All of YSL’s Libre Perfumes, Ranked and Reviewed by Cosmo’s Beauty Team

YSL’s Libre Eau de Parfum is a fragrance icon. First launched in 2019, the original perfume introduced the brand’s beloved combination of French lavender and Moroccan orange blossom, grounded by a warm vanilla base. Our beauty editor-at-large Julee Wilson was at the first launch event (subtle flex) and says that “everyone immediately knew it was going to be a classic on the first sniff.” In the seven years since, YSL has taken that signature scent in plenty of different directions, adding new notes and accords that give each new version its own personality.Every Libre iteration stays true to the lavender, orange, and vanilla combo, while also adding in something new to elevate the fragrance, like juicy fruits or warm spices. Some bottles lean sweet, while others are deeper and more sensual. And the latest addition, Libre Santal Couture, takes the collection into woody territory for the first time with a warm sandalwood.Team Cosmo smelled our way through the entire Libre universe, from the original that started it all to the newest flanker, and ranked every scent in the lineup. Whether you’re a longtime Libre fan or simply want to find your signature scent, consider this your guide to the best YSL Libre perfumes that deserve a spot on your shelf.Key notesLavender, orange blossom, vanilla bourbonCosmo’s beauty team has lots of opinions, and more often than not, we have very different tastes when it comes to scent. But there was one thing we could all wholeheartedly agree on: Libre Intense is the best iteration in the entire lineup. It’s deeper, more sensual, and, in our experience, lasts significantly longer on the skin than the other versions we tested.It has that same floral warmth that makes the original Libre so recognizable, but everything feels richer and more amplified. For us, it’s the clear winner and the Libre we’d recommend spending your money on.Key notesLavender, orange blossom, vanilla, cedarwoodNo surprise that the OG Libre that birthed an entire lineup of flankers is our second favorite. It’s also one of the best blind buys of all time, thanks to its universally appealing balance of fresh, floral, and warm notes. “This perfume is one of the most stunningly constructed florals I've ever smelled,” says beauty editor Beth Gillette. “The mix of orange, lavender, and vanilla are so grounding and fresh, but break up the scent so it's deeper and less powdery.”Key notesRaspberry, coconut, orange blossom, lavender This is both Gillette’s and my personal favorite Libre iteration. I’m always going to gravitate toward a fruity floral, and this version boasts an extra dose of raspberry, giving the classic Libre DNA a juicier kick. Every spritz leaves behind a sweet sillage that leans fruity without completely overpowering the original trifecta of lavender, orange blossom, and vanilla.Key notesVanilla caviar, rum absolute, orange blossomVanille Couture is Libre's sweet sister. “I wouldn't call it a true gourmand—it's not foodie or yummy, necessarily—but it's boozy and warm and sexy, thanks to bourbon vanilla, rum, and vanilla caviar,” Gillette says. “I got to sniff this early in Marrakech (brag), and fell head over heels quickly (I even used up my sample bottle before it became available and I could get a full size).” The orange blossom makes it feel like it fits with the rest of the Libre perfumes, but it's definitely quite different from the standard fresh, floral.Key notesLavender, orange blossom, saffron, vanillaIf you love an intense scent, this is the sexiest Libre of the bunch. Other than Libre Vanille, it’s also the most gourmand-leaning, thanks to the addition of spicy saffron, which gives the fragrance a warmer feel. It moves away from the fresh finish of the original and into something deeper and more seductive.Key notesPalm tree flower, lily, orange blossom, vanillaAs we get farther down the list, know that we still love these bottles, this is just where Team Cosmo diverges based on our scent family tastes. As a floral fragrance lover, I much prefer this to the saffron-forward Libre above, though it’s definitely the sweetest iteration in the lineup. Lily flower gives it a softer and more feminine feel, so if you like your perfume with plenty of petals, this is the Libre for you.Key notesSandalwood, orange blossom, lavender Meet the latest addition to the Libre family: Santal. As you’d expect, it takes the signature DNA into woody territory, but without any of the smokiness you might associate with a sandalwood-heavy fragrance. It’s creamy, warm, and genderless. “The magic of the santal variation is that it’s super androgynous—literally anyone can wear it and smell superb.” says Wilson. It’s especially ideal for fall and winter when you want a fragrance with a little more warmth and depth.Key notesGreen mandarin, bergamot, lavender, orange blossomNow, we’re calling this water-based fragrance the La Croix of Libre—it’s super subtle and definitely needs to be layered (perhaps with another Libre?) if you want it to make more of an impact. We don’t hate it, but with so plenty of other standout Libres to choose from, there are options with more prevalent and compliment-worthy notes. If you prefer a barely-there scent that sits close to the skin, L’eau Nue is a fresh and light pick.Why Trust Cosmopolitan?Jasmine Hyman is the assistant beauty editor at Cosmo who covers all things fragrance. For this story, she, along with beauty editor Beth Gillette and beauty editor-at-large Julee Wilson, sniffed and tested every single YSL Libre perfume to rank the best ones.Jasmine Hyman is the Assistant Beauty Editor at Cosmopolitan, where she writes about the latest beauty trends and must-have products. Her most prized beauty possessions are a meticulous skincare routine and salon blowouts. You’ll also likely find her in bed reading a good book or endlessly scrolling TikTok (spoiler: it’s usually the latter) while listening to Harry Styles’ entire discography on repeat. Follow her on Insta to be inundated with pictures of her meals.