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

It smells like an intense version of SDV. I love it. I get around 7 hours of wear time from it

Reminds me of hugging my mom! Very nice, close scent that is easy on the nose and very warm.

Akro website listed notes: TOP: Pink Pepper MIDDLE: Rose BASE: Incense, Benzoin, Vanilla

Gloria! Is that you?! Thank you Oliver Cresp for resurrecting her ❤️

Sweetened projecting vanilla extract. One of my signatures.

The middle note supposed to be ROSE! check their website

Can't wait to get this one. Looks interesting.

Sample vial This smells so familiar and I just can't place it. (Got it, it reminds me of side effect upon drydown. Not a dupe whatsoever. But my mind just goes there. Take that as you will.) It's smells quite designer in scentprofile but higher quality in ingredients. More rounded, no sharp edges. The drydown tmn is boozy cherry creamy tonka vanilla. I do now get the rose in the opening and once it starts to dry down it get's powdery and it does get a vintage aspect Edit: That drydown is soooo good though. My nose get's benzoin, vanilla, tonka goodness. No stinky harsh musk base like ambermax. Hope this helps. The next day on clothes it's all about the vanilla. The powderyness is keeping me from buying a bottle. Also, what is up with these rising prices?

Glow is such an apt name for this scent. This scent feels like a candlelit dinner with a lover, roses on the table, your partners face illuminated by flickering candles. It’s warm and comforting, sensual and pretty - this isn’t a cozy/staying in the house kind of scent. The incense isn’t overwhelming just adds a bit of spice and warming power to a beautiful luminous rose note. I don’t know why no one mentions the rose or why it’s rarely listed under the notes. This is very much a rose fragrance to me and I feel the rose gives it a levity that keeps it from being too heavy or leaning gourmand. I love a rose fragrance and I’ve tried quite a few and this is one of my favorites, one of the few I’d consider purchasing a full bottle of.

I really like this one, and I definitely get the “party” reference in Akro’s description. Glow feels very sexy and glamorous. The pepper note at the opening is very pretty and bright, just for a moment. Then the whole fragrance softens into a very vanillic, powdery, incense-y little thing. The rose doesn’t feel overly floral, it just brings the slightest bit of freshness. On me, it does sit a bit closer to the skin and wears down pretty quickly. I do get the reference to SDV, but I don’t have that one right now to draw a direct comparison. It also reminds me of Vanille Fatale. They are definitely different, but I feel like they’re in a family somewhere together.

Wearing Glow is like applying shimmer oil on your chest before you go out. It's kind of just for you, but it's also for anyone who gets close enough to bask in it (when the light is hitting just right!) On first sniff, I wasn't too impressed. I got a bit of sad party girl vanilla, and that was it - very linear. But there's something intriguing about it... it reminds me of me in college: vibrant, flirty, but a little melancholy and attention-seeking. The more I use my sample, the more notes I'm able to pick out. Vanilla on the surface, but a little smoky, spicy rose and tonka underneath. May upgrade to a 5ml to have more time with her

In my opinion this parfum is not something wow, but pleasant and nice.Similar to many other fragrances.A bit savoury,a bit gourmand, whit beast longevity as many others from the brand, but very poor projection.More female,but it's good and for men who likes sweet parfumes. Nice but nothing special, I'm surprised from the longevity its 24 hours (same with Malt and Ink, its impossible to be washed from wrist, on clothes stay with days, but Ink is horrible Omg 🫣), but staying close to skin unfortunately.Its good for autumn (winter) days and late summer evenings.

Akro Glow is a soft, Amber-y, warm & sensual fragrance created by Olivier Cresp in 2024. After application, Glow dries down to a softly lingering scent that will have admirers leaning in to enjoy its beauty as well as yours. No individual notes shout out as all are beautifully blended and gently wafts about you as a lovely, cohesive, fragrance. On my skin, Glow required touch-ups every 4-5 hours or as desired. So well balanced, Akro Glow is a unique unisex fragrance that leans a touch feminine but easily wearable by all and for any age.

It is gentle. I get the sugar immediately. Sugary incense- like the wand was dipped in a sugary vanilla bartender's simple syrup. Dewey, glowy sugar drops that are burned up into a little plume of smoke. The essence of an amber glow from the slow burn . Maybe a little plum in there? Good mysterious blend reminds me of Katy Perry Indi. The powderyness doesn't bother me and neither does the incense. Not typically my favorite things in a frag. I'm ok with the projection and longevity. Office safe. Sample courtesy of @ThePerfumeGuy on YT

Pleasant scent ! Opens with a blast of pink pepper but almost immediately there is a subtle sweetness that cuts through. Then comes the incense (not harsh but smooth almost like suede) and the warm base of amber. Truly a nice smell. It's a simple, warm & grown evening scent. As a stand alone scent, it is beautiful, uncomplex, easy to like. But if you compare it to SDV, it pales in comparison. SDV is much much sweeter, less incense-y and smoother but Glow is equally a beautiful scent but with more bite.

