Akros’s previous Harrods exclusive, East, came across as a poorly composed Tuscan Leather clone. So, I didn’t go into smelling their newest fragrance, Glow, dedicated to nightclubbing and parties (a Harrods exclusive for a few months before a worldwide release in 2024) with great confidence. I was right to be coy. Glow smells clichéd and uninspired. That said, it’s much less scratchy and offensive than East.
It’s a vanilla and ambery scent, with hints of booziness, a touch of pink pepper punch in the opening, and some resinous smoky characteristics during its development. I don’t get any floral notes, even though the brand lists rose in their pyramid. Here, like with East, we have another perfume pastiche. I immediately thought of Coty’s vanilla, Encre Une Fois, a scent that riffs on Guerlain’s Spiritueuse Double Vanille.
Yes, it’s a nightclub we’ve all visited before many times. It’s a party where everyone talks about the weather while elevator music plays in the background, and the food and drink options are limited to tap water and unsalted potato chips. Everything smells so muted. The amber accord feels half-hearted, the resinous smoke notes are barely noticeable, and the floral layer makes no impact. To be sure, this party won’t attract the attention of the neighbours. And I dare say if you wore this scent at an actual club, you’d remain rather inconspicuous, at least perfume-wise.
Glow continues Akro’s/Olivier Creep’s tendency to release two or three boring/mass-pleasing scents before a more novel and interesting perfume. This year, Infuse https://leavenocologneunturned.com/2024/05/06/first-impressions-akro-infuse/ was the one to check out. Glow and their other dull-as-dishwater 2024 release, Smile, are best avoided. Even though Glow smells okay and didn’t have me clamouring for the door to make an early getaway, it’s a tedious affair and a snoozefest of a scent. Dim might have been a better name. Hopefully, 2025 will bring something more original from Akro.
Note: The Bottle image is from Akro. All other images are my own. I purchased the sample of Glow used for this post.
