
Cinnabar, a spicy oriental fragrance by Estée Lauder, was launched in 1978. Its top notes include spices, peach, cloves, bergamot, tangerine, and orange blossom, while carnation, cinnamon, jasmine, ylang-ylang, and rose form the middle notes. The base notes consist of tolu balsam, sandalwood, amber, patchouli, benzoin, vanilla, vetiver, and incense. Over the years, Cinnabar has undergone reformulations, with some claiming that the newer version pales in comparison to the original. Despite this, Cinnabar remains a beloved scent for many, evoking a sense of nostalgia and seduction. It can still be purchased from select retailers, although its availability may vary.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Current availability | Cinnabar was discontinued in the late 1990s due to changing market trends. However, it was reformulated and rereleased in 2015. |
| Scent | Warm, spicy, citrusy, woody, oriental, floral, intense, sensual, boozy, seductive |
| Ingredients | Alcohol Denat., Cinnabar Perfume (Parfum), Water\Aqua\Eau, Benzyl Salicylate, Linalool, Limonene, Geraniol, Hydroxycitronellal, Eugenol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Coumarin, Cinnamyl Alcohol, Benzyl Alcohol, Benzyl Benzoate, Citronellol, Evernia Prunastri (Oakmoss) Extract, Citral, Amyl Cinnamal, Isoeugenol, Farnesol, Cinnamal |
| Price | Around $52 for a bottle |
| Where to buy | Macy's, Amazon, Ulta Beauty |
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What You'll Learn

Cinnabar perfume is still available to buy
Cinnabar perfume by Estée Lauder is still available to buy. The spicy, oriental fragrance was first launched in 1978 and has become a favourite among adventurous women. Its top notes include spices, peach, cloves, bergamot, tangerine and orange blossom, while carnation, cinnamon, jasmine, ylang-ylang and rose form the middle notes. The base notes are tolu balsam, sandalwood, amber, patchouli, benzoin, vanilla, vetiver and incense.
The perfume is described as warm, mysterious and endlessly appealing, with a sensual experience. It is long-lasting and a little goes a long way. The fragrance is available in 1.7-ounce bottles as an eau de parfum spray.
Cinnabar was quietly reformulated and rereleased in 2015, and it can be purchased from Amazon, Macy's and Ulta Beauty. Vintage bottles can also be found on eBay and from antique sellers.
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Estée Lauder Cinnabar was reformulated and rereleased in 2015
Estée Lauder Cinnabar, a spicy oriental fragrance for women, was launched in 1978. It is characterized by top notes of spices, peach, cloves, bergamot, tangerine, and orange blossom; middle notes of carnation, cinnamon, jasmine, ylang-ylang, and rose; and base notes of tolu balsam, sandalwood, amber, patchouli, benzoin, vanilla, vetiver, and incense.
Over time, the Cinnabar brand underwent several reformulations. It was initially reformulated in the early 2000s, and later, in 2015, it was quietly reformulated and rereleased by Lauder. This newer version has been described as "a ghost of the original" by some Fragrantica reviewers, moving towards a woody oriental scent rather than a spicy orange oriental one.
Despite the reformulations, Estée Lauder Cinnabar remains a beloved fragrance for many. It has a strong and long-lasting scent, with some describing it as an "old lady" fragrance that can be overpowering if overapplied. The perfume has a warm, mysterious, and spicy character, creating an intense and sensual experience.
The Cinnabar brand was discontinued in the late 1990s due to changing market trends, but it appears that the fragrance is still available for purchase, with some retailers offering gift sets that include scented body lotion and shower gel in addition to the perfume.
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Cinnabar is a spicy oriental scent
Cinnabar, a spicy oriental scent, was first launched by Estée Lauder in 1978. It was created as a clove-heavy alternative to YSL's Opium, but despite its lower price point, it never sold quite as well. The perfume combines jasmine, orange flower, clove, and patchouli, resulting in a warm, mysterious, and intensely sensual experience.
Although Cinnabar was discontinued in the late 1990s, it has since been reformulated and rereleased. The new version has been described as a ghost of the original, with a stronger note of dried orange peel. Despite this, it remains a beloved fragrance for many, evoking a sense of nostalgia and teenage delight.
The original Cinnabar is considered a vintage perfume, and bottles with the older-style packaging and red caps are sought after by collectors. The vintage fragrance is available in miniature sizes and can sometimes be found at good prices on eBay or from antique sellers.
