Youth-Dew

(Review of a vintage bottle c. early 1980s) I get a little chuckle every time I reach for my bottle of Youth Dew. The name "youth" and "dew", the dainty bottle with a bow, all betrayed by a juice that is inky dark brown like a forbidden elixir and appears to have nothing to do with daintiness, youth, or dew. It's intimidating for the modern perfumista's eye, and indeed the juice tells the truth more than the rest of the presentation. If there is any truth to the rest of the presentation, it's the "youth" part of it in that this is the wild and untamed side of youth. Hold onto your organza and pillbox hats, ladies, and keep the hems of your dresses in hand lest they be blown upwards in immodesty. The way Youth Dew opens, or, more accurately, the way it belts with a contralto into the space around you is startling. All eyes, ears, and noses will have their attentions held. Aldehydes, parched woody spices, nose tingling bergamot, and juicy tree fruits explode into a mushroom cloud that releases a shockwave of throat-scratchingly dry jasmine and cinnamon. I, personally, find it very difficult to relay just how much power lies behind the first few minutes of Youth Dew. Every single note has gone past Spinal Tap 11 volumes but yet they don't deafeningly ring in your ear leaving you with tinnitus. A dry and peppery red rose and a starchy yellow-floral ylang-ylang creep in during these initial minutes, providing a baritone rumble to the contralto shockwave. A brown and loamy patchouli swells upwards like a bassy wave, carrying with it enough oakmoss, civet, and ambergris to make a whole other perfume. It is floral, spicy, earthy, dank, musky, woody, green, damp, fecal, salty, and animalic - it is everything, yet manages to be perfectly legible and coherent despite delivering a page's worth of information in the space of a couple sentences. Eventually, the volume dial gets turned down but the power remains even as we dry down to the base; Youth Dew still has the projection and sillage of warfare. This lower volume yet equally powerful base is a carryover of the patchouli, oakmoss, and animalics, the latter of which have shifted to a more leathery character, while balsams and benzoin provide woody vanillics and resins to help pull-on the reigns a bit. Make no mistake though, despite the reign pulling, this is a still a brace of steeds at breakneck power and strength. Youth Dew certainly made a splash in 1953 when it was released. It announced Estee Lauder as a house for the everyday blue-collar woman with its affordable prices, while providing them with French-style elegance and luxury but amplified to volumes appealing to the inherently outward confidence of Americans rather than the restrained sophistication of Europeans. An English friend of mine once said "You can hear Americans long before you see them" and that's an equivalent description of Youth Dew. Its message was well received, loud and clear, even so on the Euro side of the pond though some time later, evidenced by the near-facsimile release of YSL's Opium in 1977 (which really peeved Ms. Lauder and Co). Today Youth Dew is a relic relegated to the Boomerville Museum, though kudos to Lauder for still keeping it in its lineup. This is the other part of Youth Dew that makes me chuckle: many noses born in the 21st century will smell this and immediately dismiss it for being too old, too retro, and not of today's style. Yet Youth Dew is far more complex and intricately formulated than nearly everything else you can buy today for the money, with today's offerings that get anywhere close to this likely costing three times as much; no one else will be wearing it, so if truly being "original" and "unique" in your fragrance profile is important, it's virtually guaranteed that you will not run into anyone smelling like you; if you want a "beast mode" fragrance (eye roll), this is the OG and very little gets close, even today; and, though this was meant to be for women in 1953, thanks to shifting tastes over the generations this is now easily unisex. I still remember the first time I wore this to work, feeling bold and not caring how many people in the district could smell me, and by the end of the day I lost count of the number of compliments and questions I got. I'm pretty certain one employee was intentionally trying to follow me around. And that's the final and most important thing in the case for Youth Dew: it simply smells amazing. It is startling complexity, exquisite luxury, infectious vibrancy, magnetic confidence, and youthful energy all packed into a demur little bottle tied with a yellow bow. I chuckle every time. Long live Youth Dew.

I think it's important to touch on the comparisons between this and Opium, as even though they're both proud women, standing strong as era-defining individuals, they're undeniably linked in a way that is important to many a frag-head and sentimental alike. They exist in separate points in time, yet overlap in such a way that, to someone such as myself, is simply poetic. I view Youth-Dew in a way that transcends her, albeit captivating, scent profile. The way I view it is that Opium is a young, wild and free 'Miss' in the 70s with her hair down, her dress short, and her reproductive rights covered by a magic drug known as "the pill", as she dances the night away with heady abandon while a tasselled, Far East-inspired flacon sits upon her dresser at home - the instigator, if you will, of nights like the above - existing as the liberated, rebellious and breathtakingly beautiful daughter of Mrs. Youth-Dew. Opium reaps the rewards of YD's cleverness, but also, her struggle. YD looks at her daughter with eyes tinged with an unmistakable bittersweetness - not because of envy, nor anger - unlike how Estée felt after realising that the blueprint of her iconic fragrance was copied and updated by YSL - but because she had to subdue her powerfully feminine sexual energy by way of doing up her top button and honouring her post-WW2 husband's wishes. She was a dutiful wife, but midnight, as it often does, would awaken deeper desires within her that had to find an 'out' - and so, she channeled herself into an extrait masked as a bath oil: something of a hygiene product that found itself dabbed onto pulse points, flying under the radar of many a hubby's finances because it wasn't quite the time nor the place to buy oneself a perfume - especially in the midst of a post-war squeeze on finances. She was a heady soak that had women pressing their noses into her skin as the deep, dark balsamic spices enlivened true femininity, even if, by today's standards, Mrs. Youth-Dew is entirely unisex and still offers her best to whomever feels brave enough to drape her over their décolletage. Indeed, YD seems to personify the wise words of my Great-Grandmother: "The art is to conceal, never to reveal; a woman should always be a mystery to a man" - and a mystery she is, even in her IFRA-challenged state, as there is still a ghost, an imprint, of something that was so sexy that it burned its way through a Berlei brassière (for your typical Australian and/or British consumer, that is), while somehow remaining cinched in tight with a bow around her waist to boot. A wifed-up type of sexuality that burned away under layers of fabric, and a heady, oakmoss-supported spiciness that permeated her daydreams and utterly penetrated her nights with eyes sealed shut as she fixated on her skin's addictive scent. Youth-Dew found a way to lead the charge on the Oriental front, while remaining acutely aware of the expectations placed her upon her, even when Estée "accidentally" cracked her open on a department store's floor, seducing French consumers who would've otherwise turned their noses up at such a bombastic American scent. She was/is such a clever, clever woman - not girl, as that title is reserved for the Big O (as in Opium) - and she defined an era long before she came to define a genre. Modern noses may recoil in confusion or even disgust, as it requires a degree of maturity and awareness to appreciate her that present fragrance culture doesn't fully support. But my goodness, her ghostly hand still reaches across decades just to warm you up with just a few sprays, offering comfort, support, and an unmistakable sensuality that dares you to reach into the depths of your own self-perception, knowing that within every girl still trying to explore and understand herself lies a woman, fully embodied, with bared teeth that can bite through or simply graze skin, depending on the situation. See, YD is more than a pyramid of (now restricted) notes, but rather, a period in time - a turning point, if you will - that still has a loyal following of those who understand what she was, what she birthed, and who still wish to honour her even to this day; be it at mass or during a romantic outing with a special someone who finds you to be especially irresistible on the night you decided to grab Mrs. Youth-Dew by her bowed waist and spray her into the present day once again, or dab her onto your skin - in the way that was originally intended - as she comes alive with your body heat and steps into a technicolour world where her own heartbeat can still send present-day pulses racing.

