In a landmark moment for fragrance innovation, YSL Beauty unveils LIBRE L’Eau Nue—the house’s first alcohol-free scent—offering a sensorial ode to summer that goes beyond perfume. Billed as “summer freedom in a scent, for my skin,” this new iteration of the iconic LIBRE fragrance franchise captures the Mediterranean sun in a formula that feels more like skincare than fragrance.

Developed over two years and more than sixty formulations, LIBRE L’Eau Nue breaks boundaries with an oil-in-water texture that glides luxuriously onto the skin and hair. At the heart of the scent lies an amplified version of LIBRE’s signature orange blossom, sourced from YSL Beauty’s Ourika Community Gardens in Morocco. Brightened with pulpy Calabrian citruses and balanced by lavender from Provence, the composition evokes sun-drenched afternoons and golden skin warmed by the sea breeze.

The masterminds behind the scent—Anne Flipo and Carlos Benaïm, along with YSL’s sustainability and scientific director Caroline Nègre—describe the fragrance as a radical reinvention. Stripping away alcohol meant reimagining the olfactory structure from the ground up, resulting in what they call the “most surprising, caring, and innovative version of LIBRE” yet. “We overdosed the orange blossom and citruses to maintain the radiance and trail of the scent,” explains Benaïm. “And the texture—it’s pure sensorial pleasure,” adds Flipo.

The campaign, directed by Damien Krisl, is a filmic love letter to Mediterranean summers. Shot entirely on 35mm film, it stars Dua Lipa, the face of LIBRE since its debut, embodying the freedom, sensuality, and light of the fragrance. We caught up with the global icon herself to talk scent, beauty, and what freedom means to her.

“So rich. So smooth.” That’s how Dua describes the way LIBRE L’Eau Nue melts into her skin. “I really love the idea of using an oil-in-water formula,” she shares. Asked to sum it up in three words, she doesn’t hesitate: Sultry, radiant, and sun-kissed.

Though she has favourites for different moods, L’Eau Nue has quickly become a staple. “It’s like getting a kiss from the sun, and it lasts all day.” And her favourite summer memory? “Every time I smell it, I’m right back in Greece, where we shot the campaign. That crystal blue water—it always brings me back.” But Dua’s connection to LIBRE goes far deeper than scent. “Freedom has always been important to my artistry and who I am,” she says. “Having a sense of freedom and the ability to make my own decisions, especially as a woman in the industry—that resonates with me.”

Alongside the fragrance launch, YSL Beauty also unveils the newly released Loveshine Plumping Gloss, now available and already earning its place as a beauty essential. Dua is “obsessed”, calling it “juicy, shiny, and full of volume”—and for good reason. Instantly glossy, the formula leaves lips looking fuller and more supple, all with a cushiony, non-sticky feel. It’s powered by a hot, spicy sensation—thanks to stimulating ginger and pepper oils—that delivers an immediate plumping effect.

When it comes to beauty, Dua leans into the natural. “I’ve learned what works for my skin, and I take skincare seriously,” she says. That effortless aesthetic shines in the L’Eau Nue campaign, where her glowing complexion complements the fragrance’s skin-enhancing qualities.Balancing her roles as artist, ambassador and individual, Dua says staying authentic is key. “I always want to live in the most truthful way possible,” she notes. “I’ve set boundaries around things I share. Not everything needs to be out there. That’s how I keep it real.”

What’s next for the superstar? “I’m really excited about 2025,” she says with a grin. “We’re taking the Radical Optimism Tour around the globe. I can’t wait to be dancing in the same room as my fans again.”

And for those eager to experience LIBRE L’Eau Nue for themselves, YSL Beauty is bringing the Mediterranean heat to Kuala Lumpur: the LIBRE L’Eau Nue podium will debut at Mid Valley Megamall starting 12th May—an immersive celebration of summer freedom not to be missed. And if you can’t wait till then, the fragrance is already available for purchase at yslbeauty.com.my.