Youth-Dew Estée Lauder for women

Found by chance inside the window of a small antique shop. It was "abandoned" recently and used practically once/twice. I bought it on impulse because I love vintage perfumes with a story to tell. And as soon as he sprayed it, he told me about my mother, reminding me how strong, sweet and wonderfully beautiful she was. Unfortunately she is no longer with me, but I thank “Youth-Dew” for having evoked her in me so deeply.

Very spicy, very intense.
And i am very intimate with it as well, knowing her since i was a young teenager, or earlier perhaps. But i only came to realize fairly recently, as in half an hour ago, that this scent had a name: Youth Dew.
Omg it has a coca cola note, yes, i can totally take it out of my olfactive memory of this scent. How absolutely delightful!!!!

My grandmother owned this little perfume as a solid balm. In a little gold rope design case with a turquoise sphere in the middle on top.
When i was as young as i was when i discovered this tiny treasure-trove, i was always very conflicted but somehow addicted to the scented balm inside. Putting my index finger on the surface to take a little bit of the balm and rub/dot it on my wrists. Constantly sniffing and thinking, jeeeee this is strong. But i kept going back for more. While subconsciously weaving this scent to my grandmother's memory. ♥
I liked the casing perhaps more than the perfume at the time. :)

And so today I'm wearing obsession by CK on the fabric of a long sleeved top, because i wanted to enjoy the green and spicy opening notes a bit longer (and found they last longer on fabric), and i suddenly remembered the little perfume case, and that there was Estee Lauder written on the inside of the top lid and connected it to Youth Dew. Researched it quick just to be sure.

A fond memory, an intriguing scent, the strongest i know. The most mature too.

بالنسبه لي ماافضل العطر بالحاله لازم احط معه عطر ثاني عشان يطلع بريحه جميله، بالحاله جداً مش مستساغ و ريحته قديمه

Youth Dew is vintage in a way that if you’re the right person wearing it, you will be seen as incredibly chic.

It’s a statement fragrance, even more so than original Chanel No. 5 or Opium. At this point, it’s also unisex. I’ve never understood people who view fragrances like this as “old”. What I smell is “rich”.

No one is on the fence with how they feel about Youth Dew, and one of the main reasons to wear it may be how many people don’t like it, similar to wearing pure patchouli.

I initially tested this in-store roughly one year ago and was not pleased with the smell at all; actually, I was disgusted. Recently, for some reason, I started watching videos on Youtube about Youth Dew and became intrigued by the reviewers saying to spray it on and forget about it. Many also said to spray about an hour before leaving the house to let it "settle". They spoke of how Y.D. came to be and how it was the first marketed towards women (vs. towards men to buy FOR women), which peaked my interest. The reviewers spoke highly of the dry down and how comforting the scent becomes as you let it sit for a while. Alas, I was sold...and here I am now with a beautiful vintage style full bottle on my vanity. I tested this on clean skin as soon as I recieved this in the mail and I was instantly surprised at how much I enjoyed what I was smelling. This didn't smell as terrible as I recall from smelling in-store! I was hit with this wave of nostalgia; I have smelt this in my childhood, maybe? Not sure. This is absolutely beautiful. It smells like makeup powder, spices and a bit like cola...yes! This reminds me a lot of Shalimar EDP for the first hour. Dry down on me smells a bit soapy clean while maintaining the spices, however not as potent. This perfume lasts ALL DAY...this is the definition of a beast mode fragrance. I'm rambling...but this perfume has me stunned. As much as I love many modern-day fragrances...I'm getting to the point where I'm just burned out on all of the overly-sweet, heavily-gourmand, fruitchulies that are popular now and have over saturated the market. Even as heavy as this fragrance is, Youth Dew feels like a breath of fresh air.

my mums signature, bought her a bottle and reignited her love for it, suits her well! spicy deep warm with a bit of fizzy soda essence. i truly love it on her but defo not for my skin.

Jesus, that's amazing!
Powdery resinous balsamic smell that reminds me of face and body powders my mom/grandma used to wear.
It really has a hint of sweet, fizzy Coca Cola! So good!

I can't out do the below review from Lwjm, well said!

I have little sample of this as a memento of my beautiful late grandmother, and felt inspired to go a little spray after the bed time shower. (and Poison on my other arm, pray for me, will be sleeping with window open) I'm not sure if I would wear this out but it's so enjoyable so put on and let it develop and change on the skin. I can't think of another perfume that could beat it in longevity and sillage. Everything my grandmother owned smelled of it forever. I can understand some may find it too mature but it's an absolute masterpiece in perfumery all the same. I'm kind of hoping this style makes a come back. I love how many others have the same memories of their grandmothers with this, it's a special scent.

It is spicy winter scent, but it's pretty humid where I am and actually like it in the heat too. Layered, spicy, complex and interesting.

The score this perfume receives from Fragranticans is, I think, more of a comment on their ignorance than the scent itself. And the reviewer below me (whose review will not survive long) claims it smells of piss. If so, she is strangely both blessed and cursed. If her piss smells like this, she should sell it - and see a doctor.

But it strikes me as a foolish approach to reviewing for a perfume such as this.

Certainly, if you're coming from the last 10-20 years of food-based scents, or easy florals, and you suddenly encounter a scent drenched in 3000 years of classical perfumery, one option the reviewer has is to wrinkle their nose and make comments about piss (reviewers of men's scents often say "urinal cake" for scents they don't like or understand).

The same would be true if you went from EL James, or Richard and Judy Book Club recommendations to Shakespeare or Homer. It'd seem bizarre and inaccessible. And a common reaction in situations like this is anger or frustration. Here, we see that played out.

This scent is driven by balsams - resinous tree saps, the types of stuff the Magi brought to Jesus (allegedly). It is heady and powerful. These balsams are amplified by woody spices like clove and cinnamon. These spices were what drove much of the age of exploration, the tantalising prize which made Portuguese, Dutch and English sailors in the 16th and 17th century risk their lives to obtain - and initiating globalisation while they did so.

So this scent is built around olfactory cornerstones of our civilisation. You might not like it - that's fine. But your preferences (or mine) do not make it a good or bad perfume.

People, please review perfumes on here, not your own feelings. Otherwise, you basically just present as a toddler throwing a tantrum because there's cabbage on their plate, and then presenting as if you'd just "reviewed" it.

I love love love Youth Dew! So good. Reminds me of my mother in her younger days, me too. I still love this perfume. She no longer wears it but I still will. Gorgeous oriental.

This is a proper perfume for cold weather. Its perfectly suited for cold fall or rainy winter days. With over half a dozen notes in each of the top, middle, and base layers, this fragrance is complex and has excellent longevity. This is not a perfume for beginners, as it may seem overwhelming to modern sensibilities.

I agree with Tania Sanchez in her review of Youth Dew in the incomparable Perfumes: The A-Z Guide (2010) that the the "classic spray bottle" (as described on the Estee Lauder website), styled after the 1950s original is infinitely more charming than the fluted glass bottle with the gold ribbon and top. The opaque blue bottle will also protect the fragrance from light, making it last longer. While the newer bottle design is not without its charms, the blue bottle better captures the spirit of the fragrance: which is charming, vintage, and sexy. I don't think you need to be a lover of vintage fashion to enjoy this product, but it does help. Youth Dew would be perfect with cigarette pants and and a (very) fitted cashmere sweater, or with high rise skinny jeans and leather jacket.

This is the Fragrance that may Nonna wore everyday. This and sometimes Cinnabar. But Youthdew is the fragrance that evokes the distinct memory of burying my head on her shoulder and her stroking my hair. I lost her recently and scent plays such an important part in my life and this is why. I will cherish forever her last bottle. She’s spicy, comforting, sophisticated and such a representation of classic perfumery. Really optimizes womanhood for me. She represents feminity in all its facets just like my Nonna did. A true beauty.

My all time favorite. Youth Dew epitomizes what perfumery should be, an experience that evokes happiness, sensuality, & comfort. It’s bold, resinous, rich, yet also soothing. Its combination of spices and florals and aldehydes just doesn’t compare to any other out there. I love the coca-cola note too. I also love the bath oil & dusting powder. Maybe I’m biased because I love vintage scents, but this gives 1950s femme fatale and I love it. I think it can totally be pulled off with the right vibe and look. Its boldness & vintage smell may not be for some and that’s ok but I spray away! ❤️

This was one of my Grandma's favourites, it was a constant fragrance around our home and hers in the 80s when l was a child. l love the scent, not only because it reminds me of her, but because its a really good underrated scent.
I have never tried to break down the notes in this perfume but since joining fragrantica l do that with every perfume l have or buy now. I was surprised to see the whopping ingredient list to this perfume, loads of notes go into creating this gorgeous juice. I get oriental, spicy, soapy, touch of vanilla, smokey, French expensive talcum powder, vibes to this but l cant detect the cinnamon and wish l could, l get a bit of Cinnabar and Opium in this fragrance which were also some of Grandmas favourites, and l was surprised to see coca cola in the list but now l know its in there l can really smell it and the bottle looks like an old coca cola glass bottle from a million years ago. These perfumiers must go round the earth like police drug detection dogs sniffing literally everything in their path and throwing random things they've come across in daily life into the mix that you would never think would be in a perfume its quite fascinating how their noses and minds work. That must be where its dark brown colour comes from. Its definitely not a sweet fruity girly perfume, its a beast of a spicy make an impression, grown up fragrance. Its name seems wrong for the fragrance though, as Youth Dew to me suggests something light and fruity like Vera Wang or soft and vanilla dreamy with a touch of sweet floral, not this strong oriental smokey adult spice bomb. I adore this, im so glad they still make it, my Grandma knew how to make an impression and was fearless in her fragrance choices much like me. Thanks Grandma for introducing me to this lovely fragrance. ❤️

What I assume the witches in The VVitch smell like, which is exactly what I was looking for.

Vintage review: My kindergarten teacher wore this back in the 80's. It always made her classroom smell AMAZING! It reminded me of peach or apple surrounded by spice, herbs, florals and woodsy notes. Almost like potpourri but totally wearable. We all loved the smell. I pick up the peach note strongly along with the balsams, woods and resins. The florals are well blended with lavender, rose and narcissus being the most notable. I also smell a basil note that's never been listed in addition to clove and cinnamon
This is stronger but less spicy than Cinnabar and Opium. This is also sweeter than either of those. It's almost syrupy on the drydown. This is a smell you never forget.

I have a vintage bottle from the 70s and I have a newer bottle (2015). This is still a beast mode perfume. I wore it to work recently and “frag heads” asked me if I was wearing a niche/ indie perfume. Nope…. Estée Lauder’s Youth Dew. EL was a trailblazer back in the day and this spicy gem.

I’m going to wear it again with Paris Corner’s Emir Cherry Cola to amp up the cola “flavor”. I’ve tried this combo before and I like it better than the new Kilian Born to Be Unforgettable, and at a fraction of the price.

This is going to be contentious rather than pretentious! Youth Dew can be worn by men too. It's oriental depth works well for those who are used to arabic scents. It is complex, heavy and above all rich in projection and longevity. I can detect it after a day of work and a shower without topping up at all. If you take the time to layer twice or more in the evening then the depth is simply enormous. It smells different on a man so, go on, dare to be different!

I definitely get cola in this fragrance, a cola within an oriental evening fragrance. Reminds me of Dzing as that has a cola note to it.
Luca Turin called it best an 'animalic cola'. Almost as good as one of Guerlain's rich and heady orientals and an absolute steal price wise.

@JBuffett actually aroma flavors and aroma chemicals used in perfumes seem to be way different things. For instance chocolate has been invented long time ago , and we all know that smell, but in terms of perfumery - this is definitely younger.

Bel gravia, you edited your original comment, stop twisting the truth. The flavours and aromas of coca cola were invented 150 years ago, so it's a certainty that 70 years ago those could be replicated as perfume accords. It's not about winning but about pointing out clearly uninformed opinions like your original question. You were wrong, clear and simple. As for your comparison with rubber, thats chalk and cheese, comparing apples with oranges. We're talking about a human composed symphony of flavor and aroma notes, not natural latex from a tree. Good day. 🤗

Jbuffett the fact you've deleted your original comment says it all
It went along the lines of "Google when Coca cola was invented, explained." Now you're contradicting yourself by admitting that the year cola was invented and the year the accord could have been replicated don't match. (For instance, rubber was invented in 1600BC, accord used in perfumery only well post 2000s.) I had a simple question and I don't know why you have to make fun of it, be mean about it and try so hard to "win" on a fragrance forum hahaha.
Good day.

An absolute classic beauty. It portrays a message of stealth wealth. You don’t wear Youth-Dew because you want to impress others. You wear it because you deserve to smell amazing. The others respect you for you rather than the title you hold. They listen when you talk and everybody nods in agreement of your wisdom.

This is an absolute old money fragrance. The type of person that got his way through life and built their own career based on morals and principles. He vbcontributes to his family and the community around.

Very aloof in nature yet very friendly. The opening is very sparkling and fizzy. Thanks to the aldehydes and oakmoss. The heart is spice-heavy with cloves and cinnamon. It really remind me of eating a beautiful biscuit with cinnamon on a beautiful winter day. The base almost cola like . The fizziness and spiciness continue while keeping cola aspect alive with no sweetness. The florals just add to the beauty of this composition.

This type of person does not drive a brand new Bentley, not because he cannot afford one, he can buy a whole fleet but he rather chooses to drive a classic Benz that he loves.

Spectacularly complex and multifaceted. You can get a different character from this all day depending on weather, temp and humidity.
A little indolic and animalic which is gorgeous. May not be for everyone but it’s worth a try!

Ok, WOW! First experienced Youth Dew via a half-empty vintage bottle that it turns out had spoiled. I thought it just smelled of peepee. Saw a bottle at the thrift store just now for ten dollars and asked to smell it, fully expecting per. Instead, I got a richer, deeper version of Tabu, one of my favourite fragrances and worn by my grandmother. The syrupy ‘cola’ note is the first to emerge and I’m waiting for the rest to develop. I’m so glad I gave Youth Dew another chance.

Bel gravia. If the flavor and its associated scent were invented 100+ years ago then for sure it's accord could be replicated 70 years ago. Stop being deliberately obtuse 🤠 Nobody is stupid enough to think actual coca cola was used in the perfume. I know what an accord is and there is definitely a coca cola accord in youth dew. BTW flavour and scent are inextricably joined as human senses. Admit your mistake and ignorance and move on.

toosimilar, agreed, lots of it is imaginary 😁

@bel.gravia i guess it's an imaginary pyramid and they caught some whiffs of cola, that's it
one more fun example here: https://www.fragrantica.com/perfume/Gres/Cabochard-1060.html
I guess u'd all agree on the point that coconut isn't a note from those times in perfumery
To be max honest, that perfume can hardly be associated with coconut
Plus not all pyramids here are actually correct, it's often good to compare with the official websites

@bel.gravia

Are you a millennial or Gen Z? You are asking about Coca Cola in 1953?!?! Not so far fetched, since Coca Cola debuted in about 1892!!! ;)

Youth Dew by Estée Lauder is not merely a fragrance; it's an opulent elixir that transcends time, capturing the essence of timeless elegance and alluring spice. This iconic creation stands as a testament to Estée Lauder's unparalleled artistry in perfumery.

