Youth Dew Amber Nude (2005)
by Estée Lauder

A not very interesting sweetened incense. Certainly in 'improvement' in that I could wear this easier than the original Youth Dew, but nothing particularly interesting here. Also starts off way too strong.

What can I add! apart from that I absolutely love this perfume,it is a definate winter evening fragrance, warm and alluring.A little goes a long way,just like the original although I do prefer this one.

Oh! What a sweet and seductive opening and yet so lady-like. I used to wear the original Youth Dew as a teen. For me YDAN is reminiscent of its predecessor but sweeter and dry with no hint of spice. I actually like the opening better, but the dry down on my wrist gives way to an ever so slight insecticide odor. However, in the crook of my elbow it remains sweet and warm and speaks of amber and patchouli. I deem (but I am not certain) that my body chemistry prefers a little more spice with Jasmine and/or Ylang Ylang. Though I have always loved perfume, I am yet too inexperienced to distinguish all of the base notes. I may try layering it with something else…in the meantime I’m enjoying the alluring opening.

Tom Ford = genius.

This is gorgeous, absolutely lovely - enough said. 5 stars.

This is how a woman should smell.

Simply alluring. It is so seductive, rich, layered, and naughty, I cannot believe that some women chose to buy fragrances like Angel or some other hateful scent instead of this masterpiece. It has everything Youth Dew had in it, but so much more modern, in a way timeless, luminous and transparent. It is warm and unmistakably feminine. Yet with Tom Ford's Midas touch, both the perception and mix, that this perfume had been based on, have been altered for the better. I think this edition is the proof that a great scent, in its purity and basic combination, is indeed timeless, and Youth Dew is that timeless classic. Like a decadent Dior or Chanel look: it can always be modified into the new times without losing its original soul or merit.

Youth Dew Amber Nude opens with ginger, cinnamon, magnolia, tea, and grapefruit. The ginger and cinnamon are not too heavy, so don't worry, you don;t end up smelling like a candy bar. Yet this is unmistakably feminine and the opening, in no way, apologizing for its character. Then the scent moves to heavy floral accords as carnations, roses, ylang-ylang and heavy jasmine. Jasmine is overpowering I suppose, but this is not a 'white' scent, nor sticky as many jasmine scents end up being. I suppose the mid-notes do have something in common with Guerlain Samsara due to the jasmine-rose duo, but this is so much more modern and even much lighter than Samsara.

To break things to a more sensible ground, the scents seals the deal with sandalwood, patchouli, amber, and a little bit vetiver. What you end up with after many hours of wearing (longevity is impressive) a rich amber-y aura with pretty flowers. It is sensual, soft, and uplifting, to say the least.

Estee Lauder is a very estrogen-driven company. There is nothing male about it. I don't even remember testing a mens scent from Estee, ever, let alone buying one. Even though this partnership with Tom Ford has been clever on their part, it was such a marketing ploy, it wasn't even amusing how transparent the actions of the company were. I am sure they have sold many bottles of Youth Dew Amber Nude since, and why shouldn't they, it is a masterpiece like I said. But more importantly, I wish the company could be perceptive enough to release a masculine version of this scent, because it is quite easy to create a cutting edge, yet comfortable scent based on these accords for men as well.

I would wear this perfume, but I would not feel comfortable in it, since it is unforgivably feminine. That being said, a great masculine version of this scent is long-overdue, and it could be a great venture for Estee to galvanize sales on their mens department, which I assume must be quite dismal.

Try this one before buying! It is not for everybody! On my skin, it never comes out beautiful, it is just way too strong and way too spicy. I have really tried to like this one, I have tested it many, many times, but it just doasn´t work for me.
I congrat all of you who wears this one well!