Devouring Freedom. 

Raspberry is not the first note you expect from LIBRE. The fragrance has, until now, been defined by its tension. Lavender drawn with a clean, almost tailored line. Orange blossom bringing warmth and softness. It was a study in contrast, and it quickly became one of YSL Beauty’s modern signatures.

With LIBRE Berry Crush, that familiar outline remains, but the mood shifts. The structure is still there, recognisable from the first spray, yet the introduction of a vivid raspberry accord gives the composition a new energy. It feels brighter. A little more playful. Less about sharp edges, maybe more about appetite.

Master perfumers Anne Flipo and Carlos Benaïm describe their starting point as a desire to rework LIBRE with a touch of attitude. They focused on the sensation of crushing a ripe raspberry in the mouth, that fleeting moment where tartness gives way to sweetness. The aim, they explain, was to create a statement scent that expresses femininity in an open, self-assured way.

Benaïm has spoken about his fondness for French raspberries in particular, calling them the most delicious fruit and noting how their colour radiates a fresh, youthful joy. He likens the shade to something almost painterly in its vibrancy. Flipo adds that while several fruity notes were explored, raspberry quickly emerged as the clear choice. To her, it carries both brightness and a certain understated sensuality.

Because the fruit does not yield a natural essence, the raspberry had to be reconstructed with precision. Working alongside flavour experts, Flipo and Benaïm built a note that feels textured and realistic rather than sugary or abstract. It cuts cleanly through the aromatic coolness of French lavender and folds into the glow of the Moroccan orange blossom. As the fragrance settles, a creamy coconut accord smooths the composition, before a rich Bourbon vanilla from Madagascar brings depth and a gentle gourmand warmth.

Expect it to be sweeter than the original LIBRE, but not unstructured. The lavender continues to be the anchor of the fragrance, ensuring it retains its signature character. 

Visually, the house has resisted the urge to overhaul what already works. The sharp, architectural bottle remains intact, complete with its oversized gold Cassandre logo wrapped across the glass. For Berry Crush, the liquid inside is tinted a saturated berry red—something we’ve truly never seen from the LIBRE collection. 

The campaign, once again fronted by Dua Lipa, mirrors that tonal shift. Directed by Diana Kunst, the film leans into colour and texture rather than narrative. Kunst has described it as a response to the fruit and its sugary facets, playful and seductive without becoming overt. Against a sun-scorched desert backdrop, flashes of red and close-up details evoke the juicy character of the scent. Dua’s rendition of Aretha Franklin’s Think underscores the message, reinforcing the idea of freedom expressed on one’s own terms.

If the classic LIBRE is about contrast and control, this new edition feels a little more spontaneous. A reminder that freedom can be crisp and composed, but it can also be savoured. To learn more and to shop the newest LIBRE Berry Crush, click here!