Reviews of Prada Amber pour Homme (2006)
by Prada

An excellent scent for the workplace. It stays close to the skin and is warm, and "clean". It is unique and classy without being loud.

I really enjoy this. its fresh ,kinda soapy and long lasting. Didnt want to buy this one but couldnt resist so had to purchase one.I think its unique and different from all those new rubbish by CK and armani and the rest...Give it a try

This scent was probably my gateway to my fragrance addiction. I wore the hell out of it in the summer of 2005 and now it remains as a comforting, soft, warm and slightly luxurious scent for evening or cooler weather. It is a great comfort scent and the deluxe bottle with atomizer makes a great statement!

The first time I smelled this it reminded me of a Chinese gift shop; sweet, pungent incense. That was a shallow impression, however. Prada Amber Pour Homme is one of the most intriguing and complex fragrances out there. The ingredients are masterfully balanced and harmonized, and the result is a unique beauty quite unlike any other men's fragrance. It is soapy, but in a refined manner. Prada has nerve, and they act on that chutzpah brilliantly. It is fresh, wildly fragrant and utterly lovely. The scent is long-lasting and it wafts up throughout the day in beautiful waves of clean and luxurious fragrance. What a creation!

I agree with wsr93 that this is not an "amber frag," but I disagree with SirSlarty about the sharpness. With one spray to the chest, it is very mild, yet quite pleasant. It's not a floral "soapy" either, and it doesn't really register with me as "soapy" at all, though I understand why some would think so (I only use unscented soap, so I don't have to worry about these associations). It's actually a milder version of Richard James Saville Row. It's got a dusty yet not dry quality to it, which is very nice. I enjoy this as a "change of pace" fragrance, but would get bored with it if I wore it every day.

Yes, this scent is most certainly not amber-y at all, but it is a very well-blended and mixed juice that does not transform all that much, but still smells expensive and unique.

Let me tell you: this will not change with your skin chemistry. It is soapy, and very thick, like a blanket of some sort with great longevity, but you are not going to get the 'on my skin it smells like turpentine and lilies' type of thing. It is authentic yet a bit synthetic, chic yet a bit loud, rich yet a bit cloying, masculine yet a bit unusual.

I do not believe that there is anybody who can condemn this scent as being a 'bad' fragrance. You will either like it, or you won't. It is minimalist, on point and direct. But it is true: it is not going to be as crowd-pleasing as Prada's feminine signature scent. But this is just like Prada's male clothing, or their whole masculine philosophy: I think they really want to remain exclusive and slightly elusive with their image as what a Prada man should be. And this scent suits him.

This scent can even be described as selfish, because you're either going to love it, or hate it. It has no tolerance, and believe me, there may be, quite likely, people around you that will not enjoy this smell. Nonetheless, I think this is indeed a great creation, and addition to my wardrobe as I always enjoy wearing it whenever my hand searches for the bottle with the violet juice in.

I love this scent...it is clean and smooth...the barber soap smell is amazing...I love it.

I'm not sure why, maybe the fact that middle age is rapidly approaching and the whole marriage thing doesn't seem to scare the pants off me like it used to, who knows, but I've taken a keen interest in not only looking better, new clothes, working out, etc) but smelling better too. I've never really been a cologne guy, I bought a bottle of Aramis in 1999 mainly because my then girlfriend seemed to like it on me but I wore it infrequently, I thought it was very strong and we both finally got sick of it and I threw it out years later. But now here I am wanting to try my luck at the whole fragrance thing again so I did some research and quickly found this site. I'm not sure exactly how I came upon Prada Amber but the reviews seemed enticing to me, I was intrigued by the barber soap comparisons and other things that made me feel like I needed to go smell it for myself asap so off to Macy's I went. Needless to say, that was the only frag I ended up smelling because it was true love at first sniff for me and I bought it immediately. I don't find it that sharp to my nose except maybe for a brief second or two but then it just smooths into a very close to the skin and very comforting, warm scent that lasts on me for quite some time. It's certainly soapy and has a powdery drydown which as othes have mentioned is definitely more on the feminine side but not overtly so, just so very different from what I was used to with my aramis! Prada Amber Pour Homme is a clean, warm scent that simply makes me feel great and although I've steadily built up a modest little fragrance arsenal this still remains my favorite, I feel it suits my personality perfectly. No doubt I'll have new favs once I try more niche and designer frags but Prada will always hold a special place in my heart, it's the fragrance that opened the door for me. Highly recommended and I also recommend the shower gel, it's the best designer gel I've used to date and may be a better buy for people who find the EDT to be too sharp and feminine. I find myself at times taking the cap off and smelling the bottle, it's such a beautiful smelling soap.
Thanks for reading my first review!

