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Amouage
BELOVED WOMAN
Garlands of pink roses, delicate bunches of dried herbs, an anointing with sweet resins, a freshly oiled but well-worn saddle, and a dollop of creamy vanilla, all tenderly wrapped in a cloak of woods and musk. That is Beloved.
Queen Elizabeth's most magnificent residence is Windsor Castle. Beloved reminds me of her country home, Sandringham, where she gets to take off her crown and ride horses though the countryside. Beloved is a grand perfume, and don't you forget it, but it is also disarming, charming, optimistic, and approachable.
Perhaps it is due to the strong dose of dried chamomile (and I am convinced there is a hay note as well) that Beloved reminds me of Aromatics Elixir.
This is a modern chypre with a vintage feel due to the herbs, patchouli, and clove. Clove is one of my favorite notes in all of perfumerie, and I usually find that it provides a dusty effect, rather than piquancy like cinnamon or pepper, as it does here. Despite the lack of oakmoss, I am pleasantly surprised at just how chypre-esque this actually smells.
Beloved is a perfume that foregoes pomp and circumstance, yet gentility remains. Amouage makes perfumes for kings and queens. Beloved fits right in and offers something new to their lineup--a demonstration of vulnerability that is lacking in most of their other fragrances.
Garlands of pink roses, delicate bunches of dried herbs, an anointing with sweet resins, a freshly oiled but well-worn saddle, and a dollop of creamy vanilla, all tenderly wrapped in a cloak of woods and musk. That is Beloved.
Queen Elizabeth's most magnificent residence is Windsor Castle. Beloved reminds me of her country home, Sandringham, where she gets to take off her crown and ride horses though the countryside. Beloved is a grand perfume, and don't you forget it, but it is also disarming, charming, optimistic, and approachable.
Perhaps it is due to the strong dose of dried chamomile (and I am convinced there is a hay note as well) that Beloved reminds me of Aromatics Elixir.
This is a modern chypre with a vintage feel due to the herbs, patchouli, and clove. Clove is one of my favorite notes in all of perfumerie, and I usually find that it provides a dusty effect, rather than piquancy like cinnamon or pepper, as it does here. Despite the lack of oakmoss, I am pleasantly surprised at just how chypre-esque this actually smells.
Beloved is a perfume that foregoes pomp and circumstance, yet gentility remains. Amouage makes perfumes for kings and queens. Beloved fits right in and offers something new to their lineup--a demonstration of vulnerability that is lacking in most of their other fragrances.
CIEL POUR FEMME
Ciel does not ignite anything inside of me. It is an aquatic floral that actually smells a lot more like magnolia than any of the other notes. The scent is sweet with a slightly sharp green floral note. It is all rather vague. I do not detect any incense in the drydown. If Amouage sold this for $95 and called it Eau Florale, I think it would make a lot more sense, but for a perfume that costs three times that, there is much left to be desired. For those who love this perfume, I would suggest trying ElizabethW Magnolia. (Mar 2015)
Ciel does not ignite anything inside of me. It is an aquatic floral that actually smells a lot more like magnolia than any of the other notes. The scent is sweet with a slightly sharp green floral note. It is all rather vague. I do not detect any incense in the drydown. If Amouage sold this for $95 and called it Eau Florale, I think it would make a lot more sense, but for a perfume that costs three times that, there is much left to be desired. For those who love this perfume, I would suggest trying ElizabethW Magnolia. (Mar 2015)
DIA WOMAN
Dia is beautiful. It is classic French perfume, but at the same time I find it to be modern and the most innocent and youthful of any from this house. The style reminds me of the original Dolce & Gabbana. Not the actual scents themselves, as they are quite different, but they both open like an aldehyde bomb, extremely powdery, a little bubbly...but give it time and it becomes something altogether different.
At first it smells like a bar of powdery rose soap. Even reminds me of Narciso Essence at first. With time it turns into a sweet floral, and peach blossom really stands out. I thought there was peach in the top notes. Dia has a musky, woody base. All traces of powder and aldehydes fade away eventually, and then it smells like fabric softener musk in the best possible sense. The floral aspect begins to seem more like mimosa or even sweet pea blossoms than rose. It's a sweet and clean floral scent.
