Description
After success of unisex fragrance Wood Mystique presented in 2012 and dedicated to customers in the Middle East, Estee Lauder builds up the collection with a new edition named Amber Mystique.
Amber Mystique was created as symbol of wealth of culture of the Middle East. Its composition seduces with oriental, juicy, floral and woody notes and is based on accords of amber, taif rose, oud, black currant, raspberry, pink pepper, ylang-ylang, Bulgarian rose, jasmine, incense, sandalwood, patchouli, labdanum, leather and musk.
Fragrance Amber Mystique is available in a flacon shaped in the same style Wood Mystique, but this time colored in dark red with details in golden color. It can be obtained as 100ml EDP. Arriving in March 2013!
ivanovlis – :
I just blind bought this off Ebay at a great price . When I first sprayed it I was immediately transported back to the 80’s . There is something old school familiar about it that I just can’t put my finger on! It does smell very nice but my advice would be not to get heavy handed when applying!! The more I smell it the more it reminds me of cinnabar from back in the day ! It to me is a warm winter fragrance! I don’t get any rose just amber and wood.
hkg181elipseskism – :
The comparison I made should have been David Yurman Limited Edition. There isn’t a special edition! So sorry!
shu – :
Delightful! I ordered this from Fragrancenet and I am pleasantly surprised. This is atypical Lauder, which basically means I like it. The oud is soft, the rose more dominant, and there is a lively sharpness to it I can’t identify. If you have been lucky enough to own David Yurman’s Special Edition parfum, in the red bottle, this EDP is very much like David Yurman SE “lite,” It is more feminine than Yurman’s perfume, but if you love this and can find some inexpensive Yurman testers, buy one. The Lauder feels like a fresh young professional, straight out of her MBA program, ready to take on the world! The Yurman feels like a 50 year old tigress who owns the world, and is taking on galaxies! They aren’t identical, but definitely belong to the same family. The Lauder is definitely impressive, but she needs to mature a little to be in the same league as DYSE.
cube – :
awesome amber scent!!! very dense yet unisex.
Paladin – :
What a gem! Just got this on a deal from ebay, blind bought it based on positive reviews. As I’m a big fan of amber, ithought i should try this frag and i’m glad i did. The opening might not be pleasant as it opens super harsh with amber, all i could smell during opening is harsh balsamic amber, after about 20 minutes, it switched to goodness, the rose and the soft wood came to show as the amber took a bck seat., after an other 30 mins I could smell everything listed in the notes in pure harmony together. Waw!! A great late fall winter scent.
Alottoptuck – :
I purchased this on eBay this week, for AUD110.
Such a bargain!
I smelt it on a colleague in the office this week and fell in love with it immediately!
The syrupy smooth rosey oud blackcurrant scent is a well-balanced creamy combination that dances atop my skin for hours.
This is sexy stuff people, and probably only best for the cooler months.
I typically stay away from oud scents, because I find they are more suited to dark-eyed and darker skinned people. Oud tends to overpower my fair colouring.
But this fragrance sits nicely on me and doesn’t steal the show.
*No racism intended in this post!
lb3yf3 – :
this smells like classic Orlane Derrick cologne + some amber and rose, lovely with a 70s twist to it…
longevity and projection are both ok
intitrusihoor – :
If you’ve been to a waxing salon,smelling a pot of hot wax heating in the background giving off that gorgeous aroma, well here it is in a bottle. I have no idea how this bottle of amber mystique can smell exactly like a waxing salon, it must be the balsamic notes in it. It’s so relaxing and I think of summer
balochka999 – :
so you guys really smell raspberry in this one ?
I LOOOOOOOOOOOOve this scent ! so much
but i cannot smell raspeberry here
i can smell rose, amber, patchouli and inscence
those are the dominant smell for me
it starts a bit medical, like old wine, with bitterness
then it settles to the classical amber scent i like
with a big bunch of roses
incense on the background
here and there a bit
it resembles me of MP, but less rosy and more medical
longivity is crazy ! two days on my skin, no drama here !
Definitely one of the best i’ve tried recently !
Djhjyf09 – :
I heard great things about this, but I also learned– I do not like Oud in huge doses. I know now– why I hated some Oud-note scents. It’s just too… something.
