If you’ve spent any time in the niche perfume world, you’ve probably seen that skinny, minimalist bottle from État Libre d’Orange. The label says You Or Someone Like You fragrance. It’s a bit of a mouthful. Most people just call it "the mint one." But calling it a mint perfume is like calling a Porsche just a car with wheels. It misses the whole point of what Chandler Burr and Caroline Sabas were trying to do when they cooked this up back in 2017.
I remember the first time I smelled it. If you found value in this article, you should check out: this related article.
I expected toothpaste. Honestly, most mint scents end up smelling like a stick of Wrigley’s Doublemint or a mojito that’s been sitting in the sun too long. This isn't that. It’s cold. It’s incredibly green. It feels like stepping out of a high-end spa in the Hollywood Hills at 7:00 AM when the air is still crisp and the dew hasn't evaporated off the ivy yet. It’s weirdly specific, which is exactly why it has such a cult following.
The Story Behind the Scent
Most perfumes are built around a list of notes. You know the drill: top notes of bergamot, heart of jasmine, base of sandalwood. Boring. État Libre d’Orange (ELDO) usually plays by those rules, but for You Or Someone Like You fragrance, they did something different. They based it on a novel. For another perspective on this development, refer to the latest coverage from ELLE.
Chandler Burr, who is basically the Roger Ebert of the perfume world, wrote a book called You Or Someone Like You. The main character, Anne Rosenbaum, lives in Los Angeles. The perfume is supposed to be what she would wear. Or, more accurately, it’s supposed to represent her vibe.
Because of this, the brand refuses to list the official notes.
Seriously. If you go to their website, they’ll tell you it doesn't matter what's in it. They want you to experience the "raw materials" as a feeling rather than a recipe. It’s a bold move. It’s also a bit pretentious, but hey, that’s French perfumery for you.
Despite the mystery, anyone with a nose can tell you what’s happening. There is a massive hit of mint—freshly crushed, garden-style mint. Not the candy kind. Then there’s grapefruit for a bit of sour sparkle, some cassis (blackcurrant bud) that gives it a slight "catty" or sharp green edge, and a very clean, white musk in the dry down. Some people swear they smell rose. I get a little bit of a watery floral vibe, but it’s mostly just... green. So green it’s almost vibrating.
Why Does Everyone Obsess Over the Mint?
Mint is a dangerous ingredient in perfumery.
Use too much, and you smell like a dentist’s office. Use too little, and it disappears. You Or Someone Like You fragrance manages to keep the mint alive for hours. That’s a technical feat. Most citrus and herb notes fly off the skin in twenty minutes. This lingers.
It stays fresh.
That’s the magic trick. Usually, perfumes get "warmer" as the day goes on because the base notes are things like vanilla or amber. This one stays refrigerated. If you live in a place like Phoenix or Miami where the humidity makes you want to peel your skin off, this perfume is a survival tool. It’s like carrying a personal air conditioner in your pocket.
I've talked to people who hate mint in perfume, and they still like this. Why? Because it’s botanical. It smells like a garden hose. It smells like snapping a stem in a greenhouse. It feels alive.
The Los Angeles Connection
The perfume is an "LA scent." But it’s not the LA of Hollywood stars and red carpets. It’s the LA of the canyons. It’s the smell of vegetation fighting against the concrete.
There is a specific sharpness to it.
Some critics, like those on Basenotes or Fragrantica, have pointed out that it has a "synthetic" edge. They aren't wrong. But in this case, the synthetic feel is intentional. It’s supposed to feel modern and polished. Like a glass house with a perfect lawn. It’s not "boho" or "earthy." It’s crisp.
If you're looking for a natural, essential-oil-style fragrance, stay away. This is high-concept chemistry. It’s built to be wearable, but it’s definitely "perfume-y" in its execution.
Longevity and Projection: What to Expect
Let’s talk brass tacks. You’re spending over $100 on a bottle of scented water. Does it last?
- Longevity: Surprisingly good for a freshie. You’ll get a solid 6 to 7 hours. On clothes? It’ll be there tomorrow.
- Sillage: It’s not a "room filler." People will smell you when they walk past, but you won't choke out an elevator. It’s polite.
- Versatility: This is a daytime king. Office safe? Absolutely. Date night? Maybe if you're going for a picnic. It’s not "sexy" in the traditional sense. It’s "clean and intelligent."
The "Someone Like You" Misconception
People often ask if this is a feminine or masculine scent.
Labels are stupid.
Fragrance doesn't have a gender. However, if you care about those things, You Or Someone Like You fragrance sits perfectly in the middle. It doesn't have the heavy woods of a "men's" cologne or the sugary florals of a "women's" perfume. It just smells like a person who has their life together.
It’s an easy reach. You don't have to think about it. You just spray it and you smell better.
How to Wear It Without Ruining It
Don't over-spray this one.
Because of the mint and the cassis, if you go too heavy (more than 4 or 5 sprays), that "sharp" greenness can turn a bit shrill. It can get metallic.
The sweet spot is two sprays on the neck and one on the wrist. Let the air hit it. It needs oxygen to bloom. If you wear it under a heavy sweater, you’re wasting it. This perfume needs to breathe. It’s a "wind" scent.
I’ve found it actually performs better on skin than on fabric. The heat of your body helps burn off the initial "toothpaste" blast and gets you to the heart of the herbs much faster.
Where to Buy and Avoid Fakes
Since ELDO has become more popular, fakes are popping up on eBay and shady discount sites.
Look at the cap. The real one is heavy. It has a specific weight to it. The atomizers on État Libre d’Orange bottles are also excellent; they produce a very fine, long mist. If it’s squirty or leaky, it’s probably a dud.
Buy from authorized retailers like LuckyScent, Bloom Perfumery, or the official ELDO site. It’s worth the extra twenty bucks to know you aren't spraying scented floor cleaner on your neck.
Actionable Steps for Your Fragrance Journey
If you’re intrigued by the You Or Someone Like You fragrance, don't blind buy a full bottle yet. It’s too polarizing for that.
- Order a 2ml sample first. Sites like ScentSplit or MicroPerfumes carry it. Wear it for three days straight. See how it reacts to your sweat and the climate you live in.
- Compare it to its "rivals." If you like this, check out Menthe Fraiche by Heeley or Herba Fresca by Guerlain. The Heeley is more realistic mint; the Guerlain is more like a tea. You Or Someone Like You is the most "perfume-like" of the three.
- Check the weather. Don't test this on a rainy, cold day in November. It’ll feel thin and sharp. Wait for a day when the sun is out and you’re feeling a bit overheated. That’s when the "cooling" effect really shines.
- Layering hack. If you find it too green, try layering it over a simple molecule scent like Molecule 01. The ISO E Super adds a woody warmth that grounds the mint and makes it feel a bit more "expensive."
The real takeaway is that this fragrance isn't trying to please everyone. It’s trying to capture a very specific moment in a very specific city. It’s cold, it’s green, and it’s unapologetically fresh. If you’re tired of smelling like vanilla, oud, or blue shower gel, this is the exit ramp you’ve been looking for.
