IMG-LOGO



Ouducation


Learn more about the most precious fragrance on earth: Oud Oil.


What is Oud Oil?

What is Oud / Agarwood?


Also known as agarwood, aloeswood, and aquilaria, oud is without a doubt nature’s most exquisite fragrant offering...

read more >

Oud Oil by Region

Oud Oil by Region


When you smell oud oils from different countries/species, you may be surprised by how different they smell from one another...

read more >

Where to Start with Oud?

Where do I Start?


So many products to choose from, and they all sound awesome.
Overwhelmed?
Don't panic, just follow our advice...

read more >

How to Use Oud Oil

How to Use Oud Oil


Swipe some oud oil on, rub it in.
Easy peasy, right? Wrong.
Learn the proper way to apply oud to get the most out of it...

read more >

The Dark Side of Oud

The Dark Side of Oud


Considering the rarity of (real) oud, it should come as no surprise that there is a lot of cheating involved in this trade, at every level...

read more >

Creating the Agar Aura

Creating the Agar Aura


There are few things in life as exquisite as the ambiance that envelopes you, when you create the Agar Aura...


read more >





What is Oud / Agarwood?



Also known as agarwood, aloeswood and eaglewood, oud is nature’s most exquisite fragrant offering.

Deep in a Far Eastern jungle, an evergreen tree is attacked by fungus-carrying insects that bore into the tree. Much like our bodies’ immune system produces white blood cells, the tree starts producing a substance to combat the infection.

Over the years, the infection grows – as does the substance the tree produces. This is oud, or agarwood. When it is distilled, oud oil is derived.

There are few natural aromatics that have as complex a scent spectrum as oud. Natural ambergris, musk and sandalwood also rank as some of the most valuable natural fragrances, but none come close to oud in the sheer transcendence and sublimity its fragrance boasts.

More than just a scent, oud can be mentally and spiritually engaging. In fact, ouds from different regions also seem to have different effects on a person’s emotions. Indonesian oils induce joy and frivolity, while Indian oils have a deeply pacifying quality which makes them popular for using when meditating.

Check out our products, and begin your own oud journey!

Back to top ⇧

————————————————————





Oud Oils by Region



Far East

Including Brunei, parts of Malaysia, Indonesia, and New Guinea, this is the oud lover's paradise.

Far Eastern ouds of the Aquilaria Malaccensis species are predominantly resinous-woody in nature, with hints of fruity or floral notes.
However, other species have very different characters including deep woody, incense-y and herbal.

Far Eastern oud oils are generally uplifting and elating, pleasing and easy to wear.

 
 
India

India is the home of the classic oud, Aquilaria Agallocha. Famed from Biblical times, Indian oud has not only been used for its scenting quality, but also in traditional medicine.

Indian oud oils are typically characterized by a pronounced sweet leather and often animalic or "barnyard" opening note, which evolves into a rich, spicy, and sweet woody smell. The infamous barnyard however is not a natural part of the aroma of Indian agarwood, but rather oils acquire it due to how oils are typically distilled in India. As with all our other oud oils, we prefer to capture the true aroma of Indian agarwood and believe animalic and fecal smells should be left where they belong: farms.

Oud oils of Indian origin have a grounding effect, and are soothing and calming.



Indochina

Indochinese ouds are primarily of the Aquilaria Crassna species. The Indochinese oud scent spectrum includes fruit and tobacco notes.

However, there is no 'classical' Indochinese oud smell, as the Indochinese species include aromas that are spicy much like the Indian variety, but also those that are fruity, and others that are have hefty doses of tobacco and smoke.

High quality specimens are very rare.

Back to top ⇧ ————————————————————






Oud: Where do I Start?


While many people have the incorrect notion that oud is supposed to have a funky, leathery, woody smell, you will soon discover that this is gross misinformation - especially in the case of oud oils that were distilled in a way to capture the true aroma of oud wood, like our oud oils.

We suggest you look at the different oils' descriptions in our product catalog. You will realize from the product descriptions just how much the smells can vary from region to region. We try to keep our descriptions are accurate as possible.

The best place to start if you are new to oud is to purchase 0.15g samples of our oud oils. You will realize that each oil is unique in scent and character, and will learn which region/species you enjoy the most.


Back to top ⇧

————————————————————






How to Use Oud Oil



There are two main reasons for wearing oud: for one’s personal enjoyment, and for others.

It is an absolute delight studying the evolution of the complex smell of oud on your skin for hours, for your own enjoyment. Many varieties of oud evoke olfactory memories, and it is a fascinating experience identifying them as the oil develops on your skin..

For one’s personal enjoyment, it is recommended to apply the oil to one’s outer forearm, 2 – 3 inches above the wrist. Even the tiniest amount will be sufficient. This is then gently dabbed below the jaw line.

Needless to say, oud oil is so potent that even this tiny amount you apply can scent the entire room you are in.

It is important that you do not rub. Rather, you should dab gently until a sheen remains on your arm, after applying to your jaw/neck. Your skin is highly absorbent, so rubbing will make the oil (and the scent) disappear much faster. It can also damage the scent molecules and hence the aroma of the oud.

