Reviews of Libertine (2000)
by Vivienne Westwood

I bought this on a whim without trying it first, and I'm glad that I did. First, judging by the fact that this is by Vivienne Westwood, I'm guessing this was supposed to be edgy and provocative. If that's what you were expecting, then you will probably be disappointed. Personally, I've been looking for a scent that is inoffensive enough to wear casually, yet deeper and darker than the average fresh fruity/floral variant -- for this purpose, Libertine really fits the bill.
It's definitely got a hit of bright fruitiness, especially in the beginning, followed by distinct but non-overpowering florals. Finally, a bit like a dark secret underneath it all, is the warm and moody base. The first thing it reminded me of was a watered-down, palatable version of YSL's Opium (turns out they have quite a few notes in common).
The sillage isn't strong enough to leave a "trail", yet 5-6 hours in, people sitting near me could still catch whiffs of it. This strikes me more as a unisex scent, with a slight bias towards the masculine side. It will most probably not satisfy your cravings for a complex chypre, but if you're just looking for something casual with a twist, you should give it a try.

Sweet? Yes. Fruity? Yes. Chypre? Really? I guess so. I was just so distracted by the sweet and the fruity. But then, as others have led me to understand, almost all of my favorite fragrances turn out to be greenies, so I take green notes for granted.

Libertine is one of those nearly drinkable juices that the throat longs to absorb. You might say that what Miss Dior Cherie is to strawberry, Libertine is to tropical fruit.

Of the green scents currently my wardrobe, the spectrum progresses from sweetest to driest thusly: Libertine, Molinard de Molinard, Nanadebary Green, AbdesSalaam Oak Moss, Jean-Louis Scherrer.

Libertine begins with a fresh and frosty lily floral, reminiscent of Estee Lauder's Pleasures or even Ralph Lauren's Pure Turquoise. As it warms on the skin, an amber accord appears, sort of fleshy, like Chantilly. Libertine sweetens and sparkles, remaining feminine and interesting throughout it's duration. For my own taste, it gets a little bit cloying, but don't let my quirky nose put you off this one, it's definitely worth trying!

As a great fan of Anglomania I was anxious to try this "doppelganger" which I find totally unlike A!! Where A. is robust and swoopy - exuberant to the point of exhaustion - Libertine is sprightly and almost refined. Citrusy and lightly floral (viburnum is a lovely scent) with a modern twist...you'll never mistake it for something else.

Good. Elegant. Somewhat masculine. It smells of guelder-rose essence oil(Viburnum opulus). Similar to Romance by Ralph Lauren, but without the rose.
Romance - roses = Libertine.

Definitely a crying shame that they stopped it because it was the only tolerable one. I love her clothes and have always been let down by her fragrances-will always regret not buying it but have a bottle of shower gel I have stopped using so I will always have the scent. It's like a citrus in an alternative, funky-Brit universe. Mood-boosting and very sexy it's summery with a strange silky spike of sexy aldehyde in the middle. They blantantly brought out Anglomania to try and placate Libertine lovers, but it's like your spouse or child coming home one day with permanently different coloured eyes.

Dear God, "Libertine" is such a tresure for me. It's almost impossible to get it now, but I am trying hard and I grab every bottle possible - just to be sure I have my "L" always "in stock".
It's such a pretty chypre-fruity fragrance, not offensive in any way, not "in your face", never agressive or boring...just moss, patchouli, yellow fruits melting on your neck. Delicious, heavenly and totally out of this world. Few days ago some guy was standing behind my back, in a library and it was all abot this "mhmmmmhmmm..." sound filling his nose ang lungs. Yes, Libertine is an intoxicating, golden beauty!

My favourite fragrance of all time with the most perfect name! It's sparkling, fun, flirtatious and just so damn sexy! Like Vivienne Westwoods first perfume 'Boudoir' it is based around her favourite flower 'Viburnum'. Great for nights out or just for every day wear. If i could give it two thumbs up i would!

I'm very picky about perfumes and I rarely find one that I like much less love. I tested Libertine on a whim and loved it! It was perfect for me. Not fruity or too floral, not powdery or sugary smelling and not too soft. I loved it so much I bought some for my mom too. I'm disappointed that it was discontinued and I'm now having to find something new to wear.

A rebellious individual with little regard for convention or following fashion. This fragrance is a perfect compliment to the idiosyncratic but perfectly constructed Westwood clothes, and I for one am very miffed that it has been discontinued.

A perfect warm weather scent, particularly appropriate for wearing to parties, gallery openings or any event where you want to attract attention without appearing overtly sexy.

Seductive, but not obviously so. Think of really well made, well fitting clothes, paired with one off pieces of jewelry.

Rarely do I come across a scent with little introduction and fall in love with it. But Libertine is an exception. This is a beautiful fragrance, soft, feminine, warm, mildly sweet and clean. It's a fragrance which is lovely for daytime, classy, subtle enough for the office. Yet it has such an alluring quality that it extremely 'come hither'. This scent is addictive. My first whiff and I'm hooked. The only annoyance I have is that this scent smells exactly like another fragrance I know, yet I can't place it. Other than that, this perfume could position itself very well in signature fragrance stakes all the world over.

What can I say about Libertine? Spring, warm wind, I feel happy when I wear Libertine. Actually my skin is an ideal base for chypre perfumes.