Reviews of Lyric Woman by Amouage
I would like to know what opera aria or "lyric" Christopher Chong used for the inspiration to Lyric Woman and Lyric Man. I had a very distinct impression of Lyric Man being the duskier and more dour version of Gold Man - if Gold Man was an adulated person parading through the streets amidst the screams and thrown flower petals from admirers, then Lyric Man was that adulated person in the quietness of their home feeling the weight and stress of such adulation. Lyric Woman tracks very much the same way. There is a bright, energetic, and gleeful high point in the very early stages that descends to dimly lit corners and emotional gravitas by the end. I've heard arias like this, that start off full of force and light and joy, and by the end of the song, by the time the story is through, the singer is despondent. Why the hell would anyone want to wear a perfume that does this to you? Great question. Perhaps you don't. I adore Lyric Man. It is one of my favorite Amouage perfumes ever created precisely because it takes me on a journey. I do not think the journey is as expansive, or the elevation change from high to low is as great in Lyric Woman but the common theme is inarguable to my nose, and I adore Lyric Woman as well.
Woody aromatic spices, piquant ginger and bergamot, and powdery aldehydes adulate a blooming fruity red rose accord lying just underneath. There is a bit of citrusy green, white florals in the form of jasmine, and a good helping of exotic and tropical banana like ylang-ylang making sure the powdery orris and aldehydes don’t get too parched and too formal. But the rose never fully blooms; an unnerving angelica note adds a chemical and medicinal woody facet straight to the heart of the rose that makes it smell like it’s slowly dying before it ever fully lived. Gray and animalic musks with a damp mossy note begin to dim the lights lower and lower. The rose strains on, determined but futile and losing breath. A beautiful sandalwood begins to sweep upwards with tendrils of frankincense smoke and earthy woody notes. Stillness in the near darkness, a slight hum and vibration to the air as the aria ends and the stage exits begin.
Whether or not you want to smell like a heartbreaking aria is up you, but it’s stunning, transfixing, and beautiful nonetheless.
Woody aromatic spices, piquant ginger and bergamot, and powdery aldehydes adulate a blooming fruity red rose accord lying just underneath. There is a bit of citrusy green, white florals in the form of jasmine, and a good helping of exotic and tropical banana like ylang-ylang making sure the powdery orris and aldehydes don’t get too parched and too formal. But the rose never fully blooms; an unnerving angelica note adds a chemical and medicinal woody facet straight to the heart of the rose that makes it smell like it’s slowly dying before it ever fully lived. Gray and animalic musks with a damp mossy note begin to dim the lights lower and lower. The rose strains on, determined but futile and losing breath. A beautiful sandalwood begins to sweep upwards with tendrils of frankincense smoke and earthy woody notes. Stillness in the near darkness, a slight hum and vibration to the air as the aria ends and the stage exits begin.
Whether or not you want to smell like a heartbreaking aria is up you, but it’s stunning, transfixing, and beautiful nonetheless.
I get a nice mix of rose and sandalwood with a little cardamom and cinnamon, but nothing too spicy. It stays smooth and pleasant, not overly floral, with enough woodiness and a light balsamic touch to keep it grounded. The drydown is where it loses me—it turns a bit generic and doesn’t leave much of an impression. It’s not a bad scent at all, and I think most people would find it easy to wear, but it doesn’t really bring anything new. Performance is decent, just lighter than some others in the women’s line, but it’ll get you through the day. If you skip this one, you’re not missing out on much.
ADVERTISEMENT
I didn’t think very much of Lyric Woman until I spilled a sample vial of it on some paper in my office one day (nearly a decade ago, Jesus) and was met by this most incredible aroma of real Indian sandalwood – creamy but dry, rosy but as sturdy as a table. I was felled; it moved me. But if the sandalwood was the hook, I ended up sticking around for the lush rose and smoky-buttery-banana ylang, floral shapes in the air carved out and defined by the spices that jostled in the air pockets in and around them – mostly a prickly, piquant green cardamom, which gives the rose a grainy, beery-like dimension, and a fiery black pepper that sharpens and adds angularity to the custardy ylang.
The overall effect is surprisingly smooth and mild for something so densely packed with spice, and I’ve come to realize that Lyric Woman shares a similar structure with Parfum Sacre, in that the botanical ‘true-ness’ of the rose is modulated and made lotiony-smooth by the buffing action of the spices, and intertwined so deeply with the sandal that it is tough to see where the seams between rose and wood actually lie.
