Reviews of Youth Dew (1953)
by Estée Lauder

Recent reviewers taliaseki, Nukapai and JennieJenJamz have all said exactly what I wanted to say about Youth Dew. It's a hideously old and musty relic that should have long been discontinued and confined to Osmotheque and the Musée International de la Parfumerie.

I don't get the bad reviews - used sparingly (as you are supposed to apply fragrance - good frag should not be watery and wear off after 10 minutes) this is spicy and subtle. Maybe the haters gave a full spray to each wrist, each ear and the chest. You can't do that with old, powerful scents!

Something I would have hated as a child, something I find intoxicating and sophisticatd as an adult. This smells of seduction- the first sniff is almost overpowering, but the Patchouli becomes a beguiling and exotic note upon drydown that keeps you coming back for more. I tried this on one arm, Shalimar on the other, and I must say there are many similarities. Shalimar doesn't start out as potently as the Youth Dew, but the drydown shares a lot of the same exotic notes. The main difference after a couple of hours is that Shalimar's vanilla warms up the spice and incence notes, while Youth Dew is a much cooler and more pungent incence at the end.

The name must be a joke. It is too heavy and old. But that is not why it is so bad. Many old type floral oils are just bearable but this one has a bad composition besides having these old oils and too much spice. Very disturbing. You can use it to spoil a party, two puffs up in the air would disperse the crowd.

A fragrance I would love to appreciate for its notes and for its heritage... yet, it doesn't do it for me, it does not suit my skin and it makes me feel nauseous. It's not quite as "off" on me as Clinique's Aromatics Elixir, but it's in the same league. Love it or hate it. Maybe Youth Dew is the Marmite of perfumes?

Way too moldy smelling to me. Stale. Old. I thought it would dry down to a soft powdery musk, nope, it's an old stale and moldy odor that lingers with a vengeance. This smells like death. A funeral. Like dirt. Old rotting corpses. I think everyone gets the idea about this stench. One of the worst I've smelled. Avoid it.

I urge all those who smell a rich old lady to give Youth Dew another chance, with more careful attention. She may be rich, this lady, she may be old (she wasn't always), but she is wiser than you know. The initial shower of assorted spices suggests that she may possibly be benign, even kindly; then, the clove and rose recall the grand passions of her youth; finally--you must pay close attention--the benzoin drifts up from beneath her polished manners like a prophecy (tricky to interpret, undoutedly true). Among my favorites.

This is how a seductress smell... Warm, inviting, sexy, caring, feminine... This is one of the best orientals ever done. Though it is a well known scent, it does not lose from its originality, cause its a unique perfume. It is definitely not for everyone though.. A small dose works best.

When I was very young, 8 or so, I thought the bottle of Youth Dew owned by my Aunt stunk of skunk. In my thirties I had a friend who was older than I and who was the epitome of elegance and chic and whose signature perfume was Youth Dew. It was magnificent on her. Men would walk by her, stop, turn around and follow her. Always asking the name of the perfume so they could buy it for their wives, or girlfriends and always complimenting her. I thought that maybe it was time for Youth Dew to work its magic on me so the next time I was at a department store I tried a little on my wrist. Huge disapointment. Skunk juice.Sigh. Now I am in my fifties and it just so happened that someone gave me a gift collection of Estee Lauder mini's a few days ago and one of them was Youth Dew. So yesterday I touched a tiny bit of the perfume to my wrist was rewarded with the most luscious dark sexy sweet fragrance in the world. It has taken 50 years for my body chemistry to get "right" with this perfume and I can say it was so worth waiting for. It is elegant and classy. Even though I am not, I feel that way for a while while I am wearing it.

I don't know why people often equate Youth Dew to old church ladies because I am 25 and practically in love with it.

Its complicated and sexy with its bergamot, cinnamon, rose, amber, and vanilla notes. Spicy but warm almost with an erotic hint. Its no wonder perfume addicts are crazy about this after having tried it, I am beginning to know why.

Ps: Its incredibly long lasting, and priced just right for me wanting to get one by the end of this week!

Well well well people, this has nothing to do with old ladies even though it came out years ago. My Mother wore this-the type of woman who men flocked to in droves. Lit her cigarettes, bought her food or drinks just to have the chance to be near her. She smelled divine, and Youth Dew was it. Now I wear it, and men stop me and declare "You smell sooo good, what ARE you wearing???" No matter how many years go by or how many flavor-of-the-months there are out there, some things never go out of style. I'm sure it depends on your body chemistry. But to me, this one is pure spice and hotness-not very suited to very hot weather but awesome in the cooler months. To the brave and lusty-TRY THIS!