This perfume is both mind-bogglingly gorgeous and slightly off-putting in a way that's hard to describe. I did a full-day wear test and sampled it a couple more times, and I still have mixed feelings about it. After a lot of testing and deliberation, I've decided not to purchase this one at this time, as I'd like to focus on fragrances that are more easily wearable in my daily life. That being said, I still wanted to write up a full review so I can come back to this perfume later on and maybe give it another go. On first sniff, I was hit with a wave of heavy, musty florals. But after a few minutes, as it settled onto the paper card and melded with my skin chemistry, the scent shifted slightly and I began to sense the other notes. This fragrance is remarkably complex yet well-blended, making it difficult to pick out individual notes, as they all seamlessly integrate into one harmonious whole. Knowing that certain familiar notes are present makes me feel like I can pick them out more easily--jasmine, orchid, Peru balsam, oakmoss. Likewise, knowing that certain scent profiles are present makes them easier to detect, like the smoky accords. But then again, I feel like I'm also smelling phantom notes that aren't here--if you told me this fragrance had sandalwood, for instance, I'd believe it in a heartbeat. Perhaps this is why I understand what people mean when they say it has a Coca-Cola note. There's something about the perfume that feels effervescent, spicy and syrupy, a little sticky yet not overly sweet. Smelling this perfume while sipping Diet Coke only enhanced this effect for me. Especially as the fragrance becomes spicier over time, I can discern the faint sparkling cola note peeking out every now and again. This fragrance is a rose-heavy floral, a bit medicinal, even a tad powdery at times. There's a slight note that's almost creamy, too, but not in a lactonic way; it smells like my mother's cold cream. At its core, that's exactly what this fragrance smells like to my nose: rose-scented cold cream. Over time, though, as the fragrance becomes spicier, it also begins to lean away from its floral heart and more into its resinous and balsamic accords. The patchouli is certainly present, but it's more subtle and doesn't make me itch like in other fragrances. The final hours of this perfume are incredible. There's something almost waxy in the deep background that I can only smell when I get close and sniff hard; I have to assume that's the tolu balsam, since that's the only note I haven't smelled before. Throughout the day(s), whenever I smell myself or the sample card directly, I'm reminded of my old-fashioned mother, her cold cream, and all her other lotions and potions carefully arranged in the bathroom cabinet. But whenever I catch whiffs of myself throughout the day, I feel like this fragrance is unexpectedly spicy and smoky. I'm imagining a glamorous woman with deep red painted lips, swathed in lush white furs, sprawled out across a velvety tufted chaise lounge, sucking in tendrils of smoke through a long cigarette holder, while smooth and sultry jazz music wafts through the room from a record player in the background. Overall, this perfume is very heavy and enveloping, a bit thick, definitely not the type of perfume you'd want to overspray. I always sprayed myself twice--one small spritz in the crook of each arm--yet I could smell the perfume all around me, without having to bring my arm up to my nose, and I could even catch bits of the perfume while wearing my cardigan or a sweater. Part of me doesn't like this perfume very much, as it has a sort of stuffy quality. But part of me is obsessed with this fragrance, because it's so complex and different from anything else I've tried. I keep muttering to myself, "What in the world is this? What in the world am I smelling?" Yes, it's feminine and floral, but it's also incredibly heavy and spicy. It's earthy and woody, but it's also powdery and smoky, too. This scent is intimately familiar to me, yet I also haven't smelled anything remotely like it before. It shifts over time, morphing from one scent into another, into yet another, and back again. It's a complete and total enigma; I can't wrap my mind around it. (Also, apparently this fragrance is weaker since being reformulated, and I just can't imagine how potent this must have been seventy years ago.)

*review is for a vintage pre-barcode (80s) glass bottle of Youth-Dew, and the Opium I'm talking about is the original late 70s-early 80s formula As a guy that loves to wear my precious vintage Opium for women, it was only a matter of time...id have to own this. And I'm here to say, yes, Mrs. Lauder was pretty much sort of right in saying opium is a rip-off lol. Opium is literally like they just messed with the volume knobs on Youth Dews formula. And the thing is, its STRONG too, possibly coming close to first formula Opium. If you just want to know if its good, YES, HELL YES and the price is insanely cheap for the quality you can experience. So what's different? They're truly, truly equally amazing and beautiful, no question there whatsoever. Youth Dew might even get points for making something so bold in 1953, though its oriental predecessor Shalimar and its strength/ambery vanilla may make some people argue my point on that. Plus my knowledge of vintage women's perfume is limited compared to many others. 1. The Youth Dew has a little soapiness that's generally noticeable from some nice use of lavender, unlike the Opium that has a much less obvious and small soap thing going on, Some might not even get it upon smelling vintage Opie. 2. Where old Opium goes more heavy on incense and resins, almost in the realm of some classic Amouages, Youth Dew does "that thing" with a really beautiful (and some might say a little modern-masculine) cinnamon. Its an old school, high quality and very comforting cinnamon. Like a hug from a loved one on Christmas good. Experiencing the sillage on somebody else as a bystander as they walk by is all built around this beautiful cinnamon. They both have the same level of resinous (but not saccharine) sweetness to me, just they do it a little differently from each other. 3. They both have this "Lotion" thing going on as a result of smelling it as a whole. Youth Dew goes in a kind of coconut direction with it while the Opium is more of just a sense of lotion of the unscented variety in comparison. Maybe ill pick up on other differences in the future but this is my initial reaction after a few days to Youth Dew. If you like oakmoss and want to see it used in a functional/technical sense as opposed to being a facet of the perceived notes, these both must have a TON of oakmoss in them, being used as atomic bomb level fixatives. i detect the oakmoss separately more in the Youth Dew, but the Opium is just so convoluted (in the best way possible lol) i cant pick it out on its own. Both of these perfumes (the vintages at least) literally, truly last for 48 hours on skin, even surviving the quick shower before work until arriving home the second day. Shoutout to Ramsey on Youtube for alerting me to how wearable as a dude, awesome, and close to vintage opium this is! Buy this while vintages/new bottles are still dirt cheap...trust me. This is high perfumery to the extreme for a pittance. p.s. @Calyx93, im glad you mentioned the blue bottles. those vintage blue ones go for great prices too, but people should be aware that theyre aerosol bottles as far as i understand...as in they have that old bad-for-the-ozone aerosol gas in them lol where theoretically if you hold down the sprayer it will just empty the bottle if you dont stop. i was leery about getting one thats 40 years old lol, so i went with the glass bottle.

