Trending Oud Scents to Try Immediately

Words by Shannan Sterne


Oud – the smell of sweet luxury. The core ingredient to some of the deepest, warmest and most sensual scents in the fragrance world. Oud is rich in nuances, ranging from sweet to earthy, with some notes of leather and spices. Derived from the tropical agar tree, which is grown in Southeast Asia, India and Bangladesh, oud is produced when the agar tree is infected with a mould called phialophora parasitica; it produces a dense, dark caramel-coloured resin coined ‘liquid gold’. The raw ingredient is one of the most expensive in the world due to its rarity; fewer than 2% of wild agar trees produce it, and according to the International Journal of Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences, oud oil can cost as much as £20,000 per kilogram.


Whether you’re an oud devotee or new to the rich, woody goodness that oud brings – a great traditional oud scent to start with is D.S. & Durga’s Notorious Oud eau de parfum. Offering opening notes of saffron, followed by Bulgarian rose, Indonesian oud and papyrus, it lingers long after first spritz, as oud is one of the most long-lasting perfume notes available. The best thing about oud is its versatility, and notes can be brightened by citrus, sweetened by vanilla, enriched by rose and amplified by spice. Here’s our edit of the best oud scents with a twist for your fragrance wardrobe.

Coming up Rosy: Floral Vibes

Flowery, powdery and slightly sweet, the addition of rose can add a fragrant twist to the renowned deepness that oud scents bring. Did you know that the sweet smell of rose is said to reduce stress and lower your heart rate? You can combine rose with oud, which is used in the Indian medicine system Ayurveda to restore inner peace, to create the ultimate mood booster.


If you’re dipping your toes in the world of rosy oud scents, deputy beauty editor Nateisha Scott recommends the Maison Francis Kurkdjian Oud Satin Mood eau de parfum. “There’s a sensuality and warmth to oud as an ingredient that makes it stand out, so capturing the mood of it isn't easy. Master perfumer, Francis Kurkdjian has seemingly perfected the challenge with Satin Oud Mood. A woody-ambery scent that lingers on the skin and is complemented by damask rose and rich vanilla that wraps like silk. A fragrance that I gravitate to in all moods, it's trans-seasonal.” Or, if you want a more powerful rose-oud combination, look to Dolce & Gabbana’s Velvet Tender Oud, which cocoons you in a velvety blanket of damask rose essence and rosa centifolia, sweetened by a sprinkle of almond.

Zest is Best: Citrus Fruityness

Bite through heavy, woody oud notes with a zingy citrus burst – think a squeeze of lemon, bergamot or orange juices. Jo Malone London adds a zesty edge to traditional oud with its Oud & Bergamot Cologne Intense, a smoky cloud that starts by conjuring up intense, earthy aromas, brightened with zingy bergamot, fresh orange and punchy pink pepper.


If you’re leaning towards rich and fruit fragrances, look to Juliette Has a Gun’s Another Oud, which bursts of tangy bergamot and tart raspberry. It's a contemporary delight from the new-gen brand founded in 2006 by Romano Ricci, the great grandson of designer Nina Ricci, and made in partnership with master perfumer Francis Kurkdjian. It’s cool, it's elegant, and it belongs in your vanity.

Spice up Your Life: Piquant Perfumes

Spicy scents make you feel warm inside and are the perfect addition to smooth oud aromas. If you’re partial to a dusting of cinnamon on your cappuccino, you’ll be drawn to Acqua di Parma’s exclusive Oud & Spice, where cinnamon is the star ingredient. At first spray, you’ll notice a peppering of raspberry and rose before inhaling a hefty waft of the dessert-like spice, followed by the unmistakable smell of agarwood oil. Another reason to embrace cinnamon scents? Studies have shown that the aroma alone can reduce drowsiness and calm aches and frequency of headaches.


Talking of comforting aromas, a dash of cloves will conjure images of gingerbread, mulled wine, and toffee apples. Images that come to mind when you spritz Bella Bellissima’s Oud Du Future Pure Perfume. Brewed with Madagascan cloves, oud, leather and sandalwood, it will provide you with nostalgic joy whatever the season.

Sweet like Vanilla: Tonka Bean Notes

You’ll often find that oud scents are enhanced by rich, syrupy vanilla notes as they soften the dry, spicy goodness that agarwood oil naturally brings. TOM FORD’s rich and soothing Oud Wood is packed with tonka bean and dappled with hints of cardamom for a spicy edge. Pair with the TOM FORD Oud Wood body moisturiser to amplify your scent – priming pre-fragrance will hydrate your skin and boost your spray’s staying power.


We’ve touched on the smell of oud’s peaceful effect, but did you know that vanilla has calming vibes, too? The creamy aroma is said to relax your mind. So, for the ultimate combination of mood-enhancing notes, look to Ex Nihilo’s Supernatural Oud Perfume Oil – it combines the relaxing goodness that vanilla, rose and oud bring together. Plus, a dash of the world’s most valuable spice – saffron – for good measure. That's a wrap on our edit of trending oud scents to try immediately – keep an eye on our Stories page for more incredible fragrance edits.

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