In the 2009 Guide, Luca Turin talks about a fruity-woody damascone note in Lyric Woman that turns it from a nice perfume into one that might be called a masterpiece. And he is right, of course – there is a raisiny, dried plum quality to the rose that makes you think of rot at the heart of an otherwise perfect-looking apple – but I also think that the piquant cardamom and incredible sandalwood are also key players in the magic. Without them, this might be a nice fruity-woody-incense rose – with them, Lyric Woman becomes the most accomplished translation of the traditional rosy-sandal attar motif of Arabian perfumery to a format more familiar to Western Europeans.
The overall effect is surprisingly smooth and mild for something so densely packed with spice, and I’ve come to realize that Lyric Woman shares a similar structure with Parfum Sacre, in that the botanical ‘true-ness’ of the rose is modulated and made lotiony-smooth by the buffing action of the spices, and intertwined so deeply with the sandal that it is tough to see where the seams between rose and wood actually lie.
In the 2009 Guide, Luca Turin talks about a fruity-woody damascone note in Lyric Woman that turns it from a nice perfume into one that might be called a masterpiece. And he is right, of course – there is a raisiny, dried plum quality to the rose that makes you think of rot at the heart of an otherwise perfect-looking apple – but I also think that the piquant cardamom and incredible sandalwood are also key players in the magic. Without them, this might be a nice fruity-woody-incense rose – with them, Lyric Woman becomes the most accomplished translation of the traditional rosy-sandal attar motif of Arabian perfumery to a format more familiar to Western Europeans.
When I first started exploring the world of fragrance (I’ve always loved perfumes but there was a definite time where a deeper interest level arose), Amouage was one of the first niche brands I tried… and at that time, the beauty of Lyric was lost on me. I am so glad that I had the foresight even then to hold onto samples that I didn’t like to revisit later.
Now, now I can say that I fully appreciate Lyric Woman. There are many perfumes that I love, but very few do I feel comfortable calling a “masterpiece”. Lyric is among the few for me. It’s just simply perfect.
To me, I get retro vibes, and I LOVE that! It opens with a sharp and dry blast reminiscent of a chypre to me, before unfurling its legs into an alluring velvety rose oriental, with just the right amount of spice. I remember wanting this experience when I tried FM Portrait of a Lady, but it didn’t quite give me this. I set out for a while after trying POAL, to find a fragrance that delivered what I was looking for, and everything was just a bit off. It wasn’t until after I set down that side mission that was getting me nowhere, that I revisited Lyric. I didn’t even have the POAL quest in my head, just a simple urge to try some perfumes that I had previously written off.
And that’s when I fell in love with Lyric. Couldn’t even imagine how I could ever possibly dislike it in the first place. But I’ve noticed that the deeper I fall down the rabbit hole, the more I appreciate true perfumery, and not the oversweet stuff of today. I do still enjoy them, but my heart belongs to the fragrances that have something more to say than just sugar sweet.
For something as beautiful as lyric, I wouldn’t really even care too much about performance, but it doesn’t disappoint there either. Easily lasts all day, and has the Goldilocks amount of projection and sillage that it remains noticeable but not loud. It really is just perfect all around.
Now, now I can say that I fully appreciate Lyric Woman. There are many perfumes that I love, but very few do I feel comfortable calling a “masterpiece”. Lyric is among the few for me. It’s just simply perfect.
To me, I get retro vibes, and I LOVE that! It opens with a sharp and dry blast reminiscent of a chypre to me, before unfurling its legs into an alluring velvety rose oriental, with just the right amount of spice. I remember wanting this experience when I tried FM Portrait of a Lady, but it didn’t quite give me this. I set out for a while after trying POAL, to find a fragrance that delivered what I was looking for, and everything was just a bit off. It wasn’t until after I set down that side mission that was getting me nowhere, that I revisited Lyric. I didn’t even have the POAL quest in my head, just a simple urge to try some perfumes that I had previously written off.
And that’s when I fell in love with Lyric. Couldn’t even imagine how I could ever possibly dislike it in the first place. But I’ve noticed that the deeper I fall down the rabbit hole, the more I appreciate true perfumery, and not the oversweet stuff of today. I do still enjoy them, but my heart belongs to the fragrances that have something more to say than just sugar sweet.
For something as beautiful as lyric, I wouldn’t really even care too much about performance, but it doesn’t disappoint there either. Easily lasts all day, and has the Goldilocks amount of projection and sillage that it remains noticeable but not loud. It really is just perfect all around.
A low key scent by Amouage standard which is still unmissable. What's clever is how the bitter sweet Angelica rubs out the rough edges of Geranium which in turn lengthen and widen the rose accord. Rest of it is classic Amouage goodness. Love it.
