Why Are Arabian Perfumes Trending on TikTok? A Guide to Finding the Perfect Arabian Perfume for You

Arabian perfumes have made quite the boom as of late, mainly spurred on by fragrance influencer Funmi Monet, who has gained massive attention for her unboxing-style videos where she pays special attention to a litany of Arabian perfumes.

Because of this, Middle Eastern and Northern African scents have been making their way into the global market as of late, becoming more and more popular with the newer generation of beauticians simply trying to find the scent that suits them the most.

What makes them so special, though?

What is an Arabian Perfume?

Well, believe it or not, wearable fragrances are thought to have originated back in the Middle East, specifically in Mesopotamia, or modern-day Iraq. Perfumes in general are often made from ingredients made from the region, which have been traded for centuries. Because of this, perfumes are Arabian in nature from the very start, but what truly helps us pinpoint the trend we’re focusing on today?

Arab perfumes are considered unique due to how they’re made. They’re crafted from ingredients from the region and through techniques that have been refined in those areas, but even still, the perfume doesn’t actually have to be based there. In fact, there are many perfume brands that make their fragrances using a modern twist on traditional techniques. Ones that are considered Arabian are brands such as Nemat, Odict, Anfas, Kayali, and whïnd.

Arabian perfumes are well known for having rather musky profiles, with earthy and woody scents being rather common in each unique bottle. Oud, sandalwood, frankincense; all are staples of these regional fragrances. These rich smells are perfectly balanced with more floral scents, such as jasmine or Arabian rose.

If you’re finding any or all of this appealing, you might be tempted to stop by your favorite place to shop for perfumes just to pick up one of these bottles. However, I’m afraid you’ll be hard-pressed to find any. They’re not commonly sold by most of your favorite retailers, meaning that getting your hands on them might be a struggle. Of course, you can always just buy from the brands directly online, but that comes without the opportunity to sample them to know exactly what you want.

In this case, it’s all about knowing which ingredients you like, but again, Arabian are fairly unique. The struggle never ends!

Well, never fear. I’ll help you find out what fragrance best suits you.

Factors to Consider

Unless you’ve been living under a rock since the dawn of time, you’ll know that different perfumes are catered to different people. If you find yourself glancing at all these bottles and are not quite sure which one will best suit you, here are some factors to help you narrow it down.

• Gender. While it’s hard to call any sort of scent “gendered”, certain perfumes are marketed towards one gender or the other, really accentuating certain areas. Feminine perfumes tend to have a more floral scent, while male perfumes (oftentimes labeled as “cologne”) carry a more musky fragrance. You should decide what you’re most attracted to in order to narrow your search by half.
• Age. Certain generations prefer a certain scent. There’s a reason why many tend to associate brands like Old Spice with older men. Do you want something more fresh and vibrant? Or would you prefer something refined and sophisticated?
• Appearance. This one may surprise you, but certain fragrances can react differently to your body chemistry due to physical attributes and skin type. If you’re very familiar with perfumes, you may know what works with you, but do keep that in mind.
• Personality. How would you describe yourself? If you find yourself to be a more outgoing, social type, you might want to pick up something that matches your energy and has a more vibrant tone. If you find that you’re more reserved, you’ll want deeper scents that inspire introspection and quiet admiration.

Important Vocabulary

All perfumes are made roughly the same way, but tend to have different effects. Here are some of the vocabulary you should know when considering a perfume.

• Sillage. The lingering scent that follows as you pass by. Not the direct fragrance, but more of the aftertaste, if you know what I mean.
• Longevity. How long the perfume lasts on the skin and in the air. Not all perfumes last the same amount of time due to their different makeup.
• Accord. How the different notes of the fragrance work together and harmonize into a certain vibe or impression, such as a fruity accord or a floral accord.
• Projection. How far the scent will radiate from you and envelop the surrounding space. Do you want it to be known to everyone around, or would you prefer it to be traced from a more intimate distance?

The Difference Between Eau de Toilette and Eau de Parfum

Despite the fact that we’re looking for Arabian fragrances, all perfumes tend to use the same verbiage nowadays. No matter where the fragrances come from, you’re bound to have heard these phrases in commercials or seen them on boxes. If you’re not familiar, know that they’re referring to the concentrations of the oils inside the perfume. Eau de toilette tends to contain a lower concentration of around 5-15%, while Eau de parfum tends to be 15-20%. The stronger the concentration, the longer lasting the fragrance and the more noticeable it is to others.

There are other, more specific verbiage that pertains to concentrations as well.

• Eau de fraîche: 1-3%
• Eau de cologne: 2-4%
• Eau de toilette: 5-15%
• Eau de parfum: 15-20%
• Parfum: 20-30%

Choosing an Olfactive Family

Olfactive families help one to categorize scents and make them far more identifiable. While there are subfamilies, these are the basics.

• Aldehydic: Sparkling and effervescent. It combines floral and citrus notes with a hint of sophistication within.

• Aromatic: The refreshing and uplifting scents of herbs and spices. These blend together to make a rather invigorating experience.
• Aquatic: Reflecting the ocean and clean sea breezes. Light and airy.
• Citrus: Zesty, energetic, and refreshing, these bring a tangy hint to your skin.
• Chypre: A combination of citrus, floral, and woody scents. Fresh and elegant.
• Gourmand: A sweeter aroma that is reminiscent of desserts and other indulgences
• Floral: Evoke the colorful nature of blooming flowers and. Is aligned with femininity and grace.
• Fougère: A masculine aroma that combines fresh herbs, woody notes, and lavender.
• Oriental: Exotic, sensual, rich, and opulent. This has hints of warm spices and sweetness all at once.
• Woody: Earthy and reminiscent of forests and trees, evoking a masculine aura

Choosing an Accord

Accords further help you to narrow down what you desire the most in a scent.

• Amber: Tends to feature vanilla or notes of incense that creates a warm and inviting tone. Works well for the autumn and winter.
• Floral. On the feminine end of the spectrum, this accord is made up of various blossoms and is very well-suited for the summer months.
• Fresh. A combination of citrus and watery notes that brings about a refreshing sense, making it great for the summer.
• Woody. On the far more masculine end of the aroma spectrum, woody tends to be infused with scents like fig and patchouli, making it ideal for the winter.