Existence

Amouage Existence opens with the sharp, resinous scent of true Omani frankincense — Boswellia sacra, with its characteristic citrus note, quite distinct from the churchly variety of Somali Boswellia carterii. And there, more or less, it stays. For twelve hours at the very least; forty-eight, should you neglect to wash thoroughly and change your linen. The other notes listed in the official olfactory pyramid are merely modifications of this fundamental accord. An aldehydic opening brightens it with an impression of cleanliness; lily of the valley — represented chiefly by hydroxycitronellal — later takes over the brightening role, lending it that specifically metallic sharpness. The rose I cannot detect, despite the INCI list indicating genuine rose oil in what is presumably a non-negligible quantity. Labdanum and Mystikal are variations on the frankincense theme, and it is their coordination that sustains the sharp frankincense line across the hours: the natural hojary is imperceptibly relieved by synthetic understudies, yet we continue to read the accord as unchanged. Once we have interpreted a scent, we tend to ignore minor shifts — much as in traditional poetry, where a firmly established metre causes us to smooth over small irregularities rather than register them as departures.

I wear 3 perfumes from this house, Guidance 46, Purpose 50 and recently got Decision. After getting Decision, the SA gave me two generous samples of Existence so I was curious to see how it would develop on my skin. You can see from my taste, I love complex scents with a lot of wood. Existence is extremely beautiful and well done, but it is more “girl next door” than “main character” energy. I would not say this is ethereal or unreal. It’s a scent profile that we definitely smelled before, a crisp and clean scent and it automatically reminds me of like the most beautiful and comfortable and warm maternal energy. The great aspect is that it has amazing sillage and longevity for a clean perfume. This can definitely become viral for the clean girls aesthetic. Just not for me who like to smell like a bad decision.

This is stunning. None of the notes or 'this perfume reminds me of' suggestions could have prepared me for how beautiful this is. Upon initial application its fresh, aquatic, sort of a white tea variety scent. I didn't expect it to stick around because of its fresh qualities in that way that citrus scents don't. But as it settles you get that lily of the valley and rose. I don't smell rose when I put my nose to it, but I smell rose in the air around me. Its clean, but also a little fruity and floral. Its not soapy, or laundry detergent clean, its some sort of mystery third option haha. If I had to criticize it, on ONE wrist where I sprayed it but not the other, theres some sort of note that turned just a LITTLE sour. On ONE wrist it lost a little of its freshness. No idea what caused that!

This is the first Amouage perfume that I’ve purchased, and I have to say I’m loving it! It opens with fresh, almost sparkling aldehydes with florals. As it begins to dry the aldehydes fade some and the rose and lily of the valley become much more prominent. There is frankincense under all of the florals, but it’s not like burning incense. The frankincense is what drew me in initially, and it smells more like very good quality whole resin, being almost citrusy and fresh. Over several hours the florals become less intense and you end up with this very beautiful resinous, lightly floral, musky fragrance. On my skin I get about 2 hours of very strong protection, that becomes moderate for the remaining 6-8 hours. Overall I’d say this smells very clean and fresh, like a bar of luxury soap.

This is a masterpiece. There is nothing else like it. Sparkling, crisp, fresh, green, and clean aldehydes and lily of the valley in the opening with the slightest sweetness from a ripe pear note - I sense this- and delicate tendrils of soapy rose dance on the wings of the most stunning frankincense. The tension between this ethereal opening crispness and the GORGEOUS warm true ambergris and labdanum in the dry down is mesmerizing . And, what a performer! With room-filling silage- I prefer not to overspray- and exceptional longevity, Existence is a major presence without being skanky or overbearing. It’s also a head turner and compliment getter. This is niche perfumery at its apex. A modern classic.