Glow

First formal try of Akro’s latest release, Glow, a bright, ambery blend that’s instantly enveloping and engaging with a touches of sweetness, smokiness, and an overall creamy balsamic quality to it that’s flavored by a bit of spice. The note breakdown includes pink pepper, rose, incense, benzoin, and vanilla, and I think that description seems accurate enough. The use of rose is quite subtle, the pink pepper a bit more pronounced in coloring the mix. It was just launched at Perfumology as part of an event with perfumer/creative director Olivier Cresp, which I could not attend, and I think it’s going to be very popular and I think it’s one of the house’s very best releases, with high-quality and performance a good mix of familiarity of innovation, hitting a great spot for a new release. Unlike the vast majority of fragrances in the Akro catalogue that are EDP concentration and priced at $180 for 100ml, Glow (as well as East, released last year) are extrait concentration and priced at $250/130 for 100/30ml, still not unreasonable in the current market for niche perfumery in my opinion, especially considering the outstanding performance off of the sample alone, and I like the 30ml option. Perfumology carries the line but Glow specifically does not yet appear to be on the website, but I assume that it’s just a matter of time. It’s also sold in other boutiques and on the house’s US website. 8 out of 10

In the early 2000s mid-price perfume house Cacharel employed Oliver Cresp to create the perfume Gloria. Since the first time I tried it in November 2002, it's been my favourite perfume, my holy grail and the one I always come back to. After it's discontinuation in 2005 I (and many others) mourned its passing, especially as bottles became more and more expensive and more and more difficult to find on eBay. Fast forward, and Cresp now has Akro, his own niche perfume brand and he's created Glow. GLOW is at least 90% the same as Gloria (I've tried them side by side). However, the ridiculously high price for something so similar to the cheap and cheerful Cacharel perfume means that I will continue to stick to the dupes I buy from the Perfume Parlour. This is a crying shame and also an indictment on the nature of so called niche perfumery in the 2020s. Good quality perfume that was priced within reach of normal people 20 years ago has now been snatched away and priced us out of the running. No wonder dupe companies are thriving. If the perfume houses weren't so greedy there would be no need for dupes. Apologies for the rant, but I'm sad that my all time favourite perfume has finally reappeared, but is so massively overpriced that it's out of reach for me.

I found a new 5mL travel sprayer of Akro Glow I forgot I bought from MaxAroma months ago. This scent smells delicate, airy and transparent...and attractive. Instantly reminded me of a new motorcycle helmet...that clean, fresh feeling and smell. The scent profile is not complex or amazing, but something about it is so alluring to me. I've learned that perfume is not just about its scent, but also how it behaves and how it makes one feel. I can tell this fragrance was calibrated just right. I'm tempted to get a full bottle, because this is the right amount of sweetness and strength for me. Vanilla fragrances usually make me nauseous for some reason, but not this one. This is the type of intriguing scent that would make me get curious and ask its name to whoever is wearing it.

Ah, Glow...a bright, warm, sparkling open with an equally warm cozy cashmere drydown. What's not to enjoy? So, as I tested this, my first impression was Ginger...although not listed Amber...warm, warm, Amber--the Glow? Pepper...not sharp, a pretty pop of spice. Something slightly sweet too...and smooth. The vanilla? The drydown reminds me of Hot Couture, without the raspberry note. As it cures on my skin, the soft incense notes came forward.. I could fall in love with this EXCEPT the performance is a bit lacking. But most definitely, I'm in heavy like with it. Very wearable. So, I took this beauty out for a test run..As it turns out,. Snuggles and snogs are a guarantee, when wearing this on date nights... She passed with flying colours. :-)

Soft, simple, subtle signature scent type beat. It smells like the sexiest fae male in a fantasy novel — but still completely wearable as a woman. It’s the kind of fragrance you keep checking in on like, “are you still there? are you still deep and dreamy?” It opens with that classic perfume-y sparkle (the kind that almost makes you sneeze), then quickly settles into warm amber roots and soft vanilla. And when you step outside? The scent catches on the air and just snakes around you. The kind of moment where someone’s like, “what’s that gorgeous smell?” and you’re like... oh. it’s me. ^.^ Honestly, one spray from a test decant and I’m already hunting down full bottle prices.