Clinique celebrates the 40th anniversary of Aromatics Elixir, the 1971 classic chypre developed by perfumer Bernard Chant, with new limited editions including a new interpretation of the fragrance.
Aromatics Elixir Perfume Spray ~ the original fragrance in a collector bottle, in 100 ml. (above left, $55).
Aromatics Elixir Perfumer’s Reserve ~ "AROMATICS ELIXIR PERFUMER’S RESERVE uses cutting-edge molecular distillation technology from Grasse’s renowned Laboratoire Monique Rémy (LMR) to create a fresher, smoother, modern interpretation of Chant’s original." Developed by perfumer Laurent Le Guernec; with rose, jasmine, myrrh, patchouli, orange flower and peach. Per Le Guernec,
AROMATICS ELIXIR is one of perfumery’s most dazzling compositions. It is referred to as a masterpiece because of the beauty of its formulation, the sumptuousness of its ingredients and its unforgettable sillage. I wanted Aromatics Elixir Perfumer’s Reserve to attest to the genius of the original, while yielding a fresh perspective. I hope that in Aromatics Elixir Perfumer’s Reserve, the woman who is addicted to the original will find a new way of experiencing her beloved Aromatics Elixir, while women who thought the original too potent will find this modern homage alluring. It is a scent for an extremely feminine woman who knows what she wants and goes after it with beguilingly subtle wiles; the legend of one generation passed on to – and reinterpreted by - the next.
In 25 ml. (above right, $75).
Aromatics Elixir Solid Perfume Necklace ~ the Perfumer's Reserve fragrance in "an elegant amber locket - emblazoned with the flower symbol - to be worn as a pendant, or secreted into an evening bag." In 1.4g. (not shown, £50).
The first two items can be found now at Macy's.
(via news.glidetechnologies)
Update: here is the solid perfume, which is $65 ~
Pretty bottles. It’s been ages since I sniffed Atomic Elixir , haha, okay Aromatics Elixir….I’ve got a mini spray around here somewhere and it’s brrrrrrr cold today so maybe a good time to retest….
Sounds like the new one will be lighter, smoother, and softer — which ought to be anathema to a perfumista, but in this case, might work quite well for me!
One Thursday at work, years ago, building maintenance let us know they will be applying some rat/bug spray in the entire building over the week-end and can we please protect our plants or better take them home. I was preparing to welcome the new Country Manager we hired for our new branch office in Warsaw and forgot all about the announcement until the next morning when I was greeted with the most repulsive, vile smell in our lobby. Our receptionists looked like they just ate a couple of lemons each. Gasping for air, I managed to protest “Wasn’t the rat spray action supposed to happen tomorrow?”
“It’s our guest actually, that’s her, um, fragrance” they answered.
Of course I had to ask the lady what it was.
You guessed right … Aromatics Elixir. 🙂
LOL —I hope she wasn’t standing right there while you were gasping and cursing the rat poison…. if I had said that , she would have been…
No, Daisy, she wasn’t 🙂
I am direct, but not tactless.
Oh dear! Great story; sounds like she had seriously over-applied.
She worked for us for two years and we all thought she must have a portable swimming pool of Aromatics Elixir with her for a morning swim. And she reapplied at least twice during working hours. We all cleared out of her way. That fragrance was a chemical weapon in her hands.
wow-AE will do that if over applied. There is a girl in our Accounts payable office who wears it and you can practically taste it.
I’ve worn it for years, but I give it one, and only one spritz, and let it develop for approx an hour before leaving the house and it’s heaven…. but I have to admit I hate it when folks overapply AE-it is overpowering even to me!
A must-try for me. AE is one of my favourites femine perfumes. It needs a long time- about 2-3 hours, to be a wonderful perfume and that’s when it grabs me. Wonderfull bottles. Wich flower is that?
It looks like a poppy to me.
Thanks!
I don’t know, but poppy does look right. They’ve used a similar (or identical) bottle in the past for LEs.
Yeah, I saw that. I think there was an atomizer in that, so stylish. The flower really looks like a poppy. The original one doesn’t have any poppy. Perhaps this new one have some.
I don’t much like Aromatics Elixir, so technically I should be included in the “women who thought the original too potent”, but I’m really just sad to see another one of the greats get a “modern” makeover. At least the original is still around (for now).
I love AE, but otherwise I completely agree.
The original is too much for me, so I’ll try this new version. ii admire the original without being able to wear it (kind of like Mitsouko – apologies in advance for the blasphemy).
Looks like I’m the minority but I always liked AE. I used to have one of those small GWP bottles in my early 20s and it made fell all grown up whenever I wore it 😀 I should really try and get another one especially now that we approaching the colder months.
I just ordered a bottle. This may be the solution for those of us who love the scent dabbed or used via the body lotion or Elixir Sheer. I think it’s a beautiful scent and as I’ve said many times to newbies: many a heavy hand has ruined a beautiful scent.
I. want. that. bottle. I’ve been bugging my local Clinique SA’s for weeks, circling the counter like a plane over SFO airport!
I’m sure the juice will smell fine, but I am seriously lemming that bottle…… *sigh* I’ve been so good all year, and my 3rd qtr is going to be terrible.
I share that bottle-lemming. Of course, I haven’t yet seen the bottle in person, but it looks lovely as pictured.
