If at first you don’t succeed…. you may have heard me twittering on about how much I want this perfume, Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess Eau Fraiche Skinscent. I’ve only been trying to get my hands on it for about ohhh… 11 or 12 months now.
Short version: Limited edition. Missed out last Summer (too late). Tried to buy it in Debenhams this year (sold out). Tried to get in John Lewis (sold out). Finally got it in House of Fraser this week (one day before they started a 10% off discount, boo).
I literally had 5 minutes before my parking ticket ran out. The Estee Lauder lady was with a customer. I hovered anxiously. She asked the Eve Lom girl to help me. I purchased. I ran to the car, ripping the cellophane off, opening the bottle and spritzing it all over me (cue stares from people at bus stop - I cared not). I inhaled the gorgeousness. Spritzed some more when I got in the car (at the traffic lights obvs) and again when I got home. I am happy.
“… a sensuous, sun-drenched blend of Bergamot and Mandarin, cooled with Tahitian Gardenia Petals and Coconut, warmed with Amber, Sandalwood and Vetiver. All heat. All desire. All woman.”
This perfume is hypnotic to me… it’s oh so quiet. I wish my camera could capture the actual spray as it’s the softest mist ever… it kisses and caresses the skin, barely dampening it.
The fragrance
Sensual and summery and warm and sexy; a softly seductive skin scent with a lasting power that is ok-ish. It does need resprayed often… for me, partly because I adore the initial ‘hit’, but that’s ok as it’s such a pleasure to apply and impossible to overdo. It stays close to the skin, so you’re not going to overpower anyone with this fragrance (though it may help you wrap them around your finger!).
Unlike typical zingy Summer fragrances, this has no harsh edges, no sharp notes; speaking of which…
Notes
- Top: Coconut Milk, Sandalwood, Vanilla, Vetiver, Myrrh
- Middle: Golden Amber, Juicy Mandarin, Sicilian Bergamot, Lemon blend, Pulpy orange
- Base: Tiare flower, Jasmine, Magnolia petals, Orange flower buds, Fresh lavender
Lots of my favourites in there - in particular the amber, jasmine, sandalwood and vetiver. Interestingly these are the notes that stand out the most to me, though it’s so soft and smooth I do struggle to pick them out individually. I’m barely aware of the coconut, though my husband finds it quite distinctive, interesting how we all interpret perfumes differently.
I’ve read a lot of reviews where people say this perfume reminds them of the beach - and I kind of agree. To me it’s like the beach towards the end of a hot Summer’s day, when you linger in the warm evening sunshine to watch the sun set after most people have drifted away, traces of sea water, suncream and sand on your skin.
And yes, the bottle is utterly exquisite, heavy glass speckled with gold glitter that gleams in the sunshine. Perfection. Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess Eau Fraiche Skinscent costs £40 for 100ml - if you’re quick (& luckier than me!) you can get it for £36 with the current 10% beauty discount at House of Fraser.
What’s your favourite Summer fragrance?
