Alf Zahra

This reads to me like a "green" floral chypre- akin to Ma Griffe, Silences, No. 19,- even a bit like Mitsouko sans cinnamon. I can also definitely see an earlier reviewer's comparison to Aromatics Elixir (but not to Youth Dew) Nicely-balanced, and with the clean lavender nestled against the rose and complex floral-aldehyde arrangement, as well as the just-right touch of galbanum in the mossy base, I think a guy could wear this just as comfortably as a woman, as its character is "dry" rather than "sweet". It seems very-informed by the classic and stately "daytime chypres" of the west, circa 1970's-'80s, rather than traditional middle-eastern perfumery. My guess at the pyramid (keep in mind that the floral-accord in the heart is *quite* complex, and I am only mentioning notes that I can pick out: Top: bergamot Heart: aldehydes, rose, jasmine or joohi, neroli, lavender, carnation, narcissus Base: oakmoss, labdanum, olibanum, patchouli, sandalwood, galbanum, vetiver, musk Sillage starts off as moderate for me for the first 8 hours (the citrus-accord on top is strong at first), thereafter falling to soft- but still quite noticeable near the skin- lasting beyond 12 hours. (trace is still noticeable at 24h; beautiful drydown, btw. One of the things I adore about Al Haramain is their careful attention to intricate bases!) 'Alf Zarah' translates to "thousand flowers".

This is a very floral, somewhat indolic myrh. While there is a white musk here, it’s the myrh which is shouting along with flowers, and to my nose, those flowers would be heaping mounds of jasmine commingled with a little bit of rose, and then indeterminate floralcy. There is almost a “gasoline” smell to the florals which reminds me of some jasmines I’ve come across. This is a stong long oil attar scent, very reminiscent of 70’s perfume oils and some of the classics, a little of Youth Dew crossed with Aromatics Elixir—more the latter (not for the faint of heart). I don’t know if YD or AE has jasmine in it (I’ll have to look), but if you like those, you might like this, though it lacks the complexity and spicy resinous quality of YD. I detect little to no smoke or incense. I like it, but won’t go FB. A little of this oil goes a long way and lasts on me all day. For the floral lover who wants to try something a little different from French perfumery or mall frags-try this; you might fall in love.

The opening is all white soap and pretty harsh to my nose. But after 20 minutes or so that starts to fade and the florals and maybe a bit of citrus begin to slowly come out. It always has a pleasant-enough soapy, clean, fresh feel to it. Skin scent after about 4.5 hours but it's summer so maybe it would last longer in cool weather.

This was a gift from a cousin which was gifted to her. SUPER STRONG in a fabric softener kinda way. Settles powdery and extremely floral. It has nothing balsamic to it actually. Imagine the most rose, expensive fabric softener. Lingers forever as well. I am tempted to use it as liquid incense.

A lovely floral incense like scent. I'm finding it difficult to describe as I didn't test properly but was enough for me to turn back and was close to purchasing. What stopped me was the haste and it was clogging up my nostrils. Really nice fragrance and I get that aromatics and youth dew combo description by the first reviewer

This too has a slight resemblance to Portrait of a Lady by Frederic Malle except the heavy rose, there might still be some rose in it but it's subtle and blends nicely with the other notes! Definitely doesn't smell cheap

Has a slight resemblance to Portrait of a Lady by Frederic Malle except the heavy rose, there might still be some rose in it but it's subtle and blends nicely with the other notes! Definitely doesn't smell cheap