This is just too strong, harsh, and has a chemical Iso-E feeling. (I’m guessing). I hated Gold Elixir from 24 Scentstory because it was just too strong/boozy/woody/suffocating and now I understand it’s the same Oud and Amber Mystique.
Previously I smelled all tobacco in Perry Ellis Black Vanilla Absolute but now I understand it was the Oud. They are all similar in that strong chemical woody smell, and sadly it’s not for me. 🙁 I do kinda like Black Vanilla Absolute tho.
Amber Mystique is not a bad scent. It’s cheap in price but quality, thick, potent, layered– it’s really a hidden gem, just not my kind of gem. Niche quality indeed!
I prefer the next day smell of raspberry wood once this calms the hell down, lol….
This can be unisex indeed.
Boxing164 – :
I was in the car with friends and they started to talk about how much beer i drink today. :O
I did everything to let them understand that this is a fragrance but they couldn’t believe me. 🙂 Damn you skin chemistry 🙂
Do i look like i care ? Of course NOT. It is still one of my lovely smokey balsamic beer… sorry, rose based fragrance.
Dmitry_900 – :
Rose Mystique would be more appropriate.
Rose incense and a multidecoration of spices and woods.
I notice amber only the first minutes.
Remember me Arno Sorel Jardins de Babel.
seyranbek – :
While testing a teeny vial sample, I was instantly transported to a cathedral with ceiling ascending to Heaven. I was concentrating on the STUPENDOUS opening notes of amber,incense, rose, and OUD, which I’ve no idea how it smells, but I distinguished a heavenly choir of voices-notes. My husband brought me back to present when he firmly (for him) stated, “I don’t like it. It is scouring my throat and burning my nostrils.” I’ve been “craving” incense in my perfumes, this winter. I have several and I’m going to miss having this gem in my collection. Maybe.
vassgen13 – :
When purchasing this, I thought it’d be AMBER. I’d definitely vote raspberry and rose to be above amber in this scent. It becomes very sweet on me, but evolves to almost a raspberry incense scent. It’s highly appealing and extremely versatile in layering with other perfumes. It is quite heady despite being sweet. No complaints here. The name is sort of misleading (same with Wood Mystique), but I don’t mind. It’s a warm raspberry compote eaten during mass (with the classic church incense burning). Slightly medicinal smelling and overall interesting. I like that this defied my expectations because I was expecting a pure amber scent. This is better. This is beautiful! Would repurchase and the price doesn’t hurt either. I got mine for about $25.
EndareeIndill – :
Fruity rose oud. Not as heavy as one would imagine it to be – the raspberry (probably Iso E) keeps it pretty light – but it still has some nice heft from the base notes; the oud here is not overwhelming, the amber is soft and powdery. If you’re interested in trying out oud this is a good place to start. Amazing value for the price – this smells like an Amouage to me. My only gripe is that I get a faint pickle note, which is something that occasionally happens to me when I wear rose. Still, I’m definitely going to add this to my “to buy” list; it’s really good! Sensual and exotic without being dirty. A really lovely (and reasonably priced!) rose-oud.
Ilya140592 – :
Absolutely addictive ❤️ Luscious,pungent,incensed rose and amber. Obscure gem!
blaiker – :
You can easily find recipes on how to make a rose raspberry jam. I’m preeeeetty sure the result while it’s still hot would smell a lot like this smells at first. Also, after a little while I get a sort of a medicinal vibe which I do not hate. In the end most of that thick sweetness gave way to wood and incense.
mymnchody – :
Gorrrrgeous! There’s a brightness here that makes me feel so happy. The raspberry, incense, rose and oud are beautiful together. The woody smokiness melding with the fruit feels like Christmas to me. This is much airier than the sum of its parts would lead you to believe though. Just stunning. A fairy tale in a bottle. I’ve ignored Estee Lauder for the most part, and I am rethinking that completely!
gonmyu21 – :
Amber Mystique is a thick, chewy and murky scent which lends itself to the winter months, as night descends on those foggy, grey, wintery days and one shrouds oneself in a thick heavy coat, to protect the body from the icy cold. This is the image that fuels my imagination whilst wearing this fragrance.
The Oud is very light and almost invisible to my nose but I do think this has shades of Youth Dew and the original CD Poison.
