Al Sharquiah

As I live in Dubai, UAE, I have had more of a chance than most to see the Al Rehab fragrances in their local cultural setting. I am altogether aware that the vast majority of people who buy Al Rehab perfumes in the West will have had them supplied from online retailers, but I would like to share with you something about purchasing these fragrances here before I give my short review. For a start, buying an Al Rehab fragrance in Dubai will mean in all likelihood that you will need to visit the Perfume Souk area in the city near to the famous Gold Souk of Dubai. This is because Al Rehab is not stocked in any of the major or minor retail outlets and - unlike Rasasi, Arabian Oud, Swiss Arabian or the other local brands - does not have an outlet based in a mall. This also means that you will have to take a route through one of the older parts of the city, by the side of the Creek, along past the shops selling all sorts of knick-knacks, past the Asian cyclists carrying stacks of cardboard on the backs of bikes, past the East Africans trading with Afghans, past the shwarma and juice stalls, until you come to the Perfume Souk area. Here you find the Al Rehab shop at the end of a busy, crowded, furiously neon-lit street.... Now when you enter this shop, you will truly wonder how it is that some of these fragrances are so well recognised as being very credible dupes of some of the fragrances from the most admired houses internationally. Creed? Montale?.....Surely not. The Al Rehab shop is staffed by some very friendly elderly local Arab gentlemen. Very nice, and a Salaam Aleikum and a few words of Arabic goes a long way. But yet, the shop. My, my, my....More like a hardware store than a fragrance shop, it is not unusual for your total to be worked out on the back of an envelope and change to be plucked out of wooden drawer. Last time I went there I wondered if I could pick up a hammer and a box of masonry nails while I was at it!...Suffice to say that this is nothing like the image of sparkling, shiny Dubai portrayed around the world. Yet, there is charm in this as well - and most definitely value for money if this is a consideration at all. (As an aside, buying these 6 ml CPO vials costs me 4 UAE dirhams each, about $1.10, ie they are practically giving the stuff away.) So what are their fragrances actually like..... Al Sharquiah is a truly wonderful fragrance and definitely one of Al Rehab's finest offerings. Just like with Saat Safa - though a significantly different fragrance - it gets the classic oud-rose balance just right, making it very comfortable for unisex or masculine use. For any one expecting the sweeter and more distinctive taif rose of Al Kaaba or the other attars and mukhallats, this may not be to your liking. Indeed, as others have noted, the fragrance becomes heavier - and more masculine - as the dates and incense become more pronounced later in the dry-down (though this to me is really lovely). But here Al Sharquiah seems to have the feel of an 'Amouage Lite' type of fragrance. Not specifically like any of the Amouage's I know, but definitely if you have an interest in trying out one the Franco-Arabian contemporaries of Amouage, Montale, Mancera, etc. but felt too self-conscious wearing them, this might be a good fragrance to try to start to experiment with your fragrance identity a little. It is distinctive - the dates make a lovely addition to the fragrance - and its performance is very good (being mindful that it is best to spread it as an oil on a reasonably large area of skin). All said, Al Sharquiah is a Highly Recommended Buy from me again from the Al Rehab house. It costs pennies and offers a lot of experiment, enjoyment and allure.... How could you not love this?

after almost a couple of years, i decided that Al Sharquiah is my coup de grâce in the fragrance game, the finish line. The scent represents the quintessential middle eastern rose-oud fragrance, but with added honey, dried fruits, smoke notes, and a toned down rose scent. Sounds so typical but as far as my knowledge goes, there is no other fragrance out there that goes along the line of this exact aroma, and i'm happy for that. As an outstanding scent from a niche house, normally there will be 1 or 2 other fragrance that duped it, but not with this one. Speaking of the price, this is the epitome of bang-for-the-buck, i got this for around $1.50 USD for a single 6ml roll-on vial in my country. as for the performance, longevity is long-lasting on fragrantica scale, projection is moderate-to-strong. just right for my nose. I mean i've owned some absolutely atomic fragrances like Montale's Intense Black Aoud, that absolutely nuked my nose and upper respiratory system onto oblivion. For like 15 days i had symptoms like sneezing, runny, nose, and red eyes, due to that absolute miscreant from Pierre Montale. I've got rid of it ever since. Now back to the masterpiece that is Al Sharquiah, it smells like a finely tuned fragrance. Not too hard on the nose, yet the presence is still VERY noticable in the air due to the unique and strong aroma profile which stands out. Just bought 7 of these 6ml vials because i liked it that much. i know that there's an antique 20ml version of this attar, the gold one, displayed on the top of this page. but for some non-apparent reason that one costs around $16 USD, i find that is a waste of money as i've asked Al-Rehab themselves about the difference between the 6ml roll-on bottle and the 20ml antique bottle, and they themselves said there's no difference in the CPO composition between the two. Plus, the 6ml bottle much MUCH more practical as you can store it in your pocket with a hardly noticable bulge in your pants' pocket.

