How to create Amber in Perfume

Rich, powdery, warm, deep, sweet and spicy. The warm smell of amber is a winter staple in perfumery – perfect for snuggling up in.

Here we tell you what ingredients compose the oh so famous amber accord that many think to be a single ingredient. It is in fact a blend of a few ingredients.

The Amber Fantasy

Amber is a ‘fantasy’ note that adds a certain kind of cosiness and sensuality to fragrances. This popular accord is centred on three main components – vanilla, resins and musks. Amber pairs well with spicy and woody notes and can appease the strong leathery and animalic facets of a fragrance. Amber is the central note of oriental fragrances, bringing dark yet soft powdery facets to a composition.

Tree resins such as frankincense, myrrh and benzoin are added to create an amber accord.

The formula to create warm and cozy scents

There are three main components required for the creation of an amber accord: vanilla, resins and musk.

Vanilla and its synthetic counterpart vanillin is a well-loved ingredient in perfumery and is the core component for creating an amber accord. It lends its sweet soft powderyness to the amber note.

Resins like myrhh, frankincense, labdanum, and benzoin are added to counteract the edible vanilla notes. These resinous ingredients add the warm, smoky, deep and earthy facets of the amber accord. A sense of sophistication is evoked from the addition of these ingredients along with a touch of sensuality. You can see now how the vanilla becomes less edible.

Musks are incorporated to complete the amber accord, giving it its softer undertones. Synthetic musks like Galaxolide, Muscenone and Velvione are often used to give the accord added longevity. These ingredients give the amber not a comforting and powdery facet.

Ooze Sensuality

If you’re on the hunt for a fragrance that evokes depth, warmth and sensuality, look for one with amber in it.

When creating our second collection of Base Essentials, our perfumer envisioned a scent of amber wrapped in powdery notes. The result is Amber / Iris – a carnal, ambery and enveloping fragrance. The smoky, smooth notes of incense pierce through rich, resinous myrrh. Iris (orris) is added to contrast the warm, balsamic labdanum with a subtle powderyness. Syrupy vanilla is then poured over patchouli for a chocolatey note that soothes in the background. A blanket of ambroxan and ambrette seed softens the composition creating a downiness you can almost feel.

You can also smell Amber / Iris in the Signature Blends Amber Epices, Amber Rose, Amber Dusk and Poudre Opale.