Cinnabar Estée Lauder for women

I really wanted to love this scent because it reminds me of my great grandmother as this was her signature perfume, but... It smelled HORRIBLE on me. I was looking more for a spicy scent and all I kept smelling was tabacco and licorice. I ended up returning it unfortunately.

This is truly a great scent, which I remember fondly. I wore this in the Opium and Poison era and always preferred it to those.

A few women in my office wore Cinnabar in lieu of the others aforementioned. When Opium and Poison became really popular many people complained to their managers about the overwhelming and sickening scents in the office. Our office eventually was made Opium and Poison free. No one ever complained about the Cinnabar, yet many then and also here claim it is the more powerful scent.

I've always found the scent very powerful but never cloying or stale. I really think that body chemistry has a lot to do with the sour notes that people experience with these strong fragrances.

A lavish, gorgeous spicy perfume. Leaves a beautiful trail behind. Longevity awesome. Brilliant for winter. A ladies classic !

This is a lovely perfume which has stood the test of time. It has shades of Youth Dew, but it is more intoxicating and aromatic. There is a lovely blend of spices, not to mention the unmistakable aroma of cinnamon, which add a certain mystery to this fragrance.
Cinnabar is warm and comforting but it is also very very sexy and I would say that whilst I feel that perfume should be worn whenever and wherever the mood takes you, Cinnabar should be worn out of the office.
It's a very strong and sweet heady fragrance and it is either loved or hated, no middle man here, so be warned.
This is a winter fragrance which is wondeful worn at Christmas! However it can be worn in the summer months too, late into a heady, summer night full of Eastern promise!

Of all the perfumes in this set, Cinnabar to me is the most mysterious. Not a standout classic, not a mass-market hit, Cinnabar still manages to survive. I wondered, what is it like for a perfume, surrounded by successes, competing with rival fragrances (Opium was launched in 1977, the year before Lauder launched Cinnabar), facing an ever-expanding market and changing times?

And here I can't agree more with Nopasho's review. Nopasho, your reviews are GREAT! They are always inspiring and down to the point... This is an extremely great scent. It is well done, classy and still extremely sexy, my always sought after sillage monster and to me, smells unspoiled of reformulation...

Cinnabar opens with wonderful citrus floral polish. It's classic Estee Lauder aldehydes and fruits. It's antiqued , charming peach and and stewed plum. The scent gets dustier with spices: cinnamon and clove over fresh, spicy florals. The spices in Cinnabar are dry, warm and dusty. The base is a mix of patchouli, amber and spice. Cinnabar is abstract, it smells like perfume should smell.
Cinnabar smooths out the edges, lets me drink in the richness and comfort of feeling so warm and alive but with none of the pain. It lives in a beautiful gold room with red carpets at the top of the stairs, and I like to go up there and rock from time to time by the fire.

I wore this from around the age of 15 (as my mum had it). It reminds me of New Romantic and Eighties dance music. I wore it every time I went out clubbing etc in the evening until I was about 30. I would wear nothing else at night. Never in the day though. I adored it

Trouble is, now it is likened to Youth Dew, Opium and old ladies--Not to mention of course, it is old school and out dated, so do not wear it at all.

If heavy orientals come back. I am right out there buying me a big bottle :)

wore this when i was a young vibrant teenager at xmas time !! sweet ..heady ...spicey and warm and i loved it
a classic but strong you only need as little spray here and there ..not for the faint hearted or willow the wisp type ladies ...sensual..seductive and sweet

One thing I learned about Cinnabar, you have to be patient, don't judge it from the beginning!
I bought it because I liked how it smelled initially in the shop. Then at home I didn't quite get it I didn't like it! I kept it aside for a while and went back to it a month later. I fell in love with it all over again! If you are not accustomed to such spicy intense scents it will take you some time to acquire the taste for this fragrance style :) just like what happened to me :)
An excellent fragrance for a night out or in with hubby :) very sexy :) I prefer it in cold weather of course, because it has a warming effect.
Thank God I came back to my senses about this one!
This perfume is going to be one of my signature scents till the end of winter :)
I love it!

I have the reformulated perfume, yet, I remember clearly how it was smelling the original formula. Yes, It has changed but it is not destroyed completely -as it happened with Lancom's "magie noir" Cinnabar I think is now sweeter and more powdery, without its past bitter animalic achord when dried down. The difference is not dramatical! If you loved that smell, you won't be dissapointed by its reformulation. Is as strong and complex as it used to be. As spicy oriental as it used to be. I wish all the great fragrances had the same treatment. Unfortunately, the majority is a big dissapointment for their fans after years...

Working through the four and five star Turin and Sanchez recommendations, I have now reached Cinnabar. This has everything I usually adore in a fume - rich, check; spicy, check; complex, check. But my first reaction is that it is like soap on steroids. It is the cleanest, most hygeinic smelling oriental I have ever encountered. Sorry, Tanchez, I don't actively dislike this and won't rush to scrub it off, but it will be low on my rotation list - for me it's a 3!

STILL STUNNING!!! I'm not entirely convinced that Cinnabar has been reformulated, and if it has it's been done very sympathetically. I remember vividly playing around at my grandmother's dressing table as a young boy and being absolutely entranced by the oriental magic of Cinnabar!!

