For me, oriental fragrances always have something special. Mystical, smoky, woody, aromatic, they can captivate you. Swiss Arabian Shaghaf Oud was a blind buy for me. For the cheap price of just over €20, it was definitely worth a try. At first, I expected to encounter that well-known rose-oud blend that can now be found in many oud fragrances.
Shaghaf Oud opens very spicy and slightly smoky with saffron - well, I couldn't have said that it was saffron, but that's how saffron must apparently smell in perfumes. This spiciness remains present in the top note for quite a while. At first, it is not at all like a classic rose-oud. But as the top note recedes, the rose emerges more strongly and comes with a chocolaty sweetness. The two come into the spotlight hand in hand, yet the spiciness from the beginning remains consistently in the background, covered but not disappearing. The rose is dark, subtle, reserved. Furthermore, I find the rose not very long-lasting in its splendor. After a while in the drydown, there is more vanilla, a bit of oud, a bit of what is indicated here as praline in the base note. The fragrance notes are all well distinguishable, and the scent progression is clearly perceivable. The oud is not extremely strong; however, the entire fragrance should be approached with caution in its composition. I would also suggest that the oud is synthetic and not natural, certainly not for this price. The rose probably isn't either, considering that these two oils are among the most expensive.
Better to spray a little less than too much, as I would not classify Shaghaf Oud as a scent that everyone around will perceive positively. In fact, I did my first scent test of Shaghaf Oud when I went to the Christmas market. I had just sprayed two cautious puffs on my wrist. My companion could very clearly perceive this perfume in the crowd without knowing that it was mine. I almost chose this perfume as my Christmas Eve scent, but it felt too risky for me. However, anyone wanting to stand out will be very well served here. Sillage is strong, longevity for me is about 7 hours when applied discreetly.
Price-performance ratio definitely top! But I don't think Shaghaf Oud is a beginner's fragrance for rose-oud combos. Yes - quite unique and striking, but please apply with feeling ;-)
Very nicely written! I also only use one spray! I've noticed that it develops much spicier on my skin; was it the same for you? On my scarf, it was very vanilla the next morning, while on my wrist it was dark and spicy.
Oh, and here's a treat trophy for you!
Oh, and here's a treat trophy for you!