Placed a review ages ago. I was impressed but overwhelmed. This is something that takes some time getting used to. I was cocky enough to think that i would be able to pull this off in an instant. I looove vintage opium so i figured this wouldn't be a much bigger challenge. Boy was i wrong. Youth dew is much more unpredictable then the forementioned opium and the opening is roaringly sharp. There's a bitterniss or a greenness within the raging balsems and spices wich gives it this cold rusty base underneath it all before it settles into a powdery while simultaneously oily dry down. I wore it multiple times when i first got it but each time the inconsistenty of this scent, the way the notes are suddenly able to turn into the oposite direction of where they were going gave me a headache. I eventually gave up and sort of forgot about it. Untill today. Maybe it is because i find myself pregnant as the day is bright and my senses have altered but i have been struggling to find any scent to wear for te past 5 months. I keep having dreams though, a recurring hunger wich creeps up on me on the daily, for a particular forgotten oriental hidden in the back of my closet right behind my big 120 ml bottle of vintage opium. Do i dare? Will i be able to stomach it now? Will it make me throw up a week's worth of lunch or will it suddenly sing to me the way i had always hoped it would one day.. To my delight, it was the latter. This is stunning! Wich ofcourse i already knew. But this time around i am wearing it and not the other way around. This only moderatly bipolar pinup queen preserved her fangs whilst embracing her soft feminine nature and the contrast is alluring to say the least. This got me curious about the bath oil, wich appears to actually be an extrait in disguise. I will order myself a bottle of that and maybe place an update once we are acquainted. Update on the bath oil: To my delight, the oil is even better then the EDP. The bitter rusty undertones that the edp contains aren't present in the oil and even though it is labeled as a bath oil it isn't as soapy as the EDP either. It's darker, warmer, thicker, more oily and more balsamic. It's easier to love because of it in my opinion. There are no particular sharp edges that might hurt you yet it is equally as strong. I already know that if i ever run out of youth dew, i would sooner repurchase the oil over the EDP. Don't let the fact that this is a bath oil weird you out. This is an extrait like any other. Just dab wherever you would like it to project.

Wear Test: Youth-Dew EDP (2023-new formulation version—Batch A23) The Velvet Tempest; Finally Wearable, but Respect the Power "As a long-time collector of vintage extraits and Sophia Grojsman 'hugs,' I always had a complicated relationship with the original Youth-Dew. My husband had gifted me a bottle of the 1953 version for Christmas one year, and in my heart as I looked upon that gift box, I knew I would never be able to wear it with reckless abandon. I found the vintage YD too 'chewy,' oily, and frankly, too heavy for a modern woman in her 30s to pull off easily. It literally made me nauseous as I tried to wear it to show my husband that I appreciated his kind gesture. Fast forward to the 2023 reformulation version (Batch A23) that I now own, and it has been an absolute mind-changing revelation for me. If the vintage version was a ton of bricks, this modern EDP had morphed into a velvety, silk veil. What I realized was that this re-born beauty had successfully captured the soft, airy texture of the vintage Youth-Dew dusting powder—the version of YD that was always the most romantic, sensible and easiest to wear. The 'bones' of the original YD remained, but the acrid, 'screechy' spices had been power-washed away and in their place was now a gorgeous, sparkling Mandarin orange and a much cleaner Dry Wood base. It is now smooth, sophisticated, and finally feels like it belongs in modern times and that it appeals to a much larger audience. (M/F 30 years and older, and of all things, office friendly!) Now I want to offer a word of caution to my fellow fragrance over-sprayers: Do not let the 'softness' fool you! I recently stress-tested this re-formulation by purposefully over-applying. I want to assure you that this Modern YD, even though it is soft and velvety, still remains a powerhouse. The mandarin and velvet notes can become cloying and 'headache-inducing' if you don't meter your use. Treat it with the respect you'd give the vintage YD parfum—2 sprays are plenty to keep you in that gorgeous, spicy glow all day. This re-formulated version of Youth-Dew is a hidden gem that Youth-Dew purists call 'ruined,' but to my nose, it’s exactly what Youth-Dew should have been all along, an easy reach and an easy, non-offensive wear. Final note: I believe that Fragrantica should have a new listing created for this new version of Youth-Dew as the notes are not the same and they smell vastly different from each other.

I was surprised to be hit by big aldehydes on the opening of this one, only because I remember it differently. My decant EDP is vintage, but I am not sure what vintage. I was gifted a sample of this by my grandmother - no more than ten ml - in the late 70s, when I was a tween. It lasted for years, and I loved it. It is what introduced me to perfume. As so many people have noted, Youth Dew shares DNA with YSL Opium; it is in fact the mother of Opium. But it is bridging the world that discovered aldehydes at the turn of the century, best represented by Chanel No. 5, and the era of Studio 54. Now I imagine my grandmother discovering this scent in 1953, in her 40s and at the height of her mature sexiness - (she, like my mother, was stunning) - but also of her complication. I think this is a good way to describe Youth Dew: sexy and complicated. Sniffing it now as a middle-aged adult is interesting. It starts with big aldehydes and a mix of florals. After about an hour, I start to get the spice, cinnamon primarily, and orange. There is a dark, resinous chord vibrating deep in the background, and over time, the spice and balsams creep forward. And there is that Coca-Cola note that I remember and love so well. I'm not usually a florals person; I prefer woody and resinous scents. But the florals that emerge in Youth Dew are hypnotic, not "stinky", which is how I often perceive heavy, indolic tuberose, for example. The notes say narcissus, and I am getting gardenia. These, in judicious amounts, are delicious, heady, animalic, even. This may be why, though many people experience Youth Dew as an "old lady perfume", just as many people spray a puff on their arms and say, out loud or to themselves, "sexxxyyyy!" I guess it depends on what kind of girl (or boy) you are. It's like when Hurby "Luv Bug" Azor emcees the prelude to Salt-N-Pepa's "Push It", announcing, “This dance ain’t for everybody - only the sexy people”. Well, you know who you are. Now, after a few hours, a lady in sumptuous, dark furs (sorry!) emerges in the half-light. Spice, resins, lime and cola fully present, (and can that be a very slight patchouli note?). It is like walking at night down a dimly lit passageway toward a balcony off a ballroom full of murmured conversation, leaning down and inhaling the creamy, narcotic scent of blossoms below while glasses of red wine and Madeira clink behind you.

