Oud, the much-beloved perfume ingredient of the Arab region is emerging as a favorite and sought after scent element in the west as well. Its oil is also known as liquid gold and it is one of the most expensive raw ingredients in the perfume-making industry. The attribute of the hefty price tag owes itself to the rare and uncommon origin of agarwood, which is the woody resin from which oud derives.
What Is Oud?
The musky-smelling element is a type of woody resin that occurs as the end product of a disease process. A rare event that infects the Aquilaria tree with a mold, it causes a dense and dark character with the progression of the disease. The wood exudes a resin and develops an odor that we know as oud.
There is no other scent ingredient that fetches such a high price as this woody resin. The rare infection and the time it takes the wood to progress through the process makes oud a luxury ingredient. Though the synthetically-produced versions of agarwood and oil are commonly found in more affordable scents, nothing compares to the authentic ingredient.
The dark, rich and opaque smell of the subject woody resin is not new. Some of the earliest evidence of its use dates back to the third century. The “wood of gods” is mentioned in some old Chinese scriptures and is thought to refer to oud. Its use was quite prevalent in Chinese traditional and religious ceremonies. Arab society saw it as a symbol of status and prestige and oud has become a fragrance of royal and celebrated people.
The creative noses of perfume designers like to experiment with different pairings. Unique combinations have been created using oud. If you do not like the original scent of oud, you can try a fragrance combination, which alters the base scent.
Here are some of the best luxury oud fragrance arrangements for both men and women.
Oud and Jasmine
Oud and jasmine is oriental in the truest sense. A duo that takes you to a magical world where carpets come alive to give you a ride to nowhere. It brings a sweet aura of romantic Arabian nights where dunes kiss your feet and starry skies lead the way. This combination is a dark, intense, and sensual fragrance where jasmine leads the way followed by warm woody notes. The resin oil lends a smoky character and many describe a primal scent with earthy notes. Habibi New York has paired jasmine and oud to deliver a clean and fresh fragrance. Jasmine Oud introduces top notes of warmth exuding spices. The tone of the fresh green mellows down the spicy character. The middle notes of jasmine rose and geranium add a sensual touch. Jasmine Oud is a scent for free-spirited souls carrying a depth of personality.
Oud and Cinnamon
Hot and sensuous cinnamon delivers a deep intoxicating texture to oud. Cinnamon adds a modern touch to the classic oud fragrance. Together the two create a sweet, sensuous ambiance of an exotic setting.
True to the oriental category, Oud and cinnamon scents are strong, rich and dense. They exude a personality that is powerful and elegant with a touch of luxury. Perfumes containing the two are long-lasting. Cinnamon has an extended after-taste and the smell lingers with a refreshing effect. The combination has an aphrodisiac perception, making it an important night-wear accessory.
Oud and Rose
The rose is best described as feminine and romantic. The scent profile is clean with a fresh citrusy zeal. The scent of rose carries a woody, powdery or fruity nuance while the agarwood extract brings the soul to a rose fragrance. Elegant, sophisticated, mature and glamorous, the combination is becoming the leading element of many unisex and masculine scents. Habibi New York Sahara Rose is the perfect example of this pairing.
Leather and Oud
Soft and gentle with a nostalgic feel, leather is a popular unisex scent. The odor profile is exciting yet comforting. Leather is a sensual, primitive yet natural scent that stimulates old forgotten memories and contributes to many unisex scents. Being one of the oldest notes in perfume-making, leather pairs beautifully with resinous agarwood. Honeyed Tobacco & Oud is the perfect fragrance for someone who appreciates the synergy between leather and oud.
Oud and Sandalwood
Sandalwood belongs to the woody category and has a lingering quality with lasting effects. Smooth and rich, it delivers an intoxicating scent ambiance with a sweet note. The balsamic smell pairs well with other scent elements. Though woody in character, the smell of sandalwood brings a fresh edge. Being an excellent fixative, it merges the woody resin as a base note in an oud fragrance. Sandalwood complements the warm tones of oud fragrance making it a celebration of woody resins.