My nose has always been keen, so much so that my favorite party trick is to stick it in someone's neck, take a deep sniff and tell them what they are wearing. This was a lot more easily managed when Lauder fragrances were "individual" and special, like Cinnabar, Private Collection, Beautiful ...!
Most of their latest efforts "smell like" some other newly foisted-upon-humanity-rubbish-made-by-accountants-posing-as-parfumeurs that was released last Tuesday and will be forgotten by this coming Sunday. OH!! Silly me ... they have a marketing term for that type of ploy. It's called a "Limited Edition" ... BAH!!!

Cinnabar retains all the glory of it's past IMHO. It still comes out of the bottle slightly oily and could stop the charge of a bull elephant at 200 paces if not treated with respect. I wear this in lieu of JHL. It's pretty much the same ... just a little more flamboyant which suits me fine! Brilliantly complex, comfortably reliable ... Thanks Mrs. Lauder, rest with the angels!!

Mix of Youth Dew and Coco. Very pleasant alternative.
I would not compare it to Opium. Opium is dry, woody resinous natural warm scent. In Cinnabar is some cold animal note with cloves oil poured over a peach. I'm giving it away for the same reason as Coco. Cold animal peach with cloves, in Cinnabar luckily without soap.

The haughty Lauder ladies club countenance is swiftly discarded to display a distinctly wanton side. Cinnabar may well be the couture wearing executive from the top floor, but she is not averse to being pressed against a filing cabinet and manhandled by some clammy-handed salesman.

Cinnabar takes a little time to slip the tether of the opening,but its classical seventies construction is certainly no chore to endure. With its clipped aldehydes and antique grade bergamot notes, it’s a high horse formality it quickly climbs down from. The conventional and indeed expected opening is supplanted by a world weariness, subtle cynicism and desire to be much more approachable. Latterly,Cinnabar is allowed to cascade into an accessible, perhaps simplistic, soft, buttery cinnamon experience.

JHL, the male counterpart from Aramis is more anally retentive, and when I want the same sartorial formality, but with the odd casual flourish, Cinnabar is a viable alternative.

