There’s something wonderful about October. When I lived on the east coast, I loved October because the wonderful, crisp air and darkening skies reminded me that winter was just around the corner, but I didn’t have to dig out the gloves and hat just yet.
Living in San Francisco, October is quite different. The weather can be all over the place—sunny, warm weather one day and fierce rainstorms the next. As befits a city whose favorite holiday is Halloween, I almost expect to see Macbeth’s witches camped out in Golden Gate Park or Union Square as the rain whips through the city unleashing mini-floods and howling winds on the unsuspecting populace.
Having been soaked through several times recently, I’m in the mood for something warm and calm in my perfume and, while taking refuge at the perfume counters, I found two new fragrances that fit the bill perfectly.
Prada L’Eau Ambrée
Prada L’Eau Ambrée has listed notes of citron, rose de mai, gardenia, patchouli, vanilla, and opoponax (a resin, also known as sweet myrrh).
L’Eau Ambrée is Prada’s modern take on amber, which can mean lighter and less intense than traditional ambers, or something that’s harsh and sweet if you’re unlucky. Happily, L’Eau Ambrée falls in the lighter and not at all sticky-sweet category.
The opening of L’Eau Ambrée is gentle, the citron and floral notes whispering quietly together. The overall impression is warm and subtle from the beginning and is a little bit powdery on me. The drydown is creamy and smooth, a nice combination of richness and restraint. L’Eau Ambrée sticks close to the skin with virtually no sillage, which makes it easier for me to wear than a traditional vanilla-amber such as the classic Shalimar, which I love but gives me headaches these days. Used with a light hand, L’Eau Ambrée is perfectly suitable for the office and is long enough lasting that you can still scent a little on yourself by the end of the day. I think this is perfect if you’re going to an event after work and want to smell nice, but not over-scented.
The bottle is spare and elegant, a blocky black rectangle with a golden cap.
Available exclusively at Neiman Marcus in 1.7- and 2.7-ounce bottles, a refillable atomizer bottle, and body and bath products. $44–$117.
Jo Malone Vanilla & Anise Cologne
Vanilla & Anise is the newest fragrance from Jo Malone and continues their trend toward longer lasting fragrances. Listed notes are bergamot, neroli, fennel flower, star anise, oleander, tuberose, frangipani, vanilla orchid, clove, white amber, vetiver, vanilla bourbon absolute, and tonka bean.
The description on the Jo Malone site for Vanilla & Anise gives the impression that this is some exotic tropical floral, but this isn’t the case at all, thank goodness. Vanilla & Anise has a quiet, slightly sweet opening offset by the fennel and anise and quickly dries down to light, warm-ish amber that retains a hint of anise. I almost feel like Vanilla & Anise is a misnomer, because the vanilla is a faint undertone and I’d like a bit more of anise to spice things up. Still, I like this fragrance. It’s a good go-anywhere scent, the sort of fragrance you find yourself reaching for when everything else seems too much, or not quite right. It combines nicely with some of the other Jo Malone fragrances if you want to mix things up or make it a bit spicier; I liked it combined with Pomegranate Noir.
The lasting power is not bad, and with Vanilla & Anise, you don’t have to worry about over-spraying. The bottle is Jo Malone’s signature clear glass bottle with a silvery cap.
Widely available in 30 and 50 milliliter bottles, including at Jo Malone and Saks Fifth Avenue.
Parting note: Take care of luxuries and the necessities will take care of themselves.—Dorothy Parker
