YSL Libre vs Libre Intense: While you can buy both the YSL Libre and the Libre Intense, most reviews recommend the YSL Libre Intense as the first scent to purchase between the two.
When Yves Saint Laurent first introduced the YSL Libre eau de parfum, they struck gold with a scent that was touted for successfully blending vanilla and lavender.
The following year, the brand introduced Libre Intense, which seemed to perfect and intensify the formulation of the original perfume, hence the name Intense.
As such when the two are compared, in most aspects they are quite similar. However, in terms of their colours, sillages, and longevity, the Libre Intense is more touted than the original Libre.
Therefore, if you had to make a decision between the two, the Libre Intense is generally more favoured.
Chronology of Libre releases
Yves Saint Laurent first introduced YSL Libre in 2019. As a scent, it was marketed as a fragrance that is a “celebration of freedom.”
Created by the acclaimed perfumers, Anne Flipo and Carlos Benaim, Libre is an amber, fougère fragrance designed for women who are looking for a bold scent.
Then, in 2020, Yves Saint Laurent introduced Libre Intense which was created by the same perfumers of the original.
This formulation was inspired by, “…the couture runways, the IT-bottle pushes its’ couture statement further with a masculine camel color twisted in the most feminine way, amplifying the intensity of the original bottle.”
Which is better: YSL Libre vs Libre Intense
For the record, the YSL Libre and Libre Intense are bold ideal scents for women. Moreover, there is not much difference between the pricing of the two perfumes – which is oftentimes the key to making decisions about which of the two fragrances to purchase.
On Amazon, YSL Libre is available for the discounted price of $87.64 down from $112.
You can purchase the Libre Intense for a 1.6fl. oz bottle, for the discounted price of $98.44 from 109.89 on Amazon.
| YSL Libre vs Libre Intense on Amazon | |
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Another aspect where the two scents are neck and neck is in terms of their scent profiles. Each perfume provides a bold scent, which is distinctive based on the composition notes of each fragrance.
The YSL Libre initially has an overwhelming scent of orange blossom and lavender, which intensifies with time, and the musk accord emerges as you continue using the fragrance.
On the other hand, Libre Intense vanilla accords are not as prominent. Instead, it has more of the orchid accords, and the vanilla becomes more prominent with more frequent use.
YSL Libre and Libre Intense notes
A detailed breakdown of the notes found in each fragrances is listed below:
| Perfume | YSL Libre | YSL Libre Intense |
| Top notes | Lavender, Mandarin orange, black currant, and petitgrain | Lavender, Madagascar vanilla, musk, cedar, and ambergris |
| Middles notes | Lavender, orange blossom, and jasmine | Lavender, Tunisian orange blossom, jasmine sambac, and orchid |
| Base notes | Madagascar vanilla, musk, cedar, and ambergris | Madagascar vanilla, tonka bean, ambergris, and vetiver |
While this puts the fragrances neck-and-neck, in terms of their colours, sillages, and longevity, the Libre Intense wins. The only point where the two are neck-and-neck again is their pricing.
1. Colour: YSL Libre vs YSL Libre Intense
A key distinguishing factor between the YSL Libre and the YSL Libre Intense is the colour of their formulations. The YSL Libre is less intense in colour than the Intense. As such, the Libre’s consistency gives it a soapy, slightly musky, and distinct creaminess to its scent.
The YSL Libre Intense is richer, with an initial sweeter flavour and less of the lavender and musk soapiness that the original has. This makes the Libre Intense a more playful and fun scent to wear than the Libre.
2. Sillage and Longevity: YSL Libre vs Libre Intense
While both perfumes deliver in terms of sillage and longevity, the Libre Intense comes out on top when they are compared to each other.
YSL Libre is considered to last between eight and nine hours, which is the average of most eau de parfum in this price range.
However, the Libre Intense lasts for an average of 12, or just a little more. In terms of sillage, the Libre is more powerful and overwhelming than the Libre Intense, but that does not mean that the Libre Intense does not pack a punch, as the scent does not overwhelm you, but it is warm and subtle.
3. The differences between YSL Libre and Libre Intense
A look at a comparison of the key aspects of the YSL Libre and the YSL Libre Intense show that the Libre Intense is the best overall. These factors include:
| Perfume | YSL Libre | YSL Libre Intense |
| Pricing | $87.64 for a 1.6fl oz. bottle | $98.44 for a 1.6fl oz. bottle |
| Main accords | White floral, citrus, lavender, and vanilla | Vanilla, white floral, sweet, and lavender |
| Intensity of formulation colour | Less rich in colour | Rich, gold colour |
| Longevity | 8 to 9 hours | 12 hours or a bit longer |
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