Cinnabar

The Story

Launched in 1978, Estée Lauder Cinnabar is a legendary spicy oriental, the brand’s lavish answer to the great rich orientals of its era. Named for the deep red pigment, it is warm, opulent, and unmistakably vintage in the best way. Estée Lauder has since discontinued it, making original bottles increasingly collectible. Our interpretation keeps this classic available.

How It Smells

This is glowing, spicy opulence. It opens warm and fiery, with a rich blend of clove, cinnamon, and spicy carnation over a touch of peach and orange blossom, immediately full and exotic. The heart deepens into a smoky, balsamic warmth, plush and resinous. The base is where it truly glows: a rich amber, benzoin, vanilla, patchouli, and sandalwood, with a whisper of oakmoss, lending a deep, lasting, incense-like sweetness. Bold, warm, and luxurious, it is a true vintage oriental powerhouse.

The Notes

Top: clove, cinnamon, carnation, peach. Heart: orange blossom, spices. Base: amber, benzoin, vanilla, patchouli, sandalwood.

How Our Version Compares

Our interpretation rebuilds Cinnabar at 40 percent perfume oil, a far higher concentration than the lighter eau de toilette and eau de parfum sprays most people know, where the actual oil content is often only a small fraction of that. Made in the EU to careful standards, it is formulated to track the character you remember while giving you stronger projection and noticeably longer wear on skin. Because the oil load is so high, a little goes a long way: one or two dabs at the pulse points is usually enough for the day, and the scent unfolds slowly through its top, heart, and base over many hours rather than burning off within the first one. An oil based fragrance also sits closer to the skin and reacts to your own warmth and chemistry, so the way it develops on you will be subtly your own rather than identical to anyone else. If you want to stretch the wear even further, apply it to freshly moisturised skin, which holds the oils far better than dry skin and slows down evaporation. Storing it away from heat and direct light will also keep the blend smelling true for longer. This is an independent interpretation inspired by the original accord, blended in our own workshop, and it is not the branded fragrance itself.

Common Questions

Is the original discontinued? Yes. Cinnabar is no longer in production, so authentic bottles are increasingly scarce. Our version is made fresh and stays available.

Is this the original fragrance? No. It is an independent interpretation of the accord, rebuilt at 40 percent perfume oil.

Is it a strong perfume? Yes. Cinnabar is a rich, opulent spicy oriental, and our high oil version projects with real warmth, so apply sparingly.

When should I wear it? Its spicy, ambery richness is made for autumn and winter and for evenings.

Comparative Advertising Disclaimer

Estee Lauder and Cinnabar are trademarks of their respective owners, and all rights remain with them. Parfumour is not affiliated with, endorsed by, sponsored by, or connected to Estee Lauder in any way, and no business relationship of any kind is implied. Our product is an original interpretation created to evoke a similar scent profile, and the trademark names are used purely for honest, descriptive comparison, so that you can quickly identify the style and fragrance family you are looking for. We make no claim to sell the original product, and we do not use the same ingredients or formula. Any similarity lies in the overall impression of the scent as interpreted by our own perfumers, not in the source materials.