Lyric Woman
Unexpected. The soft, powdery, mildly sweet, yet complex fragrance belies the fierce red packaging. Unlike the Amouage fragrances I've tested so far, no single note immediately sings out. This is well-blended, and dare I say unique? Arguably sweet with a slight fruitiness, it is nevertheless not foody. It's difficult to define, because while definitely an oriental and with all of those hallmarks including spiciness, it doesn't come across as spicy. Spices are a simple structure around the ethereal breeze of tonka and orris, highlighted by bergamot and filled out by white florals. At the drydown, it smells familiar. I can't place it, but I know it reminds me of Dior Addict and Iris Perle by Les Imodables. Pleasant, personal, pretty.
Unexpected. The soft, powdery, mildly sweet, yet complex fragrance belies the fierce red packaging. Unlike the Amouage fragrances I've tested so far, no single note immediately sings out. This is well-blended, and dare I say unique? Arguably sweet with a slight fruitiness, it is nevertheless not foody. It's difficult to define, because while definitely an oriental and with all of those hallmarks including spiciness, it doesn't come across as spicy. Spices are a simple structure around the ethereal breeze of tonka and orris, highlighted by bergamot and filled out by white florals. At the drydown, it smells familiar. I can't place it, but I know it reminds me of Dior Addict and Iris Perle by Les Imodables. Pleasant, personal, pretty.
A bright and spicy opening blast characterises the initial stage: cardamom, orris,a touch of cinnamon and quite a bit of ginger - the latter's camparable brightness was a bit enhance by an influx of bergamot. Spicy, but not sharp and not dark.
The drydown turns floral, but thanks to some slightly bitter angelica it is not all floral softness and sweetness. I get a bit of muguet, a good lashing of a pleasant geranium, and a good bunch of roses. The rose never really unfolds fully, and blends in somewhat inconspicuously instead of taking on a lead role. This is more ascribed to a jasmin that developed a bit further down the track. There is an underlying restrained creaminess owing to an ylang-ylang, but again this does not come to full fruition and remains more of a forme fruste. All these notes blend in and remain intertwined; a team effort amongst equals if one expresses it in a positive manner, or alternatively a concoction that does not allow the notes to develop individual excellence if seen in a negative fashion.
The base displays the same characteristics: a nonspecific woodsy muskiness - a touch of a bland sandal breaks through occasionally - with a soft and slightly mossy patchouli, with a mildly sweetened undertone of tonka - again a mishmash focused on the collective impression and not the individual notes. The spiciness of the top notes is lingering still, have takes on more of and incense characteristic and displaying the spiciness in an attenuated strength.
In get moderate sillage, very good projection and and very good eight hours of longevity on my skin.
An interesting autumnal composition, with the top notes being the most convincing ones. The later stages are a bit too generic at times, and the sheer amount of different components can suffocate more than enhance each other at certain moments. Still, some of the ingredients are of high quality, the blending is excellent and the performance is very satisfying. Overall 3.25/5.
The drydown turns floral, but thanks to some slightly bitter angelica it is not all floral softness and sweetness. I get a bit of muguet, a good lashing of a pleasant geranium, and a good bunch of roses. The rose never really unfolds fully, and blends in somewhat inconspicuously instead of taking on a lead role. This is more ascribed to a jasmin that developed a bit further down the track. There is an underlying restrained creaminess owing to an ylang-ylang, but again this does not come to full fruition and remains more of a forme fruste. All these notes blend in and remain intertwined; a team effort amongst equals if one expresses it in a positive manner, or alternatively a concoction that does not allow the notes to develop individual excellence if seen in a negative fashion.
The base displays the same characteristics: a nonspecific woodsy muskiness - a touch of a bland sandal breaks through occasionally - with a soft and slightly mossy patchouli, with a mildly sweetened undertone of tonka - again a mishmash focused on the collective impression and not the individual notes. The spiciness of the top notes is lingering still, have takes on more of and incense characteristic and displaying the spiciness in an attenuated strength.
In get moderate sillage, very good projection and and very good eight hours of longevity on my skin.
An interesting autumnal composition, with the top notes being the most convincing ones. The later stages are a bit too generic at times, and the sheer amount of different components can suffocate more than enhance each other at certain moments. Still, some of the ingredients are of high quality, the blending is excellent and the performance is very satisfying. Overall 3.25/5.
