Sweet, oud or floral: how to choose an Arabian perfume

Walk into the world of Arabian perfume and the choice can feel endless. There are many houses, many names and many bottles that look alike. The easiest way through is to think in families rather than individual perfumes. Find the family you enjoy, then explore within it.

We sort our shelf into three broad families. They are not strict rules, and many perfumes sit between two of them, but they are a useful starting point.

Sweet and gourmand

These are the warm, comforting scents. The word gourmand comes from food, and these perfumes often bring to mind desserts, sweets and warm drinks. They tend to feel friendly and easy to like.

You may enjoy this family if:

• You are drawn to vanilla, caramel or sugary smells in everyday life.
• You want a scent that people notice in a pleasant, approachable way.
• You like evenings out and cooler weather.

In very hot weather, a strong sweet scent can feel heavy, so a lighter hand with the spray helps.

Oud and woody

This is the family most people picture when they think of Arabian perfume. Oud and woody scents are deep, dry and rich. They can feel serious, grown-up and a little mysterious.

You may enjoy this family if:

• You like scents with depth rather than sweetness.
• You want something that feels formal, for weddings, functions or the office.
• You prefer a perfume that stays close and lasts.

Oud can be an acquired taste. This is exactly where a 10ml decant earns its place, since you can find out whether you love it before buying a full bottle.

Floral and soft

Floral and soft perfumes are the gentlest of the three. They tend to feel clean, light and graceful. They suit daytime wear and places where a strong scent would be out of place.

You may enjoy this family if:

• You want something for work, church or daily errands.
• You prefer a scent that is noticed only when someone comes close.
• You find heavy perfumes give you a headache.

How to find your family

If you have no idea where you stand, try this:

1. Think about smells you already love. Baking and sweets point to gourmand. Wood smoke and incense point to oud. Fresh flowers and clean laundry point to floral.
2. Think about where you will wear it. Office and daytime favour soft scents. Evenings and occasions can carry richer ones.
3. Order two or three decants from different families. Wear each for a few days and compare.
4. Notice which one you miss. That is usually your answer.

A word on houses

We stock perfumes from houses including Lattafa, Ard Al Zaafaran, Paris Corner and Fragrance World. Each house makes scents across several families, so it is worth choosing by family first and house second.

Start small

Once you know your family, browsing becomes a pleasure rather than a puzzle. Explore sweet and gourmand, oud and woody, and floral and soft in our shop, and try a decant before you commit. Browse the shelf.