I love Dia, so I bought myself a big ol' bottle. (Jan 2016)
Dia is beautiful. It is classic French perfume, but at the same time I find it to be modern and the most innocent and youthful of any from this house. The style reminds me of the original Dolce & Gabbana. Not the actual scents themselves, as they are quite different, but they both open like an aldehyde bomb, extremely powdery, a little bubbly...but give it time and it becomes something altogether different.
At first it smells like a bar of powdery rose soap. Even reminds me of Narciso Essence at first. With time it turns into a sweet floral, and peach blossom really stands out. I thought there was peach in the top notes. Dia has a musky, woody base. All traces of powder and aldehydes fade away eventually, and then it smells like fabric softener musk in the best possible sense. The floral aspect begins to seem more like mimosa or even sweet pea blossoms than rose. It's a sweet and clean floral scent.
I love Dia, so I bought myself a big ol' bottle. (Jan 2016)
FATE WOMAN
Not a perfume for daily wear? I am a Leo, so bring it! I have no problem wearing luxurious perfumes for no reason at all. Fate is one of the most breathtaking perfumes I have ever smelled. It is just short of being perfectly balanced, as incense is a huge part of the whole fragrance and tips the balance in the balsamic direction. It does not take long for the ethereal incense to cast its spell; specifically frankincense, which I smell crystal clear and in large, billowy quantities. This is Boswelia resin of excellent quality, a scent that takes me back to my Catholic upbringing. But there is also a sensual blend of dry spices that lays like a soft blanket over the scent of two lovers' soiled bed sheets. Oh, blasphemy! This is not a church perfume.
This is my second Amouage full bottle. Thinking about the price tag causes me to have stomach pains. Hurts so good! (Jan. 2015)
Not a perfume for daily wear? I am a Leo, so bring it! I have no problem wearing luxurious perfumes for no reason at all. Fate is one of the most breathtaking perfumes I have ever smelled. It is just short of being perfectly balanced, as incense is a huge part of the whole fragrance and tips the balance in the balsamic direction. It does not take long for the ethereal incense to cast its spell; specifically frankincense, which I smell crystal clear and in large, billowy quantities. This is Boswelia resin of excellent quality, a scent that takes me back to my Catholic upbringing. But there is also a sensual blend of dry spices that lays like a soft blanket over the scent of two lovers' soiled bed sheets. Oh, blasphemy! This is not a church perfume.
This is my second Amouage full bottle. Thinking about the price tag causes me to have stomach pains. Hurts so good! (Jan. 2015)
GOLD WOMAN
I had never tried Gold before, but one night I had a dream of it and naturally felt I should test it. Aquired my tester. Put it on and the first powdery whiff hit my nose, and I immediately and vividly saw my grandparents in my mind (they passed away years ago). It was a wonderful thing that this perfume did for me, and I like to think they placed it in my dreams for this reason, so I would remember them. Scent truly is the sense that relates the most to memory.
As I inhaled for hours and hours, it continuously reminded me of the same thing. My grandmother was not much of a perfume person, but she kept some in her bedroom dresser, and who knows if she ever wore it? I would always go in her room, dig into her drawer, and smell it, as I loved perfume as long as I can remember.
Memories aside, judging the perfume on its own merit, of all the classic-style perfumes I have ever smelled, Gold reminds me of Rive Gauche. It has something sweet in the base that is irresistible. It is also similar to Chanel N.5 Parfum, but Gold smells a bit richer and more reserved for a special occasion whereas I enjoy wearing N.5 Parfum to bed as well as a night out. Gold is not my favorite from Amouage; I prefer Ubar which is in the same category. But Gold is on my radar. (Jan. 2015)
I had never tried Gold before, but one night I had a dream of it and naturally felt I should test it. Aquired my tester. Put it on and the first powdery whiff hit my nose, and I immediately and vividly saw my grandparents in my mind (they passed away years ago). It was a wonderful thing that this perfume did for me, and I like to think they placed it in my dreams for this reason, so I would remember them. Scent truly is the sense that relates the most to memory.
