Yves Saint Laurent Libre
- Lavender
- Mandarin
- Orange blossom
- Jasmine
- Vanilla
- Musk
- Cedar
Smells like Yves Saint Laurent
Perfumes that smell like Libre
The perfume most often compared with YSL Libre is Zara Golden Decade. Every note in Golden Decade's list, mandarin, orange blossom, jasmine, lavender and vanilla, is also in Libre's; a reviewer adds that Libre has better staying power.
- Floral aromatic
- 5 shared notes
- 1 alternative named by reviewers
Side by side
The notes, side by side
Shared notes are marked. Notes for Libre come from our catalogue.
Musk
Cedar
Zara Golden Decade
- Mandarin
- Orange blossom
- Jasmine
- Lavender
- Vanilla
Both magazines we read pair it with Libre; one notes that both include jasmine, orange blossom and lavender.
No musk or cedar in its list, and shorter staying power according to the same reviewer.
Notes: our catalogue.
In notes
Why they smell alike, and where they differ
Why they smell alike
Libre's idea is lavender, an aromatic note usually found in men's perfume, set against orange blossom and jasmine over vanilla. Golden Decade repeats all five of those notes, which makes it the closest match on paper in our Zara comparison.
Where they differ
Libre adds musk and cedar to the base, which gives it more body and length. A reviewer who compared them says the YSL has better staying power.
| Tier | Libre | Zara Golden Decade |
|---|---|---|
| Top | Lavender, Mandarin | Mandarin |
| Heart | Orange blossom, Jasmine | Orange blossom, Jasmine |
| Base | Vanilla, Musk, Cedar | Lavender, Vanilla |
Before you buy
Similar is not the same
Comparisons are opinions
Smells similar to is a judgement by a person, and noses differ. We report who makes each comparison; we do not rate likeness ourselves.
Notes on paper are not the smell
Two perfumes can list the same notes and still smell different, because amounts and materials differ. Wear both, one on each wrist, for a full day.
What the law says
In the main European case the court recorded that making and selling a smell-alike is lawful; using the famous name to sell it as an imitation was not. Read whether perfume dupes are legal.
Short answers
Libre: short answers
Zara Golden Decade is the perfume two magazines pair with it. All five of its listed notes are in Libre; Libre lasts longer.
Lavender is its signature: an aromatic note more common in men's perfume, set against orange blossom and jasmine. That contrast is what alternatives try to repeat.
In the main European case, L'Oréal v Bellure, the English Court of Appeal recorded that it is lawful to make and sell a smell-alike product. What was unlawful was using the famous brand names in lists that presented the cheaper products as imitations. Our article on whether perfume dupes are legal sets out the rulings. It is not legal advice, and the law differs by country.
Sources
- Fragnatique Journal, Zara perfumes that smell like designer scents (magazine pairings, catalogue notes for both, staying power remark).
Love Libre? Find what else you would wear.
The AI perfume finder in Fragnatique can start from a bottle you already own and look for perfumes that share its character without repeating it, with the reason for each written out. Read how matching works.
