Estee Lauder Fragrances, Why do they last so long? Options

[cubby]

Most EL fragrances last 12+ hours, which I love. Why do these tend to last longer on the skin? Would love your thoughts...

[ShorTea]

I have no idea, but I used to think EL's scents were over priced until I realized what a good value they are per use, they do last longer and no re-application is needed. So, now I just enjoy the long lasting blast I get for the day, especially when using the samplers at the department store counters!

[VelvetSky]

cubby, I suspect that Lauder's fragrances are made with (mostly) synthetics with strong fixative characteristics. They do give a real bang for the buck, and therefore end up being relatively inexpensive in the long run.

I've been very impressed by the recent 'Private Collection' scents - they're beautiful and yes they have the characteristic Lauder staying power!

[Mitsy]

While I don't like every single Lauder scent, I like and own many of them. They rank up higher in their worth (in my opinion) because they not only last a long time but the company has not had a reputation for introducing and pulling fragrances at whim - unlike so many other companies.

While I wish they would bring back the old Celadon & Pavillion fragrances from 1978, they have kept most of their fragrance line intact and even some that don't have all the bath products available are still being made on a smaller scale. Oh, and the bath products (lotion, powder, etc.) are usually excellent quality which is something I can't say for some of the lotions that come in those boxed gift sets of other brands. The lotions go watery MUCH less quickly than their competitors' products.

[chanel22]

I think it's just another extention of Estee Lauder's brilliance. She believed in giving the customer 'value for the dollar'. She originated the 'gift with purchase' for this very reason, too. I dare say that as long as there are Lauders at Lauder, Estee's mission will continue. If the family ever sells out, things will deteriorate quickly. It was once stated that Guerlain was to naturals what Lauder was to synthetics, very well done. OF course, that was back when Guerlain was run by Guerlains...

[FiveoaksBouquet]

cubby, I suspect that Lauder's fragrances are made with (mostly) synthetics with strong fixative characteristics. They do give a real bang for the buck, and therefore end up being relatively inexpensive in the long run.

I've been very impressed by the recent 'Private Collection' scents - they're beautiful and yes they have the characteristic Lauder staying power!

This is my take too. I attribute the longevity to deftly placed aromachemicals.

22, I think you have something there about the advantage of Lauder being family-run.

[sharilstuff]

I think it's just another extention of Estee Lauder's brilliance. She believed in giving the customer 'value for the dollar'. She originated the 'gift with purchase' for this very reason, too. I dare say that as long as there are Lauders at Lauder, Estee's mission will continue. If the family ever sells out, things will deteriorate quickly. It was once stated that Guerlain was to naturals what Lauder was to synthetics, very well done. OF course, that was back when Guerlain was run by Guerlains...

You know, this really cannot be overestimated in my opinion. So many cosmetic companies shamelessly rape the consumer when it comes to what you get for the money...you know? Now, their face creams and such are about as ridiculously priced and touted with "fake science" as the other lines, but at least the fragrances have stayed reasonable.

[CHARDKAY]

As far as department store fragrances go, I think they are at the top of the list! Good quality, fair pricing and great sillage. I have owned almost all of them at one time or another. Currently wearing the heck out of Bronze Goddess, but Pleasures and White Linen will always be among my favorites.

[CHARDKAY]

You know, this really cannot be overestimated in my opinion. So many cosmetic companies shamelessly rape the consumer when it comes to what you get for the money...you know? Now, their face creams and such are about as ridiculously priced and touted with "fake science" as the other lines, but at least the fragrances have stayed reasonable.

For skin care, I love Clinique. Lauder's liquid makeup is the best for me. A bottle will last me a year, I swear, and it has excellent coverage.

[Persephone]

I don't know the actual reason for the amazing longevity but bless EL's heart for this!

I'm really looking forward to Jasmine White Moss.

Put EL in a boxing match with JCE or L'Artisan and EL would knock them out in 12 seconds :-)

[altodiva]

You know, this really cannot be overestimated in my opinion. So many cosmetic companies shamelessly rape the consumer when it comes to what you get for the money...you know? Now, their face creams and such are about as ridiculously priced and touted with "fake science" as the other lines, but at least the fragrances have stayed reasonable.

True dat. I will say, however, that if you want a really good laugh, check out the price of Guerlain's skincare. A teeny tiny jar of their eye and lip cream (which is admittedly good stuff, and of which I scam samples whenever I possibly can) runs $150.00. Outrageous.

[FiveoaksBouquet]

Put EL in a boxing match with JCE or L'Artisan and EL would knock them out in 12 seconds :-)

Perseph, point me to the betting window; I will put my money on Lauder too!

[Goldengirl52]

Having worked for Lauder, I can assure you that the long lasting quality of Lauder's fragrances does not have to do with any type of synthetic/fixative factor. Lauder's fragrances have a higher percentage of fragrance oil (or whatever it is that distinguishes edt,edp,parfum) than most of the other fragrances we find (at least in department stores).

I don't know what the story is as far as using synthetics,because I worked for Lauder in the late 70's, but at that time, Mrs Lauder insisted on using as many "natural" components as possible. There is a famous story about Estee that involves the use of sandalwood. Due to heavy rains one year, alot of the sandalwood crops were ruined, so Estee Lauder had her laboratory come up with a synthetic sandalwood that was as close to the real deal as possible. They used it, put out a whole bunch of Estee,shipped it to stores, where it was stocked. Then Estee decided it was not acceptable although supposedly, the average "nose" could not detect any real difference. All of the Estee was pulled from the shelves, and for an entire season, there was no Estee.

