Oud Fragrances Are My Wintertime Secret For Activating My Inner Sex Kitten
Woody, sexy, sultry—what’s not to love?
While I don’t typically subscribe to seasonal beauty trends, they exist for a reason, and that fact becomes extremely apparent when you enter the perfume space. Florals in spring. Fresh, aldehydic scents in summer—the list goes on. It’s for this reason that you will likely be seeing an influx of oud perfumes appearing on your social feeds in the coming weeks.
“Oud performs exceptionally well in colder weather,” founder of Pigmentarium, Tomáš Ric, tells me. “Its density and warmth make it more noticeable and more comfortable to wear when temperatures drop.” I can personally attest to this. I wear my oud scents exclusively in the winter (with some exceptions) because otherwise, they tend to overwhelm my nose.
That being said, how people interact with perfume is also cultural, which is why you sometimes find the “rules” change. “Ouds are worn all year long in the Middle East,” Bvlgari’s Global Creative Director, Amandine Pallez, tells me. “The notes create a very complex and long-lasting olfactory profile.” When you live in a warm climate, which causes your perfume to evaporate more quickly, it makes sense to invest in an ingredient you know will last, hence the affinity for oud notes in many Gulf countries.
Since I am sitting in my humble New York City apartment, I’m going to speak directly to the western perfume palette when recommending the best oud fragrances on the market. Don’t mistake them for being weak or of lesser quality because of this. In fact, the options on this list will impress even the most seasoned nose looking for a beast mode oud perfume, as well as someone new to perfumery looking to find their signature winter scent.
Keep reading for the oud fragrances worth gifting this holiday season, whether to yourself or someone you really, really love.
The Best Oud Perfumes
- Best Oud Perfume Overall: Parfums de Marly Haltane Eau de Parfum
- Best Oud Niche Perfume: Goldfield and Banks Silky Woods Eau de Parfum
- Best Designer Oud Perfume: Gucci The Alchemist's Garden The Voice of the Snake Eau de Parfum
- Best Spicy Oud Perfume: Creed Oud Zahrian Eau de Parfum
- Best Floral Oud Perfume: Tom Ford Oud Voyager Eau de Parfum
I have raved about this perfume since its release four years ago, and I don’t foresee myself stopping any time soon. Parfum de Marly’s Haltane is the perfect introductory oud. It’s smoky, sweet, and unisex, the perfect bottle to get over any initial hesitation you may be feeling toward exploring the category.
Key Notes: Oudwood; Saffron; Musk; Natural Agarwood
Size: 4.2 fl oz
What I Love: Unisex; Sweet but not gourmand; Long-lasting
What I Don’t: Everyone in your family will try to steal this perfume from you (I’m not kidding)
Review for MC: “I’m not kidding when I say practically every person in my family has a bottle of this perfume (and they still try to take mine every chance that they get). At this point, Haltane is my family’s signature scent, and it’s easy to see why. The stunning combination of oud, saffron, and musk (among others) continues to blow me away every time I wear it. A legitimate sleeper hit from Parfums de Marly.” — Ariel Baker, Beauty Writer
Ariel Baker testing Parfums de Marly Haltane Eau de Parfum.
At some point on your fragrance journey, you'll fall in love with niche perfumes. When you do, and you're craving an oud perfume, Goldfield and Banks’s Silky Woods will be waiting with open arms. Australian oud, vanilla, spices—these are just a few of the notes in this masterpiece niche fragrance. Not only does it smell divine, but the gold bottle it’s housed in screams opulence. It’ll look as stunning on your vanity as you’ll smell when you wear it.
Key Notes: Australian agarwood; Sandalwood; Saffron; Tobacco leaves; Cinammon
Size: 1.7 fl oz
What I Love: Gorgeous gold packaging; The brand uses botanicals that are native to Australia as the base for all of its fragrances
What I Don’t: Can be hard to find in person, so may have to blind buy
Review for MC: “Everything about Silky Woods is a story of elegance. From the chic gold bottle to the way the notes blend immaculately. This perfume is the epitome of smooth and is perfect for someone just getting into Ouds.” — Ariel Baker, Beauty Writer
Ariel Baker testing Silky Woods Eau de Parfum.
