Beloved Woman

I'm not typically impressed by Amouage fragrances, but this one's cloying, heavy, and matronly qualities really didn't resonate with me 😒

About 30 years ago, I was fortunate enough to receive a bottle of Vivre by Molineux and I still vividly recall the scent that I miss deeply since its discontinuation. Beloved bears an uncanny resemblance to Vivre. I'm currently in Melbourne and just purchased Chanel's Coromandel, which I wish I could have another AU$500 for, as it's the price they're asking for Beloved here. If you ever cherished Vivre, this is a genuine replica. I highly recommend it with a 10 out of 10 score.

Beloved begins with a bouquet of chamomile, immortelle, rose, and other floral notes, which creates an herbal facet that, while present, is less pronounced than Aromatics Elixir. In my opinion, Beloved differs significantly from AE as it evolves over time. The sweet immortelle and ylang-ylang give way to a floral sweetness reminiscent of Beautiful by Estee Lauder, temporarily obscuring the initial herbal notes. However, around 40 minutes in, patchouli re-emerges and harmonizes with the yellow florals once more. As Beloved dries down, it transitions towards warm spicy tones, featuring patchouli, before settling into a clean musk skin scent infused with benzoin and labdanum, evoking memories of Clinique's Aromatics in White without roses, yet smoother due to its pepper-free finish. In essence, Beloved is a contemporary reinterpretation of classic florals that manages to avoid being dated; I could envision young women in their twenties wearing it to a classical concert.

I surmise that the inspiration behind this fragrance was drawn from Aromatics Elixir, albeit in a refined and enhanced formula, infused with castoreum, musk, and civet. This scent is akin to a three-dimensional experience, exuding nobility, smoothness, sophistication, and intelligence. Notably, my spouse has an affinity for this fragrance, and I've been testing it during our vacation, where it brought back fond memories of our first years together as a couple.

Biting notes of bitterness and spices take center stage, with a subtle hint of floral nuance that adds depth to the scent. It's an intriguing combination that resonates with me.