AMOUAGE Material Eau de Parfum

I bought a 10 ml decant in summer and I said to myself: other wasted money on another useless decant. When the weather chilled a bit, I sniffed it again and now I think I will spend other money on a bottle. I loved the balsamic note of elemi in Portrayal and I love here, too. And I hate oud but here I don't sense it at all. This perfume blooms în cool weather. Very mature and very special smell. I love it. Damn...

Re tried this in the Harrods perfume hall yesterday, which is always a fabulous experience. Starts off super spicy and very signature Amouage, I'd say a bit similar opening to Epic woman, like some civet or cumin or caraway is hidden there (i'd say it's the elemi and oud that can have this effect.) Then dries down to the most gorgeous, buttery vanilla amber you've ever smelled. Definitely a really good quality perfume and lasts ages on me. Not like grand soir, it's slightly less resinous and more....buttery vanillic amber. GS is more like a piece of violin rosin with a sprinke of vanilla and a touch herbal lavender. Overall both amazing scents both full bottle worthy if your inner scrooge can look past the price point. (This one is obtainable for slightly less on ebay)

A paradox, Material is granted not very unique but a masterpiece nonetheless so allow me to convince you of the same. It reminds me of at least one other fragrance along the same vein but where it differs and thereby excels, is in the perfumer's vision and execution. It is a surprising fragrance from a house that boasts some of the most unique and hard to love, but nonetheless beautiful, fragrances I have tried. Under the new creative director, I think the house is undergoing some changes, going from niche to the extent where perfumery was art to a slightly more mass appealing direction and I will reserve judgement on how I feel about that, for now.

An ambery vanilla can almost never do any wrong with my nose but what's really interesting to me is the way patchouli is used. It is a very commonly used base note in many fragrances, but surprisingly used as top note here, highlighting it's spicy, slightly herbal qualities and accompanied by elemi which is a balsamic note. As a result, the opening is punchy with a medicinal and aromatic feel to it but as the other notes develop - a powdery delectable vanilla and a molten amber which are of course the star players along with hints of oud and incense, the patchouli moves into the background, functioning now as a note that rounds off and balances these other notes. To summarize, patchouli is used both to create an interesting opening but at the same time it lasts through the entire life of the fragrance shifting roles by completing this composition. It is fundamentally a resinous, ambery vanilla with a noticeable patchouli running through it but Cecil's take on this is as close to perfection as the limits of my imagination will let me go. The performance is really good lasting a good 7-8 hrs on my skin projecting moderately with pretty good sillage. This has fast become one of my favourite Amouages, competing directly with Sunshine, which has been unchallenged all these years. Definitely full bottle worthy for me, the beautiful bottle only added to it's appeal.

Wow.. When I smelled this for the first time... My head was like 'I remember..' Just like Amouage boundless I smelled this in a spice shop before (not sure what is is) but here its like they captured that scent and refined it. I never thought I would like this as much as I do since vanilla is a note I cant stand, but here it just works beautifully, not too sweet, unique, balanced and very Orientale. I smell the following notes throughout the fragrance: Frankincense, vanilla, oud and Tonka beans. Upon initial spray I smell all the notes I mentioned but its airy and calm most probably because of the patchouli. As it dries down the patchouli fades away and the fragrance becomes more.. sour? but in a good way there is a beautiful sweetness/creaminess coming from the vanilla to balance that out. The base is the stage where this fragrance calms down you will get the same sour effect but more vanilla coming through (still not too sweet, just perfect) and very less oud. I find this to be an Amazing and unique fragrance, don't be fooled by the notes you have to try it to decide weather you like it or not. I can assume that many Gulf Middle easterns noses will enjoy this as its unique and nostalgic in a beautiful way.

Amouage Material Women

Amber Galore, this is trinity Ambre essential if you just venture in Ambre fragrance.

Grand Soir - Is Vanilic Ambre, sweet and gooey - less to none Spicy aspect.
Amouage - Is Vanillin Ambre, sweet but rich in Smoky aspect.
Ambre Sultan - Is Vanillin Ambre, and hotest enchance to spicyiness.

After acquisition of Ambre Nuit - my quest for Ambre fragrance would probably end.