Head to head
Yves Saint Laurent Libre and Givenchy L'Interdit are often compared by people choosing between the two. Both belong to the floral family, and they share orange blossom, jasmine and vanilla. They are related in style but clearly different once you smell them side by side.
Libre stands apart with lavender, mandarin and blackcurrant, while L'Interdit brings pear, bergamot and tuberose. Libre lasts longer (very long-lasting against long-lasting), and they project about the same (strong). L'Interdit is the cheaper one: about $130 against $145 for a standard bottle.
How we picked. We put the two fragrances side by side using the data in our catalog: notes, olfactory family, longevity, projection, the seasons and occasions each one suits and its typical price. A fragrance smells different on each person, so try both on skin if you can. Prices are typical US retail prices and may differ at checkout.
| LibreYves Saint Laurent | L'InterditGivenchy | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical price | $145 · 3.0 oz | $130 · 2.7 oz |
| Concentration | Eau de Parfum | Eau de Parfum |
| Launched | 2019 | 2018 |
| Family | Floral, Fougère | Floral, Amber |
| Top notes | Lavender, Mandarin, Blackcurrant | Pear, Bergamot |
| Heart notes | Orange blossom, Jasmine | Tuberose, Orange blossom, Jasmine |
| Base notes | Vanilla, Musk, Cedar, Ambergris | Patchouli, Vetiver, Vanilla, Ambroxan |
| Longevity | Very long-lasting | Long-lasting |
| Projection | Strong | Strong |
| Best seasons | Spring, Fall, Winter | Spring, Fall, Winter |
| Occasions | Office, Date, Formal event | Date, Formal event |
| Style | Seductive, Elegant, Urban | Seductive, Elegant, Mysterious |
Yves Saint Laurent
$145 · 3.0 oz · EDP · Women · Floral
French lavender and Moroccan orange blossom with vanilla. A floral with a masculine structure: free, powerful and sensual.
Choose Libre if you want longer wear, a fragrance that covers more occasions and a more urban character.
Givenchy
$130 · 2.7 oz · EDP · Women · Floral
Luminous white flowers against a dark base of patchouli and vetiver. The thrill of the forbidden.
Choose L'Interdit if you want a lower price and a more mysterious character.
Answer 7 quick questions about the person and the occasion, and we will match the fragrances that fit best.
Take the quizLibre lasts longer (very long-lasting against long-lasting), and they project about the same (strong). Longevity also depends on your skin and on how much you apply.
L'Interdit is the cheaper one: about $130 against $145 for a standard bottle. These are typical US retail prices for a standard bottle and change often, so check the current price before buying.
They share orange blossom, jasmine and vanilla. They are related in style but clearly different once you smell them side by side.
For spring and summer they are about equally suited. For fall and winter they are about equally suited. Libre is at its best in spring, fall and winter, and L'Interdit in spring, fall and winter.
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