Yes it is heavy, yes it is an 'old school' intricate perfume with more than two fruity and two floral notes thrown together with some synthetic vanilla and some evenly synthetic 'caramel' or better said 'candy' note. Yes, it is also a great, impressive olfactory masterpiece. In fact, one of the greatest 'American perfumes' ever made. And proof that Estée Lauder was a genius and the only 'perfumer' who was on the same level as the great French perfume houses like Chanel, Dior, YSL, Patou... Think what the lady made in her life: 'Aliage', 'Beautiful', 'Knowing', 'Cinnabar', 'Youth Dew', 'Spellbound', 'Sensuous'... All great, iconic real american fragrances. I would dare to say: 'America cherish your unique formidable Mrs Estée Lauder more'. Forget Calvin and Ralph and the pimps and clowns of Abercrombie and Fitch, forget the heap of celeb scents that drop daily out of that fruity floral mill and smell like fast food taste. Cherish your only five star perfume chef: Estée Lauder and her fantastic, original, high class creations.
The strange thing is that her masterpiece fragrances are mostly villified in her own America, where people apparently like more fruity floral cotton candy aquatic or gimmicky (Harajuku Lovers anyone? Only in America...) fragrances. In Europe and in 'fragrance countries' like France and Italy, Estée Lauder is revered. And rightly so.
'Cinnabar', launched in 1978, is a serious frag in the vein of 'Opium', yes, 'Coco', yes... But is that a bad thing? On the contrary, I would say. It would be sad if it was in the vein of 'Purr', 'Justin Bieber', 'Avril Lavignes Black Star', 'Pamela Andersons Malibu' etc ad nauseam. But of course 'serious' frags like 'Cinnabar' are very unusual in a country that seriously debates over the eventual deep perfumery qualities 'Fantasy' by Britney and 'Halle' by Halle Berry. No offense intended. I like Britney when she sings, I like Halle when she acts, but that doesn't make them perfumers or have the basic knowledge of the intricate art of perfumery.
Let's look at the pyramid of this amazing (even after all those years) fragrance that definitely stood the test of time.
Top: Spices, peach, bergamot, clove, tangerine, orange blossom.
Middle: Carnation, cinnamon, jasmine, ylang-ylang, Rose
Base: (one of the most impressive and strongest in perfume history): Tolu balsam, sandalwood, amber, vanilla, patchouli, vetiver, incense and benzoin.
Wow! This is something else than berries with gardenia and a base of vanilla and sandalwood. This fragrance is 'a Lady', not 'a gigly girl'.
Two important things make this frag the unique masterpiece that it still is and that it made survive the test of time gloriously. First of all within each of the three levels of the pyramid, there are contrasts and olfactory interactions going on between the strong notes which create all kinds of combinations of smells that come and go according to the development on the skin. All notes in Cinnabar are personalities and 'big ego's'. Meaning that they smell strong and are recognisable, so no breezy hardly smellable air here. And strong ego's clash hard but also bond hard. And the change from bonding to pounding can go quickly. 'Cinnabar' is a masterly crafted fragrance with a constant suprising evolution for hours, all that happening within the big lines set out by the perfumer by putting this and that note together in this and this exact quantity. You have linear frags and you have living frags that evolve and change on the skin. 'Cinnabar' is full of live on the skin.
In 'the top' we have the contrast between the four of the existing 'taste-groups' ('salty' is not much used in fragrances, 'Womantiy' by Mugler is one notable exception): 'sweet': peach, 'umami' (meaty, earthy): spices and clove, 'bitter': tangerine, 'sour': orange blossom and bergamot. All these five basis smell- and taste elements are mixed harmoniously together but cause a constant extremely pleasant and sometimes surprising evolution of the fragrance on the top. In the middle you have the sensual 'sweet' rose and ylang ylang, the 'umami' spicy cinnamon, the slightly 'bitter' carnation and peppery jasmine. The sourness is already strong in the top. Here again on this middle level contrasts and exchanges between the rose/ylang ylang combo and spicy cinnamon and the peppery jasmine and the dry, bitter carnation cause olfactory fireworks on your skin. In the base, this frag works its ass of to create a solid... well... base on which the more 'star struck' notes of the middle and top who want to, can shine and take the lead for a short while, can lean on, root in and anchor. They can rise and shine from the base to the top and then fall back and lean on the super solid base that lets room for its own 'inner base' dynamics. So pleasant contrasts and olfactory surprises also galore in the base but more subdued than in the higher levels, between the tolu/incense and amber and vanilla and vetiver/patchouli. What a couldron of strong notes! And the genius and craftmanship and vision of Mrs Lauder is that she harmoniously united all these notes and inner contrasts into a strong lean, mean base-machine as jumping off and landing lvel for the other notes in middle and top level to shine one after another or together with each other and then fall back on that base to then sparkle agin a bit later, alone or in combination with other top and middle notes.
The second great process is the interaction between the three levels: the spicy/fruity top against the floral middle and the strong deep incense/balsam/patchouli/amber base. So we have a double set of contrasts. The dynamics between those two processes -first within each level and secondly between the three levels-, creates yet another third dynamic. Yes, it is that genius and intricate. What a tour de force by Mrs Lauder!
All these contrasts are masterly designed, planned and happily married. They make of 'Cinnabar' a true piece of intricate perfume art. Lauders best frag by far IMHO. On the same level as 'Coco' and 'Opium'. How many 'American frags' can undisputely be called 'a classic'? And would be without a doubt allowed in the 'Perfume Hall of Fame' next to classics like 'Opium', 'Coco', 'Joy', 'Jicky'... Not 'Child' by Susan D. Owens, not 'Kai', not 'Midnight Fantasy'. Mrs Estée Lauder was a formidable woman of taste and a great creative force of the caliber of Mrs Coco Chanel. And so are her fragrances. 'Cinnabar' in the first place. It is high time for a rehabilitation of this timeless classic. If the reformulation is really that horrible -I only have a vintage bottle- there are more than enough vintage bottles of this gem to be found on line. Americans, cherish your greatest perfumer ever and the greatest perfume she created. 'Cinnabar' is pure world class. Take it from a European perfume nut, like me, an adept of vintage 'Opium', 'Coco', 'Joy' by Patou, Dior's 'La Dolce Vita', 'Mitsouko' by Guerlain and the American 'Black Orchid' by Tom Ford. 'Cinnabar' is one of them.
It is an out-of-league intricate perfumery masterpiece that will in the coming years know an unstoppable come back when people get tired of cotton candy, sugary concoctions and overpriced fragranced water. Mind my words. Well deserved and certainly not too soon for Mrs Lauder and the wonderful 'Cinnabar' Sample this beauty, give it 30 minutes to settle down on your skin and then tell me that this isn't 'Coco' and Guerlain class... Cinnabar rocks big time! Amen.

The reformulation STINKS. Sometimes it smells like sour old tobacco smoke on my skin. It used to be my "favorite" smell in the world, incomparable to any other perfume. I don't know why they don't just discontinue the stinky stuff if they aren't going to bring back the old, like everybody seems to want. All of their perfumes turned into one big disappointment as far as I'm concerned. The once very interesting and addicting Azuree was reformulated into a foamy lame aftershave scent. They ruined their whole line!

OMG HEAVYYYY. Smells soooo heavy I almost choked. I only sprayed once on the paperstrip... my car smelled like an egyptian temple. OMG. This is a clone of Opium YSL.

I smell an overdose of myrre, cinnamon and heavy choking incense. This thing is crazy. I could never wear it.

I found it today at the perfume store in a lonely forgotten dusty corner where noone looked anymore... I remembered it being compared to the original/vintage Opium, so I was excited to smell it. But omg it was way too heavy for my taste.

Cinnabar is like revisiting old memories. My aunts used to smell like so when they used to come from Portugal back in the 80s. They were young, in their twenties and gorgeous girls then. It is said that childhood memories are the ones that freeze in memory the most prominently and that's how Cinnabar connects me to them. I really love the way it starts and settles.

Cinnabar is like I imagine how winters smell like in my region. Starts off too strong and then a mix of spicy and resinous notes kick in. Just three spritz and it's not possible people won't ask you what scent are you wearing and having said that, it's a sillage monster.