The top notes smell heavy and boozy with a sticky sweetness and projection is astounding. As the top notes settle, the sweetness seems to increase and it reminds me of cough medicine.
I wore it outside today and along with the wind, surrounded me with a beautiful aroma which actually smelled nicer than it did when I sniffed it directly from my arm.
Amber Mystique, a perfume lovers fragrance. Its gets a 10/10 from me!
13DeMoN666 – :
One of my favorite rose/ouds ever. Smells so much more expensive than it actually is. Longevity/sillage is superb. I get a nice and clean but very medicinal oud (which I love) plus rich amber (a la Ambre Sultan) and a spicy and jammy rose with a touch of incense and raspberry. Sexy and completely addictive. Really impressed that EL came up with this and at that price point too-oud/rose lovers can’t miss out on this beauty!
sergeyserezka – :
I have been into Arabian oils for awhile but this is my first western Arabian style scent. I chose EL because I love the other woodsy scents from this house especially Sensuous Noir so I figured this would be done right. This is a very well blended mix of all my favorite Arabian notes, the silage is pretty soft but if I had to guess I would bet I will smelling this all day. The Oud here is very soft and wearable, in Arabians sometimes it can be very sharp. While I love it, I am not a fan of the really strong stuff you encounter sometimes in Arabian oils.The amber really stands out here as well. I would highly recommended this to anyone new to Oud as this is a really pretty Introduction to the note.
Fikus – :
This seems to me very similar to Amouage Memoir, the sillage and staying power though a bit superior with Memoir. Very oriental,balsamic fragrance…not sure if I would buy a full bottle of this one yet…
Alu – :
A good deal of amber and oud; behind that there are floral notes. AM opens a little sharp and medicinal. Give it about thirty minutes and it smooths out. I can smell the rose but don’t really know the difference between Taif and Bulgarian roses. The fragrance, to me, has a thick body due to the labdanum, patchouli and leather. Though I don’t think I can pick these out individually. Sandalwood gives it a little creaminess. It has the tiniest bit of sweetness/frutiness from the raspberry and black currant. Incense may be blended in there but it doesn’t stand out to my nose.
I like the translucent red glass but the bottle design doesn’t particularly impress me. Sprayer is just okay. Longevity is good. With two sprays to the chest I could still detect it on my skin twenty four hours later. Doesn’t leave too much of a trail; projection is average. This is a mature, feminine scent that can work on a man. Definite middle eastern, old lady vibe. No compliments yet and I’m not expecting many. Formal occasions; not the best work choice. Amber Mystique could be a little challenging to some noses. Out of all my oud scents this may be my least favorite. For the price it is still a good deal. Pick it up if you’re looking for something oudy and oriental. Nice blind buy!
SheF47 – :
I´m wearing a sample of Amber Mystique today and I have to say, it smells almost like Honey Aoud by Montale Paris. Yes it is a bit different, but just a bit….
Elun – :
I blind bought Amber Mystique based on these reviews. Have to say I am in love. Our summer is pretty hot at the moment so I’ve used it in the evenings where possible and cannot wait to try it in cooler weather. Reminds me a bit of a catholic mass, the incense is identical. Love it though. Longevity and silage are superb on me.
I don’t know much about Oud really, it’s not very popular in S. Africa yet but if this is Oud then I’m all for it.
hef023Bessinepome – :
Estee Lauder’s foray into the niche-y, unisex market? Count me in.
Amber Mystique opens extremely thick and dense, with a camphoraceous/medicinal smell, a bit of rose, and a good dose of oud. At that point, I wasn’t too sure if I loved it or not, but as it sat on my skin, it developed into a sweet tobacco-like scent, and then eventually a very woody incense. I’m in love. I don’t really get a ton of amber from it, so I think it’s a misnomer, but it’s an incredible oriental nonetheless, dark and mysterious. It is pretty down-the-middle unisex and nice and hardy, and definitely smells much more expensive than ~$25 for 50ml.
