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.

I was at the Perfumology event Landshark spoke of below and bought a bottle of this while I was there. This one is going to be a top seller for sure. As soon as it gets out that it is close to Spiriteuse Double Vanille, it'll fly off the shelves! It is a lot like it so if SDV is out of your reach (that $400 price tag is steep!) this is a fantastic alternative. Dare I say a better alternative?? This one is more intense and has a lovely glimmer to it. I've been wearing it non-stop all week. I find it to be very sexy, warm and glamourous. I want to wear it to all the parties! :D Get your hands on a sample, if not, a bottle!

I own Spirituese Double Vanille, Akro Glow and Encore un Fois by Infiniment Coty Paris. I guess it's just my scent pofile and i love them all! Of cource SDV is the best of them, but the price is also highest, so it is not something you want to spray every day. SDV doesn't project as much as i would have wanted, so Glow is perfect for everyday wear and i dont have to think about the waste of money every day i spray it 🙈. Also Glow (deeper amber-vanilla) layered with Encore Un Fois or SDV (same type vanillas) gives me the scent bubble, that i can actually smell many hours. It is like created to rescue both of them 😇

This is a grown, intoxicating vanilla scent. I seem to be in the minority, but I definitely pick up on the incense and I love it. Fascinating that some people smell cake. Vanilla is prominent throughout, but like Burberry Goddess, this isn’t an edible, gourmand. The incense and rose take it to another level. Sophisticated and sexy AF. Like others have mentioned, there’s something super nostalgic about this fragrance, but I can’t put my finger on it. Whatever it is, it’s beautiful and I’m happy to have it in my collection.

Gloria, an elusive cherry amaretto potion, came in a beautiful bottle with hues of pink and purple and wine red. It suited her well, she was burgundy lipstick and autumn nights. She doesn't belong in a drab Akro bottle, even if it's one of the golden ones, but she is still, undeniably, Gloria. And also a bit of the original Dior Addict.

It smells very "perfumey" and nostalgic, like something from the 2000s In my opinion, the notes are quite deceiving - I cannot detect any smokiness. It smells similar to Dior Addict, but it's not as sweet and lacks that heavy jasmine note. By the way, I cannot stand Addict, but Akro Glow is very likable and easy to wear.

I’ll give a more in depth review after spending more time with this but for now I will say that this is very similar to Diptyque Eau Duelle parfum. If you like that and you enjoy an amber note in perfumes then you’ll definitely love this. This is really good.

Smells a lot like Burberry Goddess on my skin at first spray, but then really quickly dries down into a creamy smoky base with the slightest rosey edge to it. Absolutely gorgeous, definitely adding this one and Bake to my collection!

Got a sample of it and had to get a bottle! It’s not quite like anything I have, and the sillage and performance are excellent. I’m really into it right now. Perfect for fall!

It's odd. I can't smell it on myself after 1.5 hours. But it projects arms length. It's a pleasant scent and easy to wear. Not really strong how Glow is a party perfume...

The dry down is shockingly similar to SDV. But with better performance tbh. I might consider decluttering my SDV and keeping this. I really would not need both.

I absolutely love Akro Glow! There’s something nostalgic about it. I usually prefer unisex scents and this is definitely that! My husband and I both wear this.

This is very nice. I think it’s a cross between Guerlain Spiritueuse Double Vanille and Aerin Tangier Vanille. Sophisticated vanilla. Very well done.

The notes look great, although i actually don’t really smell anything. Maybe a bit of Vanilla & .. something that reminds me of helium. Very weak.

Just picked up a decant and wow! Why is no one talking about this? Smooth smoky vanilla - I definitely see the resemblance to SDV. I am in love!

so dark & mysterious, esp that incense but rly unfortunate i can barely even smell it on myself unless i sniff my wrists