Talking more of the fragrance, there are no prominent floral note and on the whole, it's a complex composition and pure elegance. I don't find cinnamon playing as a one note role rather it's a mix of resins, clove, cinnamon and just an echo of florals, and that makes it a kind of incense and I love anything that smells incense to me.

I love it.

I love this, its my second favorite discovery this year. The cinnamon is evident almost immediately in this scent but it is nicely balanced by what seems to be the sandalwood and floral notes, so that it smells elegant but not stuffy. I don't understand all these comparisons with YSL Opium - I got a sample of that the same day and the scent made me choke - it was way too intense for me and smelt really old (and I rarely say that about a scent). If you didn't like Opium, give this a try, there is no connection between the two in my opinion. What I would suggest it is very like would be Dior Dolce Vita - my favorite discovery this year - except somewhat more casual and not as heavy. Definitely for colder months, it’s a scent that conveys warmth. .

I wear Cinnabar infrequently because I simply do not want to 'tire' of its fragrance(s). When I first spritz it on it seems to take on what my chemistry wants to bring out...sometimes spicy, sometimes floral. At any rate this perfume is elegant and exotic and rich. I find it more an evening scent. I do think the newer scent is more floral. The old scent of the 80's was indeed more earthy.

My fav since the eighty's.Very disappointed with the new Cinnabar.Much too sweet nothing like the original.

Exquisite and long lasting cinnamon fragrance. A gem!

This is the most delicious, warm, mysterious fragrance ever created in my humble opinion. First began wearing it in the late 1970's-early 80's when my cousin introduced it to me... She always wore it and I found her to be the most beautiful, mysterious (in a positive way) woman ever... I have never fallen OUT of love with Cinnabar... Not good to wear in hot weather; however... A+ fragrance...love it beyond compare....

I sat behind a girl in HS who wore this. I liked it, but she was way too heavy handed. On the days I wore my Opium, and she her Cinnabar it was quite a spicy "fragrant" classroom!

I thought this one should smell like cinnamon, but ohh no... I can only smell old mans tobacco and electric fire. Very very nasty and strange. But the sillage and longevity is smashing though.

Shame. I thought Lauder was famous for keeping the original formulations true or at least bringing them back in response to consumer feedback after they briefly erred. Those of us who know how this SHOULD smell may need to barrage the company with requests re redeem Cinnabar. The essence of the original has nothing to do with cinnamon candies or second rate anything- it is and never was a "poor man's" opium -not even close. The dry depth and unique unmistakable signature chord is gone. The complexity is gone. If you mix a bit of Rabanne's long discontinued La Nuit with the new crappy version of Cinnabar, you can get a hint of what it was-but only a hint. This is just not a little tweaked- it has been scrapped, dumped, and re-invented. This is the pod-person version of a fume- a pod-perfume? Hmmmm....

Smells very warm and spicy - like cloves and oranges - a good alternative if you normally wear Shalimar, or Coco - or even Jo Malone's black cafe vetyver

Christmas pudding on fire. Very strong. I like it but am too self-concious of how dated it smells to wear it.

Hot, spicy and alluring. I love this, reminds me a lot of Kenzo Jungle L'Elephant except Cinnabar dries down drier and with incense. Didn't like the Cinnabar at first, but after going in a spicy direction this winter I've come to really appreciate the oriental spicy perfumes. Plus lately I've been loving incense notes, Cinnabar really fit the bill!

Will be putting this in the vault for next fall & winter.

It's a poor mans Opium. I was given this a a present from a friend and I hated it from the very start, perhaps it was just a bad reaction on my skin, but it smelt cheap and nasty.

Smells of those reeky joss sticks that students used to burn in their rooms,or incense-scented Christmas candles in church. There's no cinnamon nor spice nor flowers, just a cartload of soporific incense. And it goes on and on and on.

This is incense on steroids. I can do Spellbound, I can do Youth Dew, but I draw the line at the fumes of Cinnabar. I do not want to feel like I am going along with a sillage like a priest swinging a censor.

Cinnabar is nice when you spray it in one light spray. It reminds me so much of Opium, but seems a tad less spicy than Opium. It also lacks the honey-scented drydown and complexity of Opium. I think it's a good perfume for the price, but I think it's obvious that I like Opium better.

Just a quick note. I loved this in vintage, but the reformulated version rather makes me sick. I was so unhappy to make this discovery... Why oh why do they do that to us?!

A cup of hot spicy tea and burning incense. I love Cinnabar so much for its warm comforting aroma and hints of pleasures yet to come. I don't care for light, shy, barely there scents at all I just don't see the point, but that's just me I guess. Give me bold strong scents that look you in the eye and dare you to say something about it. However I've never been one to bathe in a fragrance so that my scent arrives 10 minutes before I do, discretion is the key. Like it or not EL Cinnabar is a classic that has stood the test of time unlike poor Opium who has been given a pretty new bottle to wear in exchange for relinquishing her power!

