I bought Modern Muse Estée Lauder for my daily office wear, and I love how it elevates the vibe of an independent modern woman.
At such an affordable price, it’s a catch for sure. However, due to its moderate performance, I wanted to explore other substitutes for Modern Muse that will smell similar to this non-offensive perfume. And discovered a few gems.
So, if you want to know what alternatives I have uncovered, tag along.
What Does Modern Muse Estée Lauder Smell Like?
Modern Muse by Estée Lauder smells serene with its well-blended natural ingredients. It spreads a sweet, fruity orange tone that becomes more alluring as the core approaches with other flowers. Finally, it turns earthy with a little bit of woody hunch to soothe the sharper aura.
With its sleek scent, this delightful combination lasts on my skin for around 6 hours, so I carry it with me whenever I stay outside for a longer time.
So, now it’s time to check out the notes of Estée Lauder’s Modern Muse:
Top Note: Mandarin Orange
Middle Notes: Jasmine Sambac, Chinese Jasmine, Lily, Honeysuckle, Flower Petals, Tuberose
Base Notes: Musk, Woody Notes, Patchouli, Patchouli Leaf, Amber, Madagascar Vanilla
As a fruit lover, its sweet, zesty opening containing Mandarin orange got me carried away.
Soon, the heart remarked its presence where two types of jasmine merged with the spicy hunch of lily and tuberose’s rich, creamy nuance.
Musk mingles with woody notes at the base. Also, there is patchouli leaf, which increases the earthy ambiance even more. And amber, with its warm, sensual touch, along with the sweetness of vanilla becomes more alluring.
This feminine perfume creates a gentle sillage and projection that ensures my presence in a subtle yet impactful way.
What Perfumes Are Similar To Modern Muse Estée Lauder?
There are a number of perfumes that resemble the soft and clean composition of Modern Muse. Among these dupes, I have listed the best ones here so that you can enjoy an invigorating aura with maximum performance.
Here are the replacements for Modern Muse Estée Lauder:
1. Modern Muse Chic Estée Lauder
Top Notes: Plum, Artemisia
Middle Notes: Jasmine Sambac, Lily, Tuberose
Base Notes: Musk, Cashmere Wood, Patchouli, Agarwood (Oud), Suede, Ebony Tree, Labdanum, Madagascar Vanilla
I found the first alternative from Estée Lauder called Modern Muse Chic. So, from the name, you get the idea that these two are related to each other like a distant cousin. Let me clarify the statement.
In the opening, the plum’s sensual smell transitions towards the herbal bitter nuance of artemisia.
As time passes, the floral core becomes more prominent. And you cannot blame me for saying this pleasing jasmine-lily combo and tuberose’s intensity will keep your mind out of every tension.
The base is where Modern Muse Chic’s scent profile takes a new turn.
Here, musk is the rising star that tingles the warmth of woody notes and the sweetness of agarwood. Every now and then, you will sense the presence of suede and vanilla, but the timbered notes take over slowly and last 6 to 8 hours.
When to Wear
This well-blended floral woody musk perfume is best for fall, spring, and winter. It also works fine during the summer.
Why Should You Buy
- Realistic jasmine essence.
- Well-combined notes.
- Lasts 6 to 8 hours.
- Attractive flacon.
- Suitable for autumn.
- Mild sillage.
2. Narciso Rodriguez For Her Narciso Rodriguez
Top Notes: African Orange Flower, Osmanthus, Bergamot
Middle Notes: Musk, Amber
Base Notes: Vetiver, Vanilla, Patchouli
I got Narciso Rodriguez For Her on my birthday from my cousin. Its sophisticated scent suits my personality very well, and since 2003, this aroma maintained its hype till today.
Though I had this for a while, I wore it after a long time for an evening party. Gradually, its resemblance with Modern Muse started to show.
I was in a hurry, so I grabbed it, sprayed a few pumps, and went straight to the party. On the way, I sensed the fresh sweetness of the African orange flower at the top, blending with the tangy hunch of bergamot and osmanthus’s soft, sensual smell.
In the core, Christine Nagel and Francis Kurkdjian reinforced only amber with musk. Together, these components created an elegant, feminine vibe that boosted my confidence.
Though vetiver has a dry, grass-like ambiance, while tuned with vanilla and patchouli at the base, it created an earthy-sweet bubble around me that lasted for 12 hours.
And if you want to try similar versions of this delicate fragrance, check out the perfumes similar to Narciso Rodriguez For Her.
When to Wear
During winter, spring, and autumn, Narciso Rodriguez For Her works like a charm. It flourishes more in colder months.
Why Should You Buy
- Lasts around 12 hours.
- Provides a modern touch.
- Womanly yet sensual aura.
- Sillage radiates up to arm’s length.
- Affordable price.
3. Miss Dior Edition d’Exception Dior
Top Note: Mandarin Orange
Middle Notes: Rose, Egyptian Jasmine
Base Notes: Musk, Indonesian Patchouli Leaf
Miss Dior Edition d’Exception is a creation of François Demachy. This limited edition was launched in 2015. If you are one of those lucky ones who own this rare gem, you can use it as a substitute for Modern Muse.
Mandarin orange, in the beginning, creates a stimulating vibe that makes the combination of rose with Egyptian jasmine’s tenacious honey-like tone more comforting in the heart.
Gradually, this soft aura turns sharper and cleaner due to the presence of musk and Indonesian patchouli leaves in the dry-down.
