naphtalia's Full Review: Estee Lauder Youth Dew 2.25oz Spray by Estee Laude...
In the land of yesteryear, I'm told, women didn't buy perfume for themselves. Instead, men would buy fragrances for the women in their lives as a special gift. Indeed, watching old Hollywood movies, we can see this is true. For example, in the movie The Women Joan Crawford meets Norma Shear's husband when he comes to buy perfume for Norma.
In 1953, however, things began to change and Youth Dew by Estee Lauder was the first crack in the dam. Youth Dew was created for women to buy for themselves. They did, and many still do.
In fact, Youth Dew was the first "real" perfume that I was exposed to. My mother had it. So did all her friends. Any woman of an age to have children in school, who travelled in that upper-middle class, Orange county California, white-collar social circle of the 60s and early 70s had a bottle of it on her dresser, vanity table, or in the bathroom.
Youth Dew is a heavy and heady scent. It is heavily floral and at first smells of roses, jonquil and lavendar. As it matures, jasmine and spices appear. There is also an undertone of something woody and of patchouli. Perhaps it is the patchouli aroma that makes me think this has a slightly oriental aroma to it. There is also a spiciness to it. The aroma is very heady and is certainly best used as an evening perfume.
Unfortunately, perfumes have particular connotations. Youth Dew is of another time and the only people I see wearing it anymore are older women. Like blue eyeshadow or white lipstick, it is no longer fashionable - certainly not as a daily perfume.
I went to visit a friend's aunt recently in a retirement home. Her aunt wears Youth Dew. Her seven year old daughter said, "I like the way old ladies smell like flowers." Perhaps that's the nicest thing I can express. Youth Dew will make you smell like an old lady.
Youth Dew can be found 1.5 ounce bottles for $20.00, in 1.8 ounce bottles for $22.00 and in 2.25 ounce bottles $24.00.
I admit that I still like Youth Dew. It reminds me of my childhood. It's nostalgia. I won't wear it though. I'm too young to smell like an old lady.
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