Collection: Arabic Perfumes

Arabic perfumes — also called Middle Eastern or Dubai fragrances — are built on a different philosophy from Western designer perfumery. Instead of light concentrations designed to be inoffensive, Arabian houses use high oil loads, expensive raw materials such as oud and saffron, and base notes that are meant to still be there at the end of the day.

What makes an Arabic perfume different

• Concentration — most are eau de parfum or extrait rather than eau de toilette, so eight to twelve hours of wear is normal.
• Raw materials — oud (agarwood), amber, saffron, rose, musk, sandalwood and resins, often in combinations Western perfumery uses sparingly.
• Projection — Arabian perfumery treats sillage as a feature, not a flaw. One or two sprays is usually plenty.
• Value — a full 100ml bottle typically costs a fraction of a designer equivalent with the same or better performance.

The brands worth knowing

Lattafa is the most common entry point and the most widely reviewed. Afnan and Rasasi represent the older, more classical end of the market. Armaf and Maison Alhambra are known for luxury-inspired compositions. Adyan, Maison Asrar, Gulf Orchid, Paris Corner, Emper and Khadlaj cover everything in between, from dessert gourmands to deep traditional oud.

How to choose your first Arabic perfume

If you are new to the category, start with a gourmand or amber fragrance rather than a pure oud. Oud is the most polarising note in perfumery and is best approached once you know how your skin handles this style. If you already wear designer fragrance, the shortcut is to find the Arabic house that reinterprets the profile you already like — fresh, woody, sweet or floral — and work outward from there.

Buying Arabic perfumes in the USA

Ezenzia stocks hundreds of authentic Arabic perfumes in Miami, Florida and ships across the United States, with free shipping on orders over $79.99. Every bottle is 100% original. Retailers, boutiques and resellers can request wholesale pricing on the full catalogue.