Heidi Norton
Estée Lauder Youth-Dew, the fragrance that has been dubbed the sexiest fragrance ever created, was first introduced in 1953. It was the brand's first perfume and was created by perfumer Josephine Catapano. Youth-Dew was initially launched as a scented bath oil that doubled as a perfume, and it soon became a best-seller.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year Introduced | 1953 |
| Brand | Estee Lauder |
| Perfumer | Josephine Catapano |
| Type | Oriental Spicy Fragrance |
| Target Audience | Women |
| Notes | Aldehydes, Orange, Spicy Notes, Peach, Narcissus, Lavender, Coca-Cola, Cinnamon, Clove, Ylang Ylang, Rose, Sandalwood, Orchid, Lily of the Valley, Tolu Balsam, Peru Balsam, Patchouli, Vetiver, Oakmoss, Amber, Incense, Vanilla |
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What You'll Learn
Youth Dew was launched in 1953
Youth Dew, an iconic fragrance by Estée Lauder, was launched in 1953. It was the brand's first perfume and was created by perfumer Josephine Catapano.
In the 1950s, women typically received perfume as a gift from a lover or husband and reserved it for special occasions. However, Estée Lauder founder Mrs. Lauder wanted to empower women to buy perfume for themselves and wear it whenever they wanted. With this in mind, she introduced Youth Dew as a scented bath oil that could also be worn as a fragrance. This innovative approach changed the fragrance industry forever.
Youth Dew is known for its captivating, sexy, and spicy scent, featuring notes of cinnamon, cloves, and a touch of incense at its heart. The dry-down, a fusion of balsamic notes, patchouli, vetiver, and amber enveloped in vanilla and musk, solidifies its status as a classic. It is a bold, assertive, and decadent fragrance that leaves an unforgettable impression.
While Youth Dew may not align with contemporary minimalism, its commanding presence and longevity have ensured its iconic status. It remains a beloved and iconic choice for those who appreciate its intensity and the richness of vintage perfumery.
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It was Estée Lauder's first fragrance
Youth Dew, introduced in 1953, was Estée Lauder's first fragrance. It was created as a scented bath oil that doubled as a perfume. The fragrance was designed to be bought by women for themselves, rather than as a gift from a man, as was the norm in the 1950s.
The perfume was composed by Josephine Catapano, and its top notes include spices, aldehydes, narcissus, lavender, Coca-Cola, orange, peach, and bergamot. The heart notes are cinnamon, cloves, and a touch of incense, creating a sense of mystery and old-world glamour. The base notes are balsamic, patchouli, vetiver, and amber, enveloped in vanilla and musk.
Youth Dew has been described as "deep, warm, enveloping, and dramatic", with a rich and intense composition. It has an old-fashioned, vintage character that sets it apart from contemporary fragrances. While it may be considered heavy and intensely spicy, it is also elegant, cozy, and beautiful, with a timeless appeal.
The fragrance has stood the test of time and is considered a classic, with a bold and captivating presence. It has left an impact on those who have smelled it, even if only once, and has become an iconic choice for those who appreciate its intensity and richness.
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It was originally sold as a bath oil
Estée Lauder Youth-Dew was introduced in 1953 as a scented bath oil that doubled as a perfume. It was created by perfumer Josephine Catapano and was Estée Lauder's first fragrance.
Until the 1950s, women relied on men to buy them perfume as a special gift. However, Youth-Dew was created for women to buy for themselves, and that is exactly what they did. Women bought it for the bath, but soon began wearing Youth-Dew as their fragrance as well. Because it was sold as a bath oil, not perfume, women felt free to enjoy and wear it every day.
Youth-Dew is a rich, intense composition with a fully-embodied orchestra of notes. It has top notes of spices, aldehydes, narcissus, lavender, Coca-Cola, orange, peach, and bergamot. The middle notes are spicy notes, cloves, cinnamon, rose, ylang-ylang, jasmine, lily-of-the-valley, cassia, and orchid. The base notes are incense, tolu balsam, Peru balsam, oakmoss, amber, patchouli, vetiver, vanilla, and musk.
