L’Ambre des Merveilles

L'Ambre des Merveilles is a gorgeous fragrance that is sadly just too fleeting. I continue to purchase it and have probably used 2 or 3 bottles over the past 8+ years since it's launch but it's the type of scent you have to re-spray every 2-3 hours to smell it on yourself. I honestly find these types of scents pretty frustrating; when you love (adore) it but it disappears too quickly. L'Ambre is definitely an amber-vanilla version of the original Eau des Merveilles. It still maintains the sea salt-balsamic-orange rind-oriental vibe but surrounds the whole thing with a transparent vanilla-amber accord. I think it's unisex - doesn't lean feminine or masculine and I think it is restrained and classy in a conservative way. I like a lot of amber focused scents and most of them are actually a little too weird for day to day office-type wear. L'Ambre is suited for all occasions (perhaps mostly because it's a skin scent and hardly anyone can smell). I do spray my clothes and scarves which helps ever so slightly. I wish so hard Hermes would make a beast-mode version of this (or of any of their scents which are all so fleeting). I found Van Cleef & Arpels Ambre Imperial to be an almost duplicate of this scent but that one also disappears. The bottle is a treasure. My recent re-purchase is one of the special collector's editions (Calligraphie) and it's just so beautiful. So I'll keep on spraying (while Hermes laughs all the way to the bank!). Recent realization: L'Ambre is a scent for me -- a skin scent that I adore. I don't think I've ever received compliments because I doubt anyone can smell it. Over the years (I've been collecting for 20+ years) I've come to realize there is a place for this type of scent in my collection. I generally find less expensive designer type fragrances to garner more compliments and last and project longer but there is a place in my collection for scents that are more personally pleasing. I think of L'Ambre as olfactory art, for me to personally appreciate but it isn't likely anyone else around me has ever been aware of it. Even with its lack of sillage, L’Ambre is BRILLIANT, and evocative, and will always have a top spot in my collection 10/10

The problem with this line is a bewildering array of flankers which, similar to Guerlain if you're not paying attention can be a little alienating. I do try them from time to time but can never remember which one is which. Minor, minor issue because I love the original Elixir and I'm completely smitten with this one!!! It's absolutely BRILLIANT!!! The opening is curious mixture of citrus and fizzy confectionery, like an orange, juicy and real meeting a sharp, pink grapefruit with some powdered refreshers thrown in for good measure, a perfect mix of reality and fantasy. The best thing about this fragrance is the use of an amber accord which is bolstered by gourmand effects, the chunk of patchouli but not as weighed down by it as some compositions, JCE manages to keep it light with top notes which seem to morph into the mid and remain for a while. Mention caramel to me in a fragrance and I can feel my teeth aching and my cloying, gag reflex started to engage at the prospect of smelling bisabolene or ethyl maltol all day, but this is soooooo well done it's smooth balanced perfectly in the way only a master the calibre of Ellena could. It's a bit like Angel but with huge amounts of restraint, and totally different. I find it gorgeous and always have said that Elixir smelled as though it's perfectly unisex but I think this one is a little more feminine. I'm fine with that, I'm wearing the shit out of it today and contemplating a full bottle (finally im going to get something from this line!) L'ambre is a very, very, good wear. I love it!

Edit Again: 11/29/25 Alright, I get it now. This is no gingerbread cookie. I have no clue what I’ve done differently, if my preference changed or what- but this is intoxicating. I spray this on pulse points coupled with a light mist of Chanel No. 5 L’eau through the ends of my hair and the scent bubble is truly gorgeous. After about 20 minutes this turns into a rich, head-turning blend of vanilla/patchouli and I just want to bury my nose in it. I usually don’t call sensual fragrances “cozy” but somehow this pulls it off. I have only ever called Mon Guerlain Intense my “wife scent” but this, this is a put-a-ring-on-it fragrance. It’s both sensual and familiar in such a lovely way. I love her 🥹 Edit: 9/11/25 This still smells like fresh baked gingerbread cookies- at least in the opening lol. Once it begins to settle I have noticed it developing into a resinous vanilla, just not a deep resinous vanilla. I appreciate this very much as a cold weather fragrance, especially as we approach the holiday season. This would be difficult, for me, to wear any other time. I wear it with my L’Occitane Amande shower and body regimen and it works incredibly well together. It’s a very clean and creamy vanilla combo. That said, I don’t think this is a safe blind buy. Initial impression: this smells like fresh baked gingerbread cookies. Now what I was expecting, but not bad. I just got this out of my mailbox and it is 96F here, so I’ll let it sit and cool for a few days and see what happens.

