L’Eau d’Ambre was one of the first L’Artisan fragrances that I have tried and loved. I always think of it as of a perfect example of what is great about the line. It is unusual, but not odd; exotic, but not overwhelmingly so. Wearing it is like putting on an oriental-inspired shawl to compliment an outfit - as opposed to dressing up in a full odalisque costume for some sort of masquerade. It feels very “niche” and hip, but there is certain simplicity about it that I find very comforting and “accessible”.L’Eau d’Ambre is satisfyingly straightforward amber with a bit of a twist. Amber is the obvious star of the show, with patchouli and geranium providing the “twist” , the former by adding the dark, slightly powdery earthiness, the latter by bring to the blend the dry, “spiky” piquancy. Vanilla, used here masterfully, softens what could have been too sharp, sweetens what could have been too arid. The composition is well-rounded and smooth. As perfect when worn to a dressed up occasion as it is when sprayed for comfort, to go with a favorite old sweater, L’Eau d’Ambre is the scent that I hope to always have in my collection.
L’Eau d’Ambre is available at Luckyscent, $75.00 for 50ml.
One of my long-standing faves, as well. I think it gets overlooked (or catches some guff) because it's not as unusual or as challenging as some of L'Artisan's other fragrances, and that's a pity. Nothing nicer than a well done fragrance that's as easy to slip into as a t-shirt.
ReplyDeleteI had a decant of the extreme a while ago, and it was an amber I actually liked (if not quite loved...). Thanks for the reminder M.
ReplyDeleteI was just mentally comparing your elegant redesign with Patty's and March's full on Valentine's Day vamporama of their site. I feel I need to slip into my gimp outfit before adding my post for tomorrow...!
I discovered L'artisan some 3 years ago, when went to Paris for the first time with my brand-new french boy-friend (who became my husband in the meantime...).
ReplyDeleteWe were talking about Dzonghka so much here on the blog yesterday that i wear it today (one of those days again when I love him utterly ...). There are other L'artisans i like and respect (now that's probably a strange expression in relation to a perfume...) in my collection - but shame on me : I don't know L'Eau d'Ambre. After this review i have to have it ! French husband is in Paris today ...
Colombina, I'm happy you enjoyed Budapest - I still can't get enough of it, whenever i go back for visit.
This really is a lovely scent. Deserves much more attention than it gets. I think I prefer the extreme version, but still quite like this one as well. However, it's been so neglected in my scent harem for so long, it probably thinks it's in quarantine w/ the grave digger standing not far off. Yikes!!! Must go reassure it that it's still loved.
ReplyDeleteI really like this one, but on me, I get rose as well as the other notes you mention! Strange, but true. With the amber and powder and rose, it reminds me ever so slightly of Teint de Neige. I prefer L'Eau D'Ambre to TdN though.
ReplyDeleteYou summed up perfectly what makes L'Artisan work: niche AND accessible, most of the time. I'm thinking the line gets less love among the hardcore perfumistas for not being "niche" enough, if you know what I mean...
ReplyDeleteThis one was sort of meh, and now you have given me a reason to re-smell it, given my about-face on Ambre Russe!
Katie,
ReplyDeleteI agree. There is nothing more attractive and easy to wear than a well-done, not overly complicated fragrance.
Leopoldo,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the warning! I went to look and you sort of prepared it to what I saw...Fantastic! I am looking forward to your post tomorrow.
Lady Jane Grey,
ReplyDeleteFrom Hungary, French husband...could I envy you more? :-D I am so glad Dzongkha is being lovely today.
L,
ReplyDeletePoor little d'Ambre, I hope you reassure it that it's cap is not on a chopping block...yet :-)
M,
ReplyDeleteMaybe geranium shows it's rose-y side on your skin or there actually IS rose. If you think it;s there, it must be there. So you like it even more than Teint?
March,
ReplyDeleteYeah, in the same way that Lutens gets slammed for Sa Majeste le Rose, which is considered too simple "for a Lutens scent" :-) Niche to me is not synonymous with haute couture perfumery. It *includes* haute couture perfumery, but it also includes quality ready-to-wear scents, more of those, actually.
I really, really wanted to like this one because I love amber. It even smelled good in the vial, but when I put it on, it immediately turned into pure powder. Now, I don't mind a little powder, but I want some amber to go with it!
ReplyDeleteGail,
ReplyDeleteThe powder in this is so minimal on me that I didn't even realize that it *could* be very powdery. Like you, I wouldn't have liked it if turned to powder.
Oh, let me clarify, I don't love Teint de Neige. I don't hate it, but it just doesn't do it for me. On paper, it sounds like everything I would love. On me, it's actually a little too sweet and not even very powdery. L'Eau D'Ambre, on the other hand, is quite nice. I don't adore it, but I quite like it.
ReplyDeleteM,
ReplyDeleteOh I thought you'd definitely LOVE Teint de Neige. So sad it doesn't work as it is supposed to. i can't express how powdery it is on me.
Believe it or not, I don't think I've ever smelled l'eau d'ambre. I have some Ambre Extreme, though, and I do like it. Wouldn't say I love it, but I like it just fine.
ReplyDeleteL'Eau d'Ambre is my favorite amber fragrance. I was surprised with a bottle of this for Christmas from my husband. And he didn't even know I liked this perfume. He was out sniffing and L'Eau d'Ambre was the only one that did it for him that day. ~~ lucky me ~~
ReplyDeleteL'Artisan is one of my favorite houses.
Dawn
J,
ReplyDeleteI have very vague recollection of the Extreme. I just remember that, between the two, I loved the regular version. I should re-try.
Dawn,
ReplyDeleteSo wonderful when that happens!
EFT checking in...probably don't need to bother saying anything :-)
ReplyDeleteR,
ReplyDeleteLOL. Which one would you say is your favorite L'Artisan fragrance?
Colombina,
ReplyDeleteAmbre Russe, or L'Eau d'Ambre?
Thanks:)
Nez,
ReplyDeleteBoth! Because they are so different! d'Ambre is the beauty of simplicity. Russe is the gorgeousness of excess :-)
Victoria (Boisdejasmin):
ReplyDeleteIt is my SO's favourite fragrance. I find it very smooth and just like you said, it is perfectly comforting. Lovely review!
V,
ReplyDeleteDoes he love it on you or does he wear it himself? What I forgot to say in the review is that it is FANTASTIC on a man. :-)
well, then I am duty-bound to try it...
ReplyDeleteTom,
ReplyDeleteYou absolutely are! :-)
Colombina, I'm sorry I'm late for the party, but I wanted to thank you for writing about L'Eau d'Ambre, which is sadly ignored. It's perfect for what it is, and I always feel wonderful wearing it.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful new graphics, though I miss that lovely blonde girl with the Miss Dior houndstooth.
Maria,
ReplyDeleteThank you! And she'll be back, the blonde girl :-) She wasn't romantic enough for the very romantic month of February :-D
M, too many favorites to list, probably. La Chasse, Dzongkha, The Pour Un Ete, Passage, Navegar, Jacinthe...I like them all except the ones you like, LOL...
ReplyDeleteR,
ReplyDeleteI love The Pour Un Ete, Passage and Jacinthe too. So there! :-)
V,
ReplyDeleteWonderful! I love how ambers sit on men ...sort of rounder, deeper. I wish the DH was more into all of this :-)