Incredible fragrance, truly unique. The opening features a distinctive sea-salty banana note reminiscent of Jesus Del Pozo - Quasar, complemented by dark green citrus and the essence of a sharpie marker (oud). As this complex fragrance evolves, the balsamic banana seamlessly transitions into a well-balanced, musky oriental amber, eventually fading into a spicy floral vanilla. If I were to paint a picture of this fragrance, envision a Jordanian oasis adorned with unripe green banana skins floating in the water, baking under the scorching sun in the midst of a sandy, intensely hot desert. In the distance, a Persian spice market, weathered but still holding its allure, and on the ground, sun-dried camel dung beneath a fruiting date palm—an alter near the ritual a few nights earlier, leaving scattered roses near the oasis. Beyond those date palms, you will find a dark cave. Go ahead, walk in there, relieve yourself from the sun. The ashes from burnt offerings left from many ages ago still stick to the stones, like graffiti written in permanent marker. On my skin, the fragrance initially radiates a bright, sunny, and sandy aura, accompanied by a peculiar medicinal banana sharpie note. Gradually, its underlying darkness and oriental spice take the spotlight, transporting you to the cave's edge at the oasis. This fragrance is not for everyone; the strong opening with the plastic banana note (oud) gives way to a middle eastern transition. If you're a fan of Jesus Del Pozo - Quasar, give this a try. While not identical, it's the only fragrance I've encountered that captures that enigmatic banana note. A true masterpiece, best appreciated by those with trained noses who savor complex scents with dark, rosy, gothic auras this fragrance to me is a bit more masculine andro then femme so ladys take note before blind buying -- for a man or woman who enjoys darker more carnal scents. 10/10.

Uufff! What a fragrance. I got the 6ml of this today and once again Al Rehab haven't let me down. They have this knack of offering top quality fragrances at super-low prices which are often capable of blowing many niche perfumes completely out of the game. The initial blast was a full-on oud experience: medicine, hospitals, bandages - BOOM! Then as quick as the medicinal note arrived, it took a back seat to allow the sweet vanilla-date aroma to seep through. It's rich and sweet and like reviewer Melodiarose82 mentioned below "Jammy and syrupy". But, not in a cloying, sickly way (like I often found Raghba to be). It means business and it is here for the duration. The rose is definitely there, alongside the incense - both lurking subtlely in the middle, 'steady-away' but not overpowering. Once again, Al Rehab has definitely got the balance right with this one - no surprise there. I am genuinely astonished at how something so beautiful and powerful (and long-lasting) can be available at such a low price. Seriously, if Tom Ford had bottled this, the price tag would be astronomical albeit weaker and with less 'oomph'. This is a beast. A beautiful beast. The dry-down mellows somewhat but all the notes are still there, melding beautifully and it shows no sign of disappearing just yet. I keep getting the odd waft of it as I walk through my home and I only put two tiny dabs on my wrists, six hours ago. Don't be expecting anything along the lines of Tom Ford's Oud Fleur or Oud Wood. This is not the same type of fragrance, This is quite unique to my nose and in a class of its own. Admittedly, it's probably not for everyone but it's definitely for me.

I've owned this oil for about two years now--it was my first introduction to perfume oils (I couldn't resist its description as a sexy rose-forward "gothic" oil perfume) and it's still held up as one of my favorites! So... first things first. I think your skin chemistry and climate will play a HUGE role in whether you like this one or not. For me, it goes on strongly medicinal, sharp, with some of the body of the dates coming through, but mostly oud and the sharpness of rose. Then as it dries down and melds with my skin within the hour, especially if it's hot outside, it develops a gorgeous rich sweetness and the depth really starts to come through. It remains oud-heavy in a slightly medicinal way (that doesn't fully go away, but to me is part of its charm), and those dates give it a complexity and a characteristic sweetness (but it's still very dry and absolutely not gourmand in any way) layered with spices and smoke. However, it feels flat in the winter; the complexity doesn't develop as well, and it just feels sharp, so I save it for the hottest days when I have my summer goth on. Final verdict: is this a goth attar? Honestly, I take my goth more "churchy;" this comes off more romantic, androgynous, and mysterious, but I do recommend giving it a try as long as you're willing to be patient with its initial sharpness and test how your skin chemistry handles it. It definitely stands out from my other perfume oils I've tried. For the headache prone--this one doesn't usually trigger headaches for me, but it IS very intense and the sweetness combined with the initial sharpness could possibly upset you.

