Our Beauty Editor makes a shocking discovery. She likes Oud!

Funny to find myself penning this post — An Ode to Oud.  I mean seriously, who am I?…and when did I become so deep? I’m really a rather girly girl at heart and I generally favor flirtatious florals over rich orientals, but suddenly I find myself spellbound by Oud. . . there’s just something deeply mysterious and curiously complex about it. Somehow it reads both feminine and masculine. It’s carnal, it’s exotic, it’s womanly, it’s manly. . . wearing it feels like a sacred ritual.

There’s also something worldly about the wear. . . a strategic dab here, a well-placed dab there and suddenly I feel a bit more cultured. Surely, plans for a proper afternoon tea can’t be far behind.

And I must admit, Oud is not for everyone. . . but I feel like this only adds to the allure of the rare, smoldering scent. . . we’re like an elite clique of wearers. Here are the Ouds you ought to know:

Maison Francis Kurkdjian Oud (212 872 2733): A pure and rare Oud from Laos, Maison Francis Kurkdjian Oud blends cedar wood from the Atlas Mountains and Indonesian patchouli with Saffron and elemi gum. The juice simmers as it dries to a light, sheer finish. If you’re new to Oud, this is a lovely starter scent.  Meet Maison Francis Kurkdjian this Friday, April 19 as he presents his latest fragrance collection available exclusively at Bergdorf Goodman! 

Tom Ford Oud Wood (212 872 2813): Undeniably Oud. The juice is incredibly rich and smokey, yet creamy and smooth. Exotic rose wood, cardamom, and Chinese pepper give Tom Ford Oud Wood its warmth, while tonka bean, vanilla and amber give the spellbinding Oud its mellow silage. We recommend Tom Ford Oud Wood for the for serious Oud lover.

Kilian Amber Oud (212 872 2733): A deep dark Amber and Oud composition with a hearty dose of Madagascar vanilla and benzoin from Laos. Cedar wood from Atlas gives the Oud structure, while light infusions of spice liven the juice.