Modern Muse by Estee Lauder

Fanfare please, this is a HUGE launch for Estee Lauder. Modern Muse EDP is their new fragrance – the first major fragrance launch for a long time, and one that is quite different to anything they have done before.

The aptly named Arizona Muse, the new face of Lauder, has this as her first campaign – amazing shots shot in New York’s Guggenheim Museum – more on those at a later date. The perfume itself is modern, of course, and has two contrasting accords  – Sparkling Jasmine and Sleek Woods.

At the recent press launch we had the chance to smell the two accords independently of each other, and they are so, so different, it was hard to see them work together.

However, when we sampled the final product, it was almost impossible to distinguish the separate accords, and what they had created when blended was a beautiful, subtle, fresh scent.

The Sparkling Jasmine Accord is supposed to capture the “creative energy and magnetic femininity of a modern woman“, according to Lauder.

It contains exotic mandarin, honeysuckle nectar, and dewy petals, as well, as, of course Jasmine. The accord contains two extractions of Jasmine Sambac, including one new to the perfumery palette, Jasmine Sambac China Absolute, which are just delicious. It also has notes of Tuberose Fleur and Fresh Lily.

The Sleek Woods Accord represents the modern woman’s “sleek style, strength and sensuality” which are expressed through this innovative blend of two Patchouli essences wrapped in Madagascar Vanilla, rich Amber Wood and soft Musk.

It is an innovative blend, and a really lovely, easy, wearable, fragrance. The bottle is also lovely – simple, with pink glass, and a navy bow – the Lauder colour, and a modern take on the bow on Lauder’s first fragrance, the classic Youth Dew, from 1953.

Modern Muse EDP is available from September 18, in three sizes – 30ml, 50ml and 100ml, priced £44, £69 and £86 respectively, at Estee Lauder locations, and esteelauder.co.uk