but it’s more of a creamy nuance than anything. However, lilies also give that feel too. To be honest, the coconut I actually pick up best is in the drydown where to me I can pick up some woodiness from what could be coconut husk. Lavender is present, yes, but it’s not the star of the show either because it’s so well blended into the other florals. Considering that, Flowers and Flames could have, or should have been the OG, because it’s smooth af in its development from start to finish, where as the OG doesn’t always behave so. The ride from beginning to end (of the OG) is a much sharper ride. If considering buying the OG EDP, consider sniffing this flanker first, then decide. Smooth, Creamy, Hyper Feminine Floral, Wedding Day, Sophisticated, Expensive, Old Money, Creamy Flowers, a Beautiful Garden... is what comes to mind when sniffing Flowers & Flames. This flanker is a beast, so don’t over spray. Lasts for-ev-er! Love it! ❣️