Amouage Lyric Woman is a black tie scent. It has the presence of a magnificent ball gown- well cut and draped from a luxurious fabric, tailored and accessorized to perfection. It's big, elegant but also has more than a touch of romance to it, making me think more about an unforgettable night than one's company Holiday party.
It's the rose, you see. A very dark, opulent rose. It's red but with an almost black undertone, and not fully open yet. It's somewhat fruity at first, but not fresh- more like an exquisite fruit liqueur that has been kept in the basement for a very special occasion. The spices (cardamom, cinnamon, ginger) never let the rose become light or floral, and ease the scent into an even darker phase of wood and patchouli.
The base is velvety and mildly sweet. Official notes list vanilla and tonka bean, but Lyric is not about satisfying the vanilla craving or the comforts of a robe, slippers and hot chocolate. It just refuses to stay home and cuddle. It wants to go out and take Manhattan by storm, and you'd better put your hair up and do your makeup if you're along for the ride. It's that kind of a scent.
A couple of hours into wearing Lyric, my skin often strips it from everything but a rosy frankincense, especially when I'm only wearing one or two sprays. It's still beautiful, but not always what I want for a 10 hour day (or night). That's the only thing stopping me from graduating from a decant to a full bottle, though I know that eventually I'll succumb. We all need a little glamor here and there.
Lyric Woman ($265 for 50 ml) and the rest of the Amouage line are available from Luckyscent and Aedes. Samples are available from these stores, as well as from The Perfumed Court.
Photo by Nina Leen, 1950-something.
It's the rose, you see. A very dark, opulent rose. It's red but with an almost black undertone, and not fully open yet. It's somewhat fruity at first, but not fresh- more like an exquisite fruit liqueur that has been kept in the basement for a very special occasion. The spices (cardamom, cinnamon, ginger) never let the rose become light or floral, and ease the scent into an even darker phase of wood and patchouli.
The base is velvety and mildly sweet. Official notes list vanilla and tonka bean, but Lyric is not about satisfying the vanilla craving or the comforts of a robe, slippers and hot chocolate. It just refuses to stay home and cuddle. It wants to go out and take Manhattan by storm, and you'd better put your hair up and do your makeup if you're along for the ride. It's that kind of a scent.
A couple of hours into wearing Lyric, my skin often strips it from everything but a rosy frankincense, especially when I'm only wearing one or two sprays. It's still beautiful, but not always what I want for a 10 hour day (or night). That's the only thing stopping me from graduating from a decant to a full bottle, though I know that eventually I'll succumb. We all need a little glamor here and there.
Lyric Woman ($265 for 50 ml) and the rest of the Amouage line are available from Luckyscent and Aedes. Samples are available from these stores, as well as from The Perfumed Court.
Photo by Nina Leen, 1950-something.
I am a huge fan of Lyric, finding it almost heart-stoppingly romantic and glamorous. It's the only fragrance I own (well, a decant!) that I specifically reserve for special occasions.
ReplyDeleteAnd that dress in your post image - dear Lord, that dress!!!! I want it. Moreover, I want somewhere to wear it...