Don’t be ordinary – that’s what the new Estee Lauder Modern Muse Chic fragrance encourages you. Be yourself, be your version of chic.
But you know, it’s getting harder and harder to stand out from the hipster crowd these days, don’t you think? Everyone is trying so hard to be different, we all end up being the same or similar in the end. Uniformly different, is how I’d describe it.
And in a manner of speaking, I feel that way about the new Modern Muse Chic fragrance from Estee Lauder. It’s different. If you’re used to the sweet, fairly generic floral scents that are found in Estee Lauder, Modern Muse Chic grates a little on the senses, with its slightly woody, musky basenote.
But you know what? I like it! I didn’t take to Modern Muse. I wasn’t inspired by it and it didn’t appeal to me at all. But I gravitate towards warmer, woodier, muskier scents and this one fits that bill despite being a distinct floral.
Which is why I say that it’s a bit of a “uniformly different” product, because there is all the florals, but with a deeper, edgier twist that you will either enjoy, or run off to the bathroom to scrub off your skin.
I personally enjoy it, and the first spritz on my skin told me I would. It starts off with a burst of florals – my untrained nose smells a lot of lilies blended with a musky rose – that then dries down to a warmer, more woody and spicy floral base. If you enjoy light florals, or sparkly florals or just sweet, fruity floral scents in general, then I think Modern Muse Chic won’t be for you.
This is decidedly a modern scent, but not necessarily chic. I don’t know what “chic” smells like but I wouldn’t imagine it to smell like this. That said, if you wear this, and it works with your skin then you might just feel chic. It’s your version of chic after all! 🙂
But why I say that this is a “uniformly different” scent is because for the most part, it’s a normal department store fragrance. It isn’t terribly unique, nor would I consider it a niche scent. Spritzed into the air, I receive a sharp burst of flowers, before detecting any other notes. The sweet floral notes are familiar.
On my skin, the sparkly floral notes dissipate quite quickly, for which I’m thankful, and it dries down to something warmer and more well rounded. It still smells familiar. Like a warm blanket of florals. But after a few minutes, the warmer woody base notes start to come up to temper the sweet floral scent that I shy away from, and that comforts me and makes Modern Muse Chic wearable for me.
And that’s what makes it different to me. For someone who appreciates warmer scents, this one appeals to my senses, despite the generic florals. It isn’t the most unique scent you can find, truth be told. I wear this when I don’t feel like standing out, or being different. It’s something I wear without consciously thinking, when I feel like blending in.
The lilies however, can overwhelm some noses and the musk will turn others off. For some, they might just find this too much of a “department store fragrance” and therefore not unique enough.
For many, this is likely a scent you’d wear in cooler temperatures or in the evenings. It can feel too heavy on a hot day, so this isn’t likely to be your first choice for a summer perfume. But when the cooler weather comes around, you might find it more pleasant then. If you want something uniformly different, that is 😉
A note about the bottle. While reminiscent of one of Estee Lauder’s earlier perfumes, Youth Dew, I’m not feeling that studded bow. While studs are quite in, to give off a chic-but-edgy-rockstar vibe (think Valentino), I feel that it can potentially date the packaging which will result in it not being very modern in the future. Besides, I don’t really associate being chic with wearing studs; but who am I to say since I’m no fashion maven! 😀
Have you taken a sniff at Modern Muse Chic? Have you used any Estee Lauder fragrances before this?
I used to be a fan of EL fragrances. No idea why! I went through bottles of Beautiful (which on hindsight, was really far too strong for daily wear, but it became my signature scent) and then I enjoyed Dazzling Gold. The others didn’t appeal to me. Pleasures in particular, is a popular young girl favourite, but it absolutely turned me off! Interesting how scents can work differently on different people eh? 🙂
Paris B
Estee Lauder Modern Muse Chic EdP Price: RM445 for 100ml, RM307 for 50ml and RM212 for 30ml Availability: Estee Lauder counters
Pleasures was one of my faves in college. It’s still nice but my taste has definitely evolved over time. I definitely agree that fragrance smells differently on everyone. I’ve really been into Bond No 9 and Kilian but my absolutely favorite is Trish McEvoy Sexy No9. There is nothing out there like it.