The opening notes unveil a symphony of spices, aldehydes, narcissus, lavender, orange, peach, bergamot, and an unexpected twist of Coca-Cola. This initial burst is a sensory revelation, a harmonious blend that intrigues and captivates, setting the stage for the olfactory journey that lies ahead.

As the fragrance evolves, the heart notes emerge with a rich tapestry of spicy notes, cloves, cinnamon, rose, ylang-ylang, jasmine, lily-of-the-valley, cassia, and orchid. Each note plays its part in this intricate dance, creating a warm and captivating aura that envelops the wearer in a cloud of sophistication.

The base notes of incense, tolu balsam, Peru balsam, oakmoss, patchouli, amber, vetiver, vanilla, and musk add depth and longevity to Youth Dew. It's a lingering embrace of warmth and sensuality, leaving an unforgettable trail that resonates with the wearer and those lucky enough to catch a whiff.

Wearing Youth Dew is not just an application of fragrance; it's a ritual, an ode to the timeless allure of classic perfumery. The blend of spices, the floral interlude, and the resinous base create a harmonious symphony that elevates this fragrance to the status of a masterpiece.

Youth Dew is a journey through time, an aromatic masterpiece that transcends generations. Its ability to blend spices with floral and resinous notes showcases the brilliance of Estée Lauder's vision. As you embrace the lingering scent of Youth Dew, you become part of a legacy, an enduring tale of elegance and allure that continues to captivate with each passing moment.

My mom showed me a beautiful solid perfume compact that had belonged to her grandmother. It was Youth Dew. I fell in love... I now own a bottle. I am impressed by how well the compact has retained its scent after a half century.

I used to think of Youth Dew as the boring little sister of Cinnabar. My mom wore it way back when and though I liked it on her the packaging colors and powdery dry down didn't make me think that this fragrance was anything more than a mom scent.
Now that I'm older and have had a love affair with Cinnabar for all these years I now see Youth Dew as the OG of the spicy fragrances that I love so.
I don't think it's as long lasting as it was in my youth but nothing is these days it seems.
I buy everything I can get from EL/YD. The powder the bath oil and the EDP. I think it lasts about 1/2 a day on me before I should re-apply, which isn't bad considering the longevity of others. Longer if I layer it all on.
I hope they never discontinue it because she is a classic.

I went shopping with my 8 year old daughter today. We were at the Estee Lauder counter having a sniff. She has a scent strip to her nose exclaiming "I loooooovvvvvveeeee this one so much!!! Can I get it please?" It was Youth Dew! I was so proud of her for following her nose rather than bright colours - she now owns Youth Dew. Third grade better watch out.

A classic for a reason- this perfume practically has its own gravitational pull.

Youth-Dew feels like the mid-century "good girl" slumming it at a club on the bad side of town. There's whiskey and Coke, wood, and spices, but behind it all are squeaky-clean aldehydes. The result is rich and heavy, but always upbeat and cheerful.

The drydown is spicy, sweet, a bit powdery. It's like an idealized version of sniffing your scarf after a fun night out.

This is very similar to Tabu, enough that you probably don't need both. I prefer Tabu's incense and carnality, but Youth-Dew is an absolute work of art.

I like layering YD with rose fragrances- it really seems to add another dimension. I also love spraying YD in a hot bath. It's a great wintery scent and gives you body spray-like levels of fragrance on your skin after you step out.

It was gifted to me in my teens from my Nana. I didn't appreciate it then as it was what most consider to be a "mature" smell. But it's nostalgic and I think could be worth a revisit now that I'm older and can appreciate fragrances for what they are and not necessarily how they smell on me.

I so wanted Youth Dew to work, my mom was born in 1953 so part of the reason why I bought it. At first, spray, no too much aldehydes, too strong, but after an hour it’s pretty nice, spiced Coca Cola. It is true a lot of these vintages shine after an hour or two. And I do think that if applied to neck or chest, can slap you on the face. Best to apply to stomach, knees or walk through the mist. Also, best to apply an hour or two before you need to go anywhere. Youth Dew and others are strong AF. I think layering this with a vanilla or something sweet would do wonders. Mine is supposedly vintage, but sometimes I wonder how accurate that is from these online sellers especially since I can barely smell it after 2 hours.

The fragrance in my 2021 bottle is captivating but not very strong.

My late granny’s scent. I still have her bottle. Yeah it’s arguably ‘outdated’ but who cares it’s iconic. A comforting hug every time I sniff the cap. Spicy, herbal, slightly medicinal? A product of its time…

I want this I want this I want this. My bday is coming up if anyone has a bottle sitting somewhere and wants to gift it hit me up 💕

Got this based on a rec from @Lwjm due to our shared appreciate of Egoiste. I fricking love this. I get why people say it strikes them as dated, as I think the opening smells of perfumes I remember mostly from women who were adults in the 1970s when I was a kid. I think it's the aledhydes and maybe some kind of overlap with Chanel No 5, but I'm not great on that kind of stuff, but suffice to say the opening had me a bit alarmed.. Happily though it shifts so much into the dry down and then just gets better and better. Spicy. complex, slightly sweet, with a depth that rewards constant sniffing. I get something gingery and almost cola-like at the end, which I love. This is up my street and may not suit everyone, but also I cannot believe I got this for $30. It's also maybe the biggest difference in smell between initial spray and dry down I've ever experienced, so if you try don't decide based on initial impressions.

Lwjm and the others echoing their comments: 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
I too am sick and tired of the lazy and disrespectful comments from the immature “reviewers”
It’s okay not to like something or not see the appeal of a fragrance but that doesn’t mean it smells bad or disgusting or like a whore or an old lady or church lady 🙄
I’m just so sick of it.
There is a saying “don’t yuk my yum.”
Don’t shit on something someone else enjoys. We have the elitist snobs who abhor anything other than classical French perfumery and on the opposite spectrum there are the immature social media “influencer” wannabes who only like whats trendy.
Who grew up believing everything they do and say is special.
Just share your thoughts on how you experience a fragrance so others get a sense of what it might smell like and be respectful- it’s not that difficult.
Rant over.

As a man, a remarkable fragrance I love to wear - a hymn to spices and balsams (incense and exotic tree sap, to you and me).

The smash hit masculine Bvlgari Man in Black is almost identical to this, but at 20% potency and 3x the price. I own both, and I've done a side-by-side.

To all those drones banging on about "old lady," get a bit of frag culture under your belt. Firstly, it's rude. You'd never say, "This smells Jewish," or "Reeks of gays" (I assume you wouldn't, anyway) so just drop the group insults.

Secondly, it's sloppy writing, and your English teacher taught you better than that.

Finally, there are hundreds of thousands of young men currently rocking exactly this scent profile.

The truth is that many "female" scents of yore were designed to shout over thick cigarette smoke. As such, their engineering makes many of them ideal unisex scents today - as Luca Turin has often pointed out. Being old does not mean dated. Would you dismiss Macbeth that way?

Dislike it by all means - I could give you a list of scents old and new that I hate. But explain why, and refer to the scent itself, not clichés.

Snagged a bottle of this iconic perfume because I want to explore more vintage / old Hollywood classics. Wow. I can see why this is a legendary fragrance. I can also see why it's to the immature, novice nose, polarizing. Personally, I like it a lot. The very definition of a bold, sultry and beautiful fragrance, but not for the meek and insecure. This is a bold, sophisticated, and confident women's fragrance. It is old fashioned, but delightfully so imo. If you aren't secure enough to let go of the "what's trendy now" mindset, do yourself a favor and wait until you've outgrown that phase before exploring vintages. I have, and I really appreciate owning this beauty. I wore it for Christmas, and it was perfect for such an occasion. However, it is potent and last forever, so apply with a light hand.

Since YSL Opium for women is essentially no more, and JHL is discontinued, I wear this. It's the last of the rich, Mellis accord, spicy Orientals. Simply a luxuriant experience that has stood the test of time.

Quite a while ago, I wrote my review for Youth Dew eau de Parfum. I have always liked it a lot, and many days I even love it. But, I recently bought a new/current bottle of the Youth Dew (bath) oil. Now, I LOVE Youth Dew every time I wear it. I rub a few drops on my wrists, inner arm folds, back of neck, and chest and tummy. Longevity is 12+ hours, and while projection is potent....it will not suffocate a room.

The Bath Oil is so much warmer, slightly sweeter, richer and it gets better the longer it wears. I love the spicy, Oriental density the oil brings. There is still incense, Coca Cola vibes, deep vanilla, patchouli, cinnamon and spices...but the oil is so much more well rounded than the spray.

I dread (and die a little bit) when I see or hear old lady perfume, but Youth Dew spray is kind of what people mean by this awful phrase. The bath oil, to me, erases this.....and I am living for it!

@balserra70, it is possible to review a perfume without offending any age group. There are many members here who behave exactly the same as you do. Like, what gives you the right? Do you even understand the art of perfumery? It is not a "grandma scent"(by the way, it is a perfume, or fragrance, not a scent), it is a CLASSIC.

The opening is an active volcano but please don’t be deceived by it, it will turn into a plesant almost gourmand with a touch of floral scent. I think it is one of the most potent fragrances ever made. It is a vintage perfume so it is not a safe blind buy, sample before buying.

If you’ve ever wanted to be punched in the nostrils by a cinnamon incense stick dipped in brandy, this is the bottle for you. Smells like a sex bunker that’s been sealed airtight since Christmas 1970. Perfect for listening to Fleetwood Mac and/or casting spells in the backwoods when it’s so dark you can only find the rest of your coven by smell, because this an OUTDOORS perfume. Wear it to call the 4 corners, or to a sweaty festival in your fringed halter top, it’ll cover your B.O. and probably compliment the scent of weed quite nicely. Alternatively, spray it at work if you want to give the impression you just had a drunk mall Santa orgy in your office.

(Your body chemistry may differ - good luck!)

Before we talk about this perfume, let’s talk about some things that many young people embrace: diversity and anti-bigotry. Being inclusive. Being your authentic self. Ageism is bigotry. Think about that before you choose to call this an “old lady” perfume. That’s just bigotry and it’s vulgar and it’s ugly and it’s bad just like other kinds of -isms.

Now, let’s talk about perfume. And let’s talk about 1953. I’ve smelled vintage Youth-Dew, and it sent its powerful, complex notes rushing out in all directions to be noticed from 50 paces at least. Today’s Youth-Dew is milder, a bit less complex, and by far less overbearing by comparison. It’s also a bit less musky and powdery, but it’s still unmistakably Youth-Dew, even if some people’s body chemistry enhances its appeal more or less than that of others. I think the current formula also yields performance improvement over the formula of about nine years ago, which tended to disintegrate into cinnamon and aldehydes in the extended dry down. The current formula remains true through the extended dry down.

This perfume is currently advertised as “one of the sexiest fragrances ever.” I agree. Who was considered sexy in 1953? Marilyn Monroe certainly was. Who was considered stunning in 1953? Elizabeth Taylor certainly was. Who was considered elegant and refined and was nominated for an Academy Award for her performance in a 1953 film? Grace Kelly certainly was.

There’s a trace of body heat in Youth-Dew; a trace of physical activity or perhaps excitement. There’s sweet, comforting spice and a trace of incense, but it isn’t the overbearing incense of a head shop. Rather, it’s an incense that is pious. It maintains an elegant presentation and its sensuality is never cheap. It has texture. It’s got sweet air in it. It’s the comfortable seats of a 1953 Cadillac when new. It’s as chic and avant-garde as anything out there. But it has the safety of a confident embrace.

One or two sprays is enough.

What’s a sexy scent? Smelling like an old log? Smelling like a patchouli sugar puff of cotton candy? Smelling like a birthday cake with an iris on top of it?

Or is smelling like a woman who is real and pulsating with life, sweetly enhanced by spices, balsams, and flowers sexier?

It is timeless.

If someone doesn’t like it they can go back to a candyland fragrance and smell just like everyone else.

Longevity is excellent but not overbearing. After eight hours it is detectable as itself by smelling the skin where you sprayed it, but it matures to glimmer with a trace of the incense notable in Bond No. 9 Silver Factory and Comme des Garçons Avignon. But the incense is still anchored to Youth-Dew, so the performance is overall excellent and the nonlinear aspects of the fragrance are characterized by evolution rather than disintegration into different notes altogether.

After 16 hours it is still there as a skin scent and it is still its authentic Youth-Dew self.

10/10

I bought this a couple of years ago and wanted so badly to enjoy it but couldn't get past how dated it felt. it didnt feel as interesting, it was just powdery, dusty, old. I tried it again today. oh my god. holy shit!!!! so it's of course in the same vein as tabu and opium, but there's something a little shalimar about her too. it's in the richness of the base that has really come through now after sitting for so long. ive never had any frags develop like this. holy crap it's so good. wtf

UPD: I gave it another go and, wonderfully, no more sandalwood notes! I am definitely keeping it, such a mood booster!

I tried this one today and I wonder how skin chemistry works.
After absolutely disappointing encounter with Boccanera, this one worked wonders. On the first hour .
Mind, I did take a shower I was dreaming of while testing Boccanera, so nothing of this, fortunately, remained.
In the begining Youth-Dew was a miracle - joyful, sparkling beauty. However, after 2 hours it turned into something indistinguishable and powdery. Awful, how it may turn sometimes... And, wonderfully, my hateful santal enmerged, though it is definitely not in the notes.

Youth Dew is a hidden gem, for some. Don’t let the initial smell fool you, if you have the right body chemistry, the aroma surrounding you will be almost gourmand, light, airy, not overpowering, hints of light florals, cinnamon & Coca Cola. People will come up to you & want to know what you’re wearing. It doesn’t smell like old ladies…. On the right body it smells youthful, the name Youth Dew sums it up perfectly.

On the flip side, if you don’t have the right body chemistry it’s nauseating, overpowering, strong, think burnt woods and fresh cut grass mixed together with amber and cinnamon spilled on top. Migraine city.

