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Two fig fragrances: Miller Harris Fig Amere & Marc Jacobs for men

Posted by Robin on 11 February 2005 7 Comments

Miller Harris Fig Amere perfume

On my left arm, Fig Amere by Miller Harris. This is a unisex fragrance, with notes of bergamot, mandarin, narcissus, rose, fig, green violet leaves, angelica, cedar, sweet moss and amber. It starts very heady, but calms into an interesting mix of fig, florals (I am mostly smelling rose with a touch of violet), and an earthy-woody base with just a tiny bit of powder.

The Miller Harris line is interesting, and I love the bottle design, but so far none of the scents have inspired a purchase. Figue Amere is another close-but-no-cigar. It is just too sweet and rich for my taste — no surprise given the name — and I find the effect almost claustrophobic.

On my right arm, Marc Jacobs for Men by Marc Jacobs. Although it is for men, to my nose it is no more masculine than many unisex fragrances on the market. The notes are bergamot, cypress, cumin, cardamom, ginger, fig leaves, rose de mai, cyclamen, tonka Bean, cedarwood, nirvanolide musk, fig, and patchouli.

This fragrance has a strong note of fig over a woody base, and definite green notes. The cumin and patchouli, which are often deal-breakers for me, are thankfully subdued here. It is, however, considerably sweeter and more powdery than I expected, and as I am discovering, powdery fig is not my thing.

A little postscript: a quick google search on nirvanolide musk reveals that it is a synthetic powdery musk created by Givaudan. Am I alone in preferring NOT to know the trade name of the synthetic used, or to even be reminded that the fragrance contains synthetics?

Possibly of interest

Dawn Spencer Hurwitz Eau Cerise, Figue Interdite & Bakul Medjool ~ fragrance reviews
2 for Tuesday: Tauerville Tuberose Flash & Vilhelm Parfumerie Purple Fig
Two times two plus one ~ quick perfume reviews

Filed Under: perfume talk
Tagged With: fig, marc jacobs, miller harris

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7 Comments

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  1. Anonymous says:
    16 May 2008 at 2:41 pm

    this should be the first fig fragrance i like (miller harris), because it is less figue and more… perfume?! i tried it on my dad *lol* he loved it, and i think it is too male and green and flowery to be a real fig scent. i definitely agree with you that it is too flowery and too much, but with that it is just the perfume for elder persons who do not smell that good anymore or for people who love strong perfumes. but it is not sweet i think. compared to your beloved philosophykos (spelled right?!) it is not sweet…

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  2. Anonymous says:
    17 May 2008 at 8:58 pm

    I have not tried the Miller Harris in a long time now, but my memory is that it was much sweeter than Philosykos, wasn't it? Will have to try it again if you thought it was drier…

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  3. Anonymous says:
    15 September 2008 at 12:51 am

    I have seen Marc Jacobs for men like EVERYWHERE recently, but for some reason, I've never picked it up to smell it. After reading this, and now realizing it is a Fig scent, I will totally give it a try next time I see it (which, of course, now that I'm looking for it, I won't see it again for a while, lol).

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  4. Anonymous says:
    15 September 2008 at 2:00 pm

    Weird coincidence…just saw the box yesterday, and it has fig leaves on it. Either they've re-done the box, or I've never seen it before.

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  5. RusticDove says:
    18 October 2009 at 12:26 pm

    I just recently tried the MH Figue Amere and I definitely had a more positive experience than you did. It is my favorite fig so far. Loved it. Thinking about FB…

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    • Robin says:
      19 October 2009 at 9:30 am

      Yeah, I think that as a general rule the MH just doesn’t agree with me…there are only a few I like at all, I’m afraid.

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  6. sweetgrass says:
    14 November 2012 at 3:47 am

    I just got a 2.5ml decant of Figue Amere on clearance at The Perfumed Court. I like it so far. I think I prefer Philosykos overall, but this one, since it’s a little richer and sweeter, with that little amberiness, might be my fall fig while I think of Philosykos as more spring/summer for me. I don’t really get violet in Figue Amere, which is fine for me as violet and I don’t particularly get along unless it’s pretty subtle. Actually, it really reminds me of Poison Apple Apothecary’s December Poison, if it had been alcohol-based instead of oil.

    I haven’t tried a lot from Miller Harris. I have tried and rather liked L’Air de Rien, but I also got Cuir d’Oranger in the same order as Figue Amere, and I’m a little disappointed in it. It’s really soapy to me throughout its development, and it strikes me as an abstract floral more than orange blossom, though I do get a hint of actual orange blossom later in its development. But I think if I want an orange blossom and leather scent, I prefer Cuir Venenum.

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