This is one powerful perfume. I actually like the fact that it is so spicy. I do not think I could carry this off as a signature scent but it is something I would consider wearing from time to time. To me it reminds me a bit of Opium...but more cinnamon-y. It most certainly has some major staying power so I think a bottle of this would last forever as you would only need one or two squirts to last a longgggggggg time!!!!!

For those who like dark smoky scents this is a winner. But be warned it is strong so you can't change your mind midway through. As others have pointed out, it's a stronger version of the brilliant Amber Nude which to my mind is far superior.

Cinnabar is one of the few perfumes I can wear that doesn't "turn". I haven't been able to find it in Canada for years. When I wore Cinnabar complete strangers would walk up to me and tell me I smelled wonderful, and want to know the perfume I was wearing.

Cinnabar was my first grown-up fragrance when I was about 16. (odd choice for a teenage girl, right?) I have tried to keep a bottle on hand ever since. It is a great fall/winter scent. It is definitely heavy and spicy, but when it dries down it is also slightly powdery. The strongest notes to my nose are the orange blossom, cinnamon, and cloves. One spray is ample. I feel like it is a "warm" fragrance, if that makes sense, because it seems to draw people to you. I've yet to wear it where there hasn't been someone say, "Ooh, you smell good!" A wonderful, elegant fragrance.

as i remember, this perfume is a heavy spicy scent that calms down into a smooth sexy rich aroma that lasts and lasts. mmmm i'll always remember the nights wearing this luxurious perfume. those were the days. i'll be looking this one up again. i always loved the name of this too.

My sample vial of vintage CINNABAR bears a wearer's advisory warning: Strong! (thanks BronxBeauty!) And, indeed, this is another pot liquor perfume from Estee Lauder bearing an unmistakeable resemblance to YOUTH DEW and YOUTH DEW AMBER NUDE, not only in viscosity and color, but also general demeanor. In fact, it's probably safe to say that if you like one, you'll like all, and if you find any of these utterly unbearable, then you may feel the same about the others as well.

Ever the contrarian, I, however, find CINNABAR quite a bit nicer than the YOUTH DEWS. I am pleasantly surprised that this creation is less cinnamony than YDAN and devoid altogether of the tarry myrrh of YOUTH DEW. CINNABAR offers a more balanced presentation of some of the same components but without such a potent dose of the musty attic, catacombic notes.

In all likelihood, what makes this perfume nicer to my nose is the generous amount of tolu balsam and benzoin, which smooth out the wrinkles (literally) and create a slightly creamier base. I'll definitely wear the rest of my vintage sample--which should last quite a while--and then I'll see whether I've developed a hankering a for a full bottle or not.

I love strong spicy, warm, oriental perfumes but Cinnabar is a bit too much for me. A lot of classics from the eighties are still relevent today and can be worn quite easily. I cant say the same for Cinnabar.

I find it somewhat similar to Youthdew. But Youthdew is rounder, whereas Cinnabar has a harsh sharpness to it that never wanes. Cinnabar is animalic and furry on me, its Tolu balsam note stands out the most on my skin. It really smells like it has civet in there. Surprisingly I dont get much cinnamin. I really thought I would love this scent. I cant say I hate it, but I would never were this out.

I wore this way back and it was so warm and fuzzy. I can remember it like it was yesterday. My angora sweaters from The Limited , Cinnabar, football games and lotsa compliments from the boys on how AWESOME I smelled. That was then and this is now. I cant wear it anymore. It stifles me and makes me feel an allergy attack coming on. So sad. Ode to Cinnabar , oh and my high school boyfriend ,lol.

Cinnabar: as others have said here, it is the perfect Christmas fragrance. Sensual and spicy, redolent of frankincense and amber, it somehow seems warmer and more friendly than Youth Dew, Opium or Tabu (all of which I also love) and thus --in small quantities, at least--a good choice for daytime, especially when the days are cold, dark, rainy and short. It reminds me of the clove and orange pomanders I used to make with my mother and put in holiday centerpieces: the mix of spice and fruit--is there anything better?

One anecdote: Yesterday was pajama day at the school where I teach, and I had on Cinnabar. At the end of the day, my vice principal came to wish me a happy holiday and she complimented my fragrance...she said it suited me. I am a very happy person if something as lovely and radiant as Cinnabar suits me!

Finally, this is the one time of year when a Cinnabar lotion is available...with a generously sized EDT, and for less than $50. Grab it, oriental lovers...you'll be glad you did!

Ooooooh yeah, this is my style of perfume. A really strong, exotic range of notes, developing into a very sexy, female fume. Perhaps it could last longer, because on me it doesn't smell as long or as strong as I'd like, but this is a very sensual, I'm here concotion.

This is very strong but it's sure a nice smell. I like cinnamon and you can sure smell it in this but I think it's the incense I love. It's kind of an exciting scent, almost like wearing a blindfold! This must be a one spray scent? How do you decide where to put this one spray? I think the owner of this should be experienced!

