Shades Wood

My journey of fragrances have lead me to find alternatives to the typical designers (unoriginal) and Niche (rip offs) options. So enter stage left...Shades Wood by Armaf is a masterpiece. Its that simple...One of the best purchases I've made in my entire life buying fragrances. Especially since I was able to get it under $30. I could easily see this being sold at MIN NY for $300+. Take that DIOR, CREED, TF, ROJA, et al. Niche houses are being forced to use synthetics because of IFRA regulations and their prices haven't dropped at all... So Niche snobs, stop screaming that you are paying for QUALITY...These days you are paying for BRANDING...The more I collect from these alternative houses better scents the more Im convinced many Western Houses are just fleecing consumers. What makes this scent so captivating is the Rose, cumin and oud combination. The Oud in this scent is far from the barn yard or medicinal variety. Basically it doesn't stink. It seems to be there to give the scent more Oomph and a deeper character but its far from overwhelming. It just adds a woody vibe which makes an initially Rosey scent undoubtedly masculine. And for an opening note that rose hangs around for a long time This scent reminds me of a niche version of Rasasi's Tasmeem. Both scents have cumin and rose playing a major role. Tasmeem is more of an androgynous scent which leans very sweet due to the vanilla and amber in the bassnotes. Shades Wood is also sweet but its deceptively sweet, similar in that way to Tucsan Leather. These scents are not a like but share that characteristic of being a sweet fragrance that don't seem as sweet as they really are. Its almost as if when you wear this scent you are wearing two different but complementary scents at the same time. I often times smelled a spicy Oud rose and clove combo which almost had a menthol like affect (meaning refreshing though not synthetic) and other times I smelled a str8 up sweet sandlewood, cedar and oud scent where the rose was gone. These two interplays of scent all occurred throughout the dry down until the sandlewood and oud begin to dominate the Rose and the rose fades out. Initially its str8 Rose, Oud and Cumin. Slightly underneath are the citrus notes which add surprising freshness in the opening. these effects were so strange but so cool at the same time. Needless to say these 2 different smells were complementary to each other and I found this scent complex due to these experiences of smells I get every time I wear it. I get 8+ hours and great sillage for the first 4 hours. Afterwards it settles to a very strong skin scent. If people get anywhere within your personal space they will smell you with ease. If u wear this on your Tshirts as I do you will be glad you did. This is a great Fall, Winter and Spring nights scent. Its not the heaviest scent by any means but is heavy enough to warrant wear in cooler weather. It is rich, it is quality and it screams sophistication. This is not your Money Grab Scent like Sauvage. This is interesting...This is art in a bottle. Highly recommend... 7.5/10 YouTube Channel- Simply Put Scents

I was really reluctant in blind buying this one, based on the reviews I felt that none of them really sold me on it, or just didn’t explain it properly. I will try to do that for anyone who’s debating on a blind buy, because in the end, that’s what these reviews really come down to. First things first, WOW! Jesus Christ Wow! What a beautiful surprise. If anyone wants to know what to compare this to besides what it’s already compared to above, try Franck Olivier Oud Touch, it’s almost an exact replica of that, but this one comes out on top by leaps and bounds. Let me start off by saying that I strongly feel that the pyramid is missing a note in here, particularly Patchouli. You’re all going to laugh at me but to my nose it’s has a gasoline/diesel vibe going on. I’ve smelled this particular smell in two recent colognes that I’ve purchased. Franck Oliver Oud Touch and L’Homme Ideal Guerlain for men. For those that don’t have Franck OOT, then I can easily say that it has shades of John Varvatos Dark Rebel, but a dirtier, grittier, manly version, and without the leather, and with a pinch of rose and oud. I also want to say that there could be an iris vibe going on in here too. Let me be clear for those who are worried about the Rose in here, if you’re like me and dislike men’s colognes that have Rose in it, don’t be scared, it’s not the main star in here, it stays in the back and has a very small complimentary effect. Lastly the oud, it’s not barnyard, it took me a while to understand that there are different kinds of oud smells, this is not middle eastern smelling, this is a very modern oud. Anyway, I hope this helps, considering I got this for $25 bucks, this was a damn nice steal in my opinion. I actually love this so much I will be sure to buy a few more before Armaf colognes start to jump in price. This is a solid 10/10 for me, just be sure to go easy on the trigger, the silage is enough to choke out a room. I get 8/9 hours of longevity, and try not spray on the hotter days. UPDATE SUMMER 2020: Lastly, just to give anyone an idea of the potency in goddamn strength with this juice. I had a nice black Jack Jones T-shirt with some lettering on it. I decided to spray the front of my shirt before going to bed, I sometimes do this so that the next day I’ll have a subtle dried down smell of a cologne without having to apply on my body, I mostly do this for when I’m at work, and it not being as aggressive. Bad fucking idea, pardon my language. The next day when I went to grab my shirt, it actually almost melted the lettering on my shirt, and the lettering was sticking to different words. My shirt was ruined and it wasn’t a cheap shirt If I’m being honest I’m not even mad about it, whatever’s in this is telling me it can’t be tamed. Peace

