Oud is a very popular essence among the Persian Gulf countries. Across Arabia, men and women are known to dote over the raw material—admiring the lavish fragrance for all its warmth and complexity. In fact, oud is so popular in Arabian fragrances that there exists several subfamilies of oud (such as fruit oud, leather oud, rose oud—and the list goes on!). Agarwood, or oud, is the most expensive note in a perfumer’s palette. It has been valued for thousands of years and is considered one of the most luxurious ingredients in the world of perfumery. Oud is derived from the dark resin of the Agar tree, which grows in very rare conditions. Although its popularity skyrocketed in the past decade, oud has been known and used by various ancient civilizations in esoteric ceremonies and meditation practices for hundreds of years. Perfect for cold weather, oud has a distinctively woody, slightly animalic, and rich scent. Oud’s warmth adds whole new brevity and depth when combined with floral or spicy notes.

Turkish rose or Rosa Damascena is a rich rose scent sourced from the Turkish rose fields. Harvested in late spring and early summer, the rosebuds of the Turkish rose are carefully handpicked at dawn when the rose is most fragrant. Dancing between floral, sweet, and fresh, the aroma of the Turkish rose imbues the fragrance with a vintage feel that feels elusive and elegant at once. The scent of Turkish rose kisses your skin gently but leaves a strong, lasting impression on your senses. Indispensable to the world of perfumery and all things fine fragrance, rosa damascena (also known as Turkish rose or Damask rose) is the scent of choice for many perfumers and fragrance devotees alike. Its rich and deep—a tangible scent that announces itself in decadent layers that are fruity, floral and sweetly honeyed. Green facets mingle with spritely lychee.

Sweet and strong, gourmand and bitter, soft, spicy and warm, with some animalic facets. Vanilla is one of the most popular and sought-after notes in perfume. It’s simple, spicy, sweetness is a powerful aphrodisiac, and it blends wonderfully with any other note. The range of vanilla accents is deep, ranging from light, filigreed frosting to plush, heavy, smoky syrup. It’s natural spiciness allows vanilla to pair well with not only other sweet, dessert notes but also exotic additions like suede, patchouli, yuzu, or litchee fruit, gardenia and tuberose. What’s best about vanilla perfumes is that they are always appropriate no matter the season, and transition instantly from light day wear to ultra-sensual late-night looks. Vanilla perfumes are a must in any collection, and the variety available will allow years of happy sampling. For those seeking the finest, spiciest style in vanilla scent - start by trying Madagascar vanilla first.

Violet notes evoke a sweet, floral scent that is often associated with romanticism. It’s powdery and subtly fruity, with vibrant green facets that can feel dewy and grass-like.