With Amber Mystique, Estee Lauder proves yet again that they offer one of the best values in fragrance today: true, consistent quality and unique scents at more easily attainable prices. Underrated.
vitaliyurban – :
It is dark, bitterish, exotic, incense like almost medicinal. When I apply it, I get nothing sweet and the rose is oh so faint at the top notes. I do feel as if I am a walking incense shop. I find it so similar to Belle de Opium which I all ready own, but this is so much darker with little hint of sweetness if at all. I would wear this very discerningly and not at a dinner function sitting close to others, but more when I am out and about outdoors. I think this one is either a like or hate it scent! I am undecided if I like it enough to hold onto my 50 ml bottle.
Update: I had Wood Mystique (the 100 ml bottle) and almost immediately and stupidly sold it off as I found it too sweet, rose and cloying. I now regret it. And strangely, I find that if I layer Rochas’ Tocade which is to me like Turkish Delight the sweet, I can almost reach the same scent as Wood Mystique. With Amber Mystique, my husband detects strong frankincense and says it reminds him of the Catholic church he used to go to. I am becoming very fond of this, although will not wear it outside, only in my own home purely as a meditative scent when I want to feel a bit more holy and be reminded of the church. Also very keen to purchase Avignon by Comme des Garcons for that reason!
vaag – :
I think I may be one of the few that havent climbed aboard the OUD train…but that being said this is a really nice way to doing OUD 101 for the western market. It lacks the depth of a true oriental, but the notes are still very very good and modern.
I dont think its close to YDAN, but It does layer very well with it to add the depth and richness AM lacks. If you love modern orientals, this has to be in your collection that wont break the bank. The drydown is sweet and delightful without being cloying.
Fogi – :
Really a wonderful underrated scent, we love this one….
kyzyahiha789 – :
A vibrant scene unfolds before you – the Garden of Eden is radiating with a million jasmine flowers in full bloom, lush raspberries and black currants are brimming with their succulent juices, ylang-ylang and roses of countless variety lend their crisp and dewy presence to cut through the sweet amber pouring from the lips of your eternal lover. You revel in the endless majesties this land holds for just you and your lover. The days are endless and the nights eternal – there is no sense of time for the first of mankind as the world revolves around you. Somewhere, deep in the night, you hear the whispers of forbidden knowledge and the betrayal of your lover. Day broke with the succulent kiss of your true love – in her eye was an unrelenting twinkle and, in her hand, she held the most beautiful fruit. It radiated the scent of a world on fire – the everlasting char of ancient oud, scorched earth, blackened leather, and the pain of a trillion souls. She took the first bite, you followed without hesitation – the universe irrevocably shifted in an instant and Paradise was lost forever. The two souls found themselves submerged in pain and shame…they sought refuge in their supple golden flesh. In a bed of iris and rose, they forged a bond that would carry all humankind toward the end – there musky bodies and labdanum tears set the tone for an eternity of heartaches and jilted love. For now, they had each other and the white noise of a new dawn…
Day 78 – Toward the End
Listening to: Wilson – Centipede
Notes: I have to say that I got this for a song and expected quite little…it was surely one of the best surprises I have had in quite some time! The opening is brilliantly complex as it pits ripe raspberries and currants against a lush floralscape of jasmine and rose with the sharp undercurrent of ylang-ylang. Buried just beneath the surface is a fiery oud, incense, and leather accord that is paired with a succulent amber and sandalwood. This fume switches partners often in its graceful dance – the florals peek out from time to time, but the main players are the smoked wood accord and the opulent amber accord. Somewhere in the depths is a gorgeous soda pop myrrh note that keeps me wanting more! These notes play out again and again until the pair slowly winds down to a gentle sweet and woody musk some 10 hours after it began. Perfect for man or woman and surely something to be tried as it is a gorgeous experience to behold!
simkov-o – :
I have a good size sample of this and i adore it and find it very sexy and comforting. It’s very addictive. It reminds me of Marni Marni. I think the patcholi, rose, incense, oud are blended beautifully. I honestly don’t care if oud is in style or out and i don’t care if it’s a crowd pleaser or not. It pleases me and makes me feel really good. The longevity is around 6 hours on my skin and sillage is a good fragrant bubble. I do want a FB. I feel like i found a treasure and my perfect dark scent. I’ve smelled alot of perfumes that are “noir” but they fail to impress and seem lighter and brighter than implied in the advertising. Amber Mystique in my opinion is perfect. 5 out of 5.
R163 – :
Really like this but I think it may be too much to be a crowd pleaser here in the U.S.