"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.

This was the fragrance that most women around around me would wear for special occasions when I was growing up in the sixties . It is probably considered a grandma fragrance by young omen these days. In my opinion , it still smells authentic ( not synthetic ) and chic . I was raised in the sixties in Texas by my sweet and uneducated grandma who took me in though she rode the bus to her warehouse job in downtown Dallas ( wearing stockings and a girdle and dress with NO AIR CONDITIONING ) . I was fortunate not to realize that we were rather poor compared to many of my peers. Though my grandma rode the bus , she knew how to gussy herself up for an event . Before she put on her corset ( yes a real pink custom made corset ) she bathed and put on Cashmere Bouquet talc under her corset . After she got her body into the corset and dress, she got out her bottle of Youth Dew bath oil . She would put about four drops in the palm of her hand and then sprinkle a few drops of water with it and rub it on her neck and wrists . The fragrance would last well all day , even during a scorching summer. My grandmother used the bath oil, which was affordable for her , to make a perfume . This allowed her to smell classy even on a shoestring budget . Guess what ! I am now her age and still wear it sometimes and I mix a few drops of YD with a few drops of Tojours Moi , and it gets many compliments . I will never be without a bottle of the oil and the spray . If you want a luxurious bath, put a few drops in your tub. The fragrance will literally linger a couple of days . Even better, get a bottle of neutrogena body oil and add some YD bath oil drops to it . Then every day after your bath you will smell like incense and rich spices ( like the old version of YSL Opium that would last ) all day . That is my favorite way to use the super rich body oil . I hope there will be other women who give this beauty a chance because it has the smell of incense , which is rich and head turning .

Youth-Dew Estée Lauder, EDP (USD 25, Pre 1980 bottle, 1.5 oz) I have a chance to meet 2 bottles of Youth-Dew by Estee. Both are around the same price. I ordered both. One already arrived but the nozzle is broken. I tried squeezing very hard in right angle. So I experience this already (while wait a 2nd bottle arrived). I believe it is 1970-1980. As the bottle is not introduced Barcode and Batch code is not indicated it must be older one. It also show old estee logo on outside of the box. And the nozzle is trash... As I recent open Tabu by Dana. These Spicy - Ambered Infused with Civet. Must be really a thing in 70's. Along with the happiness from bath oil. When you get out of the water. You smell skin soft spices. And Musky by the civet. It must be so sensational. The spices and the Musk, slight sour that closer to the skin. Enhance the natural femininity idea of an era. It's sexy. To think people smell like this, Imaginary fantasy. Start working all over again but also everyone smell the same. It is a perfume that works enhances how body work. Shocking by Schiaparelli. something like that. Now the idea of Fragrance is different as we discover more molecules. We can create the scent that we never smell before. But at the same time, didn't work along with body. In the same time, it is repeated patterns. To create Charm. It just different scent idea of Charm. Even, It still personally fan-boy the Civet over Ambrox and Ethyl-Motal. If my assumption is correct. My quest for vintage end here. Santa Maria Novella and Le Jardin Retrouve will be kept hunting. While, Vintage Mitsouko will be marked, an end of era. Ms. Estee must be smart (assumingly) as she knows the core. Element how to smell nice of that time. The Charm is a sell. Thank you Ms. Estee. Extension 2 : July 16, 2025 The 2nd bottle arrived and luckily the nossel is working. Spray it when you need a lighter day. it help.

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 centuries 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.

Where to start. Youth Dew is an absolute masterclass in 20th century perfumery. It starts out loudly with a punch of dry patchouli, Indian, I believe, and spices. It is unapologetic. The balsams quickly step up and briefly stand in front of the patchouli and spices. Next, the amber grabs these loud notes from behind and pulls them back down while that classic Coca-Cola syrup oozes out and spreads out like syrup over pancakes. After some time, the benzoin becomes apparent with an almost diaper cream warmth and sweetness. And then the vanilla. This is not a modern vanilla. This is a rich, dry and spicy vanilla, melted ice cream with a hint of incense. Remember. I said a DRY vanilla. Old fashioned and sophisticated. Not even remotely related to today's gourmonds. Eventually, on my skin at least, I'm left with a talc-like warmth that is a bit sweet and smokey. Not powdery. Like talc in its rock form. Smooth, soft and warm. If you are a fan of the 20th century, amber bombs and Orientals, Youth Dew will not disappoint. And if you already love Josephine and Estee's brilliant composition, get the bath oil. It came first, after all. Estee was a brilliant marketer. For those of us who know, with the right level of application, Youth Dew can be worn year round. And if you are new to exploring vintage Orientals, start with something easier like the lovely and soft, cola heavy Toujours Moi. If that works for you, something like Tabu or the incense heavy, smokey Revlon Ciara might be appropriate. Though be warned, Tabu's civet might be a bit of a shock. Cinnabar and Obsession would be next and then you might be ready for the original Opium and Youth Dew. Youth Dew is an experience. It's a type of woman who knows exactly who she is and what she wants. No need for insults. It just makes one seem immature.

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. ❤️

This is an absolute love for me – largely for the nostalgia factor – but it does also smell very nice to my nose. When I was younger (a teenager?) my late uncle got this for me from a trip to the USA – at the time, I lived in a hot and humid country. I absolutely hated the perfume. In respect, I wonder what my uncle was thinking, getting such a young child this mature fragrance – but then, he was much older, and he always tried to spoil his nieces and nephews. Perhaps in the colder climate when he tested it, it smelled soapy and clean, and I imagine the sales assistant reassuring him that it was “classic“ and perfect for a gift, not knowing that it was for a younger person who would think it smelled “mature“ Especially in the human climate, it smelled of incense and spices – I still wore it, just because I had it. I recently wanted to try it out of nostalgia, and I vaguely remembered that it smelled quite nice. I’m older now, and live in a colder/temperate climate. Now, the Aldihydes really bloom in this one. It smells soapy and clean. I can understand the reviewer who thinks that this is appropriate to wear everywhere, because of the soapy/clean smell. However, I still get that hint of incense and spices – it smells exotic and perfume like, and I would probably not wear it to most places. It’s just too attention grabbing in my opinion. I’m mostly at that phase of life where I’d rather smell “just clean/fresh/nice” rather than “perfumey” I will wear it around the house however. I wouldn’t mind my kids thinking that this is what mum smells like and it’s clean and exotic and attractive. Because of the nostalgia it smells sort of soothing to me as well. I will probably always keep a bottle of this. edit: asked hubby what he thought and he loved it.

