By Kilian Yes I Was Madly In Love But That Was Yesterday
There are fragrances that whisper, and there are those that confess. By Kilian’s Yes I Was Madly In Love But That Was Yesterday — now rendered in the luminous Eau Fraîche concentration — belongs to the latter. It is a scent that arrives with the weight of a memory, a leather-bound diary opened to a page smudged with raspberry juice and tobacco smoke. The name itself is a novel in miniature: a declaration of past passion, a sigh of closure, a door left slightly ajar.
Released in 2018 under the masterful hand of Kilian Hennessy, this fragrance is part of the brand’s Love collection, a series that explores the intoxicating, often painful, arc of romance. The Eau Fraîche variant, while lighter than its Eau de Parfum sibling, retains the core narrative: a love affair that burned bright and left behind only the scent of leather and ash. It is unisex in spirit, though its animalic undertones and smoky leather lean toward the daring.
In this review, I will dissect every facet of this olfactory confession — from the tart raspberry opening to the leathery, almost feral drydown. We will explore its performance, its place in the By Kilian canon, and whether it truly captures the bittersweet essence of a love that was, but is no more.
Accords
Notes Pyramid
Scent Journey
The first spray is a shock of tart, almost candied raspberry — bright, juicy, and slightly synthetic in the way that only the most luxurious fruit accords can be. It is a burst of youthful infatuation, sweet and reckless, with a faint metallic edge that hints at something darker beneath.
Within thirty minutes, the raspberry begins to soften, yielding to the heart of white tobacco. This is not the ashy, heavy tobacco of a cigar lounge; rather, it is a pale, dried leaf accord — slightly sweet, slightly hay-like, with a whisper of honey. The leather begins to emerge as a supporting player, adding a suede-like texture that grounds the sweetness.
After four hours, the fragrance settles into a warm, animalic leather. The raspberry is a ghost, the tobacco has faded to a dusty memory, and the leather is now the star — rich, slightly smoky, with a touch of something almost musky. It is intimate, skin-hugging, and deeply melancholic, like the scent of a leather jacket left behind after a long goodbye.
Performance Dashboard
6-8 hours on skin, with a noticeable presence for the first four hours before settling into a soft, close-wearing base.
Moderate projection for the first two hours, then it softens to a whisper. Ideal for intimate settings.
Moderate — it projects about an arm's length during the heart, then becomes a personal scent bubble in the drydown.
When to Wear
Community Verdict
Gets moderate compliments, especially from those who appreciate niche leather scents. The raspberry opening often draws positive attention, while the drydown is more polarizing.
Pros & Cons
- ✅ Unique raspberry-leather combination that feels both playful and dark
- ✅ Excellent longevity for an Eau Fraîche concentration
- ✅ Beautifully blended white tobacco note that adds complexity
- ✅ Versatile enough for both men and women
- ❌ The raspberry can come across as synthetic to some noses
- ❌ Moderate projection may disappoint those who prefer stronger sillage
- ❌ The animalic leather in the drydown can be challenging for the uninitiated
- ❌ Price point is high for a fragrance with only three listed notes
Price & Value
“For collectors and fans of the house, the price is justified by the artistry and storytelling. For casual buyers, it may feel steep for a fragrance with such a focused, minimalist composition.”
📜 Reformulation History
No significant batch variations reported. The Eau Fraîche concentration is consistent across batches, though some users note slight differences in raspberry intensity depending on storage conditions.
Who It's For
✅ Ideal For
- Those who appreciate leather-forward fragrances with a fruity twist
- Romantics with a taste for the bittersweet
- Fans of Tom Ford's Tuscan Leather seeking a lighter, more floral alternative
- Unisex fragrance lovers who enjoy animalic undertones
⚠️ Not Recommended For
- Those who dislike any hint of animalic or smoky notes
- People who prefer fresh, aquatic, or purely floral scents
- Anyone seeking a loud, room-filling projection
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🧪 Layering Ideas
- Layer with a vanilla-based fragrance like By Kilian's 'Love Don't Be Shy' to soften the leather and add a creamy sweetness.
- Combine with a smoky vetiver scent (e.g., Encre Noire) to amplify the dark, woody undertones.
- For a fresher take, pair with a clean musk or ambrette to lift the raspberry note.
