New Niche Perfume Reviews: Aether Arts (Amber Jobin) Nude Moderne, Ginger Rose, and Electrum + Mind, Body &Spirit Draw

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Every time I receive new perfumes from perfumer Amber Jobin of Aether Arts, I think to myself, “This woman is a rising star of perfumery.” Her work is consistently well-composed, unique, and often has the ability to transport the wearer to another time and place. Her new collection, consisting of Electrum, Nude Moderne, and Ginger Rose is no different.

aether arts nude moderne we two cafleurebon

We Two by Michael Seif

Nude Moderne was designed to be a very close, long-lasting, sensual skin scent, only to be smelled by yourself and those who get physically close. Consisting mainly of musks with a touch of labdanum and more ethereal ingredients, the perfume delivers exactly as advertised. It sits very close to the skin, with occasional wafting (but not much). I can smell it, though, dabbed on my pulse points and cleavage, and I wish I had someone handy to snuffle me. I think it would be a pretty delighted snuffle. I get a sense of ritual, too. Before I applied, I had burned some Palo Santo wood in the house, and the lingering scent of the smoke on my hand mingled with the musks to create a new dimension. I think this perfume would be the thing to wear when you are going to be closely connected with someone, sexually, spiritually, or just lovingly. It lasted through a shower, and became softer and sweeter. Very nice.

Notes: musk accord, sweet nothings, labdanum, understated confidence

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Detail of antique chintz fabric at the Victoria & Albert Museum

I was excited to smell Ginger Rose, because I love ginger notes, and it didn’t disappoint. This perfume takes inspiration for perfumes of the past, and it does have a vintage atmosphere whilst still being quite modern. The retro feel comes from powdery aldehydes that give the spicy ginger a more rounded feel. As the rose notes emerge, I was taken by the real loveliness of this perfume. What a great dichotomy Ms. Jobin has created: she has managed to make a perfume that draws me back into a time of tea sipped from fine, rose-emblazoned china, sitting in a sun-filled room covered in chintz, and then snaps me back into a spice-laden modernity. The fragrance settles down into a soft rose scent that is quite winsome. I will definitely be wearing this one again.

Notes: aldehydes, pink peppercorn, bergamot, ginger, Bulgarian rose absolute, white rose accord, jasmine absolute, ylang ylang, heliotrope, carnation, tonka bean, benzoin, amber, orris, frankincense, myrrh, sandalwood, honey beeswax, indoles

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"Amber Prison" by Donato for Magic,The Gathering

Electrum, the classical word for amber, is an amber-based fragrance that is warm and beautiful, with an interesting cooling effect brought by gentle fir notes. Ms. Jobin has taken a fairly common perfume category and stepped up the game. This is not just amber, but the sap from which the eons-old, time-hardened stone is created. She wanted the fragrance to reflect both the silvery needles and golden resins of ancient conifers, and she has done it. Many amber scents are just cozy comfort scents, but Electrum has an interesting edge to it that makes it not just rich and honeyed, but brings it all closer to the earth.  There is a vibration to it that is hard to explain, but quite visceral, as well as a very lovely way to smell.

Notes: balsam fir needle, rosewood, multiple amber resins, guaiacwood, cedar, vanilla, tolu balsam, tobacco, Africa stone

I enjoy receiving new fragrances from a perfumer and having each scent be decidedly different from the other. Ms. Jobin obviously curates her collection so that there is something for everyone, and each perfume stands on its own as a unique personality and work of art.

I received my samples from Ms. Jobin at Aether Arts. All the perfumes are available in the Aether Arts Etsy store.

Tama Blough, Deputy Editor

Thanks to Amber Jobin and Aether Arts, we have a sample set to give to any reader worldwide, and a full 5.5 ml bottle of choice OR sample set to any US reader. To qualify, please “like” the Aether Arts Facebook page, let us know which appeals to you or which you choose, and where you live. Draw ends February 23, 2014.

Editor's Note: We first met Amber when she was working as Dawn Spencer Hurwitz's apprentice and helped Dawn on one of my favorite DSH Perfumes Mirabelle.  Amber's CaFleureBon Profiles in American Perfumery  from June  2013 is here You can read our review of John Frum, a Top 25 perfume for 2013 here. For our reviews of Inuus, Aether Argent and A Roll in the Grass please click here– Michelyn Camen, Editor in Chief

We announce the winners only on site and on our Facebook page, so Like Cafleurebon and use our RSS option…or your dream prize will be just spilled perfume.

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43 comments

  • I am intrigued by all of these – I would love to try a sampler set of them all.I reside in the US.Thank you for bringing these scents to my attention and for the generous draw.

  • They all sound amazing! I think the Electrum appeals to me the most. I’ve liked the Aether Arts FB page, and I live in Seattle. THANKS!

  • Electrum sounds amazing – I’ve “liked” Aether Art’s Facebook page and look forward to learning more about them!