This (like most of my perfume purchases) was a blind buy and it wasn't really what I was expecting, but I like what I got even more than what I was expecting. The first thing I thought upon opening the box was that the bottle is just magnificent. It's so elegant and pretty, definitely the best-looking bottle out of all of the fragrances I own. I wouldn't call this an "old lady perfume" (although I really don't like that label) but it does remind me of my grandma, though I can't quite put my finger on why. What my nose picks up is quite a bit of the aldehydes, the powderiness, some of the Coca-Cola scent, and obviously the spices. It all blends so well together. Even though I have no idea why it reminds me of my grandmother (I'm certain she did not wear this), every time I smell it I can feel tears pricking the backs of my eyes because it instantly transports me to sunny fall afternoons spent in my grandparents' house or in the woods surrounding it, with shafts of sunlight peeking through the orange leaves. I can so vividly picture days spent at the museum or shopping downtown. For as long as I can remember, I've had this concept in my mind of the smell of "someone else's house," which I can never really describe except by saying that the scent literally just makes me feel like I'm at (you guessed it) someone else's house. It's just a pleasant scent. When I wear Youth Dew, the smell, for some reason, makes me feel like I'm getting a hug from that "someone else" and for those few moments I'm enveloped in this really nice, comforting scent of soap and spices and powder and smoke.

Very spicy, very intense. But also fluffy and warmly sweet 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. BIG love. And while i discovered in the meantime CK Obsession is not for me, Youth Dew IS 😊💖

Gorgeous, deep, resinous & powerful. Spicy and incredibly unique in today's market. It's got so many notes which together - form something truly magical. As a very little girl, I would sometimes get the opportunity of a sneaky spritz from my mums' or her friends' ( who was very a well heeled, business woman) bottles of perfumes. My favourites at that time were OG Opium and Coco. I felt invincible wearing them - grown and sophisticated - imagining what it might be like to be rich and shop in posh shops. Fast forward a couple of decades and I have searched and searched, to no avail... To find the perfume which would offer me that cloak of invincibility ..... To find the one which makes me feel strong and confident - like I did back then, in my early teens, swaggering about, leaving a trail of spice and money lol! I found it.... Right here - - in this spice bomb of magnificence 👍 I am blown away! Don't listen to all the snooty reviews describing it as 'old lady/grandma' etc - It IS vintage and 'different' by today's standards BUT - it is wonderful and as a bonus - not that many people are wearing this scent profile nowadays so you absolutely will stand out in a sea of sickly sweet pudding type smells. Anyone who says I smell like 'old folks home' can kiss my sweet smelling arse as I smoke them at the traffic lights whilst they're still trying to find 1st gear in their Prius! 😎 Vavavoom! Lasts ages - only 2 puffs and you're good to go for the day and night! A perfect 10/10

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 have finally tested Youth Dew and... I am a wee bit baffled why this scent is so controversial. Is it vintage? Abso-flippin-lutely. Vintage to its bones, this is *not* a fruity floral. It is not candy floss and fake musk. But nuclear? Edgy? Difficult? Maybe if you were born in the late 90s and have never smelled real perfumes. I'm scratching my head. I was expecting a BOMB. And this is... lovely. Seriously. If you like vintage Coco (I love her, only thing I own backup bottles of) you'll like this. Is it spicy: yes. Is it rich and deep: yes. If you stick your nose to your wrist where you sprayed it will it be powerful: YES, fragrance isn't *meant* to be so weak you NEED to do that. You could over do this, yes. And maybe that's the issue. Folks used to fragrances so weak they must be sprayed multiple times to be smelled could easily over do this and gas themselves and their friends/relatives. But I own and wear vintage fragrances and this is... right in line. ONE good spray on your chest under clothing and you'll radiate a lovely warm scent all day. (This is how my grandmother taught us to wear fragrance.) Two if you want folks to smell you wafting past. I find this warm, gently spicy, and well enough blended to not pick anything in particular out. My bottles are vintage. If you find the vintage too loud try the modern batch and remember: start small you can always spray MORE.

I remembered Youth Dew, back when I was less experienced with perfume, as a spicy, warm balsamic Oriental. And it *is* that, but what I’m noticing most this time around is how floral it is and how much air there is in the middle. It goes on with a boozy, bright-brown slug of ambers and resins, and keeps on buzzing with warming autumnal spices and a crackle of incense —really on the dry side as things go. But the heart of Youth Dew is really this lovely complex vintage swirl of aldehydes and florals. It’s regal. Queenly. But perfectly approachable and grounded. A Demeter fragrance. It makes me feel like a grown-up lady with a full life. The core, bright-brown, spice-and-aldehyde scent chord is distinctive and hard to place — I think of it somehow as the olfactory equivalent of a French horn. It sings out; it’s bright but with some richness and solemnity. it’s got a bit of a cognac or whiskey quality. And then there’s a soft cloud of flowers trailing underneath it. A lot of people can’t tolerate Youth Dew because it’s strong and it *does* smell like your grandmother (if your grandmother was American and around in the 1950s.) It’s very much a feminine scent, also; my guy friends who experimented with it uniformly found it unwearable. But I love it. It *is* strong; it’s warming, invigorating, fortifying. And it packs a dose of vintage glamour.

This is the 2nd perfume that’s brought me to (happy) tears, bringing forth emotions I can’t quite articulate. The first was Halston. It’s not sentimentality, as I don’t know anyone who wore Youth Dew. It’s just such a beautiful composition that it makes me cry a little. The opening! Is where it’s at, for me. That cinnamon/Coca Cola explosion. Although it reminds me more of a soda called “birch beer” that I think I’ve had up north. Yes, this reminds me of Tabu with its patchouli and clove. More powdery and sweet than Tabu. Gorgeous and stately. I could see Bea Arthur wearing this as Dorothy in the Golden Girls. This is all gold, no silver...and there’s nothing wrong with wanting to stay gold. 💛 I wore this (sparingly) to bed last night and I dearly hoped to wake up in a cloud of sweet spicy powder. But sadly it had gone all dirty patchouli somewhere in the sheets. I was left with a trace of musky woods, something a little urinous, something a little thrift store-esque. It didn’t leave me feeling pretty but it sure started out that way! I’ll have to get to know Youth Dew better, but I love her for the opening all the same. I’m beginning to realize that as much as I adore these types of scents, something in them just doesn’t mesh with my chemistry. 😔 Ugh. (post script: aHhHhH!! get this off of my sheets! what have I done 😭)

