Neon Amber Eau de Parfum

An attractive amber scent, perfect for chilly evenings by the fire. If you're a fan of Zara's Rich, Warm and Addictive tobacco fragrance then you'll find some enjoyable similarity here, amongst its earlier stages. Thankfully, this blooms into something less saccharine, but equally comforting.

Don't be put off by the unexpectedly low rating for this fragrance. It is fantastic and seems to envelope you in a comfortable cocoon of soft Amber. You will not regret it. This scent becomes more and more addictive as you wear it. Longevity and silage are excellent in my opinion.

The overarching note of hay is very clear. It’s like being in a warm barn filled with vanilla, amber and spice. Definitely a cosy one for the winter, though I could see it being an intoxicating summer evening scent. It is androgynous and inviting.

I received a sample of Neon Amber with a purchase - I have only previously tried Molton Brown bath products, and am never terribly excited by fragrance offerings from soap brands. NA is a cosy woody-amber scent, but it is quite synthetic. It is ambroxan-heavy, which doesn't work for me, but it would still appeal to many. NA has a balsamic opening, with pink pepper giving a floral, spicy edge. I get a little violet, but the greenness is mostly provided by the cedar, being pine-like and woody. Ambroxan is present from the beginning, developing as the scent progresses. As NA develops, it is dominated by the ambroxan note. Labdanum adds a welcome animalic depth to the amber accord, alleviating the grey cloud of ambroxan a little. There is a hint of soft spice in there too thanks to the tonka bean, and cedar adds a warm woodiness to NA until it fades, but the ambroxan is king. Some vanillic sweetness is present during the drydown too. Sillage is moderate, and longevity is long-lasting (ambroxan usually lingers). A simple, modern amber scent, NA is cosy and unisex, ideal for autumn/winter days, but you must like ambroxan. As a result, it is not for me. 2/5.

I’m sure I’m not the only one, but this smells very similar to Grand Soir by MFK. I initially sold my bottle of Grand Soir as I found it almost too rich. Neon Amber cuts through the ambroxan well with top notes of pink pepper, mandarin and violet. It’s well balanced and unisex. Considering stock issues with Grand Soir at the moment (In Europe) and its price, Neon Amber is most definitely a strong contender for the perfect alternative.