The top notes can truly only be described as 'expensive soap'. I love it.... it makes you feel clean just by putting it on. I agree with other reviewers that point out that, although the fragrance itself doesn't project, it remains intense and fragrant for a long time. The soapiness dries down into a rich amber that I find I want to smell applied areas. The final notes of suede and perhaps saffron come on very late and are very enjoyable. This is one of the more unique mass-marketed/produced newer fragrances. If you enjoy using a fragrances ancillary products like shower gel, I suggest Prada's. The combination of soapy top notes and shower gel make this the richest smelling shower soap ever.

Really different -- I don't know of any other fragrance that smells quite like this, which is quite bold of Prada really. I like the way the amber note is mixed into the florals and I don't find it that feminine at all. The women's version is more dark and masculine imo though --- it seems to focus on the leather and amber more. A nice surprise and the longevity is excellent.

Kaern

Very unique, in my opinion, GOOD. Anyway, powdery for sure, but has a sweetness to it after. Very similar to Dior Homme and Fleur Du Male JPG. I love it but it does not stay as long to me as i would like it to, 4 hours max. Perhaps they should have Prada Intense soon!!!! That is how much i like it.

when i was @ macys & i smelled this i fell n luv with it! Prada stands out bcause it does not smell like anything else! its truly a unique scent! i will b purchasing this n the near future!

I am confused, but pleased by this fragrance. It is soapy and gentle, with no real amber scent to it. I really prefer stronger scents, but Prada has a unique staying power. It is very linear, getting to its powdery soapy note very quickly, then it STAYS. The fragrance is VERY soft but it stays at this low intensity for a long time. It is a great room frag, I sprayed some and left for work. Ten hours later, it was still in my room, with the exact same intensity. It could be your grandmother's face powder, or your grandfather's shaving soap, but it is very interesting, although more of a curiosity than a heavy rotation fragrance.

The opening citrus accord is smooth and a bit sharp and a lot pleasant. Quite unlike any I have experienced before, it is a solid citrus accord that seems to downplay its citrus characteristics. Yet it is not at all flamboyant or dramatic or aggressive. It is masculine only in the sense that it is not really feminine. It lasts and sends out a decent sillage. The myrrh, vetiver, and some quiet florals form in an excellent middle accord. The florals are there enriching and filling out the accord, but they don’t dominate to my nose. The middle accord is where I begin to pick up some powder, but not as much as I was led to believe: the middle accord is very well done as was the opening and as will be the base. With the base comes the amber accord that, I believe, is supposed to be and is the primary focus of the fragrance. The amber accord is excellent — rich but not too sweet as amber has a tendency to become for me. Even the powdery nature of the amber is kept under control. I don’t, as always, care for the saffron note, but, thankfully, the leather (another note I tend to dislike) doesn’t come though strongly. I was afraid of these two notes because they can cause me trouble, but they are held in control in Prada Man.

In spite of the leather and saffron, I like this fragrance. I agree with those who say it is somewhat feminine, but I don’t believe it is excessively so. I don’t see it as a great fragrance, but I find it a very respectable offering. It has more body, presence, and character than most of the newer designer offerings. It has a charming quirkiness, a comfortable sophistication, and it wears quite nicely.

The most unique fragrance I've ever experienced. Very kind and gentle. I like the idea that it contains mainly natural ingredients. Don't know if it's true. At least I don't get that synthetic oiliness I smell in stuff like Hanae Mori, Fleur du Male, Joop!, Rykiel, etc. Prada reminds me of a soap we used when I was a kid. A very inexpensive soap I might add. It's the expensive version of that soap. It has good sillage and lasts long enough on me. And I think it's a good thing smelling of good soap!

This one carries "soapy" and clean OB (Orange Blossom)smell!
Perform Prada Man during aromantic evening, too sweet and formal for every day wear.....

Upon first spray I was very disappointed. I had hoped for the lovely dry patchouli of the original Prada with less sugar added. But alas, no patchouli in sight, just watery blandness and fruity sweetness. It was actually even sweeter than the women's version. But then it developed a nice tarry/smoky/leathery smell, unfortionately with the bland fruity/watery accord still in the background. After that the cardamom, vetiver and perhaps a trace of the patchouli kicked in, giving it a very interesting spiciness. This is one you DON'T buy for the tempting topnotes. Try to bear with them for a little while, it will get better...

Here's a female who will wear her husband's perfume... . I like it, it's fresh and warm at the same time, very sexy and surprising.