Today, Cinnabar by Estée Lauder is still available as an oriental spicy fragrance for women, featuring top notes of spices, peach, cloves, bergamot, tangerine, and orange blossom. The middle notes include carnation, cinnamon, jasmine, ylang-ylang, and rose, while the base notes are tolu balsam, sandalwood, amber, patchouli, benzoin, vanilla, vetiver, and incense.
The rich, warm scent of Cinnabar makes it perfect for the fall and winter seasons, and its luxurious packaging adds to its appeal as a gift option. Despite being on the discontinued list, Cinnabar by Estée Lauder continues to captivate wearers with its intriguing blend of spices and sensuality.
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$18

Cinnabar was discontinued in the late 1990s
Cinnabar by Estée Lauder was discontinued in the late 1990s due to changing market trends. The spicy, clove-heavy scent was launched in 1978 as a competitor to YSL's Opium but never sold quite as well. Despite its cult following, Cinnabar failed to gain widespread popularity and gradually faded into the background.
Over time, Cinnabar became increasingly difficult to find in stores, with some long-time wearers having to resort to online purchases. The perfume's decline in the 1990s coincided with Estée Lauder's shift towards sugary floral fragrances, such as the mom-classic Pleasures. This shift in focus away from the bold, spicy scents of the time contributed to Cinnabar's discontinuation.
While Cinnabar may no longer be in production, it has left a lasting impression on those who wore it. It is remembered for its warm, mysterious, and intensely sensual character, blending jasmine, orange flower, clove, and patchouli. The fragrance had a dedicated following, with some describing it as a seductive and boozy scent that evoked a sense of nostalgia and teenage delight.
Despite its discontinuation, Cinnabar has not been forgotten. Vintage bottles of the original formula can still be found through antique sellers or auction sites, often commanding a high price. Additionally, Estée Lauder quietly rereleased a reformulated version of Cinnabar in 2015, allowing a new generation to experience the iconic fragrance.
Although the current version may differ from the original, it continues to captivate wearers with its unique blend of woody and oriental notes. Cinnabar's legacy endures, and it remains a testament to the power of fragrance to evoke emotion and transport us back in time.
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Cinnabar is a vintage perfume
The original Cinnabar perfume by Estée Lauder has become a sought-after vintage item, with some people considering it a mall-schlock scent that elicits a sense of nostalgia. It is described as having a strong, heady fragrance that can be overpowering if overapplied but is perfect for the winter season. The vintage bottles typically have red caps, while the newer versions do not.
The reformulated Cinnabar seems to have a slightly different scent, with some reviewers noting that it is more of a woody oriental fragrance than the original spicy orange oriental scent. However, it still retains the warm, spicy, and mysterious qualities that made the original so appealing. The new version is also said to be long-lasting and intense, just like the vintage perfume.
The Cinnabar perfume has a rich, reddish hue, and its name comes from the pigment cinnabar, which is a deep russet color. The perfume was inspired by the white floral, aldehyde-heavy scents of the time but stood out with its unique blend of citrus, spice, and floral notes. It is described as a seductive and boozy fragrance that makes one want to go out and get into some trouble.
Today, Cinnabar by Estée Lauder can be purchased from various retailers, including Macy's and Amazon. It is often sold as an eau de parfum spray, and prices can vary depending on the seller. The perfume is known to be long-lasting, with some reviewers noting that a single bottle can last up to ten years.
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Frequently asked questions
Cinnabar by Estée Lauder was discontinued in the late 1990s due to changing market trends. However, it was reformulated and rereleased in 2015.
Cinnabar can be purchased from Macy's, Ulta Beauty, and Amazon.
Cinnabar is described as a warm, mysterious, and spicy scent with notes of jasmine, orange flower, clove, and patchouli. It has been described as seductive and boozy, with a strong note of dried orange peel.
The price of Cinnabar varies depending on the seller and the size of the bottle. On Amazon, a 1.7-ounce bottle of the Eau de Parfum spray is available for $70. At Macy's, a gift set containing a full-size bottle of the perfume, a scented body lotion, and a scented shower gel is offered at a competitive price.











































