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Woman & Home
Lifestyle
Naomi Jamieson

These cosy, soul-warming amber perfumes smell so luxe and are perfect for parties

A selection of Amber perfumes from Byredo, Jo Loves, Sol de Janeiro and M&S/ in a beige and grey sunset-style template.

Beloved for their warmth and silky sweetness, amber perfumes are as timeless as they are nuanced, with vanilla-scented blends and musky signatures to suit every preference...

When it comes to the best long-lasting perfumes, the usual suspects like citrus and floral fragrances are always front and centre, but there's another classic olfactory family to consider: amber. Warm, resinous and animalistic, amber is not a scent that can be defined by just one note. It encompasses a multitude of aromas, from vanilla to powdery wood hints - hence their universal appeal.

Two things these fragrances do have in common, however, are their warmth and powerful projection. So, if you're on the hunt for a musky and cosy signature, these are the nine amber scents to invest in - with options to suit every budget...

9 warm and compliment-inspiring amber perfumes to spritz this season

Warm, distinctive and effortlessly chic, these nine amber-centric scents - from the likes of Byredo, YSL and Jo Loves - promise to elevate your collection...

What is an amber perfume?

As mentioned, amber, as a fragrance genre encompasses a wide range of scents, from sweet vanilla to musky woods. Notes that contribute to that trademark warmth include; labdanum, benzoin, tonka bean, patchouli, musk, jasmine, vanilla and sandalwood.

Michelle Feeney, Founder of Floral Street reiterates this, explaining that amber, "isn't a singular ingredient but an accord - a blend of notes that come together to create this rich, resinous, slightly sweet fragrance that’s timeless and sensual. Typically, it’s a blend of notes like labdanum, benzoin, and vanilla. Labdanum gives it that deep, resinous quality, benzoin adds a sweet and slightly balsamic touch, and vanilla softens everything with its creamy sweetness. When you bring them together, you get that amber feel—a scent that’s grounding and comforting."

If you're on the hunt for an ambery signature, Feeney says it is key to seek out these notes, as these are 'classic components' of an amber accord. "Beyond that, you might see ingredients like sandalwood or patchouli to add depth, or even spices like cardamom or clove to give it a little edge."

To make your quest for a rich and warm scent even easier, Feeney recommends Floral Street's Arizona Bloom (at Look Fantastic) as the perfect option: "It has this gorgeous dry floral amber that brings a sense of warm dryness, almost like sun-kissed skin." It's also a popular solar perfume, making it ideal for summer wear but thanks to its warmth, it also lends itself perfectly to the autumn months.

What does amber smell like and who will love it?

Warm, creamy and rich - amber fragrances often afford a sweetness and musky edge. You can find amber wood perfumes, which as you can probably deduce, smell warm and rich, as well as ambery florals and more earthy, resinous aromas.

Feeney notes that amber perfumes are versatile, "which is why people are drawn to them," adding that they can be, "warm and powdery, resinous with a touch of sweetness, or even smoky and spicy. But the key is that they all feel comforting and sensual."

Along with florals and woods, Amber is also compatible with gourmand notes, "So it really depends on what the perfumer wants to express. Amber notes particularly bring a gourmand warmth to a fragrance," says Feeney.

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