Short answer: Meditate is D&E Fragrances' Extrait de Parfum take on YSL Muse from Le Vestiaire des Parfums. It costs from £14.99 for a 5ml sample up to £44.95 for 50ml, compared with £220 for 75ml of the original at Harrods. Shop Meditate →
- Smells like: calm lavender and incense over an inky, creamy vanilla and amber-wood base.
- Best for: anyone who wants a smooth, modern, unisex-leaning scent without the luxury price.
- Honest note: inspired by, not an exact clone.
Muse is part of Yves Saint Laurent's Le Vestiaire des Parfums, the house's more exclusive, fashion-led fragrance collection. It is an eau de parfum that mixes lavender and incense with a dark ink accord and a soft vanilla base, and it has won plenty of fans for being unusual yet easy to wear. The catch is the price: Harrods lists the 75ml at £220, which is a lot for a scent you might not be sure about. That is why a YSL Muse dupe in the UK is such a popular search.
What does YSL Muse actually smell like?
- Top: Incense, Lavender, Clary Sage
- Heart: Ink Accord, Ambrette
- Base: Bourbon Vanilla, Iris, Ambery Woods
Muse opens with a herbal, slightly smoky lavender and clary sage, wrapped in incense. The heart turns darker and more unusual with an ink accord and musky ambrette, before settling into a creamy bourbon vanilla and powdery iris on a warm, ambery wood base. It feels cosy and a little mysterious rather than sweet.
Why people look for a Muse dupe
Mostly it comes down to cost and confidence. At £220 for 75ml, buying blind is a risk, and ink-and-lavender scents are not for everyone. Being able to try a 5ml sample for £14.99 means you can wear it on a few different days, in different weather, before deciding. It also makes a lovely low-cost addition to a wardrobe of autumn and winter scents.
YSL Muse vs Meditate at a glance
| YSL Muse | D&E Meditate | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £220 for 75ml (Harrods) | £14.99 (5ml) to £44.95 (50ml) |
| Concentration | Eau de Parfum | Extrait de Parfum |
| Style | Lavender, incense, ink, vanilla, amber woods | Lavender, incense, orris, vanilla, amber woods |
| Sizes | 35ml, 75ml, 125ml | 5ml, 12ml roller, 15ml, 30ml, 50ml |
Introducing Meditate - Insp by YSL Muse
Meditate is our own composition inspired by the lavender, incense and creamy vanilla character of YSL Muse. It is made as an Extrait de Parfum, meaning a higher concentration of fragrance oil than a typical eau de parfum, which often gives a richer, longer-lasting feel on skin. Choose a 5ml sample at £14.99, a 12ml roller or 15ml at £19.99, a 30ml at £34.99, or the 50ml at £44.95. Try Meditate from £14.99 →
Being upfront about the comparison
Meditate is inspired by YSL Muse; it is not an exact clone or a replica. The overall mood of lavender, incense and vanilla is shared, but different ingredients mean the details will differ, especially the inky character and the exact balance of the base. We would rather you know that before you buy than be surprised afterwards, which is why we offer samples.
Longevity and projection
Performance varies with skin type, weather and how you apply it. Extrait concentrations typically last well, and many people get several hours of wear, with a moderate presence early on that settles closer to the skin. Applying to moisturised skin and pulse points helps a scent hold on longer.
The verdict
If YSL Muse appeals but £220 does not, Meditate is an easy, low-risk way to explore the style. Start with the 5ml, give it a few wears, then scale up if you love it. If you enjoy YSL's other woody-vanilla scents, you might also like our YSL Libre Santal Couture dupe guide. Shop Meditate →
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YSL, Yves Saint Laurent and Muse are trademarks of their respective owners. D&E Fragrances is not affiliated with or endorsed by them. Meditate is D&E's own original composition, inspired by the fragrance family.