How Long Does an Oud Perfume Last?
Oud has a reputation for lasting. That is mostly true, but not because of the word on the label. Concentration, the materials, maturation and your own skin decide how long a fragrance stays with you.
Concentration
An Eau de Parfum usually holds 15 to 20 percent fragrance oil, an Extrait de Parfum 20 to 40 percent. More oil means the fragrance evaporates more slowly and sits closer to the skin. M’OUD extraits are composed in Switzerland at 30 to 35 percent.
The materials
Light citrus and fresh notes go first, often within an hour. Woods, resins, amber and oud are heavy molecules; they are what you still notice in the evening. Natural oud is a living material: it reacts with the skin and shows different facets over the day, which is part of why an oud extrait lasts so well.
Maturation
Time in the making also counts. Oud Amal Intense matures for six months before it is filtered and filled, so that oud, frankincense and vanilla bind into one structure and the base settles fully.
Your skin, the climate, your clothes
- Skin: dry skin holds fragrance less well than skin that has been moisturised.
- Climate: warmth and humidity make a fragrance unfold faster but can shorten its overall time; in cool air it stays closer and longer.
- Fabric: natural fibres such as wool and cotton hold fragrance far longer than skin. On a scarf or coat an extrait can still be there the next day.
What helps
Apply after showering, on moisturised skin. Spray once or twice on the neck or chest and do not rub. One spray on clothing carries it through the day. After a few hours you notice it less yourself while others still do, so resist adding more.
Storage
Keep the flacon cool, dark and away from temperature changes, ideally in its box or a cupboard. The bathroom, with its heat and humidity, is the worst place for a perfume.
What to expect from M’OUD
Soleil Levant, Amber Mirage and D’Or Davana last 12 to 24 hours on skin, depending on skin. Oud Amal Intense at 35 percent lasts 18 to 24 hours, depending on skin. On fabric all of them last longer.
Questions
How long does an oud extrait last?
On skin usually 12 to 24 hours, depending on concentration and skin; on fabric often until the next day.
Why can I no longer smell my perfume after an hour?
The nose gets used to a constant smell. Others often still notice it, and the base notes are still there.
Does rubbing the wrists help?
No. Rubbing warms the skin and breaks the lighter notes faster. Spray and let it dry.
The quickest way to know is to wear it. The Discovery Set holds three extraits of 2 ml; its amount comes as a code by email, credited once on your first 100 ml flacon and valid for 37 days.