This is one that I would wear for myself year round minus the hottest days when the temp hits 95 or above.
This is Tom Ford’s Black orchid finally done right—
no longer simply a cavalcade of inky moist base notes–one right after the other with no relief in sight, but the addition of a stunning dry incense rose middle, and the lightest bit of fresh citrus rind for a top note all of which create a decadent well rounded perfume experience along the theme of Aramis Calligraphy Rose. This does NOT smell like ACR, there’s no real sweetness, but it’s in the same genre. I can see why this was one of the EL’s that boasted some popularity in the middle east.
I would invest in a back up bottle now if I happened across a good deal simply because this will likely be discontinued at a certain point. The oud fervor is dying down these days in the states so even if not discontinued entirely, but just in the U.S., it might become much harder to locate.
The sillage is appropriate considering the theme of this perfume (Arabian/oud/incense). I would certainly spritz lightly.
Longevity is around the 6-8 hour mark.
zjo949JeomiWogkig – :
I tried this both on my wrist and on my sleeve. Although it may fair better on your skin, it smells skanky, unhygienic and dirty on mine. Dirty rose, incense, smoke, resins, amber with a pungent sweaty urine smell. I didn’t like it on my skin at all. It is much more pleasant on my clothing. Everything balances out much better on fabric and the drydown is divine. It’s becomes a juicy pink rose, tarte raspberries with a light incense and creamy oud. Very nice on my clothing, but if I get this I will avoid my skin to avoid giving people the impression that I have poor hygiene.
S_R_V – :
Very strong and heavy amber/oud/rose opening…and it stays exactly that for about 6 hours. No blackcurrant (bummer), no raspberry (yay). Kudos for longevity but I was getting sick to death of it by then. Thankfully just as I was about to give up the stunning sandalwood chased by laudanum showed up. Oddly enough there are absolutely no mid notes at all for me 🙁
I like this scent but find it just too heavy to wear on its own. I like to spritz a smidgen of jasmine near it to stop it making me feel dark, gloomy and just a tad too masculine.
L: Long lasting
S: Heavy
ruslan41986 – :
This was totally a blind purchase….this juice has a real woodsy-spicy-oriental vib. The two main notes from amber and argarwood with definite smokey incense aroma makes this juice ABOUSOTLEY SEXY.
Both red pepper and Bulgarian rose is the final notes to bring this juice to a niche quality.
After this juice settles, I’m still able to enjoy the warm spicy aroma for several hours without it being cloying.
Both Longevity and Silage is very high lasting 6-8hrs before it starts to lose any staying power.
Finally,
This is very much a TRUE unisex fragrance…it’s not too sweet nor too woodsy or spicy either. I must admit…before receiving this fragrance, I thought that it might be more of a woodsy /powdery vib with a floral blend. Instead this juice is a real mysterious, dark and sensual juice…excellent during the fall and winter months. The warmth from skin will turn your partner hormones into first gear….9.5/10
LorencoTar – :
This scent is suitable for both men and women. I personally think this scent is a work of art! The name really does do justice to it. Highly recommended!
Arestant – :
I just got this yesterday, I like it but not impressed. It has a loud opening almost liquorish and I still waiting for the full performance, but I don’t think it will last long.
pit19851216 – :
Dark. One of the darkest scent I have had in my tiny collection.
Woody, a bit of rosey, a bit of honey, a bit of incense. Basically a bit of everything mixed together, in a pretty good, balanced way.
To make things clear, this is a pretty decent scent which I will occasionally use it when I see fit. But I just don’t see it becoming my everyday scent.
For rosey scent, I will probably stick with the Perfume Calligraphy Rose by Aramis. But if I want something more than just rose, I might well put on this one.
MarioTomic – :
From a very cheap-looking bottle comes a very good fragrance.
Amber Mystique (AM) is certainly different from the type of fragrance (that I) expected from Estee Lauder. Initial burst seems quite cheap and synthetic. This quickly fades – mild oud and incense notes immediately become apparent, softened by rose and fruity nuances. (I assume the berry notes.)
First testing of AM made me think of incense notes found in Tom Ford’s Sahara Noir or Bois 1920’s Vento Nel Vento only slightly sweetened. Recent wearings, however, have made me think otherwise…?
