Ambre Impérial by Van Cleef & Arpels
Brand: Van Cleef & Arpels
Concentration: EDP
Scent overview
A warm imperial amber: bergamot and pink pepper over cinnamon bark and benzoin, on amber, tonka bean and vanilla.
Is Ambre Impérial worth it?
How it smells: Opens with bergamot and pink pepper, cinnamon and benzoin at the heart, then dries down to amber and tonka bean.
Scent Score: 76/100 (Great). Hidden gem. Established and performs well, but few people know about it. Performance 72, versatility 73, layerability 90 and value 72, each out of 100.
Scent Character
EDP · Introduced 2015 · Unisex
Key accords: Bergamot, Pink Pepper, Cinnamon, Benzoin, Amber, Tonka Bean
Top Notes
- Bergamot
- Pink Pepper
Heart Notes
- Cinnamon
- Benzoin
Base Notes
Occasions: Evening, Date, Casual
Seasons: Fall, Winter
Fragrance overview
Ambre Impérial by Van Cleef & Arpels belongs to the oriental fragrance family. A warm imperial amber: bergamot and pink pepper over cinnamon bark and benzoin, on amber, tonka bean and vanilla. Ambre Impérial opens with Bergamot and Pink Pepper. The heart brings Cinnamon and Benzoin. It dries down to Amber, Tonka Bean, and Vanilla.
How to wear Ambre Impérial
On skin, Ambre Impérial by Van Cleef & Arpels has very Good longevity, moderate projection, an intensity of 7/10, EDP concentration. It's best in fall and winter. Reach for it for evening, date, and casual. Its best layering match in the catalog is Oud Wood by Tom Ford. Apply Ambre Impérial first as your base layer. Its oriental character creates the foundation. Wait 30 seconds, then layer Oud Wood on top for woody lift. Start with 2 sprays Ambre Impérial : 2 sprays Oud Wood and adjust to taste.
How the notes develop
Ambre Impérial opens with Bergamot and Pink Pepper.
The heart brings Cinnamon and Benzoin.
It dries down to Amber, Tonka Bean, and Vanilla.
What to layer with Ambre Impérial
Oud Wood by Tom Ford
Signature Worthy · 98/99
Oriental and woody scents naturally complement each other, and they share amber, tonka bean, and vanilla.
Order: Apply Ambre Impérial first as your base layer. Its oriental character creates the foundation. Wait 30 seconds, then layer Oud Wood on top for woody lift.
Ratio: 2 sprays Ambre Impérial : 2 sprays Oud Wood
Miss Dior by Dior
Signature Worthy · 98/99
Oriental and floral scents naturally complement each other, and they share benzoin, tonka bean, and vanilla.
Order: Apply Ambre Impérial first as your base layer. Its oriental character creates the foundation. Wait 30 seconds, then layer Miss Dior on top for floral lift.
Ratio: 2 sprays Ambre Impérial : 2 sprays Miss Dior
Good Girl by Carolina Herrera
Signature Worthy · 98/99
Oriental and gourmand scents naturally complement each other, and they share bergamot, cinnamon, and amber.
Order: Apply Ambre Impérial first as your base layer. Its oriental character creates the foundation. Wait 30 seconds, then layer Good Girl on top for gourmand lift.
Ratio: 2 sprays Ambre Impérial : 2 sprays Good Girl
Bleecker Street by Bond No. 9
Signature Worthy · 98/99
Oriental and woody scents naturally complement each other, and they share cinnamon, amber, and vanilla.
Order: Apply Ambre Impérial first as your base layer. Its oriental character creates the foundation. Wait 30 seconds, then layer Bleecker Street on top for woody lift.
Ratio: 2 sprays Ambre Impérial : 2 sprays Bleecker Street
Hamptons by Bond No. 9
BuySame price for you · we may earn a small commission. Is FragranceNet legit?Signature Worthy · 98/99
Oriental and floral scents naturally complement each other, and they share bergamot and amber.
Order: Apply Ambre Impérial first as your base layer. Its oriental character creates the foundation. Wait 30 seconds, then layer Hamptons on top for floral lift.
Ratio: 2 sprays Ambre Impérial : 2 sprays Hamptons
Pairings to approach with care
Rain by Commodity
Not Recommended · 39/99
Oriental and Aquatic notes can compete — apply lightly and test on skin first to find the right balance. Rain brings an aquatic contrast to this oriental scent, and they share bergamot and amber.
Order: Apply Ambre Impérial first as your base layer. Its oriental character creates the foundation. Wait 30 seconds, then layer Rain on top for aquatic lift.
Ratio: 1 spray Ambre Impérial : 2 sprays Rain
Sacred Hinoki by Zara
Not Recommended · 40/99
This pairing is harder to balance. Sacred Hinoki brings a leather contrast to this oriental scent.
Order: Apply Ambre Impérial first as your base layer. Its oriental character creates the foundation. Wait 30 seconds, then layer Sacred Hinoki on top for leather lift.
Ratio: 2 sprays Ambre Impérial : 2 sprays Sacred Hinoki
Related fragrances and why
- Oud Wood by Tom Ford — Both include amber, tonka bean, and vanilla.
- Miss Dior by Dior — Both include benzoin, tonka bean, and vanilla.
- Good Girl by Carolina Herrera — Both include bergamot, cinnamon, and amber.
Frequently asked questions
Which notes are listed for Ambre Impérial?
Ambre Impérial opens with Bergamot and Pink Pepper. The heart brings Cinnamon and Benzoin. It dries down to Amber, Tonka Bean, and Vanilla.
How long does Ambre Impérial last, and how strong is it?
Ambre Impérial by Van Cleef & Arpels has very Good longevity, moderate projection, an intensity of 7/10, EDP concentration.
When should you wear Ambre Impérial?
It's best in fall and winter. It suits evening, date, and casual.
What layers well with Ambre Impérial?
Oud Wood by Tom Ford is its strongest match (98% compatibility). Oriental and woody scents naturally complement each other, and they share amber, tonka bean, and vanilla. Apply Ambre Impérial first as your base layer. Its oriental character creates the foundation. Wait 30 seconds, then layer Oud Wood on top for woody lift. Start with 2 sprays Ambre Impérial : 2 sprays Oud Wood.
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