Well , I for one , am not breaking the positive streak of this fragrance...an exquisite Oriental masterpiece...totally unisex...i also prefer this much more than Lyric Man....opens with a volley of cinnamon accented juicy bergamot...for sure a rose fragrance , but the rose does not dominate or overpower the other notes....overall feel is sweetly sour, which i find to be a nice ccmbo...flavors and accents galore...other flower flavors accentuate the rose in the mid, and then a woody finish with traces of incense and a little bit of musky vanilla...gorgeous , exotic and erotic...
Lyric is essentially a well-crafted, spicy rose scent. But, oh, it is SO much more!
I adore Amouage scents. They offer bold fragrances that have clear personalities. Whilst the likes of Chanel conjure up a chilly air of sophistication & restraint (like the fashionista Aunt who air kisses & never hugs) Amouage scents proudly seduce you & envelop you in warmth. They are on another level.
Lyric is no exception: deep, sensual, creamy & bold. I find this perfume unabashedly raunchy in the most elegant way & it is all about the dry-down.
The syrupy cinnamon-rose opener hurtles up your nose & reminds me of iconic 80s power scents & glossy red lips - but ride out this slightly crazy stage & you will be greeted with the smoothest of sandalwoods & richest of roses, glazed in a vanilla-tonka butterscotch & tempered by oakmoss, frankincense & the tamest of patchoulis. The red lips now smudged by a passionate kiss, the clothes on the floor, hair tousled.
There is a traditional structure underpinning this exotic scent that gives a grown up feel to Lyric. It could never be described as carefree but it also escapes being stuffy & formal. The notes are all very well-blended as there is that wonderful Amouage frankincense weaving its way between the base notes. It smells expensive.
Sillage & lasting power are, as with most Amouages, formidable. Spray behind the knees for the most beautiful of wafts as you walk.
I adore Amouage scents. They offer bold fragrances that have clear personalities. Whilst the likes of Chanel conjure up a chilly air of sophistication & restraint (like the fashionista Aunt who air kisses & never hugs) Amouage scents proudly seduce you & envelop you in warmth. They are on another level.
Lyric is no exception: deep, sensual, creamy & bold. I find this perfume unabashedly raunchy in the most elegant way & it is all about the dry-down.
The syrupy cinnamon-rose opener hurtles up your nose & reminds me of iconic 80s power scents & glossy red lips - but ride out this slightly crazy stage & you will be greeted with the smoothest of sandalwoods & richest of roses, glazed in a vanilla-tonka butterscotch & tempered by oakmoss, frankincense & the tamest of patchoulis. The red lips now smudged by a passionate kiss, the clothes on the floor, hair tousled.
There is a traditional structure underpinning this exotic scent that gives a grown up feel to Lyric. It could never be described as carefree but it also escapes being stuffy & formal. The notes are all very well-blended as there is that wonderful Amouage frankincense weaving its way between the base notes. It smells expensive.
Sillage & lasting power are, as with most Amouages, formidable. Spray behind the knees for the most beautiful of wafts as you walk.
You've just had sex in a rose garden. For a moment, both you and your lover are speechless, caught in a moment staring into each other's eyes. After some time, she rolls over, but you grab her and pull her close and she laughs as you spoon her. She runs her fingers along your arm, and through the soft fur of the wolf pelts covering the earth beneath you. You press your nose into the back of her neck and you smell her sweat, detecting the vanilla coffee that her servants prepared for her that morning, the cinnamon and the sweet spices from her escorted walk through the markets that afternoon, the bit of smoke from the men's cigars at the polo game that followed. She moves to get up and dress, and you understand that it's your time to leave. Before you go, she leaves you with a kiss, and you notice that your clothes, too, have absorbed all of the scents from that moment in her rose garden. Her guards follow you back to your horse, and you wonder if, or when, you'll get invited back to see your queen again. Lyric Woman by Amouage.
I would not call Lyric Woman a gourmand but there is a light touch of sweetness through the rich florals.
This has both sillage and longevity, so be wary of hot weather and how you apply. It can become cloying.
Otherwise, this is a sheer pleasure to wear. It is not a common scent, or something easy to identify from the mass market. It is luxe and sumptious. Wear it whene you go out, or in private. Either way, you will enjoy it.
The incense, vanilla and tonka are not achingly sweet, but provide the oriental touch to the rose.
This has both sillage and longevity, so be wary of hot weather and how you apply. It can become cloying.
Otherwise, this is a sheer pleasure to wear. It is not a common scent, or something easy to identify from the mass market. It is luxe and sumptious. Wear it whene you go out, or in private. Either way, you will enjoy it.
The incense, vanilla and tonka are not achingly sweet, but provide the oriental touch to the rose.