I just saw the update – now I want the solid perfume in that compact!
I was excited to see the new version until I saw that they removed its potency. Sounds like the plot to Austin Powers 2.
AE was always something I thought I should like by its description, but hits me like a solid oak 2×4 in person. I envy those who can wear AE with grace. I might go sniff this, maybe the modulated ‘modern’ take will be in better harmony with my skin.
I’ll give this newfangled thingy a sniff, and I must admit that the amber-glass bottle slays me, but … but … but … I love AE precisely because it’s NOT fresh, smooth, or modern. If only I could get the original juice in the little brown bottle.
Several years ago when I couldn’t find a job in my industry, I took a job at the Clinique counter of one of our major dept. stores. Those SA’s weren’t happy unless they were spritzing someone (fellow SA’s and customers alike) with AE or Wrappings. I haven’t been near AE since! But I have to admit, this announcement has raised my curiosity….I hope it doesn’t kill the cat! 😉
Beautiful AE ! I am so glad to see AE in the limelight and that there is now a special reserve version.
When I was in Paris, this lady at the hotel we stayed it- receptionist smelt divine. I thought she was wearing Mitsouko so I had to ask . It was Aromatics Elixir and suited her to perfection. Shesaid it is her signature scent and she has worn it for years. She obviously has learnt the technique of applying ‘just enough.’ AE smelt so exclusive and expensive on her.
A while ago I was reading up about AE on the interwebs and (perhaps on MakeupAlley) came across a commenter who had sold the scent when it was originally released in the 70s. She said that it fit in with the hypoallergenic Clinique range by being designed not to be sprayed on skin at all – one was meant to spray it (once) into the air and get a light mist on clothing. I have been doing this ever since and it seems right for the scent, which is just too intense otherwise. And thank goodness I discovered this technique too, because AE is divine.
Oh and isn’t the bottle gorgeous? Reminds me of Laurent-Perrier’s Belle Epoque champagne.
AE always has a strong plasticky vinyl smell to me, and most vintage perfumes seem just right to me (except Fracas!).
I guess I should try AE again with the lowest possible dose. I might try this new version, too, although I’m highly skeptical of “modernization” on principle, which Shalimar Initial only served to reinforce.
Well now I feel old. I’ve worn Aromatics Elixir off and on since it was released.
As SmokeyToes, Mitsouko and Misschips have noted, the lightest possible application is key. It is true that the SA’s advised spraying once into the air and walking through the scent. I prefer to do this before dressing and don’t recall the intent of the advice being that the scent not touch the skin, but it is true that it used to leave my bedroom rug smelling fabulous. (By the way, the spray and walk through technique can be useful for other Estee Lauder scents as well).
I must have been using a reasonably light touch because I used to garner compliments of the “you smell good/that smells good on you” type.
What I am also old enough to remember is that AE was originally released in a plain amber/brown bottle (in the same shape as the current frosted glass bottle). The brown “apothecary” glass seemed so much more fitting for the scent. I feel as if they reformulated when they switched to the frosted glass those oh so many years ago, or maybe I became anosmic to some of the more floral elements, because it didn’t seem to develop quite as beautifully on me (or the bedroom rug) as originally.
I think another key to liking it and why many people may like it on someone else but not themselves is that this is one of those scents that reveals more of itself, especially its floral aspects, when it wafts (say from behind your knees) rather than when you “snorfle” at your wrist.
I’ll certainly give this a sniff and probably a skin test, but I’m happy to still occasionally wear the original AE. I just hope this “new interpretation” doesn’t lead to the discontinuation of the original.
Another lemming for the LE bottle ! Hmmm where DID I put my Christmas wish list?
Has anyone seen actual bottles of either of these? Asked at our Macy’s in the Loop and they hadn’t even heard of it.
I haven’t! My Macy’s usually doesn’t get things for weeks after they’ve gone online, seems like.
Nancy, if you come back and see this, FYI, my Macy’s and those of others who’ve inquired lately don’t have it on the shelf (the Clinique SA was clueless about it as well). It’s on the Macy’s website though, as Robin mentioned.
I like the bottle, but it would have to be empty of AE for me to allow it in my house. I really hate that stuff.
I have AE on my left wrist & AEPR on my right. I’d say I prefer what’s on my right wrist. What’s on my left seems too sweet and washed out for my taste. That’s usually what happens to the more classical compositions on my skin. I need something more sour or spicy to cut through the sweet – and I think that’s what’s going on on my right wrist. I think I may actually admire it enough to buy.
Good to know, thanks!
I have been dying to have this bottle as I think it is the most gorgeous bottle released in 2011 and apparently many share this passion for the bottle. I tested the juice last nite, I had been calling Clinique for weeks and after finally giving up on it coming to Hungary I walked into the store last nite and there it was. I tested the concentrate in the bottle and it was like wow this is fantastic. The original is a gorgeous fragrance but a bit too potent for my taste and this new take on it is very deep and complicated but with a tadbit more flowers and modernized feel yet retaining the quality of the original. Right away I knew that was it for me and I had to have it. The necklace with the pendant is really beautiful as well, makes a stunning gift as it is definitely wearable as jewelry as well. For the quality and beauty of them they are really well priced as well. Definitely a collector’s item.