Moisturizing your skin before applying oud oil will also ensure that the aroma lasts longer.

For the ultimate ‘broadcasting’ effect, there are two ways to use oud oil:

1) Applying to your clothes, bracelet, or other item: This will give you the longest lasting smell as the oil will not be absorbed by the skin. For clothes, it is best to apply a bit to the shoulders, and some to the chest and back areas of your shirt.

2) Applying to the skin: while this will not last nearly as long, in most cases the smell will be much more appealing due to the unique chemistry between the skin and oud. Apply the oil just below your outer wrist, then dab (not rub) it onto your jaw/neck. Once again, remember to keep a sheen remaining so don’t rub too hard!

About 1 – 2 light swipes of the dip stick should be used if you want to share the beautiful smell of oud with those around you.

Don’t forget that others might not be accustomed to the smell of oud like you! So do not over apply, even if you yourself can not detect too strong a smell. Remember that one’s own nose gets quickly accustomed to the scent due to olfactory fatigue.

Different ouds have different scent lives, and different chemistries with the skin. You may find, for example, that you like your Indian oud best applied to the skin, while you like to have your Malaysian oud scenting your clothes.

It’s all a matter of taste, and a matter of testing to see which end results you like the most. Go to our product catalog now to start your adventure!

Back to top ⇧

————————————————————




Oud: The Dark Side




Oud or agarwood is a very rare natural fragrance that is diminishing rapidly from forests that once used to have abudant agarwood trees, and their rarity has driven people to come up with various cheating techniques.

Cheating is found at all levels: the hunter, wood supplier, distiller, wholesaler, and the retailer. We will go over some of the common techniques below.


1. Mixing oud oils from different origins

It is common practice to add oils from 'less popular' regions to oud oils from regions that are highly sought after, like India or Cambodia. The resulting oil is then sold as 'Indian oud' or 'Cambodian oud' to the uninformed buyer.

2. Mixing oud oils of different qualities

A higher quality oud oil will be mixed with a lower quality oil to decrease the total cost, and will then be sold as a 'high quality' oil.

3. Mixing oud oils with adulterants

This is the most common of all cheating techniques, and sadly occurs in 99% of cases. Extremely foul-smelling low grade oud oils are spiked and 'tamed' with essential oils like vetiver or fennel oil. The use of synthetic perfumes is  even more common. DPG, DOP and glycerin are used to stretch oud oils, and some distillers deliberately use a certain types of synthetic compounds which are harder to detect in lab tests. Sometimes adulterants are used in the distillation process itself to make the oil thicker, which a lot of people incorrectly think is an indication of quality - another common misconception.

Take the guesswork out of buying oud. Check out our oud oils, and rest assured that you get what you pay for.

Back to top ⇧

————————————————————




Creating the 'Agar Aura'




There are few things in life as exquisite and uplifting as the intoxicating ambiance that envelopes your very being, when you create the 'Agar Aura'.

For this, you will need oud chips, a fine oud oil, and some patience.

First moisturize those parts of your body which you will scent with the oud smoke. Arab women customarily moisturize their necks, faces, and the nape area, and we advise the same.

Start by burning the oud chips, and let the scent of the oud smoke absorb into your skin and hair, and beard. Hold the mabkhar, or the incense holder, above your clothes to waft it with the fragrance which will scent it for days.

After you have sufficiently scented yourself and your clothes with the oud smoke, proceed to applying the oud oil.

As the smokiness recedes, the rich smell of the oud oleoresin left on you from the smoke will emerge, and will delight your senses for hours (even days!) to come. The combination of the radiating scent from the oud chips with the intoxicating smell of the oud oil will give your senses a treat they seldom receive.

Enjoy the Agar Aura, the olfactory work of art! Your masterpiece.

Back to top ⇧

————————————————————




Oud FAQ


What is oud?
What is the difference between oud oils and oud attars?
Can I combine oud with other fragrances?
I heard oud is very strong, and I'm afraid I will be overwhelmed
Which oud is the best?
Why do different ouds smell so distinctive?
How long will the scent last on my skin?
How long will a bottle of oud last?
Is oud gender specific?
When should I use oud?
Why Agar Aura?



What is oud?



Also known as agarwood, aloeswood and jinkoh, oud is nature’s most exquisite fragrant offering.

Deep in a Far Eastern jungle, an evergreen tree is attacked by an infection. Much like our bodies’ immune system produces white blood cells, the tree starts producing a substance to combat the infection.

Over the years, the infection grows – as does the substance the tree produces. This is agarwood.

There are few natural aromatics that have as complex a scent spectrum as agarwood. Natural ambergris, musk and rose also rank as some of the most valuable natural fragrances, but none come close to oud in the sheer transcendence and sublimity that its fragrance boasts.

More than just a scent, oud can be mentally and spiritually engaging. In fact, specimens from different regions also seem to have an effect on a person’s emotions. For example, Indonesian oils usually induce joy and frivolity, while Indian oils have a deeply pacifying quality which makes them a popular aid in meditation.

