Estée Lauder built her entire empire with the sole aim of making "every woman beautiful" and encouraging their independence. What is interesting is that a nod to the men in her customers' lives came much later, thirty-nine years later to be precise, but it was worth the wait. Lauder for Men arrived in 1985, thirty-two years after the debut of the famous Youth Dew, but why did it take so long? Well, Ms Lauder had been toying with men's fragrances since 1964, under another guise, but her first male fragrance under the name of Estée Lauder had to be something special, and it was. So, it's time to rediscover the magic of Lauder for Men.
When Youth Dew launched in 1953 it was a huge departure for women's fragrance. At that time perfume was usually bought by gentlemen for their ladies, rather than by women for themselves. It was seen as an extravagance, but Estée Lauder had other plans. She launched a bath oil that doubled as a "pure parfum", so finally women could buy their own little piece of luxury. It was Youth Dew that really put Estée Lauder on the map, and it was the first of many perfumes to come. Being seen as a feminine brand though made it difficult for them to introduce a masculine scent, but that was something that Lauder knew she had to overcome.

No one seems to be able to agree on how to classify this fragrance, which could be a sign of why it has lasted. Aromatic Fougere, Herbaceous Woody, even Aromatic Chypre, they all point towards the same result. Lauder for Men is an unashamed eighties powerhouse, and yet there is also a subtlety which keeps you coming back for more. It opens with a punch of lemon before the aromatics literally sprint past. The coriander and cardamon scream authority and, alongside a piercingly green galbanum, really make you sit up and take notice. Oakmoss and patchouli then make a bold appearance and they’re with you right up until the end.

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