I encourage you to wait and sample again if it isn’t working out. I’m so glad I didn’t give up on this fragrance when once upon a time it didn’t work for me :-)

I bought a new bottle of this perfume a few months ago and I'm really enjoying it. It's sort of become my go to scent. I'm glad that Estee Lauder has stayed respectful to the formula. I would hate to see this go the way of so many great oriental perfumes of the past that have been reformulated to the point they are shells of their former selves.

This still smells very vintage 1950's to me. It's full bodied and complex and smells like "perfume" if you know what I mean? One spritz of Youth Dew perfumes you for the whole day, and it's a scent that says, "I want to be noticed". You don't want to overdo it though. One spray is enough. It's very spicy and not too sweet, but there is a slight cola vibe. It's very distinct. The closest thing I can relate it to is vintage Tabu.

When I wear this fragrance, I find myself wanting to dress up a little, putting on some makeup, and adding some jewelry. It makes me want to make an effort. I want to be as turned out and put together as women were who lived back in 1953 or at least as I imagine they lived. Wearing this adds a little glamour to my day, and hopefully it helps me add a little glamour back into the world I live in.

Yesterday was a particularly rough one. My family laid to rest two of us who died on the same day. I needed comfort. Youth Dew was my Gran's signature scent, the only thing she wore. She passed a few years back, but I still have her last bottle of Youth Dew from her vanity. The scent is like a hug.

For those of you who are put off by the more complex note structure of perfumes like Youth Dew or Opium (OG), put one spray (two if you feel adventurous) on your stomach (on skin) and wear it under your clothing. Thank me and my Gran, later.

Youth Dew does what Tabu by Dana should do! I’ve always been a massive fan of Tabu but it never lasted, it lasted maybe an hour at most and that’s after drowning myself in it. Youth Dew has a very similar scent (on me) and I maybe have to reapply it after six or seven hours but even at that it lasts on my clothes until I wash them.
I bought a brand new bottle unopened second hand on Vinted because I didn’t want to spend a fortune on a blind buy but I have to say I have 0 regrets. It’s the most expensive perfume I own as my usual perfumes are all by Dana or Elizabeth Arden but it’s 100% worth it in my opinion!
I’m 20 and adore the fragrance, it’s perfect in every way and in no way do I think it’s an old lady perfume. It has certainly got a kick! It’s very classic. Youth Dew is the perfect perfume for the right person, you either love it or hate it and to say I LOVE it is an understatement!

Absolutely great! It reminds me a lot of the old Opium (before 2009), which i can't easily find now. Long lasting (8 hours+). Sillage - it depends on how much you spray.

Crack open a Vintage Bottle of Coca-Cola...or not?
1953 Vintage Amber-Spicy Incense & Tolu-Balsam with questionable Coca-Cola accents. Some people smell the cola and some don't, but for me it's more of a cola fizzy effect from the aldehydes & other spices. This scent reminds me of the film Roman Holiday, which also came out in 1953 and starred Audrey Hepburn & Gregory Peck. Audrey plays the stifled Roman Principessa, in need of a spicy outlet, and Youth Dew provides just that. There are reminders here of other vintage spicy ambers, but this one retains a ladylike feel with its slightly soapy aldehydic nuances and less civet compared with many similar scents. I picked this up out of curiosity when Youth Dew Amber Nude was released. It definitely has a vintage vibe, but this is the kind of vintage that's the real OG, just like a bouclé Chanel jacket...

Contrast to Cinnabar Estee Lauder:
These are different, but there's a similar vintage amber-spicy vibe. Cinnabar is more of a disco-queen, with forward cinnamon (like the name suggests), while Youth Dew is more clove forward, and ladylike with slightly soapy aldehydes. Both have excellent performance.

Contrast to Opium Yves Saint Laurent:
These are different, but there's again a similar vintage amber-spicy vibe. Opium has a more forward raw & fresh-spicy quality, while Youth Dew has a ladylike feel and slightly soapy aldehyde facet. Both have excellent performance.

Contrast to Youth Dew Amber Nude Estee Lauder:
These are different, but they have the same DNA. Amber Nude is smoother, while the original has punchier spices. Both have excellent performance.

Overall: gorgeous, vintage amber-spicy incense-cola-clove scent with ladylike soapy facet. It's a longtime love for me. Enjoy!

Sometimes I think that if Youth-Dew had a more suitable name it would get the love it deserves. Constantinople Dew, maybe? America Ascending, perhaps? I don’t know, but it’s one of the most off-putting names in all of perfumery.

But what a scent! Optimistic, comforting, loud, complicated, unabashed. It’s so AMERICAN. But the best things of The US — optimism, ‘equality’ and Coca-Cola. It captures the post-war expansion of American Imperialism in a scent.

I find it incredibly comforting, but it’s a strictly wear at home fragrance — it’s just too strong. But I use it as many people use ginger ale when they’re under the weather. A mood booster when I’m down, comfort if I’m ill.

One successful experiment was to add 6 sprays to a 16 ml bottle of unscented Dr Bronner’s liquid soap. 4 months later and the scent is still there and makes for a delectable shower that doesn’t blast out to the real world. ONE abdominal spray an ENTIRE hour before departure can also work.

My bottle is from the 60s.

Love, love love. Perfect fragrance for autumn. Spicy, herbaceous, semi-sweet, spiritual, dark, even slightly melancholic, nostalgic. Elegant and mysterious.
Initially I got a slight cola impression, which then transforms into this blast of old-cabinet herbs and spices (and I love it, I find it almost magical, enchanting). The initial smell is very thick, dense. I definitely get the cinammon, too. Slowly, as time passes, I get clean, fresh dose of powderiness, powder flowers, especially in the final version of the dry down. The longevity and sillage on me are very good, several hours. The powdery phase lasts and lasts.
As I said, it's ideal for autumn, and the autumn is here, so great. :)

This is difficult to find where I live and most definetely is not affordable.When it shows as available its always in the big bottle costing over 70€.I want this perfume for collection purposes.I know most likely I wont be wearing it,at least publicly.
Its been a while since I last tried it so Im not 100% sure how it smells.
If its similar to Cinnabar or the original Opium (which are available at a low price) then is it worth trying to get this one instead of any of those two?
I want Youth Dew because its seems more prestigous.
A lot of collectors mention it all the time as a must have.

Wearing this feels natural to me, it’s my signature.

I like this scent, which reminds me of fancy soap and incense in a wooden drawer. My husband says it smells "old lady," from which I deduce that one or both of his beloved grandmas wore the perfume or bath oil. When pressed, he did concede that it was a very *clean* old-lady smell. I might layer this one with a pure rose or other floral; I also ordered the bath oil recently to experiment with the fragrance in that form.

Well, it turned out before, when Youth-Dew left my husband underwhelmed, I had completely overapplied it. It was parfum, and I thought it was eau de parfum--whoops! Now I have the bath oil, and I put one drop of it on one inner elbow and a drop of the Y-D parfum on the other inner elbow. They smell virtually the same, and I would imagine that the projection and longevity are the same (although the bath oil is significantly less expensive). I'm picking up a bit more of the coca-cola scent with the bath oil. Both have nice incensey drydowns.

Hours later, I can still smell it in the crooks of my elbows. It makes me think of a big glass of flat Coca-Cola with bourbon, perhaps in a smoky tavern, but somehow... clean? What strange magic this scent makes!

Im trying this one for the very first time and I can't believe it. Is THE SAME that Opium!

My mom wore this when I was growing up. The smell has so many memories for me. This one isn't in my collection, but I do plan on adding this beauty to it. However, I do own Cinnabar and Opium. Which are favorites of mine. If you enjoy deep cinnamon almost powdery (probably the incense) enveloping and cozy, then you will like this.

Smells clean like soap or body powder. I think I smelled before hair oils that smell like this. Yeah and there’s Coca Cola note. I think it’s an okay inoffensive clean sent. For bedtime as well.

I remember Gwyneth Paltrow wearing this on David Letterman and him going on and on about how good she smelled. I need this in my collection. Probably buy it when the weather cools a bit. I’m on a vintage kick. There’s nothing like the classics.

This was my grandmother's perfume. It use to come in a different bottle and they also had a solid perfume. This is not my kind of fragrance but I use to wear this once a year near Christmas for pure nostalgia. Plus my grandmother loved the holidays. It's a very spicy, sharp and intense amber perfume. I could only use one spray of it. It can be quite overwhelming. What I think is unique and special about this perfume is that it has a coca-cola note which sometimes I did get in the opening. On the dry down this smells a little different on me than it did on my grandmother. I don't know if it's my body chemistry or the formula changed over the years but I remember this smelling more like straight up cinnamon.

Opens sharp, harsh, verging on sour--then mellows gradually into a scent of bold, classic elegance that's balsamic-sweet and spicy-warm.

The vibe: Sitting on an antique loveseat near an invitingly large fireplace on a winter night. Unfolding a hand-me-down wool blanket that's scratchy and fringed with soot, but no less comforting for it. Meanwhile, on a record player in the corner, smooth-talking serenaders of the 1950's profess their love.

For me the first hour of Youth Dew is a bit too dirty and sour to wait out. However, the dry-down is wonderful, and I pay my respects to this bold and complex classic-- to its immense potency and its warm, raspy elegance.

Than you for your honest review, Pixie011! We need both yay and nay kind of input for everyone. :)

My initial reaction to Youth Dew was absolutely identical to yours. Thus, my suggestion is that you keep spraying this on a tester strip every time you can get your hands on it. Why? It grabs you after awhile! Furthermore, once the natural horror wore off, I became brave enough to try on skin or (better yet) fabric, meaning that I could actually access the DRY DOWN. The dry down is where the magic lies! Totally unisex and very magnetizing, it nonetheless seems rather nuturing and strong - like Wonder Woman as a mother? Amazing stuff.

If the notes appeal but not the scent - even after repeated testing - consider doing the same with Cinnabar! It's Youth Dew Light by any other name and worthy of a cult following all its own. <3

Meanwhile, KUDOS for honest, respectful reviews and may the legend that is Youth Dew never be discontinued!

Based on the notes I thought I’d love this perfume but I smelt it in the store and YIKES. This is one of those incredibly polarizing scents. To me this smells terrible, I can’t even describe it. Definitely smell it BEFORE you buy it. It’s extremely strong, sillage is heavy and it lasts eternally. No hate to this scent it’s just really not for me.
EDIT: I smelt someone wearing this and it was delightful on them. It just doesn’t work with my chemistry, I think. It’s similar to Shalimar in that way where it can smell great on one person and then smell off-putting on someone else. I do encourage people to try this in store to see if it works for them, because when it does, it smells great.

I can see why so many people were using the original bath oil as a perfume because this fragrance is amazing! It’s full and memorable and can be used by anyone for almost any occasion. It can be worn for casual day wear, powerful femininity, or as a lusty cologne. It has a very vintage scent that I love and should last a long time because you only need 1 spray for a whole day. The value is great, the bottle is beautiful, and it is slowly becoming my signature scent. Some people might think that it smells “too old” and would only be worn by 65+ year women, but I’m in my teens and think it is very classy.

THE FEMININE SPICE BOMB FOR BOTH GENDERS

The perfumer behind Youth-Dew - Josephine Catapano - is one of the pioneering women who worked within the high-end, large-scale designer fragrance industry. She passed away in 2012 at the age of 93. Josephine was the author of "Norell" (from Norell), "Cinnabar" by Estēe Lauder, "Youth-Dew" by Estēe Lauder and "J•H•L" by Aramis (but from the Estée Lauder group), "Fidji" by Guy Laroche and the original "Zen" by Shiseido / 資生堂, among several other historic perfumes. In the 1970s, rumours spread that YSL intended to hire her to work on the development of the "Opium" fragrance line, but she remained loyal to Estée Lauder. "Her" Cinnabar was the more serious competitor to the hugely successful Opium career. It is also believed that she, as a very reserved consultant, contributed to the development of many important fragrances. Her public accolades include the 1980 Women's Cosmetic Career Award, as well as the 1993 Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Society of Perfumers.
That is the creative aura behind this Dew for both youthful and mature ladies (and many men of all ages as well).
A perfume that was launched in 1953 could hardly be more actual than Youth Dew still is.
Aldehydes, florals and spices provide a grand opening. The spicy notes endure through the heart, and a strong presence of cinnamon and cloves is also detectable. The bottom reveals strong sweet spices and balsamic notes, supported by amber, incense and the unavoidable complements of vetiver, moss, patchouli and musk.
The subsequent long dry down - ambery and spicy - is overly pleasant.
In summary, the global impression you get from this fragrance is one of a complex blending, quite spicy and balsamic, with a very long, pleasant earthy and ambery dry down. The performance is quite high.
My rates for Youth Dew:
___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___
Scent Opening: 8.5 (short-term aldehydes, floral and fruity sweetness and a lot of spices)
Scent Dry Down: 9.5 (very spicy and balsamic; quite unisex during the dry-down)
Longevity: 9.0 (well above average and close to beasty; up to 10~12 hours)
Sillage: 8.5 (6~8 feet at its peak with just 3 sprays)
Uniqueness: 9.0 (quite unique, considering the existing feminine fragrances that I am aware of; Nobody was able - or cared to - to copy it in the past 65 years; Nevertheless I do note a certain similarity with the contemporary "Cinnabar" sister fragrance, with "Vengeance Extrême" by Juliette Has A Gun, and with "Agent Provocateur" - the last two fragrances a lot more recent)
Wearability: 7.0 (cold weather, mainly at night)
Versatility: 9.0 (yes to clubbing, socializing, events, restaurants... and yes to dates, romancing, sex, office, picnics, weddings, movies, a birthday gift to your wife... not good to wear while working out. Don't use it in places where you may sweat and on the beach! Also, if you are a man, don't ever offer it to your mother-in-law; you are already married to her daughter)
Quality: 9.5 (my perception)
Presentation: 7.5 (simple but effective; very good sprayer)
Price: 9.0 (67 ml non-tester for 22 Euros on a Notino sale, for the current version + shipping.... a bargain for this niche-like jewel)
___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___
Overall rating: 8.65/10.00
- between 7 and 8 =above average;
- between 8 and 9 = recommended;
- bigger than 9 = don't miss it;

My opinion:
I highly recommend this fragrance; it is an old-school, balsamic, almost animalistic perfume. It is sure to please many women and also some men, particularly in the very pleasant dry-down. However, try it before you buy it, as it is a love-it-or-hate-it fragrance. You have to like strong doses of cinnamon and balsamic notes to enjoy this fragrance properly.

Music: Lou Reed's "Walk in the wild side"

It's definitely "an aromatics elixir", but far away from being "The Aromatics Elixir from Clinique", that's for sure. At least to my taste, here we are speaking about distinct examples of different fragrance families.