Top ⇧


What is the difference between oud oils and oud attars?



Attars, mukhallats, perfumes, colognes and other commercially sold fragrances are a combination of different ingredients.
In contrast to the above, with regard to its composition, pure oud oil is itself the fragrance, not being blended with any other ingredients.

This was in regard to the composition. As for the difference in their scents, then none of them can be compared to oud. While many attars and other fragrances can be quite pleasant, oud is more than just a scent, and it engages the one wearing it on many different levels.

Top ⇧


Can I combine oud with other fragrances?



Absolutely.

If you are new to oud, you might find that you like it better blended with a cologne, attar or mukhallat because oud itself has a very powerful smell. You might want to tone it down a bit.

However, once you get more and more accustomed and addicted to the fragrance of pure oud, you might become more reluctant to mix it with anything else.
And that is, in fact, giving oud its due right!

Top ⇧


I heard oud is very strong, and overwhelming



It's true that oud has one of, if not, the most powerful smell in the world of perfumery. But it is usually the initial hit after application and smelling it right out of the bottle that can be overwhelming for the unexperienced nose. That is why, we strongly recommend starting off by applying very tiny amounts, and not smelling the oils directly.

Over time, as your nose gets used to the smell, you will find the smell of oud an absolute delight in its entirety, from application to the dry down.

Top ⇧


Which oud is the best?



We recommend you get samples of the different ouds. Many people absolutely love the earthy, barnyard and slightly fecal quality of Hindi (Indian) ouds, while others are all for the sweeter, more ethereal Indonesian specimens.

Ultimately, you may find that you like ouds from all the regions since they all have something unique to offer, even if they all vastly differ in their characters and scent profiles.

Top ⇧


Why do different oud oils smell so distinctive?



The climates the trees were grown in, the age of the trees, the distillation and aging techniques all have an effect on the smell of different ouds.

For more information, please check out the Ouducation section.

Top ⇧


How long will the scent last on my skin?



Different oud oils have different scent lives on the skin. You will find some ouds that are of very high quality whose smell will fade before that of much lower grade specimens. The same oil, however, might be incredibly long-lasting if applied to clothes, bracelets, etc.

In general, every oud oil, if applied for creating the Agar Aura, should be discernable to your nose for a good 8 - 10 hours. After that, your nose may get used to the scent, but those around you will still be able to smell it for hours to come.

Top ⇧


How long will a bottle of oud last?



The short answer is: it depends on how frequently you use the oil, and how you much you apply.

Used for personal enjoyment, a bottle could last you a whole year or more with daily use.

Used for the ‘broadcasting effect’, you are probably looking at half that time. (Refer to our article, How to Apply Oud Oil, to read more about these techniques) Oud, however, is generally not used as an every-day scent and so a bottle will probably last you much longer.

Top ⇧


Is oud gender specific?



Absolutely not.

In the Gulf countries of the Middle East, where oud oil is most celebrated and used, men use oud for special occasions, parties and things of that sort. In Yemen, a gift of oud is an expected part of the dowry that the bride receives from the groom

Oud is more than just a 'scent', which could be classified as masculine and feminine.
Rather, it has so much more to offer, and gender requisite is not a condition to be able to enjoy the offerings of this precious gift of nature.

Top ⇧


When should I use oud?



You may initially find that you want to use oud for special ocassions.

However, as is usually the case, you may find yourself loving oud so much that you will want to use it daily. In fact, some people even use it several times a day because they can't get enough of it.

Top ⇧


Why Agar Aura?



No doubt, there are numerous sellers out there that allegedly sell 100% pure agarwood oil. Sadly, very few actually do.

At Agar Aura, you can rest assured that you are getting top shelf oud straight from the source.

Top ⇧





Shipping Policy



Every order is subject to the straightforward shipping & returns policies below.
By placing an order, you agree to comply with the following:

Shipping


- Dispatched via DHL within 1 business day
- 100% secure
- Tracking number provided
- Delivered within 1-4 business days

In more detail:
Delivery typically takes 1-2 business days to reach Asian destinations, and 2-3 business days to reach Australia, Europe, Africa and the Americas. If your delivery address is in a rural or "out of service" area, delivery may be delayed by an additional 2-3 days. Packages are dispatched with a tracking number and you are fully protected against losses/damages.

Important note about crystal bottles:
Whereas the majority of our customers prefer to get sturdy bottles (the "2.5g Plain Glass Bottle" option), some of you may want a more beautiful bottle to house your precious oils.
For this reason, the "3g Crystal Bottle" option is available.

Please note that these bottles are much more delicate. Although we will cover any possible damage incurred during package transit, we request that you be extra careful when handling these bottles after you've received them because of their delicate nature. As such, we are not able to compensate for any damage the bottle might incur from handling, after it has reached you safely and in tact.

Returns


We strongly believe in 100% satisfaction, and that is why we urge you to try samples of our oils before committing to full bottle purchases.
We are not able to accept returns for any of our products due to the risk of contamination. Just as you would not want a used bottle of oud oil, you can imagine others would not either.

expand_less