Amber

How to choose amber perfumes

Do not judge a perfume by the first spray alone. Give it an hour on your skin, then check it again at the end of the day, because the drydown is what people around you will smell most.

When you compare amber perfumes, look past the name and check the notes, the longevity score and the concentration. Two bottles in the same style can wear very differently.

How amber perfumes perform

In our wear tests, amber perfumes score 7.8 out of 10 for longevity on average, which means solid staying power that comfortably covers a work day.

Sillage, the trail a perfume leaves behind you, averages 7.5 out of 10, which points to balanced projection that is noticeable but polite.

In hot and humid conditions, the same perfumes average 6.7 out of 10 for longevity. Heat speeds up evaporation, so expect scents to feel stronger at first and fade sooner than in cool, dry air.

If staying power is your priority, start with Initio Parfums Privés Initio Oud for Greatness Eau de Parfum (9.3/10), Maison Francis Kurkdjian Oud Satin Mood Eau de Parfum (9/10) and Maison Francis Kurkdjian Grand Soir Eau de Parfum (9/10).

Where to start with amber perfumes

At the top end, Tom Ford Tobacco Vanille Eau de Parfum is the priciest, reaching about $900. Initio Parfums Privés Initio Oud for Greatness Eau de Parfum has the best overall rating here at 9 out of 10, and it comes as EDP. For staying power, look at Maison Francis Kurkdjian Oud Satin Mood Eau de Parfum, which scores 9 out of 10 for longevity. The newest release here is Genie Sauvage Elixir EDP, from 2021. On a tight budget, Elizabeth and James Nirvana Bourbon is the most affordable, starting around $20. Zara Red Temptation Perfume is the one to try for value, with a value score of 9 out of 10.

Buying tips for amber perfumes

Think about your climate. Heat and humidity shorten how long most perfumes last, so check the hot and humid longevity score before you choose a bottle for daily wear.

Change one thing at a time. If you are building a collection, add one new style at a time so you learn what you actually reach for.

Test before you commit. A perfume smells different on paper, on a friend and on your own skin, and it keeps changing for hours. Try a sample or a small bottle first, and wear it for a full day before you decide.