Caution! Spray with ease. I did two sprays on my hand and two on my arm and now i have massive headache. Don't be fooled by the soft mellow soapy opening this turns into a monster soon after. At first spray i felt dissapointed. I don't like soapy fragrances. Then suddenly as the fumes opener up and i almost started to recollect the image of granny's smoking heavy cigars it did a full one-eighty on me and gave me a blast of unapologetic shreeking insence. I love insence. The skankyer the better even if it spits in my face, I'd be startled and then come back for more. This is such a harsh, sharp, oily but true version of insence it's like I'm being yelled at by a crusty hippie in a headshop. Is this more opium then current day opium? The delicate bottle is so very misleading! A part of me doesn't want this intensely heady neon patchouli/insence rush to end but my head will spontaneously combust if i don't scrub this off right now. One spray i believe will suffice in the future. I will come back to this when i am mentally prepared for what is coming.

the og. a memory of a hair salon, glorious feminity from the past in a bottle. thick oriental, a muskier opium. classic, bold, a landmark in the history of perfumery

Lucked into a vintage bottle of this at an estate sale. This is the biggest and boldest fragrance in my collection. I think this one could really sparkle in winter (similar to when I wear Passion) but the couple times I've tried it in summer, it's given Tabu and Obsession a run for their money. This one's potent.

LucyK “bejeweled fecal leopard”? 😂 People are straight up high when they write these reviews.
How close do we feel this is to Aromatics Elixir?

Forget granny and christmas, this is a wonder under the sun when that tiny sweat drop shows off behind the neck.

One of my greatest pleasures as an old lady is overindulging in this beauty before stepping onto a bus filled with insolent teenagers. Yes, children. We do it deliberately.

I had a teacher that wore this in early 90's and I've been obsessed with it ever since. It's a soapy oriental amber with spice and musk. It's more herbal and soapy than Opium and less high pitched as Cinnabar. It dries down to a murky powdery musk/incense accord that is spellbinding. Any time you warm up it reactivates. It's almost like a living perfume. I'm reviewing the pre 2000's versions from every decade since it's inception.

I blind bought this. I recommend to others to test first because it is unique. I think it's supposed to be auspicious for me. I did receive a rare and sincere surprise compliment that I smelled nice from my favorite person in the whole world. I think it does smell nice. I would highly recommend this only if you can spray very lightly. It's friendly and i do feel confident in it.

I just purchased a 2023 bottle of Youth Dew bath oil off the Lauder website, and WHOA. What is this (relatively) tame, golden-amber juice? with its lack of animalistic funk??

The “oriental mothership” has had a major facelift— no doubt. Last time I owned this bath oil, it was almost black in color and wayyyy more complex.

Throughout my life I have both loved and feared Youth Dew. I could only wear it in tiny doses. I remember it as having a distinctively fermented, red-wine accord in those spicy topnotes; a cool powdery rose interwoven throughout; and some fleshy, raunchy jasmine & narcissus.

YD, as I remember her, was "dirty but clean." She was a real intellectual who kept throwing curveballs, and I had to be in the mood for her. (I would put Aromatics Elixir in that category too.)

This new YD bath oil? Idk. It still has the YD bone structure, more or less. But honestly, if blindfolded, I might guess it was one of those “opium” or “frankincense/myrrh” oils from Amazon or Whole Foods. There's no real journey in wearing it, like there used to be.

By the same token, the facelifted 2023 YD is a lot more wearable than its vintage sister. It’s pleasant, even yummy, without a hint of skank. Younger women (and men) with just a *mild* sense of adventure might like it.

I give it a “thumbs neutral.” I rather miss the old vintage gal in all her animalistic/boozy splendor... but I could rarely wear her outside the house. This current YD bath oil, I could throw on and go grocery shopping. Like I said, pleasant, spicy, and off the beaten path without terrifying anyone. But it's not the Youth Dew I remember. De-fanged and neutered, so to speak :)

I touched the mouth of the bottle of Youth-Dew Bath Oil, then touched my collar bones, nape, and behind my ears in the bedroom. Then my husband came in, saying
"Wooah! It smells sexy in here! You know, you should wear this one more often."

Just one careful drop of this would give you a rich, spicy, sweet, incense-y aura all day.

I "discovered" this masterpiece 10 years ago and posted a review. I certainly matured. The world has changed. Many perfumes have come and gone, but Youth-Dew is still here and loved.

Beautiful top notes make a spicy halo of warm, slightly floral powderiness. I haven't tried a vintage yet, but the current formula's patchouli is too single-note for me, too high-pitched maybe, without the nuance of a more robust or natural-type smelling patchouli. This could even work year-round, in my opinion. (But again, I live in a cold climate.)

Others have pointed out how much Youth-Dew smells like the Nature's Gate Herbal Shampoo (which they apparently don't make anymore??!!), and I agree, which for me associates Youth-Dew more with crunchy-granola vibes than anything to do with Estee Lauder elegance. I grew up in natural foods co-ops, and Nature's Gate Herbal was the shampoo you could get in bulk, re-using your bottle over and over, so as to save on plastic.

I probably won't wear this current version because of the thin way the patchouli is rendered, in my opinion. Can't wait to try an older formula!

🖤 I can't believe it took me so long to smell and buy this.
This is walking into some sort of East Asian fine hotel lobby, with the most amazingly balanced sweet incense burning, adding just that small touch of wow factor. It's walking into an 80s or 90s exotic goods shop, with so many beautiful and sweet smells and art. This is what I hoped for from Revlon's Ciara, but it could not hold a candle to this.
I love this. It's amazing. Spicy, hippie magic.

Call it Grandma all you will, but THIS Grandma is only in her late twenties and this scent slays :-P

Years ago a local brand that sold natural ingridients bath products had a line called "Kleopatras Milk bath". It looked a little old fashioned but I fell head over heals in love with the scent and used the shower cream and bodylotion. I remember showing it to my very suprised mum calling it "the best scent ever!" At sweet 21 years old and bevore I started collecting parfums.
Then the brand discontinued the line and I was so sad. I wished to one day to stumble up on a similar scent. Today I did. Youth dew. I would have NEVER dreamed of it! I did smell it on a blotter bevore but only on skin it showed its soapy, spiced powder heart.
It is beautyfull! I am not sure I want a Full bottle or the dusting powder or just a decant.
But I want youth dew in my life.
I spend the first 3 years of my (serious) fragrance journy and the first 27 years of my life not wanting to wear the classics. The no.5 s the magie noires and all the other vintage beauties.
Corona and pregnancy must have altered my nose. I sold half my collection and replaced it with Mitsuko and other Chypres and oldschool BIG hitters. Youth dew will joyn them.

Dear oh dear … I blind bought it as I saw Estee Lauder is discounting it and wanted to add this as a special piece to my collection. The notes ‘on paper’ looked like something I would like, as I am not scared of heavy woody fragrances and enjoy YSL Opium. How can I put this .. anyone that does not enjoy the old-school feel of Chanel No.5 please don’t buy Youth Dew! Unfortunately to me it is a grandma scent, nothing youthful about it :( If anyone is interested in swapping for another fragrance or buying it at a heavy discount please reach out to me!

I have the bath oil… it’s beautiful, but on me the powder amps up& quickly become overbearing to my senses! Plus eons ago, my sister used to DRENCH herself in this. So there’s that!! But I can’t deny it is a BEAUTIFUL, well made fragrance, just not for me to wear.

This fragrance is a MONSTER. The name and the bottle are so misleading but somehow it’s amusing to me, like an inside joke. The dark juice gives you hint of what to expect. If any fragrance was worthy of the Coca-Cola note it would be this one. Everything else is a harmonious meld in the way old school fragrances are, I can’t discern any other particular notes other than “spice” and maybe “smoke”. It turns into an incensey aura by the end of the drydown, my favorite part.

Ultimately a beautiful, powerful, legendary fragrance not for the faint of heart… personally I can’t wear it, too much for me, but I admire those who can.

Yes old fashion, full of amber, stern and strict. But the sweet, deep, rich, long lasting, reassuring like your mum and like the mum you want to be. Not that one with the sports clothes on and the undone hair, no. The one with the tight dress, the red lips, the high heels, the cashmere coat, the gold bracelets. Now. That's better.

Very creamy spicy balsamic fragrance, a more playful alternative to the more mature Opium and Obsession. And no, it doesn't smell of Coca Cola. Do you get balsamic incense from Coke? I don't think so.😋

Ohhh WOW! This is a bomb of a fragrance…it hits the nose, and stays there! One spray, a single spritz, is all that’s needed. Youth Dew is a heavy, musky, scent, with sticky oriental notes…the thick brown amber liquid in the bottle gives you fare warning that this is a strong fragrance. Not for the faint hearted. However, if you’re confident enough to to stride a room, to own the attention, then you’ll love this vintage Estée Lauder parfum. It can be purchased for a great price too. Love it!! I get comments on it every-time I wear it…and it’s 100% unisex! Do not be put off by the ‘smells like old lady’ comments. This is a classic perfume, ageless and genderless in 2023.
Note: if you like layering perfumes, this isn’t for you. YD will overpower everything else, especially delicate floral scents.

I live a spicy stong perfume, I love old fashioned perfumes, but this.....there's a horrible sick inducing note in this...I get the powder and start thinking....hmmm nice powder, then this note hits...its cat wee for me. Wish I could like it but something doesn't work. Realised I've smelled this on other people and been desperate to get away. I'm desperate to get away from my wrist!

@Subhuman, YES! it’s giving me civet as well! Youth Dew is ssssso strong, I prefer spraying it at the back of my knees or the lower part of my pants only. So I get subtle whiffs of the beautiful scent everytime I move.

I love Youth Dew. I loved it as a child on my Kindergarten teacher, she of the tall beehive, double knit dresses and musical voice. I loved it on the elderly lady next door, the sweet soul who provided a refuge from my crazy dysfunctional family. I loved it on my college self when I had the cash to buy it and drowned myself in it and swooned, imagining I was so glamorous at punk parties in the Eighties and Greenville Avenue (Dallas) nightclubs using my fake ID. I loved it as a young teacher when I tired of ET's Passion yet wanted a deep balsamic scent. I loved it during the nineties, wearing freesia or aquatics by day but taking refuge in the old brown hourglass when too many sad things happened.

I love the creepy weird name Youth Dew, a name that sounds like something a lizard in heat would exude through underbelly pores. I love the almost Tiffany blue of the stubbornly old fashioned box. I love the way it still smells exactly as I remember. I love my Youth Dew, my living fossil. Smells like something Howard Carter dug up in Tut's tomb, the first breath Lady Evelyn took that night when she crawled into the burial chamber, some three thousand year old vial of what was once embalming ointment.

"This smells like an old lady."

Let's unpack that statement. Old people, "OK boomer," "they ruined things for us," "let them rot." My, when the pendulum swings, we see this inverse shift into ageism that is unsettling, especially as I enter my mid 40s. There was a magnificent, concise article last year from Jane Daly (Eau de Jane) in Harper's Bazaar, "In Defense of 'Old Lady Perfumes'" and it's essential reading. Is this really a harmless descriptor? It seems more like a warning. We all will age, and with that aging comes letting go of hang ups, blessings of seeing what is most essential in life, and the wisdom that can be passed on to youth. Yes, wisdom, not ignorance, and I think that's what might set us Xennials and Gen-Xers apart is that as we enter middle age, we know full well that our elders, as problematic as they might seem in some of their views, are not two-dimensional: we are a product of our generations. Let that sink in and learn to forgive.

As far as fragrances from the past, especially that of Youth Dew, the unfairly lambasted so-called relic, wearing this obviously will seem as though we are out-of-step with the times, but then again, the general populace might feel the same for that Oriza L. Legrand, Parfum d'Empire, Les Indemodables for which you are devoted. We fragheads are truly a rare species, but our purview of fragrance is totally distorted. We have to tolerate that we are esoteric as a philately or geocaching and will not change the mind of society, but we can educate and gain insight from each other as a community. Be that as it may, Youth Dew may be a challenge for even the majority of fragheads, unless you give into the powder, the moss, the resins, the musk, and remove yourself from any other associations.

Youth Dew, even in recent formulations, has a potency in its steeped in fizzy cola tolu balsam, spicy-warm hugs and smooches, and cinnamon candy from a loving hand. It doesn't feel out of place at all to wear this on my skin: its ability to spark so many memories and sensations makes it worth its weight in gold.

I really don't care that this perfume has an old lady rep...I absolutely adore it! I'm a fan of bold fragrances and this is without question a pre-requisite with YD. I love wearing this to bed, I also wear it out but go easy on the sprays. Probably just one spritz. I've read Estée Lauder advised to spray, walk then twist into the mist and I admit I actually do this! Warm, comforting, sensual, spicy, dark. Love it! (Also, an absolute bargain)

I must reiterate (with joy!) what I've mentioned in previous posts. Youth Dew is inarguably the best value in the department store. Best Department store vintage value, as well! Another worth testing is Aromatics Elixir, which is runner up both in value and historicity. Asking for these will get you laughed at by the Estee Lauder and Clinique clerks if you are under the age of 50, but just tell them you're a vintage lover! I found they keep the testers for the best stuff under the counter frequently, so ASK.

Just as an aside: My vintage fragrance wardrobe honors Youth Dew and Toujours Moi as the best of the best in this balsamic/spicy/woody/cola category. I wear a spray of either as my personal hair perfume, and they are alluring scents that never cease to make hugs amazing. They do not project loudly after the first few hours but definitely tend to encourage snuggling. Comfort and mystery in one bottle.

This is an ooof for me - even one spray of this is just way too much and I am an over sprayer trust me. This requires like a quarter spray

It is mainly super powdery and spicy. When people say old lady smell - this is what they mean but this is times a million of that.

I can’t even be around it upon initial spray because it makes me choke.

The dry down is much nicer like a sweet powdery spice but the initial blast is something else

Absolutely definitely not for me that’s for sure.

I bought a bottle knowing that I will only use this as a mood scent and probably never out when I am surrounded by people. I have a thing for old school/ vintage fragrances and this seems to be one of the more popular scents in that category.

The opening is all about the peach and cola for me. Very fizzy and very fruity and quite feminine actually. The spices are there too but very faintly. seconds later, the citrus and white florals are also quite present. like most Vintage fragrance, there way too many notes in this and you can probably pick on most of them at different stages of the scents development.

The dry down is all about the spicy and amber with very faint earthy vibe. The Jasmin is also there in the dry down, at least on my skin.

I love this scent. This is great as a base. I wear it on my bare chest right after I come out of the shower, and then spray other scents on my clothes once dressed. It seems to work with most fragrances actually!

Longevity is good but not outstanding on me. I might have to leave it macerate a bit.