Anyhow, as some other reviewers have mentioned, the amber note shines a bit later on. Well, perhaps ‘shines’ is not the right word – it seems somewhat ‘cheap-smelling’ amber to my nose and I would much prefer it not to be there in all honesty!
All-in-all, for the price (and perhaps the relatively low-ish expectations!) AM is a very solid fragrance with all the middle-eastern feel to it that many collectors love so much. Performance is very good – I have a slightly older bottle dated early-2012, whether or not that makes any difference.
Final note: my wife said that it smells like Turkish Delight… Not necessarily a bad thing as I love Turkish Delight!
no_ice – :
Very high quality fragrance that has a niche feeling to it. Since I really dislike most E.L. perfumes, I am positively surprised! The beginning is the least exciting part – I find it slightly medicinal. My daughter actually asked me why I smelled with her cough syrup… 🙂 Luckily, it calms down after 15-20 minutes and becomes really beautiful. I smell mostly agar wood and a little hint of incense. Interestingly, I only get the amber at the very end, once the smell is almost completely gone, but I don’t mind – the oud is beautiful! I also find it absolutely unisex, maybe even leaning more towards men. I will happily share it with my husband.
The longevity on me is unfortunately not amazing, but the price is very good so I do not mind reapplying.
allpowerful – :
Amazing for the price
I got a 1.7 oz fot 19 bucks i will get another just in case
Is just me but i got the same vibe as tom ford noir de noir but then change to a sweet amber apple oud
Just amazing for the price
snake2s – :
Very different from other scents I’ve tried. Darker, but with minty top notes I cannot identify in the list. The oud is just perfectly balanced for me who don’t like when it gets too strong. Great blend, nothing sticks out, not too sweet, not too oud-y, not too rose-y. And none of that Estee Lauder signature mystery compund that nauseates me in all their regular scents. Warm and comforting, without being too linear or smelled 100 times before in other bottles.
Works well for cold weather, will se how it behaves when summer comes.
And, as many have said before, very reasonably priced on ebay!
April 7, 2016
When the weather got a little bit warmer, suddenly the rose blossomed in full force. Love it even more, but feel lonely in my love: partner dislikes it and son closes the door to his room as “it smells like flowers that have taken a s**t”.
gazmys95 – :
To the person who said it smells great on paper but terrible on your skin, why not spray it on a card and then place that is a shirt pocket? At current prices it would seem to be a reasonable idea, right? You can also spray it on a scarf (of the appropriate color) to see if that might be even better !
MPdeeli – :
I really felt compelled to leave a second review for this fragrance.
For those of us who do not have $200 to spend on a high quality scent this is the best hidden cheap gem around. I believe I paid $18 for a 1.7 oz bottle. The niche quality of this fragrance is incredible. Not only is it unusual but it is very very well made. The lasting power on this is unbelievable. I sprayed on my arm around 11 last night and can still smell it strong in the morning. Totally unisex perfect for any gender. I am shocked it’s not marketing for more money. You have to be a fan or the OUD’ish scents to appreciate this one. An absolute gem for any collection.
babai – :
Wow. Well….wow. So I blind bought a sealed nib 50ml off the bay for $17 shipped. Price is phenominal and I am on a “I’ll find out for myself” Amber binge every since I bought Ambre russe and tom fords Amber absolute. I am finding out real fast that this is an accord or mythical note that is done in so many ways. This isn’t a biased first impression. I like some things and dislike some things about it. Though for the money Im really enjoying this. There is a bug spray note I get in the opening, but it doesn’t last too long. It’s actually a very well blended fragrance that has good longevity and projection. I like the 50ml bottle too, looks great in my collection. I do feel the boozy oud mixed with Rose is very nice and the incense keeps the composition going. Overall I find it completely unisex and can see this coming off a little different on certain body chemistries. Defiantly sets up different on skin so if hour testing first be sure to apply on skin to get your final thought on it. Overall it’s about as good as I expected and I’m not let down with my blind buy. If I paid more than $75 or something I think I would be but $17, no problem at all placing this on my shelf.
Scent 7/10
Longevity 8.5/10
Projection 8/10
Quality 7/10
Overall 7.5/10
ALONIENLY – :
So very sad. Blind buy based on the reviews here and my love of the notes. On paper, this smells heavenly – deep, dark amber full of allure aplenty. On my skin, it’s pure, acrid chemical yuck.