I own this fragrance and after reading the reviews I decided to reevaluate my original opinion. Originally, I smelled it an magazine at a friend's house and was instantly taken aback, passing the ad to my mom and her friend. They were so stricken by how different it was, so genderless (yet miles and miles from feminine or infantile) and so unique. It is simply, a fragrance, a way to adorn onesself in a scent that need not define itself masculine nor feminie. A divine fragrance that absolutely, more than many out there, has so much to offer as the composition unfolds on the skin. The first burst IS a bit soapy, powdery, almost the color of the liquid itself. But after about an hour the exquisite ingredients which make up the dry amber interpretation come through. And after a couple hours, I LITERALLY feel like I'm smelling a box of square cut dry amber, GINGERY, dusty, brownish tan, lightly sweet. It stays close to the skin, and if you can manage a few minutes of "a little too much" spray twice on each wrist... the result is more concentration of the INCREDIBLE base. The base is what MAKES THIS FRAGRANCE truly great.

After experiencing so many fragrances out there, this is something truly different. I believe those who don't like its qualities or believe it's too feminine, powdery, or soapy (clean soap was part of the design philosophy I hear) have not given the fragrance its due time to unfold. It is in the second and third hour that the mark is struck.

I believe this is not exactly my idea of a Prada man. Somehow I feel something like Armani Code fits that bill more, but in viewing Prada's crisp, minimal frill free lines, I can see how this composition exemplifies that. I picture the smell of a minimalistic, stark, dry, yet modern art filled home in Italy, or perhaps a loft of the same descripition in SoHo. This is something extraordinary in a vast valley of way too similar fragrance offerings for men these days. A MUST have in any serious collection.

This is a really fresh, powdery scent that seems to activate itself throughout the day in gentle spurts, never being overbearing or offensive.
I agree with it smelling like a creamy soap, or even some types of barber soaps and that is a nice change of pace. This stays close to my skin all day and does exactly what a mens' cologne is supposed to do...let me get compliments from my girl when she is very close to me. Overall, a whisical, soapy clean scent that is vever out of place.

Certainly Prada Man is a scent designed for the commercial market, however it is a joy to wear nonetheless.
The clean soapy aura that it exudes I enjoy enormously - it is both soft and well rounded, yet surprisingly commanding.
It's first hit is fresh and modern, but then takes a whimsical turn on the dry down where there remains a powdery "white hot" coolness on the skin.
I added this fragrance to my collection purely and simply because its quite unlike any other male fragrance that I can think of.
To be worn when one longs for feelings of comfort, sanctuary, or simple nostalgia.

I've taken my time getting to this one. Part of the reason for this is that it is one of those scents that seems to be so well-blended that the notes just meld into one overall accord. Here is it something like: "chicsleekcleansmoothwarmsweetincenseypurple." Another reason I have waited to review this is that until today I only spot tested it. This scent has to be worn full-on for the full day to be appreciated. I thought it was pretty average until I wore it as my SOTD.

From the start to the finish I smell little to no amber, which makes me wonder if the name is some sort of joke. It is sweet, but compared to many, many other modern "men's" fragrances like Hanae Mori, Pi, Opium PH, Samurai, Minotaure, Dolce & Gabbana, Lolita Lempicka, Dior Homme, Dreamer, Gaultier2, or the ironically named Le Male - really there are so many!! - it is hardly too sweet, or even unusually sweet. In fact, right from the start my first thought was "oh good, at least we're moving away from hyper-sweet fruity, floral orientals for men." In some way, I'd say it's sweet like Habit Rouge is sweet - classy, crisp, integrated sweetness. The sweetness, being integrated into the whole, does not, to my nose, become cloying. The clean and chic modernized barbershop quality also balances the sweetness well and, as rach2jlc mentions, does well match the clean, crisp, cool, "disengaged" lines of Prada's fashions.

Not being able to name notes here, I can say it is slick and incensey, I'd say myrrh is at work here, though it could be labdanum too. There is something fruity, almost bubble-gum-like in the mix, but it's subtle and integrated. To triangulate in on this one, just to give a sense of what it's like, I'd say it's like a sweeter, smoother, more chic Rive Gauche. Maybe a smoother, higher quality, better done Versace Man? It's hard to say what it smells like. And that in itself is a good thing. This one just might be bottle-worthy for me.

Very nice warm scent that isn't overwhelming. Masculine doesn't mean overwhelming =P. I prefer this over Obsession and Envy (which I think is better than Obsession). More versatile than other warm scents for men. Plus, love the deluxe bottle...it's actually a working atomizer!

I love this fragrance. I think it has to be one on my top list. I first smelled this in a magazine ad, and instantly had to smell it on my skin. So, I went to a dept. store and tried it an instantly fell in love. It is very cool and clean smelling, but IMO, very different. In a world of Calvin Kleins, Kenneth Coles and Ralph Laurens, Prada man really stands out as something different. I can see how on some people, it could smell just like soap or just powdery, but on me it smells incredible. On me I can smell the lavender, leather, amber and maybe sandalwood. In any case, it is very refreshing and different. I also love the original Prada womens. It is very unisex smelling to me.