This wears BIG, no I mean not just BIG, it wears HUGE, H U G E, H.U.G.E!!!!! This thing is enormous!!!!!
I blind bought based on some review on YouTube. I was expecting it be be old school and indeed it's old school.
I wouldn't buy it have I smelled it before, totally not for me. But I think I won't sell the bottle, I'll keep it to myself just as a reminder of how different the world must've been 70 years ago. No mainstream house would dare to release anything like this nowadays. Sure it must've been reformulated, not sure how much different an original version has been, but it would probably knock me out completely.
I don't like it, but I don't dislike it either, it's just an alien shit, completely from a different place and time. THIS IS HUGE! At least to my nose. And I thought that my nose got used some niche smells, well it seems old stuff doesn't even compare with modern perfumery, even the niche ones.

The bottle is going to occupy the place of honour in my collection!

ps: even thought it's marketed for women, I think it's completely unisex. You just need to have some guts to wear this out.

I used to work for Estée Lauder from my early to late twenties. I remember thinking this was one of the better of the vintage scents in the range but felt it was too old fashion for me (silly and foolish of me to think that way I know.) I’m now 38 and sprayed some in a department store for a bit of nostalgia. My goodness!! Why didn’t I realise how addictive this is? I find it quite soapy and clean for the first 15 minutes and then gradually the glorious spices come through and last for hours. Needless to say I purchased this and I’m now enjoying it so much, in fact I’m enjoying - enjoying it lol. I know this will be my winter fragrance from now on. I even treated myself to the bath oil which is divine, my bathroom smelled of this for a good few hours after my bath which was nice too.
I would say if you’re open minded about fragrance and like spicy florals then definitely try this out next time you’re at a department store. I wouldn’t suggest to blind buy it though as this definitely isn’t for everyone.

i blind bought youth dew because i fell in love with the pretty bottle, and i’m not disappointed at all!! so first off all i have a pink 1950s vanity and i thought it would look so cute with this bottle and i was totally right! now for the fragrance, i genuinely do love this perfume (just want to state that i am 18 years old) i know quite a lot of people will call this an elderly scent or “outdated” but too me it’s the opposite, this scent is powdery, light, floral,feminine and some what sweet! (too me atleast) a lot of other women think this is a huge annoying spice bomb but i don’t get any of that.
i love super sweet sugary gourmands but this isn’t any of those things and it still blows my mind how much i love this!
to me this fragrance feels like a warm and happy memory, it’s strong/deep but also light/soft at the same time, like i said before this is a very feminine fragrance which is probably why i love it, my boyfriend also loves this scent! i believe it is a classic perfume and it’s not cloying or offensive. it’s such a classy, sophisticated, gorgeous scent
i know a lot of women think it’s the opposite but i genuinely have no complaints!
my favourite note in this is the coca cola!! it really stands out to me! people say the name “youth dew” is the opposite of this scent but back in the 50s when this was released this was definitely a very young scent, especially with that coca cola note.
in conclusion, it’s not going to please everyone’s nose but it’s pretty and timeless, you just have to carry yourself in a certain way if you are young and going to wear it! (don’t let anyone tell you this is a grandma fragrance) 🤍

This was my first perfume that I bought to wear as a signature seasonal scent and I adore it. The smell is similar to mulled wine and I've been told multiple times that it smells like Christmas, making it an ideal holiday scent. It doesn't last as long as I'd like but is strong enough to reach the edges of the room, and is an excellent choice.

Absolutely timeless. Perfectly unisex. Most gorgeous bottle. Great price, high-quality juice, and OP performance.

My favorite amber fragrance, and I think it should be up there as a ‘quintessential amber’ with Serge Lutens Ambre Sultan.

I have to admit—it took me a whole week of just staring at my new bottle before I could brave it out and wear it. The scent is dusty and may scare the wearer of smelling too much like grandma. But believe me, no one around you will mind it—it’s just elegant dry amber after all. But a few will absolutely love it, including yourself. You will smell super special.

I used to wear and adore Opium, but its drama and opulence started feeling a bit costume-y on me. It’s just so loud. I only recently tried Youth Dew (what took me so long?) and while it’s no wallflower, there is something more relaxed about it, even if it’s a little brooding in comparison. It’s dry and herbal where Opium is glittering and sweet, and it seems to have more interest in exploring old churches than hitting up velvet-rope discotheques all night long. The incense, spices, and resins really sing, and there’s an animalic blush that’s almost entirely missing from modern formulations of Opium. Honestly, I prefer Youth Dew. It’s also about half the cost of Opium and lasts longer than any other perfume I own. And, it’s entirely unisex by modern standards. (I dream of a delicious prank where Lauder releases a new Tom Ford Private Blend with good ol' Youth Dew in the bottle, and no one the wiser. It would fly off the shelves and end up on a hundred fragbros' Youtube lists.) Take my money, Lauder - you know what you're doing.

This was a blind buy for me, I wanted it for collector's sake and I think the bottle is really cute. Wearing it right now and I don't hate it! it's a bold scent but it's not choking me out or anything like that. It kind of reminds me of Chanel No 5 but a sweet cola, slightly spicy version. I probably won't wear this that often, but I appreciate Youth Dew for what it is.

Along the same lines as YSL opium, Bentley for men intense, or Armaf Niche Oud.

This one leans more into casual Cola scent. Opium leans more into some omnitious church like scent... something grandiose. Armaf Niche Oud has a dust note, which is interesting... and Bentley for men has leather and some modern masculine molecules. There is also a Avon scent which smells almost identical... I think it was Black Suede but I'm not sure.

I would say this is really unisex gourmand scent that has closest resemblance to coca-cola I smelled. Probably something you wear for yourself. Very warming scent, I would not call it modern but I would also hesitate to call it vintage. It is just what it is, it smells like pleasant sweet fizzy cola drink so if that's what you want to smell like you have an option to.

A beautiful, herbal treasure. It smells vintage, but oh so gorgeous. I can’t believe I just recently tried this for the first time!!! I bought a bottle immediately. I imagine this is what a beautiful pin-up girl from the 50’s would have worn. In the same vein as Tabu, which is a favorite of mine. I could honestly get rid of my entire collection and switch back and forth between only this and Tabu. It’s stunning.

I truly hate to say that I've never loved this fragrance, although I've only ever tried the modern formulation. There's absolutely nothing wrong with the scent - if you love fragrances that smell like cola. Many people seem to, and that's cool. For those who haven't tried it, you've likely smelt it on someone else; it's more or less powdery cola without fizz. Definitely a reference designer amber... pre-2000. So much more complex than your run-of-the-mill vanilla/woods/ labdanum/animalic musk etc type of amber. Loads of spices, especially cinnamon, but not too floral. The comparisons to Opium are very apt, even in the modern formula I've tried. It's been a while since I've worn this, and for some reason I want to again. Not to see if I still dislike it, because I never really did, but just to see how it goes with my matured nose.

I love this on my mum!

It's so beautiful sitting on her vanity during the autumn and winter months, very indicative of her persona and whenever I visit home it's oh so comforting smelling this on her as she goes on about her day.

This is a fragrance that you need to wear on your skin to appreciate its beauty and elegance, it warms up to create this cloud of Christmas. Lasting power is great but the sillage is even better!

Something that I personally wouldn't wear myself as I don't identify with the personality of the fragrance but nonetheless the bottle is beautiful.

lovely. Spicy, rich, deep, and potent. With just one excellent spritz, you'll have a pleasant toasty aroma all day. This is warm, lightly spicy, and well-balanced in my opinion. For me, this exquisite, elegant and deep, incensy, sweet aroma is synonymous with unconditional love. This is the aroma of going to work with my grandma or sitting in her living room after school. This is the perfume of a lady who contributes generously and ceaselessly, and in more ways than we can count. This is the epitome of beauty and grace. It's kind and forgiving. This is true art. 

After reading all the long reviews on this one, I was expecting either a bold, dark, femme fatale perfume, or something unpleasantly "mature". My hand trembled when I picked up the bottle because I was expecting my mind to get blown....and I didn't know if it would be good or bad.

Yeah, turns out it's pretty typical.

Good, but nothing to write a novel about. It's cinnamon and lavender with a hint of regular, full-sugar Coca-Cola. I think a woman of any age could pull this off, although it doesn't personally interest me much so I won't be purchasing it for myself. Maybe I'll buy it for someone as a gift.

One thing to note: it'll stain your clothes brown.

The first time I smelt this I felt like I was taken back in time. This smells like a time capsule to me. Very vintage which is what I love about it. This is loud, rich, and complex. On my skin I get the aldehydes, spices, and citruses in the opening. After it settles and dries, I get lots of spices, jasmine, and ylang-ylang in the middle. In the base I get incense, balsams, and amber. I get patchouli almost all throughout. This is absolutely unisex in my opinion. Dark, deep, rich, and spicy. Perfect for the cold weather.

I used to hate youth dew for years. I smelt it on a counter at a department store and nearly passed away. Then I bought it on clearance for like $20 a bottle around 2 years ago and tried it and still hated it. I picked it up a few months ago and started layering it with other fragrances to bed. Then I started to wear it by itself and I love everything about it. It just works well with my skin. The trick is how you spray it and wear you put it. I don’t directly spray it I just take it in the cap and dab it on my pulse points mixed with a little bit of amber oil. It’s now one of my favorite fragrances. Usually I wouldn’t advise forcing yourself to like a fragrance but this one was an experience and took time.

I purchased a decant (current formulation) to test this legend. Here I am on this mild fall evening, and I feel like I should have a chamomile tea accompanying me. This isn’t the intimidating beast I was warned of, though it’s commendable, and longevity is outstanding.

It’s quite calming and comforting. I get an herbal broth and a floral stew with steamy indole. Narcissus and Cassia in full regalia. Then, it’s strained until dry, and placed in satin sachets (but not like potpourri.) The sachets are placed near decorative soaps on a mahogany vanity, alongside a powder puff, a luxurious hair brush, a handheld mirror, and lineament. Together, they’re illuminated by a dim, incandescent lamp.

I love it for relaxing at home in the evening. It’s true what they say: what was once old, will become new again. So refreshing in a sea of gourmands.

If my house were on fire and I could only rescue one bottle of perfume it would be this one.

This perfume gets ridicule because it is an old one and has an old fashioned name. But it stands head and shoulders above the pedestrian scents flooding the world market for parfumerie. It is rich , complex, sexy and original .

The perfume oil and body cream are fabulous and decadent . I love to put the body cream on after bathing.

My beloved grandmother ( who raised me ) wore this, as did many of my aunts . For me, it brings a rush of memories , yet even without the memories I find it unique and beautiful because of the symphony of spices that are so much more creative than fruit and sugar scents that dominate the current market .

Youth Dew always seemed sophisticated when I was a child and I viewed it as the scent of a woman who was refined - a lady . Today , I still find it womanly , sexy , and refined - elegant .

If you have never sampled the body cream or bath oil you have missed something exquisite . Though I feel frustration with EL for ruining so many classic creations, Youth Dew is still a stand out - even in its toned down formula .

Beloved perfume of old Hollywood movie stars Joan Crawford, Dolores Del Rio (wore it in her hair apparently), Gloria Swanson and the Duchess of Windsor. Youth Dew's certainly not for the fainthearted or shrinking violet. It's big personality, lipstick, nails, eyes and teeth, cameras rolling, over the top Hollywood glamour. Think Susan Hayward in that Judy Garland Travilla trouser suit in Valley of the Dolls. Think Lana Turner, Jane Russell, Hedy Lamarr, Anne Baxter in that Columbo episode "Requiem for a Falling Star" and think that famous Aldo Gucci quote "...There can never be too much elegance in your life..."

I think with Youth Dew it's more a case of HOW you choose to wear it. One squirt's probably enough. Spray it on a good hour or so before you go out for the evening...it does make you feel glamorous, in the same way putting on your lipstick instantly does. It reminds me of small-town America, Jessica Tandy types in that "Driving Miss Daisy" film, BUT it also reminds me of Joan Crawford - in a mink coat, in a Cadillac - Dolores Del Rio, Gloria Swanson and the Duchess of Windsor (they all wore Youth-Dew). Yes, I didn't like Wallis Simpson either, she was ugly and hard-faced but she WAS chic. You'll have to make up your own mind on this one. I like it, if worn correctly i.e., one spray only, perhaps in your (upswept/newly coiffured) hair. I think Youth Dew possibly works better in the bath oil formula with a capful in the bath. Mrs Lauder advised to "...Spray, Walk & Twirl..." i.e., spray your perfume up into the air in front of you, walk into the mist whilst twirling round...quite hilarious and too much of a faff for most PLUS! you'd have to remember to keep your eyes tight shut, unless you wanted your vision affected.

I can imagine husbands of a certain generation buying this faithfully every year for their wives' Christmas present. However, I think Youth Dew is a fragrance for all ages, and sexes, IF you have the right personality for it & can carry it off - i.e. not everyone can "wear" a mink coat, or a Travilla trouser suit. They, for whatever reason, just don't have the confidence.


Apparently, Charles Revson, founder of Revlon, stole the formula for Youth Dew by sending his spies into the Lauder factory. His Flex shampoo smelt just like Youth Dew and was a huge seller for Revlon, worldwide. I only ever used Flex shampoo to wash my hair in the 70's & 80's - because it smelt so fabulous... if you're a guy and like Youth Dew, try Aramis' JHL - if you can still find a bottle - it's been "discontinued" - why? I do not know...it has definite elements of Youth Dew...

This is an exquisite oriental. Michael Edwards classifies this as a classical oriental. Sillage is moderate and longevity is at least 6 hours. After skimming some of the reviews here I note that a substantial number of negative reactions reference personal and temporal associations with the fragrance. This is natural, because of the impact of the sense of olfaction. I need not reference Proust and the scent of madeleines from his childhood which when he experienced as an adult and was reminded of the past-but I have!
In prior decades (70-90s) women would drench themselves in very strong perfumes, possibly in an effort to assert themselves. It is not surprising that many who experienced this onslaught to recoil from these power houses. However, I personally think that this fragrance, without the burden of past associations is a marvelous high quality mix of spices, and amber, and can be worn successfully with JUDICIOUS application.
I consider this a sophisticated occasion fragrance and it should not be worn with very casual clothing (cut-offs, gym clothes, denim capris etc.) lest your audience goes into a “that does not compute” mode.
It is still selling, and not just to the silver haired set, according to staff at the Estee Lauder counter.
A timeless masterpiece.

Such a beautiful fragrance. I don’t understand all the hate. This is what I call a real perfume and you get your moneys worth and more.

