Amber Musk
Aerin (2013)

Think of a Monet painting - a broad, flowery landscape. But then, when you look closely, it's just swirls of paint that look like something real when viewed from a distance or through a blur. Standing close to one in a museum, it's impossible not to see that this is blobs of paint on a canvas.

To me, Amber musk is like a Monet, in that it emotes a pretty, fuzzy, flowery, comforting landscape, but when smelled closely, has no realistic smells, just abstract swooshes of chemicals. I agree with other reviewers that this causes a bit of frustration. Nothing is in focus, and there is no focus on anything literal and attention-grabbing. Then again, this "Monet-ness" is what makes Amber Musk so artful.

So what does it actually smell like? Really, it's an abstraction. There's a bit of plasticky aldehyde on top of a fuzzy mix of ambrox and fabric softener musk, sweetened with hints of marshmallowy fluff. It seems floral, but I don't smell any literal flower notes.

In all, I'm voting thumbs up because I really love how this flawlessly displays impressionism in perfume form, even though it's a bit bland in practicality.

This perfume frustrates me. It's beautiful, a warm and cozy musky ambroxan. But it's so elusive, somehow fuzzy around the edges and "shapeless" even when you really stick your nose into it. This would be brilliant if made in a version just somewhat more opaque and with some solid character to it.

That said, I think it's very pleasant and if unlike me you aren't frustrated by an elusive airy fragrance, it's a good one.

I agree with Kotori: Amber Musk is pretty basic. I also find it extremely wearable. Great for spring and fall when I want to wear an amber scent but need something inoffensive and work-friendly. The rose is pleasant, the musk isn't overdone, and the amber is light like the first wisp of fireplace smoke caught in an early fall breeze. In a few months, only Ambre Sultan will do. But until then, Amber Musk is the perfect scent to transition from summer to fall.

EDIT: I feel that I should also add that Amber Musk has abysmal longevity. Expect the top notes to last about 30 minutes. You'll definitely need to respray. Then respray. Then respray. Then decide to wear something different after lunch. I still like it, but it's not at all FB-worthy.

It doesn't smell bad. It's pretty basic: ambroxan and musk with a hint of flowers. Quite synthetic. Reminds me of 80's air freshener spray.