Is Perfume Parlour Free Citizen a dupe of Yves Saint Laurent L'Homme Libre?

Free Citizen EDP

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L'Homme Libre Eau de Parfum bottle L'Homme Libre EDP
EDP Concentration EDP
M Gender M
2011 Year 2011
££ Price Tier £
Free Citizen Eau de Parfum bottle Free Citizen EDP
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We have not found it at a shop we track that delivers to you

Where they differ

Biggest gaps first. The bolder side leads.

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View Liquid → L'Homme Libre EDP
View Liquid → Free Citizen EDP

Which Should You Buy?

Our Verdict - L'Homme Libre EDP
This YSL flanker was divisive - a love-it-or-hate-it affair, particularly down to its prominent violet leaf and anise notes. Those who adored it praised its distinctive fresh spicy vibrancy, but poor performance meant it never quite hit the mark for the masses. Fans clamored for its return after discontinuation, proving its cult status.
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Our Verdict - Free Citizen EDP
Free Citizen tracks YSL L'Homme Libre, holding onto that fresh-spicy 'blue' masculine spine of bergamot, violet leaf and anise over a patchouli-vetiver base, though the dupe renders it flatter and skin-closer, with the original's herbal-spice lift simplified and longevity cut short.
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Scent Profile

How they compare
L'Homme Libre EDP A Free Citizen EDP B
Where they part company by gap size

How They Wear

Showing: Overall Blend

Mood

Mood Energising
Calming
Character Playful
Serious
Sentiment Uplifting
Brooding
L'Homme Libre EDP
Free Citizen EDP

Notes

Shared Notes
Pink Pepper 59% vs 53%
Vetiver 51% vs 48%
Patchouli 48% vs 51%
Nutmeg 40% vs 46%
Violet Leaf 35% vs 25%
Basil 25% vs 20%
Star Anise 20% vs 21%
Bergamot 17% vs 32%
Shared Notes
Violet Leaf 35% vs 25%
Basil 25% vs 20%
Star Anise 20% vs 21%
Bergamot 17% vs 32%
Shared Notes
Pink Pepper 59% vs 53%
Nutmeg 40% vs 46%
Shared Notes
Vetiver 51% vs 48%
Patchouli 48% vs 51%

Note weights are our estimate from each note's place in the pyramid, not the share of the formula. Brands do not publish formulations.

Performance

L'Homme Libre Free Citizen
Moderate (4-6h)
Longevity
Short (2-4h)
Moderate
Projection
Intimate
Moderate
Intensity
Moderate

Season and Occasion Fit

L'Homme Libre

Seasons

Best For:
Spring Summer
Also Works:
Autumn

A warm-weather pick - at its best in spring and summer.

Occasions

Best For:
Office Casual Sport
Also Works:
Date

Its fresh spicy and ozonic accords, coupled with moderate to sometimes weak performance reported by users, make it ideal for office wear and casual daytime situations where it won't overpower. While some found it appealing for dates, its lack of strong sillage often limited its formal or club appeal.

Free Citizen

Seasons

Best For:
Spring Summer
Also Works:
Autumn

The fresh-spicy citrus-aromatic profile suits spring and summer best, with enough spice to carry into autumn.

Occasions

Best For:
Office Casual
Also Works:
Date Sport

Clean and versatile, it works well for office and casual daytime wear and even light sport.

Similarity Breakdown

Our estimate of how alike these two fragrances smell, calculated from their published notes. It is a position on our scale, not a measured percentage of shared smell.

Overall scent match
93%
Key Similarities

Every one of its 8 notes is in the original, including Nutmeg, Star Anise, Basil

Key Differences

Near-identical note list, differs in proportion

Where to buy

L'Homme Libre EDP
Free Citizen EDP

Pick a size. The two cheapest offers, then the rest.

L'Homme Libre EDP

Check price on →

No shop we track outside your country has it.

Free Citizen EDP

Import charges may apply

These shops deliver to the United States from the United Kingdom. How import charges work

Import charges may apply

These shops deliver to the United States from the United Kingdom. How import charges work

0.4 fl oz (13 ml)
Not available
1.0 fl oz (30 ml)
Not available
1.7 fl oz (50 ml)
Not available
3.4 fl oz (100 ml)
Not available

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