I’ve been in love with the scent of Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess since Tom Ford’s summer collection for Estee Lauder in 2007. He did a limited edition colour collection and fragrance, all called Azurée Soleil, and that was the debut of this gorgeous and sexy beachy scent. This was actually Tom Ford’s second perfume after Black Orchid. It was meant to evoke the smell of sun-kissed skin on the beach, a combination of warm skin, perhaps a monoi oil and a hint of the salty ocean air blowing through fresh green mangroves and sea grass. And it did!

I’m not the only one who fell hard for Lauder’s Azurée Soleil fragrance, and it quickly became a cult perfume that sold out everywhere and became an ebay legend. The Azurée  glimmering body oil in the matching fragrance was equally coveted. So, when Estee Lauder released “Bronze Goddess” perfume with a matching body oil the following year, many wondered if it was the same perfume. Well, it’s close. Very close. Azurée Soleil was somehow a bit cleaner & fresher, and maybe less sweet, with green accords that I really love. Bronze Goddess has a little bit more of the coconut/tiare on skin effect, without being sweet or Pina Colada-cloying in any way.

There have been approximately eight iterations of Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess since 2007, most called Bronze Goddess Eau Fraiche Skinscent, some with “Capri” or “Soleil” after the name. All smell very similar, with minor adjustments to the notes – one is more floral, one more aquatic, another more fruity. The bottles are all a bit different as well, which makes it fun for collectors. They’re all gorgeous and simple, but my favourite was still the original Azurée Soleil turquoise bottle until this year’s release. The bottle is simple and clean, with a yellow to orange ombre shading in the glass and a simple gold cap that reminds me of vintage Lauder cosmetics.

This year’s Bronze Goddess Eau Frâiche Skinscent (100ml $72 CA) is predictably delicious and starts with fresh fruits tempered with soft tiare. The amber is soft and combined with the vanilla, it has a pleasant soft powdery vibe. The vetiver, citrus and lavender keep it from being overly girly or floral. It’s different from the traditional beach perfumes like Bobbi Brown Beach and CB I Hate Perfume At The Beach 1966 – don’t get me wrong, I adore those! But Bronze Goddess is a beachy scent with the sexy skin vibe, for which, of course. we can thank Tom Ford. I detect a warm soft musk base that makes this the sexiest beach scent I’ve ever

From Estee Lauder:

A sensuous, sun-drenched blend of Bergamot, warm Amber, Tiare Flower and Vanilla combined with delicious creamy Coconut.

Sensuous Notes
Amber. Coconut Milk. Sandalwood. Vanilla. Vetiver. Myrrh

Warm Notes
Juicy Mandarin. Sicilian Bergamot. Lemon. Pulpy Orange

Radiant Notes
Tiare Flower. Jasmine. Magnolia Petals. Orange Flower Buds. Lavender

The accompanying fragrant Bronze Goddess Shimmering Oil (1.5oz, $48 CA) is a summer MUST HAVE. Honestly, it is simply heavenly! It’s a softer version of the fragrance, which is already pretty soft, so this version would be perfect for someone looking for an office appropriate scent that is not cloying or strong. Added benefit? It makes your skin simply glow! Perfect for the season of bare skin – sundresses showing off arms and legs that smell so good everyone will want to get a little closer. It’s like a dry oil, very lightweight and is also lovely rubbed between your palms and pulled through the ends of your hair for perfect beachy texture.

Bronze Goddess Eau Frâiche is a crowd pleaser, and I’ve found people love it when I hug them while wearing it. I am so happy to have it my collection again! I spray it head to toe, yes even in my hair. It’s a light cologne so a small spritz or two will not weigh down or damage hair.

And this year, Estee Lauder put out a GORGEOUS!!! Bronze Goddess Bronzing Palette. It is simply divine, and I suggest if you see it, get it. It won’t last. The pale champagne shade on the far left has a touch of shimmer, but not too much. The blush is a lovely petal pink, and the bronzer is a glowing tan shade that is perfect and not dirty or muddy looking on skin at all.

The Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess collection is sold at Estee Lauder counters, while quantities last.