As I inhaled for hours and hours, it continuously reminded me of the same thing. My grandmother was not much of a perfume person, but she kept some in her bedroom dresser, and who knows if she ever wore it? I would always go in her room, dig into her drawer, and smell it, as I loved perfume as long as I can remember.
Memories aside, judging the perfume on its own merit, of all the classic-style perfumes I have ever smelled, Gold reminds me of Rive Gauche. It has something sweet in the base that is irresistible. It is also similar to Chanel N.5 Parfum, but Gold smells a bit richer and more reserved for a special occasion whereas I enjoy wearing N.5 Parfum to bed as well as a night out. Gold is not my favorite from Amouage; I prefer Ubar which is in the same category. But Gold is on my radar. (Jan. 2015)
HONOR WOMAN
INTERLUDE WOMAN
I took a chance and purchased a bottle of Interlude, and it paid off. I seem to have received an older bottle that is plenty strong, and so I can now describe it. It is perhaps one of the strangest perfumes I have ever encountered, not because it contains unusual or controversial notes (like bodily fluids, barnyard fecal notes, etc., etc.), but because the dominant note in the perfume is kiwi. And it smells like real kiwi. I am used to strong fruit like that in Brittany Spears perfumes, but Amouage?
I can't even say that the kiwi "works" with the perfume. It seems rather out of place, considering the other luscious notes, and yet it must make up 50% of the perfume. The other notes I get are coffee, cream, something nutty, amber maple syrup, and a haunting base of dark wood & incense. I absolutely love it, especially about 8 hours into wearing it, despite the fact that each time I wear it I am surprised by the tenacity of the fruity kiwi. Amouage perfumes always make me think of India. Interlude is like the Indian jungle.
I took a chance and purchased a bottle of Interlude, and it paid off. I seem to have received an older bottle that is plenty strong, and so I can now describe it. It is perhaps one of the strangest perfumes I have ever encountered, not because it contains unusual or controversial notes (like bodily fluids, barnyard fecal notes, etc., etc.), but because the dominant note in the perfume is kiwi. And it smells like real kiwi. I am used to strong fruit like that in Brittany Spears perfumes, but Amouage?
I can't even say that the kiwi "works" with the perfume. It seems rather out of place, considering the other luscious notes, and yet it must make up 50% of the perfume. The other notes I get are coffee, cream, something nutty, amber maple syrup, and a haunting base of dark wood & incense. I absolutely love it, especially about 8 hours into wearing it, despite the fact that each time I wear it I am surprised by the tenacity of the fruity kiwi. Amouage perfumes always make me think of India. Interlude is like the Indian jungle.
JUBILATION 25 WOMAN
The first thing I have to say is, "Wow!" One of Amouage's very best. It starts out with a thick cloud of powder & aldehydes and a touch of tangy fruit.
Soon emerges something much darker. Strong myrrh, somewhat pungent just like the real thing (I actually brush my teeth with a bit of myrrh powder), and then came the glorious animalic note that is not listed in the pyramid. It started off a little, yup, stanky, as a previous reviewer noted. It reminds me very much of "gamey" water buffalo milk.
The animalic note in Jubilation 25 is blended with the strong scent of frankincense and myrrh, like the smoke billowing from a censer during Catholic mass, bringing a sense of sanctimony. The animalic note blending with these sacred resins makes me think about the dawn of man, it smells so primordial.
When the scent drifts up to my nose, I notice a similarity to vintage Opium EDP, but Jubilation 25 is not as syrupy and dark and the spices not nearly so hot. I really do not think the notes listed above are the complete list because I swear I smell a combo of cinnamon & cloves well into the drydown.
