Amber perfume at a glance
| The feeling | Warm, rich, glowing. Winter, evenings, special nights. |
|---|---|
| Typical notes | Amber, Labdanum, Cinnamon and cardamom, Incense, Benzoin and other resins |
| Best for | Winter, autumn, evenings, dates and special occasions. The warmth is wonderful in cold air and can feel heavy in heat. |
| Neighbors | Gourmand, Woody |
The notes to look for
Perfume labels and shop pages list notes. These are the ones that make a perfume smell like this family.
- Amber. An accord, not a single ingredient: a warm, sweet, slightly smoky blend usually built from labdanum, vanilla and benzoin.
- Labdanum. A sticky resin from the rockrose shrub; leathery, warm and honeyed.
- Cinnamon and cardamom. Spices that add warmth and a little bite.
- Incense. Smoky, resinous and a little mystical, like a quiet church or a candle just blown out.
- Benzoin and other resins. Sweet, balsamic and vanilla-like, they give amber its glow.
What is an amber accord?
Amber is not a plant. In perfumery it is an accord: a blend of notes that together smell warm, golden and resinous. Most ambers are built from labdanum, vanilla and benzoin, sometimes with a little spice or wood. That is why an amber perfume can smell different from one brand to the next, even with the same name on the label.
Incense and spice perfumes
Incense and spice notes push amber into a smokier, drier direction. Cardamom is fresh and slightly citrusy, cinnamon is sweet and hot, and incense is cool and resinous. If you like the smell of a just-blown-out candle or a spice market, look for these notes on the label.
When to wear amber perfume
Winter, autumn, evenings, dates and special occasions. The warmth is wonderful in cold air and can feel heavy in heat.
How to wear it
Amber and spice perfumes are strong and long-lasting, so one or two sprays of an eau de parfum is plenty. They also make good layering partners underneath a lighter scent.
Is this family for you?
You will probably love it if…
You love cinnamon, candles, incense, a fireside and cosy, glowing evenings.
Look elsewhere if…
You like light, fresh scents, or you will be wearing perfume in very hot weather or a small shared office.
Neighboring families and layering
Most people love two or three neighboring families. If you like amber and spice, you will probably also like:
- Gourmand: Sweet and edible. Cold weather, cosy days, evenings out.
- Woody: Grounded, sophisticated, long-lasting. Autumn, winter, all year.
Amber layers well under a rose or a soft floral and with vanilla to turn it into a gourmand.
How to test it
Judge a perfume after thirty minutes, not three seconds. Spray paper first, put your two finalists on skin, then smell again at 30 minutes, two hours and six hours. Our guide to choosing a perfume walks through the whole trip, and eau de parfum vs eau de toilette explains the strengths.
Not sure this is your family?
The free perfume quiz scores all eight families from the smells you already love and gives you a three-bottle wardrobe.