Additionally, this charming perfume lasts for 12 hours with a strong trail. So, with a few pumps, you will be tension-free.
As Dior released only a few copies of this chypre floral beauty, you can try out the other best smelling women’s perfumes Dior offers to satisfy your thirst.
When to Wear
Miss Dior Edition d’Exception by Dior is the ideal perfume for fall. It’s also wearable during other sessions as well.
Why Should You Buy
- Sweet fruity opening.
- High-quality ingredients.
- 12 hours of longevity.
- Strong sillage.
- Mesmerizing ending.
4. Modern Muse Parfum Estée Lauder
Modern Muse Parfum is another scent from Estée Lauder that you can use as a replacement for Modern Muse. This dupe was launched in 2015.
When I tried it, I sensed jasmine sambac’s opulent aura flirted with patchouli’s dark, woody sweetness. For any flower lover, this perfume will be an instant hit.
As time passed, more floral notes floated and hooked me with cedar’s soft, woody essence. Amber takes the dry-down to another level by merging its warm and cozy aura.
All you need is a few pumps of this work of art, and it will travel through a room. However, it lasts only a few hours and is expensive, so keep that in mind before your purchase.
When to Wear
This amber, floral musk fragrance is versatile. So you can use it all year round. During spring and fall, it flourishes the most.
Why Should You Buy
- Straightforward notes.
- Gives a stimulating effect.
- Strong trail.
- Prominent jasmine essence.
- Sophisticated peachy pink flacon.
5. Cleopatra Tocca
Top Notes: Grapefruit, Black Currant, Green Notes, Cassis
Middle Notes: Jasmine, Peach, Tuberose
Base Notes: Musk, Patchouli, Amber, Vanilla
Grapefruit’s sharp bitterness gets a new dimension in the beginning when it blends with the rich, sensual tone of black currant. After that, the natural refreshing hunch of green notes and cassis will take you back to an enchanted forest.
The floral middle with peach’s delicious sweet scent blooms to its fullest.
My friend loves Cleopatra, and she bought it after trying it at the store. For her, the creamy-energizing mixture of tuberose and jasmine at the core was the cherry on top.
As the flow of scent moves toward the end, you will smell the heart-melting tuning of amber, musk, and vanilla with patchouli’s ethereal hunch for more than 5 hours.
When to Wear
Cleopatra Tocca is a versatile perfume that smells delightful all year round. In spring and fall, it works the best.
Why Should You Buy
- An excellent replacement for Modern Muse.
- Gentle sillage.
- Great signature fragrance.
- Seductive and complex.
- 6 hours of longevity.
- Budget-friendly.
6. N°01 White Flower Posy Zara
Top Notes: Green Mandarin, Mandarin Orange
Middle Notes: Jasmine, Neroli
Base Notes: Amber, Musk
Zara is known for launching replicas of hyped fragrances. N°01 White Flower Posy Zara is such a scent that you can use instead of Modern Muse. It’s not a clone, yet it smells close to the original one.
The best part of this perfume is its simple yet effective notes, which altogether serve up to 6 hours.
Green mandarin will welcome you with its bracing aura, which becomes more fruity and zesty as Mandarin orange walks with it side by side.
Then comes the alluring-smelling flowers that are the main attraction of the middle. In this stage, Jo Malone merged neroli’s harmonious complexion, which compliments the refreshing tone of jasmine.
I really loved this core, and last summer, it was one of my go-to perfumes.
Not only is the heart energizing, but in the dry-down, N°01 White Flower Posy blends musk’s warm, subtle hunch with amber’s cozy vibe. It becomes more pleasing as it sets on my skin.
When to Wear
N°01 White Flower Posy by Zara is an ideal casual perfume for summer and lively spring. The warmer weather makes it more soothing.
Why Should You Buy
- Mood-boosting aroma.
- Simple yet classy packaging.
- Stimulating opening.
- Moderate sillage.
- Lasts for 6 hours.
7. Alien We Are All Alien Collector Edition Mugler
Top Note: Mandarin Orange
Middle Notes: Jasmine, Orange Blossom
Base Notes: Amber, Woody Notes, Cashmeran, Vanilla
When you are looking for alternatives to a fragrance, you will find similar ingredients in them. It’s rare to see completely different notes giving the same aura, though it’s not impossible.
Alien We Are All Alien Collector Edition by Mugler reminded me of Modern Muse Estée Lauder as it has a few overlapping notes.
Dominique Ropion and Laurent Bruyere crafted this amber woody perfume in 2018. At the top, they only kept it crisp and cheering through Mandarin orange.
As the heart approaches, jasmine’s freshness and the complexity of the orange blossom tune together, and it will prepare you for the following combination.
The base is woody, warm, sweet, and tunes with vanilla and amber with grace. Moreover, this beauty lasts an eternity, so you can apply it, and you don’t have to worry about its performance.
When to Wear
Autumn, winter, and spring are the best seasons to enjoy the heartwarming composition of Alien We Are All Alien Collector Edition.
Why Should You Buy
- Gives a recharging vibe after applying.
- 12+ hours of lasting capability.
- Zesty, crispy top.
- Excellent trail.
- Affordable pricing.
- Provides a refill option.
Wrap Up
So far, I have elaborated the dupes of Modern Muse Estée Lauder I have found over time and also shared my experience with some of the perfumes.
I am certain you will find the rightful substitute that will suit your personality, and you will enjoy every second after you apply your fragrance.
So, get yours and tell me about your experience in the comment section below.