Lance Carson
Cinnabar, a fragrance by Estée Lauder, has been described as a vintage scent with a bygone era oriental vibe. Its fans include those who enjoy the spice of Blanche Bete, Tobacco Vanille, Noir Pour Femme, or By the Fireplace. Cinnabar is said to be dry, powdery, smooth, spicy, slightly soapy, and delicate. The perfume is quite oily, leaving a noticeable layer on the skin after it dries. While the scent is too bitter and mature for some, the quality is excellent and worth the price. Cinnabar's top notes include rose, saffron, and myrrh, with a cinnamon, carnation, and amber heart, and a base of sandalwood. The fragrance has been reformulated over the years, with the 2015 version featuring only 9 notes compared to the original 21. Some say the current formulation is a ghost of the original, but it still elicits a kind of teenage delight in anyone who wears it. If you're looking for a similar fragrance to Cinnabar, you might want to try Yves Saint Laurent Opium, Estée Lauder Youth-Dew, or Aramis JHL, which some say is its twin.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Similar fragrances | Yves Saint Laurent Opium, Estée Lauder Youth-Dew, Aramis JHL, Estée Lauder Youth-Dew Amber Nude, Estée Lauder SpellBound, Nina Ricci L'Air du Temps, Vintage Kouros, Kiehl’s Original Musk |
| Fragrance notes | Cinnamon, spice, vanilla, amber, floral, clove, carnation, incense, myrrh, citrus, sandalwood |
| Brand | Estée Lauder |
| Year of launch | 1978 |
| Price | $52 |
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What You'll Learn
YSL's Opium
The original Opium and Cinnabar by Estée Lauder launched in 1978, were very similar, with Cinnabar described as a copy of Opium. Both fragrances were part of the oriental range and shared spicy, vanillic notes. However, Cinnabar had a more pronounced cinnamon note and lacked the complexity of Opium.
Over time, both fragrances have been reformulated and their similarity has diminished. Today, Cinnabar is described as smoother, lighter, and less spicy than the original Opium. Some people still appreciate the current formulations, but others prefer the older versions, which can still be found on eBay.
If you are looking for a modern alternative to Cinnabar with a similar dry-down, YSL's Opium is a good option. It captures the cinnamon and balsamic aspects of Cinnabar while adding a touch of leather.
Overall, YSL's Opium is a classic and iconic fragrance that has stood the test of time. It is a bold, sensual, and complex scent that leaves a lasting impression.
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Youth Dew
The fragrance of Youth Dew is often described as warm, spicy, and oriental. It opens strongly with aldehydes, citrus, and lavender, followed by a blend of spices, including cinnamon, and a subtle touch of vanilla and musk. The floral interlude adds depth to the scent, while the resinous base provides a harmonious finish.
When comparing Youth Dew to Cinnabar, another popular fragrance by Estée Lauder, some similarities and differences can be noted. Both scents fall under the category of vintage spicy ambers, but they evoke distinct emotions and memories. Youth Dew exudes a sense of legacy, elegance, and timelessness, while Cinnabar evokes sophistication, exotic holidays, and a hint of danger.
In terms of fragrance notes, Youth Dew is described as having a stronger cinnamon presence than Cinnabar, which is known for its more pronounced cinnamon note. Youth Dew also has a unique coca-cola sweetness, while Cinnabar is said to have a more floral clove combination with a slight green element to it.
Over the years, both fragrances have undergone reformulations, and some enthusiasts seek out vintage bottles for the original scent experience. Despite the changes, Youth Dew remains a beloved fragrance, with many praising its long-lasting scent and elegant packaging. It has become a staple for those who appreciate classic perfumery and the ritual of applying a timeless fragrance.
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Fendi
While Fendi does not specifically mention Cinnabar, a fragrance with a similar scent profile to Fendi's original fragrance could be Estee Lauder's Cinnabar. This fragrance is also from the 1980s and has a bold, spicy character. Other fragrances with similar profiles to Fendi's original scent include Gucci Oud, Knowing, and the original Yves Saint Laurent Opium.
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Kenzo's Elephant
Kenzo Jungle L'Elephant is a fragrance for women, launched in 1996. It is an oriental spicy fragrance with top notes of cloves, cumin and mandarin orange. The middle notes are cardamom, caraway, licorice, mango, ylang-ylang, heliotrope and gardenia, and the base notes are vanilla, amber and patchouli.
The perfume is described as exotic and wild, with a wonderful mix of cloves. It is bold and long-lasting, with a little going a long way. It is recommended that you let the fragrance macerate, or sit for a few weeks after spraying, to allow the spices to develop.
Kenzo Jungle L'Elephant has a beautiful bottle design, featuring a heavy gold metal elephant cap.
Reviews for the fragrance are mixed. Some customers love its unique, bold and spicy scent, while others find it too strong and overpowering. One review notes that it is more of a fall and winter fragrance.
Kenzo Jungle L'Elephant has been compared to Cinnabar by Estée Lauder, another oriental spicy fragrance for women. Cinnabar was launched in 1978 and has top notes of spices, cloves, tangerine, peach, orange blossom and bergamot. Middle notes of cinnamon, carnation, ylang-ylang and rose, and base notes of tolu balsam, sandalwood, amber, patchouli, vanilla, vetiver and incense.
Like Kenzo Jungle L'Elephant, reviews for Cinnabar are mixed. Some customers love its warm, spicy and sensual scent, while others find it too strong and overpowering. One review notes that the newer formulation of Cinnabar lacks the cinnamon and cloves of the original.
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Alkemia perfumes
Cinnabar, a fragrance by Estée Lauder, was first released in 1978 as a spicy, clove-heavy answer to YSL's Opium. The perfume has since been reformulated and rereleased in 2015, with a new bottle design. The new version has been described as "a ghost of the original", lacking the strength and longevity of the original scent.
The original Cinnabar is described as having a strong, warming cinnamon scent, perfect for cold winter days. It is said to be a challenging fragrance, not for the faint of heart. The current formulation, while still featuring cinnamon, is smoother and lighter, making it easier to wear.
If you are seeking fragrances similar to Cinnabar, there are a few options to consider. Firstly, Manuel Canovas Route Mandarine is an updated oriental fragrance with a similar cinnamon and balsamic aspect to Cinnabar, although it has a more orange and mandarin feel. Another option is Yves Saint Laurent Opium, which is said to be very similar to the original Cinnabar, with its spicy oriental notes. Estée Lauder Youth-Dew is also often mentioned as a close alternative, with its spicy oriental character.
These fragrances offer similar scent profiles to Cinnabar, allowing you to explore different variations of cinnamon and spice-oriented perfumes.
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Frequently asked questions
Cinnabar is said to be similar to YSL's Opium, a fragrance that was launched one year after Cinnabar in 1978. However, some people claim that the two fragrances have changed over time and no longer smell the same. Another fragrance that is often compared to Cinnabar is Youth Dew by Estée Lauder.
You can buy Cinnabar at Macy's.
A bottle of Cinnabar costs $52.