I find nothing redeemable about Youth Dew, infact I hate it. This doesn't smell anything close to Tabu, Tabu has a sexiness to it and yes, I wear Tabu. Youth Dew smells like a rich old lady that nobody likes and if I were 80 I still wouldn't wear it.

I love this fragrance. It is REALLY similar to Opium, but I find it less sweet and very sexy and mysterious. Yes, my grandmother also had this, but rarely wore it, so the "old lady" factor is not an issue. I read recently that this fragrance was developed to be the first perfume that women would by for themselves (as opposed to a man buying it for her). That really appeals to me, and when I wear it, I feel super confident. I have the "bath oil" as well, but I use it as a perfume when I want an "extra hit". Sometimes I even add a drop to a fragrance free shampoo or body wash for a subtle fragrance.

I wanted to try this one because of all the hoopla surrounding it and today was the day. I'm glad I did! Complex, spicy, yes! Old lady smell? ... I prefer use the term 'vintage'. This one definitely has a vintage feel and smell. Priced right for me to be able to get both the EDP and the bath oil.

Mmmmmm. Smells like a beautiful comfort scent. Very warm, spicey and voluptuous. Not for the feint hearted.

I'm a line-crosser when it comes to breaching gendered scents (only somethimes - well, only with Opium, Poivre, Shalimar, Cabochard). But, despite its heaviness, I just can't bring myself to wear it. Its heavy and brutal in a feminine way.

Killer perfume, very intoxicating, even more so than Opium...but if Youth Dew is applied with JURISPRUDENCE and CARE, it gives off a wondefully sensual, and comforting auror, not at all domineering, over-bearing or brutal...

There isn't really a downside to this fragrance - its every bit what it was set out to be. Only problem is that if it is incorrectly applied, it will literally (I mean that!) clear a room! I used to have a teacher (in 11th and 12th grade who taught my Ancient History class) who bathed in the stuff! I loved the richness and complexity of it, but boy did it fill the room (and empty it!)...

I'll leave this one to my sis, my ex and my aunts.

Very nice, love it.

Someone said in an earlier review that you either love it or hate it, and I LOVE it. All of my favourite notes are here such as patchouli, amber benzoin etc and I feel warm all over just thinking about it. I can understand if you are a girly girly type of gal that this would possibly be your worst nightmare, but if you are a gutsy go getter, not afraid to be noticed the this is the one for you. Old Ladies?? What old ladies wear patchouli!! Definitely to be used sparingly, and not for a dinner date, but for use after eight pm, go on I dare you!

Back in the fifties, the name “Youth Dew” may have conjured up hope – a magical potion in a bottle, perhaps. These days, it smacks of desperation. I imagine middle aged women spraying themselves with this in an attempt to cling to the last vestiges of their fading beauty. Or Countess Bathory bathing in the blood of virgins.
I bought this untested because I liked the sound of the ingredients, but unfortunately, they are put together in such a way that they do not like me. From start to finish, this perfume is soapy. It’s not particularly unpleasant, but it’s not particularly nice either. There’s a sharp burst of citrus that (as Ron Burgundy says in Anchorman) stings the nostrils. After a while this is replaced by a spicy carnation scent (the clove), with a dollop of sweetness (the vanilla) and a lot of soap.
I don’t get any of the gorgeous, mulchy earthiness you normally get with patchouli-based scents. In fact, with the patchouli, citrus and peach, I was hoping it would be a little like Mitsouko, but it just doesn’t even compare.
Youth Dew may be a classic fragrance, but it just doesn’t work for me.

Well, add me to the "granny" list, because I adore this frag. I agree, that it's not for the faint hearted or the "I love fruity, foody, watered down oceanic scents" crowd! This one is a bombastic and beautiful grown-up scent that IMO does not scream "I'm an old lady", but instead, very calmly and eloquently states that she is the epitomy of luxury, class and sophistication. My collection will never be without this warm and wonderful fragrance!

PEE-UWW! LOL at the comment about trying it on and wanting to run away from yourself! I had the same impression and it smells like Tabu. There is nothing 'youth'ful at all about this anachronistic heavy headache-inducing cologne. This is something I can only imagine on matronly dowagers with blue rinses in their hair who are stuck in a time warp.

