Ambrette 9 Eau de Parfum by Le Labo

Potentially one of the least popular Le Labo scents– I remember handfuls of samples being practically pawned off to me if I lingered at the Barney's (RIP) Le Labo counter for so much as a minute. And it kind of makes sense; Ambrette 9 lacks the high performance and trademark grit of most other Le Lebo scents, so why bother dropping $200 for a mere 50ml of something that's already at the base of every other designer fragrance?

Despite all that, I quite like how understated it is, being one of the most true and non-fussy skin musk scents I've come across yet. No metallic tinge, no animalic funk, no synthetic off-quality molecular compound trickery, no "skin, but make it floral/vanilla" twist. It's simply an intimate, lived-in musk, freshened up with somewhat ambiguous pear and citrus, and I enjoy all of these things in perfumery at large. In this economy though... it's a tough sell for me.

Now this is a very penetrant scent, but I must disagree with anybody who says it disappears in five minutes. It is so concentrated it lasts easily 24 hours on my skin though it doesn't leave a trail.
The pear and aldheydes are very present and constant, but overall it's my favourite Le Labo fragrance. Well blanded and original, I find it unisex maybe not for everyday on men but in particular moments of the day, to use when you know you are in close contact to other people. It's not gourmand but leans to the sweet side. Very comforting and full-bodied, give it a try!

Scent ninja. It come and goes, but in a good way. Good for the office/ casual. It wont piss people off. You only need one spry because it fades and then comes back.

On me this ends up as a super soft milky Anise scent with the slightest touch of sparkly citrus. Clean and simple, but super comforting at the same time. It definitely draws people closer.
There are moments when it reminds me of Jo Malone Nectarine Blossom and Honey, and a super soft and creamier La Chasse Aux Papillons, oddly enough.

I can also understand the sweaty milky baby, or yoga girls fresh out of the shower, as other reviewers compared it to, but there's just something about the milky Anisic dry down that puts this "dainty" scent as the Le Labo salesman called it, on my love and Christmas present list, and makes me almost forget that I originally balked at the price.

I also love that it achieves this level of softness, while still having a distinct smell and doesn't veer into the land of powder.

When I was riding the train I kept thinking the 2 ladies (in yoga outfits) next to me smell soooo good (in a natural way). When I exited the train, 45 minutes later, I continued to smell it and realized it was me. This smells like a great-smelling female (lotioned up/hairspray/makeup/etc) who just got done working out at the gym. So in other words . . . this has a sweet natural musky smell. If you want to smell good in a natural way, this is for you. I'd imagine one would make a great impression wearing this in close/intimate situations.

And this doesn't smell like Byredo's Mojave Ghost but I totally see the comparison. They perform the same way. Both are subtly loud. They're both that quiet girl/guy who everyone admires when they walk into a room.