Feb 2019 I've been in the mood again to layer my oils. I've been wearing these primarily for bed, and find these Arabian oils to be so comforting and sensual for bedtime. But this one really is special! I wore it to bed last night and enjoyed it so much that I decided I simply MUST put it on my tray for layering with this month's range of romantic scents. This one really is powerful from the opening. The oud is king for the first half hour or so. But after a bit, it dries down to a really lovely, smoky, sweet scent. Not at all mainstream. It's quite unisex, and while many perfume lovers will admire it, not all will want to actually wear it. HOWEVER, If you like oud and you like stronger scents and you enjoy a nice sweet drydown and something that can lean masculine on a woman and feminine on a man, this is certainly worth a try. It's not going to be like very much else you've tried, that's for sure. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Aug 2016 To me, the opening is oud and citrus with a touch of rose and dates. I also get the incense right away, but lightly. There is a slight soapiness that is pleasant and refreshing to me. This soapiness is not uncommon in oud based fragrances, I've found. I don't know that the other florals or vanilla really come out to play. They more so set a base for the sparkly top notes. This is a beautiful summer scent. As with every Al-Rehab I have smelled (a couple dozen) I recommend trying these in the heat. These Arabian oils are made for the heat and can smell strange in cooler weather.

Beautiful! You remember a while back I reviewed saat safa in my search for something resembling what I have smelled on the robes of the middle eastern women in my city? I think I may have found it! I have the 6ml rollerball oil version. This is a lovely perfume, very different to many western perfumes, if indeed any I can think of. This is a wonderful mix of heady incense and smoke, sweet sticky dates and roses, all resting on a lovely rich exotic oud. This goes on dense and heavy and slowly unfurls over the day (or night). Like all al-rehab's I have tried this has 2 distinct phases, with the latter half being higher pitched, possibly even slightly astringent at times, a note unfamiliar to western noses, although well balanced and pleasant. This evokes images of dark eyes smiling over a niqab, of full cheeked Somali women giggling as they pull the edge of their hijab over their mouth, of a haughty but stunning Yemeni woman breezing past in flowing black robes with her head held high, wafting a trail of exotic and mysterious perfume in her wake. I love it! Longevity is amazing, if I apply this in the morning, I can smell it when I wake the following day, and on clothes it lingers even longer. Good sillage too - not overpowering, but if you apply a decent amount you too can waft by with a trail of perfume (or stomp by in my case, I don't really do graceful wafting in flowing gowns, more brisk stomping in jeans and doc martens!)

If you like sophisticated rose/oud fragrances, like Lancome L’Autre Oud or Armani Privé Rose d'Arabie, or even YSL's Exquisite Musk (not oud, but you'll see what I mean), you simply must give this a try! It opens a bit jagged; its oud not completely amalgamated with the rest of the ingredients. I wish the dates were jammier instead of sucrose, and I also can smell a plastic quality to this at the opening, but: WHO CARES?! Despite that lukewarm description, Al-Sharquiah is indeed nice at the opening, and 20 minutes later, it is magically transformed from what was surprisingly already a revelation at $5.50, into a fragrance that can compete with a $200 composition... Perhaps the $200 competition has better quality, but this is still a terrific option! Al Sharquiah is elegant, beautiful, longevous (8 hrs +) oud/rose/incense, that becomes a little sweeter than it was at the opening without ever being cloying. It projects tastefully at arm's length, and has the loveliest way of transitioning from dark fragrance to a clean potion toward the end of its dry-down. If you had any reservations about diving into the world of attars, this is a risk-free entry that will reward you handsomely

Oh dear, I am in love again! I'd actually dodged this one for a bit due to the gourmand elements mentioned in the review. I'm glad I went out of my comfort zone though. Elsewhere on Fragrantica, I described this fragrance as waking on a mattress stuff with the dried petals of black roses, in the arms of a beautiful Romani girl. I stand by that. It opens sweet, sugary with pleasant and refreshing medicinal oudh, a little mentholated but in a good-fresh-air way not a chest-rub-sucking-cough-lolly way. There's some dirtiness from the oudh, a little sexy sweatiness. Then it is the darkest, most sensual roses. It lasts and lasts, sweet, sexy and complicated. I find it has things in common with Al Rehab Amber Rose but it's not a dupe. I don't not get dates from this at all. This is a big scent and some people might be offended but just can't keep from sniffing at it. It has so many layers and changes all the time. This fragrance might be appreciated by Goths as it has this wonderful melancholy feeling.

