I don’t tend to like soapy fragrances, and if you asked me if I’d like a fragrance that smelled like shaving cream, I’d have to say no — but I loved Prada’s original Amber Pour Homme (2006), sometimes known as Prada Man, and Prada Man smelled, basically, like shaving cream. It’s been on my “to buy” list since it came out, but I’ve built up an impressive collection of samples and I don’t wear it all that frequently anyway. It’s not all that likely I’ll ever have to buy any.
Prada does a better job than most in terms of telling you what their fragrances will (really) smell like, and so it’s worth paying attention to their description of Amber Pour Homme Intense, which called for “a pared back roster of exceptional quality raw ingredients” and “peeling back the layers of leather and barbershop soap present in the original”. Yep, this is essentially Amber Pour Homme without the shaving cream — less fougère, more woody oriental. It’s heavier on the amber and patchouli. It’s darker, spicier, and not quite as smooth. It has a slight cocoa undertone, especially in the early stages, and the vanilla is more noticeable as it dries down, although it’s not really any sweeter than the original. Despite the heavier concentration, it doesn’t strike me as any louder or stronger, either.
When I reviewed the original Amber Pour Homme, I called it “more soothing than sexy”; Amber Pour Homme Intense tilts in the opposite direction: it isn’t as mellow or as conservative. Amber Pour Homme was not what I’d call a feminine scent — it did smell like a man’s shaving cream, after all — but it was the sort of masculine scent that was easily borrowed. Amber Pour Homme is more conventionally masculine, and I doubt it will be as widely adopted by women.1 I’d also think it was less suitable for year-round wear (at least, if you live somewhere with hot, humid summers) and I’m surprised Prada didn’t release it in the fall instead of the spring.
Verdict: It’s well done, and I suspect many men will like it better than the original. This woman will stick with Amber Pour Homme.
Prada Amber Pour Homme Intense is a limited edition. It is described on the Prada website as an “Eau de Toilette Intense”, but the box says Eau de Parfum Intense. It’s sold in 50 and 100 ml spray, or in a refillable 100 ml bulb atomizer (shown above). The notes include bergamot, patchouli, cistus labdanum, tonka bean, vanilla, geranium, orange blossom, myrrh, vetiver, musk, leather, sandalwood, amber, saffron.
1. Actually, I have no idea how widely borrowed Amber Pour Homme is. A sales associate in Nordstrom once told me that she sold as much of it to women as to men, and that it was clear women were buying it for themselves, but it goes without saying that I have no way of knowing who buys or wears it.
30 Comments
Read more about commenting at Now Smell This.
Saw this in store but did not understand why they have a 100ml refillable atomizer for a limited edition – by the time id have used up the 100ml the ‘limited edition’ would have ceased production & wouldnt really want to mix scents by putting another fragrance into this refillable bottle?
LOL…I did not think of that, but you’re right, it’s silly!
I disagree with you about releasing this in the fall. I dont think anything Prada has ever done is heavy enough for cold weather wear.
Really? I think the original Prada edp is very heavy. The whole first floor of our Nordstrom used to smell of this fragrance when it was newer.
I completely agree with you–I thought the original Prada EDP was very strong.
Agree with Springpansy & Filomena on this one…Prada EdP was not something I’d wear in the summer. This isn’t as heavy as that, I don’t think, but still to me closer to cool weather wear than hot weather wear.
Great review, Robin. I wasn’t that fond of the original, but if I happen to see this I’ll definitely give it a whirl.
Can’t hurt to try, and I do think people who didn’t like the first one might still like this one.
Just today I have got my bottle Of infusion d’iris edt and I love it, less sweet than edp, more powdery. Perfect for Madrid current almost spring wheather!!
They didn’t have this yet but i will try for sure since i quite like the original.
I have still not tried the IdI EdT on skin, only on paper, but I adore the original and would wear it year round. Do you think the EdT is more summery?
Not just a lighter version Of edp, i guess violet and muguet makes it more powdery and dryier/greener? Of course it’s more a hot wheather frag. Although the edp can be worn all yeard round as you already do. I feel a more masculinE vibe too, but maybe it’s just cause i’m a guy and need “confort ”
Thanks!
I finally tried today the intense and liked it! It’s similar to the original amber at the top notes and as it dries it reminds me to the woman’s amber. Not sure if buy it due to the spring/ summer coming…
Great review, Robin. Given that it’s more ambery than the original, I’m curious about how this compares to L’Eau Ambree…Apples and oranges? Or is there a resemblance? I really like L’Eau Ambree but wish it were just a tad heavier, and I’m wondering if Amber Pour Homme Intense might fit the bill.
It is heavier, darker, spicier, and more masculine. There is some vague resemblance because there are similar notes, as there are in the whole Prada line, for that matter. Is the regular Prada for women not quite what you’re after?
My question is, why the bulb atomizer? Yes, as bulb atomizers go it is more androgynous than most, but I still don’t see men sitting down at their mid-century Heywood Wakefield dressing tables for two-handed scent spritzing. Am I alone in this?
You have to see it in person…it’s not at all like the bulb atomizers they use on women’s scents, more like 2 discs (now I can’t remember if they’re metal or not) that you squeeze together. Sort of like the one they used for Viktor & Rolf Eau Mega.
But as to why, beats me.
Hm. Will have to check it out! I’ve been planning to go smell Futur and Visa, anyway…
Well, I have the bulb atomiser version of the original Amber pour Homme and I have to tell you that it’s the stupidest design I have. It’s almost impossible to use it properly. You just cannot hold the bottle in one of your hands and spray to your neck with the other hand, it’s uncomfortable and awkward. I like the smell but hate using because of the spraying apparatus.
And one more thing: since it’s refillable the sprayhead turns and if the bottle is not kept in upright position it leaks… annoying!
That’s my objection to any sort of bulb atomizer..they always leak.
like a combination of bellows and castanets? hmmmm still don’t trust them…hopefully it would come with an optional traditional spray pump.
I have the original, but really like the intense better.
I think many people will, thanks Carlos!
I do like Amber Pour Homme, but I think there are others that are better and follow the same way the Prada goes, such as Burberry Touch for Men and Arpège Pour Homme. Touch is a masterpiece!
Robin, write us a rewiew about Rochas Man, please!!!
I have never even smelled Rochas Man…will have to check with Kevin.
so no ad with giggling men shuffling from side to side hosing each other down with hugemungous spray bottles? Where’s the gender equality here?
Lmao! Thanks for that, Daisy.
(Wiping coffee spray off computer screen)
LOL…I almost forgot that ad! If they ever did any ad at all for the Pour Homme, I think I missed it.
Great fragrance! Never crazy about Prada fragrances. This one has won me over.
Ooohh be still my beating heart!