Key notes: bergamot, white musk, amber | Sizes: 1.7 oz
Best Budget: Nemat Amber Fragrance Oil
Why it’s worth it: A health-food-store staple, Nemat Amber Fragrance Oil is, in my humble opinion, the best-scented thing one can find at Whole Foods—and the most reasonably priced. With a pure amber scent that has a fresh, soapy quality to it, the oil goes for less than $25—and in a gold-domed bottle, to boot. Rumored to be a favorite among celebrity amber lovers like Billie Eilish and Kristin Bell, the long-lasting oil takes on a slightly different quality depending on who wears it. It’s a true second-skin scent, like the cherished, worn-in white t-shirt of amber fragrances.
Key notes: florals, woods, musk | Sizes: 0.34 ml
Frequently Asked Questions
What scents are similar to amber?
In terms of scents that are similar to amber, Khodzhayan lists individual notes that are used to create the amber accord, including benzoin and patchouli to match its “earthy, resinous warmth” and vanilla and tonka to capture its soft and creamy side.
“Amber is quite a luxurious blend with a resinous base, and it’s soft and creamy with a decadent touch from the vanilla notes,” Khodzhayan says. “I find amber to be a very balanced and unisex scent, with its complementary warm, smoky notes and a hint of sweetness that toes the masculine and feminine. If you love vanilla, musk, or woody notes, you’ll probably love a traditional amber perfume.”
Are ambrox and ambergris similar to amber?
If you’re curious about whether ambrox and ambergris are similar to amber (confession: I was!), the answer is, not exactly. “Ambergris and ambrox, while they can smell amber-y, are not directly related to the amber accord,” Khodzhayan says. “Ambergris shares the root of its name with amber, but is a different, natural fragrance which smells musky, aquatic, and slightly sweet. Ambrox is the synthetic version of ambergris, which is a rarer, natural material.”
Meet the experts:
How we test and review products
Before reviewing any makeup, we ask questions about a number of factors: What ingredients are in it? Does the brand offer a wide shade range inclusive of consumers with all skin tones and undertones? Is it safe for readers who have sensitive skin or wear contact lenses? Is it on the affordable side or more of a splurge? Is its packaging consciously designed or needlessly wasteful?
For our review of the best amber perfumes, we enlisted the help of multiple editors, writers, contributors, and fragrance experts to review the products. This ensures our testing base spans different skin tones, genders, and dermatological conditions. We considered each product’s performance across four primary categories: ingredients, wear and longevity, packaging, and inclusivity. For more on what’s involved in our reporting, check out our complete reviews process and methodology page.
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