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10 Intoxicating Amber Perfumes That Embody Our Color of the Year
There's a reason why it's one of the most popular notes in the perfume industry.
If you look at the perfumes in your collection, you'll likely notice one note popping up time and time again: amber. The warm scent has been loved for centuries due to its deep and sensual characteristics that evoke a sense of comfort for the wearer.
The smell of amber is not an easy one to describe, as it can take on several different qualities from woody and earthy to warm and spicy. For California-based perfumer and author Mandy Aftel, amber offers a rich golden smell with hints of warm balsamic.
"It's very friendly, very soft, rounded, and comforting," says Aftel. "Other scents find a good congeniality in a base of amber. It's a bass note, it's a foundational note."
Amber fragrance doesn't actually come from the yellow-orange fossilized resin that inspired our 2024 Color of the Year. In the perfume world, "amber" is a fragrance accord that is made from a mixture of other resinous ingredients. Aftel, who explores the natural and cultural history of scent in her newest book, The Museum of Scent, explains that one of the key components of the amber accord is labdanum, a sticky resin found on the leaves and stems of the rockrose plant.
It's common for perfume makers to pair labdanum with benzoin and vanilla to create an amber fragrance note. This unique blend results in a rich and evocative aroma that exudes luxury. This nod to grandeur is one of the reasons why it is so common to find amber at the base of some of the world's most beloved perfumes.
For those ready to experience this spicy, sweet, and complex fragrance, we’ve rounded up the best amber perfumes that showcase the accord's versatile and comforting qualities. Your new signature scent awaits below.
This seductive perfume from Van Cleef & Arpels celebrates the addictive quality of amber. Pink peppercorns and cinnamon bring out spicy notes while a rich woody base and tonka bean add body to the fragrance.
Unlike other fragrances, this addictive scent doesn't structure its notes—amber, vanilla orchid, Virginia cedarwood, musk —by top, middle, and base. It instead interacts with each wearer's own chemistry to create a unique scent. Some may pick up on the deeper woody notes, while others may experience a sweeter scent.
Love, Don't Be Shy Amber & Oud is a complex perfume that leans heavily on the resinous notes of amber. Bulgarian Rose oil and orange flower top notes create a bright beginning that balances the spicy amber, oud, and Akigalawood at the core of the fragrance.
This soft perfume blends amber and musk notes to create a discreetly sexy scent. It's subtle at first, yet evolves the longer its worn to reveal notes of patchouli, vanilla and tonka bean.
Nemat's amber perfume oil has a cult following among perfume enthusiasts for its fresh and clean notes. The spray is a stronger interpretation of the beloved skin scent with a longer wear time.
This intoxicating fragrance highlights the romantic violet flower. Rich oud and white musk deepens the floral scent while a sophisticated amber accord provides a spicy base. It's a must-try for those who love complex floral scents.
Much like the name suggests, this popular fragrance evokes images of a golden tapestry and a warm cashmere sweater.
"I was a weaver before long before I became a perfumer," says Aftel. "I felt like in [this] particular perfume, I was kind of weaving the amber. So, I was weaving it in and out of the jasmine."
This feminine floral masterpiece is a celebration of womanhood and life's paradoxes. Powerful notes of neroli and jasmine are the first to hit the nose, followed by amber accord which adds vibrant warmth. A subtle white musk rounds out the elegant scent.
This unique musk from Aerin has a little bit of everything. The beginning of the perfume has velvety ambrox that is then contrasted by refreshing coconut water and sweet rose. Earthy sandalwood and cozy musk round out the feminine scent.
Wearing this exquisite perfume feels a lot like receiving a warm hug. A sweet vanilla base cuts through the earthy and spicy characteristics of the cashmere wood and amber middle notes. Meanwhile, juicy plum and freesia top notes add a delicate touch to the rich scent.
Sarah DiMarco (she/her) is the associate editor at VERANDA, covering all things design, architecture, art, gardens, jewelry, travel, wine and spirits. She also manages social media for the brand.
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