Amber has been used in perfumery for centuries and remains a popular ingredient today due to its warm, rich, and sensuous aroma. It's a versatile note that can be used in many different ways in fragrances, from a warm and inviting base to a spicy and exotic top note. In this article, we'll explore the use of amber in perfumery, its origin, and some of the most popular amber-based fragrances.
Ambergris is a substance that is sometimes used in perfumery as a fixative to help extend the life of a fragrance. It is a waxy, grayish substance that is formed in the digestive system of sperm whales. When the whales excrete the substance, it floats on the ocean's surface and is eventually washed up on shore. Over time, the sun and saltwater cause the substance to age and develop a sweet, musky aroma that is highly valued in the fragrance industry. Although ambergris is a rare and expensive ingredient, it is still used by some high-end perfumers for its unique scent and fixative properties.
Amber is not a naturally occurring substance in the world of perfumery. Instead, it is a blend of different notes that together create the warm and inviting scent that we associate with amber. The traditional ingredients used to create amber include vanilla, labdanum, and benzoin. Other ingredients such as patchouli, sandalwood, and musk can also be used to create unique amber fragrances. The resulting scent is sweet, earthy, and spicy, with notes of vanilla, resin, and wood.
The use of amber in perfumery dates back to ancient times. The ancient Egyptians were known to use amber as a perfume ingredient and as a cosmetic ingredient. Amber was also popular in Roman times, and its use in perfumery continued through the Middle Ages and into the modern era. Today, amber is still a popular ingredient in perfumery, and many contemporary fragrances incorporate it in various ways.
Amber is a versatile ingredient that can be used as a base note, middle note, or top note in a fragrance. As a base note, it provides a warm and inviting foundation for the other notes in the perfume. As a middle note, it adds depth and richness to the fragrance. As a top note, it can provide a spicy and exotic opening that immediately captures the senses.
There are many popular amber-based fragrances available today. One of the most famous is Shalimar by Guerlain, which features a blend of vanilla, tonka bean, and benzoin to create a warm and sensual amber base. Another popular fragrance is Ambre Sultan by Serge Lutens, which features a combination of vanilla, amber, and resin notes to create a deep and mysterious scent. Other popular amber-based fragrances include Tom Ford's Amber Absolute, Christian Dior's Ambre Nuit, and Prada's Amber Pour Homme.
Here are our top five Ambery perfumes, ‘hand-picked’ by our editorial team, which you can purchase with a bundle discount here.
- JO MALONE - DARK AMBER & GINGER LILY
Dark Amber & Ginger Lily is a highly popular fragrance by Jo Malone, known for its complex and alluring scent. This fragrance is a part of Jo Malone's Cologne Intense collection, which focuses on creating fragrances with rich and deep notes.
Dark Amber & Ginger Lily opens with a bright and fresh burst of ginger, which provides a lively contrast to the rich and warm base notes. The fragrance then develops into a heart of lily and jasmine, which adds a delicate floral note to the scent. Finally, the fragrance settles into its base of amber, black orchid, and rare Kyara wood, which gives it a warm and exotic finish.
This fragrance is perfect for those who enjoy scents that are both warm and fresh, making it suitable for both daytime and evening wear. The combination of spicy ginger and delicate lily gives the fragrance a unique and intriguing character, while the deep and warm base notes add an alluring complexity to the scent. The fragrance is long-lasting and has a moderate silage, making it ideal for those who want a fragrance that will stay with them throughout the day.
- MAISON FRANCIS KURKDJIAN - BACCARAT ROUGE 540
Baccarat Rouge 540 is a luxurious and highly coveted fragrance by Maison Francis Kurkdjian (MFK), known for its unique and complex aroma. This fragrance was first introduced in 2015 and has since gained a cult following among fragrance enthusiasts.
