The best Estée Lauder perfumes from 1953 to the present

As a fragrance enthusiast, I’ve come to appreciate why Estée Lauder has maintained its leadership in the fragrance industry for over 70 years. The brand’s continuous reinvention and development of fragrances, drawing on its rich heritage and brand experience, as well as its innovative approaches, have been key to their success.

It’s fascinating to learn that Estée Lauder’s journey began with door-to-door sales at beauty salons. Their determination and passion paid off when a significant order from Saks Fifth Avenue led to the opening of their own store just five years later. This entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to quality have remained at the core of the company.

What sets Estée Lauder apart is not only their longevity but also their ability to acquire some of the most beloved beauty brands worldwide. From MAC to Jo Malone, Tom Ford to Origins, and Clinique, their diverse portfolio showcases their expertise in delivering exceptional fragrances that cater to a wide range of preferences.

With such a vast selection of over 100 Estée Lauder fragrances available, it’s natural to feel overwhelmed. That’s why we’ve carefully curated a list of our top 8 Estée Lauder perfumes that strike the perfect balance between refined elegance and a modern, edgy vibe. These fragrances embody the essence of Estée Lauder’s commitment to excellence and are sure to captivate any fragrance lover.

Estée Lauder Beautiful Eau de Parfum

Beautiful Eau de Parfum, launched in 1985, is a romantic, subtly floral fragrance by Sophia Grojsman, Bernard Chant, and Max Gavarry. It embodies the essence of romance and femininity, offering an array of products, including Eau de Toilette, bath and body line, and limited editions.

The top notes blend spicy citrus with powdery rose, lily, and tuberose, creating a captivating fusion of fruity and floral elements. The heart notes reveal an intense floral composition of orange blossom, lily of the valley, jasmine, and ylang-ylang. The fragrance settles into a blissful base of sandalwood, vetiver, and amber, forming a lush aromatic bouquet.

Beautiful Eau de Parfum is perfect for daytime wear, especially during the spring season, thanks to its floral focus. It boasts long-lasting performance and a strong sillage, ensuring your scent leaves a memorable impression.

The bottle exudes elegance and simplicity with its gold-colored cap and tall, luxurious glass design.

Estée Lauder Modern Muse Eau de Parfum

Modern Muse Eau de Parfum is inspired by women’s confidence, targeting an independent woman who is self-assured in her style. The opening note of mandarin shines, blending with heart notes of lily, tuberose, and jasmine. Base notes dry down to an earthy, warming spice with creamy hints of patchouli and vanilla.

With moderate sillage and long-lasting performance, it’s an excellent all-rounder for daily wear. The bottle combines modern and Art Deco elements, elegant with pink glass and a black-gold sprayer, representing a true “modern muse.”

Estée Lauder White Linen Eau de Parfum

White Linen Eau de Parfum is a floral aldehyde fragrance inspired by the purity of white linen. Created by Sophia Grojsman in 1978, it harmoniously blends aldehydes, flowers, woods, amber, and musk.

With top notes of Bulgarian rose, jasmine, and lily of the valley, it exudes a cool and powdery elegance. The heart reveals a sweet combination of violet and iris, transitioning into an earthy base of vetiver, moss, and amber.

This long-lasting fragrance has moderate sillage, making it ideal for daily wear, particularly in the spring and summer seasons when the linen-inspired scent is most appreciated.

While the bottle has been updated, it still maintains the original style. A matte gold cap and a clean, simple design featuring a subtle logo embody the unmistakable Estée Lauder aesthetic.

Estée Lauder Spellbound Eau de Parfum

Spellbound Eau de Parfum is an oriental fragrance by Sophia Grojsman for Estée Lauder in 1991. It’s a passionate, creamy, and slightly spicy scent with floral notes, inspired by the intense magic of falling in love.

The opening of rose, lily of the valley, and apricot is bright and fresh. The heart reveals orange blossom, clove, and cardamom. Sandalwood, vanilla, and amber in the base add a subtle creaminess, blended with earthy amber and warm woods.

Spellbound is long-lasting with heavy sillage, perfect for indulging in a luxurious experience. It’s ideal for evenings and better suited for fall and winter.

The bottle has undergone redesigns, now featuring clean lines, golden accents, and understated branding.