A very vintage fragrance. It opens with a lot of spice (mostly cardamom and who the pepper) and a smoke veil. Then I get a lot of everything with ylang-ylang. Later it goes indiscernible. It's not bad, but it's just too much of a lot of everything for me.
"Spicy heaven perfume" opens boldly with a very well done strong rose, cardamom and maybe cinnamon blending together. Then it turns darker. The middle was still rose with patchouli and other scents blending together. The mid notes were my favorite part. This stage last through maybe 5 hours of wear. The basenotes are incense mixed with other things. The drydown is not faint, perhaps a mid-range sillage. I want to wear Lyric Woman again tomorrow. It does not smell like Penhaligon's Halafeti, but it reminds me of it in spirit. It is bold and interesting.
A masterfully composed... beautifully made fragrance.
Now, first of all, this is a perfume with a spectacular composition. If we listed all the notes here, you would think that it would be too much. A spicy rose, with cardamom, incense, vanilla, cinnamon, tonka bean & sandalwood. I can't detect all the other notes but I know that they are present. There is also a burst of bergamot and something light. However what is incredible about this composition, is that it remains light. It remains sheer, not heavy, too cloying, or overwhelming.
I think Amouage Lyric Woman is a truly beautiful fragrance. Often we get tired of the note of Rose in many perfumes, but again this house has managed to surprise me. A rose with a host of other players, perfectly blended in with them. The rose is not dominant, but it "accentuates" the other notes, and lets them shine individually. I admire this fragrance very much.
Even though it is marketed as female, I enjoy wearing it, and actually find it extremely unisex. It's a dark, intriguing fragrance, it's very "grown up" and sophisticated to my nose. It would wear equally well on a man or on a woman. It's expensive, so get a sample or decant first. I think you'll be surprised by how well blended this one is. Very good.
Now, first of all, this is a perfume with a spectacular composition. If we listed all the notes here, you would think that it would be too much. A spicy rose, with cardamom, incense, vanilla, cinnamon, tonka bean & sandalwood. I can't detect all the other notes but I know that they are present. There is also a burst of bergamot and something light. However what is incredible about this composition, is that it remains light. It remains sheer, not heavy, too cloying, or overwhelming.
I think Amouage Lyric Woman is a truly beautiful fragrance. Often we get tired of the note of Rose in many perfumes, but again this house has managed to surprise me. A rose with a host of other players, perfectly blended in with them. The rose is not dominant, but it "accentuates" the other notes, and lets them shine individually. I admire this fragrance very much.
Even though it is marketed as female, I enjoy wearing it, and actually find it extremely unisex. It's a dark, intriguing fragrance, it's very "grown up" and sophisticated to my nose. It would wear equally well on a man or on a woman. It's expensive, so get a sample or decant first. I think you'll be surprised by how well blended this one is. Very good.
If I was not such a lazy individual as well as forgetful, I may have written off this scent as too old fashioned for me. The opening is a distinct reminder of 1980's home decor using potpourri as a bombastic icon of glamour and hopeless home scent experimentation. I know this because I was raised in the South by a proper Southern woman. I'm pretty sure one of our cats regularly attempted to eat some of that gloriously weird composition and yacked it up all over the carpet. But I digress.
So, the opening was not attractive at all. Cinnamon and overdone red roses with a candied feel...too syrupy and too much. This was going nowhere fast, and I was so disappointed! I had gone from making a space on my beloved antique silver serving platter for the bottle, to swiftly placing it back into the box from which it came, and stowing it safely within the confines of my dark, cool closeted shelves. You know the ones...those boxes can get sorta piled high, can't they?
I gingerly kept my left hand away from my nose throughout the rest of the day and evening. It was not until around 10:30 pm that I chose to give my nose another chance at this scent I had wanted for so long...and to my surprise, I had a most gorgeous scent on my left hand! It is all at once a sandalwood, with deep and resinous tones, lifted with Vetiver and vanilla, as well as arcs of dark rose flowing in and out. There is more here, but I cannot explain what I am smelling - perhaps incense in the base? faint, but something reminds me of some of our Holy Eucharist services.
I'm going to give this a proper wearing later this week, as I want to understand this scent fully before deciding whether I can get past the opening. If it lasts more than an hour, that will be tough. Hopefully, it will be less! The dry down really is quite nice!
***************************************************************
Update:
This is a keeper! I have no idea why I was so unimpressed with the opening upon the first wearing, but I really enjoyed it the second wearing. Truly a beautiful scent!
****************************************************************
Welcome back to the wardrobe, old friend. I shall never be without you again. We were parted so I could pay for some CEU's to renew my professional license, but now that I have you back, I'll never let you go.