Score one for uncooperative skin chemistry.
If anyone wants to swap, I have a full bottle (minus 4 sprays), box and all.
Thank you all for your collective wisdom. You have helped me find many lovable new scents.
alekssafer – :
Estee Lauder Corp has produced four relatively similar fragrances in this Arab-influenced mold: Aramis Perfume Calligraphy Rose, Clinique Beyond Rose, and Estee Lauder Amber Mystique / Wood Mystique. Of the four, I like the Amber Mystique best. It’s consistently delightful from the first spray through the very long drydown, in a way the first two can’t match (Wood Mystique is wonderful as well, it would be my favorite if not for the amber sibling). Beyond Rose has a sort of ‘bug-spray’ feel in the top, and Perfume Calligraphy Rose is more rose than I feel I can handle. The amber, spices, and florals in Mystique (ok, the name is pretty bonkers) feel perfectly balanced to my taste, and smell fabulous on a man or a woman.
(edit)
I’m very impressed by Lauder’s treatment of the sandalwood note. It’s a soft, round, natural feeling scent with excellent legibility even after 6-8 hours. Natural Sandalwood lasts *forever* on a scent strip (something like 4000 hours) but I’m often slightly anosmic to it – not so much here, where it’s clear as crystal. I’ve read there are some true Santalum Album trees being grown outside the Mysore region (the wood is protected in India after hundreds of years of over-farming) but I suspect it’s been enhanced with Sandalore or Polysantal to give it some projection.
vallerik – :
Recently, I’ve tried this one, David Yurman, and Calligraphy Rose (see my reviews of those). I think I might like this one most, though CR has a kind of smoothness I look forward to at times. AM begins with a kind of liquefied dried fruit element, not quite wine-like, though. The spice, florals, and oud-ish element are in the background. Over the first hour or two the fruit quality recedes but remains moderately strong. At this point I get a sort of clean smoky element, and I also detect a clear though not especially strong incense note. This is just a bit powdery and sweet, just right if you seek balance, and it’s also “natural” smelling (and I didn’t get anything animalic). I’d call this a bit on the “feminine” side but if marketed as niche, then I’d say unisex. I did not expect it to be any better than this, but I certainly thought it could be a whole lot worse, a bargain at current ebay prices, that’s for sure! Note that this is not the kind of amber you get in Ambre Sultan or other niche ambers, as it is not heavy nor vanillic, and it’s just a little syrupy. And in my opinion, it’s a big step up from something like Queen of Hearts, which is sweeter and has less incense (and is more “feminine”:).
serg321123 – :
I bought this in hopes of smelling my favorite scent of amber, but unfortunately it doesn’t appear on me. All I get is spicy fruit on my skin. Not a bad smell, but not what I was hoping for in a perfume with Amber as part of the name. Oh well, all in all its not bad, just didn’t mix well with my chemistry I guess. 🙁
bapabaw – :
Live and learn. Never thought I’d have a bottle of Este Lauder in my collection, after all, couldn’t possibly match up to all those coveted niche scents. WRONG. EL hit this one out of the park. The top of this is Ambre Sultan but not as harsh, then the floral (rose I think) starts to come through and the result is really amazing. I do detect the oud in there but it’s far from in your face. I get six hours before it sits real close to the skin but 6 hours of this scent for $35 is well worth it. Hell, I’ve got stuff I was dumb enough to pay 10 times that and it doesn’t last 6 hours. This is an absolute winner from EL and is blind buy worthy as much as anything.
anatohi7 – :
I managed to get a NIB bottle of this on eBay for less than $20 so I couldn’t resist the blind buy! so. incredibly. worth. it. To me there is a rich, creamyness from the amber in the opening that creates a wonderful warmth on a chilly day. Oud scents are still new to me (I’m liking the ones I’ve smelled so far) and I think this is definitely a great intro into that realm of fragrances. This is a total win for me.
vgpetru – :
for me it has got some honey notes in it.
lre959Negeltzex – :
ﻻ أدري لما أهملته طويﻻ” ..
قطعا” لم يكن عن قصد أو شعور بعدم الرضا تجاهه .. فنادرا” ما أغض الطرف عن