Hurricane Sandy is almost upon us, and this may be my last blog post for a while as I wait for the restoration of internet and power to my area later this week. I’m hoping the storm isn’t as “perfect” as the ratings-hungry TV forecasters claim, and that perhaps we in Connecticut will be spared the worst of it. Unfortunately, it’s already quite windy outside, and the storm is still 500 miles away. This begs the question: how much windier will it get when it’s only 50 miles away? The outlook feels decidedly grim, with severe flood warnings blanketing the entire state. As Tom Petty once sang, “We’ve gotta get to a higher place.”
Ambery orientals, I’ve decided, are inherently unisex. Whether this has always been true or is a byproduct of the twenty-first century’s forgiving, multicultural zeitgeist, I’m not sure. But nowadays, it seems both men and women can wear them effortlessly. Floral orientals, and even some spicy orientals, can be trickier, but the smooth, warm, and diffuse nature of a well-crafted amber allows each gender its own interpretation of the genre. Prada’s Amber, for instance, is a solid contender: a thoroughly patchouli-amber-sandalwood composition that, while not groundbreaking, excels in affability and comes housed in a brilliant bottle. It bears a resemblance to Shalimar but with less citrus on top and a woodier base.
This isn’t to say Amber’s citrus notes are inferior. Its bergamot is bright and very pleasing. However, Shalimar’s citrus notes are unparalleled within the oriental category. From Amber’s citrus emerges a cool vanilla, grounded by earthy patchouli and transitioning into a woodsy-warm amber resting on a lush sandalwood foundation. While some detect prominent floral notes of ylang-ylang, jasmine, and rose, I experience none of these. Perhaps it’s a matter of skin chemistry. Either way, Prada Amber is a lovely little amber, well worth every penny.