I’ve been using this one for yearss. Can’t believe I haven’t reviewed it. And it’s if I’m not mistaken, Al Sharquiah is probably the first oud scent in my life. I couldn’t care less about compliments, but everytime I wore this out, I got compliments (mostly from South Asian men) all the time probably due to its good projection. Anyways, as people say, this precious is quite sharp (gauzy), metallic-ey, bitter, smokey. Although it smells synthetic, but that’s its character/charm if you like this style. Rose isn’t jammy. I remember the vanilla part was more prominent when I first got the bottle. Weirdly, it’s partially gone as if it was one of the top notes.. The sweet vanilla part doesn’t make it gourmand, and it’s got lychee twist like D&G The One for women which makes it alluring and sensual amidst those metallic wood and rose. I think it’s a quirky scent in a serious manner (sounds so weird) and is full of character. Very happy to have it.

I think I finally might be falling under Al Sharquiah's spell. I've left the oil to macerate for over a month now. At first all I got was something that reminded me of a very strong, medicinal citronella - you know, to repel mosquitos - mixed with very syrupy, sticky dates. I was so close to just finding it a new home. I found it nauseating and I HATED it. But today, I've dabbed a tiny bit on the inside of my elbow. And... oh my goodness. I am a convert! It's dark, it's syrupy, it's mysterious, it's sensual in a very comforting way. It smells like a romantic summer sunset fading into the cool wonders of night. It's reacting beautifully with my body chemistry. What I smelled as sharp and citronella-like has quickly faded into a cool, smooth, sweet musk with a background hint of dates and citruses. I'm actually excited about this fragrance now, and keen on seeing what it's like in fall and winter!

This is amazing! Doesn't cost the earth like Killian's Love, Don't Be Shy Special Edition 2020 but is veeeery similar to it. Don't get me wrong when I spray the perfume and apply the oil, there is a slight difference. Killian has tad bit more flower and vanilla to it but to be fair, £22 for a 20ml bottle of oil and £400 for 50ml of Killian's juice, it's a no brainer! I can apply the oil as much as I want and the whiffs I get, it's something else. Even my hubby commented how nice it smells on me. I usually wear flowery perfume, but since I tried Killian Special Blend 2020, I fell in love with the combination of Oud and rose and was on the hunt for an affordable equivalent. This oil in a tacky but cute bottle is very addictive - the more I wear it, the more I love it. I never thought I would become a fan of this combination but I did.

Al Sharquiah is beautiful - dark and smokey as others have said. Its spicy sweetness is a bit much for me (althought I don't find it masculine at all), so I wear it with Bakhour, which is a stunning combination. I have found that Al Rehab oils wear best when they are rubbed into the skin, unlike an eau de parfum. This seems to release their magic in a different way than if using just the roll-on applicaton. Otherwise, it's easy to put on too much, or, when wearing two oils, lose the balance of each. After rubbing the oils into my skin (on different areas of skin, not on top of each other), I run my fingers through my hair, leaving it nicely scented. I'm just begnning to discover the Al Rehab line, and so far, these oils are a fun departure from what currently exists in my perfume collection. More will be on their way very soon.

My love for Al Sharquiah is as unreasoning as it is difficult to describe. How did this happen?! It's taken me a while to warm to gourmand fragrances, and oddly enough this particular perfume oil begins as sticky sweet dates. Dates with a sweet balsamic richness. Ahhh. They are balanced nicely by a smoky aura, florals, and a gentle hint of oud. But it's still all very much about those dates! Al Sharquiah's opening is so utterly intoxicating to me, that I'm even a bit disappointed when the drydown becomes a clean and unsweetened oud. Not that I don't already enjoy oud, only that these dates have won over my heart! Never mind, I can always REapply. It's that good! 5 Stars.... You really must smell this.

Well..well...this one is very very special. It took me a while to get this right. after a few weeks i finally understood this.. its too strong i use just a touch and dud it to the other wrist ... this is the kind you need just a little drop and it goes a long way.. im a man and this is a brilliant smell very special its a very uniqe rose oud combo but the dates make it out of this world for me ... unisex right in the middle ...very recomended ...al rehab 2 thombs up on this one. thank you Update : my favorite rose scent ..this is a true Masterpiece..... Masterpiece!

This is for the 6ml oil This oil is fantastic! It starts of as a typical Al-Rehab-ade oud but not as sharp. Quickly becoming smooth, powdery, yet strong. It's gentler than Saat Safa or Aseel and more complex too. It doesn't have the longevity of Sheikhah but still lasts longer than most of the new EDPs out there! I don't detect any "dirtiness" at all and the dates are there but not at all "too sweet". All-in-all Sharquiah is completely well balanced and in my opinion for the price a small miracle.

