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One look at #perfumes on TikTok and you will instantly see that Arab perfumes have been making a splash last year and there is no sign of this slowing down. And why would it be?
Arab perfumes are known for being bold, decadent, long-lasting and having insane projection. The bottles are very extra and no matter what budget you bring to the table, there will be a luxurious-smelling Arab perfume for you out there.
So ladies, in order to make the hunt for your next Arab perfume much easier, we have compiled a list of our favourites below, so read up and good luck, perfume-lover!
1. Golden Tears Oud by Abdul Samad Al Qurashi
The House of Abdul Samad Al Qurashi embodies old school Arab perfumery to its very core. It has been in existence for more than 150 years now and it is still going strong, offering rich amber and oud perfumes and perfume oils, amongst many other products, but also being the first perfume company to list on Saudi Arabia’s stock market.
From this brand, we love Golden Tears Oud, a flanker of the much beloved Golden Tears. This perfume takes you on a beautiful journey that starts with a citrusy, fruity-floral opening thanks to its taif rose, raspberry and bergamot opening notes.
Once the drydown starts, notice how you cannot stop taking in a whiff of yourself because every time you do, you pick up a different note. It could be the patchouli notes the first time around but then you might also smell the wonderful jasmine and cedarwood notes in the perfume’s heart.
The finale of this journey then rewards you with some creamy and sweet oud notes that are beautifully blended with musky and balsamic notes as well. This perfume projects amazingly and stays on your skin and clothing for at least 8 hours. A perfume ASQ can truly be proud of!
2. Guidance by Amouage
We have gushed and pined over Amouage’s Guidance before and we will always come back to do it over and over again. If luxurious Arab perfumes could have a queen, she would be Guidance. Enough said!
Guidance has taken 2023 by storm and House Amouage must be pleased.
The Omani perfume house that was founded 40 years ago at the request of Sultan Qaboos bin Said al Said has managed to redefine Arab perfumery and injected a healthy dose of modernity into its creations, making them truly coveted and loved worldwide. This is certainly true for Guidance as well.
This ultra-feminine perfume opens with a juicy sweet pear note that is wonderfully blended with smoky nuttiness, thanks to the rich hazelnut and olibanum notes. These notes are then met by a powdery floral heart full of rose, jasmine sambac, osmanthus and saffron notes. Decadence is an understatement.
The ultimate drydown is our favourite where you get to enjoy a smooth and creamy blend of sandalwood, vanilla, akigalawood, ambergris and cistus notes. Simply delightful. This perfume is a beast mode one, so a few sprays can undoubtedly go a long way.
3. Majalis by The Spirit of Dubai
If there is an award for not only the most number of perfume notes packed into one bottle but these notes also being so luxurious and mouth-watering, Majalis would be an excellent contender and a likely winner.
Majalis is of the Emirati perfume house, The Spirit of Dubai, who prides itself in representing all the defining aspects of Dubai including its bustling city, the desert, the sea, its hospitality, decadence and, of course, fragrances.
This alluring perfume captivates from the start with a vibrant fusion of fruity and floral notes, elegantly intertwined with hints of cardamom and saffron. Subtle touches of coffee and cacao briefly emerge, then gracefully retreat into the backdrop.
The fragrance’s heart is enriched by the delightful essence of dates, evoking images of balmy nights in the Dubai desert. In this scent, florals, fruits, and woods blend harmoniously, with the presence of oud being pleasantly understated. Majalis can transport you to a distant realm of sunshine, sandy landscapes, and gentle breezes.
4. Shaghaf Oud Tonka by Swiss Arabian
Swiss Arabian’s new Shaghaf baby is for the gourmand girlies, no doubt! This Emirati perfume house is turning 50 this year and in those five decades, it has consistently produced memorable scents that so wonderfully embody the best of Arab perfume culture.
The newest member of its Shaghaf collection is no different as it mesmerises with a gorgeous blend of carefully chosen notes that are bound to be memorable. Oud Tonka opens with an invigorating almond note that sets the stage for a captivating journey into the perfume’s warm and floral heart, consisting of cinnamon, Turkish rose and Tunisian orange blossom notes.
This blend is so sensual and alluring that you cannot help but become excited for the very gourmand base notes.
This perfume’s drydown will bless you with deep and sumptuous notes of tonka, vanilla, and amberwood, each contributing to an aura of refined elegance.
The tonka bean exudes a cosy, addictive quality, while the vanilla infuses a subtle, inviting sweetness. Completing this exquisite blend, amberwood adds a natural, woody charm, rounding out this alluring and sophisticated scent.
