Amber & Lavender (1995)
by Jo Malone

Wi-zi-wig.
Like several of Jo Malone’s blends, Amber and Lavender is a fragrant "wiziwig." That’s a sound-it-out spelling for WYSIWYG (What You See is What You Get), a user interface term with etymological roots in Flip Wilson's "Geraldine" act, and a 1972 hit song by the Dramatics.

In this no-nonsense mix, for the first twenty minutes or so, light, creamy amber peacefully coexists with herbal lavender. Within an hour the amber fades, lasting close to the skin, while lavender takes the lead. The two notes nearly regain equilibrium in a quiet, long-lasting dry drown.

I find straightforward, brisk lavender scents difficult to wear, even once they fade, perhaps because lavender is my aroma of choice for dish soaps, ironing water, and such. Unlike Jo Malone’s luscious Dark Amber and Ginger Lily, where the whole is greater than the sum of its parts, the scent of Amber and Lavender never overreaches its name. I like ti best about 8 hours in when I have to seek it out on my skin.

Lavender lovers should try this fine example of disambiguation in fragrance. As for me, while I appreciate the simplicity of WYSIWYGs when building web pages, I would rather navigate multiple layers of complexity in high-end bottles.

I love this scent. True it can start off as a little soapy when I frist put it on I was a little bit put off by the laundry scent, but give it a few min and it mellows out to a nice warm spicy amber with a lavender twist. It's fantastic. For me the scent has lasted a good long time, and so far my office loves it.

This comes off clean and soapy and a raw strong herbal lavender as opposed to many other scents that have lavender. Usually combined with vanilla, amber takes the reins to attempt to subdue the harsh natural smell of lavender and instead of completely smothering it, the lavender becomes harnessed to its full potential. Honestly at first I think this is best suited for a candle (though I do not see it offered as one on the Jpo Malone website as of this writing) but the scent is mellow enough to be worn. Lavender is a traditionally masculine scent and will always be in my eyes. Truly a great fragrance here albeit linear which is the intention. A fine gentleman's scent.

I agree with the advice to "start off lightly". This is a masculine scent but a woman may really like it combined with something more floral or fruity. I like it with Jo Malone's Pom Noir.

I know Jo Malone created it for her husband, but it doesn't smell too masculine, at least on my skin. It's like a good love relationship: warm and embracing like amber, but not suffocating or too heavvy, thanks to the lavander. And not boring, because you can combine it with other scents: I recommend Pomegranate Noir, to make it spicier, sweeter and sexier and White Jasmin and Mint, for a fresh summer scent, with a strong herbal note.

Notes according to Jo Malone: amber, French lavender, myrrh.
The expert nose of Ayala also detects sage, cloves and oak moss – and this seems exactly right to me.
The opening is a lovely dry lavender, deep and slightly smoky as the best lavender should be. There are some herbs and green notes. Spices? Yes, cloves. Incense? Yes, the myrrh. The clove and moss combination is what gives this its clean, soapy, barbershop vibe. It reminds me of YSL’s Rive Gauche – it has the same sort of virile, no-nonsense and deliberately retro soapy-spice character. Lavender + oak moss = traditional fougere and this is a striking one, though not as mossy as some. The amber gives it an oriental twist. It gets a bit powerful in the dry-down, so start off lightly and see what works for you.