Estee Lauder Beautiful Absolu Review – 2020

Thirty-five years ago, Estee Lauder gave us Beautiful. Composed by Sophia Grojsman, Bernard Chant and Max Gavarry, it became one of the few scents that somehow both defined and transcended the 1980s. And rightly so: it’s amongst the most vivid, sweeping florals ever poured into a bottle. Now, to mark its anniversary, the house gives us a limited edition called Beautiful Absolu, which I reviewed in a recent episode of Love At First Scent. To watch it over on YouTube, please click on this link: Estee Lauder Beautiful Absolu review.

As you’ll see if you watch the episode, I think there is a great deal to admire in this release. But I suppose one aspect by which I’m particularly struck is that Lauder have retained the retro inflection present at the core. Yes, the opening is less ‘shoulder pads and hairspray’ than the original, and the heart is perhaps less abstract. But the base is that same heart-stopping combination of vanilla, sandalwood and balsams that made the 1985 version so memorable.

I was fortunate enough to be able to learn more about Beautiful when I interviewed Lauder’s ex-Creative Director, Karyn Khoury, a few years ago. To find out what she had to say about the scent – and how its marketing campaign had to be changed days before it was revealed to the public – please click on this link: Karyn Khoury interview.

Persolaise

[Estee Lauder Beautiful Absolu review based on a sample of eau de parfum provided by the brand in 2020.]

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