Guides

Understand what you are smelling

• What is oud?

  Oud (agarwood) is the resin-soaked heartwood of the Aquilaria tree. It forms when the tree defends itself against infection, and it smells deep, woody and smoky, often with leathery, sweet or slightly animalic facets.

• How long does attar last?

  On skin, a good attar or concentrated perfume oil typically lasts most of a day, often longer than a spray Eau de Toilette, because it contains little or no alcohol. How long you notice it depends on the oil, your skin and where you apply it.

• Top, heart and base notes explained

  A perfume's notes are grouped by how quickly they evaporate: top notes are the first impression and fade within minutes, heart notes are the character that follows, and base notes such as oud, amber and musk are the long-lasting foundation.