Looking at the notes-I should love this. A combination of florals, spices and some warming amber.. But I dont love it. I LOATHE it. Its like the grandmother of the worst excesses of 1980s perfumes.. subtle it ain't. If you like a perfume which precedes you into a room, then boldly attacks total strangers, and stays in the room days you've left-then this may be for you. The spices totally over run any other notes to my nose. Its so bad that I will actually vacate a space if anyone wearing it comes within 30 ft of me. Its like a mad old lady perfume on steroids. Vile. There should be a health warning on the packaging. You could lose friends wearing this! Not a safe blind buy, unless you like nasty surprises 🤣.

Its from another era for sure. Extremely loud, decadent and amazing. One day I hate it, the other day I love it. It changes like phases of the moon.
Perfumes like this are historic valuables, they capture common archetypes from the past.. I just have to have it in my collection so I can evoke her, lean sensual woman in pencil skirt and red lipstick.

I wanted to wait to post my review of Youth Dew, the vintage, and the reformulation. This is definitely not a perfume for the Pink Sugar, celebrity fragrance B&B crowd who consider J. Lo's Glow an "old lady scent." Insert heavy sigh here. While this would not be my go-to fragrance, this is one of the masterpiece fragrances of the 20th century.

The 1950s were so interesting with their "new look" dresses and skirt suits, hyper-capitalism, misogynistic advertising, and societal push of "wholesomeness"...all while smelling like heavy, mature, musky, spicy, rich sex. The fragrances of the era don't make sense yet they do. Maybe all that uptightness was dying to be naughty under those structured skirt suits and waist-nipped dresses.

The opening spray is immediately aldehydic and a bit overwhelming, no lie. To me after that initial shock of spray, I get a lavender spice that is pretty, but for younger noses, it definitely falls into the "old lady' scent category. By the time the heart notes present themselves the spice bomb has detonated, but the floral notes make the spice sweeter and more interesting.

For the vintage version, the dry down is heavily animalic and stronger with oakmoss, patchouli, and amber asserting their dominance. The new formulation has kept the essence of youth dew, but it's softer and easier to wear in this era of screechy synthetic fruits and sickenly sweet gourmands. Also, spraying it into the air and walking into its mist is the best way to apply the fragrance, ESPECIALLY the vintage version.

Good lord the opening is absolutely piss, tiger balm and root beer to the nth degree.

After about 5-10 minutes it calms down and leaves you with a spicy, dry, soapy carnation with a bit of a root beer candy hint.

I honestly love it conceptually but I also have a negative visceral reaction to it. It's very confusing and I don't know what to say.

Utmost respect to this legendary perfume, but I'm honestly also glad it's not commonly worn any more!

My Mom's signature scent .. I only have to spray it and reminds me of Christmas past when my parents were alive and Dad bought it her every Christmas (without fail) as a present haha She was never disappointed.

Musky .. oriental and long lasting .. once you sniff it's a fragrance memory ... nothing shy about it.

Youth Dew is not 'youthful' at all. Like most, my mother had this fragrance as well, but she did not wear it much. I recently purchased a fresh, new bottle of this scent because as a collector, I needed to have it. It is mature, warm, and flowery-- with a touch of amber. I like it, in small doses. With Youth Dew ladies, practice your layering to make it your own. Some suggestions: Bath and Body works, You're the One-- and anything vanilla goes well with this fragrance. Layering will make it smell a lot more modern. Wear this, when you're spending time outdoors--at a cookout, gardening, walking your dog. It comes alive with fresh air!

This was my mother's signature scent when I was a child. She no longer wears perfume anymore but whenever I smell it I think of my young childhood. I have a small daubber bottle that I took from her when I was a young adult, and while I don't ever wear it, I do smell it from time to time to transport me. It's a powerhouse for sure, and I would wear it if I could ever find an appropriate time in my life to do so. I agree with the cola smell that another reviewer mentioned, although I can't help but wonder if that's psychosomatic based on color alone. I have no other way to describe this scent other than nostalgic.

My Mom wore this when I was growing up in the 80's. At the time, my sisters and I HATED this perfume with a passion. It truly is all the things everyone says it is - old lady perfume, church lady perfume etc... But it is also.... wonderful?! Mysterious??! Sensual?!

I love it now. I bought a bottle out of nostalgia and was instantly transported back in time. Spraying it on myself is comforting and reassuring, like putting on Mithril armour. It is mature, and spicy, it is like nothing else. For me it smells just as good on dirty skin as it does on clean, it doesn't "go bad" it only gets better. The bath oil hits me with cinnamon that I don't get from the spray, but both are gorgeous. I go back to it again and again, though it's not a daily scent for me. Sometimes I will put some on before bed, and I love catching the scent again when I crawl back into bed the next night.

Gorgeous, historical, nostalgic, polarizing, complicated scent.

Has every reason to make you blind buy it, but ABSOLUTELY do not.

This is embedded in our collective subconscious as “old lady/old dolls/old fur coats” so if you were born after 89, forget about it. It will reek for you as well.

I sprayed, showered, and post-shower this was reborn again with its fecal facet shining even brighter.

I respect whoever might like this but DO NOT BLIND BUY.

One of my favourite fragrances and probably most hated among others. This is one perfume that I wear just for me. It is way too polarizing to wear for work. Id wear it to a party when I actually didnt want to attend and just came for the food and not for the people. I know nobody who wears it. When I first smelled this I thought it smells like insect repellent but that was just very interesting. Now I think it smells like zesty tangy coca cola. I do not think old lady because all old ladies now wear things like La Vie Est Belle or Flowerbomb. I think actually this is a goth kind of scent. It is kind of mysterious and dark and not sweet.

An absolute stunning fragrance smells like Christmas to me and hot cross buns in Easter and smells opulent and rich and reminds me of my beautiful grandmother and will always be in my collection

How strong, wild and flamboyant! One of the most beautiful gifts America gave to the world. Thanks a lot Mrs. Lauder.

Whoa, what a scent memory. Want to remember what the late 80's smell like? Here it is. Mix a little of your nana's baby-powder with your mom's Lady Stetson and you've got Youth Dew.

I do love how strong it is though- that hint of spice and baby powder is strooong. Not terrible, just very 80's, so it's great in its own right I think.

I somehow got over the "not my generation" association I had and I like this quite a bit now, though my description may not sound that way.

First spray, I'm hit with a sort of Christmas spices and dried oranges smell that also makes me think of cola. Then it gets powdery, dense, and kind of smells like spices (ginger, cinnamon, cloves) and sweet incense in a house with a lot of cats. I can't entirely ignore the musky cat smell, but it's like fur and distant litter box, not urine on the furniture. I'm finding more and more I like scents with a hint of background stank.

The over all mood I get is warm, inviting home on a cold autumn night. I'm adding it to my "mother who still has a good time with her husband after the kids go to bed" shelf.

This is a very nostalgic scent for me; one sniff and I'm transported back to my grandmother's vanity, playing with the perfumes on her dresser. She used to decant all her fragrances into vintage bottles with those tasseled puffers, which just seemed so Fancy to me as a child. In the bottle it's warm, sweet, a little spicy, but there's also an astringent, alcohol smell...kind of like sniffing a bottle of vanilla extract. On the skin I lose almost all those notes; it becomes a very soft, rich fragrance, a little powdery. Still some of that sweet-and-spiciness but it's dominated by the patchouli and musk. Close to the skin there's a sharp green note, maybe from the cassia or bergamot? Despite the name this is a very mature fragrance.

Alas, I don't think my first impression (or second or third....) of Youth Dew was positive either! But I kept on coming back to sniff. The reason a perfume like this can sell for years - believe me, they would not continue to market it otherwise - is because it has an appeal that is more about the dry down on skin. A complexity that many perfumes lack. On some it will be horrid and on others fabulous.

We all enjoy what we enjoy. Even more so, I enjoy teaching myself to LEARN to enjoy new-to-me foods and fragrances! That's the joy of exploration, which is largely what Fragrantica is all about. Kudos to all the generous fragrance lovers here, whether of the odd, the ordinary, the pleasant, or the predictable. Fragrance is a marvelous journey, and for Youth Dew we journey into the past for a quite deja vu experience. <3 As someone has wisely said, 'The past is different country.'

Happy Sniffing!

I feel like this one is totally a vintage fragrance that is neither fruity floral, nor candy floss or musk but this one is lovely, but for the older generation.
There is spiciness, richness, depth and so much of love in it. It is a powerful fragrance that mesmerizes one completely. The gentle spiciness and warmth in this is amazing and the perfect blend of notes is just outstanding.
As for me, this one smell chic and authentic. But I don't see myself wearing it, maybe my mom would

i have worn Youth-Dew bath oil off and on for 25+ years. it’s the closest thing i have to a signature. i put it on for the first time in months yesterday: been ignoring it since i’ve been on this perfume-sampling adventure, though i’ve been reminded of it often. i occasionally forget that the bath oil is basically extrait strength. so, yeah, yesterday i did one dab too many and nearly annihilated my roommate. (but she’s been inside a car with it on numerous occasions, so she’s mostly inoculated. ha.)

the industrial soap and cat pee will bitch-slap you hard if you over-apply, especially if you bruise it by rubbing. but even a heavy, clumsy dose will eventually mellow into medicinal herbs steeped in honey, jungle incense, and hoochie. it never really becomes soft, though. it remains an aggressive dirty-patchouli witch’s brew for the duration.

HAIL ESTÉE

musical accompaniment : “Satanic Rites” by Perturbator

/bath oil from 2014

My siblings and I got this fragrance for our mom every Christmas as children. I'll always think of her and of my childhood when I smell it. I can't stand amber scents on my own skin, but my mother completely embodied this scent. Warm and spicy, not cloying. Just comforting.

Nice! Very nice.
It is quite similar to Opium from YSL but less salt and less incents.
Somewhat more soapy, I'd say.
For opium I give ''love'' and for this one ''like a lot''.
And the more they dry down, the closer they get.

And of course the salt from your skin will be added, so clearly it becomes Opium de YSL!

Delicious Coca-Cola gummies. Just got a current bottle. Yum.

Old-fashioned, long lasting greatness. Very elegant while wearing, and affordable too.

This perfume will always remind me of my 4th grade teacher who I adored. She was beautiful like a Bond girl. Every morning we would sit in a circle on the floor and she would read a chapter from a book that was far too mature for us, but we didn't care, we were mesmerized by how beautiful she was and the smell of her perfume.

I love all ambers, but this one is really soapy and powdery to me. The stale aldehydes burn off into something busy and pungent. Here all I get is a somewhat spicy “perfume smell” that is floral, sourly animalic, and balsamic woody all at once in the vein of Bal a Versailles. Too strong for my liking-- it almost made me sneeze! Definitely one to apply lightly, and better as a layering component. The cloves do alight something amazing in otherwise soft and timid white florals.

Having read quite a number of good reviews on Fragrantica I decided to get one for myself. Strong sandalwood and clove. This is very different from many other classic parfumes I have had before. It is very spicy with numerous layers of scent. It is pretty and has its own character and rather comforting. It is unlike any other fragrance I have previously owned. I like to apply it before bed. The nice smell stays until the next morning. Not a safe blind buy. This can only be used sparingly. And never rub it against the skin or the cat's pee smell will result.

Like a lot of people, I recall this from my grandmother. I loved it as a kid, hated it as a teenager, and love it now. I think its a masterpiece but definitely not for everyone. Like cilantro and fruit cake, it is very polarizing. You love it or hate it, and the person on the other side of the fence will argue with you interminably about why you love it or hate it. It's a conversation starter for sure.

The opening is sharp, sour, or maybe ammonia-like. Probably the tuberose, which I always want to love but never do. Spices are lovely, similar to Opium but with sharper edges. Extremely long-lasting, strong sillage. You really need to commit to wearing this one. Not for the faint of heart.

My grandmother had a well-aged bottle containing approximately one-seventh of its original content. It was hidden away at the back of her freestanding wooden wardrobe right next to her Italian marble jewelry box.
I tried it then and realized it was too old for my younger self (about 15+ years ago). Her beautiful jewelry box is now mine ... Walking through a department store today I saw a Youth Dew roll-on and on a whim a sampled it on my wrist. The tears are sitting shallow with remembrance and grief, but to my utter surprise and joy, I love the fragrance. It smells like a beautiful memory, a Jane Austen film, The Great Gatsby, it has substance, significance, and class. I will forever love it.

I love it. Hated it as a kid because I smelled it everywhere, but I'm glad I have a newfound appreciation for it. I must have been smelling a lot of turned Youth-Dew back then, because my fresh new bottle is amazing. Powder and aldehyde and spice. A real time warp. To own a bottle is to have a pure celebration of vintage perfume. Classy and 1950s. Nothing modern about it. I love it. The most beautiful style of perfume bottle I own, as well.

Phase 1: 1980 shows up to punch you in the dick.

Phase 2: Aromatics Elixir + Tabu.

Phase 3: Lingering hint of cat pee and baby powder.

(I dig it.)

Once upon a time, in 1961 to be specific, according to the information coming from lauderperfumes.blogspot.com, 1 ounce of Youth Dew -that is just 30 ml for the European- contained "the essence of 9,600 jasmine flowers from France, 480 roses from France, 80 roses of a different variety from Morocco, 1,750 orange blossoms, 60 tuberoses, the amount of orris absolute grown on 15 square feet of iris plantation near Florence, the peel of half a bergamot from Calabria, the hand scraped peel of 15 oranges, sandalwood and cardamom oils from India, estragon oil from Spanish tarragon leaves, three animal fixatives and 35 laboratory-made aromatic chemicals".

... After a moment of silence for respect... let's have a look at this day:

The Youth Dew now contains 10 jasmine flowers and 4 rose petals from France, some 8 orange blossoms, no tuberose really, and 135 rich, laboratory-made aromatic chemicals which gives us a good taste of Coca Cola.

Changing times, ehh.

"..smells like melted cinnamon red-hots in a truck stop bathroom."

Thanks a lot @Fava Beans.

Just moments ago I was quite enjoying my first dab from a 1950s vintage Bath Oil bottle of Youth Dew I got from a seller on Ebay. Taking it in and feeling it out. Moments after applying two little drops atop my hand, I read your comment. I almost spit out my Darjeeling tea in a laughing fit.

Fortunately the warmth and healing power of laughter trumps the unshakable association I now have for this "masterpiece" of a fragrance.
Add to the 'red-hot-truck-stop' thing the smell of 2 day old discarded maxi-pads my mother tossed in the little trash can next to the toilet when I was growing up. Was always a bit unsettling as a young boy. Except now it's sprinkled with a heart note of freshly ground Sri Lankan cinnamon. And I have yet to know her dry down.

Bear with me please, as my nose is not so keen, not so sophisticated yet on dissecting and identifying individual notes.
But I'm a pretty quick study.

