Yves Saint Laurent Libre Eau de Parfum review

Full review

Libre stands out because it borrows something unexpected: lavender, more often found in men's fragrances, paired with the orange blossom and vanilla of a classic feminine scent. YSL describes Moroccan orange blossom and French lavender over a warm bourbon vanilla, with mandarin and bergamot for freshness.

The result opens clean and slightly herbal, then becomes softer, creamier and warmer over a few hours. How long it lasts and how far it travels will depend on your skin and how many sprays you use, so start with two or three.

It is a strong gift choice because it is recognisably stylish without being as sugary as many bestsellers. YSL sells it from a 10 ml travel spray up to 150 ml, and the bottle can be refilled from a 100 ml refill. If she loves it, the Intense version is richer and more floral.

For a gift, 10, 30, 50, 90, 150 ml plus 100 ml refill are the sizes the brand lists, and the same name often covers several versions (Libre Eau de Parfum Intense, Libre Le Parfum, Libre L'Eau Nue), so check the label for the exact one before you buy. Try it on skin first if you can, since scent always smells a little different on each person.