Not many people know about Gucci’s Alchemist Garden collection, but the brand has an oud masterpiece in its lineup. The Voice of the Snake is an intense woody fragrance, blending oud with leather, saffron, patchouli, and more. It’s created by none other than Master Perfumer Alberto Morillas, and while I don’t recommend blind buying perfume, I will note that I’ve never tried a bad fragrance from this genius.
Key Notes: Saffron; Leather; Praline
Size: 1.6 fl oz
What I Love: Velvet-like texture upon first sniff; Slightly smokey but not in an oppressive way
What I Don’t: Doesn’t last as long as others on this list
Review for MC: “Gucci’s The Voice of the Snake is another one of those oud perfumes that is super approachable for anyone just getting into the note. It’s smoky, sexy, and just a little bit resinous—the perfect femme fatale perfume for a super sexy night, if you catch my drift.” — Ariel Baker, Beauty Writer
Ariel Baker testing Gucci The Alchemist's Garden The Voice of the Snake Eau de Parfum.
Spices are at the forefront of Creed’s Oud Zahrian, so if you like your oud perfumes to have a “kick,” you need to make a beeline for this formula. Notes like spice accord, frankincense, and ginger are part of the experience, and together they lead to a gorgeous aged oud note in the base. This one’s for more seasoned noses, but it’s a fantastic place to start if you want an oud perfume that feels warm and cocooning to add to your collection.
Key Notes: Spice Accord; Frankincense; Rose
Size: 1.7 fl oz
What I Love: Expensive-smelling; The oud note took 80 years to age
What I Don’t: Not for beginners getting into oud
Review for MC: “When I think of a winter oud, this perfume from Creed comes to mind. It’s not for the beginner oud explorer, but once you’ve learned to appreciate the note, I guarantee you’ll want to add this bottle to your collection, especially if you love a perfume with a spicy kick.” — Ariel Baker, Beauty Writer
Ariel Baker testing Creed Oud Zahrian.
One of my favorite things about oud notes is that they make everything smell sexier. While I wouldn’t normally be drawn to peony and geranium notes, when paired with an oud note, the fragrance that results is something that encompasses what I envision a Bond Girl would smell like: mysterious and a little cool at first, but fiery and passionate once she warms up to you.
Key Notes: Geranium; Peony; Osmanthus; Oud
Size: 1.7 fl oz
What I Love: Chic signature Tom Ford packaging; Wonderful balance of floral and wood notes
What I Don’t: Some may find it a little too floral for an oud perfume
Review for MC: “Floral lovers, come to the front. Tom Ford’s Oud Voyager is the perfect blend of light, fragrant floral notes and grounding woods—it feels like the natural progression into ouds for someone who loves those light, airy, hyperrealistic floral scents. Plus, thanks to the oud, expect this perfume to last all day (and night), especially if you’re an oversprayer like I am.” — Ariel Baker, Beauty Writer
Ariel Baker testing Tom Ford Oud Voyager.
BDK’s Oud Abramad is what I imagine my higher self would smell like. For one, it embodies wealth, not just because of the hefty price tag (which I recognize), but also because of the blend of scents that really captures that essence. The oud note is flanked by others like saffron, ginger, and incense, and the result is one of the smoothest-smelling mixtures I have ever come across.
Key Notes: Saffron; Indonesian oud wood; Gaiac wood; Somalia incense
Size: 3.4 fl oz
What I Love: Expensive-smelling; Wood-forward but not masculine-leaning; Unisex
What I Don’t: The combination of woods and incense might be a bit overpowering for some people
Review for MC: “This perfume genuinely blew me away. I’m not exaggerating when I say that my jaw dropped at the first sniff. I expected to be a bit put off by the amount of woody notes in the formula, but it’s balanced so beautifully that it takes me on a journey, rather than plunging me into a sharp, claustrophobic cloud of dry notes. This formula truly feels like something a noble or dignitary would wear. There’s no other way to describe it except phenomenal.” — Ariel Baker, Beauty Writer
Let me start by saying my father and I fight over my perfumes all the time (and he rarely, if ever, wins). Even though it’s a scent I love to layer with, Tom Ford’s Oud Wood is one of those fragrances so distinctly masculine that I let him have it without too much fanfare on his most recent trip to raid my beauty cabinet. That being said, this is another one of those oud perfumes that is practically perfect.
