
Cinnabar is a perfume by Estée Lauder that was first launched in 1978. It is described as having a spicy scent, with notes of cinnamon, clove, and floral hints of rose, lily, and carnation. The perfume was re-released in 2015 after being reformulated, and some reviewers have noted differences between the newer version and the original scent. Despite this, Cinnabar remains a popular fragrance known for its longevity and unique scent. Given the continued presence of Cinnabar in the fragrance market, it can be assumed that Estée Lauder still produces this perfume.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year of Launch | 1978 |
| Perfumer | Estee Lauder |
| Perfumer's Description | "Warm, mysterious, endlessly appealing spicy scent" |
| Fragrance Notes | Bergamot, Amber, Benzoin, Labdanum, Vanilla, Cinnamon, Clove, Lily, Rose, Carnation, Tolu Balsam, Vetiver |
| Fragrance Family | Oriental |
| Fragrance Type | Unisex |
| Year of Reformulation | 2015 |
| Price | $52 |
Explore related products
$45
What You'll Learn

Cinnabar's scent and inspiration
Cinnabar by Estée Lauder is a fragrance for women that was launched in 1978. It is described as an oriental spicy scent with top notes of spices, cloves, and tangerine. The perfume is said to have a "vintage drama" that makes the wearer feel like they're "wearing something with shoulder pads and secrets".
The inspiration for Cinnabar came from another popular Estée Lauder fragrance, Youth Dew, which was deeper, smoother, and more timeless. Cinnabar is said to be a lighter, more modern, and sharper version of Youth Dew. It has been described as having a softer", "weaker", and more "floral-forward" scent than the original Youth Dew.
The perfume was created by Bernard Chant and Josephine Catapano. It has been described as a seductive and boudoiristic scent, with a strong and successful female vibe. It is said to be less sexy than Opium and less refined than Coco, but more comforting.
Cinnabar was quietly reformulated and rereleased in 2015. The new version has been described as "a ghost of the original", with a weaker scent and a different bottle design. Despite this, the 2015 version still retains the signature spiciness of Cinnabar, with notes of jasmine, orange flower, clove, and patchouli.
Sourcing Perfume Bottles: A Guide for South Africans
You may want to see also
Explore related products

The evolution of Cinnabar's fragrance
Cinnabar, a fragrance by Estée Lauder, was launched in 1978. It was created by Bernard Chant and Josephine Catapano, two legendary perfumers of the 1960s and 1970s. The fragrance was a spicy, clove-heavy answer to YSL's Opium.
The original Cinnabar was described as having top notes of spices, cloves, tangerine, peach, orange blossom, and bergamot. The middle notes were cinnamon, carnation, ylang-ylang, jasmine, lily, rose, and lily-of-the-valley. The base notes were incense, tolu balsam, amber, benzoin, sandalwood, patchouli, vanilla, and vetiver. The fragrance was long-lasting and had strong sillage.
However, the fragrance did not sell well and quietly moved into the background in the 1990s when Lauder shifted focus to sugary florals. In 2015, Lauder reformulated and rereleased Cinnabar. The new version has been described as having top notes of tangerine, jasmine, and orange blossom, middle notes of cloves, lily, and lily-of-the-valley, and base notes of olibanum, sandalwood, and patchouli.
The reformulated Cinnabar has received mixed reviews. Some people feel that it is not as good as the original, with one reviewer calling it "a ghost of the original." Others have said that it is more wearable and better blended. The new version is also said to be sharper and have a subtle green quality to it.
Despite the changes, Cinnabar remains a beloved fragrance for many, evoking feelings of nostalgia and a sense of teenage delight.
Giorgio-like Scents: Discover the Similar Perfumes
You may want to see also
Explore related products

Cinnabar's bottle design
Cinnabar by Estee Lauder is a fragrance for women that was launched in 1978. The perfume bottle has undergone a change over the years. The new bottle is considered to be more beautiful and elegant than the old one. It is described as having an elegant shape and design, with lovely thick glass and soft rounded edges.
The old bottle is described as "ugly" in comparison, but it is not clear what it looked like. One source mentions that the new bottle no longer has a red cap.
The perfume bottle holds 1.7 ounces of the fragrance and is available as an eau de parfum spray. The bottle is described as plain and tall rectangular.
The Cinnabar perfume is considered to be an old lady fragrance, and while it can be overpowering if too much is applied, it is described as lovely by many. The scent is long-lasting, with notes of sandalwood, jasmine, and patchouli that linger, according to some wearers.
Authentic Armaf Perfumes: Where to Buy Originals
You may want to see also
Explore related products

Cinnabar's price and availability
Cinnabar by Estée Lauder is available at Macy's and Dillard's, as well as on eBay. The perfume was launched in 1978 and was reformulated and rereleased in 2015.
The price of Cinnabar varies depending on where you purchase it. A 50ml vintage bottle can cost between 125 and 150 euros. However, a newer bottle of Cinnabar costs around $52.
The perfume has a strong, spicy scent with notes of cinnamon, cloves, tangerine, carnation, and orange blossom. It is described as seductive, boozy, and a little trashy. While the newer formula is more readily available and affordable, some reviewers express a preference for the original vintage version, which can still be found through certain vendors.
Similar Scents to Burberry Her: A Fragrance Guide
You may want to see also
Explore related products

Cinnabar's popularity and perception
Cinnabar by Estée Lauder is a fragrance for women that was launched in 1978. It was created by Bernard Chant and Josephine Catapano. The perfume has top notes of spices, cloves, tangerine, peach, orange blossom, and bergamot. The middle notes include cinnamon, carnation, ylang-ylang, jasmine, lily, rose, and lily-of-the-valley. The base notes are incense, tolu balsam, amber, benzoin, sandalwood, patchouli, vanilla, and vetiver.
Cinnabar was Estée Lauder's answer to YSL's Opium, a highly popular fragrance at the time. However, despite its appealing scent, Cinnabar never achieved the same level of success as Opium. It was considered a "flop" and gradually faded into the background during the 1990s.
Despite its lack of mainstream popularity, Cinnabar has developed a cult following over the years. It is often described as a vintage or retro fragrance, evoking a sense of nostalgia for those who wore it or knew someone who did during its peak popularity in the late 1970s to 1980s. The scent is associated with strong, successful, and independent women, and it has a reputation for being seductive, warm, and spicy.
In recent years, there have been reports of Estée Lauder reformulating and rereleasing Cinnabar in 2015. Some long-time wearers of the original formula have expressed disappointment with the new version, claiming that it is a "ghost of the original." However, others have discovered and fallen in love with Cinnabar due to its unique scent and its ability to evoke a sense of nostalgia and delight.
Cinnabar's perception and popularity lie in its ability to be both seductive and powerful, evoking a sense of nostalgia and a unique, strong personality. Its cult following and enduring appeal, despite its initial lack of mainstream success, contribute to its enduring legacy in the world of perfumes.
Shop Rihanna's Fragrances: A Guide to Her Perfumes
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Yes, Estee Lauder still makes Cinnabar perfume. However, the bottle design has changed, and the fragrance has been reformulated.
You can buy Cinnabar perfume from Macy's and Amazon. It is also available on eBay, although it is likely to be the vintage formulation.
A bottle of Cinnabar perfume costs $52.
Cinnabar is a warm, spicy fragrance with notes of cinnamon, clove, benzoin, tolu balsam, amber, and other resins. It also has slight floral notes of rose, lily, and carnation.











































