Manifesto

Soft and warm, almost like a hug. At first spray, it smells mainly like vanilla and black currant. The bergamot and green notes are there, but very subdued. Within 20-30 minutes, all traces of bergamot and green notes disappear. At this stage the scent is instead heavily dominated by vanilla and tonka bean. This is nicely complimented by a backdrop of black currant. The jasmine just barely noticeable, and the lily of the valley is nowhere to be found. As the hours pass, this fades more and more into a pure vanilla-tonka bean mix. The sandal wood appears in the background to warm it up after several hours, but it stays subtle. This can feel like a very simplistic and linear perfume, since it smells mostly like vanilla and tonka bean throughout the whole wear. However, there is some complexity hidden in the background. To be honest though, I really don’t mind the linearity of it. It is a simple vanilla done very well. It starts or with a strong projection, that fades slowly. Total wear time is also very long, I can still sense the vanilla and tonka bean clearly after 12 hours. Generally it performs better on me when I use it sparingly. It is advertised as “[...] spontaneous, free spirited and courageous; a scent full of passion and emotion.”. I honestly don’t get that description. In my eyes, it is a very calming and soft vanilla. Almost like a hug or soft cashmere sweater in a bottle. In general I’m a fan of this type of scents. I don’t think it would be hard to find both people who find it boring, and headache-inducing. This is probably not a crowd pleaser. Sadly, it’s no longer sold where I live. I don’t think it is completely discontinued yet though, as it is still available on YSL’s website.

I bought Manifesto blind, based on my mother's description of it, and her assessment that I would appreciate it (she was right, aren't they always). I've worn it in heavy rotation over the winter, and absolutely adore the complex, comforting vanilla that it becomes on my skin. BUT THEN CAME TODAY. Queue up the angelic chorus because *dang*, it's serious y'all. For the first time I caught a whiff of some amazing berry stained scent while I was working out in the garden under the afternoon sun, and lo and behold it was Manifesto, kicking ass and taking names on the first warm day we have had after the longest, stupidest winter I've ever been forced to be a part of. Like, I had to wear socks this winter instead of sandals and go to the store in a panic to buy milk and bread with all of the other Southerners. I saw a slap fight break out over the last bananas in the super market you guys... The bitter cold was clearly making us uncouth. The horror!! But I digress. The black currant is gorgeous and subdued; my skin especially loves to blow that note out of proportion making it smell synthetic or worse, like the bottom of a litter box, yet it's tempered beautifully by the depth of the tonka, vanilla, and woods. I'll be wearing this bad boy out this Spring! It's not often you find scents that really shine and feel like they belong both as a beacon of hope during the dismal cold winters, and as a celebration of the glorious first days of a Southern Spring. Oh, and it smells nothing like BS Fantasy, nor does it smell like Pink Sugar. Not a fan of either, this is SO much more refined and complex, it certainly doesn't smell like the backseat of a 92 Corolla on prom night.

I first bought this perfume not long after it was released and I quickly fell in love with this soft woody vanilla, I find the green and powdery notes make it more interesting and mature than a more simple vanilla. It became a favourite and one of the few (if not the only?) perfume I bought several times. I remember it being quite long lasting, and projecting, I got compliments from people in bars, outside etc. I finished my last bottle somewhere between 2017/2018 and moved on. I wanted to repurchase it around 2020 but it was already hard to find and much pricier than before. There were rumors that it was being discontinuated, I was a bit sad but not ready to pay so much money for it. Recently I saw it was back again online, in cosmetic stores websites. Prices were decent, I also got a discount on one website where I usually buy my perfumes so bought a new bottle of Manifesto. I received it a couple days ago, the batch code indicates it was produced in May 2022, from the bottle it smelled exactly the same and I was excited to try it on my skin. On my skin though, it seemed the top notes are fruitier than in my memory and the scent is weaker, could it have been reformulated or is my memory playing tricks on me? I will let it sit for a few months and revisit it later, I noticed some scents, especially vanilla, seems stronger with time. I hope it will be the case for Manifesto, anyway I am happy to be in possession of a new bottle, I thought I would never wear it again.

I experienced Manifesto years ago when it first came out. I never, ever forgot how it smelled. I was younger at the time, a student and working part time so I couldn't spend the money on this fragrance. I finally managed to get my hands on it and I am just as in love with it as the first time I had experienced it. Manifesto is a sharp, strong and regal oriental vanilla gourmand with a tinge of spice and zest. The first spritz can be overwhelming as it envelopes you in it's cloud of jasmine, bergamot and musk. As Manifesto develops and dries down, it turns into this creamy, feminine vanilla that is sophisticated and slightly mature. I have always loved oriental fragrances and Manifesto is a beautiful embodiment of the kind. The black currant and green notes dissipate but linger in the background ever so slightly. Creamy tonka bean is quite dominant in the background. As the dry down develops I get a slight coconut vibe. The jasmine can come off a bit soapy but it works in keeping a steady freshness. Words cannot describe how much I love Manifesto. I love to wear it to bed, it feels like a soft and cuddly blanket. It makes you feel extremely feminine and unique. Although it is definitely not a safe blind buy, if you like the individual notes you will not be disappointed with Manifesto.

There's something so addictive about Manifesto, I can't quite put my finger on it. It's like the vanilla is woven into every fiber of the scent, not just vanilla as a base note. The blackcurrant, green notes, florals & woody notes have been "vanilla-fied," for lack of a better term. I love it for this, and it's also the reason I disliked it when it first came out. It was more than I had bargained for as a younger me looking for gourmand vanilla. Now, it's exactly the kind of fragrance I adore so much and I just knew I had to bring it back to revisit. Yes there's vanilla and noticeabley so, but it's constructed in such a way that could take some getting used to if you're not expecting equal parts floral, woody & green to vanilla. Some people might be turned off by it initially, but give it time. It's likely you will come around to it eventually. The bottle represents the scent well. Modern, timeless, elegant, stylish, feminine. It smells like something a modern-day princess would wear. The way it projects and the cloud it creates is like a twirling petticoat on a ballroom floor. I have a newer bottle and it is absolutely perfect. Performance is just how I like - moderate & lasting. I wouldn't change a thing about it. Love love love love. ♥️