First Impressions
The first spray of Yves Saint Laurent's In Love Again is like diving headfirst into a martini glass filled with summer berries. There's an immediate rush of grapefruit and black currant, but something else lurks beneath—a sharp, almost medicinal quality that the fragrance notes reveal as vodka. Yes, vodka. This 1998 release doesn't whisper its intentions; it announces them with the confidence of a late-'90s fragrance unafraid to break conventions. The cassia adds a subtle warmth that prevents the opening from veering into candy territory, while blueberry and apple round out what can only be described as a liquid fruit salad spiked with something decidedly grown-up.
The Scent Profile
The opening act of In Love Again is dominated by that grapefruit—it appears in both the top and heart notes, creating a through-line of citrus that anchors the composition even as it shape-shifts around you. Black currant and blueberry bring a tart sweetness, while the apple adds a crisp, almost watery quality. But it's that vodka note that makes you do a double-take. It lends a clean, almost astringent quality to the fruit cocktail, preventing what could have been a cloying mess from becoming something strangely refreshing.
As the fragrance settles, rose and water lily emerge to add a delicate floral dimension. The rose isn't the heady, romantic kind—it's fresh-cut and dewy, playing supporting role to the grapefruit that persists into the heart. Water lily contributes an aquatic greenness, explaining why the green accord registers at a substantial 60% in this fragrance's DNA. This is where In Love Again reveals its sophistication; the florals don't fight the fruit, they frame it.
Then comes the base, and this is where things get truly unusual. Tomato. Not as a garnish, but as an actual base note alongside blackberry, musk, and sandalwood. The tomato vine accord adds an earthy, almost savory greenness that's utterly unexpected in a fruity fragrance. It's the kind of daring choice that could only have emerged from the experimental late '90s, when perfumers were pushing boundaries and consumers were ready to follow them anywhere. The blackberry extends the berry theme from top to bottom, while musk and sandalwood provide just enough warmth to ground the composition without weighing it down.
Character & Occasion
In Love Again is a daylight fragrance through and through—the data shows 100% day preference versus a mere 14% for evening wear, and one wear will tell you why. This is sunshine in a bottle, built for summer (85%) and spring (80%) when you want something that feels as effortless as a sundress. The 21% fall rating suggests it might transition into early autumn, but winter? At 10%, this fragrance essentially hibernates during cold weather.
This is the scent for weekend brunches, farmers market visits, garden parties where rosé flows freely. It's for the woman who isn't afraid of playfulness, who can wear a fragrance with tomato in the base notes and make it seem like the most natural choice in the world. The aromatic (65%) and fresh spicy (35%) accords give it enough sophistication to feel grown-up, but that fruity dominance (100%) means this will never be mistaken for a boardroom scent.
Community Verdict
With a rating of 4.25 out of 5 stars from 1,751 voters, In Love Again has achieved something remarkable: a quarter-century after its release, it maintains a passionate following. That's not just nostalgia talking—though surely some voters remember this from their youth. It's a testament to a fragrance that dared to be different and somehow stayed relevant even as fruity florals fell in and out of fashion.
The rating suggests this is more than a curiosity; it's a genuinely beloved scent that delivers on its unusual promise. Nearly 1,800 people have weighed in, and the overwhelming majority found something worth celebrating.
How It Compares
In Love Again shares DNA with some interesting companions. The comparison to Hermès Un Jardin Sur Le Nil makes sense given the green, vegetal quality both fragrances share. Light Blue by Dolce & Gabbana represents the fruity-fresh category that In Love Again helped pioneer, though YSL's entry is considerably more daring. The Miracle by Lancôme connection likely stems from the fresh spicy elements and similar daytime appeal.
The Poison and Narciso Rodriguez For Her comparisons are more puzzling at first glance—these are much deeper, more complex fragrances. But they share In Love Again's willingness to be distinctive, to choose character over mass appeal. Where In Love Again stands apart is in its sheer exuberance, its unabashed fruitiness tempered by that remarkable savory base.
The Bottom Line
In Love Again is a time capsule from an era when mainstream fragrances took genuine risks. It's not for everyone—if you prefer your scents woody, ambery, or traditionally sophisticated, look elsewhere. But for those who want a fragrance that captures the feeling of summer abundance with an artist's eye for unexpected combinations, this 4.25-rated gem deserves your attention.
The tomato note alone makes this worth sampling, if only to experience how a skilled perfumer can take something that sounds absurd on paper and make it sing. Is it still relevant in 2024? That strong rating says yes, though finding it might require some hunting as YSL has moved on to other creations.
Try this if you love fruity fragrances but crave something with more backbone, or if you're curious about late-'90s perfumery at its most adventurous. In Love Again earned its passionate following honestly—with boldness, joy, and a vodka-spiked wink.
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