Amarige is a divisive fragrance with significant skin chemistry variation—some find it a gorgeous creamy floral while others experience a complete transformation into an unpleasant animalic scent. The community consensus is that while the original formula was superior, the modern reformulation is overly loud and dated, making it difficult for most to wear outside the home despite its undeniable projection and longevity.
Positive
Beautiful floral composition on paper and in the bottle
Smooth, creamy, and sunny character when it works well on skin
Powerful projection and longevity
Nostalgic 90s fragrance with strong presence
Negative
Turns animalic, dirty, or soapy on some skin types
Extremely loud and brash - difficult to wear in public
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between mat; le rouge and Amarige?+
mat; le rouge is a feminine fragrance (marketed to women, though wearable by all) from Masaki Matsushima (2003) dominated by its signature accords. Amarige is a feminine fragrance (marketed to women, though wearable by all) from Givenchy (1991) leaning on White Floral accords. They share no primary accords — distinctly different profiles.
By community rating, mat; le rouge scores 3.64/5 vs Amarige at 3.91/5. Amarige's standout strength: Beautiful floral composition on paper and in the bottle. The "better" choice depends on what you value — longevity, projection, season fit, or signature character.
Do mat; le rouge and Amarige smell similar?+
They share a small fraction of their ingredients — expect noticeably different experiences. Amarige: Amarige is a divisive fragrance with significant skin chemistry variation—some find it a gorgeous creamy floral while others experience a complete transformation into an unpleasant animalic scent.
Which lasts longer, mat; le rouge or Amarige?+
Amarige: Powerful projection and longevity Longevity varies by skin chemistry, concentration, and application method.
Which season suits mat; le rouge vs Amarige?+
mat; le rouge scores highest for all seasons wear; Amarige scores highest for fall wear. mat; le rouge leans daytime, Amarige leans daytime.
Reformulated around 2007-2008 and no longer as well-rounded as original
Can smell bitter, musty, or unpleasant on certain individuals
Comes across as dated and potentially offensive to modern sensibilities
