Pre-COVID, I have on more than one occasion sat next to attractive, semi-attractive man, whom have all asked me the same question: what parfum should I get for my wife?
I would always recommend something from these brands Chanel and GUCCI if you don’t want to break the bank.
But what if the parfum is for a special treat or you simply want to splurge?
Hands-down my first choice would be Amouage over any other brand. Why?
My reason is I admire the company and the excellence it creates. Amouage is a Made in Oman product and Oman has ZERO cultural or historical reference point to parfums.
BUT Amouage has turned this Achilles heel in to its advantage: it invests in the quality of ingredients, so that no parfum smells synthetic and the longevity of the parfum on the skin is second to no other brand.
Secondly, it hires talented perfumers and gives them creative licence to make one of a kind blends.
For example, the CIEL parfum I refer to below is made by a third generation perfumer.
The parfums are second to none in quality. I dare you to try on any Amouage parfum and look for the synthetic, alcohol traces that you would find in other parfums, including Chanel’s private collection.
Which parfums would I buy from this brand?
Really, there are only two fragrances that Indians would prefer. I feel the rest are simply too strong for us.
CIEL and Tuberose (which is a relatively new fragrance being less than 3 years old).
Composition of CIEL
This parfum has the lightness of summer but the sophistication of female beauty that comes with age. It has class.
Top notes are Gardenia, Cyclamen, Violet Leaves.
Middle notes are Peach, Waterlily, Rose, Jasmine.
Base notes are Amber, Musk, Cedarwood, Sandalwood, Frankincense.
Composition of Love Tuberose
This is very floral white parfum that is extremely feminine. It lacks the fresh linen quality of French parfums (e.g.) CREED’s Love in White or the powdery old school smell of Chanel No 5.
Its reassuringly feminine in the way that many Annick Goutal fragrances are, except this uses the best quality ingredients. And you can tell from the smell itself.
Top notes are Tuberose, Gardenia, Jasmine.
Middle notes are Chantilly Cream, Vanilla.
Based notes are Cedarwood, Sandalwood.
Available for sale at Amouage botiques and its about GBP 200 for 50ml. I know yikes.