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Amber Gris.......got to have it!

post #1 of 44
12/19/08 at 10:30am
Thread Starter 
I finally got my bottle of Balmain's Amber Gris today. Bottle with round gold crown is beautiful. The bottle itself is heavy and grey tinted and even the box it comes in is classy. Ok, now for the fragrance: It is wonderful and completely unisex. There are some wonderful reviews online so I shall not bore you with my rendition. What I will say is that for a blind buy based on reviews this juice is a winner. I give it 8.5 out of a possible 10 on my fragrance scale and I am pretty picky.

I am updating this thread some hours later to report that the dry down is a really marvelous long lasting vanilla, and I do like vanilla with a passion. Forgive my zeal but, it is, in my opinion, straight from Mt. Olympus.

Dec. 29 update: I liked this frag. so much that I bought another bottle this morning from Perfume.com. as Big Discount was out of stock.
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post #2 of 44
12/19/08 at 6:37pm
Thread Starter 
Wow, no replies but many reads. Am I the only one who has tried Amber Gris? I see it isn't in the fragrance directory.
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post #3 of 44
12/19/08 at 7:09pm
I read a review online about a week ago, but not sure where I can test it in NYC it did peak my interest

Where did you get your bottle?
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post #4 of 44
12/19/08 at 7:10pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by N_Tesla View Post

Wow, no replies but many reads. Am I the only one who has tried Amber Gris? I see it isn't in the fragrance directory.

As I recall, Dimitri is a big fan.Check out his blog for his review. I'm anxious to try it. I've seen it online for $19! In Paris they sell it at Colette!!
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post #5 of 44
12/19/08 at 7:13pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ruggles View Post

As I recall, Dimitri is a big fan.Check out his blog for his review. I'm anxious to try it. I've seen it online for $19! In Paris they sell it at Colette!!

I think that is where I saw the review

where did you see it for $19?
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post #6 of 44
12/19/08 at 10:48pm
Thread Starter 
Big Discount had it for $25. or so, but now out. I almost bought two but, was a blind purchase and did not want to take too big a chance. Will aquire one or two more when available.
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post #7 of 44
12/19/08 at 10:52pm
It is absolutely delicious. Yes Dimitri has a nice review
http://sorceryofscent.blogspot.com/2...mbre-gris.html

and the Scented Salamander
http://www.mimifroufrou.com/scenteds..._perfum_1.html
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post #8 of 44
12/20/08 at 2:16pm
Sounds like something to try, definitely. And what a price!
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post #9 of 44
12/20/08 at 3:37pm
I seriously love the bottle. Tesla, I'd be interested to read your review. Somewhere I thought I read a negative on it, so wrote off sampling.
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post #10 of 44
12/20/08 at 3:59pm
they have it in stock for $28

https://www.parfum1.com/perfume.asp

are they a reliable company? I never purchased from them before? and thinking of taking a chance and blind buy
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post #11 of 44
12/20/08 at 6:36pm
Thread Starter 
I have never purchased from parfum1. I bought mine from Big Discount but they are now out of stock. The original retail price was supposed to be $150 so after reading the reviews when I saw it available so inexpensively I couldn't resist the blind buy. This blind buy was worth the risk I think.
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post #12 of 44
12/21/08 at 3:23am
Quote:
Originally Posted by denec View Post

they have it in stock for $28

https://www.parfum1.com/perfume.asp

are they a reliable company? I never purchased from them before? and thinking of taking a chance and blind buy

I have not had a problem with them. If you are going to order from them, you should take advantage of the 25% off code - valid thru 12/24.
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post #13 of 44
12/21/08 at 10:26am
I just bought it from 99perfumes for $25 + shipping. I can't find it for $19 anymore, but still, it's a deal. That is, if I like it!
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post #14 of 44
12/24/08 at 9:41am
ok i ordered it blind...came to $31 with the 25% off and shipping i figured for that much it worth a shot worst case can sell or trade here if i dont like it..
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post #15 of 44
12/24/08 at 10:35am
Quote:
Originally Posted by denec View Post

ok i ordered it blind...came to $31 with the 25% off and shipping i figured for that much it worth a shot worst case can sell or trade here if i dont like it..