I had mixed feelings about this one at first but I've grown to love it. On my skin it is a warm, spicy, incense-y rose. The oud is smokey and damp, with a bit of an animalic/leather feel. It is also a bit understated to me, with spicy rose and incense at the forefront of the fragrance. This is one of those Al Rehab scents with crazy sillage and longevity, so use sparingly. I can often smell it on my pajama shirt the next day as it clings so strongly to the skin.

Fans of Tom Ford's Cafe Rose rejoice! This is not a dead ringer, but close enough to save you hundreds of dollars on a new perfume. I get absolutely no medicinal quality from the oud here, but you really do need to be patient with the drydown. It was a little soapy at first, then sickly sweet from all of the date, but within 10 minutes this was blossoming into a smoky, woody rose. Dry, dry, dry, deep, spicy rose. I love it. Moderate sillage and lasts 6+ hours.

Al Sharquiah is a gorgeous oud cpo that lasts forever on my skin and clothes. I apply it to my wrist and it transfers to my sleeves where it remains for days. I get this gorgeous oud and dates with a bit of rose wafting at me every time I raise my arms. I find it different enough from some other oils that are more rose heavy. The dates are prominent in this one and I love it. I really enjoy these oils. They are very comforting esp. in temperate grey weather.

This is really lovely. Smells like Fancy by Jessica Simpson to me. Sweet but fresh with a splash of patchouli. Will wear this for a few days and do an update. Update I read that you can wear this with a touch of 2 other Al Rehabs: Green tea and Of Course. I got on an elevator at work and this lady embarrassed me to death. Clearly she did not like my blend. I liked it fine !! But this perfume alone is a dark jammy rose. A little goes pretty far.

I've reviewed this before. If you like jammy dates and resinous incence this is for you. You'd be making a mistake if you judge this prematurely by the opening. Give it time. This fragrance develops and settles into something softer with great amalgamation of the notes. I've been layering it with 1 spritz of Alien Essence Absolu for its soft ice cream vanilla🍦. Both are longevous fragrances that marry well during autumn/winter.

I think this oil is a gem, a gorgeous smokey incense rose that is absolutely intoxicating. There is a definite unisex quality to this perfume oil, although it does have a measure of sweetness as well which I enjoy. The lasting power and trail is dynamic and the overall feel is quite rich in character. I consider wearing this for evening or cooler weather. This is another win from Al-Rehab for me.

My co-worker said this smells like opening up the box of Christmas ornaments from the attic. And without being able to say why, exactly, I feel she was spot on. It doesn't smell musty, just very still. The spice is there, but it rouses slowly, as something long dormant. It is opulent and rich and brightly colored, but in shadow. Just like a box of tucked away holiday ornaments.

Deep, rich, sensual, smoky and sweet at the same time. It is beautiful, a truly exotic fragrance as it won't remind you anything a western nose is used to. It lasts long, but doesn't projects crazily. It is feminine to me, I see a mysterious woman wearing this, with heavy made up eyes, but never crossing into vulgar. She's rather elegant and sophisticated in a very unique way.

Weird, i just saw another listing for "Al Shariga" which seems to depict the rollerball version of this one here (at least going by the pic, as I own the Al sharquiah rollerball). This is one of my favourite Al-rehabs, would describe it as sweet spicy and slightly fruity oud fragrance, unisex. If you don't like oud don't bother with this one, it is quite "oriental" literally.

This one is love at first sniff for me! It reminds me very-much of Nabeel's 'Tajebni' with its interesting combo of cypriol with rose-tinged fruit, vanilla, deep resins, and sweet musk. Al Sharquiah has a more-pronounced leather note, however, which comes across as "drier" and more-sophisticated to my nose. Charming, luxurious fragrance with great projection and longevity!

I just got this oil in the mail today and put it on and I must say I am instantly in love. I’m new to oud, and was not sure I would like it but it seems that it sits well with me. It has just enough spice and rose in it to be beautifully intoxicating. I feel exotic wearing this it is seems to be lasting forever. So far I like it the best out of all the ones I ordered.

this starts with lots of oud and some rose, with a little sweetness from the dates. later i get some other floral notes and maybe a hint of citrus and incense. no vanilla detected. overall this is a pretty rose oud. yes the oud is a bit harsh at first but it settles down after awhile and i think this is pretty gorgeous.

