Basenotes › Basenotes Forums › Fragrance Discussion › Female Fragrance Discussion › Libertine by V. Westwood - disappointing!
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Libertine by V. Westwood - disappointing!

post #1 of 12
2/22/10 at 12:32pm
Thread Starter 
Got a very recent bottle (from what I can tell) of Libertine some weeks back. It came from a source above any suspicion, it was sealed in its box, etc. It has the list of things that are supposedly killing us on its side, so it's obvious I did not get a bottle that was from this scent's very first years on the market.

Beautiful graphics on the box, gorgeous bottle with the globe and crown decoration.

But the juice. Big blast of grapefruit on the open, then something tangy and floral (the viburnum?) It softens into kind of an mushy, indistinct heart note still carrying the citrus vibe, and then it dies.

Not terrible, but not anything else either. It was almost not there at all. This must have been butchered big time, because the persons I know who wore Libertine regularly spoke highly of its quirky character and many facets. I do know that Libertine was never at any point a sillage or longevity monster like Boudoir, but this was ridiculous.

Anyone have experience with this scent and want to weigh in? Thanks.
Reply
Reply

Features on Basenotes

Basenotes Reader Awards 2013 - Finalists Announced.
Petals Falling From The Sky - A Report From The Cote d'Azur's Bataille De Fleurs
Greatest Hits: Annick Menardo
post #2 of 12
2/22/10 at 4:06pm
This was always an EDT, if memory serves, and a very nice warm weather scent with notes of citrus. Not very long lasting, however. Very unisex, but, as you noted, not the sillage monster nor as enjoyable as Boudoir.

Odd name of this scent..."libertine" in English is usu. associated with masculine behaviour...such as John Wilmot, the 17th century Earl of Rochester, portrayed in a movie by Johnny Depp. Of course, in French, one has "libertin" and "libertine."

I gave this a neutral review due to poor longevity:

http://www.basenotes.net/ID10213301.html
Reply
Reply
post #3 of 12
2/22/10 at 6:28pm
I put some on hours ago, coincidentally just before I read this thread, and have been noting that Libertine has great potency for me. Not a lot of changes, but sweet persistence.
Reply
Reply
post #4 of 12
2/22/10 at 7:58pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Quarry View Post

I put some on hours ago, coincidentally just before I read this thread, and have been noting that Libertine has great potency for me. Not a lot of changes, but sweet persistence.

Quarry, it must be different on my skin. Perhaps the time of year and temperature? I *do* like this scent, but tend to keep it for home use.
Reply
Reply
post #5 of 12
2/22/10 at 10:45pm
I love Libertine, very unusual scent - that counts in these days of mostly similar fragrances.
Reply
Reply
post #6 of 12
2/23/10 at 5:39am
Don't give up on it! I have a recent bottle too, and it took a few tries before I got to like it. For its name it isn't much of a shocker, and mushy too like you said. I've found it works best in warm, humid weather. You could try a slight spray before exercise (or cooking in a hot kitchen!), it might be better on you then. Good luck! :-)
Reply
Reply
post #7 of 12
2/23/10 at 10:24am
Thread Starter 
Thanks, all. I must admit that I did not feel like giving Libertine any second chances - one of the very few that I almost immediately gifted away. Maybe I'll give him an opportunity to earn his keep, but I've turned into a very stern taskmistress!

Btw, I did not buy Libertine completely blind. I smelled it maybe five or six times and tested it on skin. It didn't strike me as HG material for my definitions, but it was intriguing, so I was willing to take a chance. Compared to what I tested previously, this iteration of Libertine is like a shadow - a dialed-in, faxed version. Sigh. I would rather pass judgment on scents that are overtly horrid than those that are marching into mediocrity from reformulation and regulation.

O.k., I'll push Libertine to the back of the pack and let him struggle to the fore later in the year. I adore the tiny "dancing devil" logo on the box - anyone else notice that?
Reply
Reply
post #8 of 12
2/23/10 at 3:14pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jardanel View Post

Thanks, all. I must admit that I did not feel like giving Libertine any second chances - one of the very few that I almost immediately gifted away. Maybe I'll give him an opportunity to earn his keep, but I've turned into a very stern taskmistress!

Btw, I did not buy Libertine completely blind. I smelled it maybe five or six times and tested it on skin. It didn't strike me as HG material for my definitions, but it was intriguing, so I was willing to take a chance. Compared to what I tested previously, this iteration of Libertine is like a shadow - a dialed-in, faxed version. Sigh. I would rather pass judgment on scents that are overtly horrid than those that are marching into mediocrity from reformulation and regulation.

O.k., I'll push Libertine to the back of the pack and let him struggle to the fore later in the year. I adore the tiny "dancing devil" logo on the box - anyone else notice that?

I think this is Pan, a woodland god of the Greeks, or a generic satyr, somewhat of a male nymph, so to speak. Both are part-man, part-goat and represent humankind's animal nature (horns and hooves)--they're symbols of sensuality and sometimes frank lust, to be honest.
Reply
Reply
post #9 of 12
2/23/10 at 3:54pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks Primrose, upon repeat scrutiny it certainly is a satyr, and perhaps it is Pan himself! A very apt symbol for the name Libertine.
Reply
Reply
post #10 of 12
2/23/10 at 4:16pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jardanel View Post

Thanks Primrose, upon repeat scrutiny it certainly is a satyr, and perhaps it is Pan himself! A very apt symbol for the name Libertine.

He's on the Boudoir box, but not on Anglomania, which has a rampant cobra...
Reply
Reply
post #11 of 12
2/23/10 at 4:31pm
Thread Starter 
Yes, I noticed the snake on my bottle of Anglomania. I love the symbolism of the Vivienne Westwood packaging. Long may she reign.
Reply
Reply
post #12 of 12
2/26/10 at 3:12pm
Odd, but Libertine vaguely reminds be of Parfum d'Empire's Fougere Bengale--floral mingled with something spicy, plus something sweet...
Reply
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: Female Fragrance Discussion

Features on Basenotes

Basenotes Reader Awards 2013 - Finalists Announced.
Petals Falling From The Sky - A Report From The Cote d'Azur's Bataille De Fleurs
Greatest Hits: Annick Menardo
Basenotes › Basenotes Forums › Fragrance Discussion › Female Fragrance Discussion › Libertine by V. Westwood - disappointing!