So, the opening was not attractive at all. Cinnamon and overdone red roses with a candied feel...too syrupy and too much. This was going nowhere fast, and I was so disappointed! I had gone from making a space on my beloved antique silver serving platter for the bottle, to swiftly placing it back into the box from which it came, and stowing it safely within the confines of my dark, cool closeted shelves. You know the ones...those boxes can get sorta piled high, can't they?
I gingerly kept my left hand away from my nose throughout the rest of the day and evening. It was not until around 10:30 pm that I chose to give my nose another chance at this scent I had wanted for so long...and to my surprise, I had a most gorgeous scent on my left hand! It is all at once a sandalwood, with deep and resinous tones, lifted with Vetiver and vanilla, as well as arcs of dark rose flowing in and out. There is more here, but I cannot explain what I am smelling - perhaps incense in the base? faint, but something reminds me of some of our Holy Eucharist services.
I'm going to give this a proper wearing later this week, as I want to understand this scent fully before deciding whether I can get past the opening. If it lasts more than an hour, that will be tough. Hopefully, it will be less! The dry down really is quite nice!
***************************************************************
Update:
This is a keeper! I have no idea why I was so unimpressed with the opening upon the first wearing, but I really enjoyed it the second wearing. Truly a beautiful scent!
****************************************************************
Welcome back to the wardrobe, old friend. I shall never be without you again. We were parted so I could pay for some CEU's to renew my professional license, but now that I have you back, I'll never let you go.
The opening l can only describe as "perfumey", meaning that it smells like a very old-fashioned perfume in which the notes come at you all at once, & none of them can be directly perceived or appreciated. After a moment or two, there is a strong hit of cumin that dominates the other spices. Over the first hour, the spices settle & gradually the fragrance becomes more floral. When the rose arrives, though, it is almost smothered by a strangely fruity, powdery dustiness. lt's not sweet, but in fact almost savoury. As it progresses over the next few hours, l get moss, a little smoky incense, musk, & in the base a non-foody vanilla-tonka accord. The projection is moderate, & nine hours in it begins to fade.
l really wanted to love this one, but the drydown is just "ok" to me, & that opening very off-putting. lt's not the full-blown, wine-dark, red rose that l hoped for, & l guess l have to face up to never finding a rose that l love more than Une Rose.
l really wanted to love this one, but the drydown is just "ok" to me, & that opening very off-putting. lt's not the full-blown, wine-dark, red rose that l hoped for, & l guess l have to face up to never finding a rose that l love more than Une Rose.
Excellent composition in which the sweeter-spicier (in comparison with its masculine "Lyric" couterpart) and more exotic approach does not compromise a basic dominant soapy-gothic rosey approach. Cinnamon, resins and ylang-ylang (in particular) provide a more spicy and tasty-oriental opening, aromatic ginger and fluidy cardamom imprint a sharper (balancing) texture perfectly joined to an oily-rosey-incensey characterizing laundriness. The latter is supported by a basic ambery-resinous woody foundation while an honeyed-spicy (sweeter) jasmine flanks a dominant parallel soapy earthiness jumping from the somber starring rose-geranium accord (with its typical cold vegetal-lymphatic laundriness to be intended as a "Lyric" trademark and a central thread with its masculine Amouage's "Lyric" brother). Lyric Woman is a sinister geranium-rose spicy accord rooted over a moody resinous oriental base really sensual and impenetrable. Extremely resinous moody aroma, warm and musky-resinous-animalic. Effectively the Lyric Woman's texture is far more "massive" and oriental than the Lyric Man's typically "licentious" (sharper) "hammam-like" soapiness. Absolutely elusive, dark and mysterious scent. Forbidding.
P.S: along the dry down I detect a sort of salty sensual-resinous muskiness and a cold sharper opposite undertone provided by minty angelica as connected with ginger and several herbal elements swirling around.
P.S: along the dry down I detect a sort of salty sensual-resinous muskiness and a cold sharper opposite undertone provided by minty angelica as connected with ginger and several herbal elements swirling around.
While Lyric Man is everything I don't like about rose-centered perfumes, Lyric Woman is most definitely amongst my favorites in this genre. As a matter of fact, it also represents one of the reasons why I can't get as excited about the latest Amouage as I used to be when the house delivered mind-blowing compositions such as this one, Epic Woman, Gold, Ubar and several others in their back catalog.
A heavily spiced (cardamom and cinnamon) rose built around a massive oriental structure. Beautiful floral patterns together with incense and a moderately sweet tonka / sandalwood combo provide even more thickness to an already impotent composition while the whole fragrance is pervaded by an overall sense of decadence and a remarkable gothic vibe. Enveloping, intoxicating and absolutely genderless.