I roll a little onto my wrists before bedtime. The typical Al Rehab mash-up opening gives way to a slightly medical oud. This fades to a more comfortable level within half an hour to let the sweet dates and rose come through. It's very different to anything I've smelled before and it's definitely unisex. Soothing.

I have had the perfume oil rollerball for over five years and it still smells wonderful. It is such a mysterious and exotic scent. The dates really jump out at me along with the incense. It’s very strong and just a little dab will do ya. It’s gorgeous.

Beautiful sweet oud, very warm and comforting. I find it similar to Bois d‘Oud Perris Monte Carlo, but less medicinal, more delicate and stays very close to skin. The lasting power is good, overall I'm so happy I found this and blind bought it.

At this pricepoint,its a great deal. Mindblowing scent and performance is phenomenonal. Deep smoky,dominating sweetness of dates with rose. Give it some time and you will absolutely fall in love with it.

A cheap sweet fragrance. Like others here have said, it feels like finding an old box of sentimental treasures. I highly recommend buying this roller and experiencing the (surprising) depth of it. 9/10

Amazing. I am very glad that I persevered through the Elastoplast opening as this is sublime. Syrupy and dark goodness punctuated by the sharp oud.

Dates and strange cool night air incense, magical, slightly dirty, the actual sexiest thing I've ever smelled. Glorious

This is an excellent oud in its own right. It is not at all animalic (barnyard-y) or reminiscent of bandaids, just a pure deep woody scent sweetened by dates and vanilla and touched with incense to add smokiness. It's ultra sexy and my fiancé always makes sure to tell me so. However, as good as this is on its own, it's even better layered! I layer buy spraying another perfume and then rubbing drops of this onto my pulse points. Here's a list of some wining combinations I've tried: +Tom Ford Black Orchid=an oud version of TFBO! TFBO still shines as the main player, but this adds some spice and an exotic feel. In a strange way, I think it makes it more wearable by making it a bit less intimate smelling, and a bit more glamorous. +Dior Hypnotic Poison=adds so much richness and depth to HP, and blends beautifully with the gourmand almond notes. The dates and vanilla in this just serve the deepen the gourmand tones of HP and the result is delicious and sexy, my fiancé called it very seductive. +Dior Addict=the oud goes so nicely with the sandalwood in the original formula of Addict (I suppose it could also make the reform smell closer to the original) and the focus is taken off of the vanilla and onto the sweet woods. However, the woody notes are still drenched in vanilla. This combo is ideal for cold weather. +Paul Smith Rose=THE perfect rose oud blend if you're looking for something lighter and softer than your typical oud/rose! This non-skanky clean oud matches up perfectly with the light and fresh pink rose and green tea notes on PS Rose to make for a divine oud/rose combo that is incredible easy to wear. +Roberto Cavalli Nero Assoluto=NA is already super woody so the two combined make a wood bomb, but a very very sexy one supported by notes of vanilla, dates, incense, orchid, and rose. This is your black lingerie scent. +Narciso Rodriguez for her EDT=still a lovely floral woody musk, with the focus on the musk, but Al Sharquiah adds some punch to it, making it deeper and sexier, and not as shower fresh. This combo is just the slightest bit animalic, but in a light and sexy way which haters of animalic perfumes (such as myself) can enjoy. To be continued...

Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god. Finally people!! You know how it is, searching high and low for that special perfume that's going to wow you. Why is it such a difficult feat? I have purchased well over a hundred perfumes this year. I sold a lot of them. Now left with over 80, but out of all 80 perfumes- which ones really truly wow me? All these famous names and brands... hmm... not many, I'll tell you that! Al Sharquiah was an instant curiousity to me, as it was very masculine and sharp dense woods, but somehting told me that this was going to be a love, so have an open mind. I've never smelled anything like it before. Which is a good thing. the dry down, to my nose, turns dark, rich, thick, syrupy, jammy, like a cherry date jam, sweet but in an amazingly rich and sophisticated/dark way. A bit smokey. I got the image of falling through a hole (like Alice in Wonderland) in a very dark wet dense forest with lots of wet bark and mulch, in the middle of rich earth the walls of the forest's underbelly are slathered with this thick dark syrupy jam, dripping down, like maple syrup dripping down a maple tree... I see a beautiful Arabian princess, or a 'common' girl who is anything but common, with dark tan skin, bejeweling crystal eyes, gold bangles on her wrists, she is all class, very rich and sophisticated, and oh so beautiful... she smells like this... Al Sharquiah. Exotic and lively and mysterious and oh so addictive and bejeweling... like her eyes... Oh my god, I love this stuff! I'm now a believer of Al-Rehab. I found this fragrance to be very inspiring. The animal in me has awoken and I'm ready to run after my goals and not sit down, but take the reigns of my life and my destiny. Adventure awaits. I am strong. I am sexy. I am fearless. *This stuff* Oh yes. ;)