I never remember my grandmother wearing a spice bomb and walking around oozing notes like leather, civet, patchouli, or other sexy dirty earthy stuff... She rather preferred clean musks and rose soliflores by Avon. (Perfume to her was a thing of special occassion and she always applied sparsely. I feel like a wild animal in comparison to her understanding of modesty...) I on the other hand have been wearing Youth Dew and whatever created in the name of a good spicy oriental or a true chypre since my 20s. The stuff smells sexy, and back in time they knew how to do sexy. Britney Spears' Fantasy etc. never stuck with me. Flowerbomb, La Vie est Belle, sugar and patchouli, Kim Kardashian, sugar and sugar, fruit and honey, Kayali, naah, it never did for me. I am guilty of perfume polygamy and I use them only for variety. Youth Dew is one of my favorites and will always be. Unlike many popular fragrances which became all the hype since the last two decades, I never remember smelling Youth Dew on anyone, ever... Needless to say, I am not fond of the reformulations, but Youth Dew is still affordable and wearable. I am on my third bottle! And the number of fragrances I rebought and went through bottles of are only 5... I think Youth Dew smells *delicious* and once that's what a lady exactly told me: "You smell delicious!"

Youth Dew... A warm spicy madame, certainly a smell of the past. Very comforting. While I am not a Youth Dew enthusiast, I do own a bottle as an appreciation for this fragrant piece of artwork. My mom, a low-key bohemian-esque child of the 70's, loves it and keeps a bottle of her own. It really suits her. If anything, I do get a free-spirited hippie character from it, although it was produced in the 50's. Perhaps it's just the correlation to my mother, but either way, it's got something about it that smells like you're walking into an incense shop, cinnamon candles burning, and crystals lining the shelves, like an Earthbound shop. Wonder how many babes were wearing this at Woodstock in the 60's?! So fun to think about. I also love to think to myself, that young women in the 50's were swooning over this like a modern girl would over Kayali's "Yum Pistachio". Lol. What a trip, considering most people today would call this "old lady". Sure, but those "old ladies" still wearing this were the classy beauties of their time when this perfume won them over. That makes me smile. Perfumes like this stand the test of time for a reason, and Youth Dew has totally earned the title of Classic.

The opening is rich and decadent, with a blend of citrus and aldehydes that quickly give way to an intoxicating bouquet of florals—rose, jonquil, and jasmine—interwoven with the dark, resinous embrace of spices. The heart is voluptuous, laden with cinnamon, cloves, and a touch of incense, evoking a sense of mystery and old-world glamour. Yet, it is the dry-down that solidifies its status as a classic: a mesmerizing fusion of balsamic notes, patchouli, vetiver, and amber, enveloped in the velvety caress of vanilla and musk. Youth Dew is not for the faint of heart. It is bold, assertive, and utterly decadent, a fragrance that lingers with an unforgettable presence. Its richness speaks of luxury and indulgence, making it a scent for those who appreciate the artistry of vintage perfumery. While it may not align with contemporary minimalism, its commanding sillage and longevity ensure that it remains an iconic choice for those who dare to embrace its intensity. A true masterpiece of perfumery, Youth Dew is a testament to Estée Lauder’s visionary craftsmanship. It is not just a fragrance—it is an aura, a signature, a legacy.

i absolutely adore youth dew. i like to say that im not afraid to venture outside the pretty light floral stereotype of my age group and this is the epitome of out there. i just cannot stop wearing it. a nuclear wave of warm, woody, spicy heaven, with an unexpected mist of fresh lavender on opening. the drydown is a deep musk with a syrupy sweet incense note. i initially added it to my list on account of it smelling quite similar to ysl's original opium, which was my late nanna's signature scent. in saying this, i admit i never had any interest in opium, it was too cloying on my skin. youth dew offers a delicious alternative that is right up my ally, while still maintaining the nostalgic memories i recall from og opium. in a way youth dew has also become my comfort fragrance. youth dew's silage and longevity are both fantastic. availability and price were surprisingly good! at NZD70 for a decently sized bottle i couldn't say no. also definitely a female fragrance. i for sure agree with the vintage vibe. it is quickly becoming my most complimented fragrance (behind miss dior's absolutely blooming). 10/10 !!

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.

Then and now. Youth Dew has changed, or better yet, evolved with the times. It’s no longer that magical black potion with deep balsamic qualities. That mystical brew. Youth Dew has lost some of its heftiness. But just like Aromatics, I can’t seem to get enough of it, no matter the formulation or vintage. Today’s YD is lighter, fizzier and starchier. The drapes of balsams and animal notes have given way to a more spicy feel; the barks and leaves of yore are still there but now it feels slightly more chypre than oriental. What was the blueprint for Opium is, in modern formula, infinitely better than modern Opium. While that one has died, YD is still kicking. The character, the heart, it’s all there. But under new lights, that make the juice more ambery than dark brown, you still get the clove and cinnamon spices, a more pronounced fizzy cola note and a floral oakmoss in the drydown. I can’t say anything bad about it, as it feels today just as modern as it did in 1953. After all, isn’t modern something that is yet to be the norm? Youth Dew is still ages ahead. Long live its beauty!

Holy crap both this and opium edt have less than a 4 rating? Thats frankly disgusting lol. As a fan of old school masculine fragrances, theres only a handfull of womens perfumes that i love to wear yet also find extremely attractive on the opposite sex...and youth dew/opium are on the absolute top of that list. Theyre almost beyond the list honestly. I also like wearing shalimar (edt and extrait) and mitsouko (all) but they arent as attractive on others like YD/Opium to me. I think more people should give this a shot, just know this is a beast in every way, but in the best way. They smell super similar for a bit, but opium goes into an incense direction and youth dew goes into a soapy-ish floral direction. Both have an old school heavy base with mossiness, but youth dew is probably the more feminine one due to the floral aspect. If it matters for purposes of understanding uh, where i stand lol, im not a kid anymore but not quite 40. I would understand if a 20 year old thought this was too classic. But i never think "grandma" when i smell this.

im a freak freak and like grandma smells. when I was told this smells like strong incense or grandma, i jumped for joy and rushed to my nearest Dillards. and when I got my first whiff, I felt betrayed. this doesnt smell like grandma. this doesnt smell like incense (well, sorta-- but not what youre imagining). i was told that as a youngin i need to brace myself for a polarizing blast from the past. this was not the case. though i must admit like milk.fur.coat stated below, if youre accustomed to the modern age of sweets, gourmands, and vanillas, this may repel you. this isnt that heavy. this isnt a spicebomb or smoky or some balls off the wall oriental. this was fresh-- dare I say... citrussy. unisex, as art should have no illicit gender. definitely spiced, but in the same way bergamot makes a cologne sharp. that vetiver is a life saver in this perfume because it keeps it from smelling aged. instead, it smells like the best way I can describe it: on first spray, spiced and cinnamon-y. on dry down? a crisp, cold can of cola.