The only prominent note (off my skin) is the pink pepper. That's 90% of the fragrance, because it doesn't last long enough to develop into a basic amber vanilla before it's a skin scent. It's pleasant, but if you're a guy, it's just the opening profile of Spicebomb EDT at double the price. That's reductive but it illustrates how most men will experience Glow. It's completely unisex but women will probably have more success with Akro releases. I haven't tried one that can survive two hours on me.

It is in a way nostalgic. The SA and me were unable to detect where we have smelled something similar before but this is something that I believe a lot of us have smelled somewhere in the past :D It is like a luxurious, sweet body lotion. Something in the background smells very spa-like, creamy. Update: I had a sample and was able to try it out further. In the end this is not for me simply because I am not looking for a creamy vanilla scent. If you are on the search give this one a try!

Meh, not worth the cost. Smells like a slightly pepper slightly sweet incense. Exactly what the notes depict and it’s nothing amazing. Very minimalist very linear. The only thing making this something i will wear is by layering with something like Casablanca by Swiss Arabian The woody pencil shavings and nothing more of this creates a base for the super caramel apple and nothing more of that one This acts as a good base to something that is sweet but need grounding

It's pleasant. It's mild. It's mildly pleasant. And two hours later, it's pretty well gone for me. This would be good for someone in the medical field working around patients that doesn't wear fragrances which heavily project. I like scents that are loud, obnoxious, and bring people to their knees so this, in no way, is a "buy" for me. Has a slight gourmand nature but is not a gourmand. Received sample from the TPG Mystery Box.

Sniffing and wearing my way through the Akro discovery set. Glow has a lovely, well-balanced vanilla and incense opening, along with a pink pepper hit. Three hours in, I'm still getting the vanilla and amber, not quite as much incense as I would have liked. Because the incense is dialed back, however, you could reach for this year round. It's a safe spicy for the hot months.

Really liked this! Quite strong on first spray, hit in the face with a blast of amber which I love so its all good. I didnt know what to expect as its my first Akro purchase, but as its the scent profile I tend to enjoy, it worked for me. the incense is quite subtle and not very 'churchy'. Its warm and cosy.

I agree with others that this is a fragrance that has been done before, but it's done well here. I definitely think it's similar to Lalique Le Parfum, maybe not as interesting, but the sillage and longevity outmatch it completely. A safe blind buy, and a crowd-pleaser. Would recommend.

Я бы сказала, вечерний аромат для прогулки. Не свербит, ни чего лишнего не вылазит. Вечерний восторг, вот как я бы описала этот аромат. Мягкий в старте, далее держит лёгкую сладость и в конце можно сказать приторность. На моей холодной коже, пока так. Разношу дополю😉

Smooth incense for a sophisticated lady! The pink pepper adds an interesting ozonic quality. I definitely get rose, which is listed on the Akro website. I love this perfume, but it’s a bit too feminine for me to wear. Reminds me of my childhood friend’s bougie mom!

Starts off smelling like fresh cherry pie from the oven. Then mellows into a smoky vanilla. It's a great change up after sampling a bunch of white florals and department store scents. I definitely see the appeal!

Very light musk/pencil shavings accord and faint vanilla. 🥱. Once past the opening a nice delicate tobacco vanilla. So soft. So very soft. It is too soft for its own good. But boy is it lovely.

Easy to wear scent. However, the rose note is not listed on here. I believe this is where the soapiness /sharpness is coming from in the opening with pink pepper.

It is simple but nicely blended. Quite uplifting. Partner really likes it. Might get a full bottle just to surprise them.

Lalique Le parfum minus the green bay notes... nothing new despite being pretty.

Personal: 6/10 – I like the ambery vanilla vibe, but the soft spice and smoke aren't for me. Mass appeal: 7/10 – Gourmands are fairly safe, but the pepper and incense aren't for everyone. Performance: 7/10 - Solid performance but nothing remarkable. Value: 6/10 – A bit steeply priced, but if you like it you like it. Uniqueness: 7/10 – Generic, sweet ambery vanilla but the pepper and incense DO set it apart from its competition. SCORE: 66/100 Full bottle buy? NO, I see the vision, but it isn't for me. Blind buy? NO, the smoky incense and soft spice aren't for everyone, so sample. Recommend? YES, if you want a niche version of sweet amber. Date night? YES, it's cozy and sweet, but dark and mysterious from the incense. Office safe? NO, too sweet and smoky for tight corridors. Pros: Smooth caramel with a unique smoky/spicy twist. Great for dates. Cons: A bit pricy, linear, and mediocre performance. Spice and smoke aren't universally appealing. Glow is a very interesting take on otherwise normal ambery vanilla. This, to my nose, bears strong resemblance to Luna Rossa Ocean EDP by Prada, but with a smoky and spicy twist. I don't particularly enjoy this fragrance, though I'm not repulsed either. Frankly, I'm just not a fan of the pepper sharpening the top of this fragrance. As it dries, the spiciness wears off and you're left with a generic ambery vanilla base that does bear a LOT of similarity to the aforementioned Prada bottle. It's fine, but I don't think it's particularly worth the niche premium over Prada. Sweet ambery vanilla, but the distinctly darker cousin to Luna Rossa Ocean EDP. Review #74 in my fragrance journey – this fragrance I own as a decant