Just received my 6ml rollerball in the mail today. People are right when they say this stuff is STRONG. I put on a dab and that was enough to perfume each wrist when rubbed together. I was very excited to try this line out because of all the good things people have written. I have also never experienced attars or Middle Eastern style fragrances before, and was looking forward to trying something new. Al Sharquiah starts off very sweet and sharp, cloyingly so when fresh out the bottle. I waited a few minutes and during that time also smelled roses among the honey. I don't believe I've smelled anything oud-heavy before, so it's hard for me to say whether the warmth of this fragrance can be attributed to oud. It -is- warm, though, and somewhat spicy like cloves. It has something in there that smells faintly like L'air du Temps, sans the aldehydes. I think I'll test each side by side at some point. The sweetness eventually calms and rounds itself out, making this more wearable than headache-inducing. It is a very interesting perfume to say the least. I can't tell if I like it, love it, or hate it. EDIT: Unfortunately I find myself never reaching for this after all. I tried to like it, but I'm unsure in what scenario I would actually enjoy wearing it. I'll try other al-rehabs in the future, but for now I'll be giving this one away.

OK... Dates... A big fat box of Jordanian sticky sweet dates! I had read reviews but didn't smell a hefty dried fruit note at the bottle level... Even on the initial application, the infamous bandage scent from the oud seems to dominate... But moments later the nearly overwhelming accord of a pecan and date pie crust rises up and smacks you in the face. Not a huge gourmand fan here either, but there is something awkwardly appealing about the depth of the sweetness. The vanilla is there... More in the benzoin format than vanillin crystals or brighter vanilla accord. The slow and steady rise of the incense notes and drier wood leave me sniffing myself constantly to see how things are moving. The rose is in there, but like my other Al-Rehab reviews, the rose is a darker and musky version. It's growing on me... Perhaps the point of all the rose / oud combinations in this style of fragrance. Citrus notes don't always become prominent on my skin despite my affection for them. Perhaps the citrus here is from a fermentation or a heat based method that dulls the bright edges. In any case... Loving this scent... I think I'll plan to prep early enough that the date note dissipates some before I'm out in public.

This oil goes through a few stages on my skin. I'm not a fan of the opening. I agree with the reviewer who called it "sharp and medicinal." To me, it's a powerful blast of sour rose. Luckily, this acrid note fades relatively quickly. The middle stage is dominated by a sweet accord, possibly a combination of the rose and dates. To me, it's still mainly a rose and oud fragrance fragrance at this point. The oud is always in the background, gentle, perhaps a bit musty, but never animalic on my skin. After about three hours, the sweetness has faded significantly, but I am still getting a trace of syrupy dates, mingled with incense. This phase is my absolute favorite, but unfortunately the scent is very weak by this time. Overall, not a bad scent for the price. It reminds me a bit of Montale's Black Aoud. The sillage opens with a bang but fades pretty fast. The longevity is solid. There is something a little off-putting about the rose note to my nose. However, if you run into the same problem as me, give it an hour or two and you should find a pleasant and rather complex dry-down.

I have tested it yesterday in Devon Ave- Chicago, USA and I like it. From all I have tested yesterday this one blends nicely on my wrist- def on my list. $35 in local store too pricey thou. will check to purchase it online. I like the way woody oud comes at first plan...def unisex. Rich strong scent of good quality of oud. July 24th 2017 update I have purchased it yesterday in Islamic Information Center- Devon ave. Rigth away I left store and I was buying sarii- one lady asked me what have I put on myself so I gave her my wrist to sniff and she said- wait is that only area you have this scent on:) I said yes! She said I smell nice and it smells like a very expensive perfume - sandalwood tree :) Incredible powerful scent. Anyway if you like - sweet middle east scents like Montale - oud rose and musk this one is really pretty to have. I have got roll on and I am happy it will last forever- don't buy it in the fancy bottle- makes no sense - same quality is in - 6ml roll on. I am glad I have it its beautiful scent of middle east desert and Dubai mall luxury.

Al Sharquiah is far too masculine if applied right after it's shipped to you (oils don't have alcohol to stabilize them), if you use too much and don't rub it in, or if your chemistry is off. However, if worn correctly, and left to sit on your skin for a while, Al Sharquiah is a beautiful, exotic, sweet, smooth, and unisex-feminine scent. It will start to grow on you quickly; for those who have smelled it only a few times and decided that it was not a good perfume, keep "test-wearing" it so you can fully grasp the nuances of this scent. KEEP IN MIND: These oils need to sit around a while after shipping so you can get the full sense of what the perfume smells like. Testing/smelling too soon after delivery is NOT an accurate representation of the perfume!

