Amber in Perfumery
With the fall slowly creeping in on us, we tend to reach for more comforting, sweeter and spicier scents. One of them is Amber. But what is Amber exactly and where does it come from? We try to answer some questions below.
Where does Amber come from?
When it comes to primal instinct, the smell of Amber triggers something comforting in all of us. Amber is a blend within perfumery that describes a warm, powdery, sweet, woody scent. It's a made-up note that consists of a soiree of ingredients (natural and synthetic) such as vanilla, patchouli, labdanum and many more.
True natural Amber takes millions of years to form. It’s not sap from any old tree but rather soft and sticky fossilised tree resin, you know the stuff that you see insects kept in! It has a stunning fiery yellow, red or orange colour that draws you in, in the most mesmerising way. The resin has very little scent unless burned when it then gives off a pine-like aroma.
The term ‘Amber’ comes from the arabic ‘Ambar’ or french ‘Ambre’ relating to Ambergris, a waxy substance found in the intestines of the sperm whale. We no longer use ambergris in perfumery for obvious reasons, but it has inspired a very special synthetic ingredient ‘Ambroxan’.
If you’re looking for a more accepted and natural amber, labdanum absolute is a plant based resin that carries ambery notes and is more commonly used in perfumery.
Benzoin resin is another ingredient that recreates an amber aroma with yummy smokey balsamic notes.
Synthetic by Scientists
Synthetic ingredients is a must in the perfumer’s organ. They give variety to what can be a one dimensional scent and inspire greater creativity within perfumery.
Ambroxan is a synthetic amber that is very common and extremely popular. It’s a wonder molecule that is loved by all! In fact, it’s so good you could wear it on its own.
Source: https://experimentalperfumeclub.com/amber-in-perfume/
Best Amber Fragrances at Scentrique
Laboratorio Olfattivo Alambar EDP
The Inspiration for this fragrance is a tribute to an icon and its amber-scented world - amber, ambar, alambre, ambra, ambrum, ambarum, Alambar. Ambracadabra...and the fragrance works its magic on the skin. With its heightened concentration of elegance wrapped in exotic arabesques, this distillation of amber excites the senses and soothes the skin. Warm notes surround the olfactory pyramid with intensity, leaving in their wake a trail of pure amber.
Notes:
Top: Bergamot, Cocoa, Amber
Middle: Cinnamon, Vanilla, Amber
Base: Amber Notes
Franck Boclet Amber
The fragrance is an aromatic accord with laurel, oregano associated to the sensuality of ylang-ylang. The heart unveils an opulent jasmine and addictive patchouli. The base reveals itself more sensual by the association of balsamic, vanilla and amber notes. An addictive and sensual fragrance.
Agonist Black Amber
A journey into the deep ambery core of the forest, expressing the essences of wood and amber with a darker shade. Ruvid and warm at the same time, it gives a “greener” sensation on the skin. The scent of Nature.
Notes:
Top: Cinnamon, Cumin, Carrot seeds
Middle: Benzoin Siam, Cloves, Ylang ylang, Patchouli
Base: Vanilla, Sweet Amber, Sandalwood, Atlas, Cedar Wood, Musk
Chabaud Ambre Du Reve
An oriental dream - Golden light and enveloping sweetness, bewitching. A unique and addictive character. It opens up with a bit of spice from cinnamon and cumin transforming into a sweet cocoon of benzoin, patchouli and vanilla on the bed of sandalwood, amber and musk.
Notes:
Top: Cinnamon, Cumin, Carrot seeds Middle: Benzoin Siam, Cloves, Ylang ylang, Patchouli Base: Vanilla, Sweet Amber, Sandalwood, Atlas, Cedar Wood, Musk
Nicolai Parfums Ambre Cashmere Intense
It's the dream of every perfume creator to have her own great 'oriental'. Mission accomplished for Patricia de Nicolai with this veil of fragrant amber strengthened by iris and overflowing with patchouli and musk for a very warm cosy feeling. Like the caress of cashmere on skin. Its cheerful soaring of mandarin and pepper creates a very contemporary fragrance.
Nicolai Parfums Amber Oud
Part of the French-Oriental group, this new genre weds the signature chords of two perfumes: mythic amber associating labdanum and vanilla, enriched by resin and hot spices to answer the voluptuous audacity of the oud note. Top notes of aromatic lavender, artemisia and thyme contrast with this warm and sensual long-lasting, lingering spell.
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