Lenny Kravitz is the face of the new YSL Beauty fragrance Y L’Elixir

It’s fun and effortless. And then there’s Lenny Kravitz. This has been happening since he stole our hearts along with his first album in 1989, through to the hit single “American Woman” from the 1998 album and beyond. However, the four-time Grammy winner’s smooth vocals paired with gritty guitar melodies aren’t the only things which have kept us in a trance over the years. The confidence, nose ring and lovely curls make us swoon and take notes at the same time.

Having that “it” factor also led him to partner with timeless brands like YSL Beauty in 2020 for his or her Y fragrance. And now, he has teamed up with the French house again to create their perfume full of a lavender heart and essence patchouli And the scent of L’Elixir, which Kravitz described to ESSENCE as “a grounding, sensual, powerful and tempting fragrance.” Besides being excited that this shall be his new signature cologne, “I’ve always been a Saint Laurent fan,” he says. “I just think he was a creative force.”

Below, Kravitz discusses Y L’Elixir, his collaboration with YSL Beauty, and what we will expect from his upcoming album, which shall be released in May.

ESSENCE: What is your favorite part of working with YSL Beauty?

Lenny Kravitz: It’s an iconic house. I actually have all the time been a fan of Saint Laurent basically, fashion and perfumes. My mother wore them once I was a baby, each for the fashion and the scent. And once I got here of age, I came upon about Mr. Saint Laurent. I studied his fashion, his lifestyle, the interiors of his houses, every thing.

What do you want most about the Y L’Elixir fragrance?

It’s a good looking scent. It has every thing I like. It has intensity, but at the same time it is very smooth and daring. It has elements of nature that I like; spiciness, it is very exotic. I like the wood and bourbon in it.

What are you most enthusiastic about the upcoming album?

I’m just excited to release new music; have new music to share, new music to perform and go on tour. It’s all the time an exciting time when new music comes out and I’m really enthusiastic about this album. I feel like I’m riding a wave that is strong and gaining strength.

How does this project differ out of your previous works?

They are all different. I can not compare any album to a different. I do not have the strength to repeat myself, even when I desired to. Once I do something, I can not return. It’s weird. So this record is what it is. But I can say it is a celebration. It’s great fun. It’s sensual, sexual, spiritual and exciting. The production value is interesting to me since it’s an album I didn’t record or release in highschool. It’s very much according to my highschool sensibilities, mixed with what I feel now.

How do you’re taking care of yourself now and while on tour?

I take care of myself whether I travel or not. The idea is to eat well and stay as natural and organic as possible in any respect times. I’m also very disciplined in terms of training. I do that a minimum of 5 or 6 days every week. I saw my grandfather live this manner, he lived to be over 90 years old and all the time looked a minimum of 20 years younger than he was. Now that I do what he did, I see why he was the way he was and that it really works. I mean, genes have something to do with it too, but I believe what matters greater than genes is how you’re taking care of yourself.

You could be 30 and destroyed, or you may be 80 and full of life. We have very stereotypical views about aging, but it surely is different for everybody. We were taught that every thing involves an end at a certain age. And for me, where I’m now – in the best shape mentally, spiritually and physically – I feel that every thing is just starting. Things occur once they occur, and we ought to be open to that and people ideas. Otherwise we limit ourselves.

What helps you stay confident?

I actually have learned that the most significant thing is to follow your individual feelings and your individual direction. I didn’t go the way others wanted me to go or encouraged me to do. And now that I’m here 35 years later and I realize this, the neatest thing I could have done was to be myself as a substitute of attempting to be what others projected onto me.