Calypso Ambre

Lovely amber scent. I can't claim to be an expert on amber, but of the ones I've tried, this was the best as of about 6 years ago. I'm still wearing it. Perfumes last awhile for me since I have probably 150 of them!

Although I initially detected a marked patchouli note in Calypso Christiane Celle AMBRE, within a matter of minutes amber stole the show. The drydown is a smooth, slightly sweet and buttery amber layer with excellent longevity. Amber lovers would surely appreciate this composition, which to my nose is not as compelling as ANNE PLISKA but nicer than YR VOILE D'AMBRE. This is mainly, as advertised, an amber perfume, so it would not suit anyone who is not a serious ambrephile. (Although amber perfumes are classified as orientals, I think that they should have their own category...) I like this variation on the theme (more buttery and less spicy than some) enough to consider adding a bottle to my collection, although I know that I would never wear any of these somewhat heavy amber creations during the summer, which is only a few months away. Hmmm...maybe next year...

The notes pyramid for this very nice simple amber dominant fragrance would lead one to expect a much more multivalent experience. On my skin, this EDT opens with a blast of alcoholic hairspray and a faintly fecal patchouli, followed by a dry honeyed amber that sticks strongly for hours. I'm failing to detect any of the citrus, floral, spicy, or woody notes listed. But no complaints about the amber, which smells quite natural, warm and slightly soapy, rather than syrupy or powdery. Sillage in the air carries a strong vanilla flavour, but not lactonic or overtly gourmand. Very pleasant and unusual for the lack of piercing sweetness that accompanies many amber forward perfumes. It's unisex, leaning masculine in my opinion, owing to the dry white musky quality of the long dry down and the total absence of floral notes, at least off my skin.

This is a very heavy, very strong, slightly sweet perfume that a co-worker once described the smell as "expensive playdoh". I find it ok. It comes off too strong in the beginning but has a decent dry down subtle scent. I won't be getting it again!

Got this today as my usual "blind buy" and bingo! I did something very right with this purchase. It is probably thee most beautiful spicy Amber I have ever tried. I love it. The amber is soft but the spicy geranium joins in and the party begins. It's soft overall but I can turn here and there and smell it which makes me turn again and so I get dizzy. Love the smell, the trace it leaves behind and I think I might want to wear it every day. If you like Amber and spice, you will love this one. Oh and the patchouli gives it a bit of sweetness. The rest of the crowd joins in and makes it the best party ever!