This is true love for me, perhaps the finest incense perfume I have ever encountered. If it was created to celebrate Amouage's 25-year anniversary, they could not have done a more magnificent job. This perfume is a perfect 10/10. I started with a mini bottle, but I am unapologetically stingy about this juice, so I bought a 100ml bottle and still wonder if I bought enough. (February 2015)
The first thing I have to say is, "Wow!" One of Amouage's very best. It starts out with a thick cloud of powder & aldehydes and a touch of tangy fruit.
Soon emerges something much darker. Strong myrrh, somewhat pungent just like the real thing (I actually brush my teeth with a bit of myrrh powder), and then came the glorious animalic note that is not listed in the pyramid. It started off a little, yup, stanky, as a previous reviewer noted. It reminds me very much of "gamey" water buffalo milk.
The animalic note in Jubilation 25 is blended with the strong scent of frankincense and myrrh, like the smoke billowing from a censer during Catholic mass, bringing a sense of sanctimony. The animalic note blending with these sacred resins makes me think about the dawn of man, it smells so primordial.
When the scent drifts up to my nose, I notice a similarity to vintage Opium EDP, but Jubilation 25 is not as syrupy and dark and the spices not nearly so hot. I really do not think the notes listed above are the complete list because I swear I smell a combo of cinnamon & cloves well into the drydown.
This is true love for me, perhaps the finest incense perfume I have ever encountered. If it was created to celebrate Amouage's 25-year anniversary, they could not have done a more magnificent job. This perfume is a perfect 10/10. I started with a mini bottle, but I am unapologetically stingy about this juice, so I bought a 100ml bottle and still wonder if I bought enough. (February 2015)
LYRIC WOMAN
Lyric was my first purchase from Amouage. Upon the first few minutes of contact with its exquisite cloud of oriental incense, my thoughts went something like: Must own now. Must buy now.
There is a heavy hand of cardamom in the top notes, which dries down into a tantalizing melange of spices including a mellow and woody cinnamon, like the freshly grated bark. Lyric has a musky base with creamy, unsweetened vanilla beans. The florals are not prominent. They are there, but there is far more incense, woods, and spice than rose or jasmine. I would wear this in Morocco!
Lyric is a perfume fit for a queen. The blood-red bottle is eye candy and gives a sense of power. The scent profile is enormous. Its hits the olfactory nerve and seems to completely engulf the nasal passages and frontal lobe of the brain. The structure of the perfume is complex and nuanced, leaving an aura that is hard to describe other than spellbinding, ultra feminine, unique, and a little mysterious. To describe Lyric as art or a masterpiece would be a serious understatement. Lyric is best described as divine perfection. (Jan 2015)
Lyric was my first purchase from Amouage. Upon the first few minutes of contact with its exquisite cloud of oriental incense, my thoughts went something like: Must own now. Must buy now.
There is a heavy hand of cardamom in the top notes, which dries down into a tantalizing melange of spices including a mellow and woody cinnamon, like the freshly grated bark. Lyric has a musky base with creamy, unsweetened vanilla beans. The florals are not prominent. They are there, but there is far more incense, woods, and spice than rose or jasmine. I would wear this in Morocco!
Lyric is a perfume fit for a queen. The blood-red bottle is eye candy and gives a sense of power. The scent profile is enormous. Its hits the olfactory nerve and seems to completely engulf the nasal passages and frontal lobe of the brain. The structure of the perfume is complex and nuanced, leaving an aura that is hard to describe other than spellbinding, ultra feminine, unique, and a little mysterious. To describe Lyric as art or a masterpiece would be a serious understatement. Lyric is best described as divine perfection. (Jan 2015)
OPUS VIII
The verdict is in, and it's a dislike for me. Opus 8 starts out as a screechy jasmine and orange flower perfume, and it contains hints of woods and saffron. It mellows out to become a bit less screechy over time, but on the whole it smells not only too chemical but too simple for my taste. I have been so enthusiastic over Amouage's standard collection (I will stick with Ubar for my jasmine fix), and I wanted more of the same. More oomph, more complexity...more, more, more! I can see how this could be just the right white flower perfume for somebody out there, but I don't believe it will please the majority of the Amouage groupies. (Jan 2015)
The verdict is in, and it's a dislike for me. Opus 8 starts out as a screechy jasmine and orange flower perfume, and it contains hints of woods and saffron. It mellows out to become a bit less screechy over time, but on the whole it smells not only too chemical but too simple for my taste. I have been so enthusiastic over Amouage's standard collection (I will stick with Ubar for my jasmine fix), and I wanted more of the same. More oomph, more complexity...more, more, more! I can see how this could be just the right white flower perfume for somebody out there, but I don't believe it will please the majority of the Amouage groupies. (Jan 2015)
SUNSHINE
Amouage, oh Amouage. How your perfumes mutate so greatly on my skin will forever be a mystery and also a testament to your unsurpassed quality.