I'm brand new to this dance with vintage fragrance. One of my first was a 1962 vintage sample of Guerlains Jicky (2 weeks ago). An hour in and I wanted it to last forever on my skin. Very exciting. I'd love to tell the story of how I got here, and where I'm at with it currently.. perhaps on another thread, another day. I'm not typically one who shares my experiences on a public forum, so we'll see how it goes.

A pleasure indeed to meet the likes of all you wonderful, fellow frag heads!

I look forward to what's to come.

This was my grandma's signature scent. She had the whole collection-bath oil, powder, and edp. The bottle I have is her's so I use it sparingly and when I want to feel close to her. One spritz adds depth to my oriental style perfumes. It is a wonderful example of incense and spices. This is not modern, but it isn't overly mature or old-fashioned if used as an accent.

Fragrance is simply not made like this anymore. This is an extremely Complex fragrance that one will either love or really dislike. I am of the former and I adore every bit of it.

Spring is here but it’s been quite cold in NJ and I’ve been wearing this as a reminder of my grandmother. How special this fragrance is to me and so many others due to the sentimental value alone. I will treasure this forever. I have not tried newer versions as I prefer vintage versions of YD in all varieties.

I have been bathing in the bath oil and layering the EDP and pure parfum (although I have not worn it out except for long drives alone). I don’t need to I simply need to smell it for my own pleasure and memory. I left a more in depth review years ago but I couldn’t resist praising YD again. She magical and one of a kind like Estée Lauder herself.

People, be civil in your reviews, will ya? Describing a product that someone else likes as "shit" is just impolite. Not to mention stupid- nobody pours dollars in the production of something that smells like shit. That YOU don't like it, that's something else. Feel free to stay away from it, end of story.

I blind bought a mini because I NEEDED to know what this concoction of so many notes smells like. Upon first spray - vintage perfume, did it turn? No... that's just what it smells like. Dries down quickly and I'm left with "wet incense" which further dries down to a smokier drier incense. I cannot think of any other way to describe this other than a fresh incense counter. Blends of so many different scents, smoky but not actually burning. I can understand what people say when they think of cola, but it isn't that fresh or sweet. The smoke and resins almost give me an impression of a cleaning product, though I can't say which. Ultimately, it's just incense on me and I feel like I need to layer it with something more warm/ambery or sweet to make it more contemporary. Even though this claims to be an "amber spice" scent, I get more "incense spice" and wish it was a bit warmer. I do not need a full bottle of this, my half ounce mini should suit me fine for awhile. Not sure this is something I'd wear often, but I think this would work when I hang out with hippies/go to music festivals/have evening bonfires. May need a spritz of sandalwood, vanilla, coconut or something to balance the incense and make it smell more like "me."

I’m in my 40s and my grandmother wore this perfume my entire life. I can remember disliking it as a child. I didn’t think it smelled bad, but was more mature than the Electric Youth and Malibu Musk I was into at the time. I lost my grandmother two days ago.

I picked this fragrance up to wear to her upcoming service. The first sniff flooded my mind with a lifetime of memories.

This gorgeous, chic and deep, incensy, sweet fragrance is synonymous, for me, with unconditional love. This is the scent of carefree weekends at the lake house, banana milkshakes on sick days. This is the scent of the excitement of going to work with my grandmother or relaxing after school in her living room. This is the scent of a woman who gives selflessly and tirelessly, and in more ways than we knew how to be grateful for. This is elegance and class. It’s warmth and forgiveness. It’s every family gathering, Thanksgiving dinner and Christmas morning. This is the scent of comforting hugs, playing with makeup and grits for breakfast when it’s cold out. This is the sliced bananas added to my cereal and the sweet sound of hearing “Hey, Babe” by the only acceptable substitute in my mom’s absence. There is just nothing more beautiful than this.

I’m a fragrance collector and own lots of beautiful scents. This, though. This is the feeling I’ve been looking for every time I’ve ever anointed my own skin.

This is real art.

I only bought this so I could smell my grandmother again, so it surprised me that I actually enjoyed it on myself. And to change it up a bit, combined it with Kayali's Vanilla 28. Prefer wearing this on cold weather days.

Love the cinnamon and cloves in this! Warm and comforting. I smell something that to me is carnation but that isn't listed in the notes. Must be the Narcissus?

Fava Beans: you make fun of Youth Dew and it's admirers yet you have Jicky and Shalimar and others.. You must not notice the fecal smell of Jicky.

Sweet Mother of Coca and Cola! This is more like it!
Finaly, I got my hands on bath oil, made in U.S.A. and everything. Do you have any idea how difficult is to get it in Europe? Traditional shops haven't seen it in years and the sites who are supposed to have it in stock, don't. After months and several canceled orders, like a contraband or some highly regulated substance, finaly this nice smiling man delivered it to my door this morning. Even the sun was shining.
I don't have any childhood memory of it, some passing Opium wearers, but no Youth-Dew. I discoverd it first on papier strap, tester bottle looked ancient. The same day I took straps with Cinnabar, Spellbound and Knowing home. After days or even weeks of sniffing them, I returned to try some of them on skin. The ancient Youth-Dew tester dissappeared and was not replaced. I found one in another shop and it was reminescent of the first one, but not nearly as potent or complex. The openning was the closest to what I remembered and it went worse from there. Nice amber with some anemic spices floting in it, nothing wrong with it, but nothing like the potent juice it was supposed to be. No woods, incense or anything even vaguely aromatic about it. It was flat, faint and boring.
I have a strange skin, it magnifies vanilla and most of the resins to a point that some perfumes are unrecognisable. Over the years, I tried as many testers I could find and the result was the same. The only conclusions I could have, it was not to be or reformulations killed it. I remembered a passioned few discussing bath oil as better and its original form. So, I kept it behind all other useless information for years in hope that I would stumble upon it.
I didn't. I went looking for it last autumn.
I am no expert, I have no historical connexion or memory of it, but this few dabbed drops are the closest to that dinky old bottle's juice I'm clearly incapable of forgetting.

Why am I telling you all this?
We don't have endless supply of vintage perfumes. Even those hide bad surprises. I'm happy to have acces to this community and all information it can provide.
Thank you.

SPICE BOMB. I have always adored this perfume, my mother is also a huge fan, grew up smelling this perfume. It is very vintage smelling some people may find it too mature, I am 40 and have been wearing it since I was 16, I am of the belief wear what you like at any age/season/gender. I love it, for a perfume that has lots and lots of notes it is super well blended, it is a classic and a masterpiece in my opinion.

Seriously : I just found a vintage mini at the flea market and ...it is the FIRST TIME EVER that I found a vintage that did NOT TURN and it's quite nice in an "antique perfume" way. It was fizzy and "cola like" . So my advice is to HOLD OUT till you find a nice preserved VINTAGE that is not spoiled. Because believe me ; when Youth Dew TURNS it smells like the emergency room at a skunk hospital . (Don't bother with new versions - they are weak and smell like a cheap knock of of Tabu & Cinnabar and don't last long).

I thought I had never experienced Youth Dew, but I was wrong. I blind bought a new bottle, and smelling that first test whiff on paper made me realize a couple of things-- I have a reformulation, and also, it is a reformulation of a very prominent fragrance of my youth (I'm 46.). This fragrance was everywhere when I was little. I can't place any specific person, only that it is so familiar, it is as if it is in my dna.

When I first started experimenting with creating fragrances about 8 years ago, I had a very limited collection of ingredients, which meant I couldn't help but create the same variation of fragrance over and over again. All of them smelled like coca cola. So I eventually learned that patchouli + amber makes coca cola. My experience of the reformulated Youth Dew opening was dominated by patchouli + amber. It lasted for hours like this, with a supporting background of cinnamon and sweetness, metal, muskiness, and a prevalent note of Estee Lauder-ness.

Eventually the heart opened, and then it remained this way for about 8 more hours. I assume what was the heart for me is the base drydown that others rave about. It was unmistakably lovely. Possibly even sublime. That said, I just don't love Youth Dew, I just like it very much. When I read the reviews mentioning layering it, I thought it was rather blasphemous. Why would someone layer an iconic fragrance? But now that I have tested it for myself-- again, this is the reformulation-- I would absolutely layer this. The possibilities seem endless.

Everything about the notes and description sound like this was made for me. I'm so glad I didn't try it on my skin, I would have dreaded walking around with this on me unable to escape it... Would still be open to try a vintage and have my mind changed, but the experience I had smelling this on paper was enough for me to lose my interest in any active pursuit. A total musky/powdery cluster of indescribable things, loud and heavy. I love loud and heavy, but this wasn't pleasant. I tried this brand new at the counter of Macy's. Really shocked me. Reminds me of the first time I tried No 5, which I have a new appreciation for these days. Will return to it in a few months when maybe I can appreciate it more.

An Egyptian mummy soaked in Coca-Cola. I wouldn't ever wear it but I LOVE IT.

OMG bought a new bottle for Christmas and had to send it back...
When I opened it le colour was kind of ambery and not dark...and the smell was not Youth Dew...it was closer to Cinnabar and after half an hour I could not smell anything...gone
I do not know what went wrong with this reform but if you liked the one from 2 years ago give a try to this one before you buy it, because for me i't s not YD anymore....
I'm done with Lauder...It's a shame to treat your consummers that way.

Big classic and my absolute love. I’m through three bottles (and two pumps a day are enough). There are also complimentary creams and lotions, lovely for subtle recharge ( I love putting body lotion on my neck and décolleté before going out). It seems that people either love it or despise it. I love it, ever since I found it in France, in a little boutique in an old alley, full of medieval charm: perfect place to shop for American cosmetics ;))). It’s VERY feminine, yet not sweet at all, it’s spicy, but doesn’t have any cinnamon-y “aftertaste”, it has wonderful depth to it, although it’s so perfectly composed that I don’t think of its many ingredients. Very complex: an artefact of an era when fragrances developed, instead of pleasing you straight away only to fade into vanilla… It’s impossible not to notice it; if someone really hates it I would advise to give it some time to vent a bit of its strength, as it is a real beast. I fell in love with it sniffing it on my wrist for a good day or two. And that was it for me, I was sold for life :)

Youth dew was a gift from a mature friend of fine. At first I didn’t appreciate the masterpiece that youth dew was. I’m 32. As it was such a generous, thoughtful gift, I continued to come back to It. Deciding how I could modernize this intriguing masterpiece. On my quest, I soon discovered the world of perfumery! *waves*
It is now my evening ritual to put on a vintage fur coat, cup of hot coffee (or tea), while wearing my newest fragrance from TJmax. Lol
I live a simple life as a homemaker. I don’t assume my peers to consider me conformist, though. The assumption that Youth dews personality is either a extreme feminist or religious hypocrite is distasteful. These strong opinions of her isn’t surprising, however. That being said, I love this perfume.
I did come up with layering it with a rose, woody fragrance. Not musky, powdery woody rose. Just rose and wood. Unfortunately anything I have found formulated is discontinued.

Youth dew edp is best worn on clothing, but the oil makes for a wonderful skin scent. USA made is still “stanky”, while the “made in Switzerland” is much sweeter. Both beautiful imho.

Coca Cola. I have both old EDP and pure parfum

I have a bottle from 2016, with the spicy, coffee-colored juice. That one smells amazing! I just got a new 2021 bottle from my mother-in-law for Christmas. OMg, this new formula sucks. It smells so sweet, and no spice. Don't get me wrong, I love vintage florals. But I wasn't expecting the balsamic spice to be removed from this classic. This has been castrated. Now I have a full bottle that is definitely not Youth Dew. I'm on the hunt for a vintage now.

P.S. I have the bath oil from a few years ago, that smells great! Nice and spicy.

This was supposedly one of Joan Crawford's favorite fragrances that she claimed she couldn't live without. That says everything right there. People either love Youth Dew or they hate it. There isn't much of an in between. The same goes for the actress Joan Crawford. You either love her or hate her. I happen to love both Youth Dew and Joan Crawford.

I have smelled this many times in my life on other people. I just didn't know what it was called years ago. I think my mother may have had a bottle of this at some time in her life--given to her as a gift by a family member. I do recall her having a bottle of some dark amber-colored fragrance in a blue box (a gift set). I remember not liking it (back then) because it smelled very strong to my young nose. My mother was not being happy about me getting into this particular fragrance. She behaved as though it were something very precious to her. When I told her that I didn't like it, she told me that's because it was for "older women".

I do remember smelling this perfume on other women...usually older women. They always smelled nice (the scent had softened and faded by the time I smelled it on them). Isn't it remarkable when we can remember smelling a certain fragrance without ever having owned a bottle of it or even knowing what it's called?

I tested this in a department store a few months ago. I had to ask the sales lady to let me sample it because it was locked away under the counter. She actually asked me if I knew what it smelled like before I sprayed it on the test strip. It's as if she were trying to warn me ahead of time. I told her I did and proceeded to spray it on the strip. I sniffed it and then told her that it was a lovely fragrance. She looked at me as if I had just stepped off of a space ship. I guess she didn't care for it much. I told her that it's much better after about 15-30 minutes have passed, and she made a face. I guess some people don't appreciate the artistry that went into making it. It's a timeless, elegant classic, and yes, it is for more mature women. Mature women are not usually interested in any perfumes with the words "sugar" or "bomb" in the name.

Classic powerhouse; bright and fizzy aldehydes immediately delves into warm and cuddly spices, cloves, and the most gorgeously smoky balsamic-y base ever. Very beautiful and enchantingly nostalgic, reminds me of my grandmothers and grandaunts. Perfect for autumn and winter, long-lasting (12+ hrs) with amazing sillage. Worthwhile purchase.

I had a Gran who actually gifted me this, LOL! Can you imagine?! Luckily it was easy at the time to exchange! For some ‘quality’ makeup! Those fab gift with purchase bonuses! Anyway, she was the strict Gran; the fun Gran wore Shalimar, but it took on very positive associations by my long contact with her. I think Youth Dew could have suited the proper Gran, but evidently she was one of those ‘older ladies’ who like to pass on things they regret purchasing, LOL, even she couldn’t handle it, or whatever. To me objectively, it does share similarities with Shalimar; it is deep, resinous, heavy, and tends to dominate the wearer. From what I have heard, YD was one of the first perfumes women actually bought for themselves, instead of being gifted by men in their lives, a fresh marketing idea, but was YD ever considered fresh & edgy?! It is a Beast…maybe it performs better as bath oil, another promotional tactic, but I doubt I’ll take on that experiment… It’s too bad, cause I do like, not love, most others from Estée Lauder. YD reminds me of the old style ladies lounge at department stores, a positive association, somehow.

To note the number of (new!) reviews is positively staggering. Youth Dew is a mature and spicy fragrance which continues to delight a new generation.