25 years ago, if I encountered someone wearing Youth Dew I would have to leave the room IMMEDIATELY, else vomit within a few minutes. I am not making a joke, I actually vomited TWICE from someone wearing this fragrance. Later on, I found I could actually wear it, but VERY, VERY sparingly....just the TEENIEST drop, wrists ONLY. I don't love it and I don't wear it, but at least it doesn't make me vomit any longer!

I believe this scent is one of those Love-it or hate-it scents.
I happen to love it, as it remids me me of an old-world: from the retro look , to the packing and to the scent itself. It’s not so old, as it was introduced in 1953 as a bath oil, but it feels like it came from another era.
I think the one to get here is the Body oil. The major difference between the body oil and the EDP is the EDP’s top wich has a healthy dose of aldehydes (wich I like but can be difficult for others).
The lavender, spices, patchouli and moss and of course vanilla and amber are the big guns in the body oil and the EDP seems to be a little lighter but a bit more harsh thanks to the aldehydes. Still it’s not a light scent in any way.
I like heavy ones from time to time (like Opium, for example) and this one is very confortable in the oil presentation, but as a note I can say that only a small dab on each wrist is enough to last for hours.
Some people have stated that it smells like old ladies, if that’s the case, then I want to smell like them: elegant and mysterious. Rich, deep and sensual, YD exudes high quality, and at times, it reminds me of a luxury hotel.
It also has roses also, but be quick to notice them at the top, because the roses will soon drown under the oriental aura of the drydown, same with the lily of the valley, it just feels like it’s not there, then you get the smallest hint of it, then it’s gone. Even though I really like it, I don’t wear it that often.

MizLiz has it right on the money -- this is one rich bitch who gets what she wants!

It's the smell of my maternal grandmother, as well as most of my mother's sisters and friends. It's a deep, rich, complex scent, with intriguing layers of aldehydes, geraniums, patchouli, sandalwood, cloves . . . you name it. Inexplicably beautiful.

I still use this (in bath oil form, esp.) to scent my drawer sachets. WONDERFUL!!!

My mother has always loved Youth Dew and many people would get this for her on Christmas. She'd spray a little on with each package she opened and by the end of the day she'd have about a bottle on. Youth Dew has some marvelous ingredients in it and is very spicy, the kind I usually like, but I have just been Youth Dewed out.

Very spicy scent, very strong and a bit much for me. Gives me a headache after 30 mintues. Not for me, but I would think if you like Opium you would also love this.

In this era of clean, chemical scents, I am proud to wear the long-lasting, old-fashioned ingredients of cinnamon, clove, rose, amber, patchouli and balsam--fragrances used by women for thousands of years to make their skin smell sweet and warm.
When I wear it, I am the Queen of Sheeba, Cleopatra, and Helen of Troy. I cloak myself in the dark, luxurious concoction like royalty of ancient times bathed in perfumed oils.
Youth Dew is so far-removed from watery florals and insipid candies that the woman who wears it will be considered unique, and maybe even (ironically) trendsetting. May Estee Lauder never quit making the original.

Aldehyde, Amber, Ylang Ylang, Benzoin & Patchouli - what's not to like? It's just the dreamiest, creamiest of fragrances! I agree with Alaya that it is more of a winter fragrance, and it's certainly not like anything modern. I think that's part of it's appeal for me. I love Sherrie 11's idea of a drop or two of the bath oil as a replacement for regular scent. This is a Grande Dame of a fragrance without being a granny. It makes me think of a female CEO, like Estee Lauder. Feminine and powerful.

Try the bath oil, not the edp or edt. It is sooooo much nicer! I never could wear Youth Dew, I think because the patchouli was too strong for me. I can wear patchouli in very small amounts, as in Miss Dior and certain other frags. But Youth Dew is too much for me. Even Angel, which I wear occasionally sometimes bothers me because of the patchouli. Anyway, on another forum posters were raving about how superior Youth Dew bath oil is to the other forms of the fragrance, so I decided to try it, and it's true. I get a vanillic softness mixed with the spices and woodsiness. The bath oil is subtler and closer to the body. You can wear it as perfume, or rub a few drops into shower-damp skin, if you don't want to pour it in your bath. I would hate to see it go down the drain. :-) But it's very affordable, too. A 1 oz. bottle of bath oil is only $22.50, and I think 2 oz. around $30. I highly recommend this version of Youth Dew.

