The disappearing act of woods (Estee Lauder: Sensuous, Eau de Parfum)

Member Name: lillamarta

Product:	Estee Lauder: Sensuous, Eau de Parfum
Date:	09/08/09 (139 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: An OK, mass market blend

Disadvantages: A pretend woody-oriental, poor staying power

Launched: 2008
Group: Oriental woody

INTRODUCTION

Sensuous is a recent addition to my miniature collection. I was intrigued by the description of the fragrance and that it was classified as an oriental woody scent. Being a lover of woody orientals such as Le Baiser du Dragon, Samsara or Dolce Vita, I was looking forward to a similar, complex but a ligther, summer equivalent of an oriental scent accented with woods.

THE PACKAGING

The packaging isn't really remarkable or nice for me, sort of like your standard and plain Estee Lauder bottles. The bottle is pale pink, round and flat with a wavy ribbed motif engraved in it. It closes with a plastic cap that matches the colour of the shiny but plain brownish-pink outer packaging.

THE FRAGRANCE

Top notes: lily, magnolia, jasmine

Spraying out of the bottle, Sensuous immediately releases a mixture of citrusy and creamy floral notes that smell like a blend of orange, jasmine, roses with light hints of amber. These are the classic ingredients of oriental florals, however Sensuous is a very light and breezy composition, and even more so at the beginning. These citrusy and floral notes linger on for about 30 minutes creating a fresh but equally sweet, summery bouquet that's
indeed very far from being oriental or woody in a classic sense.

Middle notes: amber, vanilla

After about a half an hour to an hour depending on temperature, the fragrance turns into a warmer, spicier and more of an that's lost its citrusy opening and is now floral with creamy, vanillic undertones. The sillage reminds me of Armani's Sensi, except Sensuous isn't as sweet and the early appearance of the honey doesn't make it cloyingly sweet. Sensuous is rather a powdery floral with a light sillage. A simple, modern, somehow refreshing and soft composition with a little bit of a soapy edge.

Base notes: pepper, mandarin orange, honey

About 3 - 4 hours later I'm greeted with a lovely, soft powdery finish of subtle woods and spices infused with amber and vanilla. The result is sweet but not overly sweet and is rather an ambery skin scent that stays on for another 2 - 3 hours. I was disappointed how this light eau de parfum only lasted for about 6 - 7 hours though I understand why. Sensuous is a modern oriental woody scent, sparkling and sweet then fades away quickly. There aren't any real woodsy notes in it, it's just a woody impression we're getting here.

CONCLUSION

Sensuous belongs to a very popular trend, the modern oriental woody category with Sensi, Let it Rock from Vivienne Westwood and some
celebrity fragrances (Halle, Naomi Campbell Mystery), just to name a few which are just shadows of what oriental woody fragrances should really be.
Thus Sensuous is safe, sweet and likely to appeal to different age groups, however lacking that self-confident, alluring and comfortable feminine statement that oriental woody fragrances used to be about. It is however a nice change from those fruity or citrus punches that invade the fragrance stores in the summer.

PRICE AND AVAILABILITY

The full RRP is ranging between £30 - £65 for 30ml or 100ml Eau de Parfum. You can get it for less online.

Thanks for reading.

©powered by lillybee also posted on Ciao! UK

Summary: A light and less sweet summer version of Armani Sensi.