Ahhhhh…. I never liked Pleasures 🙁 It was soooo floral and sweet! But actually, it’s also one of EL’s best selling perfumes so I’m guessing they did something right and I’m totally in the minority haha 😀 I haven’t even heard of the scents you mentioned! Gosh, perfumes are a whole new world aren’t they? 😀
I loved Estee Lauder’s Knowing! Haven’t tried this one though… But I’m not a perfume person so much nowadays.
Oh I haven’t heard that one in a while! I found Knowing too floral for me too. In fact, a lot of EL’s perfumes are very floral!
I just dislike it when I enter into a room or hall and can immediately tell what perfume someone is wearing (especially La vie est belle – I like it but everyone has it). I actually like the original modern muse, don’t know why, maybe it just reminds me of someone haha. Not sure if I’d like the new one since I’m not a terribly fan of musk but will give it a sniff when I pass an EL counter next time haha, you never know what you’ll like.
Oh perfumes are amazing things which is why I never believe in doing or buying one based on a review. They affect us differently in both memories and reaction on skin! But you’re right that when a popular perfume is out, and everyone has it, it’s so frustrating! There you are, thinking you’ve found YOUR scent and boom! everyone has it too. Sigh…
I actually love this scent! But I gravitate towards scents from Lo’ccitane, especially the Vanille one!
That one is so heavenly!
Ooh L’Occitane! I’ve only tried one I believe haha! Vanille? I’ll take a sniff next time!
Didn’t like Modern Muse. In fact, still trying to get rid of the sample vial I got from a GWP thing I got recently.
Between not wanting to smell like cakes or kuih (vanilla-based) and not wanting to smell like a garden (terrified of bees) or auntie/makcik/etc, shopping for fragrance is annoying. Good thing I haven’t bought any more since last year’s EL staff sale since I take forever to finish anything I already have..
Oh good, someone who doesn’t like Modern Muse either 😛 You know what I’ve realised? The best way to get a scent that doesn’t smell generic, as what you’ve described, is to go the way of niche perfumes. Unfortunately, those burn gigantic holes in the wallet so they’re hard to justify. I don’t mean scents like Jo Malone which I find a little too generic for my tastes. But some others like Atelier Cologne, Diptyque, Creed, Penhaligons etc 🙂
I will go down and sniff this. I am big fan of musk. Can never get enough of that scent.
If you like floral musk then this might appeal 🙂 I think enjoying musk in perfume is unique – not many people enjoy warm, musky scents
I have this and the original Modern Muse but unfortunately, it’s not for me. I gave them to mum thinking she might give her friends but she ended up gasak-ing both because she loves the scent! What can I say, Mum’s more modern and chic than I am. 😛 😛
Haha! Well, not only is she modern and chic, it underlines just how differently people can perceive scent! (Which is why I don’t believe in “reviewing” perfumes 😛 )
Hi Paris,
Uniformly different, I like the sound of it. You have a point there, when everyone is trying to be different, then suddenly it all becomes similar again. This reminds me of what my son, Aidan just told me the other day, “If the world is not fair to everyone, isn’t the world being fair to everyone?” haha that struck me and got me thinking for a bit.
Well, it does sound like quite a perfume, I will perhaps have to check it out and take a sniff out of it and see. I have never really a perfume person until of late haha *_^
Cheers,
Jeann
Hi Jeann, yeah I think everyone’s trying too hard you know 😛 Just be yourself – what’s so hard about that 😛 Take a sniff – I don’t think it’ll sit well with everyone but it does for me. My tastes change from time to time. I used to prefer something heavier, but I’ve been feeling light scents lately. Must be the weather!