Utter Tosh? I wouldn't go that far. Make no mistake about it ladies and gentlemen, if you like your typical masculine scent then you will not like "Prada Man"! For the rest, it is worth an add to the ol' collection. Is it the greatest of all time? No! It is not even close to being in my top ten. But the nice sweet scent is worth the buy!

It took a couple of times smelling my wrist to really appreciate this scent. I admit at first it does just smell like soap but after a while it grows on you, and you start to realise it is a really fresh, clean scent that doesn't really stand out, but makes you feel rejuvinated and cleansed. This scent would not take top priority on my scent shelf but it would be used when I don't want to stand out too much and have that 'just come out of the shower feel'.

I initially hated this. But now, I like it. I had thought it was too feminine. The main shock I got when I sampled it for the first time was that it smelled like the liquid soap you wash your hands with after visiting an interstate rest area. Seriously it does smell like a rest stop--though one reason could be that the nature of saffron sometimes takes on a cherry-like aroma not unlike air fresheners used in such places.

But after revisiting the sample, I really enjoy it. What I like about it is that it is relaxing and completely smooth. No rough edges. I have a gift card I have to use at a certain store, and I think I'm going to get a bottle of this.

When evaluating a designer scent, I always like to look at not only how it smells, but also how I think it fits with the aesthetic of the design house whose name it bears. In this way, scents like Gucci PH or McQueen's Kingdom do very well, even though in the case of Kingdom I may not like the smell all that much. On the other hand, scents like Jil Sander or Versace Man do not.

Prada is another that fits well with the design aesthetic of the company. Like Prada's other goods, it is subtle, cool, and slightly disengaged. There isn't much passion, there isn't any sex, and there isn't much warmth here, but there is class with just a hint of quirkiness (the soapy factor gives it a slightly "off" edge).

It's certainly intended to be commercial, but it doesn't feel like a sellout and I don't find it boring. Overall, I think it balances itself well between being the product of a large fashion conglomerate and one that always TRIES (and doesn't always succeed) to remain individual and unique. Definitely worth a try and a pretty good deal at $48 for 50ml.

Yes...it is truly feminine and powdery and
very baby like...but it's a nice change from the dark and heavy scent we know as the "masculine" scent

I love this fragrance. It has a soapy side to it with a mild peppery touch. Long lasting , I cannot agree that it is a feminine fragrance. Works well on my skin. One of my favorites. Use it almost daily, alternate most days with Green Irish Tweed.

I think this one is a real commer. Really interesting in other words. It could have a slightly more chypre base with maybe a hint of beeswax. But a side from that I think it was really good.
benb

Another scent , that got really bad reviews here , before it was even launched. Must be something wrong with me, cause man, I like it. I love the shaving cream smell in this one.
What's with all this semi intelectual talk about this "not being balanced" and all.
I agree, it's not "inventive" like "l'eau de animalfur" with popcorn , nor does it smell like chocolate, vanilla icecream,with whalevomit, but who cares.
It's a very minimalistic, fougere type fragrance.
I really gonna get me a bottle of this for sure.

It's a very soapy fougère part of it reminds me of the powdery basenotes of Acqua di Parma Absoluta (it too contains amber). There is really something vintage about it. Overall I'm surprised, It's totally the opposite of what I was expecting. This is not the gay-club-overpowering-Amber-Patchouli-overdose I imagined when I read the ingredients list (There is the Prada for Women for that purpose). Prada Amber has that British classic touch Italian love so much.

Puig unveils Prada’s first fragrance

Spanish beauty group Puig has unveiled the first fragrance for Italian fashion brand Prada. The women’s EdP named Prada, which took three years in the making. “It is a story of two Latin families united by their devotion to tradition, quality and attention to detail,” Puig prestige beauty brands president Manuel Puig
The fashion house attempted to develop a fragrance in 2002, when it launched its first cosmetics line Prada Beauty, but the fragrance was never marketed. Prada’s renewed venture in fragrance is the outcome of a joint venture with Puig Beauty & Fashion Group signed in 2003, which is now working on a men’s fragrance for the brand slated to launch in 2005.
The amber formula of the women’s fragrance, composed by Max Gavarry and Carlos Benaïm of IFF, is described as a reinterpretation of traditional perfumery, and features sandalwood oil, patchouli leaf, labdanum and benjui. It comes in a plum-colored rectangular bottle with silver spray and pump engraved with the Prada name in gray, and displays a steel plate with the names of the four principal ingredients.
The product line includes 50ml and 80ml EdP sprays a refillable 80ml Intense EdP spray and a 50ml Deluxe version plus a 200ml Body Milk and a Bath and Shower Cream.
available from mid october