Key Notes: Sandalwood; Chinese pepper; Amber; Oud
Size: 1.7 fl oz
What I Love: Incense-forward and very smoky, perfect for the winter months
What I Don’t: Can feel a little masculine for some people; Doesn’t have that cocooning warmth that some of the other options do.
Customer Review: “This fragrance is pure elegance! The oud is beautifully blended, giving a warm, rich, and sophisticated scent that feels timeless. It’s long-lasting without being overpowering, making it perfect for both day and night. A true masterpiece from Tom Ford!” — Bloomingdales
My love for almond scents knows no bounds, so when an oud formula features the creamy note, of course, it’s going to catch my attention. Guerlain’s Oud Nude does this and more, combining the two notes with others like raspberry, incense, musk, and cumin. The result is a really approachable, sweet oud perfume with the elegant Guerlain touch we all know and love.
Key Notes: Almond; Incense; Cumin; Raspberry; Oud wood
Size: 3.4 fl oz
What I Love: Creamy almond milk type opening; Stunning presentation; Beginner collector appropriate
What I Don’t: Some may find the raspberry note a little too sweet
Customer Review: “I wasn't quite sure of oud, and some I've tried have been too overpowering. But this is just beautiful! A cold oud which is balanced perfectly by the raspberry and rose with just the right amount of sweetness. I wore this a couple of weeks ago, and yesterday I picked up the coat I was wearing then and thought, ‘What is that beautiful smell?’ Then remembered. Oud Nude dries down to a soft floral fruit, which is stunning and lasts a very long time.” — Guerlain
Loewe’s Crafted Collection launched in October, and Bittersweet Oud has become a fast favorite of MC editors. It’s a bright, effervescent take on the typically very heavy perfume note, thanks to bitter orange and sandalwood, which also make up the concoction.
Key Notes: Bitter orange; Neroli; Cypriol; Sandalwood; Myhrr
Size: 3.4 fl oz
What I Love: Fresh citrus take on a typically very heady note that manages to balance the two really well
What I Don’t: Some may find it a little too bitter
Customer Review: “This perfume is lighter and less animalic than most ouds I’ve smelled, and I think that’s part of the reason why it’s a unanimous favourite amongst MC editors. It even boasts a sparkly undertone (reminiscent of a fizzy champagne) courtesy of bitter orange and soothing sandalwood.” — Samantha Holender, Senior Beauty Editor
Any gourmand lover who is looking to enter the world of ouds needs to start right here. Kayali’s Oudgasm Vanilla Oud is one of the most approachable fragrances on the market—and for an oud perfume, it is extremely wearable. As you can guess, vanilla is one of the main notes in this formula, but it’s also paired with praline, rose, and white musk, to name a few others. The combination is equal parts heady and comforting, truly the best of both worlds.
Key Notes: Vanilla; Praline; Oud
Size: 1.7 fl oz
What I Love: The best gourmand oud on the market; More vanilla-like gourmand notes than oud
What I Don’t: It’s sweeter and more edible than woody and resinous; true oud lovers may not love that
Customer Review: “Such a romantic vanilla scent. I love vanilla, but don’t like scents that are frilly or too light and floral. This is a musky vanilla that lasts all day. One of my new favs.” — Sephora
If you want a fragrance that’s going to cocoon you in a warm, slightly floral cloud, D.S. and Durga’s Notorious Oud should be on your radar. Saffron, rose, and cetalox are a few of the additional notes that are combined to create a musky, deeply comforting scent bubble that will feel like a cozy blanket all winter long.
