I have some friends flying in today and we’re going out to dinner tonight, but while I wanted to sample something new before they showed up, I didn’t want to greet them at the door in a haze of four clashing fragrances, or inflict anything especially challenging on them, either. So I dug through my sample box and “A-HA!” — the heavens parted, the trumpets blared, and Tom Ford’s Amber Absolute stared unflinchingly into my eyes.
I’ve ragged on Ford in the past, but if there’s one thing he’s particularly good at, it’s knowing how to create products that sell. He may package and market them like they’re pieces of art, but he’s got the blood of a true salesman running through his veins, so I felt pretty confident that, even if I didn’t particularly groove on Amber Absolute, it would be a safe bet for when company arrives.
But what I’m actually a little surprised about is how much I genuinely like the stuff — granted, it’s not going to win any achievement awards for artistry in repudiation of the mass consumption monster, but it’s not trying to, either. What Amber Absolute does achieve, however, is uncomplicated affability — if you appreciate amber as a scent genre, then there’s nothing to dislike about Amber Absolute.
It’s warm, it’s sweet, it’s smoky and woodsy . . . it’s a f***ing Golden Retriever of a perfume, all wagging tail and approachable, shaggy charm. Miles above anything on offer from Gucci or Dolce and Gabbana, yet without the slightest bit of snobbery about it.
Is it similar to a lot of other quality ambers on the market? Yes. Is it distinctive enough in its own right to warrant purchasing if you already own, say, Annick Goutal Ambre Fetiche, Profumum Fiore d’Ambra, Maitre Parfumeur et Gantier Ambre Precieux or Serge Lutens Ambre Sultan? Probably not. But Amber Absolute is extremely easy to wear, and if you’re in the market for a no-nonsense, crowd-pleaser of an amber fragrance, you could do way (way!) worse than Tom Ford Private Blend Amber Absolute.
Other Opinions:
Perfume Smellin’ Things: “Delightfully smoky amber: incense, woods and rich amber goodness.”
Now Smell This: “Amber Absolute is a honey colored scent infused with the purest form of Amber, joined by a tenacious refrain of African Incense, Labdanum, Rich Woods and a touch of Vanilla Bean.”
Victoria’s Own: “Swoonworthy is my final verdict to all my fellow amber lovers. Be forwarned, save your pennies or do not sniff at all.”
Perfume Posse: “Amber Absolute is not only an amber I can wear easily, but one I love.”
Vetivresse: “Deep but not terribly dark or cloyingly sweet, and with a truly memorable incense drydown.”
See? I told you it was easy to like!
OFF-TOPIC:
In case there’s anyone reading this who battles with extremely dry facial skin in the wintertime the way I do, I want to recommend: Fresh Sugar Face Polish and Fresh Rose Face Mask.
The Sugar Face Polish is a once or twice a week treatment, and it provides an infusion of necessary oils for dry skin, while the hard sugar crystals in the formula are for scrubbing away dead, dried-out skin cells. It stuffs a lot of oil into the skin, so don’t use it unless your face really needs it.
The Rose Face Mask can be used every day, and genuinely helps relieve symptoms of tightness and discomfort from over-dry skin — it also helps combat redness and irritation. If you need additional moisture and find that most skin creams just further irritate your facial skin, you might want to give Murad Redness Therapy Correcting Moisturizer a try. It’s light and non-greasy, and contains a slight tint to smooth out redness.
I also use Fresh Brown Sugar Body Polish a couple of times a week for the rest of the skin on my body. Seriously, I dry out like the f***ing Sahara in the winter, especially when I’m working out regularly and often have to shower twice a day. The Fresh Sugar line has been a life saver for me in this regard, and while it imparts a sweet, vanilla-ish aroma, the scent is subtle and won’t interfere unduly with any other fragrance you’re wearing.
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Totally agree on your assessment of TF Amber Absolute WRT (editor’s note: “with regard to”) Ambre Fetiche, Ambre Sultan, etc. I have a large decant of it from a bottle split with another POLer, but I would not have felt it necessary to buy a whole bottle for myself, given the presence of other fine ambers in my collection. That said, it is easy to wear and very enjoyable.
P.S. China White arrived today – woohoo!
I’ve come to regard Ford’s Private Blend line as the equivalent of a gateway drug — if you’re already a serious fragrance aficionado, then his work will strike you as solid, though not groundbreaking, but if you’re just starting out to explore the world of fragrances, the P.B. line is an excellent launching pad to the more complicated stuff.
And speaking of more complicated stuff, congrats on the Nasomatto China White. Woo-Hoo, indeed!