It looks like we're in the same boat.
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post #16 of 44
12/29/08 at 9:56am
Thread Starter 
I decided that I like this frag. so much that I bought another bottle this morning from Perfume.com and avoided shipping fee so $27 and change out the door. "He who hesitates is lost!"
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post #17 of 44
12/29/08 at 10:02am
Quote:
Originally Posted by N_Tesla View Post

I decided that I like this frag. so much that I bought another bottle this morning from Perfume.com and avoided shipping fee so $27 and change out the door. "He who hesitates is lost!"


Wow now i really cannot wait to get mine...

no idea when mine is getting here...probably not till next week with the holiday
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post #18 of 44
12/29/08 at 10:11am
Thread Starter 
Hello denec: I got excited about Amber Gris because it is one of the first blind buys that was instant success. I warn you though that it is addicting. Hope you get your bottle soon. Let me know what you think.
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post #19 of 44
12/29/08 at 10:25am
Mine is scheduled to arrive today via UPS. Report to follow.
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post #20 of 44
12/29/08 at 10:58am
Quote:
Originally Posted by N_Tesla View Post

Hello denec: I got excited about Amber Gris because it is one of the first blind buys that was instant success. I warn you though that it is addicting. Hope you get your bottle soon. Let me know what you think.


I dont even think mine shipped yet LOL

parfum i think is slow proccesing i will see where mine is

one thing i hate about ordering online vs buying in the store
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post #21 of 44
12/29/08 at 2:35pm
well update mine should be here tomorrow supposedly i hope
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post #22 of 44
12/29/08 at 2:44pm
It arrived! First of all, the bottle is magnificent. Chunky glass square with a gold golf-ball cap. I
put a spray on and headed to the beach. It started a bit sweet, but the amber/wood began to develop nicely. I then went into the ocean.
I'm wearing it tonight to a party, more later.
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post #23 of 44
12/29/08 at 3:20pm
i almost ordered it for my then girlfriend...i love ow it smells ona beautiful woman, but i could not pull it off...too feminine for me.
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post #24 of 44
12/29/08 at 4:15pm
Thread Starter 
Ruggles: Cool! Glad you got it. Give us a full report tonight would ya?
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post #25 of 44
12/29/08 at 7:58pm
I have to say this: it starts out as a cherry cordial candy and then sheds the sweetness, goes through a floral middle and then it becomes a vanilla oriental. I need to wear it again a few times. My first impression is that it's a weird chypre/oriental mutant, that is quite well done with classy ingredients, quite good, but not a revelation.
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post #26 of 44
12/29/08 at 8:06pm
Thread Starter 
Ruggles: Good description. It is pretty amazing stuff.
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post #27 of 44
12/29/08 at 8:14pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ruggles View Post

I have to say this: it starts out as a cherry cordial candy and then sheds the sweetness, goes through a floral middle and then it becomes a vanilla oriental. I need to wear it again a few times. My first impression is that it's a weird chypre/oriental mutant, that is quite well done with classy ingredients, quite good, but not a revelation.


I still don't know what chypre means in describing fragrances i need to search that out

hopefully mine comes tomorrow

out of curiosity is it unique anything else like it?
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post #28 of 44
12/29/08 at 8:30pm
I just put part of it together, it's full of hay absolute and it has got a Chergui vibe going on, big time.
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post #29 of 44
12/30/08 at 9:01am
I just got mine and sprayed on two sprays, one on wrists and one one back of hands

so far initial top notes, very sweet will see how it goes from here
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post #30 of 44
12/30/08 at 9:10am
Quote:
Originally Posted by arwen_elf View Post

It is absolutely delicious. Yes Dimitri has a nice review
http://sorceryofscent.blogspot.com/2...mbre-gris.html

and the Scented Salamander
http://www.mimifroufrou.com/scenteds..._perfum_1.html


Having purchased a bottle and tried it, I find the following to be the most balanced, accurate review with the added virtue of its being pretty much free of the ad speak/ad hype exoticism that seems to be the prevailing genre of most blogs these days:

http://thenonblonde.blogspot.com/200...mbre-gris.html

scentemental
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post #31 of 44
12/30/08 at 9:19am
Now it changed over from very sweet/fruity to a floral...lets see where the drydown goes
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post #32 of 44
12/30/08 at 10:31am
Quote:
Originally Posted by scentemental View Post

Having purchased a bottle and tried it, I find the following to be the most balanced, accurate review with the added virtue of its being pretty much free of the ad speak/ad hype exoticism that seems to be the prevailing genre of most blogs these days:
http://thenonblonde.blogspot.com/200...mbre-gris.html
scentemental

Thanks for the link. A very accurate description of a nice, but truly over-hyped, fragrance. I'm finding Ambre Gris to be a watered down Lutens, think Chypre Rouge crossed with Chergui.
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post #33 of 44
12/30/08 at 10:45am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ruggles View Post

Thanks for the link. A very accurate description of a nice, but truly over-hyped, fragrance. I'm finding Ambre Gris to be a watered down Lutens, think Chypre Rouge crossed with Chergui.