Key Notes: Saffron; Camphor; Indonesian oud; Civet
Size: 1.7 fl oz
What I Love: Unique take on a floral oud; Super strong sillage
What I Don’t: Some may find it too animalic because of the civet note
Customer Review: “Tried this fragrance in store and fell in love with it. Such a complex and beautiful fragrance, and it lasts really well. Wouldn't normally spend so much on a fragrance for myself, but I'm glad I did. I've tried other oud-based fragrances, but none could match this one. Love it when a fragrance not only smells great but also makes you feel great, can't believe there aren't more reviews!” — Space NK
Don’t let the notes fool you, Gabar’s Ground is one of the most approachable oud fragrances on this list. My nose picks up on the ginger and saffron the most, before settling into a gorgeous, slightly woody, but still uplifting concoction that had me smelling my wrist all night.
Key Notes: Oud; Sandalwood; Saffron; Musk
Size: 1.7 fl oz
What I Love: Uplifting take on an oud perfume; Elegant minimalist packaging design; Unisex
What I Don’t: Niche fragrance that can be hard to get your hands on in person
Customer Review: “Gabar’s Ground is one of my favorite discoveries of the year. It's such a light fragrance that I was shocked to discover that oud was in the notes, but after triple-checking, it absolutely is. This is one of the most beginner-friendly ouds on the list, especially if you’re someone who likes citrus scents. Still, thanks to the oud in the formula, this lasts much longer than traditional fresh perfumes. I.e., it’s the best of both worlds.” — Ariel Baker
Fans of rose perfumes, this is the oud fragrance for you. Lancome’s Absolue Oud Bouquet wraps a sexy oud note in a sweet, fluffy bed of praline and rose. The result is a stunning perfume that is a step above your everyday floral scent, but is approachable enough to please a wide variety of palettes.
Key Notes: Centifolia rose; Oud wood; Praline accord
Size: 3.4 fl oz
What I Love: Massive bottle; A bit gourmand thanks to the praline note
What I Don’t: Can pull slightly jammy after it warms up on the skin
Customer Review: “Smells like wealth and confidence. Sultry, sexy, dangerous, and worth the coin!” — Lancome
What Is An Oud Perfume?
As you may have gleaned by now, oud is a primarily woody fragrance note. But the magic is in how it’s made: “Oud, also known as agarwood, is a natural and highly precious perfume ingredient,” Pallez says. “It is formed when a tree is manually infected with a fungus, causing it to produce a dark, resinous, and fragrant substance as a defense mechanism. Over time, these infected parts transform into aromatic agarwood.”
After the tree produces this sap, an intricate extraction process takes place, and only the resin-rich wood is harvested. It is the dried, ground, soaked, and distilled before the fragrance oil is bottled and sold. “ This intricate process, mainly now occurring in Vietnam, contributes to oud's rarity and high cost,” Pallez adds. “This is what makes it one of the most expensive natural fragrances in the world.”
What Should I Look For In an Oud Fragrance?
Everyone’s palette is different, so there is no perfect, universally pleasing oud perfume. That said, certain notes can produce distinct fragrance profiles that, when paired with ouds, better suit your personal taste.
“Rose is a great option for a classic floral-woody contrast,” Ric says. “Saffron is also wonderful for enhancing its leathery facets. Tobacco adds warmth and depth. You can even look for amber in the fragrance notes, which adds roundness and longevity.” Pallez agrees, adding that vanilla can also increase an oud perfume's warm, ambery facets. “Don't be afraid of ouds being paired with darker scents,” she says. “Incense or labdanum, as found in Bulgari’s Le Gemme Onekh, is fantastic when paired with ouds.”
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How We Tested
To compile this list of the best oud perfumes, I scoured the internet and combed through countless customer reviews to find the top-rated options on the market. I also asked the Marie Claire team to share their holy grail picks. For each fragrance I tested, I assessed the fragrance's notes, how long it lasted, and its overall scent as the day went on.
Meet the Experts
Amandine Pallez has been the creative and heritage director at Bulgari Parfums since 2015. She is in charge of defining and implementing a daring, creative vision for the brand, enhancing its unique DNA.
PIGMENTARIUM is an independent Czech perfume house founded in 2018 by creative innovator Tomás Ric. Pigmentarium‘s main inspiration comes from Czech history and culture, which is full of unexplored treasures, world-renowned names and avant- garde movements. All seen through the eyes of our generation. Our mission is to transform this very culture and its exclusive “je ne sais quoi“ into each of our creations.