This is really lovely! Incense, spices, woody, aromatic. It doesn’t really smell dated to me. It’s like 90s/early 2000s alternative scene bottled. Like you’ve wandered into one of those little alt shops that sells unusual jewellery, rag rugs, carved wooden statues, incense, and henna. Clings to clothing and skin for hours, she’s not demure and she’s not a wallflower - you have to have confidence with this one. Leaves a trail of dark resinous spicy slaps in the face, just in case anyone needed a reminder that you have arrived. To me this isn’t feminine, masculine - it’s just goth, in an alt shop, buying incense, taking names, wearing New Rocks and planning to go and listen to some obscure band in a dodgy pub without mums permission. Lasted ages, projected like a beast. Instant love, with a hint of “woah this reminds me of my teen years” as a millennial. 🙌🏻 Projection: Dark Souls final boss Longevity: On skin, skin scent after about 12 hours. On clothing, life. Probably.

I got a new bottle of this as a blind purchase, and it is really nice. It is pretty similar to the original YSL Opium, but has a brighter, drier, almost effervescent quality. As a big fan of YSL Opium, I'm surprised to say that I might even prefer this for everyday wear. It's a little less 'pungent'. I can definitely smell the cola note on initial spray, which gives way to citrus, incense and spices. There is also a very dry sherbet note once it really dries down. I get a bit of cedarwood (which CAN lean a bit pee-ish if over applied, I find.) I don't perceive this as particularly 'raunchy' or 'hookerish' personally. It's warm and spicy and smouldering, but not dirty or lurid. I also can't detect the heavy animalics that have been suggested, so I'm guessing that these notes may have been refined down a bit in modern reformulations Overall, a great scent with lots of complexity. There's a lovely moodiness about it; ominous and intense. I really enjoy it.

As for how it smells, I like the recent batches better than previous reformulations after the vintage. There was a musty, disturbing patchouli note which is gone now. Instead they tried to balance and smooth down the juice to better resemble the original formula. Somehow that's a success... Youth Dew now wears far lighter and doesn't last nearly as long though. I spritzed it generously. That would be a little crazy to do so with vintage, it would fill up a room and leave a trail even outside. Youth Dew lightly scented my bedroom afterwards, and it performs like rather more of a skin scent, somebody should come a bit closer to smell you. The noticeable notes to my nose are: Jasmine, peru balsam, tolu balsam, musk, incense, amber, orange and lavender with a little touch of spices. (I am not sure if "coca cola" was ever an official note in Youth Dew.) I optimistically give the recent batch a 7 out of 10. But remember, that's by "today's" standards.

I’m familiar with the scent of Opium by YSL, though I can’t quite recall if it was my mother who wore it in the late ’90s or early 2000s, or perhaps another family member. But the first time I smelled Youth Dew, it instantly transported me back to my childhood. I don’t wear Youth Dew often, yet whenever I do, it brings me a unique happiness—more so than many other fragrances in my collection. And each time, I find myself wondering why I don’t reach for it more frequently. It’s my spiciest fragrance, with a boldness that reminds me of Old Spice—which is why I think it’s just as wearable for men as it is for women. On my skin, I detect more rich spice and rose than cinnamon or lavender, and to me, that’s a definite plus. When I imagine the kind of woman who would have worn Youth Dew in the 1950s, I picture someone like Jane Wyman in the Technicolor classic "All That Heaven Allows" —elegant, sophisticated, and quietly daring.

I was challenged by a friend, who works for Esteé Lauder, to try it for a day, I have to say I went in expecting to smell like my grandmother, but something happened on my skin, yes it's unmistakable, a distinguished and easily distinguishable classic, but something happened. On my skin, the spices, amber and coca cola radiated, two people asked me what I was wearing, both were surprised to hear what it was. Somehow it's derided in some quarters, and that's a shame, now that I've had first hand experience, I want to pick up a bottle. I really liked the current formulation, though I imagine earlier ones are very different. It definitely helps explain how and why Opium was born, I get that, but comparing current formulas, this is the more potent of the two. Based on reviews, I've ordered the bath oil, and an old decant, just to see what it's like. Why should old ladies have all the fun with this one, I'm a new fan of it.

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.

One aspect of this fragrance that seldom gets discussed is the lavender. After burning a stick of Hem Precious Lavender incense, I was flabbergasted by how closely it resembled Youth Dew! Lavender, incense, cinnamon, allspice, some sweet fuzzy fruit, diet craft cola, medicine, ambery bubble bath, powder and face cream. That's basically what you get. Earthy notes emerge late into the dry down. Of all it's contemporaries, this is the stuffiest and probably the hardest to wear for most people. I still really enjoy it and find it that is has a certain romantic quality. I like to wear Orientals like this when dealing with deep emotions. This fragrance came into my life shortly after the death of my one and only dog. I wore it for a whole month. It became my personal fragrance of mourning. Youth Dew is one of those rites of passage that every fragrance lover must experience.

Just wow! Throw away your overhyped gourmand synthetics and start buying classics. This one opens very “sixties/seventies last century”. Earthy, strong, dark, dirty, balsamic. Around an hour later (yes that long) it turns into a very soft soapy scent that is everywhere you go and stays around you. And soapy does not mean today’s soap bars full of chemical colours. It means classic soap (from the fifties until the eighties). I would describe this fragrance as clean if that makes any sense. If you like frags such as Private collection, Beautiful, Patchouli leaves by Montale, Patchouli by Reminiscense and Knowing, than you will probably love this too. Although they are clearly different, they all have the nice soapy drydown and all start out very heavy. The most beautiful part? You won’t find someone that smells the same in your whole town.

One of my favourite scents, possibly even *the* favourite. Despite its name, it's your glamorous grandma in her youth nostalgic scent, but it's amazingly wearable at any age. Nobody will know what hit them. It's unique, evocative, and a forgotten treasure. Very 1970s patchouli, a dream if you like old bookshops, and on first notes it has that church incense note, but don't let it scare you. It develops in complex and magical layers upon layers, Christmas with sherry and mulled wine, spices, florals and fragrant woods. Curl up with it on a winter's night with a good book and a cup or tea or coffee, or take it on a glamorous night out and surprise people. It will last all evening, and you'll still be smelling it on your clothes weeks later, and it'll only get better. They just don't make perfumes like that anymore.