The fragrance is bold, assertive, and decadent, and it lingers with an unforgettable presence. Its richness speaks of luxury and indulgence, making it a scent for those who appreciate the artistry of vintage perfumery. Youth-Dew is a testament to Estée Lauder's visionary craftsmanship.
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It has top notes of spices, aldehydes, and narcissus
Youth Dew by Estée Lauder was introduced in 1953 as an Oriental Spicy fragrance for women. Its top notes include spices, aldehydes, and narcissus, alongside lavender, Coca-Cola, orange, peach, and bergamot.
Spices used in perfumes can be derived from culinary spices like cinnamon, black pepper, and ginger, or from seeds, fruits, barks, roots, leaves, and flowers. Spices can be fresh or warm, sour or sweet. Youth Dew's heart notes include cinnamon and cloves, which are also spices.
Aldehydes are organic compounds that can be floral, fruity, or citrusy in nature. They can be metallic, starchy, citrusy, or waxy, and range from soapy to citrus scents. Aldehydes are easily detectable in very low concentrations. Chanel No.5, created in 1921, is believed to be the first aldehyde scent, although this is untrue. The aldehydes in Chanel No.5 are likely what led to its popularity.
Narcissus is a bulbous plant of the Amaryllidaceae family. Narcissi have a sweet, hypnotic smell, with light floral notes like rose and jasmine, and deeper notes like ylang-ylang, tuberose, and iris. Narcissus Absolute is produced from the Narcissus poeticus species, which is cultivated in France, the Netherlands, and other countries.
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It is considered a classic, sexy fragrance
Estée Lauder Youth Dew is considered a classic, sexy fragrance. It was first introduced in 1953 as a scented bath oil that doubled as a perfume, and it quickly became a favourite among women. Its rich and spicy scent, with notes of cinnamon, cloves, and incense, evokes a sense of mystery and old-world glamour. The dry-down, a fusion of balsamic notes, patchouli, vetiver, and amber, wrapped in vanilla and musk, solidifies its status as a classic. Youth Dew is bold, assertive, and decadent—a fragrance that leaves an unforgettable impression.
The complexity and depth of Youth Dew set it apart from typical youthful fragrances, which are often light and airy. Its unique character has earned it a reputation as a "sexy" and "captivating" scent, with a richness that speaks of luxury and indulgence. Youth Dew is not a subtle fragrance; it is intense and assertive, demanding attention and leaving a lasting impression. This quality has ensured its longevity and iconic status in the world of perfumery.
While Youth Dew may not align with contemporary trends, which favour fresh, fruity, and clean scents, it remains a beloved classic for those who appreciate its boldness and intensity. Its ability to evoke a sense of vintage glamour and sophistication has kept it relevant even decades after its launch. Youth Dew's longevity is a testament to its timeless appeal and the visionary craftsmanship of Estée Lauder.
The fragrance has a loyal following, with many customers still wearing it daily and considering it their signature scent. Some have expressed a preference for the vintage formulation, finding that the newer versions lack the same depth of character. However, others appreciate the reformulated Youth Dew, which they feel captures the essence of the original while adapting to modern tastes.
Youth Dew's status as a classic is also reflected in its ability to evoke memories and strong emotional connections. Many associate the fragrance with loved ones and fond recollections, solidifying its place in the fragrance world as a timeless and beloved classic.
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Frequently asked questions
Estee Lauder Youth Dew was introduced in 1953.
Youth Dew was created by perfumer Josephine Catapano.
Youth Dew is a spicy, ambery-woody fragrance with notes of cinnamon, clove, and incense.
Estee Lauder created Youth Dew because she wondered why women relied on men to buy them perfume and why they only wore fragrance on special occasions.
Youth Dew is known for its bold, assertive, and decadent scent, making it a memorable and iconic choice.
