What does amber smell like?
In This Article
It is a kind of calculation that the sperm whale expels by natural means when it has eaten too many octopuses and squid. Carried by the currents, the amber stones, then in the form of blocks, will be stranded on the deserted coasts of New Zealand and Madagascar.
The warm notes of amber fragrances
The smell of ambergris varies depending on the origin of the stone blocks and their floating time. As a result, amber offers many facets. Woody, camphoric, animal, even faecal odors, smells of tobacco, musk, but also notes of sea, seaweed, sea urchins or even dead fish ... Anyway, ambergris is renowned for its warm notes. Amber gives warmth, tenacity and even a sweet sensuality to the wearer. In addition, it brings to the compositions, a harmony that one rarely finds with other raw materials. A very beautiful tribute is paid to him with the perfume “Ambre gris” by Balmain. The tenacious notes of ambergris are excellent fixatives, which is why they are mainly found in the base note.Today we only use synthetic materials to reproduce this wonderful fragrance that is ambergris.
Ambergris and its marriage to olfactory families
Thanks to its fixing power and its natural harmony, ambergris is found in many compositions. It goes particularly well with notes such as vanilla, sandalwood, labdanum, white musk and we will therefore find it in oriental fragrances. As in the perfume Ambre nuit by Dior, where amber is naturally positioned as a base note, accompanied by cedarwood and patchouli. Associated with rose and spices, “Ambre Nuit” is the story of nocturnal seduction. Amber can also be found in surprising, floral compositions, such as in Lancôme's “Miracle” perfume. Here, we recognize the amber always positioned in the base note. In the heart, a wonderful floral bouquet, composed of jasmine and magnolia brings sensuality amid musky and amber notes. Results,it is a perfume at the forefront of femininity, dynamic and above all very modern.
Initially, ambergris comes from sperm whales. Gray stones wash up on the coasts. Over time, they get different colors and smells. The synthetic materials used in perfumery reflect notes renowned for their warmth and sensuality. Ambergris is an excellent fixer and brings real harmony to each perfume. It is true that amber, like other animal materials, is a pheromone and acts directly on the wearer. An undeniable asset for perfumers!