When I go out and want that sexy scent, this is my go to! There is nothing old lady about men always being taken by your scent and asking what are you wearing.
All men young and old have always approached me and could not resist my scent. Totally awesome!
There is nothing else to say........:)

The perfect Christmas perfume, it is definatly (as lots of people said here) in the same group of Obsession, Youth Dew and Opium, but I think this one is my favourite. Obsession is too sharp, Youth Dew its to strong and Opium its not what it used to be anymore. I love it from the top notes until the drydown, it has lots of balance. Really warm, confy and sexy perfume. I think they should do a bottle who suit the beauty of this perfume, because I never payed attention to it because the bootle looks so boring and cheap.
A favourite anyway 5*

Cinnabar is one of those strong, bold and spicy orientals that emerged along with YSL's Opium and Chanel's Coco way back in the 80's. At the time they were all the rage, however these days they've fallen out of fashion and tend to get labelled as 'old lady' scents.

I have a great appreciation for these sillage monsters. They may have been made long before I was born, however I find them incredibly hypnotising.

Cinnabar at first spray is incredibly strong, like a fierce punch to the face. I thought my nose was going to fall off as I felt my eyes water with its strength.

As the scent settled, I began to find the resemblance to Opium. I expected this fragrance to have a stronger cinnamon note, however I do believe Cinnabar was named after a mercury ore, so perhaps it is not supposed to be primarily cinnamon.

The scent is very complex and rich, which is both a pleasing and disappointing quality in my opinion. In a way there is too much going on in this fragrance's composition with particular notes clashing with one another. For this reason, I tend to prefer Youth-Dew over Cinnabar as my spicy oriental choice.

Cinnabar has a rather exotic charm, it's what I imagine an ancient Chinese temple to smell like. The touch of incense in the base, gives Cinnabar that slightly religious feel.

While I would never term a fragrance 'old lady', I must say that Cinnabar is for a more mature crowd. I just can't imagine a woman under the age of 30 wearing this, especially since soft ambers and fruity florals dominate this age group these days.

Actually, Truffles, while Cinnabar has some similarities to Youth-Dew- I think Tabu is closer to the latter. Cinnabar,IMHO,is brighter(despite Youth-Dew'ssporting of sldehydes)than the other two and cinnamon-y, more balanced, also, I think. Tabu and Youth-Dew sre darker-both in color and spirit-Youth-Dew being a "serious" sort and Tabu, the soiree queen. Not at all bad, mind you, just different. Though Cinnabar is my alltime favorite, (can't you tell), I'd wesr either Tabu or Youth-Dew in a pinch.(Strangely, Youth-Dew reminds me of those big, soft molasses cookies by Archway-don't know why. Maybe because they're a serious cookie? LOL)

It's Youth Dew!
My Mum used to wear Youth Dew all the time and she thinks so too.
Very strange for EL to bring out the same perfume in two different bottles with two different names!

Nobody smelled very floral in the late seventies, it was very much the era of the big booming chypres - all my friends wore Opium, Cinnabar, Mystere, or Mitsouko. The whole intent was to announce your presence from at least 15 feet away. Cinnabar was for those who found Opium too sweet or cloying - and although Estee Lauder is not very fashionable, this is still a great scent for those who like spices, resins and sandalwood but do not want anyone to think of hippies and joss sticks. Very, very strong, and literally lasts for hours after one quick puff. Oddly, men who wear spicy fragrances, such as my husband who still uses Aramis, seem to be barely aware of it, as others reel choking from the neighbourhood. So if you are not sure whether to risk this for an intimate occasion, take your cue from your partner; if he or she is also using a spicy rather than a floral or citrus scent, it's worth risking it. People who like this really love it, as being the ne plus ultra of this family of fragrances

I love the fact of this scent standing the test of time,and still having it's own persona. For me it is a pretty fragrance and not one to be compared at all with Opium, as Opium smell's like OLD SPICE- LOVE THE CINNABAR- Im a 39 year old male, so be bold girls try it.
sexy, rich, and mix's well in a winter setting

This is crazy strong, but a beautiful classic Oriental. If you are brave enough to try it, don't wear it in an enclosed area...and just a dab will do you. If you don't hose yourself down with it, the oils in this perfume come out beautifully and are very spicy and sexy. There is also a complete comfort factor related to this that is most likely induced by the slight gourmand spices used, such as cinnamon and cloves. A very interesting fragrance that I hope is never discontinued. It reminds too many people of their mothers! :)

I love Cinnabar - its the incense in it and the spice - has anyone any recommends for me - I used to like Shalimar and Mitsouko but they seem to have departed from the shelves - does anyone know if there is some available in the UK - I find the USA transport charges are horrendous

Cinnabar is me! People know me by my perfume. I wear it since i worked for Estee and I never liked anything better. I do have an original perfume, but because I know it is harder to get evry year, i am not wearing it too much anymore!

I think I like this perfume just because when I smell it, it's my mother that I think of lol:) I really like it, and I remember whenever she would get ready for an evening out, this is what she wears:) I probably wouldnt wear it myself, but it seems very sophisticated and glamorous.

Oh dear! one dab of this and I nearly passed out! This is so strong! I love YSL Opium which is a strong scent and still I find this to be much stronger, although I must say these 2 have something in common. Its a well blended scent but the patch and incense is too overpowering, I can hardly tell there is peach and rose in this through all those spices! Great to try but I can safely put this to bed!