Delicious. The tingly opening and far dry down are the least challenging parts. The first hour+ even now keeps me on my toes— incense, and something I’d describe as “poopy” but in a powdery unused diaper smell, like back from my early childhood. The vanilla that settles in (and lasts forever) after a few hours is extremely comforting and warm. I want to roll around in it. I’ll spray youth dew on a hoodie and put it back on the shelf so I have a yummy suprise when I next wear it. From other perfumes people describe as similar like opium, I get a spicy-sweetness that can give me a sick feeling in my nose and stomach— this does NOT have that quality. Yes, there is sweet, but not sickly sweet. Love it the whole way through. A great one to sit with alone in your room. Great statement to wear out— men and women.

I have been dying to try Youth Dew for the longest time, and now I finally have a decant from a vintage bottle it’s like the gates of heaven have finally opened. I can see why this is considered one of the all-time greats, it’s unspeakably phenomenal. One of the greatest orientals I’ve ever encountered. This wonderfully inviting cocktail of clove, cinnamon, amber, vanilla and balsams create this thick, warming blanket of comfort - I can see why people describe it as smelling reminiscent of cola. Combined with a sharp citric opening of orange and bright aldehydes, alongside gentle florals and beaming oakmoss, the earthy powderiness is to die for. As soon as I smelled this is masterpiece, I was hooked - it was added straight onto the wishlist. This truly is a scent everyone should experience.

On my queeste to find something close to the original Maya from the 70 ties...I'd like to think I have succeeded. It it not the same, not at all. But the soft green eau de toilette from the large cologne bottle my fathers friend from Spain gifted me as a liitle girl, is immaculatly close. Greenish powdery lavender with a hint of musky sweetness, pinch of clove. Making me think of the Shirley Temple Peonies and coronation in the garden with my planted x-mas tree. I scraped out and smelled the residu from my old bottle and indeed it still does that same round as Youth Dew after a while. My travels went through Shalimar, Cinnabar, Opium, Venice, Ispahan and 8 Jour to Youth Dew. Destination found untill I find a full bottle of 70 ties Maya again.

This is absolutely divine. A warm spicy cinnamon amber with vanilla and musk. It opens strongly with aldehydes, citrus and lavender but this quickly dries down, the lavender lingers for quite a while which I personally love. I don't smell the floral notes much in this but it likely adds some depth to it. It does have a very subtle coca cola vibe to it, but again very subtle, like a sweetness. I love this a lot. This, YSL Opium and Dana Tabu smell very similar. Main differences being Youth-Dew has the coca-cola sweetness, Opium has the vanilla sweetness and Tabu is pure spice without sweetness softening it. I don't find Estee Lauder Cinnabar to be similar to this as it's more of a floral clove combination with a slight green element to it.

I understand that this fragrance might come across as old fashioned and granny like, but to me this is a beautiful warm spicy winter fragrance. It smells like fur coats, lipstick and pearls to me. And I couldn’t imagine that people find it nauseating. My boyfriend said it reminds him of the felce azzura body washes, but i find it way more pleasant, fresh and sweet. I smelled it at an airport while waiting and couldn’t get it out of my head for days, so i just had to get it. To me it feels like a great blend of nostalgia, maturity and playfulness. I find it’s a lot lighter than the black opium line. I have the neon edition which I love but it still leaves a heavy dusty note that is not present in the coca cola like scent of youth dew.

I love this perfume. It was the first time I bought perfume. I always waited to be gifted, LOL. I was 18 and it was the late 1970s. I'd moved to Phoenix AZ to work and I got my first department store credit card. It was for Diamonds Dept Store. I went shopping and lo and behold, I find the Estee Lauder counter. The lady behind the counter was really sweet to me, the only hippie in the store. The lady at the Lancome counter was rude. I fell in love with Youth Dew and bought the perfume, bath oil, powder, body cream, and solid perfume in a cameo container. I then saw the powder compacts, and fell in love. Estee Lauder is the one brand I've always been able to trust. Youth Dew reminds me of my mother, who wore Tabu and Opium.

oh my god, its a VERY unique perfume, and perfect for me. the opening notes smell very mature, but not in a @sexy@ black opium type of way, its much more comforting and warm. very musky too. the spices and coca cola notes are very heavy and dominant, both on the first spray and on the dry down. it smells like walking into your grandmas home in winter and her house is inviting, warm and ... beige? its not a young scent at all, its very old. i think if you want a more attractive romantic scent you should layer this with a sweeter, fruitier and younger scent. what i love about this perfume is how so extremely strong it is. i am always searching for the strongest most intense perfume i can, and this one absolutely wowed me.

It genuinely smells just like the incense they use at the cathedral I go to once a year. Not very religious but whenever I go, this scent along with the orchestra are what I look forward to the most. I impulsively sprayed this onto my wrist after seeing it in the mall and was overwhelmed but pleasantly surprised by the nostalgia, scent, and thickness of this fragrance. It starts off Quite a bit too strong with just half a spray but once it dries down, it lingers in such an elegant way. Great for a night out to go somewhere classy- like an opera house, orchestra hall, a cathedral, a jazz club, whatever. Another pleasant surprise is the price. Super affordable and a small container will for sure last long.

If you mention Youth Dew, people immediately recoil and act like you just opened a sarcophagus. They say it's "old lady perfume." That's just your memory messing with your taste. If you ignore the name and focus on the product, you realize it is absolutely a dark, spicy beast. The scent is incredibly polarizing, resinous, and aggressive. It doesn't smell like flowers. It smells like Coca-Cola syrup boiled down with incense, cloves, and patchouli. It is deep, brown, and viscous. Because of that heavy spice and lack of sweetness, it actually leans incredibly masculine by modern standards. If you poured this into a square Tom Ford bottle and named it Testosterone Extreme, men would pay $200 for it.

Fascinating and fucking weird. The opening is a punch of aldehydes that mellows down into something spicy, resinous, earthy, dirty, raunchy, and kind of skanky lol. I put one spray on the back of my neck and one to be shared between my wrists because I think any more than 2 spritzes with this may violate the Geneva Convention. Honestly I fuck heavily with it. I frequently find myself bringing my wrists to my nose to smell it just because it's incredible. Also it lasts forever. I will put it on in the morning and I will still smell it the next morning. I will still smell it after a shower. It will haunt you. It will never leave you. I don't get a hint of coca cola which bums me out pretty bad.

So, as a long term user of this wonderful brew for years and despite its fantastic ability to age well and sometimes improve itself with depth, you can come across examples that have severely turned bad. Just took receipt of a very vintage small, blue, opaque bottle and even though it looked perfectly preserved, the perfume has literally rotted away - rancid, with dark black chunks of sediment. Even the base notes have been severely tainted. Decanting and airing it out hasn’t helped either, so be warned if you’re collecting this. Oddly enough, this hasn’t been the case with the larger, transparent hourglass bottles with the gold ribbon. Ever. Go figure and good luck hunting!

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.