This was one of many blind buys I treated myself to during the lockdown. I've worn it many times by now; the summer heat doesn't go as far as Aberdeen, Scotland, we got a lot of chilly rainy days this summer, so I've been reaching for some warm embracing fragrances - L'Ambre des Merveilles has been one of them. It is another gorgeous composition from Mr Ellena, very warm, ambery vanilla - patchouli and labdanum only add an interesting spiciness, so if you are scared of those two notes - stay assured that they are not overpowering. It lasts very long, on my skin I get a good 8-10h, and on clothes way longer. I love to wear it after shower to sleep to make myself all cozy and to fall asleep better as it is a very comforting scent. I believe the amber accord must be very high in benzoin and some resins; it is a bit sweet, however not in the vain of the most popular fragrances. It is a quite classy scent, probably leaning more towards autumn and winter for most people, however I've enjoyed it even when it was pretty sunny - although don't trust me on that as again, the weather in Aberdeen is pretty cold even when it is warm! I noticed someone mentioning MFK Grand Sour. L'Ambre is definitely much more feminine than GS and I think much more wearable as I find GS to get sometimes very woody and have a bit of a churchy myrrh-like vibe, which sometimes chokes me out and I think may go very masculine on some ladies which they may not appreciate.

I somehow get orange & frankincense on my skin even though those are not listed in the notes. It makes me really want to try Elixir des Merveilles as well! This is a beautiful, light, classy amber with some resin and a clean feeling. It is not a beast by any means, probably lasts around 6 hours on me and does not project much further than a few inches away but that is quite good for day-to-day IMHO. This would be ideal for pretty much any occasion except a big event where you want to make an entrance, it's more of a subtle fragrance that you wear to work or to dinner with friends where you don't really want to be the centre of attention but want people to respect and like you. It says the wearer is elegant, put together, trustworthy, kind and not someone who is very easily accessible or easy to get close to. Great for anyone over 25 but probably not the best for anyone younger unless they are extremely elegant and wearing very expensive professional clothes, for example a very mature teenager or young adult from an extremely wealthy family. I feel like this would work on men who like more subdued, gentle amber fragrances as well although it does lean slightly feminine. I got a bit of a reminiscence for MFK's Grand Soir but they are by no means similar, it is more of the feeling and aura they give is a bit familiar with eachother.

I know that Amber of Wonders is literally the name, but seriously, there's something magical about this one - something I just keep coming back to (hello signature fragrance!). It somehow works with everything - it's as at home in a casual situation as it is at a night out. Dress it up, dress it down, wear it to the office, wear it at the opera - doesn't matter. It is, to me, the very definition of a you, but better fragrance - a transparent and light-filled scent that wraps around you like a scarf. Salty, sparkling, sunlit golden amber - classy and comforting. It also blooms in the heat. I have a strong memory of wearing this one during the setup of an event - after a solid twenty minutes of hauling heavy items around, I sat down, sniffed the air, and started looking around for where this lovely wafting scent was coming from before realising it was me . Sillage otherwise wears relatively close to the skin, and it's both sheer enough and polite enough that it "disappears" after a while - but then others have commented on it, so while it blends into the background, it definitely reappears from time to time. If I had to pick a single fragrance in my collection to keep forever, it'd be this one. Adore.

I sprayed this on my arm when I passed by the Hermes counter today, and oh, it has really developed into a warm and cozy amber. The initial spray leaned towards masculine for me, but not too much to put me off from using it. As I continued strolling, I noticed how the fragrance warmed up and sweetened slightly into a straightforward amber tempered with a touch of vanilla. A hint of spice from what I assume is the labdanum keeps the blend from becoming in any way cloying. I can't seem to pick up the patchouli in this one or it is just barely there that I miss it. L’Ambre des Merveilles has such an inviting and familiar smell, although I doubt that I have smelled this specific perfume before. I can't think what it reminds me of, or where I might have smelled it. None of the "reminds me of" fragrances are familiar to me. But L'Ambre has this ever-present quality about it, like something that has always been a part of my life, a scent that comes and goes so that it is like an old friend. This is something that I would definitely wear could I afford it, but I would be content to just smell it on something or somebody else.