Tremendous.
A heavily spiced (cardamom and cinnamon) rose built around a massive oriental structure. Beautiful floral patterns together with incense and a moderately sweet tonka / sandalwood combo provide even more thickness to an already impotent composition while the whole fragrance is pervaded by an overall sense of decadence and a remarkable gothic vibe. Enveloping, intoxicating and absolutely genderless.
Tremendous.
Not only roses .
Lyric woman is a beautiful sandalwood (tons of sandalwood), rose and spicy fragrance.
Reminds me a bit to Samsara vintage by Guerlain but Lyric is still better!
The drydown is very beautiful; soft, creamy, slightly sweet. Incense and tonkabean play a marvellous duet on my skin.
Colour of the bottle is just right for this scent.
Lyric woman and man are the best pair of line Amouage!
Lyric woman is a beautiful sandalwood (tons of sandalwood), rose and spicy fragrance.
Reminds me a bit to Samsara vintage by Guerlain but Lyric is still better!
The drydown is very beautiful; soft, creamy, slightly sweet. Incense and tonkabean play a marvellous duet on my skin.
Colour of the bottle is just right for this scent.
Lyric woman and man are the best pair of line Amouage!
This is such a gorgeous fragrance.
Very EXOTIC... smooth, rich, inviting and classy... but, that price tag kinda ruins it.
I bought a 5ml vial for $39NZD (incl shipping to get it down this way) and I only got 3 wears out of it. I was so disappointed when I ran out and I can't justify parting with $460.00NZD.... ouch.
Very EXOTIC... smooth, rich, inviting and classy... but, that price tag kinda ruins it.
I bought a 5ml vial for $39NZD (incl shipping to get it down this way) and I only got 3 wears out of it. I was so disappointed when I ran out and I can't justify parting with $460.00NZD.... ouch.
Amouage's Lyric Woman is a captivating fragrance that beautifully balances floral and oriental notes, making it a standout in the perfume world. Released in 2008, this scent was crafted by perfumer Daniel Maurel and draws inspiration from the lyrical essence of music, embodying a narrative of beauty and complexity.
At first spray, Lyric Woman greets you with a spicy and fresh opening, featuring bergamot, cardamom, cinnamon, and ginger. This vibrant introduction seamlessly transitions into a heart of rich rose, jasmine, and ylang-ylang, creating a lush floral tapestry. Notably, the rose note is not overpowering; instead, it serves as a harmonious element that ties together the fragrance's intricate layers.
As the scent evolves, the base reveals a warm embrace of frankincense, sandalwood, and soft spices, adding depth and sophistication. The drydown is particularly enchanting, where the interplay of smoky incense and creamy vanilla creates an intimate aura that lingers beautifully on the skin.
Lyric Woman is praised for its longevity and moderate sillage, making it suitable for both day and evening wear. Its ability to evoke emotion and create a sense of warmth makes it not just a fragrance but an experience—one that many describe as loving and cherished. Overall, Amouage Lyric Woman is a modern classic that exemplifies elegance and artistry in perfumery.
At first spray, Lyric Woman greets you with a spicy and fresh opening, featuring bergamot, cardamom, cinnamon, and ginger. This vibrant introduction seamlessly transitions into a heart of rich rose, jasmine, and ylang-ylang, creating a lush floral tapestry. Notably, the rose note is not overpowering; instead, it serves as a harmonious element that ties together the fragrance's intricate layers.
As the scent evolves, the base reveals a warm embrace of frankincense, sandalwood, and soft spices, adding depth and sophistication. The drydown is particularly enchanting, where the interplay of smoky incense and creamy vanilla creates an intimate aura that lingers beautifully on the skin.
Lyric Woman is praised for its longevity and moderate sillage, making it suitable for both day and evening wear. Its ability to evoke emotion and create a sense of warmth makes it not just a fragrance but an experience—one that many describe as loving and cherished. Overall, Amouage Lyric Woman is a modern classic that exemplifies elegance and artistry in perfumery.
Genre: Floral Oriental
Amouage's Lyric scents are one of those rare male-female pairs that actually amount to gender-adjusted versions of the same basic fragrance idea: in this case, a spicy, fruity rose on a base of woods and incense. As is often the case among such pairs, it is the female member that is the more daring and original. What separates Lyric Woman from Lyric Man are an enhanced vinous, jammy accent to the rose and a decadent, vaguely animalic, or even meaty accord buried underneath the incense and spices. Together these two olfactory elements lend Lyric Woman a degree of extra kick that's missing in its mate. In broad terms, I'd characterize Lyric Woman as a spicy floral-oriental scent, one whose lineage would include Guerlain's Nahéma and Caron's Parfum Sacré. Lyric is not as fruity as Nahéma, but sweeter than Parfum Sacré, and its incense is softer, smoother, and more fully integrated.
