Private Collection Amber Ylang-Ylang (2008)
by Estée Lauder

Absolutely Cedric on that play-doh note and a very beautiful version. I was not expecting to love this as I thought the Ylang note would make it a second-rate Samsara, but eventhough I smell more Ylang than you do, I agree that this AYY is more a woody oriental than the expected floral. I am a sandalwood freak and EL has made a beauty here.

If you expect either of the new PCs to be like the mother scent, you will be in for a letdown. Neither reminds me of the original Private Collection in any way. It's not even as linear as most ELs, the bergamot and geranium fly away pretty quickly and it does not settle on my skin for a good 30 minutes.

FBW if I can find "a deal"

Lovely creamy ylang ylang opening, but the dry down is sharp amber on my skin. Doesn't mix well with my chemistry, unfortunately, but the silage is phenomenal.

Wow, cedriceccentric hit the nail on the head with the Play-doh reference. I could not put my finger on what it was, but it has that slightly salty, vanilla note that's both sharp and soft at the same time. I truly have a love/hate with this fragrance. I bought it and also (thanks cedric) agree that it can be unisex, and during our chilly New York winter days, it may become a favorite.

Less than an hour after sampling the new Private Collection Amber Ylang Ylang yesterday at Harrods, I was the proud owner of a 30ml EDP. First let me say to you that even if I don't care about such things, I find AYY very unisex. On me it opens on a great tonka bean/ Play-Doh note. I don't smell any Ylang Ylang and IMHO that's for the better. So don't expect an exotic, warm floral here. No, what you will get is a soft version of Ambre Sultan, without the patchouli ( or at least with much less patchouli). Thought it is not really overpowering, be carefull not to over-spray. Because like most orientals, it lasts and lasts. It's one of those fragrances that lingers several days on cashmere/wooly jumpers and scarves.

After Sensuous, Estée Lauder comes yet again with a wearble, "Serge-Lutens-in-spirit" fragrance. It's like Christopher Shaldrake moved to Lauder instead of Chanel...

Only down-side, but it's really nothing really... just some collector nonsense. I would have wished for a packaging (box) with a different color scheme than Tuberose Gardenia. Brown and gold would have been perfect.

Anyway, bravo to Estée Lauder! This has been a good year!

I was on the hunt to find a fragrance for this autumn season that contains some of the sultry qualities of Prada Classic and YSL Opium. After being disappointed by many fragrances offered to me (because they all had that "grandma in an elevator" cloying quality) a sales girl dressed in a cute 40s pinup style came over and suggested Estee Lauder's Amber Ylang-Ylang. I was IN LOVE! Butterscotch Bear! It took me back to my early childhood when I had a scented toy that this fragrance strongly reminded me of. AYY is made from quality ingredients and its strength is in its simplicity. I also own EL's Tuberose Gardenia and receive compliments virtually every time I wear it. EL's Private Collection is onto something here - instead of creating a medley they endeavor to create a harmony of two notes, singing in perfect proportion. This may seem unsophisticated to some, but I find it to be a highly sensual, elegant and refreshing approach to the art of perfumery.

I nearly had an attack this morning when I sprayed it for the first time, because it reminded me of the feelings I had when I sprayed Coty Wild Musk many years ago. There are definitely some resemblances scent wise, and it is very clear that the EL product is far superior in quality. Still, I got the CWM vibe, and I was completely transported by the AYY in these first moments. Even after about 30 minutes of wearing the frag, I thought--"Maybe I found my CWM replacement!" And believe me, that is no small task.

AYY started with amber, vanilla and light florals, very sweet and mellow. It is not as bright or piercing as the Ylang Ylang would imply. It is round and soft, with the barest hint of spice and musk. But then...after about 30 minutes, I started to get a sharp note that seemed like hairspray. In fact, I got the same hairspray note from CWM, so even at this stage it is doing a classy imitation. I think the hairspray smell is actually the artificial sandalwood that is used in the base, because it intensified and lasted throughout the day. This note is very much like the "molten wood" note in EL Sensuous. Sensuous really dried out on my skin, and AYY behaved similarly. I read reports of how sweet it got in the drydown, so I think for others, the AYY sandalwood note may be better tempered by some sweetness in the base. And speaking of similarities to Sensuous, the spicy note in AYY was much less prominent, but I am sure it is also the same as was used in Sensuous. Longevity wise, AYY lasted all day (2 sprays to each arm), and it wears pretty close to the body, but not so close as to be a skin scent.

I may sound crazy to want a Coty Wild Musk replacement, but the new modern musks really destroyed this scent for me. I was so jazzed about AYY when I first sprayed it, my mind was racing about what specials the EL website might be running (free shipping, etc.). But then...disappointment. It just doesn't hang in with the sweet amber for me. I'll try it again to be sure, but I think my first impression is pretty good. The EL AYY is very nice, very wearable, but also nothing special. The ingredients are obviously high quality, and the prices are reasonable. I even think it will be a popular scent. I am just not sure it can fit into the big shoes that CWM has left behind.