Cinnabar Estée Lauder

Fragrance Story

Cinnabar by Estée Lauder is a Oriental Spicy fragrance for women. Cinnabar was launched in 1978. Cinnabar was created by Bernard Chant and Josephine Catapano. Top notes are Spices, Cloves, Tangerine, Peach, Orange Blossom and Bergamot; middle notes are Cinnamon, Carnation, Ylang-Ylang, Jasmine, Lily, Rose and Lily-of-the-Valley; base notes are Incense, Tolu Balsam, Amber, Benzoin, Sandalwood, Patchouli, Vanilla and Vetiver.

Composition Profile

warm spicy 100%
amber 85%
woody 70%
balsamic 60%
powdery 50%
cinnamon 40%

About the Perfumer

Painting That Reflects Cinnabar Estée Lauder

The Demon Seated by Mikhail Vrubel

The Demon Seated by Mikhail Vrubel, 1890

This evocative painting captures the complex, mysterious aura of the fragrance. The rich textures and contemplative mood mirror the fragrance's depth and striking presence, while the bold use of color reflects its distinctive character.

Classic Song That Matches Cinnabar Estée Lauder

Song album cover

"Rhapsody in Blue" by George Gershwin, 1924

Like Cinnabar Estée Lauder, Gershwin's masterpiece seamlessly blends contrasting elements into a harmonious whole. The composition's elegant transitions between dynamic and serene passages mirror the fragrance's evolution on skin. Just as this scent brings together traditional and modern elements, "Rhapsody in Blue" merges classical structure with jazz improvisation, creating something sophisticated yet accessible—an auditory parallel to this fragrance's olfactory journey.

Fragrance Notes

Top Notes

The first impression, lasting 15-30 minutes

Spices
Cloves
Tangerine
Peach
Orange Blossom
Bergamot

Heart Notes

The core character, lasting 2-4 hours

Cinnamon
Carnation
Ylang-Ylang
Jasmine
Lily
Rose
Lily-of-the-Valley

Base Notes

The lasting impression, 4+ hours

Incense
Tolu Balsam
Amber
Benzoin
Sandalwood
Patchouli
Vanilla
Vetiver
Unique Character

Cinnabar Estée Lauder by Estée Lauder offers a distinctive olfactory experience that stands out from other fragrances in its category.

Artisanal Creation

Crafted with the finest ingredients and a blend of traditional and modern perfumery techniques, this fragrance represents the pinnacle of the perfumer's art.

Signature Style

Cinnabar Estée Lauder embodies the distinctive style of Estée Lauder while adding a unique chapter to their fragrance portfolio.

Character Profile

Cinnabar Estée Lauder is Ideal For

The Cinnabar Soul: A Portrait of the Alchemist

The Essence of Choice: Why Cinnabar?

Cinnabar by Estée Lauder is not a fragrance for the timid. It is rich, warm, and unapologetically bold—a blend of spices, amber, and incense that lingers like an ancient incantation. The person who chooses this scent is drawn to its depth, its mystery, its suggestion of transformation. They are not content with the ephemeral or the superficial; they seek the alchemy of experience, the slow burn of meaning.

The Dominant Archetype: The Alchemist

This is a person ruled by the Alchemist archetype—the seeker who transmutes the base materials of life into something greater. Like the medieval mystics who pursued the philosopher’s stone, they are driven by a need to refine, to perfect, to uncover hidden truths. Their world is one of symbols, layers, and slow revelations. They do not merely live; they distill.

The Outer Life: Style, Tastes, and Aesthetic

Their presence is deliberate. They favor textures that tell a story—heavy silks, aged leather, the patina of well-worn brass. Their home is a sanctuary of dark woods, deep reds, and flickering candlelight, a space that feels both sacred and secret. They collect rare books, antique talismans, and objects that carry the weight of history.

In art, they are drawn to the baroque, the ornate, the decadent—Caravaggio’s chiaroscuro, the poetry of Rilke, the operas of Wagner. They do not shy away from intensity; they court it. Their taste in music leans toward the symphonic, the hypnotic—something that demands surrender rather than casual listening.

The Inner Life: Philosophy and Values

They believe in the unseen architecture of existence—that beneath the surface of things, there are patterns, correspondences, hidden meanings. They are not religious in a conventional sense, but they are deeply spiritual, treating life as a ritual. Time, for them, is not linear but cyclical; they see echoes of the past in the present, and they search for omens in the mundane.

Their morality is not rigid but fluid, shaped by experience rather than dogma. They value wisdom over virtue, depth over purity. They are drawn to paradoxes—the idea that one must lose oneself to be found, that destruction can be a form of creation.

Relationships: Intimacy and Solitude

They do not love lightly. Their relationships are intense, forged in the fires of shared secrets and mutual transformation. They seek partners who are equally unafraid of darkness, who understand that love is not always gentle—sometimes it is a crucible.

Yet, their depth can be isolating. They struggle with those who prefer the shallows, who shy away from the shadows they so willingly explore. Their friendships are few but profound, built on unspoken understandings rather than casual camaraderie. They are the confidant, the keeper of secrets—but they, too, need someone who can hold their own darkness without flinching.

The Shadow: The Obsessive, the Hermit

The Alchemist’s brilliance has its cost. Their pursuit of meaning can tip into obsession—an endless refining that never satisfies. They may become lost in their own labyrinth, mistaking solitude for wisdom, isolation for enlightenment.

At their worst, they grow disdainful of those who do not share their depth, dismissing simpler joys as trivial. Their introspection can curdle into self-absorption, their love of mystery into a refusal to engage with the tangible world. They must remember that alchemy is not just about turning lead into gold—it is also about learning to touch the earth.

The Balance: Light and Shadow in Motion

They are neither saint nor cynic, but a seeker suspended between the two. Their strength lies in their ability to see beyond surfaces, to find beauty in decay, meaning in chaos. Their flaw is the temptation to withdraw too far, to mistake the map for the territory.

Yet, when balanced, they are a force of quiet transformation—a reminder that life is not just to be lived, but to be deciphered. They are the ones who leave traces of incense in the air long after they have left the room, whose presence lingers like a half-remembered dream.

In the end, they are not just wearing Cinnabar—they are living it.

Pros

  • Exceptional longevity that lasts throughout the day
  • Complex evolution offers a rewarding sensory journey
  • Versatile enough for various occasions and seasons
  • Unique composition stands out from mainstream fragrances
  • High-quality ingredients ensure a premium experience

Cons

  • May be too intense for casual everyday wear
  • Higher price point reflects premium positioning
  • Bold projection might be overwhelming in close quarters
  • Certain notes may polarize some noses
  • Not ideal for those who prefer subtle, skin-close scents

Fictional Characters Who Would Wear This

👔

Harvey Specter

from "Suits"

Confident, polished, and always in control – this scent matches his sophisticated persona.

🕶️

James Bond

from "007 Series"

Elegant yet dangerous, with a complex character that unfolds over time, just like the fragrance.

👑

Daenerys Targaryen

from "Game of Thrones"

Commands attention with a powerful presence that balances fiery intensity and regal grace.

🧠

Sherlock Holmes

from "Sherlock Holmes"

Appreciates complexity and nuance, with a distinctive signature that's easily recognized.

💼

Miranda Priestly

from "The Devil Wears Prada"

Exudes authority and refined taste, with an unapologetic boldness that demands respect.