Ambre Secret

Ambre Secret is a fragrance that offers good value, especially considering its price point. However, for those accustomed to more complex or nuanced scents, it may come across as somewhat simplistic and more akin to a home diffuser than a high-end perfume. The opening of Ambre Secret is perhaps its most distinctive feature, presenting a warm and inviting burst of amber. Unfortunately, this initial impression quickly fades, and the complexity of the scent diminishes. While some may find the dry-down pleasant, it leans heavily into a powdery musk that evokes the scent of baby powder. This quality, while soft and sweet, may be overly musky for some and lacks the depth expected from a fragrance centered around amber. A notable absence in Ambre Secret is the vanilla. While amber and vanilla often pair beautifully in fragrances, creating a rich and comforting base, in this case, the vanilla is barely detectable. This omission leaves the fragrance feeling slightly incomplete, missing that creamy sweetness that could have balanced the powdery musk. Overall, Ambre Secret may be an appealing choice for those who enjoy soft, musky scents with a hint of sweetness. However, for those seeking a more sophisticated or dynamic fragrance experience, it may feel more like a well-scented room than a signature scent.

I really wanted to like this since I found it, their Vanille Absolue and Nuit a Salzbourg for very cheap on the 100mls. Absolue ended up smelling and performing like a much weaker Molinard Vanille Patchouli (which is so much better) and the latter is a TF Tobacco Vanille copy (although more Christmas-y). Amber Secret, on paper, sounds great - like a proper oriental amber. However in person it’s like the week long dregs of faded Emeraude or Shalimar in a scarf, but not nearly as nice. It’s an amber that’s shy about being amber - it’s so non-committed and insipid. Better off spending your money on a solid amber like Ambre Precieux, Ambre Sultan, Grand Soir or Ambre 114.

Amber is a made up scent that doesn't exist for the most part in reality. Usually it contains labdanum/cistus and vanilla as the main components, and this is largely vanilla and labdanum on me. It's gorgeous; soft, gentle, not quite powdery (close but not there, which is good because I don't much like powdery scents) ambery vanilla/labdanum. I have to vote down on the similarity to Shalimar but at the same time vote up. Shalimar on me is a gooey horrible mess of bergamot soured paste-y vanilla pudding. It's horrible on me, horrible. But on a friend of mine, it's this same gorgeous creamy vanilla labdanum 'amber'. So if you like amber vanilla comfort scents, it's a must-try. But if you're looking for a Shalimar clone, this lacks the citrus on me (yay!). That being said, it might smell like Shalimar on your chem. Sample first, I think.

I like this amber-like perfume and it's not very expensive. It probably contains no amber at all of any type, but it smells nice and cosy, highly wearable and not too sophisticated. A vanillic amber with some powder and perhaps some woody note and white musk. At least 1-2 levels up from your usual boring powdered fake amber from drugstore. No floral edge. Good in winter for a warm cosy effect that won't kill your neighbours synuses. Good staying power. A nice purchase.

This is an interesting scent that reminds me of cinnamon buns, brown sugar, whipped cream...but it has a somewhat masculine undertone. Almost like a sweet shaving lotion. It brings to mind gourmand masculine scents like Michael Jordan, Bond no.9 New Haarlem and the beautiful Givenchy Pi. Sweet amber with gourmand and slightly masculine undertones. I don't get the Shalimar comparisons, at least not on my skin. I think this would be great on my husband.