29 best oud perfumes that scream ‘main character energy’
Forget diamonds – in my eyes, oud perfumes are a girl’s best friend. Hear me out. Often referred to as ‘liquid gold’ in the field of fragrance, oud (otherwise known as agarwood) is one of the most expensive perfume ingredients in the world that, like diamonds, demands to be noticed. Rich, opulent and seriously sophisticated, no fragrance wardrobe is complete without an oud perfume.
It was my parents who first made me fall in love with ouds. Growing up, I could recognise my dad’s clothes in a sea of African printed garms just by smelling them. I would also know when my mum was about to throw on her best red-carpet-worthy outfit by the oud scent wafting from under their bedroom door. Scents have an extraordinary power of unlocking memories. And, according to experts, ouds are among the most memorable types of fragrance due to their intensity and decadence.
According to a fragrance connoisseur. You're welcome!
Mona Kattan, founder of Kayali and oud connoisseur chose to celebrate her Middle Eastern roots through fragrance. “I was really inspired by the profound significance of fragrance and the rituals around scent here in the region,” she tells Glamour. So inspired, she decided to release an oud Kayali range – Oudgasm – back in 2023.
What is an oud perfume?
In the world of perfumery, oud fragrances are often described as opulent and luxurious. This is in part due to the fact that the ingredient is extremely rare, and the extraction process is labour-intensive. “Oud essential oil is extracted from Southeast Asian agar trees, which produce a dark, dense, and fragrant resin to protect themselves from a specific mould infection,” explains Mona. It may not sound glamorous, but the result is *chef's kiss*.
“This tree can become infected with a parasite which creates a resin which is then extracted from the tree to make perfume. The scent of oud is distinguished by its rich earthy and animalic notes. In perfume, it is often the base note and exudes a fragrance that amplifies mystery,” Mona adds.
Scentual seduction.
Studies show that fewer than 2% of these wild agar (aquilaria) trees produce this precious resin, and experts claim that the very best oud comes from the oldest trees. This makes oud essential oil one of the most expensive raw materials in the world – hence the nickname, ‘liquid gold’.
Although the raw ingredient is mostly found in Asia, oud perfumes are now a staple in the Western world of fragrance with more and more of us investing in these opulent blends. Of course, ouds are not for the faint-hearted, and they might be a little overpowering to those who prefer a delicate, floral scent, but the beauty of oud fragrances is that they have an undeniably unique ability to elevate any occasion scent.
Why are oud fragrances so expensive?
“Oud fragrances are expensive because natural oud is a very precious and rare ingredient. This is because the oil itself is a rarity in nature,” notes Mona.
The alchemists at Initio Parfum Privés agree, explaining that "This sacred wood sees the light of day in the Assam mountain range in Bangladesh – an isolated, hard-to-access location. It is in this place that a parasitic insect attacks the smooth trunk and light bark of the Aquilaria tree to feed on the sap, causing an infection that manifests as fungi. In response to this attack, the tree produces that dark resin that hardens the wood to protect it."
In other words, this process is incredibly unpredictable. “It’s not a simple case of waiting for the tree to be ten years old for it to secrete this precious resin. Only one tree in a hundred produces this miracle. It’s a sort of botanical lottery. This is one of nature’s priceless riches, the result of an arcane stroke of luck, which is why it’s so exorbitantly priced,” the alchemists at Initio add.
What makes oud so special and opulent?
“It can take up to ten days to distill oud wood chips to obtain a high-quality wild, exotic essence. It will have a more or less animal aspect according to the age of the tree. Following this painstaking operation, the essential oil obtained is thick, oily and resiny. But agarwood (the other name for oud) also has a special miracle: each tree develops its own disease and so the resin is unique each time, meaning every fragrance is a unique vintage,” the Initio Alchemists explain further.
Oud can be teamed with lots of different notes in order to create different effects. At Initio, the brand's most famous fragrance Oud for Greatness £305, Selfridges, uses the natural essence of oud wood highlighted by patchouli and musk. It's teamed with lavender for freshness and spicy nutmeg and saffron.
Meanwhile sister fragrance Oud for Happiness £305, Selfridges offers a softer take – boosting the benefits of oud with a breath of freshly-cut grass, energising and uninhibited.