I have written before, but it bears repeating, that I was first put off by the dry, potpourri, dark-ness of it. But it haunted me as an inexplicable thing. WHY did people keep buying such a scent??? Then I accidentally wore it long enough to experience the dry down.... and was absolutely SOLD. The base notes are so rich and lovely - even somewhat sultry. If deep, rich, musky cinnamon scents and cola notes are your thing, Youth Dew should go on your test list ASAP. But be sure to test more than once and let it linger to dry down!

NOTE - Youth Dew and Aromatics Elixir are the best values at the department store. Don't trust me - go check it out!

I have a lot of respect for the perfume, even if she isn't for me. I tried some at the beauty counter a few weeks back. Let me tell you, this elegant, demanding queen lasted on me for an eternity. I got some on my sleeve as I spritzed my wrist and when I went to go wear the shirt again this week, I could still smell her, which is what prompted my review. She is unapologetically vintage, spicy, and bold. I do get a cola-esque note that does not agree with me. Alas, as it fades on my skin, I decidedly like it a whole lot less. Cinnamon and my nose tend not to agree. Ultimately, this scent becomes unpleasantly musky toward the end of wear. Upon spritzing it, I knew it wasn't for me, but the wear off confirmed it. I have such respect that this little beastmode fragrance is an affordable $47 dollars. If you like it and it's for you, then it's a heck of a deal and a small piece of beauty history.

She's a spicy ,sexy beast ! Classics remain classic for a reason. I picture the 21st century woman who wears this comfortable in her skin. She is who she is and I no one can make her feel less than.

I've read so much good reviews about this perfume. Planned on getting a small vintage bottle but it didn't happen. On my recent trip to Ross, I stumbled on it. Expecting the bottle with a ribbon tied n its middle, the one I've got is blue plastic like sheathed bottle. It is a glorious scent, spice and all. It blooms in cold weather. I've worn it two days in a row while out and about. Sillage is strong and longevity is good. Now I will be looking for linear floral to layer it with.

youth dew is like a secret girlfriend, she is in my bed dancing on my sheets, softly lingering in my bathroom, and the inviting breeze that welcomes me when i get in my freezing car after leaving work late at night. i can smell her on the sleeves of my jacket and seemingly nobody else can. youth dew is intoxicating, balsamic, sweet, and aldehydic yet inoffensive.

This is truly a beautiful scent. I can smell the cinnamon! This perfume is elegant and shines bright in the winter time, don’t advise to blind buy.

Is it just me or does the dry down to youth dew smell like Chanel Coco?

One of my most worn fragrances lately has been Opium. While reading the reviews here on fragrantica, I noticed a lot of people complain about the (not so recent) reformulation. As a lover of heavy orientals, I was naturally intrigued. While looking into the OG 70s formulation, I also came across Youth Dew suggested as an alternative. I have unfortunately not smelled vintage Opium so I cannot compare these two directly. Youth Dew for me has an almost boozy opening. From the overall note composition you can immediately tell that this is something that has been around for decades, as it is radically different from contemporary fragrances. At the same time, it's hard to imagine something like this has mass appeal in this day and age when young girls prefer to douse themselves in Black Opium or Coco Mademoiselle. Kudos to Estée Lauder for keeping something so unique on the market for more than half a century. I don't know if has been reformulated but the current Youth Dew definitely packs a punch. The drydown is predominantly spicy and reminds me of Coke with an extra hint of juicy orange and cinnamon. Many hours later when the base notes dominate the scent becomes soapy. I am still unsure if I need a full bottle in my collection, but the fragrance definitely stands out.

in love with this perfume. Bold and deep. I bought it when I was 30 , I didn't smell it on grandma or anyone else before. Just tried it in Frankfurt duty free shop and fell in love from the first sniff ) it's balsamic,woody,spicy . So good for fall and rainy winter time. Cashmere sweater, wool coat and last touch for cozy outfit is this fragrance

I've never smelled this and not thought "yuck!" but I've decided to give this a proper try as I got a decant recently. I'm trying my best to like it, I can definitely respect the complexity and era, but nothing about this says "youth" to me. It's rich and spicy, complex, something for an older lady. However, now that I'm actually trying on skin it's more pleasant than I would have thought. Very balsamic, very Christmas. Not so much spicy to my nose but might be an old decant...also very Tabu which I did enjoy quite a bit. I think I could use this roughly 10 ml in the right moments and moods!

The key to wearing this fragrance successfully is to use a very small amount of it. Even the cologne is super-strong (I have it in vintage cologne and oil versions) and I'd recommend getting a splash so you can better control the amount you put on (either that or spray the air and walk through the mist). It's a perfect autumn scent with lovely cola-like spices. One of my grandmothers used to wear it so it's got the nostalgia factor for me as well.

This is like everything I love about ck obsession but doused in Dr Pepper, my favourite soft drink.
The warm smoky spice is drenched in a dark fizz that punches up its sweetness, binds its wide array of notes together and boosts its depth, projection and longevity. For me This feels like a fragrance wish granted.
I love obsession but this is the flame that the candle of obsession is being held to,

This is a landmark fragrance and its so wonderful to have found my way back to the source after being captivated by numerous tributes to it. Dark smoky sweet and exotic, seductive and delicious but also unexpectedly versatile.
I can just as easily see myself curling up under the covers with this as wearing it on a night out.

It’s bold and classic and makes a statement. I’ve never been this close to handing my “signature scent” spot on my profile to a fragrance. I understand the hype and I understand why it still sells today after so many years. A missing piece of my fragrance library has just been found, I don’t think I ever want to be without this again.

Projection is gorgeous and full, the complete character of the scent blooms off my skin and wraps around me.
Longevity is out of this world, I wake up to it still radiating off me, not even a skin scent.

Much like Dr Pepper, I don’t experience this as a series of ingredients. It’s a distinct, fully formed elixir composed of perfectly married elements. the blend is seamless and dissecting it feels almost futile, everything is in harmony and i don't want to pick it apart because i wouldn't change a thing. this doesn't feel like an equation of notes, it feels like magic. i'm having trouble describing this fragrance in my usual way because i can't narrow down a specific mood or situation i want to tether this to. i want to wear this all the time!

I feel like my appreciation of fragrance as an industry and as an art form is a little more complete now that I’ve experienced this myself, i see what all the fuss is about for sure. i will absolutely repurchase whenever i can because this now has a permanent spot on my shelf.

I’ve never left a review on something within 20 minutes of using it, but there’s a first time for everything.

I must have mentally mixed this up with Lanvin’s Arpege because I was expecting a Chanel no 5 like scent (which I love), but boy am I so pleasantly surprised.

This is amazing. I bought a lil vintage EDP with a black plastic top. I’m unsure of the year, but it’s definitely vintage.

The scent very much reminds me of Opium, which I became familiar with after scouting out a late 70s/early 80s EDT. It also just barely reminds me of my vintage Shalimar EDT. I am finding that some of these scents that were marketed towards women back in the day are incredibly unisex now. If another man walked by me wearing this, my interest would be peaked.

I used to think I was only into citrusy/fresh scents when I first started wearing perfumes. I never thought I’d be into these amber spicy fragrances, but after acquiring vintage Obsession, Opium, and now this...these might turn into my main jam. Especially during these colder months. I don’t have a car, and these lovely scents help in keeping me warm on my treks in the cold.

Also someone mentioned this being a sweet Obsession, but I think it’s the other way around 😊

Update - It is now the next morning and it lasted in the crook of my elbows all night! I sprayed it on my shirt before bed and I’m still getting nice whiffs of it. It was strong last night and it’s remaining strong today. What a creation!

🥀

I have always loved this, my grandmother wore it. When I first spray it (just two sprays, because it is strong) I smell patchouli and woods. after awhile or later , if i smell my clothes, to me, it just smells fresh and clean, like the outdoors-but a concentrated out doors ;-) to me this is a classic, and it is great for layering. one spray of this and then whatever else you like at the moment. I will always have this in my fragrance wardrobe. and I spray it on me after after shower and especially before I go to sleep.

this reminds me so much of my grandmother’s Opium, specifically the mini bottle I found in her dressing table when we had to move her into a nursing home. it was down to the last dregs, and there’s no telling how long it had been in that drawer, but it still smelled fabulous when I opened it, even if it had lost its sharpness and its spicy top notes. Youth Dew doesn’t have top notes LOL it’s just round, retro, blousy, and powdery. it’s a classic broad with perfect hair, a slick of red lipstick, and a Max Factor powder puff in her handbag

It makes me fell like I was on some sort of Christmas Ball, lavish decorations, vintage style, stylish people, men in tuxedos and ladies in beautiful, dark velvet dresses. It makes me long for times long gone by which is quite funny given the fact that I'm 90s kid. Definitely not everyone's cup of tea but if you happen to like it it will be strong but warm, cozy, inviting, mysteriuos and sexy. If you like classic YSL Opium you might like this one. For me it's definitely fall/winter scent, giving me the mood of christmas, parties and christmas preparations. Stunningly vintage and stunningly beautiful

I have loved Youth Dew for years (I’m 43). I actually prefer the oil, where the vanilla stands out a little more, but the perfume is wonderful, too. It doesn’t have the nuclear projection that it used to but it still smells wonderful. It’s warm and inviting.

I like, but don't love it. I get this one to pair with sweet smelling perfumes. This layers well with other oriental or woody fragrances. Sometimes I like to mix different perfumes into my own decants. I love to experiment and this is what I have this one for. It's very strong and lasts awhile. You don't need a lot of it. I absolutely love the dry down.

Finally have Youth Dew (2018 batch)!The predecessor of Opium.I can tell they indeed have very similar qualities.The density that I was looking for Opium was in YD all along,but the dry down,I have to give it to YSL Opium.The vanilla in this one is very much detectable for me than the one in opium.It is more animalic,thicker,incense-y and long lasting.
The notes of the the prominent incense and spice are the star of the show,vanilla always in support.I want to smell where the aldehydes were and I'll keep wearing it til my nose finds it with the rest of the said prominent notes via the notes vote.But for now,and for me,it's the dirtier,denser version of opium.It is harsh from the initial spray to it's heart,the latter transitions alot smoother.Now that the weather is a bit cooler,I can wear this one without worrying that it might give me a headache.I just have to also be aware of my fingers on the trigger.It can end up like a bloody massacre.

YD is the narcissistic mother than looks at Opium and will get the signal she's hinting when she stares at you from afar."YOU ARE ME!I CAN DESTROY YOU!" type of glare.

YD wears real animal fur and leather shoes.Smokes and sins heavily behind closed doors yet still goes to the church and preaches to the sacred words of the holy entity.Opium wears a deep red lipstick,YD wears a maroon one,or even a brownish shade.It's her foul mouth that is the center of the attention,her glare comes after.Trained her daughter well and is freaking out deep inside that dear Shalimar can't follow suit.YD is misunderstood like Opium,but atleast,she'll let you know her intentions.And it ain't a good one.

I'm young at age but my taste in fragrances are very much oldschool.That is why i love this so much and I highly appreciate it's history and smell.

Also,If Cruella De Vil wore a perfume,it is this one.Imagine the Cruella from the old 101 dalmatians animated movie who is tall,slanky and looks like she had been on crack for ages but is still going strong,or even Glenn Close Cruella and not the newer,live action one.

I recently bought this scent just to remember whether I had ever come across it. What I smell first and foremost are the cloves, then the powder. I sprayed it two-three times in the bathroom, because I didn't want to test it on my skin. Well, it smells more masculine, like an old-school aftershave. Right now, I wouldn't feel very comfortable wearing this. I'll give it one more try in winter.

I own an obscene amount of perfume, but this is the finest of them all . People ignore it because it does not have a hipster name, but who cares ? This is rich, spicy, complex and lasting. It is timeless , classy, and sophisticated . My heart would break if it were ever discontinued and if you have never tried it , you are missing something elegant.

I love that Youth Dew is oily. I hope that doesn't turn anyone off from trying it. By oily, I mean that after I've applied it, I can feel an ever so slightly oily patch on my skin. And that ever so slightly oily patch tingles a little bit. In a good way.

If it were a problem, I guess I could hold the sprayer further away from my skin. I really like it, though. I suppose there's a higher percentage of oil/juice in Youth Dew. Maybe that's why the fragrance lasts so long on my skin, which tends to devour fragrance.

Regarding the oily factor and longevity, I have promised myself a bottle of the YD bath oil.

The beautiful, spicy notes of Youth Dew ring out clear as a bell. Not only does she last long, she lasts strong.

To quote the lyrics of an old Disco era tune: She's no tramp, but she's no lady.

This is so unisex. I don’t know how this could be a female targeted perfume. Its the spiciest fragrance that I have ever sniffed. This is so rich, ambery, and powdery as well. It has some boozy nuances. If you like Shalimar, Portrait of a Lady, Enigma, or spicebomb, you would definitely appreciate this one. I will have to buy a bottle very soon.

I've had my bottle of this beauty for five years. Took a two-year break from wearing it. Now that I have a three-bottle collection of vintage Opium, I've been wanting to conserve it as much as possible. So Youth Dew does the trick. It's not the same as Opium, but it's the same genre. The sprayer on my Youth Dew doesn't quite work properly. It doesn't spray a huge cloud like it used to, it's more of a small stream now. But I don't mind, I can apply it in a much more focused manner. I also have the bath oil and dusting powder, which are both absolutely divine. Love this lush juice. Hope it never gets discontinued. There aren't many bold, memorable fragrances that exist in this modern day, unfortunately. Enjoy these vintage beauties while they're still alive.

Damn this is a sex bomb! It is so floral and so spicy. Rich, dark and resinous! This is for a woman who is confident, sexy and not afraid to show it. Opium used to be my signature for years and I have a vintage bottle but I don't wear it often because I don't want to use it up. I should've given Youth Dew a try years ago! While not the same, it is in that same spicy seductress family. And the price you can get this gem for is freaking amazing! It is worth so much more! I hope they never stop making this! It is a real powerhouse fragrance not for the timid not for anyone who wants to smell "clean and non offensive" this enters the room w/ you, it announces your arrival and come hell or high water you will be noticed! Bold, confident, sexy, and daring Youth Dew is the fragrance of the Femme Fatal.

I recently encountered a vintage bottle of the bath oil. Oh lordy, this really took my by surprise. I put literally 2 drops, one on each wrist. Within moments my husband across the room was asking what that smell was. My intention was to live with it and see how it evolves throughout the day, but it became clear I was really invading the space of others with this fragrance, so I washed it off. Except that didn't work, it just took it down a notch, and the bottle I had opened was now exuding fragrange as well, so I put it in a box across the room, and when that wasn't enough I got a zip lock and put it in there, then back in the box. I have no idea what the modern version is like, I will definitely check it out next time I am at Macy's, but I can honestly say the vintage version is just too much.