Ambrette 9 Eau de Parfum

I’m on my fourth bottle of Ambrette 9 and it’s now become my signature fragrance and the only one I love wearing. Perfect strangers have come up to me in stores, church and restaurants asking me what perfume I’m wearing. Some have even asked me to write down the name for them. I always tell them to get it from Nordstrom’s too. As Le Labo is a niche perfume house you certainly won’t be detecting this scent on everyone else. Ambrette 9 is a uniquely delicate fragrance but by being delicate, it isn’t cloying or overpowering. Most perfumes trigger migraines for me. This one is perfect. I hope to wear it for many more years.

I've spent years looking for a perfume that wasn't ridiculously sweet, overly powdery, smelled like a dryer sheet, was insanely overwhelming, was too masculine, or smelled like every other perfume on the market. What can I say? I'm picky. I liked Santal 33, but there was something slightly sickly about it, and I smelled it everywhere. And then I tried Ambrette 9. People are correct that the first spray leaves you with a heavy hit of alcohol, but on me at least the dry down is extremely sexy. It's spicy, warm, and cedar-y (which I've never seen mentioned in any other review). There is a sweetness that is reminiscent of pear, but the spice tops it. My husband adores it in a way that he's never done for any other scent. Is there a downside? Yes. It disappears within a few hours; which for me is actually ok. I'd rather wear something subtle that you have to reapply a few times throughout the day then wear something that makes people nauseous on the bus in the morning due to it's strength. Unfortunately I go through this rather expensive perfume like candy due to this. It's worth it.

I don't mind spending a pretty penny on my fragrances. I've spent upwards of $300 on single bottles, when I really wanted something, so paying the price isn't the issue. I LOVE Ambrette, luuuuuv it. But it is a very soft and gentle fragrance, so I tend to spray it generously, 'cause I want to smell it on me. So I am going through my bottles rather quickly. I think to date, I have bought 2, 1.7 bottles and 2. travel kits. So as you can see I am spending a lot on this fragrance. I would give it all 5 stars for the scent, but I dropped the one star because it is expensive for what you get and how long it lasts.. The fragrance is a "skin scent" so it stays close to the skin and does not project much. I wear it on clean skin as I am going to bed. (Yes I put on perfume to go to bed.) It is calming and subtle. I guess I will keep shelling out the money, because there is nothing in my collection like it. I have to have it!

I fell in love with Ambrette 9 after ordering a sample from Le Labo - the scent lasted throughout the day and I received several compliments when I wore it. Unfortunately, the first bottle I ordered through the Nordstrom web site had no scent whatsoever and was exchanged for a new one. There definitely seems to be a difference between the sample I ordered from LL and the new bottle I received from Nordstrom since the scent seems to dissipate quickly after spraying it. I am disappointed with the quality of this bottle of perfume given its price point.