Maryam

Like a spiced baklava with prominent cardamom and pistachios (I am certain the note is in there together with a slight hint of honey, only they are not mentioned), Maryam is not for the faint of heart or those looking for anything light and floral. Although there is a faint whisper of magnolia carried in on a sultry breeze, it is there nearly as a fortunate afterthought; instead, prepare to be wooed by the mixed spices, woods and amber. Not sweet at all despite the hints of honey, this is a beautiful concoction, unique, warm and inviting; quite unlike anything else that I own. Highly recommended for those who love unusual, strong, spicy fragrances.

Just amazing! Overly musky and masculine, yet somehow still the perfect amount of sweet and feminine. Absolutely love this, even as someone who prefers lighter and more floral scents.

This is different than I had expected. It starts off with a spicy zing from the pepper and saffron, and there’s something almost like a subtle leather note, though it’s not listed. The saffron almost gives it an ever so slight BR540 vibe. In the top, I would say it smells a bit unisex, leaning slightly masculine. As that fades away, those woody notes and magnolia come forward and it starts to get pretty. It ends with a warm cozy ambery musk. I’d recommend this easily as a daytime, fall/winter scent. It’s not at all overpowering. It is subtle, and beautiful, and not as heavy as many other middle eastern scents. The bottle is so pretty too. I like it! Update-2/14/26 I’m revisiting this and it still smells like a suede or leather note in there. It’s zingy spicy and I would still say is definitely unisex, leaning a little masculine due to that leather note (not listed). It also smells a bit like pine or cedar, which I think is the woods mixed with the sharp pepper. If there were a hint of floral or fruit it would make it a bit more feminine. So maybe layer if it’s too masculine for you. It smells absolutely nothing like br450 now btw! I’ve had this a long time now, I think this is as good as it’s gonna get. I don’t hate it, but I’d love it more as a candle or room spray. 😂 it smells warm an cozy, I may pass it on to hubby, and I think he’d smell great.

I was expecting a rich, deep, woody-spicy amber. I got a cold peppery floral musk. Magnolia, pepper and musk are dominant, with a little woodyness in the background, I smell no saffron or cardamom. It is quite unusual, not a generic designer perfume that you can buy at any perfume store. However, if you are looking for a heavy oriental scent, this is not a heavy oriental scent. It is much lighter, can be worn in warm weather. For me, it is more feminine, than masculine, can be worn by any gender. Average performance, moderate sillage, it won't fill the room.

Ordered this because I already had Rawaa and the bottle looks the same. I haven’t had any luck with pepper scents, but here the pepper is black, not red and I love it! I think this is unisex with feminine touch ; when the huge pepper-spices calms down it becomes a creamy, hyper sweet orange-like scent whit some black pepper. Nice.

This is loud. Definitely keeps you awake! Fresh spiced sandalwood, gets warmer and creamier over time. I think it is unusually marketed as female fragrance, although most of the middleeastern fragrances are definitely unisex, which is great.

Not for women, imho. I love pepper in fragrances and wear many scents marketed for men. However, Maryam reminds me of my dad's shaving cream and my childhood behind the Iron Curtain way too much. Not a safe blind buy at all. All in all, it's a soft and fluffy clean-spicy fragrance with a hint of sirupy baclava in the drydown. It makes me feel like I am five again, and Dad has taken me to an old fashioned sweet shop in the historical part of town.

I love LadyofWahey's review and I wish I interpreted this scent the same way. Unfortunately to me, it smells purely manly. Not even unisex, just manly. So manly that I worry that my husband will think I used one of his perfumes. No baklava, pistachios or honey for me :( It kind of smells like those scents that men put on for gym. Sharp and sweaty.

It is a masculine scent. So much that I gave it to my boyfriend. He likes it.

It is a masculine scent. So much that I gave it to my boyfriend. He likes it.

This smells like a really cheap men’s cologne. It does vere in the aromatic, fougere territory but all the notes are ridiculously synthetic and melt into what resembles a men’s sports shower gel. This is only good as a home spray, but even then the performance is terrible.

Overpriced alcohol. Doesn't smell of anything.

Scent of tradicional mediiterennian home. Pure and spiritual