Mona also adds how eclectic oud scents are. “You can apply it as a perfume, an oil or as bakhoor – which is the process of burning scented wood to scentscape your home or use on your clothing or hair as way to help intensify the fragrance. I have so much love for these traditions and I wanted to add my own twist to it and share them with the world through the Oudgasm collection.”
Why do ouds last longer than other scents?
According to the Initio alchemists, “this addictive, ancient essence has a rare complexity. It has woody, smoky, leather, resin, animal and even fruity aspects. This extreme richness explains why a perfume containing a substantial quantity of oud lasts on the skin and clothes for so long.”
Mona also adds that it’s due to the intensity of the oud note itself. “On its own, a little can go a very long way, especially if combined with the oud oils and the bakhoor.”
Can you layer ouds with other scent families?
“Oud wood is like a blank canvas, where other colours from the perfumer’s palette can be painted. When it comes to layering, a composition that’s rich in oud such as our Oud for Greatness £305, Harrods, mixed with a sweet and rich vanilla fragrance or creamy sandalwood, like our Rehab Extrait de Parfum, £240, Selfridges, work,” the Initio alchemists tell us.
Mona Kattan is a master of layering herself: “Absolutely, in fact I highly recommend it! Oud is quite a unique scent and acts as a beautiful base if you want to intensify your fragrance experience – whether you pair it with something fruity, smoky, sweet, woody, floral – it truly complements most fragrance families.” Mona loves layering Kayali's cult-fav Vanilla 28 EDP, £73, Cult Beauty with their Kayali Oudgasm Café Oud 19, £119, Cult Beauty to create a vanilla latte scent that is perfect for the cooler months.
Who are oud perfumes suitable for?
Although ouds may seem a little intimidating, Mona assures us that ouds are suitable for everyone. “It’s just finding the right oud fragrance that speaks to your heart and nose,” she says. “Its ability to be layered with sweeter or woodier scents makes it incredibly versatile. Depending on your scent palette, you might want to go for a lighter, less concentrated version of the scent as some can find it overwhelming.”
The Initio alchemists think that ouds are great option for people who are most attracted to powerful scents. “Oud's mixed sensuality speaks to all those who like powerful, animal fragrances, the sort of scent that we feel as much as we smell, fragrances that bring us back to our inner nature,” they say.
What should you be looking for when shopping for an oud scent online?
“The origin of the essence is a determining factor, along with its variety. Assam oud is undoubtedly the best quality. This is the one we use in our perfumes. A little tip: pay attention to a designation called ‘oud accord’, which means that it’s not strictly-speaking an oud wood essence but a substitution made up of cedar, sandalwood, cypriol, patchouli and certain synthetic molecules,” the Initio alchemists tell us.
Mona adds: “Oud is often used as a base note, but the intensity varies a lot depending on the fragrance. Find what kind of scent suits you best, and what pairing you enjoy and just have fun! Fragrances have no rules, and this journey into scent is a very personal one to find out what you enjoy most.”
If you’re looking to create a mini Harrods perfumery in your beauty cabinet but don’t know where to start, we've got you. Here are our top 30 picks of the best ouds on the market right now, to get you started. You’re very welcome.
For more from Glamour UK Beauty Writer Shei Mamona, follow her on Instagram @sheimamona.
Initio Oud for Greatness Eau de Parfum, 90ml
Why we love it: This is the type of scent you know works, because you will be able to enjoy it, and, smell it on yourself all day. Trust me on this though, with heart notes of natural oud wood and agarwood oil, blended with bottom notes of patchouli and musk, it means one spritz really does goes a long way. Use sparingly and enjoy.
Save when you shop for oud perfumes with these Selfridges discount codes.
Acqua di Parma Oud Eau de Parfum 100ml
Why we love it: This scent is sort of magical, as it's gently powerful which is a different approach to the usual loud and richness you may be accustomed to when it comes to oud. It's infused with the deep, rich notes of agarwood, it's warm but carries some deep intensity. It exudes the sense of quiet strength, sophistication, crafted to capture the essence of a poised individual.
Save when you shop for oud perfumes with these Selfridges discount codes.
Save when you shop for oud perfumes with these Sephora discount codes.
Kayali Oudgasm Vanilla Oud 36 Eau de Parfum Intense 50ml
Why we love it: Exuding an intense, sensual, and luxurious vibe, this scent belongs to the warm and spicy fragrance family. It will deliver the most epic sensory experience that is equal parts inviting as it is intriguing. The key notes of vanilla sugar, praline and oud coalesce to create a gorgeous blend that is sweet yet sexy. A true crowd-pleaser.
