Ombre

Notes & Nuances

Ombre by Maison Alhambra opens with a brazen, almost medicinal incense blast. It lacks the nuanced smokiness of aged frankincense, instead leaning into a sharper, almost acrid church incense note. The raspberry is present, but less jammy fruit and more like a raspberry-flavored cough drop, adding a saccharine counterpoint to the stern smoke. As it develops, the oud emerges, yet it's a somewhat restrained oud; woody and slightly medicinal rather than barnyard or animalic. The birch lends a leathery facet, and the rose adds a fleeting, powdery sweetness. In the drydown, the amberwood asserts dominance, giving off a synthetic, woody aroma, tempered by the softer benzoin. The geranium fights a losing battle, barely detectable amidst the prevalent woody accord.

Is it Worth It?

Wearing Ombre is akin to experiencing a cover band playing your favorite song. It captures the essence of the original inspiration, but the subtleties are lost in translation. It still offers the same vibe - a dark, sophisticated allure - but trades depth for brashness. You gain boldness but you lose the refined nuances.

Longevity & Projection

On my skin, Ombre persisted for about 7-8 hours. The projection is initially quite strong, extending beyond arm's length for the first two hours, creating a noticeable aura. After that, it settles closer to the skin, becoming more of a personal scent bubble. I tested it in a variety of settings, from a casual coffee date to an evening out, and it performed consistently in terms of longevity and projection.