Exotic fruits
Blackcurrant
Tuberose
Cedarwood
Rose
Sandalwood
Vanilla
Amber
Elysium
897 Reviews
Elysium
8
Salty, Stoney, And Ancient Times
And who said it’s a contradiction having an idea and then changing it? After all, life is a transformation. Even the caterpillar becomes a butterfly. The contradiction moves the world, and that happened to me. I tested all four new perfumes from ZARA Fragrances, and Tender Amber was the least liked because it was solid and synthetic. Right off the bat, this was a delightful perfume, cloying and overwhelming, which explains the tone of my statement, which I deliberately want to leave unchanged. But as time went by, its evolution changed my mind. To the point that yesterday, I went running to a store to hear it again and buy another one. It took me some time to decide between Spell Caramel and Tobacco Sublime; ultimately, the latter was my final choice.
Gaël Montero is the niche nose behind Tender Amber, a floral-fruity prominent scent that smells of salt, warm stones, and ancient times. He is a jr perfumer residing in Dubai, with his existing musk penchant. The scent starts with a cascade of luscious Mediterranean citrus fruits, a basket of the most joyful and freshest fruits. I meet exuberant Sicilian orange and lemon and Calabrian bergamot fruits, typical fruits of southern Italy, fill the composition with joy. If I close my eyes, I imagine a fresh fruit salad in large pieces, adding tropical fruits: mango, papaya, passion fruit, cantaloupe melon, pineapple. Topping it, there is a sprinkling of salt instead of sugar. There is a hint of sourness from the blackcurrant, neither too harsh nor too tart. Not very fresh, more sweet than fresh, luxurious smelling. When I smell it from a close distance, I identify an almost liqueur-like background of licorice, the pure black flake that melts in the mouth. The dominant note of ambroxan, from which it takes its name, Tender Amber, is immediately perceived—as anything but tender. Overly sweet and salty, a bomb of ambroxan barely overshadows the other notes.
I let this big fruity explosion slowly subside, and a bouquet of fat, fleshy white flowers unfold. In the heart, the perfume turns towards a floral chewing gum that leans sweet, like Big Babol, floating on salty amber water. The tuberose is tamed, not flaunted, while the rose is as delicate as a white rose. It is a sensation similar to a cedar and sandalwood raft sprinkled with carnal flowers at the mercy of a rough sea; the splashes of water wet the petals giving a sensual and salty elixir. Amber edge grows and grows while a fluffy mossiness oozes.
A soft musky, tart amber touch bears witness to vanilla, sensual, and dreamy. It doesn’t look like edible vanilla but something spicier that mixes with musky and amber tones. The amber is not marine but is a type of ambroxan similar to ambergris, with earthy, musky facets without soapy or clean puffs. The musky tones reflect that characteristic blackberry smell, like those in Musk Eau de Toilette. Gaël Montero existing musk penchant and the Middle East influenced the perfume direction. Sadly, the two kinds of wood mentioned, cedar and sandalwood, neither overpower nor dominate, so the woody facet is smooth and subdued. With fruity and salty reflections, the amber nuance remains in the long trail that persists for many hours.
I’ve tested my bottle twice now and got confirmation this morning. When I applied it last night around 9 pm, I couldn’t have imagined at all the following day when I woke up, i.e., at 9 am thinking: wow, how much is still there? Not only do I feel its remnants on my skin, but also its projection when I move my arm. Tender Amber is an elixir with a long-lasting velvety effect, which is unusual for a ZARA fragrance. It is the best-most summer fragrance out of the four. I honestly believe many other fragrances smell like this but are much more expensive; it smells like sugary fruit and delicious vanilla, and indeed the projection and longevity are outstanding. The main accords make it suitable for daily and nightly use during spring, summer, and fall months. It’s casual, not offensive if not over-sprayed, and perfect for leisure with friends, aperò, and dinner out. I gave it a solid 8, because I like it, but I don't love it enough.
I'm basing my opinion on a bottle I've owned since August 2023.
-Elysium
Gaël Montero is the niche nose behind Tender Amber, a floral-fruity prominent scent that smells of salt, warm stones, and ancient times. He is a jr perfumer residing in Dubai, with his existing musk penchant. The scent starts with a cascade of luscious Mediterranean citrus fruits, a basket of the most joyful and freshest fruits. I meet exuberant Sicilian orange and lemon and Calabrian bergamot fruits, typical fruits of southern Italy, fill the composition with joy. If I close my eyes, I imagine a fresh fruit salad in large pieces, adding tropical fruits: mango, papaya, passion fruit, cantaloupe melon, pineapple. Topping it, there is a sprinkling of salt instead of sugar. There is a hint of sourness from the blackcurrant, neither too harsh nor too tart. Not very fresh, more sweet than fresh, luxurious smelling. When I smell it from a close distance, I identify an almost liqueur-like background of licorice, the pure black flake that melts in the mouth. The dominant note of ambroxan, from which it takes its name, Tender Amber, is immediately perceived—as anything but tender. Overly sweet and salty, a bomb of ambroxan barely overshadows the other notes.
I let this big fruity explosion slowly subside, and a bouquet of fat, fleshy white flowers unfold. In the heart, the perfume turns towards a floral chewing gum that leans sweet, like Big Babol, floating on salty amber water. The tuberose is tamed, not flaunted, while the rose is as delicate as a white rose. It is a sensation similar to a cedar and sandalwood raft sprinkled with carnal flowers at the mercy of a rough sea; the splashes of water wet the petals giving a sensual and salty elixir. Amber edge grows and grows while a fluffy mossiness oozes.
A soft musky, tart amber touch bears witness to vanilla, sensual, and dreamy. It doesn’t look like edible vanilla but something spicier that mixes with musky and amber tones. The amber is not marine but is a type of ambroxan similar to ambergris, with earthy, musky facets without soapy or clean puffs. The musky tones reflect that characteristic blackberry smell, like those in Musk Eau de Toilette. Gaël Montero existing musk penchant and the Middle East influenced the perfume direction. Sadly, the two kinds of wood mentioned, cedar and sandalwood, neither overpower nor dominate, so the woody facet is smooth and subdued. With fruity and salty reflections, the amber nuance remains in the long trail that persists for many hours.
I’ve tested my bottle twice now and got confirmation this morning. When I applied it last night around 9 pm, I couldn’t have imagined at all the following day when I woke up, i.e., at 9 am thinking: wow, how much is still there? Not only do I feel its remnants on my skin, but also its projection when I move my arm. Tender Amber is an elixir with a long-lasting velvety effect, which is unusual for a ZARA fragrance. It is the best-most summer fragrance out of the four. I honestly believe many other fragrances smell like this but are much more expensive; it smells like sugary fruit and delicious vanilla, and indeed the projection and longevity are outstanding. The main accords make it suitable for daily and nightly use during spring, summer, and fall months. It’s casual, not offensive if not over-sprayed, and perfect for leisure with friends, aperò, and dinner out. I gave it a solid 8, because I like it, but I don't love it enough.
I'm basing my opinion on a bottle I've owned since August 2023.
-Elysium
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