Save when you shop for oud perfumes with these Cult Beauty discount codes.
Maison Francis Kurkdjian Paris Oud Extrait de parfum
Why we love it: With notes from far-flung destinations like elemi from the Philippines, cedar from Virginia, USA, patchouli from Indonesia, and the oud itself from Laos, this scent will transport you all over the world from one small whiff. Decadent and memorable.
Save when you shop for oud perfumes with these Selfridges discount codes.
Armani Oud Royal Eau de Parfum, 100ml
Why we love it: This luxurious fragrance opens your olfactory senses with a blend of woody and spicy notes, including amber, oud and Myrrh that create a warm and inviting ambiance. The scent is perfect for those who appreciate a complex and sophisticated fragrance that exudes elegance. A true masterpiece.
Save when you shop for oud perfumes with these John Lewis discount codes.
Why we love it: This epic oud floral blend still carries that sexy flair of an oud, but with a transitional rose signature that is easy on the nose specially for those that love a floral touch, leaving you with an unforgettable sensory experience.
Why we love it: This beauty is crafted for connoisseurs of rare essences. Although oud wood is a rebellious material, with a delicate interplay of benzoin tears and raspberry accents, you'll be in for an intoxicatingly epic olfactory journey. A smoky wisp of incense adds an ethereal touch, transporting you to a place where oud becomes truly mystical. This price tag might be a quite overwhelming, but if your bank account allows, who can object?
Why we love it: From the Persian Palace architecture inspired bottle, to the warm and distinct silky smooth scent, this fragrance is perfect for everyone. The oud, frankincense and guaiac wood combo is pure opulence in a bottle.
Tom Ford Oud Wood Eau de Parfum, 100ml
Why we love it: Combining mystery and sex appeal, the rare oud wood, sandalwood, and Chinese pepper blend come together to give you a spicy, warm and rich scent, that will actually last.
Save when you shop for oud perfumes with these Look Fantastic discount codes.
Victoria Beckham San Ysidro Drive 50ml
Why we love it: San Ysidro Drive is the fun middle child of the VB fragrance family. With notes of passion fruit, pink peony, ocean air infused with rose absolute, saffron flower, and agarwood, it's certainly an eclectic mixture of notes. But it truly embodies Victoria Beckham's transformative phase in Los Angeles – just as it was intended to – and we're vicariously living a Posh Spice summer with each spritz.
Jo Malone London Oud & Bergamot Cologne Intense, 100ml
Why we love it: Now, this is that type of fragrance that will have heads turning. Formulated with wood, rich black musk and crisp bergamot, this is a scent perfectly made for layering. Jo Malone has embraced this scent layering technique, which was made popular in Asia and the Middle East. This really adds a lasting effect to this hypnotic scent.
Why we love it: An exquisite fragrance that captures the essence of the Orient in a single bottle. This luxurious, intense and mysterious oud scent features an unexpected note of caramelised praline, with oud wood starring the show. If you’re looking for something remarkably unforgettable, this is it.
Diptyque Oud Palao Eau de Parfum, 75ml
Why we love it: This scent mingles rose, vanilla, incense and cypriol with the oud to create a deep and hypnotic aroma. An intense woody fragrance fit for a king or queen.
Juliette has a Gun Another Oud Eau de Parfum Spray, 100ml
Why we love it: Dark, unpredictable and mysterious, this scent is like strolling through an eerie forest late at night but yet it still manages to feel comfortable and deeply warm. Why? Because it carries a unique blend of amber, patchouli, rose and of course deep oud for that undeniably luxurious and invigorating feel.
Save when you shop for oud perfumes with these John Lewis discount codes.
Why we love it: This perfume smells as rich as it looks. It celebrates the opulence of its most precious ingredient, musky Oud. The blend is softened with sweet notes of vanilla leaving you with an intoxicating yet irresistible scent. A few spritz on the pulse points go a long way.
Save when you shop for oud perfumes with these Net-A-Porter discount codes.