The fragrance opens with a bright and juicy blend of mandarin, bergamot, and saffron, which provides a sweet and slightly spicy contrast to the deep and rich base notes. The heart of the fragrance is composed of jasmine and amberwood, which give the scent a warm and floral quality. Finally, the fragrance settles into its base of cedar, fir resin, and musk, which provides a rich and woody finish.
What makes Baccarat Rouge 540 unique is the use of ambroxan, a synthetic molecule that is known for its complex and intriguing aroma. It gives the fragrance a distinctive character that is both warm and musky, yet also fresh and clean.
The fragrance is long-lasting and has a moderate sillage, making it ideal for both daytime and evening wear. Its versatility and complex aroma have made it a popular choice for special occasions, as well as everyday wear.
- LE LABO - ANOTHER 13
Another 13 is a captivating fragrance from Le Labo, a high-end fragrance brand known for its unique and high-quality scents. This fragrance was launched in 2010 and has since become a favorite among fragrance enthusiasts for its alluring and mysterious aroma.
The scent opens with a bright and citrusy burst of bergamot and ambroxan, which is then complemented by the warm and spicy notes of musk and jasmine. The fragrance then settles into its base of moss and ambrette, which gives it a deep and complex finish. What sets Another 13 apart is its use of ambroxan, which gives the fragrance a unique and alluring quality that is both fresh and musky.
Another 13 is a unisex fragrance that is suitable for both daytime and evening wear. Its moderate sillage and long-lasting nature make it a perfect choice for those who want a fragrance that will stay with them throughout the day.
The fragrance is named after the 13th ingredient in the formula, which remains a mystery. This adds an element of intrigue and exclusivity to the fragrance, making it even more appealing to fragrance enthusiasts.
- INITIO - BLESSED BARAKA
Blessed Baraka is a captivating fragrance from Initio Parfums Privés, a niche fragrance brand known for its unique and high-quality scents. This fragrance was first introduced in 2018 and has quickly become a favorite among fragrance enthusiasts for its deep and complex aroma.
The scent opens with a spicy and fresh blend of bergamot, pink pepper, and juniper berries, which gives the fragrance a bright and invigorating quality. The heart of the fragrance is composed of warm and earthy notes of incense, myrrh, and labdanum, which give the scent a deep and mysterious quality. The fragrance then settles into its base of patchouli, sandalwood, and vanilla, which adds a rich and comforting finish to the scent.
What makes Blessed Baraka unique is its use of incense, myrrh, and labdanum, which are all traditional ingredients in Middle Eastern perfumery. These notes are combined with other high-quality ingredients to create a complex and intriguing scent that is both modern and timeless.
Blessed Baraka is a unisex fragrance that is suitable for both daytime and evening wear. Its moderate sillage and long-lasting nature make it a perfect choice for those who want a fragrance that will stay with them throughout the day.
- MAISON FRANCIS KURKDJIAN - GENTLE FLUIDITY GOLD
Gentle Fluidity Gold is a captivating fragrance from Maison Francis Kurkdjian, a high-end fragrance brand known for its unique and high-quality scents. Launched in 2019, this fragrance quickly became a fan favorite for its modern and fresh interpretation of a classic woody scent.
The scent opens with a bright and zesty blend of juniper berries and bergamot, which gives the fragrance a fresh and invigorating quality. The heart of the fragrance is composed of a warm and spicy mix of coriander, nutmeg, and musk, which adds depth and complexity to the scent. The fragrance then settles into its base of vanilla, amber, and woody notes, which gives it a warm and comforting finish.
What makes Gentle Fluidity Gold unique is its use of two different formulations, each with a slightly different balance of ingredients. This allows wearers to choose the formulation that best suits their preferences and makes the fragrance highly customizable.
Gentle Fluidity Gold is a unisex fragrance that is suitable for both daytime and evening wear. Its moderate sillage and long-lasting nature make it a perfect choice for those who want a fragrance that will stay with them throughout the day.
**Honorable mentions: Sergei Lutens Ambre Sultan and Dior Ambre Nuit