This one here continues the theme of me being ridiculously lucky with my blind buys. See I was looking for a good quality, but also at the same time light amber fragrance, and found myself reading the reviews of L'ambre des Merveilles. My previous experience with ambers was that even though I love the smell, it is usually so overwhelming I can't handle it myself, let alone wear it to work. L'ambre comes pretty damn close to being exactly what I was looking for. The only thing I wish was different is that the scent be just a tad more ambery, along the lines of Histoire de Parfums Ambre 114, but still have this ethereal, airy lightness to it. This, of course, is not a big deal considering how absolutely beautiful it is in itself. No sharp edges, just gently radiating warmth. Love. EDIT: Every now and again I get a slight cardamom vibe from L'ambre. The vanilla and cardamom combined made me think of my nan baking when I came home from school years and years ago, and the whole house was filled with the soft and warm scent. I love it how perfumes can evoke such strong memories. <3

I got a full bottle of this out of an impulsive blind buy in 2018 and hated it. As I described it at that time, the first layer makes you smell like you submerged yourself in a pile of amber. It will develop into a gourmand vanilla after two or three excruciating hours, but before you reach that point, you'll just be surrounded by a slightly bitter and strong amber scent. It's very headache-inducing, and it's really hard to love. So I just gave it away. Fast forward three years later, in 2021, I was already a married woman when suddenly I remembered the scent of this perfume and kind of missed it (weird!). I ordered one and instantly fell in love. Somehow the scent better suited me in this second encounter - it's mature, complex, and screams elegance. Perhaps my first encounter with this perfume in 2018 was not pleasant because I was too young to understand its complexity. Now, as an adult, I adore it with all my heart. It has become my signature scent. It's an 'either you love it or hate it' kind of perfume, so definitely not a safe blind buy.

I've owned this fragrance for a month and waited to submit my review until I grew to know the scent better. After all is said and done, my original impression remains the same; this is a warm, sunny, luminous, sheer and very balanced amber/vanilla scent that I love to wear, day or night. The amber is not too sweet, not too dry, really falls right in the middle of the spectrum. It wraps me in its gentle embrace and I walk through my day feeling beautiful and loved. Amazing how fragrance can set the tone for your day. I don't pick up patchouli, rather a woody note that's very warm and pleasing. This is not a flanker for Eau de Merveilles, it's a distinct creation that is absolutely beautiful. And much easier to wear than the more assertive E. de M. with its' salty-orange notes. Highly recommended. Longevity is about 7-8 hours on me, sillage moderate. Could work for either male or female but it leans to the feminine side in my opinion. This has become a staple in my wardrobe. Truly warm and memorable. A fine fall/winter fragrance

Gorgeous!! This is my first amber based fragrance and I can honestly say that it was love at first sniff. The first blast reminds me of orange furniture polish but in a good way and stays that way for about 10-15 minutes. Then it goes straight to the amber and vanilla drydown that smells almost gourmand but a grown up gourmand. I can also detect some type of spice weaving in and out as I catch little whiffs. I have to smile everything I smell it because it's so... beautiful and definitely unlike anything I have in my collection. Lordy makes me want to try other Hermes fragrances:-D All the notes are blend so smoothly to produce a warm and cuddly aroma that I truly love. Someone mentioned an 80's vibe and that is dead on and one of the reasons I appreciate it even more. This is sophistication in a bottle. Nothing overly done or undone, it's perfect. I absolutely love it!! It's a very soft fragrance not sharp at all and on that note I don't believe it will project well. I will update later on longevity.

Absolutely exquisite and ideal for fall/winter wear! First time I was introduced to it was last year by blind buy, during the summer heat. It somehow didn’t meet my expectations and was sitting awkwardly on top of my skin. I also got a weird bitter note then like bug spray and a lot of pepper.I enjoyed the drydown but not enough to wear it often. Perhaps, I judged it too quickly then and decided to give it away. This fall I started missing a cozy & warm yet effortless scent in my collection. I sampled this again and this time I fell in love! The cold of the season made this feel so beautiful! I got a bottle and this time no weird notes, everything was perfectly balanced and was getting so many compliments with each wear. A better batch? Just the change of season? Now I get a warm salty vanilla with balsams and amber, no orange (like others in this line). Unisex, leaning feminine and for all occasions 🧡 Very good performance! The sillage is very satisfying and the longevity too.

First impressions: The opening was quite intense and harsh on me, I felt the patchouli intertwined with the amber and something that felt slightly peppery and woody and I was instantly put off. It felt like I was smelling hairspray or something medicinal. But...within a few minutes something happens and like magic it calms down and becomes very smooth and skin-like. Suddenly everything feels balanced, calming and easy going, like it’s a different perfume. L’Ambre des Marveilles also feels resinous. For me, this is a unisex scent, I don’t find it overly feminine, especially for guys that like their scents a bit warmer and sweeter. Side note: the bottle design is absolutely stunning, a true work of art (a family member said it looks like a magic potion and I agree) and the sprayer is amazing; the perfume comes out evenly like a mist. Edit: To me this is on a similar scent profile as “Eau Duelle” by Diptyque and “Bibliotheque” by Byredo.

