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Manifesto L’Elixir fragrance
Yves Saint Laurent

Manifesto L’Elixir

EDP Feminine · 2013 · by Anne Flipo, Loc Dong
7.2 /10

Manifesto L’Elixir scores 8/10 for longevity and performs best in Cold conditions.

Best in Cold 8/10 longevity
From USD 100–180From EUR 92–166From GBP 79–142From PKR 28,000–50,000From AED 375–650From INR 8,300–14,940From SAR 375–675
8 Longevity
8 Sillage
7 Versatility
7 Value
6.2 Climate Avg

Fragrance Notes

Vanilla Powdery White Floral Sweet
THE SCENT, LAYER BY LAYER

From the first impression to the lasting trail.

Top notes

The first impression

Heart notes

The character of the scent

Base notes

The lasting impression

Notes unfold and overlap differently on every skin.

Top Notes — first impression, 0–30 min

Heart Notes — the core, 30 min – 2 hrs

Base Notes — the foundation, 2 hrs+
Accord ProfileVanillaPowderyWhite FloralSweetACCORDPROFILE

Occasions & Seasons

Best For
Evening Date Night Special Occasion Formal
Seasons
Fall Winter

Climate Performance

Avg 6.2 / 10
Extreme Heat
4/10
Average
45°C and above
Riyadh, Jacobabad, Kuwait City, Phoenix
Hot & Humid
4/10
Average
Around 35°C with high humidity
Dubai, Karachi, Mumbai, Miami
Warm & Dry
6/10
Good
Around 30°C with low humidity
Lahore, Delhi, Muscat, Los Angeles
Mild
8/10
Excellent
Around 20°C
Islamabad, Bangalore, London, San Francisco
Cold
9/10
Excellent
Below 10°C
Murree, Shimla, Moscow, New York

Expert Analysis

What Makes It Unique

An opulent and sensual oriental floral, with a deep vanilla and cashmere wood embrace, for the woman who makes a statement.

How It Wears

The rich vanilla and tuberose can be very heavy in hot and humid climates, best suited for cooler evenings or air-conditioned indoor use.

How It Compares

A more intense and luxurious version of the original Manifesto, with added warmth and depth, perfect for colder weather.

The Controversy

While appreciated by many, the entire Manifesto line struggled to find a distinctive identity in a crowded market of designer florals.

What Is Manifesto L'Elixir?

Yves Saint Laurent Manifesto L'Elixir is one of the most recognisable designer fragrances on the market — an EDP that occupies the rare space where commercial reach and genuine quality intersect. Launched in 2013, it has shaped how mainstream perfumery is understood from Paris counters to Dubai malls. Its Vanilla, Powdery, White Floral, Sweet profile reads effortlessly across cultures, climates, and dress codes.

An opulent and sensual oriental floral, with a deep vanilla and cashmere wood embrace, for the woman who makes a statement.

How Manifesto L'Elixir Smells: Notes & Development

Manifesto L'Elixir opens with Bergamot and Mandarin Orange — an assertive first impression that carries across a room. Once that burns off, usually inside the first half hour, the heart turns to Heliotrope, Jasmine Sambac and Tuberose. Hours in, what remains is the foundation: Vanilla, Cashmere Wood and Ambroxan.

Strip it back to the bones and the profile reads Vanilla, Powdery, White Floral, Sweet — easy to place and easy to wear.

How It Performs: The Numbers

Longevity (8/10): Manifesto L'Elixir delivers strong longevity for EDP. On most skin types expect 8–12 hours. A single morning application typically carries through well into the evening without reinforcement.

Sillage (8/10): Manifesto L'Elixir projects as a confident aura, detectable by those nearby. One or two sprays is all that is needed — over-application will overpower rather than impress.

Versatility (7/10): Manifesto L'Elixir is context-aware, performing well across a range of situations without feeling mismatched. From casual daytime to formal evening, it adapts without feeling out of place.

Value (7/10): Pricing at around $100 feels appropriate for what you get — neither a bargain nor an overreach.

Climate Performance: Where Manifesto L'Elixir Works Best

Of the five climate zones we score, Manifesto L'Elixir does best in cold (Murree, New York) at 9/10 — it keeps its shape there instead of turning sharp or fading fast. The number to watch is hot & humid (Dubai, Miami) at 4/10, where you are better off reaching for something else.

The rich vanilla and tuberose can be very heavy in hot and humid climates, best suited for cooler evenings or air-conditioned indoor use.

That is a structural result rather than a flaw — Bergamot and Mandarin Orange evaporate fast in heat, so what is left on skin by midday is a fraction of what you sprayed.

Its average across all five zones is 6.2/10 — broad enough to wear most of the year without second-guessing the weather.

To see how it ranks against every other fragrance for your conditions, run the Climate Matcher.

Best Occasions & Seasons

Manifesto L'Elixir is best suited to Evening, Date Night, Special Occasion, Formal. The projection ensures presence without deliberate effort — ideal for outdoor gatherings and social occasions where you want to register.

Seasonally, Manifesto L'Elixir performs best in Fall, Winter. The climate data supports this range, though performance at the extremes — deep cold or intense heat — may vary.

A more intense and luxurious version of the original Manifesto, with added warmth and depth, perfect for colder weather.

What Manifesto L'Elixir Costs — and Whether It Is Worth It

Internationally, Manifesto L'Elixir sits at $100–$180. That is mainstream designer territory — an accessible price for a fragrance intended for regular rotation.

Regional pricing: PKR 28,000–50,000 in Pakistan, AED 375–650 in the UAE, ₹8,500–₹15,000 in India. The currency switcher at the top of this page converts every price on the site — EUR, GBP, SAR and more — using current rates.

Where to buy: Internationally: Sephora, Ulta, Macy's. GCC/UAE: Sephora, Faces. Pakistan: Scentsation, The Scent Store, Sephora (online).

Verdict

Manifesto L'Elixir earns its place in the conversation through consistent performance, a clear identity, and data that backs the reputation.

An overall 7.2/10 puts Manifesto L'Elixir in solid-but-situational territory: strong where it is strong, ordinary elsewhere. Match it to the right season and occasion and it pays off.

While appreciated by many, the entire Manifesto line struggled to find a distinctive identity in a crowded market of designer florals.

Still deciding? Put it head-to-head against anything else in the database — scores, notes and prices side by side.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Manifesto L'Elixir last?

Manifesto L'Elixir has a longevity score of 8/10. On average skin, expect 8–12 hours. Performance can vary with skin type, application method, and ambient temperature — heat accelerates diffusion while dry skin absorbs fragrance faster.

Is Manifesto L'Elixir worth the price?

At around $100, Manifesto L'Elixir by Yves Saint Laurent is fairly priced for what it delivers. Its performance scores, climate range, and composition quality make it a strong value proposition.

What does Manifesto L'Elixir smell like?

Manifesto L'Elixir is characterised by Vanilla, Powdery, White Floral, Sweet accords. Opening with Bergamot and Mandarin Orange, the heart revolves around Heliotrope and Jasmine Sambac, settling into a base of Vanilla and Cashmere Wood.

Is Manifesto L'Elixir good for hot or humid weather?

Manifesto L'Elixir was not designed for extreme heat (score: 4/10). In genuinely hot climates, reserve it for cooled indoor environments or evening wear.

Is Manifesto L'Elixir for men or women?

Manifesto L'Elixir is marketed as a Feminine fragrance. The composition, while marketed to women, has qualities that cross traditional boundaries — nuance and restraint rather than sweetness and convention.