Estee Lauder Modern Muse Le Rouge Fragrance

You know how fragrance can do that thing that bonds you to a brand forever? Well, I’m happy to say this mostly doesn’t. I have such strong emotional links to Estee Lauder via Private Collection (happy) and White Linen (sad) and the solid fragrances (collection), that I don’t really want anything to replace those or even replicate them. Estee Lauder Modern Muse Le Rouge Fragrance is, if you’re Estee Lauder old school, a big departure, but the weird thing is that behind all the modernity is still that Lauder background. I can smell it there, so in a very small way it still does that heart-catchy thing.

Estee Lauder Modern Muse Le Rouge Fragrance

I love that the ribbon look of the bottle looks anything but from different angles – I feel as though I’m looking at a little alien here! The juice itself is very sweet; although it’s indicated as non-identical twin accords, roses and fruit followed by velvet creme (although in my book that’s triplets!) to my nose it’s very vanilla-ish with a rather gourmande beginning. However, if you give it a few moments, it will settle into the skin as something luxurious and creamy – more roses on skin than anything. I think I can see what they’re doing – which is going the way of the high street and by that I mean tapping into accords that are currently popular in other best selling fragrances but to me, very far removed from traditional Estee Lauder fragrances.

So, I’m pleased not to have any real feeling about this fragrance; Estee Lauder is a brand that’s been with me since my childhood and marked significant moments in my life one way or another. But nothing stays the same and sometimes it’s good to untie the ribbons and let go if you feel you can’t find common ground any more. There are significant changes ahead for all of the Estee Lauder group (most recently the signing of Korean make up artists and muses left, right and centre, which I LOVE), but for Estee Lauder itself, I don’t know if it’s always possible to embrace brand changes as a consumer and continue to follow its journey – at some point, maybe your paths have to go in different directions.

If you’re more used to, and love, contemporary fragrance formulas, and like a rich, creamy and deep fragrance, then it’s you! And I think many women will love this and – especially if it’s your first experience of an Estee Lauder fragrance – the whole circle of brand bonding starts all over again, this time for someone new.

You can find Estee Lauder Modern Muse Le Rouge Fragrance HERE starting at £45.