For all of its depth, I am surprised to find Lyric Woman relatively short-lived on my skin. Generous application might help, but as this is a far-reaching scent with ample sillage, and I'm not sure just how much I'd want to wear. Longevity aside, Lyric Woman is a compelling and seductive scent, superior, perhaps even as a masculine, to Lyric Man. Without doubt worth a try for lovers of rose scents and spicy orientals.
Amouage's Lyric scents are one of those rare male-female pairs that actually amount to gender-adjusted versions of the same basic fragrance idea: in this case, a spicy, fruity rose on a base of woods and incense. As is often the case among such pairs, it is the female member that is the more daring and original. What separates Lyric Woman from Lyric Man are an enhanced vinous, jammy accent to the rose and a decadent, vaguely animalic, or even meaty accord buried underneath the incense and spices. Together these two olfactory elements lend Lyric Woman a degree of extra kick that's missing in its mate. In broad terms, I'd characterize Lyric Woman as a spicy floral-oriental scent, one whose lineage would include Guerlain's Nahéma and Caron's Parfum Sacré. Lyric is not as fruity as Nahéma, but sweeter than Parfum Sacré, and its incense is softer, smoother, and more fully integrated.
For all of its depth, I am surprised to find Lyric Woman relatively short-lived on my skin. Generous application might help, but as this is a far-reaching scent with ample sillage, and I'm not sure just how much I'd want to wear. Longevity aside, Lyric Woman is a compelling and seductive scent, superior, perhaps even as a masculine, to Lyric Man. Without doubt worth a try for lovers of rose scents and spicy orientals.
Rose is a flower in the same way that sandalwood is a wood, and vanilla is the spice. Each is so definitive of its category, that it supersedes the classification. Due to this star quality rose tends to be difficult to hide. The only reason this predicament isn't a problem is that as a rule, nobody wants to hide the rose.
But if you are a perfumer, there is another nagging problem with the rose: the beauty dilemma. The scent of rose is beautiful. So what? What do you do with the rose? After the the soliflor, the rose chypre, the bouquet, the amber-rose, the rose-oud, the thorny rose--what do you do? Lyric Woman finds a new role for rose. It's not just the rose with a different costume and a new score. Rose isn't the star. In Lyric, rose is the narrator.
Lyric has an awful lot packed into it, yet it doesn't come off as overburdened. The Rose serves to temper the experience from the fireworks of bergamot in the topnotes through the spicy heart, to the resinous-rose finale. The rose mediates the huge cast of other notes, and the perfume feels lighter than you would expect. No less potent, simply not so demanding. The basenotes are a pleasant surprise. The rose-frankincense pairing apparent from the very start of the perfume remains to the end, but there's a savory, nutty quality as well that suggests sandalwood or saffron. Exciting ride, soft landing.
From a perfume producer from a land of a multi-millennial tradition of rose-incense pairings come this little twist. We've seen all the ingredients before, but it's a new recipe.
But if you are a perfumer, there is another nagging problem with the rose: the beauty dilemma. The scent of rose is beautiful. So what? What do you do with the rose? After the the soliflor, the rose chypre, the bouquet, the amber-rose, the rose-oud, the thorny rose--what do you do? Lyric Woman finds a new role for rose. It's not just the rose with a different costume and a new score. Rose isn't the star. In Lyric, rose is the narrator.
Lyric has an awful lot packed into it, yet it doesn't come off as overburdened. The Rose serves to temper the experience from the fireworks of bergamot in the topnotes through the spicy heart, to the resinous-rose finale. The rose mediates the huge cast of other notes, and the perfume feels lighter than you would expect. No less potent, simply not so demanding. The basenotes are a pleasant surprise. The rose-frankincense pairing apparent from the very start of the perfume remains to the end, but there's a savory, nutty quality as well that suggests sandalwood or saffron. Exciting ride, soft landing.
From a perfume producer from a land of a multi-millennial tradition of rose-incense pairings come this little twist. We've seen all the ingredients before, but it's a new recipe.
Lush dark roses, indolic muguet, dusty wood spices, sweetly fragrant incense. That's probably half the tale for this enchanting storyteller doesn't reveal the plot in a single wear. Lyric is an opulently gilded rose oriental, straight out of the pages of A Thousand and One Nights.