Beautiful

Beautiful by Estée Lauder is a feminine-leaning eau de parfum from 1985 in the designer price tier. It opens with aldehydes, mandarin and bergamot, moves into tuberose, rose, jasmine and lily of the valley and dries down to sandalwood, vetiver, white musk and amber. Expect around 8 hours of wear, and it projects strongly.

Notes, explained

Opening

Aldehydes Fizzy, soapy, slightly waxy. The 'sparkle' at the top of Chanel No. 5.
Mandarin Soft, sweet, almost powdery citrus. Gentler than orange.
Bergamot Sharp citrus with a faint bitter edge. The opening of about half of all men's fragrances.

Heart

Tuberose Creamy, waxy and enormous. The loudest white flower.
Rose Can be jammy, green, peppery or soapy depending on the type. Not one smell.
Jasmine Heady, sweet and slightly animal underneath. Rarely subtle.
Lily of the Valley Clean, green, dewy floral. Reads as 'fresh laundry' to most people.

Dry-down

Sandalwood Creamy, milky wood. Soft and almost edible.
Vetiver Dry, earthy, smoky grass root. Smells like soil and citrus peel.
White Musk Clean, soft, laundry-like. The 'smells like nothing but better' note.
Amber Warm, golden and resinous. Not a real material — a blend that glows.

Smells like this

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