Osmanthus
Frankincense
Pear
Peach
Saffron
Elysium
898 Reviews
Elysium
3
The Gift of The Gods
I was hoping for something more leathery and incensed, but the fruit is the dominant accord—sweetening this amber that is at times smoky and woody.
Stellar Amber is the fruitiest and most floral amber of the Chapter No. 10 collection. It opens with a luscious fruity-floral accord edged with juicy peach, ripe apricot, and suede over a musky, slightly animalic base. The osmanthus flower recalls jasmine, with sensual leathery accents that lend it that faint animalic undertone. Its honeyed, apricot-peach character has a tactile, velvety softness—like the skin of the fruit itself. A touch of crisp pear mingles with white florals, releasing a milky, lactonic nuance. The alcohol in the blend, together with the royal pear note, creates a fleeting impression of Williams pear brandy—made from the finest sun-ripened fruit. Smelled up close, faint bitter nuances appear, reminiscent of almond, or rather almond milk. This facet lingers for several minutes after the opening—one I didn’t notice on first wear. The opening phase is fresh and luminous, all about juicy, pulpy fruits that balance sweetness and tartness, accented by a gentle nutty tone.
As the fragrance develops, a delicious powdery haze of narcotic jasmine and jammy rose replaces the fruit, which steps back without vanishing entirely. Stellar Amber now reveals a rich floral bouquet—osmanthus, rose, and jasmine intertwining with the fruit from the opening, creating an almost bubblegum impression. Wisps of smoke, leather, and resins appear intermittently, courtesy of a delicate touch of saffron and frankincense. These never overpower, instead lending a soft, atmospheric depth to the composition. The saffron is subtle—nothing like the leathery oriental intensity of Middle Eastern perfumes. Gradually, a faint bitterness emerges as the smoky amber begins to rise.
In the dry-down, Stellar Amber unveils its warm vanilla, woody, and amber tones. On my skin, creamy sandalwood and salty ambergris drift through soft incense. The incense here isn’t church-like—it grounds the fruitiness, tempering the sweetness and bringing a serene balance. If the opening glows with juicy fruits, and the heart blooms with powdery, jammy florals, then the final act belongs to amber, woods, and a whisper of dark vanilla. It’s silky, creamy, and slightly smoky, with a refined leathery undertone—still sweet, but warm and enveloping. The velvety dryness of the woods eventually eclipses the amber, creating a honeyed woodiness. Throughout, a clean white musk threads the composition, from the first spray to the final trace, lending a soft, musky luminosity.
Those familiar with Guidance Eau de Parfum will recognize echoes in Stellar Amber’s evolution, though its nuances differ subtly. I find it perfect for early autumn—from late August, when the air turns humid, to early December, when it sharpens with cold. It’s fresh yet woody, light enough for daily wear. Both projection and longevity are above moderate, never intrusive, making it suitable for offices and enclosed spaces. It leans slightly feminine, though I consider it beautifully unisex and would wear it myself without hesitation.
I have great respect for the house of Zara, yet I fear some may overlook the quiet beauty of this perfume if they don’t take time to listen to it. Stellar Amber first presents as a bright, fruity scent, but its resinous, smoky incense and creamy sandalwood-jasmine core emerge only with patience. On first wear, I dismissed it as overly sweet and fruity. But with time—and attention—I discovered its hidden, smoldering facets. Now, I find myself appreciating and loving it more with every encounter.
I wrote my honest review based on a bottle I have owned since September 2024 (BC 42010, PD 2024-07-19).
—Elysium
Stellar Amber is the fruitiest and most floral amber of the Chapter No. 10 collection. It opens with a luscious fruity-floral accord edged with juicy peach, ripe apricot, and suede over a musky, slightly animalic base. The osmanthus flower recalls jasmine, with sensual leathery accents that lend it that faint animalic undertone. Its honeyed, apricot-peach character has a tactile, velvety softness—like the skin of the fruit itself. A touch of crisp pear mingles with white florals, releasing a milky, lactonic nuance. The alcohol in the blend, together with the royal pear note, creates a fleeting impression of Williams pear brandy—made from the finest sun-ripened fruit. Smelled up close, faint bitter nuances appear, reminiscent of almond, or rather almond milk. This facet lingers for several minutes after the opening—one I didn’t notice on first wear. The opening phase is fresh and luminous, all about juicy, pulpy fruits that balance sweetness and tartness, accented by a gentle nutty tone.
As the fragrance develops, a delicious powdery haze of narcotic jasmine and jammy rose replaces the fruit, which steps back without vanishing entirely. Stellar Amber now reveals a rich floral bouquet—osmanthus, rose, and jasmine intertwining with the fruit from the opening, creating an almost bubblegum impression. Wisps of smoke, leather, and resins appear intermittently, courtesy of a delicate touch of saffron and frankincense. These never overpower, instead lending a soft, atmospheric depth to the composition. The saffron is subtle—nothing like the leathery oriental intensity of Middle Eastern perfumes. Gradually, a faint bitterness emerges as the smoky amber begins to rise.
In the dry-down, Stellar Amber unveils its warm vanilla, woody, and amber tones. On my skin, creamy sandalwood and salty ambergris drift through soft incense. The incense here isn’t church-like—it grounds the fruitiness, tempering the sweetness and bringing a serene balance. If the opening glows with juicy fruits, and the heart blooms with powdery, jammy florals, then the final act belongs to amber, woods, and a whisper of dark vanilla. It’s silky, creamy, and slightly smoky, with a refined leathery undertone—still sweet, but warm and enveloping. The velvety dryness of the woods eventually eclipses the amber, creating a honeyed woodiness. Throughout, a clean white musk threads the composition, from the first spray to the final trace, lending a soft, musky luminosity.
Those familiar with Guidance Eau de Parfum will recognize echoes in Stellar Amber’s evolution, though its nuances differ subtly. I find it perfect for early autumn—from late August, when the air turns humid, to early December, when it sharpens with cold. It’s fresh yet woody, light enough for daily wear. Both projection and longevity are above moderate, never intrusive, making it suitable for offices and enclosed spaces. It leans slightly feminine, though I consider it beautifully unisex and would wear it myself without hesitation.
I have great respect for the house of Zara, yet I fear some may overlook the quiet beauty of this perfume if they don’t take time to listen to it. Stellar Amber first presents as a bright, fruity scent, but its resinous, smoky incense and creamy sandalwood-jasmine core emerge only with patience. On first wear, I dismissed it as overly sweet and fruity. But with time—and attention—I discovered its hidden, smoldering facets. Now, I find myself appreciating and loving it more with every encounter.
I wrote my honest review based on a bottle I have owned since September 2024 (BC 42010, PD 2024-07-19).
—Elysium
1 Comment
Kmye
Elysium
Zowie
Milovely
Heikeso
YellaYella
Bergkristall
Dionysos2022
Orangensorbe
CharlAmbre