I am not sure yet, dont know if i got to the drydown or what..right now it is still too sweet for me
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post #34 of 44
12/30/08 at 11:12am
Quote:
Originally Posted by denec View Post

I am not sure yet, dont know if i got to the drydown or what..right now it is still too sweet for me

FYI, it was originally done as a feminine. The candied cherries note does pass. I'm liking it, but definitely not loving it. A good example of what happens with a blind buy.
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post #35 of 44
12/30/08 at 11:19am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ruggles View Post

FYI, it was originally done as a feminine. The candied cherries note does pass. I'm liking it, but definitely not loving it. A good example of what happens with a blind buy.

Yes i finally got pass the cherry stage!

I still smell some of it in the background or some sort of I guess tuberose or some sort of flower but it is deep in background I can live with that

I am not an expert on the rest of the notes. So to describe the rest is very hard but I do like this part very much. I do feel the salty part i guess is what you might describe it?
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post #36 of 44
12/30/08 at 11:52am
I think this was a very smart move from the marketing machine at Balmain. They got a lot of people to try their product that otherwise would not even know about it. Of those who bought it some will like it and will pay attention to future Balmain releases.

I will have to spray my husband (probably while he sleeps, hee hee) and see how it develops on his skin.
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post #37 of 44
12/30/08 at 1:29pm
The drydown is definitely the best part, just takes a while to get there I guess about 2 hours on my skin,

when it gets there I would say it is creamy, dark, vanilla, salty, a little sensual.

all in all not bad for a blind buy. The opening way too sweet, for the price it is not bad maybe after a few more wearings I will appreciate it more
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post #38 of 44
12/30/08 at 3:32pm
Thread Starter 
However opinions may differ regarding Amber Gris...I like it. I used some today and happily experienced the fragrance all day. I like sweet, floral and wood, all of which are there. The majority of critics I read thought it virtuous and with the price being what it is, your honor, I rest my case.
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post #39 of 44
12/30/08 at 4:11pm
Yeah I am still not sure about it...the sweetness keeps popping in and out in the drydown I guess that is the tuberose? I am not really sure?

I like sweet fragrances like rochas man, and Lolita Lempkin au masculin but this is too much for me for me, I think this smells too feminine on my skin but I am not sure I guess I need to ask a females opinon. The other thing I noticed I dont think there is much sillage because I can barely after it goes into drydwon without putting my hand right into my nose

Oh well even if i end up not liking for the price I paid I guess i cannot complain too much
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post #40 of 44
12/30/08 at 4:39pm
An imaginary review from Luca Turin:

Ambre Gris *** candy-wood
Ambre Gris is apparently based on an "idea" of ambergris. It is a polite, slightly confused fragrance with a pleasant cherry cordial start and a complex, salty drydown that feels like several fragrances at once. Utterly unremarkable.

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post #41 of 44
12/30/08 at 4:54pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ruggles View Post

An imaginary review from Luca Turin:

Ambre Gris *** candy-wood
Ambre Gris is apparently based on an "idea" of ambergris. It is a polite, slightly confused fragrance with a pleasant cherry cordial start and a complex, salty drydown that feels like several fragrances at once. Utterly unremarkable.


Brilliant, Ruggles!

I especially like how the star rating doesn't match the description
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post #42 of 44
12/30/08 at 5:56pm
Well I had to scrub Ambre Gris off...and I don't think I can wear this again, i went from somewhat liking it to hating it
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post #43 of 44
12/30/08 at 6:01pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by zztopp View Post

Brilliant, Ruggles!
I especially like how the star rating doesn't match the description

It's actually a paraphrase of his Eau des Merveilles revue; a tribute to their sliding meaning of ***.
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post #44 of 44
12/30/08 at 7:54pm
I loved Gaia's review! I watch for perfume "stampedes" like this, then wait for the bottles to start showing up on swap lists...that's how I got my bottle :-)
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