Estée Lauder Sensuous Eau de Parfum

Sensuous Eau de Parfum enhances the beauty and sensuality of women with its oriental woody amber fragrance. Created in collaboration with perfumer Annie Buzantian, it deviates from Estée Lauder’s floral scents.

Sparkling jasmine and magnolia open the fragrance, complemented by exotic lily and ylang-ylang. A warm heart of amber emerges, transitioning to a spicy, woody base of black pepper, sandalwood, honey, and mandarin juice.

Versatile for day and night, Sensuous shines during autumn with its spicy undertones. The bottle features sleek lines, rose gold accents, and a distinct round shape, capturing a modern, glamorous, and timeless elegance.

Estée Lauder Bronze Goddess Eau de Parfum

Estée Lauder’s Bronze Goddess Eau de Parfum, introduced in 2019, captures the essence of an endless summer with its warm, sensual, and sun-kissed blend.

Coconut and bergamot create refreshing top notes, evoking the scents of summer. The delicate tiare flower adds a sweet floral touch. The base notes of sandalwood, amber, and vanilla infuse the composition with additional sweetness and summer nuances.

With moderate longevity and an average sillage, it is perfect for daytime wear, particularly during the vibrant summer months.

The glamorous bottle, inspired by ancient civilizations, features an elegant golden cap and blue accents, in a small square shape that enhances its beauty when displayed.

Estée Lauder Youth Dew Eau de Parfum

The original fragrance that marked Estée Lauder’s journey in 1953! Youth Dew Eau de Parfum is an oriental spicy scent initially launched as a bath oil and perfume combination. Created by Josephine Catapano, it remains a timeless classic and immensely popular today.

With top notes of rose, narcissus, and lavender, it blends gracefully with a seductive heart of jasmine, lily of the valley, and spices. The drydown reveals earthy notes of moss, vetiver, and patchouli, creating a refined and slightly peppery aroma.

Youth Dew is perfect for evening wear during winter and autumn, boasting exceptional longevity and a bold sillage.

Estée Lauder Pleasures Intense Eau de Parfum

Pleasures Intense Eau de Parfum is a floral fragrance that embodies sensuality and celebrates femininity. Introduced in 2002, it remains highly popular today.

The opening notes of fresh green lily and peony are enriched by the subtle woody touch of cassis. These notes transition into a powdery heart of Moroccan rose, pink lily, and exotic jasmine. The drydown reveals a comforting blend of maplewood, benzoin, and vanilla.

Ideal for daytime wear, especially in spring, Pleasures Intense offers moderate sillage and long-lasting performance. Its charming bottle, with its pink and purple design, silver accents, and elegant cursive lettering, captures the essence of femininity while standing out among other Estée Lauder perfumes.

What should you know about Estée Lauder?

Estée Lauder, born as Josephine Esther Mentzer in 1908 in Queens, New York, was an American entrepreneur and the founder of the world-famous cosmetics and fragrance brand Estée Lauder. The company started as a small business in the 1940s and grew into a global corporation with a significant influence in the perfume industry.

Estée Lauder’s first perfume was launched in 1953 under the name “Youth Dew.” Originally intended as a bath oil, Estée believed it would also be perfect as a fragrance. This was a new approach at the time, as bath oil was primarily used for skincare. The perfume was such a success that it was released as a standalone fragrance and remains one of Estée Lauder’s best-selling scents.

Following the success of Youth Dew, Estée Lauder introduced a range of new fragrances, including “Pleasures” in 1995, “Beautiful” in 1985, and “White Linen” in 1978. The company continues to create new fragrances and has released over 100 scents to date.

In addition to introducing new fragrances, Estée Lauder also played a role in changing the way perfumes were presented. Instead of using traditional bottles, the company developed new and innovative ways to showcase the fragrances, such as sprays and other dispensers.

In 1964, Estée Lauder introduced the perfume “Arrogance,” which came in a spray bottle designed to look like a handbag. This was a significant departure from traditional glass bottles and became a big success. Later in the 1990s, the company also became known for introducing “Solid Perfume Compacts,” which were small, portable containers of solid perfume that resembled jewelry and were highly popular among collectors.

Estée Lauder’s fragrances remain popular and are sold worldwide. The company has transformed the perfume industry through the introduction of new perfume techniques and innovative ways of presenting the fragrances. It is evident that the story of Estée Lauder and their perfumes is far from over, and we can look forward to new and exciting creations.