Man Amber

Roy Halston, or just Halston, as he preferred to be called, was one of the most influential names in America's fashion of the 1970s. He dressed stars like Lauren Hutton, Elizabeth Taylor, Lauren Bacall, Bianca Jagger and Liza Minelli. However he had a tragic end: he lost the right to the commercial use of his own name, died young (with AIDS in 1990) and till recently, his notoriety survived only through his Revlon distributed perfume brand. Halston's fame gained new breath with the recent showing of the biographic homonymous series on Netflix. Arriving in New York in 1968 with a black eye made by a former lover, Italian model Elsa Peretti was soon part of fashion’s in-crowd. She made the tabloids due to cocaine-fueled scenes at Studio 54 as well as for her revolutionary designs. She became the poster girl for the Studio 54 era decadence. Unlike her best friend, Roy Halston, she made it out alive. She launched a wildly successful jewellery line that celebrates currently a 40 years partnership with Tiffany. And yes, she designed the marvellous bottles used by some Halston perfumes like Halston Man Amber and Halston Woman Amber. Halston Man Amber is a terrific Oriental Woody fragrance. I judge it to be very masculine, with superior quality and a near-perfect blending. This perfume is one of the few amber perfumes that can be easily used in warm weather. Resins and woody notes are key, but a very subtle oud note makes all the difference. It is a very wearable scent but also truly unique. Its balmy, warm and mildly sweet accords do stand out. It literally puts the people around us with the nose in the air, wondering about the source of such a remarkable scent. I blind bought it after being really impressed with Halston Z-14 COLOGNE. As the brand is not sold in my country, I bought it blind (in an online US store). It's my best blind purchase ever. It opens in a very shy way with the top citrus and thyme notes having difficulty dominating the evaporating alcohol. In my modest opinion, this initial burst is the perfume only fault. I'm glad it lasts for less than half a minute. Some moments later you notice the growing scent of sweet myrrh and amber, but never overly sweet. You actually feel that accord lingering in the air around you. It stays pungent in a good way and persists through the appearance of the oud and sandal bottom notes. Then the control is calmly handed over to the long and captivating resinous and woody dry down. If you forget the not so in control opening, this fragrance is an example of a near-perfect blend. The longevity is above-average, and I qualify the sillage and projection as average to above-average. In all stages, the fragrance reveals class and sophistication. Supreme quality and a general "expensive" feeling are quite evident. __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ My overall rating: 8.91/10.00 Advice: Halston Man Amber has been my signature fragrance for more than one year. It still makes me feel very comfortable, distinct and manly. I strongly recommend it. DON'T MISS IT! Music: Eurythmics - "Sweet Dreams" (Are Made Of This)

This is really an astonishing fragrance. So much to say that is positive about it. The amber is just beautiful and wonderfully blended with the myrrh, oud and labdanum. From the first spray, I was really impressed. None of the thick, syrupy effect that sometimes is associated with amber - and which turns people off the note - but instead a cleaner, more versatile twist. Clearly, this was done with an awareness of creating a scent that is not your usual and predictable scent - but is still versatile enough for work, meeting people on a day to day level, etc. There is a lovely, delicate touch of sweetness that runs through this that gives a slightly more 'populist' feel to it. The only other amber fragrance I compared this to is Prada Amber Pour Homme Intense and can only conclude that though both fragrances have their positive qualities, they are clearly intended for very different settings. PAPHI is to my mind an autumn-winter evening scent for close proximity. HMA is probably an all-year-but-not-in-heat type of scent. As an indication of that, I would say that even in my desert, Middle East conditions (going in and out of AC) I will try to wear this through much of the year. As an aside I think this is one of the best fragrances since Dior Dune for this environment - both in terms of the climate and the associations for the local culture. It's a real winner. For me the scent itself is masterful (10/10), the projection is all I need (10/10) and the only slight drawback is the longevity at 4-6 hours, depending on conditions (7/10). All said, this fragrance - which seems to be slipping under the radar completely - is highly commended and recommended from me. A definite try if you can get the chance...you may just love it.

First Impressions- One of the best Myrrh / Amber based designer scents I've ever smelled. The best Myrrh scent I have ever smelled under $50. Why this receives no fan fare is beyond strange. Especially since it was really hard to get at one point apparently and is back in stock. It was over $100 when released and when it went dark people paid as much to have it. Now its readily available and its not mentioned. I guess people want to keep some secrets to themselves...lol The most glaring drawback is the performance. Its lasts about 4-5 hours (in the winter) and the projection really calms after the second hour. But if people can put up with D&G's The One(s) and their performance issues along with new formulations of La Nuit,ect., the performance of this frag can be forgiven...Especially for a price tag under $25. For people who want a respectable Oud experience (great for the price), without the barnyard stench, that is light enough to be worn in any season, this is a must try. Man Amber is blended beautifully with a light medicinal smell that actually WORKS and isn't off putting though the scent is not too complex and fairly linear. I really like that the sweetness is on a leash here also. A captivating smoky almost incensey scent from an unlikely source. It's interesting how some people overlook this scent while they spend huge amounts for discontinued/niche oud or amber scents and this could easily instead be a great alternative. lol. I get it though we want what we want and this has received so little buzz so it makes sense. I Need to wear this in the heat before I give a full take but I'm more than impressed with Man Amber so far. YouTube Channel- Simply Put Scents

Just revisited this bad boy after finally acquiring another bottle... What can I say? This is an absolute one of a kind scent that I can almost guarantee you will not smell on anyone around you. Why? Who the hell knows, as this is some wicked alchemy in one of the most magnificent bottles I've seen. But, let me just say this. It's not all about amber. First and foremost, HMA features an artistic application of myrhh and a very clean oud, given further depth and warmth by a soft amber and a light musk that I'm sure extends it but never gets in the way. On the opening, there is a fleeting but very welcoming hint of thyme and citrus that provides a perfect gateway to HMA's heart notes. The rest is fairly linear from there, which suits me just fine. An hour or two into the dry down, I could swear I pick up the softest cinnamon/vanilla kick in the background, compelling me to repeatedly revisit the back of my hand where I sprayed it. Addicting stuff! This is an "amber" you can actually wear anytime, anywhere -- but for me this is perfect for a night on the town. I feel fortunate to have revisited this one when I did -- as I was able to track down one last backup bottle at a reasonable price. I happily add Halston Man Amber to my coveted collection of discontinued designer gems. Absolutely love it, for its uniqueness, versatility and quality. Damn shame such a beauty has to be discontinued.

Halston Man Amber: Wow, this is good! All the notes are blended so well that no single one overshadows the rest. Of course the floral notes take back seat as they are, I believe, intended to. The result is a warm, deep, woody, luxurious fragrance that is serious business. This is not sweet, "modern", or unisex. It sits at the opposite end of the olfactory spectrum from "aquatics." Straight up manly, woody, ambery goodness. I do get a slight animalistic oud scent if I smell this directly on my skin, but is not noticeable even a few inches away. As HMA is not a sillage beast, I feel it can be quite versatile. Office, night out, or even casual wearing when you just want to exude an intriguing aura of sultan-like self-importance and sensuality. Also, I think it can be worn in the summer-although "thick"- I don't find it particularly cloying as it is not sweet at all. Ok- final thoughts: if you only find sweet, light scents attractive, this is not your juice. If you like the notes listed, you are going to really appreciate this. What a bargain to boot! Definitely a treasure to be acquired for any collector. Update: the weather just got cooler and humidity dropped, so I wore this today and wow, it really comes to life in these conditions. Such an AWESOME fall/winter scent. The colder weather somehow enhances the warmth of this incredible stuff-