Designed for today’s modern woman, Estée Lauder has launched the brand’s newest scent, “Modern Muse”. Just like her fellow beautynistas, The Makeup Examiner is equally intrigued with the creative process behind any brand’s new offering, as with the product itself. For The Makeup Examiner, it was thrilling to get a peek at the processes that went into achieving Modern Muse, and of course, a brief history lesson for one of the industry’s most iconic brands, that ties into the scent’s inspiration.
The approach to Estée Lauder’s latest offering is “duality”. Modern Muse is composed of fairly contradicting accords. Estée Lauder revealed the “Sparkling Jasmine Accord,” that is a grouping of mandarin, honeysuckle and two extractions of Jasmine Sambac, including one new to the perfumery palette, Jasmine Sambac China Absolute. This accord is contradicted with “Sleek Woods Accord” that combines two Patchouli essences, Madagascar Vanilla, Amber Wood and soft Musk.
Upon reading the contradicting accords, The Makeup Examiner didn’t see how the accords would blend to produce a scent worth wearing. Yes TME loves her fragrances, but she’s very loyal to one house and the perfume best be brilliant for her to “stray”. Modern Muse offers a fresh, predominantly jasmine scent that is not overbearing, with distinctive woodsy undertones. It’s simple and lovely and easily a “go-to” fragrance when you’re looking for a scent that is upscale, light, and the perfect scent transition for the cooler weather.
Duality is also part of the Modern Muse package design. Choosing blush pink and deep navy as the Modern Muse colors and a strong, tall luxurious glass bottle with soft rounded sides. Blush pink was chosen to represent the soft, feminine side of today's woman, while navy blue signifies strength and gives node to the trademark color of the Estée Lauder brand. A key element of the bottle design … the bow … was inspired by the iconic bow on Estée Lauder’s first fragrance, Youth Dew, which launched in 1953. For Modern Muse, the bow has been re-imagined in dark navy as the ultimate symbol of style and sophistication. Modern Muse ($58-$98) is available online and at Estée Lauder counters nationwide.
