Update: A previous version of this article linked a video that said Huda uses Lattafa's Angham. The video is unverified, however, and has been removed from the article. The story has been updated for clarity.
Between all the drama of Love Island USA, it's kind of impressive for someone's style, or scent, to disrupt the discourse and get people talking about anything other than couplings, texts, and being a girl's girl. Even though one particular contestant, Huda Mustafa, has found herself in the middle of a few predicaments, she's still managed to go viral on TikTok for her perfume.
Fans on TikTok noticed that Huda has received a few compliments on her fragrance from other cast mates in the villa. Some have speculated it's Lattafa's Angham. Huda, who's currently in the villa, has yet to confirm.
This isn't the first time an Arabian perfume has gone viral on TikTok. Fragrance expert and Arabian-perfume enthusiast Funmi Monet previously received attention for her focus on Arabian perfumes, particularly her fun unboxing-style videos in which she reviews a suitcase worth of options from the Middle East region. Other influencers are also unpacking their favorites, recommending various brands with complex profiles, as scents from the Middle East and North Africa region make their way into global fragrance trends.
But these fragrances and the centuries-old practices that originated in the region can be challenging to grasp. And there is a much wider price range for them than many luxury perfumes from mainstream brands. We’re here to unpack what makes Arabian perfumes so special, how to tell if they’re authentic, where to find them, and if they’re worth it. (Spoiler: Yes, they are.)
What exactly is an Arabian perfume? Mesopotamia, or modern-day Iraq, is commonly thought to be the birthplace of wearable fragrance. In the centuries since then, fragrances have circulated through the greater Middle East and North Africa region. Materials from the region that are often used in perfumes have also been traded for centuries, which means pinpointing exactly what defines an Arabian perfume can be challenging.
Generally, Arab perfumes are made using techniques and ingredients that are distinct to the region, though they don’t necessarily have to be based there. Numerous new-generation perfumers in the region and the diaspora are adding modern twists to traditional practices. Brands such as Nemat, whïnd, Kayali, Odict, Anfas, and Jazmin Saraï by Dana el Masri are all advancing Arabian perfumes for the next generation.
Knowing each ingredient in an Arabian fragrance is paramount when choosing the perfect bottle. Oud, musk, amber, frankincense, and sandalwood are often thrown into flavor profiles without much explanation. Oud, one of the most popular ingredients in Arab perfume, is also known as agarwood. The oud fragrance oil — which can run thousands of dollars per pound for the highest quality — is extracted from agarwood, the resinous heartwood of a fungus-infected aquilaria tree. The heartwood is distilled, which concentrates its dark, woody characteristics, and provides the oil with its distinctiveness.
Musky profiles are also common across lines of Arabian perfumes, adding an earthy, woody scent to each bottle. This core scent is often accentuated with amber, sandalwood, and frankincense, each unique in their own right, thus deepening the complexity of the contents in each bottle.
If this all sounds overpowering, don’t worry: What makes Arabian perfume so special is the balance of dark, rich smells with light, floral ones, particularly the popular jasmine and Arabian rose.
But even when you know what makes up popular Arabian scents, getting your hands on them can be a challenge. These perfumes can’t be found in most local department, cosmetic, or niche fragrance stores. As influencer Funmi Monet has demonstrated, sometimes the ideal option is to travel to a Middle Eastern souk or bazaar to bring back a haul like no other; however, there are also options for finding reliable, authentic Arabian perfumes outside of the Middle East.
The best option is to search by brand or specific fragrance. Some of the most popular brands are Ajmal, Lattafa, and Ahmed Al Maghribi, and sites like IntenseOud offer a wide range of Arabian perfumes that come from brands known internationally for their excellent quality. IntenseOud also offers samples to help consumers consider future purchases. Amazon also has a plethora of options for Arabian-perfume enthusiasts, including beginners, whether Swiss Arabian favorites or unisex Lattafa fragrances.
If you're searching for a particularly niche fragrance, it's always important to look at which ingredients are used, where they originate, and where the perfume is made. Ensure the bottle has no imperfections, as many counterfeit perfumes are transferred into containers that are reused or roughly constructed to match popular brands.
Of course, the most distinct difference between real and fake perfumes is smell. Arabian perfumes, as with most high-end fragrances, are designed to carry noticeable top, middle, and base notes as the scent falls on your skin. Fake or knockoff perfumes often have one scent that smells identical right out of the bottle and after being absorbed by the skin, which indicates a lacking profile.
Arabian perfumes are blossoming into newfound popularity, particularly among Gen Zers and influencers. The right bottle will leave you turning heads as effervescent fragrance trails your every step. We hope these captivating, luxurious Arabian perfumes continue to be popular on TikTok and Instagram, because everyone deserves the powerful, magical feeling they bestow on each wearer.
