If I’m being brutally honest, I was never a perfume gal at all. I never put much thought into the kind of fragrance I chose to wear. I used to spritz on whatever perfume was lying around on my vanity, quite absurd for someone who’s a self-proclaimed beauty geek, no? It was only sometime last year that I started paying more attention to perfumes and the stories they help you weave. What you choose as a scent should always be an extension of who you are as an individual, even though exploring with fragrances can be hella fun on most days!

All this while I was always under the impression that cooling fragrances were my jam because of how fresh and lively they happen to be. However, once I came across the magic that is oud, everything else seemed to disappear. Sounds like a clichéd love story, I know!

Astha Suri, Founder & Creative Director of Naso Profumi tells us that

Oud is underrated due to its high procuring prices in the market. The perception of Oud is also of it being quite overpowering & overwhelming. This often takes place when perfumeries sell adulterated scents. Real Oud is strong, but never overpowering. In fact, it can really calm the brain and soothe your mind.

What Is Oud?

Agarwood & Oud Bottle with Censer by mohamed eid20 | www.shutterstock.com
Agarwood & Oud Bottle with Censer

One of the most controversial and expensive scents all around the world, oud or Oudh is an infamous fragrance ingredient that’s extremely popular in the Middle East. Popularly known as “Black Gold” because of how opulent and rare it is, yes it’s actually that pricey. The process of creating this powerful fragrance is quite a cumbersome one. Also known as agarwood, oud is created only when the agar tree is infected by a particular type of fungi and as a defence mechanism, releases a specific resin in response. It is this resin wood that leads to the formation of the scent we famously know as oud. Quite interesting, no?

What Exactly Does Oud Smell Like?

Well, if you pose this question to a seasoned perfume lover, you’re going to receive a response you may not like very much. The first whiff of oud can be displeasing to most since it’s stronger than what all of us are used to. However, once you cross that bridge, each whiff of this invigorating scent will just intoxicate you even more. Oud adorns you with a woody scent that often has intense notes of leather and in some cases spices too. A strong, musky fragrance that makes the wearer feel sexy and sensual, all thanks to it’s ability to shuttle between a sweet scent and an earthy one too.

What Scent Am I Speaking About?

Oud Mud by Naso Profumi
Oud Mud by Naso Profumi

Recently, craft conscious couture brand Jade by Monica & Karishma along with the niche perfumery label Naso Profumi created 2 artisanal fragrances. I happened to have fallen in love with Oud mud, and rightfully so. Its uplifting aroma turns heads everywhere I go because most often people don’t expect women to opt for such a powerful scent. The amalgamation of oud with mud is what makes this scent stand a class apart when compared to the other oud scents out there. A nostalgic fragrance that kinda reminds me of a time when everything was so simple, the scent of mitti is extremely grounding and calming. This perfume not only evokes a certain feeling of luxury blended with comfort, but it also leaves those who take a whiff of it quite mesmerised. Never thought I’d be one for enjoying such a strong fragrance, but Jade by Monica and Karishma along with Naso Profumi have me convinced.

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