The best amber fragrances at MECCA
January 1 | 3 minute read
Words by Gemma Dawkins
Originally published on | May 25
Warm, sensual, exotic and often musky, amber perfumes aren't actually derived from amber, the fossilised tree resin often used in jewellery. Instead this group of fragrances contains a blend of key ingredients including labdanum, benzoin and vanilla, infused with other notes that can bring out the scent's various qualities.
Other elements in the amber family include tonka bean and frankincense, and amber fragrances are often considered opulent, sexy and reminiscent of incense. With their smoky-sweet base, they're a good option for anyone seeking an alternative to traditionally sweet scents with floral or fruity profiles. More earthy and powdery, amber is a 'fantasy' scent, meaning it can't be found in nature. That's part of the mystique of this elusive, addictive perfume.
Intrigued? Here's our Edit of MECCA's favourite amber fragrances.
Maison Margiela's REPLICA line is all about evoking specific places and times, and By The Fireplace gives you front row access to a mid-winter evening in the French Alps.
Opening with a deliciously woody blend thanks to chestnut accord and guaiac wood, clove oil brings in the animalic amber along with pink pepper and orange flower petals to lift. Once the smoke clears, By The Fireplace dries down to a sweetly musky vanilla that strikes the perfect balance between sweet and sultry. Warm and enticing, this genderless fragrance is deceptively wearable and a definite contender for signature scent for amber lovers.
Fashion designer Tom Ford's take on fragrance is as sharp and sexy as his tailoring, and this offering from Ford's personal scent laboratory for exclusive fragrances is no exception.
Vanilla by name and flavour, there’s certainly nothing vanilla about the style of this dark and moody fragrance. If the deep amber bottle and the gold label don't give it away, its warm, opulent notes of ginger, cocoa and fruit accord might. Inspired by the aromas of a classic gentlemen's club in London, this is a masculine-leaning yet unisex fragrance that blends the spiciness of tobacco flower with a nod to leather, cognac and sweet wood sap. Creamy tonka bean and a rich, boozy vanilla give just enough full-bodied sweetness to take the edge off the spiciness.
