Beyond Paradise (2003)
by Estée Lauder

This is not a stable scent and changes a lot from skin to skin. I have bought it during first marketing rush in 2003. I thought it was magical as all flowers of the world should be in this potion. Hyacinth and honeysuckle are my two favorite flowers They are rarely distinguished in a floral because of their scents being faint in quality;they were even there. I wore it happily for a few months with dozens of compliments from even strangers. Two of my friends liked it so much that bought for themselves. I have gifted mine to a third friend which liked it very much but not bought in respect of me. So i have said goodbye to my love before it became official fragrance of our floor. But none of these three friends of mine enjoyed the scent on themselves as they do on me. Our other office friends who complimented it on me did not even take notice it on them. (God has justice?) Skin chemistry changes a lot. And this can be the only explanation about the negative reviews here. Beyond paradise is a really wonderful floral.

This surprised me because I hated it on the blotter enough not to even try it on my skin the first time some was shoved under my nose in a shop. I must also say that the ridiculous bottle put me off a little too.

Then, after having read the reviews here, I had to try again. I sprayed a generous amount on my skin. The opening felt so-so, but I smiled because it was much softer and a great deal more agreeable than the patchwork cacophony of chemicals I had previously experienced on the blotter. The scent remained almost unchanged for an hour, after which it evolved into "expensive fabric softener". Okay, I thought, this is pleasant, but nothing to write home about. Would appeal to lovers of clean smells.

Two hours in, the fragrance is still very much present, but it has transformed to one of the best florals I have ever experienced. It caresses the senses and comforts. It's gorgeous. I'm going to have to add this to my collection. I don't know whether to curse or thank Basenotes, but I would never have given Beyond Paradise another chance without this site.

A truly beautiful perfume, coming out really well on my skin. And yet I haven´t got a bottle... There is something missing, I can´t explane what... In lack of better words, I say it is missing personality.

It gets a thumbs up from me, because it is really beautiful. I hope I will understand it better one day, and than perhaps I will get a bottle.

Beyond Paradise is a moderately sweet, soft green-tinted floral scent that manages to be extremely amiable without ever descending into banality. According to Estée Lauder, what lies beyond paradise is a grassy alpine meadow brimming with wildflowers and warmed by a June morning’s sunshine.

Except for a brief, astringent galbanum and dry herb opening, Beyond Paradise’s green accord is one of newly mown grass and fresh hay. This greenery is seamlessly wed to a gentle white flower accord that’s so well-blended that this seasoned gardener is hard pressed to distinguish any individual floral notes. The indoles are under strict enough control that the only chink in Beyond Paradise’s clean innocence is a slightly animalic honey note that some passing bee brewed from all of the scent’s fresh nectar. Beyond Paradise is also largely free of conspicuous aldehydes. This lack may have a lot to do with the peculiar abstract clarity of the scent’s floral heart. More than the slightest hint of the trademark Lauder White Linen soap and powder would have made Beyond Paradise insufferably maudlin, so the restraint exercised in their application deserves special complements.

Beyond Paradise is not a thick, plush, heady floral scent in the vein of Fracas or Joy. Nor is it entirely aligned with the weightless, dew drenched spring florals of Diorissimo or En Passant. Instead, Beyond Paradise appears to occupy an elevated and appealing middle ground among today’s floral fragrances.

While Luca Turin may be right about the composition of this blend being "technically tricky", and ultimately a masterpiece in composition...my nose tells me I don't want to smell like Beyond Paradise. No matter the level of difficulty in it's creation, when I sniff this juice it is slightly sharp, soapy, and a bit heavy on the peachy/apricot note. (I can also smell Tommy Girl.) True enough, BP holds it's shape and strength throughout it's entire lifespan, but if a floral symphony is what I desire, I'm more likely to head for Lauder's Beautiful...which is velvety smooth and more pleasing to my nose.

While I'm not a fan of other Lauder fragrances, this one was perfect for the April day it arrived in the mail. To me, it smells like all the soft flowers--apple blossoms, grape hyacinths, tulips--in bloom right now, with water-splashed violets and a whiff of fresh raspberries. I think it would lovely for spring and summer, lovely on a young girl. As fresh as a cotton dress.