I wore this when i was younger, loved it dearly and abbandoned it for many years. The smell didn't change, which is a good thing. This time i like it better like a lost love found again. The word that comes to my mind is syrop. Reminds me of Konstantinopol traditional syrop-y sweets. Bewildering. Staying power descent enough to be close to you the right amount of hours. It combines the syrop-y sweetness with that exceptional dry feeling that gives the perfume seriousness. I don't know how it does this, but it succeds. Price affordable. I don't know how you can hundle to pull this off during summer, 'cause traditionally heavy scents don't come along with the heat, but with a "light hand" maybe you' ll manage. I personally don't want to miss it for the "holocaust" that is summer in mediterranean countries. It gives me such a sense of familiarity, of something well known and lived in, that i appreciate it more now than ever. I like it because it's serious, important in it's way, brings in mind environments with heavy, classic furniture or a mass in the church 'cause of the incence. That is my personal opinion. I remember mostly the high quality commercials of Estee perfumes and specifically Karen Graham, a model i admired since early adolecsence. A perfume beyond ephemeral fashions. It's really a worthy, classic gift to yourself.

Patchouli rules this spicy Oriental-if I could love patchouli, I would like this....If I could like patchouli, this would be fine! The patchouli hits within 2 minutes, so the initial spice-rack-spritz passes all of its allure immediately. Much stronger than Opium, deserves its reputation. The spice version of Tabu-no hoo-ha here, just strong hot dry spicy woodiness, but-smells rather stale. One spray can be too much-it seems a bottle will turn before it should be completely used up....

This is in my Opinion a lighter
less pungent version of Giorgio Of Beverly Hills Red. the opening starts
with Delectable spices oranges jasmine
orange blossom and it dries down to a
variety of woods this is good warm
scent for a cold day.

This will forever remind me of my high school years in the mid-eighties! We were all Estee freaks. My friends Liz and Cindy wore this and it smelled great on them. I couldn't quite pull it off and I felt like the burned cinnamon quality lingered on my skin a bit too long and never really changed on me. It reminds me of winter and spicy, cold, bundle-up weather...While going out and being "bad girls!"

Cinnabar is my signature fragrance! I admit I'm a woman "of a certain age"though, and I can understand why younger women would not care to wear this. It's really an older woman's perfume: spicy, rich, intense, not a gamine's light, modern, unisex floral--thank God! We sophisticated woman would prefer not to smell like a geranium or a salad!

I took a sample of Cinnabar as fast as I noticed it in our local store. I liked it immediately on the paper strip and quickly sprayed it on my wrist. I thought “oh… that is something very interesting, something bitter, and there is a cinnamon, and it has some vintage elegance in it”. I liked it so much that dared to spray it on the neck (the final test before buying), ‘cause I was almost convinced that Cinnabar would be my next buy.
And the title – my mother who is an artist would appreciate it ;)

But in an hour almost everything disappeared except the cinnamon. And that was not it’s best embodiment. That was a big surprise to me ‘cause I always liked the cinnamon scent for the cozy feeling it creates. But this time it was somewhat freshed-up cinnamon. I don’t mean that I like to smell like cinnamon bun, but I expected something more interesting from the combination of cinnamon, amber, benzoin and vanilla.The cinnamon that I received was very boring, and I just didn’t know where to get myself from it. It caught me up every time I tried to run away from it. The strong wind couldn’t put it off me, only a hot shower helped.

Well, not my cup of Estee Lauder tea again.) Got to settle another search campaign!

I have heard about this quite often but am ashamed to say today is the first time I tried it. And I have to say while it is interesting, slightly animal and not entirely unsexy, it is way too strong for me. It is actually pretty harsh. In the top notes, I was hit by spices, cloves, bergamot, and a hint of tangerine, while the orange blossom stayed somewhat subdued on my skin and didn't soften the blow. The middle notes were dominated by the cinnamon; and the base notes, on my skin, drowned in patchouli and incense. So while I can imagine it being great on some women, it did not do wonders on me.
The perfume reminded me of my childhood in the eighties, of strong women with big shoulder pads, legwarmers and dyed perms, who didn't seem to take crap from anyone; very early Madonna. It somewhat lacks subtlety though and although I am defintiely more a woodsy spice kind of gal than a floral-lover, this was a bit much.
I totally see, though, why it would attract fans. A very sensual, unique fragrance.

Ah! This one was almost perfect until the base: tolu balsam + incense gave out a strange but unmistakable note of tire burnining.
It is true: the smell is strong, exotic and warm...just like a burn tire. :)

Everyone who wears scents usually has one that totally captivates them, and Cinnabar is mine. For me, this glorious concoction, (Estee's very best), is the embodiment of the winter holidays, warm and joyous, right down to the red cap, and is as exotic as the eponymous mercury compound.
The opening brings a whiff of spice, a bit of peach and tangerine, a jolt of cloves- not totally unlike a holiday dessert table, complete with spicy cakes and pies, fruit bowls, and warm wine adorned with clove-studded oranges.
You then begin to smell the presence of (red) carnations, the sweet jasmine, and the wonderful sroma of cinnamon found in many a Christmas cookie. How festive can a perfume get?
But wait, stay around for the finale, which brings with it the exotic, courtesy of the amber, patchouli, and, especially. the incense, and the homey touch of vanilla. Quite a combination, and I just adore it.
One of the best things about Cinnabar os it leaves a lasting impression, just as all those warm, inviting holiday get-togethers do. Thanks for the memories, EL!