Kilian Rose Oud Floral Perfume 50ml
Why we love it: This Kilian Rose Oud Floral Perfume is a delicate, luxurious and sophisticated fragrance that perfectly balances the richness and complexities of an oud with the freshness and grace of roses. Opening with a scent of rose oil from Bulgaria alongside a spark of cinnamon and saffron, the perfume then transitions into a sweet lychee accord and settles with cedarwood atlas oil and oud accord. Rich, elegant and mesmerising.
Byredo Oud Accord Eau de Parfum, 50ml
Why we love it: Now, this oud accord blend is still intense in its delivery with notes of leather and musk whilst maintaining a sweetness from the blackberry and patchouli notes, which keep the scent balanced and versatile.
Save when you shop for oud perfumes with these Selfridges discount codes.
Roja Parfums Enigma Aoud eau de parfum pour femme, 50ml
Why we love it: Think of all the fragrance notes you like, for example, bergamot, ylang ylang, patchouli, sandalwood, vanilla, now add in the musk and oud and bamn! You got yourself the most phenomenal scent that will really stand the test of time.
Carolina Herrera Oud Couture Eau de Parfum, 100ml
Why we love it: This oud is a little less intimidating as the floral influences from the Taif rose from Saudi Arabia add a feminine tone, keeping it warm and sweet, yet, still sultry and sexy.
Why we love it: This YSL oud accord merges myrrh and citrus to create a warm and intense trailing scent. The mandarin serves as the top note for vibrancy while the patchouli wood works hard to give it the depth we expect from any good oud.
Gucci The Alchemist's Garden The Voice of the Snake EDP, 100ml
Why we love it: This mesmerising fragrance that serves well as an aphrodisiac and transports you to a magical garden filled with exotic blooms and enchanting creatures is a part of Gucci's exclusive collection of fragrances, inspired by the ancient tradition of alchemy. Its hero ingredients feature a rich-in-opulence blend of oud, amber, violet, iris, mimosa, rose and woods. An olfactory masterpiece.
Save when you shop for oud perfumes with these Sephora discount codes.
Miller Harris Oud Eclat Eau de Parfum, 100ml
Why we love it: Add spice from the nutmeg in the heart note and sweetness from the sugar in the base notes, to a dark and woody musk from the leather and you got yourself a Miller Harris Oud.
Save when you shop for oud perfumes with these Look Fantastic discount codes.
Maison Crivelli Oud Maracuja Extrait de Parfum, 50ml
Why we love it: This Oud Maracuja scent will take you on a gourmand and olfactory journey. The top notes open up with an epic blend fo passionfruit, ebelia, saffron and Turkish rose, while the heart notes feature Indonesian patchouli that add depth to the scent. It's all then sealed in with closing, long lasting base notes of leather, amber, vanilla and of course the delicious oud.
Vilhelm Parfumerie The Oud Affair Eau de Parfum, 100ml
Why we love it: This good looking fragrance is packaged in a spun glass bottle and features a timeless scent of wild honey and ginger on its top notes, with a heart of gentle tobacco leaves, and an epic base blend of agar wood and black vanilla bean. It's as delicious smelling as it looks.
DS&Durga Royal Kinam Oud, 100ml
Why we love it: This rare Vietnamese kinam oud is special. Not only because the quantities are extremely limited but also because it employs the finest materials refined and aged over months on end to achieve this smoke show of a fragrance. In addition, featuring notes of agarwood, sichuan pepper and deep oakwood, this is no fragrance for the understated.
Molton Brown Rose Dunes, 100ml
Why we love it: Inspired by the Arabian Desert, this warming perfume combines velvety rose and dark patchouli with rid oud accord and a sprinkling of saffron. Suitable for all seasons, we’ll be saving this one for warm, balmy evenings – preferably somewhere sunny.
Why we love it: We’re easily swayed by pretty packaging and this mysterious black and gold vessel from Gucci is a beauty to behold. Seriously striking, the perfume scores highly on looks alone. As for the scent, expect to be blown away by this intoxicating number, combining dark leather, dry woods and rich olibanum oil.
Why we love it: One of the brands best-sellers, this luxurious fragrance has mass appeal. Not too masculine and not too intense, the fragrance perfectly balances warm and woody notes – think fresh fruits, invigorating spices and decadent flowers. At its base is where you’ll find oud, adding depth to this well-rounded scent.
Why we love it: Not all oud perfumes will break the bank. Case in point: this stand-out scent from high street retailer Zara. With notes of black pepper, oud and vanilla, this fragrance smells far more expensive than it is.