5. Sava by Gissah
The first thing you immediately notice about Sava is that it is bigger than the usual perfume bottles on the market. Gissah offers a lot of its scents in 200ml bottles, so this becomes an instant unique selling point for those who are always interested in getting more bang for their buck.
And yet, that is still not the best part of Sava or any Gissah perfume at all. It is a truly pleasing, sweet perfume with just a hint of sexiness.
Sava is part of Gissah’s Signature Line that embodies the best and most decadent aspects of Kuwaiti Arab perfumery. This alluring perfume opens with sumptuous citrusy-floral notes of red berries and citruses, which immediately whisk you into an enticing ride straight into the perfume’s warm, powdery and yet subtly lactonic heart notes of praline, cinnamon and orris.
Our favourite part is Sava’s luxuriously well-blended base notes of Madagascar vanilla, amber and sandalwood. Sava is a beast mode fragrance with elite-levels of sillage and longevity, making it one to watch out for in the coming months as Arab perfumes gain more and more popularity in the West and the rest of the world.
6. Liwa by Widian
Widian is proudly Emirati, specifically drawing inspiration from the majestic dunes of the Abu Dhabi desert and the city itself. Liwa, one of its bestsellers from the Velvet Collection, undeniably embodies all of this in fragrance form and then some!
Named after an enclave of settlements on the edge of the great Rub Al-Khali desert in Abu Dhabi, Liwa is not for those who prefer skin scents or anything subtle. Let it be known that Liwa is a showstopper of a scent, opening with spicy, floral and citrusy notes of saffron, jasmine, bergamot and artemisia before turning into an exquisite ambry, floral and aromatic blend, owing to its amber, white rose and geranium heart notes.
Liwa’s base notes is for the oud-lovers out there as it boasts a well-blended symphony of cedar, patchouli, incense, sandalwood, vetiver and oud, making this a gorgeously modern oriental perfume for those who want to stand out. Liwa is unapologetic, slightly addictive and ever so smooth.
7. Fakhar Rose by Lattafa
House Lattafa has been in the Arab perfume game for about 30 years now but has managed to produce some of the most viral scents of 2023. One of the most beloved by women online is Fakhar Rose, a scent that is a perfect gate-way into Middle Eastern perfumes for those who have never owned a bottle of any Arab perfume before.
Part of the brand’s Lattafa Pride Collection, Fakhar Rose astounds with its initial burst of alluring lily and pomegranate notes that leads to a super floral heart, reminiscent of a vibrant spring garden! Think white flowers like sweet tuberose, jasmine, gardenia, honeysuckle as well as other enticing florals like ylang-ylang, peony and the main star, rose.
The perfume is intense and wonderfully feminine at the same time but fret not! Over time, the intensity softens, allowing a whisper of vanilla, sandalwood and musk to emerge, leading to a sweet, comforting dry down.
8. Epic Woman by Amouage
No, your eyes are not playing tricks on you. We simply had to feature another Amouage scent. Epic Woman, a standout in Arab fragrances, is inspired by Puccini’s opera “Turandot,” set along the Silk Road; this scent embodies the rich tapestry of spices and florals reminiscent of ancient China-Arabia trade.
Epic Woman starts with an invigorating blend of cumin, pink pepper, and cinnamon. Its heart, however, is where the magic lies, with a soft, dewy mix of rose, geranium, and jasmine, enhanced by a subtle tea note, crafting a sophisticated, feminine aroma. The drydown is a splendid symphony of amber, musk, oud, frankincense, sandalwood, guaiac wood, orris, patchouli, and vanilla.
This harmonious base is both irresistible and comforting, making Epic Woman a scent of epic proportions, perfect for those who appreciate the intricate blend of history, opera, and perfume artistry.
9. Swiss Arabian Rose 01
The House of Al Haramain is a well-established Saudi perfume brand that consistently produces memorable scents that proudly showcase its Arab roots. Founded in 1970, Al Haramain has now over 1000 fragrances and one of them is very much worth your time if you like fruity perfumes with that amber woodiness that Arab perfumes do so well.
Amber Oud Gold is part of Al Haramain’s Amber Oud collection and it is a treat from start to finish. It delights with a green and citrusy blend, thanks to its vibrant bergamot and green top notes. To truly delight perfume lovers who love a fruity feminine scent that packs a punch, Amber Oud Gold’s heart notes further deliver a mouthwatering combination of pineapple, melon and sweet notes.
These are enveloped in a noticeably warm amber note that easily transports you to the perfume’s base where you will be embraced by powdery vanilla, musk and woody notes, just to round off this magical experience that is Amber Oud Gold.
10. Swiss Arabian Layali