    As always, a fantastic review. The “sweet nothings” especially made me smile. 🙂

  • Page liked, I’m in the US and while all of these sound great, my choice would be Ginger Rose. Thanks all!

  • oh, i am not on facebook (i may be the last person on the planet, eh?)
    and electrum would would be my choice.
    (the forest is calling — how can i resist?)

  • She is absolutely amazing. I love all of her scents and proudly own most of them. This is exciting news as I was hoping she would keep creating. Inuus has to be my all time favorite. I don’t have Facebook but have liked her through a friends Facebook. Ha ha. I chat with Fragantica members and let them know what a high quality perfumer Amber is. I am thrilled to try all of them but Electrum is calling my name. In the USA. Thanks a million Amber. YEAH!!!!

  • I’ve liked! Electrum catches my eye and I’d love to try any of Ambers range. They all sound wonderful, thanks for the draw and the lovely review. International

  • I would like to try all three because they all sound quite lovely. So, if I should be so lucky, the sampler set is what I would choose. Thank you. I’m in the U.S.

  • These all sound very intriguing! I live in the U.S. and would love to win the sample set. I just “liked” the Aether Arts Facebook page. Thank you for the article and the draw!

  • I would love a full size of Electrum. It sounds perfect for me! I have liked Aether Arts fan page. I’m in the US and thanks for the draw !

  • Sasha Brewis says:

    Frankly, they all sound so great that I can’t resist the chance of a sampler set. I live in Greece

  • This line sound like something I would love!
    Would love to try the sampler set but if pressed I would choose Electrum! I live in the US. Thanks!

  • Hello, Great draw again.
    Page liked!
    They all sound very interesting, I can’t make up my mind between Electrum and Ginger Rose. I would like to try all the range. Therefore, I hope, HOPE to win the discovery set….
    I live in Romania, Europe.
    Gentiana

  • I’ve “liked” Aether Art’s Facebook page and I would love to experience the sample set of this house. I live in the EU (Greece).

  • Liked the Aether Arts page . I live in the US on beautiful Puget Sound . Though it is a difficult choice , I would love to win a bottle of Electrum , it sounds resinous and delish . Thanks for the draw !

  • These are interesting, but my pick would be Ginger Rose.
    I am in the US. (not on FB) thanks for the draw!

  • I live in the US and have liked their Facebook page. I think Ginger Rose would be my favorite but would love to have the sampler so I can try them all. Thank you.

  • Liked their FB page. Am in the US. Electrum sounds lovely. That’s my choice. Thanks for the draw! Cheers.

  • Electrum or Nude Moderne – both sound so amazing. I would probably choose Nude Moderne. I liked the fb page (Amato Enzo) and I live in the US. Thank you for doing the draw!

  • I would love to have the sample set and am from India.

    I really like the thought of Nude Moderne and keen to see how the concept has turned out.

  • I am in Bulgaria and I would be extremely delighted to get a sample set of such naturals here – thank you for the chance!
    I am inspired by the review of each of the fragrances, but I found Electrum most appealing to me at this point of time.
    I liked FB page of Aether Arts.

  • Fazal Cheema says:

    Nude Moderne may appeal to me the most since it has musks and it is skin scent..i do not think fragrances with huge sillage are always the best like many prefer..some should be intimate and for those in personal space only..i am in the US and have liked Aether Arts FB page

  • “Liked” Would say that Nude Moderne would work for me, that is the one I’d love to have. Thank you ! U.S. 🙂

  • Cynthia Richardson says:

    I “like” the Aether Arts Facebook page (Cynthia M richardson), I would choose the sample set and I live in the US

  • Electrum sounds perfect- I would love the full size! I have liked Aether Arts FB paeg and am in the U.S. Thanks!

  • Amy Lynn Herman says:

    I had the pleasure and privilege of meeting Amber when I visited DSH in Boulder ovet the holidays. Amber is a truly knowledgable and brilliant perfumist. I liked the Aether Arts and Cafleurbon pages and I live in the US. Ginger Rose is my top pick.

  • Thank goodness one of the choices is a sample set, they all sound amazing! I’ve liked the FB page and I’m in the US. Thank you for the chance!

  • rivercitylizzy says:

    Thank you for the draw! All three sound lovely, but I think Ginger Rose would become a favorite, so that is my choice. I am in the US.

  • Thank you for the reviews and draw!
    Fb like, usa
    Electrum appeals the most, I love interesting earthy takes on amber and this sounds like a unique winner!
    Hard to choose samples or Electrum, because the other two sound quite lovely and unique as well…but a bottle of Elecrum wins out.
    I didn’t know she was DSH’s apprentice! That’s so cool.

  • All the perfumes seem interesting, I’d probably choose Electrum, togetherness of fir and amber must be nice. I’m in the EU, so sample set is my choice. Thank you for the draw.

  • I’m very intrigued — thank you for another insightful, informative piece. I think I’d have to choose the sample set and go from there! I live in the US

  • Canada

    Liked the page. My favorite would be Ginger Rose. I love both of those in fragrances. Thanks!