An irresistible combination of rich aromas, the mysterious smoky smell of the resin is uplifted by sandalwood. Embrace is a testament to this lovely scent pairing.
Oud with Citrus Scents
The zing of the citrus notes balances the dark and rich character of woody extract. These notes bring freshness and crispness to oud fragrances. Classy yet majestic, scents of lemon and orange blossom uplift any scent. Citrus notes often comprise the top opening element of oud fragrance. The fresh zesty smell gradually mingles with the heavy musky odor of agarwood. It, thus, balances the richness and density of the latter.
Citrus notes are classic companions of woody and resinous scents. They are important elements of oriental perfumes. They harmonize the sugary-sweet smell with a bit of tartness in florientals. Habibi New York Desert Oud contains fresh, citrusy scents as an opening top note. It blends with floral heart scents before finally exuding the rich musky fragrance. Labdanum, Amber, Guaiac wood, Musk, and Patchouli complement the woody odors. A bit of spice and greens lift off the immensity by delivering an edge to the final scent.
Oud and Floral Scents
Flowery scents as geranium and iris are placed in a special category called florientals. A balancing act between the enigmatic muskiness and sweet floral scents. The best thing about floral scents is that they cater to a diverse olfactory profile. Derived via gentle and intricate processes, floral nuances help to mellow rich scents. Whether rose, jasmine, ylang-ylang, tuberose, osmanthus, or lavender, they complement heavy notes such as resins and woody balsams. Although known for adding a feminine touch, florals find their way to masculine counterparts. Floral notes are commonly paired in oud fragrances.
Habibi Desert Oud integrates jasmine, rose, lily of valley, and tuberose and is a quintessential floral oud fragrance. The scent delivers a fresh citrusy scent that develops into floral notes. The latter blends with musky agarwood to deliver an elegant scent texture.
Oud and Vetiver
A prevalent element of masculine scents, vetiver belongs to the woody category in perfumery. It has a dry, musky smell with a woody character. End features reveal bitter chocolate and smoky odors which contribute to the intense character of an oud fragrance. Vetiver extract comes from the roots of the vetiver plant. A popular aroma in masculine scents, the odor profile is subtle yet refreshing.
A hint of humble earthiness with a touch of citrus, the leathery vetiver smell has no synthetic version. This highly sought after extract is an excellent fixative for fragrances. Vetiver pairs well with oriental and floral extracts.
Habibi New York relies on vetiver in a few of our most popular scents. Habibi First Glance contains vetiver as a base note along with other woody smells.
Oud and Patchouli
An exotic smell with a woody character, patchouli derives from an Indian bush. The oil is known for its earthy, sweet yet dark and woody edge and is a popular element of oriental scents. It blends with oud fragrance enhancing its pungent woody smell and is the elementary unit of an entire class of perfumes- the chypre fragrances.
The scent of patchouli is herbaceous with a rich green heart and a woodsy base. Fresh young leaves of the plant yield the best oil. The oil develops a fruity character with age, the preferred odor in perfumery. Oriental sprays, chypre, fougère fragrances, and powdery scents make beautiful use of patchouli. Patchouli blends well with vetiver because both have the same earthy odor profile.
Several Habibi New York fragrances contain patchouli in their scent profile. First Glance, and Desert Oud are recommended elegant combinations.
Oud with Spices
Used as a top note, spices give an edge to the musky character of the oud resin. Pink pepper, black pepper, clove, cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, and basil are a few of the spicy and hot notes commonly paired with oud in fragrances.
The vivacious spicy scents deliver a warm note to majestic oud fragrance. Comforting yet cheerful, the combination stimulates your soul. Spicy notes make oud fragrance wearable for every day. Yet they feature a distinctive bold touch that allows you to stand out from the rest. Urban Oud Elixir and Desert Oud are popular examples of how spices merge beautifully with oud.