Estee

Estee, inspired by Estée Lauder Estée (1968)

Aldehydes set the tone: a bright, effervescent lift that makes the flowers underneath seem to sparkle. Coriander and lemon keep that start crisp, while raspberry and peach add a quiet fruit tone without turning it sweet. The heart is a dense bouquet of jasmine, rose, carnation and lily-of-the-valley, with honey giving it body and orris a faint powdery feel. As it dries, oakmoss and sandalwood take over and leave a mossy, clean trail.

About the original

Estée launched in 1968 as Estée Lauder's second fragrance, and fragrance references credit it to Bernard Chant and Betty Busse. It is usually described as an aldehydic floral, though some references file it as a floral chypre because of the moss in its base. Like many fragrances of its generation it was reformulated after EU restrictions on oakmoss, and current bottles are generally considered lighter than vintage ones. It remains in production: Estée Lauder sells it in The House of Estée Lauder heritage collection as Estée Super Cologne Spray, which the brand says is the same formula as the former Eau de Parfum under a new name.

Our version

Ours is an independent eau de parfum made to evoke the same character. It is not Estée Lauder stock, not an official relaunch and not the original formula.

Who it suits

Its style belongs to the grand department-store florals of the late 1960s, and wearers who grew up around them will place it at once. It feels dressed and formal rather than casual. The soapy, aldehydic opening is the part that divides people, and wearers used to modern fruity florals may find it old-fashioned.

Notes of the original fragrance, as listed in fragrance references.

Top notes: Aldehydes, Coriander, Lily, Ylang-ylang, Tuberose, Lemon, Raspberry, Peach

Heart notes: Honey, Carnation, Lily-of-the-valley, Iris, Orris Root, Jasmine, Rose

Base notes: Oakmoss, Sandalwood, Styrax, Cedar

Aldehydes and lemon open it with a fizzy, clean lift, joined by coriander, lily, tuberose and ylang-ylang. Raspberry and peach sit beneath, adding roundness rather than obvious fruit.

Jasmine and rose take over the heart, thickened by honey and carnation. Lily-of-the-valley and orris keep it airy and faintly powdery.

Oakmoss, sandalwood, styrax and cedar make up the base, which dries down mossy and gently resinous on skin.

Is Estée Lauder Estée discontinued?

No. Estée Lauder still sells it as Estée Super Cologne Spray, which the brand describes as the same formula as the Estée Eau de Parfum with a new name.

Will it smell like a vintage bottle of Estée?

We cannot promise a match to any particular bottling. Current official bottles are generally considered lighter than vintage ones after oakmoss restrictions, so vintage and current Estée already differ from each other.

What do aldehydes smell like?

Aldehydes are aroma materials with a bright, soapy, slightly waxy character. In Estée they create the sparkling, champagne-like effect at the start.

Inside the EU, delivery is free on orders of €49 or more. Below that it is a flat €4.99. Outside the EU, delivery is a flat €4.99 on every order. We send every order in 1 to 2 working days. It arrives in 3 to 7 days across the EU and in 7 to 14 days outside the EU. You have 14 days to return an unopened bottle.

Estée Lauder and Estée are trademarks of their respective owners, and all rights remain with them. Parfumour is not affiliated with, endorsed by, sponsored by, or connected to Estée 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.