Presented by Estée Lauder
On a picture-perfect Wednesday afternoon, I made my way to the West Village—not for a spritz or stroll down historic cobblestone streets, but to celebrate Estée Lauder’s new Glimmer eau de parfum.
What I would soon learn, while immersed in the world of Glimmer, is that it’s name offers a clue into what the scent is about. We project a lot onto fragrances: emotions, moods, memories—entire worlds are bottled in a spritz. It’s far less common that a fragrance asks something of us. That’s the ethos of the new Estée Lauder Glimmer eau de parfum at least.
Glimmers are defined as “small, everyday micro-moments of peace, safety, or joy;” so with this, Estée Lauder turns the mirror on the wearer. What makes you feel your best? What makes you smile? When do you feel most at ease?
Described as an amber floral scent with a gourmand twist, Glimmer is designed to dazzle. The first ten seconds of wear has a ripe, juicy-effect via raspberry, mandarin, and orange flower. As it dries down, macaron rose accord gives it that touch of sweetness, while patchouli and amber hug close to the skin. It’s the kind of fragrance that stays with you, and entrances passersby.
The Sentiment
At the event, the sparkling glass of champagne reminded me of Glimmer’s radiance—lively and effervescent. After stopping to speak with some friends, I was asked to reflect on what makes me glimmer. At first, I couldn’t pinpoint one particular thing. I eventually decided to highlight my favorite place: Paris, the magical city I’ve long dreamt of living in.
After writing my glimmer on a card, I watched as my answer was be projected around a display of perfume bottles. I took a moment to read other guests’s responses: music, time with friends, family. The answers were simple, familiar, yet surprisingly unique.
The Takeaway
The event offered plenty of moments for connection—curling up on the couch talking about plans, hyping up others capturing content in the photo booth, grabbing a treat from the dessert table. But no matter how much fun I was having, I kept thinking about the moments of joy we share.
I spent so long searching for the “perfect” answer; when in reality, joy—or your glimmer—isn’t some grand thing. It’s the simple parts of life that make us smile, laugh, or reflect positively on the lives we’re blessed to live.
In my Uber home, I realized that my travel perfume bottle, housed in a white leather case newly engraved with my initials, wasn’t my only takeaway. I was left with a reminder that the point might not be to find my glimmer, but to get better at noticing it.