Overture Woman was a blind buy which really took me by surprise. It’s a fragrance I’ve really had to explore and spend time with to be able to fall in love with it, but I’m very glad I granted it that patience - I’m enjoying it more and more with every wear. I can however see why this could be a rather polarising scent, I myself sometimes wonder if I even like it at all, but always find myself back in the comfort of loving it. The most powerful note here is the apple - of course there is no raw material which comes from apple, and so a synthetic accord is the only option. Admittedly, it does smell noticeably synthetic and a little plasticky which can be off putting in the opening, this is what I struggled with. I had the same issue with Frederic Malle’s Promise when I first got that, I almost sold it after having it a week, but I gave it time and now I adore it - I sense the same is happening with this. This juicy, slightly rubbery apple rests on a bed of intensely dry sweetness. Spicy cinnamon and rugged leather combined with a touch of smoky, almost papery resins contrast the apple beautifully. This is perpetuated by an almost obnoxious overdose of sweet saffron, which can be headache inducing if smelled up close! I was expecting the brandy to be more prominent, but I actually find it rather subtle. Overall this is a gorgeously unique evening-wear fragrance, one I definitely recommend testing but probably not blind buying.
Most of older Amouages are complex and multifaceted and Overture Woman is in that same level. So many different traits are sweetly mixed in the scent. At first it amazes you with its bold and enigmatic side, it’s like a big mystery. It’s like a magic wand which put a spell on you and you don’t understand straight away what has happened. Overture Man is full of very realistic notes and personally Overture woman has been somewhat abstract to my nose since the beginning. It’s delicious and almost syrupy but still it’s not edible. It clearly reminds me of fruity apples and has boozy vibe in it but I have never tasted Calvados which has this kind of aroma. I mean this is utterly irresistible and I’m not a good friend with Calvados. Together with the elegance of Saffron in the opening it seamlessly combines with warmth and sophistication from the heart where Benzoin, Myrrh and Cinnamon create a golden aura and a subtle rosy touch offers a tiny hint of feminine elegance. Leathery base with Labdanum and Amouage's signature Incense is seductive and completes the fragrance as a completely unisex. The whole concoction is rich, polished and refined, everything in it intertwines perfectly. The scent is like a beautiful melody that lingers in your head even after the music itself has stopped. It is unforgettable. Like Overture Man, Overture Woman truly shines during the festive season and especially during Christmas time. The longevity is great, around 8 hours and the sillage is strong. Thank you for reading, I hope you liked my review. I would appreciate if you follow my IG: @ninamariah_perfumes It gives me a lot of motivation to write more. 🤗