Oud Perfume, Oud Incense and Oud Oil
In many Gulf homes oud is part of everyday life in more than one form: as smoke rising from a burner, as oil dabbed on the skin, and as a perfume. All come from the same tree. They do different things.
Oud incense
Oud chips are pieces of resinous agarwood. Placed on glowing charcoal in a mabkhara or on an electric burner, they release a dense, smoky, balsamic scent almost at once. Bakhoor is a related tradition: wood chips soaked in oils and fragrant materials, burned the same way. Both are atmospheric. They fill a room rather than sitting close to one person, and they cling to hair, clothing and curtains. They are a gesture of welcome, traditionally offered when guests arrive.
Smoke works through heat. High heat can burn away delicate notes, and smoke clings to fabric but does not react with the skin.
Oud oil
Oud oil, or dehn al oud, is distilled agarwood oil, sometimes blended with other oils, and contains no alcohol. It is applied with a fine stick or a fingertip in very small amounts. It stays very close to the skin, develops slowly and projects little.
Oud perfume
For a perfume, oud oil is blended with other materials in alcohol and sprayed. The alcohol carries the fragrance into the air and then evaporates, leaving the composition to unfold on warm skin: top notes first, then the heart, then a resinous base. An oud perfume can be dense and close or light and floral, depending on what surrounds the oud. As an extrait de parfum it combines the depth of the material with the ease of a spray.
Oil or spray?
Oil is intimate, alcohol-free and close to the body. A spray is easier to dose, spreads more evenly and lets a composition of many materials show itself in layers. Many people own both.
How they go together
A classic way is to scent clothes with incense first and then put on perfume. The smoke gives a dry, woody background, the perfume the personal signature on top. If you combine them, choose a perfume that is not too smoky itself; a warm amber or a floral oud sits well over incense.
At M’OUD
M’OUD makes extraits de parfum with oud at their base, composed in Switzerland at 30 to 35 percent. Their character ranges from Soleil Levant, floral and bright, to Oud Amal Intense, where oud and frankincense echo the warmth of ceremonial incense, softened by vanilla, without smoke or flame. On skin they last 12 to 24 hours, Oud Amal Intense 18 to 24 hours, depending on skin.
Questions
What is the difference between oud incense and oud perfume?
Incense is burned to scent a room and clothes; perfume is oud oil blended in alcohol and worn on the skin.
Can I wear perfume over bakhoor?
Yes. Scent clothes with incense first, then apply perfume; a warm amber or floral oud sits well on top.
Does M’OUD perfume contain natural oud?
Yes. All four extraits contain natural oud from Thailand. In Oud Amal Intense it takes centre stage; in Soleil Levant, Amber Mirage and D’Or Davana it forms the base.
Find out which one suits you. 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.
