Caron's Pour un Homme(1934) gave lavender a distinctly fluffy, vanillic underpinning, like silk boxers under a suit, for men to be sure, as claimed by the name, but suitable for women too. Although not officially aimed at women, yet it's the continuing cult of this particular scent, well into the 2000s, with several online critics praising it profusely, which prompted the popularity of the combination of lavender with vanilla and amber or musk, to appeal to women. Here's a selection of the very best oud fragrances for men available right now. And if you want to broaden your scented horizons? Take a look at our guide to the best men's fragrances. Let yourself be charmed by the sparkling aromas of Ahmed Al Maghribi Oud Lavender. A special fragrance that will make you appreciate the following essences: Oud, oriental, floral, mukhallat. The house Ahmed Al Maghribi has accomplished the feat of making a quality aroma that is a concentrate of Oud, Lavender. There's something sexy about making one's self feel good about themselves, giving them the confidence to be themselves, to inhabit their skin, and maybe that's the root of the concept of comfy notes producing claims to sexiness and attraction. It is exactly lavandin which we tend to associate with aromatherapy products, pot pourri and candles because it's cheaper to use and easier to come by. And this is the fact which makes me question the claims to sleep inducting and relaxation because of -exactly- its much higher content in stimulating camphor and terpenic molecules!

If you’re after a scent that’s entirely unique and original, turn your attention to Music For A While from Frederic Malle. Unlike any other fragrance we’ve tested, this perfume will have you perplexed (in a good way, hopefully). Opening with a hefty hit of lavender and anise – it smells extremely overpowering at first and a little like soapy licorice. To be completely honest, we weren’t hooked at first sniff – but stay with it as this is a complex fragrance that really evolves on the skin. Dark, a very deep and powerful fragrance, could be perceived as slightly masculine but could also be great as a base when layering, adding something slightly sweeter to create a fresher feminene fragrance. A great winter scent, it has been kept for the colder days. Opens strong, very true to character. Metallic, rose/geranium with rich fruit notes both fresh and dried fruits. Subtle spice facets particularly green cardamom, cumin and a hint of saffron. Mellows into rose oil facets, slightly increased metallic/geranium sensation with more pronounced saffron highlight and warm cumin texture as it wears. Incense and resin notes; frankincense, myrrh and opoponax. The latter showing their true character much later than frankincense notes. Actually, all these are synchronous with one commercial designer brand, Calvin Klein Obsessed for Women, a reworking of the Obsession concept for modern sensibilities of political correctness, and at least two unisex exclusives by a prestige brand, Chanel's Jersey (2011) and Boy (2016) from their Les Exclusifs range. The latter would reference a masculine component, surely, since it evokes a man in Gabrielle Chanel's own life, Arthur "Boy" Capel, and is the more masculine leaning of the two smell-wise. In Jersey, however, a more feminine approach in the formula , the aromatic lavender notes are surrounded by vanilla, tonka beans, grass accords and roses, blended to provide a warm, comfortable and creamy fragrance as flexible as the fabric it was inspired by.At its heart, the fragrance takes center stage with the inclusion of Natural Oud Wood and Natural Agarwood Oil. Oud, often called “liquid gold,” is the star of this composition, exuding a deep, woody richness that is both powerful and elegant. Its presence is a testament to the allure of this precious ingredient.

Next we have Rose, now if you’re looking for a usual Rose based scent this is not like the others you find in stores it carries an extra sweetness. This Oil exudes heavier sweet facets; sugar, dulce de leche with a typical rich fruit facet in the direction of raspberries accented with delicate floral tonesWe were completely blown away by this beautiful blend fromChloé that’s inspired by the perfumer’s memory of his motherwalking through the heat of the garden with lavender in her arms. Celebrating the Provencal flower in all its effervescent glory, this is the most realistic lavender scent we’ve come by. Delicate, fresh, and sunny – its mood-boosting aroma is the perfect scent for summerand one we can imagine misting onto a linen white dress with a glass of palerosé in hand.

While taken very seriously in the Middle East, oud has only caught on in a big way in the UK in last few years. It is derived from the tropical agar tree, which is thought to originate in Assam in India. When the tree is infected by a mould known as Phialophora parasitica it reacts by producing a dense, dark and fragrant resin to protect itself. It is the resin-embedded heartwood of the tree that is the source of oud. Oud is far from new. It has been (and still is) a huge part of Middle Eastern perfumery, and is used in Japanese and Indian cultures as incense. Modern day perfumers and perfumeries are now using oud in smaller amounts (think of it as a chef seasoning a dish) to bring that touch of richness and longevity to a scent. In ELLE's edit of the best oud perfumes below, you'll find fragrances that have plenty of breathing space and freshness to make them easy to wear while still capturing the magic of oud. Oud but make it modern and oh-so-chic. Spiced, some say reminds them of a spicy candyfloss. A slightly different fragrance from the rest, enhanced by the presence of patchouli and musk. Superbly interwoven, surprisingly natural, the oud has managed to create a fresh register lavender and spicy nutmeg and saffron aroma. There's a kind of vibe shift taking place in perfumery right now. As the seasons shift and we fully transition into autumn, so do our scents. Often, we swap out the floaty, floral fragrances of summer in favour of deeper, moodier notes to pair with the darker, cosier months.In the same study, foody smells were found to reduce level of attention, so maybe it's a focused drowsiness? I'm only joking.