A Wren Says

Oud Ispahan

$330 for 4.25 oz

An oud-floral fragrance, with smoky woody notes softened by notes of Damascus rose

I needed a fragrance that was unapologetically bold. I desired something to counteract the aftermath of that meeting. You know the feeling, the one where you come up with the entire list of “should have saids” and “should have dones.” To rebuild my confidence, the fragrance had to be strong and bold and make a statement, or the me I wished was earlier. Oud Ispahan seemed perfect for the job.

As an oud fragrance, it was going to be a daring choice. It is not powdery, or sweet, or at all docile. And while it has the softness of rose and other florals, it has the unmistakable allure of oud and other woods. It gives off a level of self-assuredness, because who would choose to wear that, to make that statement other than someone who is willing to stand out.  It doesn’t yell to assert its dominance; it’s more quietly bold.

I could smell it on myself throughout the day, wafts kept rising up from my skin. I imagine others could smell it too. Whether they liked it or not was not my concern that day. Though I know oud is a potentially divisive smell, I chose to wear it confidently and make sure my presence was unmistakable. When I returned home 8 hours later, it was still faintly on my skin. By that point it was much more subtle and subdued.

If you are looking for something subtly bold, or just something with oud, give Dior’s Oud Ispahan a try.