This one I got and had put it aside, didn't like it, it was still fall, somewhat hot, too strong. Well now it's cold and I've give it another go. First of all, you must be gently with the application of these one. So, this is one of those hidden gems that you can easily put aside, this is very different, strong and not very safe fragrance, but oh boy, what a sweet woody floral fragrance, it's very deep and complicated in a good way, I like it but don't love it. Unisex, I can see men and women using this (but maybe a bit easier for a woman to pull this one of), but not for the younger crowd (25 up), it's deep sexy but a hard fragrance to wear and not a safe one, not everyone will like it. All in all, amazing fragrance and so cheap.

This gets better by the day, as long as you can get through those top notes ;) I don't hate them but they are sharp, masculine and somewhat medicinal. Oud is oud though, and I seem to love it all :) Anyway, while the soft and sexy oud and woody notes predominate for a while, a soft blast of sweet juicy dates and a very mild airy incense that I barely detect. Don't smell the other notes at all. But MY GOD, this is insanely sexy, in a classy way. You could easily wear it out, especially at night but really any time, but this is also THE perfect bedroom scent. Makes me feel like an Arabian queen. My BF is indifferent to most of my perfumes but adores this one. And it was so cheap!!! I want to just go ahead and order 5 back ups.

This costs less than $10 so the 'medicinal' quality you get is cheap ingredients. A synthetic sweetness leans plasticky. Oud is a dry woody note that is as close you can get to musk without actually being animalic. The combination reminds me of a clinic. The rose and smoky incense and sharp citrus will make you forget that impression, leaving you with a well-rounded, sexy smell... But my skin diminishes florals, and without a prominent rose the house of cards crumbles. I'm left with a dry citrusy fireplace. If your skin amplifies wood/incense or diminishes rose/citrus, this will be a different frag for you. Those with more neutral skin chemistry will be in for a wonderful treat; let it develop skin before you toss it.

I've reviewed this previously, but I've been wearing it more and have some thoughts. Before this oil dries a bit for about 20-30 minutes the syrupy dates layered over oud can be... a bit much. Not just strong, but sweet in a way that is just... gross? But when it dries it becomes a rich, warm, seductive scent. Even then, it's sufficiently unusual to my Western palate that I don't often reach for it. However, I have to agree with 0h.wow: This is glorious for layering. It adds depth, warmth, and sultriness to whatever you layer it with. I never thought that Al Haramain's Madinah lacked depth, but layering the two together is one of the most glorious, deep, romantic, sexy rose scents imaginable. Very "come hither".

Oh what a very unusual scent! People don't know what to make of it when I wear it. The oud is sharp, medicinal and brassy at first, the fragrance eventually moves into a gentle floral heart of rose, it is thick rose jam enveloped by incense. Dates offers a little sweetness. The price is UNBELIEVABLE, it smells expensive! As always, the longevity with the Al-rehabs oils are remarkable (the scent is delicate in my clothes until I wash them), and the sillage with this one is very soft. EDIT: I so adore, adore the drydown, it is honeyed smoky oud with an urine undertone.

Amazing sweetish OUD HEAVY fragrance. I mainly smell the oud and dates, and maybe a hint of incense, but MY GOD! It can open up a bit sharp, medicinal, and masculine but give it up to an hour and WOAH. Slightly sweet, jammy, woody/oudhy femme fatale sex bomb! Surprisingly, a big time compliment getter too, especially from my bf! It is pretty much intoxicating. It reminds me a lot of Guerlain Songe un bois d'ete but sweeter and without that pine note. I feel so sultry and grown up wearing this one though. And the price can't be beat!

Just got some perfume oil. This is very complex and powerful. First impressions are that it is medicinal, woody, smoky and spicy. Later on, the rose comes through. I'll need to let this settle and evaluate it later. Let you folks know........Well...(update) After the initial notes the rose comes through and smells like Shades Wood. The dry down is floral, woody and powdery. It's a nice one if you like rose *Update* I layered this with Sultan and it made a really potent distinctive woody/floral perfume.

At first sniff I thought this was concentrated hospital stink. But I'm learning that perfume oils can change dramatically on the skin. Half an hour after putting it on the hospital is gone and it is gorgeous wintery rose jam and incense. Oils take a little longer than sprays to reveal themselves, so you can only test them by wearing them for a day or a few hours at least. I haven't rested the oil yet - I just received it this morning. I may do an update if the oil changes after resting.