Beauty and The Beast

Areej Le Doré’s Beauty and the Beast is a bold, unapologetic rose oud fragrance that leans heavily into its beastly side, delivering a potent and unforgettable olfactory experience. Master perfumer Russian Adam showcases his expertise in sourcing the finest authentic ingredients, and this creation is no exception. The star of the show is an intense Indian oud, reportedly distilled in rose water, which exudes a distinctly Eastern character—raw, commanding, and far removed from the tamer, Westernized ouds often found in mainstream perfumery. On application, the fragrance hits with a powerful blast of oud, rich and slightly animalic, dominating the opening. As it settles, a subtle cacao note emerges, adding a touch of bittersweet warmth that tempers the oud’s ferocity. In the drydown, the rose begins to bloom, intertwining with the oud to create a deep, luxurious harmony that feels both regal and primal. This is not a delicate rose but one that holds its own against the oud’s intensity. Beauty and the Beast boasts colossal projection, effortlessly filling a room, and its longevity is exceptional, lasting a solid 16+ hours. While unisex, its robust profile leans slightly masculine, making it ideal for those who want to exude strength and presence. This fragrance is not for beginners or the faint of heart—its intensity demands respect and a seasoned nose to fully appreciate. Versatility is limited; it shines best for evening wear, whether a night out or an intimate night in when you want to feel powerful. Sampling is a must due to its commanding nature, but for oud aficionados, Beauty and the Beast is a triumph in the rose oud genre—an artistic masterpiece that earns a resounding 10/10. Bravo to Russian Adam for crafting a fragrance that is as bold as it is beautiful.

Did you miss Malik al Taif and now don't want to pay exorbitant price for it? May be, you are looking for a no nonsense oud/rose scent that is not only blended with high quality ingredients but also provides you with an experience of pure awe. Then feel joy because not only Beauty & the Beast is that very scent you are looking for but best of all, it is still available. And I'm surprised and to an extent, shocked as to why this has not been sold out yet. Because, in my humble opinion, it will be a classic, an iconic scent that people will pay double its retail in near future. I might be totally wrong but being a owner of few of Adam's classics and fortunate person to have tried almost all his fragrance, i firmly believe in my aforementioned opinion. Beauty & the Beast, an aptly named fragrance, is a beautiful amalgamation of Taif Rose and Hindi Oud with hints of Cacao is background. Cacao in this blend is not overpowering or dominant but lends a supporting hand. Think of it as a dance between rose and oud, both fused into each other, a waltz till the dead of the night. Performance on this one is excellent for a relatively fresher juice. It lasts on skin for around 8 hours on skin and on clothes, double that time. Projection is not beastly but adequate enough to get you noticed. 3-4 full sprays are enough for a whole work day. As per my experience, it will only get better with time both in terms of performance and overall vividness. Yes, Ambre de Coco is my favorite from this collection because it is more interesting, complex and unique in its own way. But Beauty & the Beast is right behind, may be just few paces. It might lack a complex, nonlinear composition but even in its linearity, it surpasses many of its genre.

Almost a pedagogical exploration of the rose-oud perfume, Areej le Doré's Beauty and the Beast survives its cringe-worthy name by offering a fundamentals masterclass: add quality ingredients to tried-and-true olfactory combinations and the result is impressive, if not also a tad uninventive. Upon spraying B&B, the first thought isn't even olfactive. Rather, it's, "Wow, this atomizer is top-notch." Covering the expanse of my entire chest, fragrance immediately follows. I get dark chocolate and rose water. Eventually, more of the typical "barnyard" notes of oud start to undergird the cloudy puff enveloping me, giving depth and dynamism to an initially gourmand scent profile that would be troubling if it didn't soon dissipate into a skankier terrain, wherein the middle journey of Areej's fragrance starts to smell like—what my girlfriend described as—an antique bookcase. All the oudy woods take over, although they're wrapped in roses, giving off an agrestic quality not unlike the impression of having come into your library after a day of horse riding. While the above image might romanticize B&B, make no mistake about it; this perfume edges the offensive unless you grew up wearing oud or have already fallen in love with this essential oil's perplexing, somewhat crude magic. Wear this at home and practice a bit of self-love or head out into public and live life as a beast. Beauty, for the most part, has so little to do with how you smell.

Most rose-ouds are polite guests at a dinner party, perhaps slightly loud but ultimately well behaved. BatB is the guest who sets the house on fire and watches from the lawn. Despite its directly simple composition, I agree that it can be considered the "dominator" of the genre, rendering your Ombre Nomade (just gave mine away) or Oud Ispahan suddenly worthless... While some find a "darkness" hanging over the rose, I perceive something more tectonic. This is the Trinity Test of perfumery. As the cap comes off, one is reminded of Oppenheimer’s chilling realization: "Now I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds." Only here, it is the destroyer of all other rose-oud bottles in your collection. The rose isn’t delicate, it’s a crimson flare caught in a mushroom cloud of wild oud and thick, incensy-resinous smoke. The texture is what elevates it from the pack. It is leathery, dense, and nuancedly chocolatey. I'll leave the detailed description of BatB to others, as it's been already aptly described. Ultimately, to wear this is to realise that nowadays most "niche" (or exclusive lines) perfumery is merely playing dress-up. Adam has - once again - crafted something that expresses passion for high quality craftsmanship. This is for those who want to avoid the synthetic wasteland, without sacrificing on performance. BatB would be a 10/10 for those who can enjoy rose more than I do.

The balance between rose and oud is struck perfectly here. Imagine if an antique wooden cabinet were to be washed with rosewater, dried in the sun, then waxed gently. The oud is complex and savory, but not particularly challenging (e.g., fecal, lactonic, or bilious). The rose is light, dry, and very slightly citrusy. There is an extremely subtle hint of cacao that unifies the whole melange. Projection and sillage are average. As a relative newbie to the fragrance cult, my biggest surprise of the past year is just how wearable Areej Le Dore perfumes tend to be. Beauty and the Beast is no exception. Four sprays (two to the neck/torso, one to each arm) and you have a delightful aura that surrounds you comfortably for at least 3-4 hours. (Some skin types may experience better longevity--my Irish-American hide tends to drink this stuff up on contact.) Of course, this shouldn't be mistaken for a "going out" fragrance--Russian Adam doesn't really make those. This is a "library" fragrance. Maybe a "chapel" fragrance, regardless of your religious persuasion. This could even be a "sauna" fragrance, if you have it to yourself. It's all about creating a comfortable space where you can dream and contemplate and strategize and reminisce and be stupefied by the world around you. Breathe deeply--you may find yourself in here. 9/10.