I wore this all the time in the eighties. I was I confess, rather heavy-handed with it - we took pleasure in being able to knock out a room with our scent in those days! As a result I think this kind of oriental got a bad rep - don't blame Cinnabar, it's a lovely warm and seductive fragrance and I still wear it in the evening - used with a little restraint it's gorgeous.

This is the fragrance my best friend first wore when we were teenagers, a very unusual choice. But as she is dark and exotic looking it was perfect. I could not wear it, it is always her but I loved how warm, spicy, rich it was.

I bought this to get the make-up special value with a fragrance purchase (I used to love Pleasures but my body chemistry changed and now it makes me gag). I didn't like it when I first put it on, but as it developed I kinda grooved to it. It IS a more mature scent, but it has its place.

The name Cinnabar sounds delicious...though to me, the aroma or rather, odor, was far from it. Too strong. Waaaay too strong for me. The spice was overly done. I just now looked at the notes, and they look harmless enough (even quite refreshing)...but it didn't smell like anything the notes implied, at least not on me. I don't know. Maybe the bottle was really old.... because it smelled more like old perfume mixed with gasoline to me. =( I must have a strange chemistry...

I'm not a huge fan of oriental fragrances but this is one of my favorites. Reading other reviews I feel maybe this is a favorite for me (and possibly others who feel as I do) because I'm not partial toward oriental fragrances. I might even call this fragrance a 'superficial' oriental because it lightly touches upon the elements that qualify it as an 'oriental' yet it contains the overpowering strength of an 'oriental'.

Yes, my mother did wear this one back in the day (the 1980s) and quite possibly I enjoy it as a homage to her.

My mother used to wear this one in the 80s. I liked the spicy top notes originally but some ingredient has always given me a dreadful headache; not common to me with perfumes. I'm practically allergic to it.

I was looking in the mall tonight for something spicy and warm. I stopped to smell Spellbound and thought it smelled like cinnamon and cloves, when the sales lady asked if I had ever tried Cinnabar. Hadn't...so tried it...and glad that was over with. I probably should have let it dry down a little more, but first whiff and yucky. Just not my style.

This was my first "grown up" and "expensive" perfume that I bought for myself. As far as I know, I still have some of it left back out at my folks' place. I really liked it - I remember enjoying how spicy it was. It has been so long - I wonder if I would still like it?

I have had 2 bottles.Everyone raved about Opium which did nothing for me.Cinnabar was THE one for me in the spicy oriental range. I would get it again.

This was my mother's signature scent in the early 1980's. People call it Opium's poor relation, and I understand why, but I think it stands nicely on its own. Cinnabar definitely highlights the cinnamon note, unlike Opium, where cinnamon is one note among many. I like to think of Cinnabar as the daytime version of Opium. A little cleaner and drier, a little less challenging, it works better as a daytime fragrance, especially in winter.

Not a favorite Estee Lauder fragranceof mine. I find this one a bit strong as I found her Youth dew fragrance. However if you love Cinnamon,this will definitely be a hit with you so try it.

I hadnt untill now noticed that i have a thing for cinnamon fragrances.:)
This is a heavy and expensive perfume.
IT has a place to worn to.The amber ,vanilla and incense and frankinsence does give it a very middle eastern persona.
I bought this on my first trip to the UAE and when ever i spray this on my skin it takes me back to the middle east and the wonderful holiday i had there.
love this perfume and enjoy wearing it.

For me it has much less cinnamon than Kenzo Jungle L'Elephant or Tigre, Givenchy Organza Indecence, Hermes Ambre Narguile. My nose identifies no cinnamon which would make this fragrance a cinnamony fragrance. Unfortunately .......

I expected something different I tink, the only thing which justified my expectations was the warmness of the scent. It wasn't for me as sickening and pronounced as Luten's Rousse cinnamon ( and as one-dimentional), but I didn't like it anyway. It reminded me the smell of old closet, or kitchen's cabinet, old too, with lots of spices and stuff of uknown origins leaving their traces of smell and mixing in the dark of the drawer.
I sprayed it on a paper strip, I was scared to spray it on myself. After and hour, in a car, we felt the sickly sweet cinnamonish smell and my husband asked me if I took that 'horrible sample' (referring to Rousse), when I found in my pocket the strip sprayed with Cinnabar..I couldn't leave it anywhere near myself

just to add , I think I'd rather stick to my beloved Hermes Elixir des Merveilles, and everything with merveilles on the bottle from Hermes..

I like this until the later stages when the patchouli comes to the fore on me - Cinnabar really suits me up till that point, then it goes all wrong.

Cinnabar- WOW! My slltime favorite scent- so warm, exciting, exotic. I love the spice, the incense, the orange blossom, and I get compliments galore. Some say it's too strong, and it is powerful, but it's sooooooooooooo delicious.

I love this perfume! It smells amazing on me, something in my body chemisty alters the scent. I wear this almost every single day.

While I like Cinnabar, it's associated with horrible childhood memories. I could never wear it, but it does smell nice on others.