Omg! L'Ambre des Merveilles is a jewel! I tried it already 3-4 times from testers and I thought it would be a perfectly placed addition to my winter collection, but no, I won't buy it now for money reasons. Anyway, I can say I love it and it doesn't happen very often with perfumes! I usually don't wear Hermes' fragrances because thet don't match with my chemistry. They become sour and sad. In this case it's completely opposite effect! L'AdM sits graciously on my skin at first then fuse with it and gives a special amber vibe, warm and smooth. It lasts for many hours. I love it. Compared to other ambers is intense yet soft and not acrid. Some ambers are nose-piercing with acute notes, or too incensey or too talcum-like (Prada) or cold (Reminiscence) or too woody (Etro) or too vanillic sweet&fake (like L'Occitane, which I like and Labdanum de Seville even better) This amber from Hermes is the perfect balanced rounded amber.

I love amber scents and I was stuck between this and the Elixir. I’m so glad I purchased this because it is divine! It’s one of the best smelling ambers I’ve come across. It’s like a spicy, sparkling, rich, deep, salty, amber. I love it! Plus the vanilla balances it out so well. The labdanum is another note I love in this I think it adds to the richness of the amber, while the vanilla smooths it out. The patchouli is a nice background player that’s not too typical instead it adds a lovely spice and earthiness to this perfume. I love the drydown on me it’s a spicy amber with a touch of powder. It truley is one of the best ambers scents that I’ve experienced. I love the bottle and I found this for a reasonable price. This was a blind buy and I bought a full 100ml bottle. So happy I did because this is an amazing scent. I’m interested in still getting the elixir and am excited to try more from the Merveilles line. Love

This definitely has some citrus and it's very noticable on the opening. Also this one leans quite a bit feminine but listed as unisex, meanwhile the Edt is agreed to be unisex but listed as feminine. I wanted to smell the Edt, found this instead. This one leans feminine to my nose as I've said so not something I'd wear upon first impression. But I was honestly mesmerized by this. No idea if this scent reminded me of smething, but it made me picture a very beautiful woman. And almost like how that woman would smell naturally, if that makes any sense? Like I've smelled other feminine fragrances that I loved, but they always felt like a "fragrance". But somthing about this one felt more natural somehow. I'm probably not making any sense, I need to try this one again. Need to test on my skin aswell. But I loved this upon first impression.

I got to sample this more extensively thanks to a generous fragrantican. Ambre des Merveilles is such, such a beautiful creation. I knew and loved Eau des Merveilles, I loved its duality between the freshness of the conipherous notes and orange and the depth of the resins and spices. Well, Ambre takes the core from Eau des Merveilles, but goes full "winter mode" with it. It becomes really cozy, warm in an almost edible way. I wanna spray this on my neck and wear the same scarf right afterwards, for a good few days, until it becomes impregnated with the scent. I feel this achieves its most beautiful form 1-2 hours from application, when it becomes a warm, soothing and persistent aura. That being said, it's never harsh, not even in the very opening. I love it.

Beautiful, understated elegance. This used to be my signature scent, and I'm now going back to repurchase my third bottle, despite alternating with many others over the years. A bit of citrus, salt, vanilla sweetness, gorgeous sillage. Sexy, yet still approachable, classy, unique, and even office appropriate when applied with a light hand. Perfect for Fall, but works well in Winter, and even Summer (I prefer crisp green florals in Spring). I have received SO many compliments wearing this, and I'm surprised people don't talk much about this one anymore. Great longevity- When sprayed on clothes, I can still smell it the next day. Such a beautiful scent, and a flanker that surpasses the original. JCE at his best. I will always have this in my collection.

L'ambre des merveilles for me, is perfection. It's the warmest, softest, endearing fragrance I own. I can't tell you its top, middle and basenotes. I'm clueless as to whether is a chypre or oriental. What I CAN tell you is that it is a whole lot of 'comfort and joy' wrapped up in a bottle and it makes me smile! My favorite routine is to shower at night, spray it, and climb in bed at the end of the day with a book and cup of hot tea. I find myself sniffing my wrist and arms. I'll be the first to admit that it becomes a skin scent very quickly, but it's just divine. Worth every penny. I hope that everyone is lucky enough to find a fragrance that evokes the sense of being wrapped in the warm embrace of a mother's hug as this fragrance does for me!

I tried this today, not knowing exactly what to expect. It somehow met my expectations, despite being confused about what they would be. This is indeed a labdanum amber with patchouli. On one hand it has that aged paper in a large library feel, and the labdanum adds a slight inkiness that just works with that vibe and on the other hand there's a lightness to it that just seems to come naturally to Ellena. This isn't to say that it's airy and fleeting, but it feels present without overstaying it's welcome or overpowering everything else. This is the type of fragrance that, if it works well for you, it just combines with your skin scent and creates something lovely. Lasts ages, but is a bit one note. That's okay though.