I had to write a second review. I didn't want to delete the first one because it is still accurate--during the winter only! I spent a solid month testing Sunshine before coming to the conclusion that it wasn't for me. The cassis overwhelmed from beginning to end.
I first tried it on during winter's chilly air, and now I can see that SUNSHINE makes all the difference! Literally. Yesterday I was cleaning out my samples, packing things away. I decided to give it one last chance before putting it into storage. My kitchen was hot and stuffy; sunlight pouring through my window. I splashed my sample on, and I was astounded to smell only delicious green almonds. Where was all the cassis?! I finally got all the lovely notes people are raving about. YES! In addition to almond, it smelled like vanilla custard, magnolia, and just the slightest hint of tobacco as well as light woods. I do smell cassis in the heart and drydown, but it doesn't clobber everything else like it did in the cold weather two months ago.
I know why this is called "Sunshine." The scent is warm and optimistic, like a heartfelt hug between two dear friends who have not seen each other in a long time. This hug takes place on the sunny Italian Riviera.
On the whole I would describe Sunshine as an oriental vanilla.
Needless to say, I bought it. I could not help myself. The almond did me in. Great (note sarcasm)! Darn Amouage [shaking fist]! (May 2015)
......
I have worn this several times now, hoping to detect something other than a light cassis single note perfume. Sunshine lasts forever on me, I counted 15 hours before I finally end up going to sleep. It never changes on my skin. I don't get any tobacco, almond, or much else. About 12 hours into wearing it, there is maybe a hint of vanilla, but it is extremely subdued and is still mostly a light cassis. (April 2015)
Amouage, oh Amouage. How your perfumes mutate so greatly on my skin will forever be a mystery and also a testament to your unsurpassed quality.
I had to write a second review. I didn't want to delete the first one because it is still accurate--during the winter only! I spent a solid month testing Sunshine before coming to the conclusion that it wasn't for me. The cassis overwhelmed from beginning to end.
I first tried it on during winter's chilly air, and now I can see that SUNSHINE makes all the difference! Literally. Yesterday I was cleaning out my samples, packing things away. I decided to give it one last chance before putting it into storage. My kitchen was hot and stuffy; sunlight pouring through my window. I splashed my sample on, and I was astounded to smell only delicious green almonds. Where was all the cassis?! I finally got all the lovely notes people are raving about. YES! In addition to almond, it smelled like vanilla custard, magnolia, and just the slightest hint of tobacco as well as light woods. I do smell cassis in the heart and drydown, but it doesn't clobber everything else like it did in the cold weather two months ago.
I know why this is called "Sunshine." The scent is warm and optimistic, like a heartfelt hug between two dear friends who have not seen each other in a long time. This hug takes place on the sunny Italian Riviera.
On the whole I would describe Sunshine as an oriental vanilla.
Needless to say, I bought it. I could not help myself. The almond did me in. Great (note sarcasm)! Darn Amouage [shaking fist]! (May 2015)
......
I have worn this several times now, hoping to detect something other than a light cassis single note perfume. Sunshine lasts forever on me, I counted 15 hours before I finally end up going to sleep. It never changes on my skin. I don't get any tobacco, almond, or much else. About 12 hours into wearing it, there is maybe a hint of vanilla, but it is extremely subdued and is still mostly a light cassis. (April 2015)