This was my FIRST perfume. I stole it from my mom and I adored it. I still love scents like it to this day.

I had heard how this was an epic fragrance. One of the greats- like Chanel #5. One must at least try it is one is interested in fragrance. I went to my local shopping mall- spritzed it on, and immediatly wanted to run away from myself. I raced to the car as quick as I could- with the Youth Dew demon fast on my heels. I speed home and took a shower at 1:00 in the afternoon. It was an awful experience. The most "Old Lady" perfume I have ever, ever come across. It is a sad, sick joke that it is called "Youth Dew". Ridiculous.

This scent reeks in a very pungent way. Everytime I've tried it, it smells like it's 'turned bad'. I have never been able to enjoy it.

I was given a bottle of Youth Dew when I was 12, in a gift packet after working in a runway show. At 12 I was *far* too young for something so intense, and in the hot climate of Austin Texas it was just too much. I should try it again as an adult and see what I think.

With its dark juice and dense composition, the name Youth Dew seems a bit out of place - unless the dew drop smells of civet, and adorns a wild narcissus in the middle of winter. The opening of Youth Dew reminds me tightly knotted woolen yarn, soft, warm and inviting - yet you can’t find the end/beginning and start knitting yet!
As it settles on the skin, it starts opening up, one bit at a time. As the citrus wears off and the spices soften by woody undercurrent, bit by bit the floral heart starts to emerge until reaching a peak – where narcissus and ylang ylang dance to the indolic rhythm of the civet base – sexual to a degree that borders on the impolite, so you need to hold on with self-conviction and dignity. But even the luscious of flowers decompose and return to earth, this time made of muddy puddle of earthy patchouli and vetiver which gradually softens and mellows until finally reaching a delicate dry down phase that is vanillic and surprisingly reminiscent of Chanel no. 5.

This is the review for the pure parfum – a limited edition in a beautiful, frosted flacon with a delicate frosted flower stopper, filled with the almost black juice this leaves an unforgettable impression!
I find Youth Dew to be very suitable for winter, and can’t imagine wearing it in any other season and being able to keep my olfactory bulb intact. The indolic heart and the earthy base surprisingly reminds me of sticking my nose into a narcissus, inhaling the scent that smells so delicate from afar, and so deadly from nearby; inhaling it along with the some rare raindrops that clanged to the petals; All this after spending the whole afternoon jumping in puddles after the rain stopped…

Top notes: Citrus and Spices
Heart notes: Narcissus, Ylang Ylang, Cloves, Rose
Base notes: Civet, Patchouli, Vetiver, Vanilla

p.s. I am giving it only a neutral rating because I don't think it is as original as it is considered to be. Tabu by Dana preceeded it by 20 years; And a similar famous perfume - Opium (20 later) is superior to it in composition. I do appreciate it highly for its breakthrough in American perfumery and the impact it had on women.

While I don't share others hate for this, it isn't my favorite of Estee Lauder's. I find the bath powder isn't as strong as the parfum & gives me just the right amount of spicy scent. Wearing the EDP or EDT with the powder is a little too much for me right now. Definitely a winter scent and smells nice when used with a light hand. I always find myself longing for Youth Dew around the holidays because smelling it reminds me of Christmas.

Youth Dew is no wispy supermodel of a scent. Youth Dew is a rich dame who knows, and gets, exactly what she wants and is very much in control. It needs to be applied very sparingly, especially in the EdP form. But when dabbed on the pulse points it absolutely blooms into a rich, exoic bouquet: Roses, geranium, sandalwood and patchouli. But no one note overpowers. It all blends smoothly into an amalgam of sophistication. This is definitely a long enchanted evenings scent. And its lasting power is top notch. A little dab'll "dew" ya!

among the estee lauder fragrances, this is the only one that doesnt impress me...too strong, suitable for old women.

I love this fragrance, but you gotta have a "park-my-Roller-and-bring-my-parcels-up-to-the-penthouse" attitude to wear it. It's very luscious, almost makes me hungry when I smell it on someone.

Youth Dew is romantic, nostalgic and potent. A Bombshell fragrance, it is not for the weak or those accustomed to the watery synthy modern frags. I adore it, though it can be bit of a struggle, since at times, it tries to wear you.

Beautiful and beyond complex, it hits you with something new to consider at every turn. A lot of fun to wear.

A strong and leathal fragrance. Ideal for your granny or anyone else who can remember it from 1953