Guidance
Amouage (2023)

The crisp spice of the frankincense top note balanced by a creamy nutty scent and a round, only modestly fruity pear kicks off a fragrance that is elegant but strangely innocent. Heart notes of osmanthus and an enticingly sheer floral accord empower the top notes, seducing them into a whirl of perfectly balanced odd fellows. This should be a mess, but the structure is so well done it’s like a gorgeous ballet, telling a story that you can’t help but enjoy even if you aren’t familiar with the libretto. The ambergris and sandalwood base bring this intricately woven tapestry of scents home.

Amouage makes some lovely spicy fragrances that are powerful and inspiring. Guidance is on the other side, soft, warm and inviting but like a brilliant woman, it’s never completely the same experience from encounter to encounter. I loved it as a free sample from LuckyScents, but bought a larger sample from Amouage’s website for a deeper sampling. I keep trying it, and finding new aspects. One thing I recommend - less is more. It’s easy to get an osmotic to some of the ingredients when applied heavily. Regardless, she’s well worth a try.

If pastel pink (the color) had a fragrance, this would be it. It smells like the Barbie Movie (2023), in the best way possible.

I didn’t know the notes when I first tried it and I got sugar, white floral, heavy cream, musk, and something vaguely resinous. It has an airy, almost beachy feel to it, despite being so…LOUD.

Like many Amouage frags, this one is nuclear. The tiniest spray of this goes a VERY long way.

I could see someone of any gender or age with a penchant for camp wearing this daily. I ended up giving away my sample because it gave me a slight headache to wear all day, though I’m sure I wouldn’t mind smelling it on a friend!