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.
