The Perfume Library

Dark Amber & Ginger Lily

7.7

Jo Malone · 2008

Fresh · Floral · Sweet

Jo Malone Dark Amber & Ginger Lily is a women's fragrance that sets the spicy warmth of ginger and black cardamom against a floral heart and a black amber base. Its longevity is rated good and its sillage moderate, so it stays fairly close to the skin. Most voters suggest fall and winter, with spring not far behind. Evening, leisure and daily wear get almost equal support. Most voters read it as feminine, though a fair number find it masculine. It opens with black cardamom, pink pepper and ginger, which give a spicy lift. The heart of jasmine, rose, orchid and water lily turns floral and creamy. In the base, frankincense, patchouli, leather, sandalwood and black amber settle into a resinous, smoky, sweet warmth.

Basil

6.8

Marc Jacobs · 2008

Fresh · Floral · Aquatic

Marc Jacobs Basil, a 2008 women's fragrance that is now discontinued, sets the green freshness of basil on a floral base. It opens with basil, lemon grass and tomato leaf, giving a sharp, green coolness. In the heart, orange blossom, freesia and jasmine soften that greenness and turn it floral. The base of sandalwood, white musk and cashmere wood dries down smooth and lightly woody. Fresh, floral and aquatic accords lead, while fruity and spicy touches stay in the background.

Grapefruit

5.7

Marc Jacobs · 2008

Fresh · Citrus · Floral

Marc Jacobs Grapefruit is a fresh, citrusy floral that reads light, fruity and sweet, made for women and now discontinued. The top is grapefruit and orange blossom, so a sharp citrus meets a soft flower from the first spray. Ginger and freesia in the heart turn it slightly spicy while keeping it floral. Musk, patchouli and amber form the base, where the sweetness settles and the synthetic character becomes clearer. Its note and accord profile sits close to Emir Memories of Summer and Atelier des Ors Pink Me Up.