MAISON SYBARITE
AMBER GAZE

2020

PERFUMER
Antoine Lie

Jasmine
Tuberose
Violet

Pink Pepper
Cardamom
Nutmeg
Cinnamon

Tolu Balsam
Labdanum
Sandalwood
Patchouli
Vanilla

Maison Sybarite is a brand that utilizes a new technique to be water-based and this makes for a very interesting, milky opaque consistency of the fragrance. When applied to skin, there’s a bit of a white, milky liquid at first, which I have to say I wasn’t a fan of.

Scent-wise, I started off trying Amber Gaze and Bed of Roses, the latter being my favorite on first impression, but both were really good.

Amber Gaze was way off from what I expected. It starts off a bit harsh, with a spiciness; I mostly got a smoked cinnamon vibe from the first minutes. After those minutes, a slightly sour tinge comes through, which at first was a bit off-putting. It’s a cucumber-esque tinge that you get with certain sandalwood fragrances like Le Labo Santal 33 or Guerlain Santal Pao Rosa.

It takes a while before the florals to come through for me, which as a bonus make the sour tinge work. I have to say I didn’t get a real white floral here, but more so a rose. Which was surprising, because I didn’t get the rose in Bed of Roses; to the point where I was questioning if I swapped the samples.

In the drydown, Amber Gaze started to remind me of Amouage Epic 56, which was really nice. I would have to try Amber Gaze again, from a new bottle, because it kind of feels like I perceived this in a weird way judging by the notes and other reviews. Either way, a first impression is a first impression, and for now, I liked this mostly in the drydown.