Finding a fragrance that you really love and never tire of is almost as tricky as finding the perfect pair of jeans. When I’m on the hunt for a new perfume I usually try lots of testers until I narrow it down to a few; Then I go back and keep trying them to make sure I find one that I really love…even if that means waiting for weeks before actually buying it. I’ve got several expensive bottles of perfume on my bedside table that I was obsessed with when I bought them only to become bored with them or find them too overpowering/sickly a couple of months down the line.
I became hooked on YSL’s Manifesto just over a year ago and it’s still my absolute favourite. Having almost finished the bottle I was very excited to discover the new, more intense version of Manifesto on a shopping trip to Selfridges just before Christmas. YSL Manifesto L’Elixir is described as “deeper and more mysterious” than the original. Falling within the floriental/woody fragrance family, it has top notes of bergamot and mandarin with Arabian Sambac jasmine, heliotrope and tuberose absolute at it’s heart. Vanilla bean, cashmere and ambergris make up the base notes.
It’s sweeter and more long-lasting than the original which I have to reapply throughout the day. No need for this with L’Elixir as it easily lasts the day and less is needed…unless you want people to smell you before they see you! I can’t really decide if I prefer this or the original Manifesto. I like the staying power of L’Elixir but the original fragrance was the blend that hooked me. So for now I’ll be sitting on the fence and using both: the original for day and L’Elixir for evening.