My ideas on this (at this point) are that people (like some of the more discerning perfumistas here) COULD in fact detect a difference, and that's why the Estee was pulled.

I digress, however. Lauder scents have more "fragrance" per se, than many other scents on the market. That is why they last longer. Like them or not, you have to respect the quality of the fragrances.

[VelvetSky]

Having worked for Lauder, I can assure you that the long lasting quality of Lauder's fragrances does not have to do with any type of synthetic/fixative factor. Lauder's fragrances have a higher percentage of fragrance oil (or whatever it is that distinguishes edt,edp,parfum) than most of the other fragrances we find (at least in department stores).

I don't know what the story is as far as using synthetics,because I worked for Lauder in the late 70's, but at that time, Mrs Lauder insisted on using as many "natural" components as possible. There is a famous story about Estee that involves the use of sandalwood. Due to heavy rains one year, alot of the sandalwood crops were ruined, so Estee Lauder had her laboratory come up with a synthetic sandalwood that was as close to the real deal as possible. They used it, put out a whole bunch of Estee,shipped it to stores, where it was stocked. Then Estee decided it was not acceptable although supposedly, the average "nose" could not detect any real difference. All of the Estee was pulled from the shelves, and for an entire season, there was no Estee.

My ideas on this (at this point) are that people (like some of the more discerning perfumistas here) COULD in fact detect a difference, and that's why the Estee was pulled.

I digress, however. Lauder scents have more "fragrance" per se, than many other scents on the market. That is why they last longer. Like them or not, you have to respect the quality of the fragrances.

Well, wouldn't be the first time I was wrong and won't be the last. Thanks for setting me straight. I'm glad to know the reason has to do with a higher percentage of oils. Whatever it is, I like it!

[chanel22]

Well, wouldn't be the first time I was wrong and won't be the last. Thanks for setting me straight. I'm glad to know the reason has to do with a higher percentage of oils. Whatever it is, I like it!

It has been stated in several of my perfume books that Guerlain use to use a high level of natural ingredients, whereas Estee Lauder used more synthetics, but still used a lot of natural ingredients. Both companies were considered to be shoulder to shoulder in the creativity of their perfumers. In a word, they were the 'best' perfumers. Many natural ingredients aren't expensive, especially certain fixative base notes like oakmoss and fresh topnotes like bergamot. Now, many of these natural ingredients are heavily restricted, so I think all perfumers have a challenge ahead. What amazes me is what a small percentage ingredients make up in the cost of a perfume, it's like 2% or something really tiny. The real costs are packaging, marketing and distribution.

[FiveoaksBouquet]

Thanks, Goldengirl, for the inside story!

[cubby]

Having worked for Lauder, I can assure you that the long lasting quality of Lauder's fragrances does not have to do with any type of synthetic/fixative factor. Lauder's fragrances have a higher percentage of fragrance oil (or whatever it is that distinguishes edt,edp,parfum) than most of the other fragrances we find (at least in department stores).

I don't know what the story is as far as using synthetics,because I worked for Lauder in the late 70's, but at that time, Mrs Lauder insisted on using as many "natural" components as possible. There is a famous story about Estee that involves the use of sandalwood. Due to heavy rains one year, alot of the sandalwood crops were ruined, so Estee Lauder had her laboratory come up with a synthetic sandalwood that was as close to the real deal as possible. They used it, put out a whole bunch of Estee,shipped it to stores, where it was stocked. Then Estee decided it was not acceptable although supposedly, the average "nose" could not detect any real difference. All of the Estee was pulled from the shelves, and for an entire season, there was no Estee.

My ideas on this (at this point) are that people (like some of the more discerning perfumistas here) COULD in fact detect a difference, and that's why the Estee was pulled.

I digress, however. Lauder scents have more "fragrance" per se, than many other scents on the market. That is why they last longer. Like them or not, you have to respect the quality of the fragrances.

Perhaps they should pull the reformulated version of ESTEE they are selling right now.

[Goldengirl52]

Estee is now in perfheaven, so those decisions are left up to Aerin, I guess. I haven't smelled Estee for awhile, but judging by the other stuff that's out there, my guess would be that although it might pale in comparison to the original, it's probably not all that bad.

[Aparatchick]

You know, this really cannot be overestimated in my opinion. So many cosmetic companies shamelessly rape the consumer when it comes to what you get for the money...you know? Now, their face creams and such are about as ridiculously priced and touted with "fake science" as the other lines, but at least the fragrances have stayed reasonable.

When your family name is on the product .... I'd guess you take more pride in the product you're selling. And so it is with Estee Lauder. Their perfumes are a great value. As Chardkay noted, they also own the Clinique line which has products I love at much better pricing than many department store makeup lines.

[cubby]

Estee is now in perfheaven, so those decisions are left up to Aerin, I guess. I haven't smelled Estee for awhile, but judging by the other stuff that's out there, my guess would be that although it might pale in comparison to the original, it's probably not all that bad.

It has the basic Estee smell, but it gives me a headache - something the original version never did. It was my signature scent...just seemed to be "me". Apparently it scented my classroom, because kids would come back to visit several years later and say, "mmmm--your room always smells the same." i didn't wear much either. With EL, only a dab will do! My mother wore Revlon's Moondrops, which was a cheaper knock-off of Estee, in my opinion. Lots of memories wrapped up in this scent...and seemingly, nothing else out there is similar. I wish I could get the essential oils, etc., and try to reproduce it myself!

I do appreciate all the posts & inside stories about EL fragrances.