I just bought & received my very first 2 fragrances from the house of ARMAF yesterday. (Nov 2019) I wore CLUB DE NUIT INTENSE MEN yesterday and the experience was great. Today is Sunday, a bit cold November day so I was so looking forward to put this popular (among many YouTube reviewers I recently started to keep my eyes on) “SHADES WOOD”. The first impression right after I sprayed on my skin, “WOW” & it was love at first sniff! 😍🌹 To tell the truth, I was more intrigued and excited with this one than CDNIM. I normally love exotic Oriental scents as long as they are not too far off and skunky. 😅😷 Especially with some Oud and spices or some musks & resins could do a rather funky punch 👊🏽💥🤪 than enticing and intriguing clouds. With this SHADES WOOD, there’s absolutely some of Tom Ford’s vibes which is a very high end Oriental luxurious olfactory to it. The beginning is particularly incredibly dense and powerful so I knew I was not supposed to judge it just yet till it takes the proper seat on my skin. It took maybe about an hour to relax a bit and then from that point on, it was such a long hypnotic exotic Orient journey! 🌳🌳🌹🌹🦍🐃☄️🔥🌍🍊🥥🥭🌶🍫🍹🤸🏻♂️✈️🏜🌋🕌🕋👨🏾🧕🏽🧔🏽🙀😻🌹🌿🌳🌳 Now you got the idea...😂 It’s very warm, enveloping, sensual, exotic, smooth yet deep and mysterious. Such complexed ingredients but all well blended & balanced together and yet keeping each one of the characteristics very well. If you normally like more of fresh citrusy aquatic scents, like “ACQUA DI GIO”, “BLEU DE CHANEL”, VERSACE “EAU FRAICHE”, DOLCE & GABBANA “LIGHT BLUE”....etc then you might possibly have to ask someone for CPR right away. 🤣🤣 But you like Tom Ford “BLACK ORCHID”, “OUD WOOD”, TUSCAN LEATHER”...etc then you might want to consider saving big 💰by spending only fraction of them! By the way I bought this one for CAN$25 from FragranceBuy.ca and yes, it’s Canadian company 🇨🇦 (Yay!) so those folks down south of the border can definitely take a huge advantage of your US exchange rate. I checked both FragranceNet & FragranceX and even after their 15% - 35% discount coupons, I got a better deal. So I am really enjoying this very long lasting amazing woody🌳/rosy🌹/spicy🌶/sweet🍫/leathery🐃and luxurious🤴🏾🌿fragrance. 😍💖 I recommend 100% to anyone who is open to unique & bold but somewhat elegant scent for the price of weekend dinner (or less...depends😅) I can’t wait to try many more from this house of ARMAF and also many other Oriental fragrances like RASASI, AL HARAMAIN, AJMAL....etc. All of these fragrances are totally new recent discoveries for me, thanks to many YouTube fragrance reviewers. Here my new hobby begins!! 🤩🕺🏻(Sorry for many emoji but I can’t help it....😂)

Armaf Shades Wood Eau de Parfum presents a unique take. Contrary to popular reviews, I think this scent exhibits a slightly oudy aroma, but it's a misconception to focus solely on the oud aspect. The oud presence to me is mild, more reminiscent of sandalwood than overwhelming. This fragrance differentiates itself from typical rose oud perfumes by incorporating fresh spices, lending it a distinct character, enriched with the warmth and freshness. Upon first application, a slight hint of synthetic notes emerges, like a mischievous imp, yet they don't detract from the overall quality. Shades Wood maintains a consistent and extremely linear profile. The scent remains largely unchanged for hours, with the only noticeable difference being a slightly spicier beginning — perhaps a touch of cumin. Despite its linear nature, this doesn't imply a lack of quality. On the contrary, the fragrance is consistently pleasing. If the initial spray after 5 minutes appeals to you, rest assured, that scent will persist without significant evolution. One of the most impressive aspects of this perfume is its performance. It boasts remarkable longevity and sillage, fittingly described as beast mode in its staying power. This robust performance adds significant value to the fragrance. Addressing authenticity concerns in other reviews, understand that Arabian perfumes, such as Armaf Shades Wood, are not compromised by counterfeits. Unlike luxury brands, these fragrances aren't duplicated, largely due to their already affordable pricing. It's also important to acknowledge that individual scent perception can vary, potentially influenced by factors such as batch variations or even the impact of coronavirus on olfactory senses. The presentation of Armaf Shades Wood is mostly commendable, although it seems people don't like it here. The bottle is not made of plastic, exuding a sense of quality and sophistication. The only exception is the cap, which might seem like the eccentric cousin in an otherwise dignified family. Ideal for the cooler whispers of autumn and winter, this fragrance wraps you in a warm embrace. While it's not exclusively unisex, it's versatile enough to be worn comfortably by women. Remarkably, Armaf Shades Wood offers niche quality with outstanding longevity and sillage. All at an accessible price point of €19 — what else do you want? Opening note: 7 Sillage/Projection: 9+ Dry down: 9 Longevity: 9- Blend/Composition: 8+ Versatility: 6+ Uniqueness: 8 Value for money: 7+ Bottle design/Aesthetics: 6- Overall experience: 8- Blind-buy rating: 3

Some people are really unfortunate. Resellers just take advantage of them and sell them fake fragrances. Of course that any fake fragrance will smell like "stable", "greatest joke in fragrance history", "humbug", "cloying and revolting and bad smelling", and so on. Do buy your "Shades Wood" in a trustworthy reseller! I will just tell you a couple of words about the Shades Wood juice I ordered, received and tested: - Cheap price + classy scent = gigantic value! - Amazing niche quality oud/rose fragrance! - I am considering to use it on a pair with Versace's Oud Noir and Aramis Perfume Calligraphy. Yes, Shades Wood is that good! - One of the best dry downs I have ever experienced with any fragrance! - Skip the initial 30 seconds while the alchool is evaporating. The scent is to harsh. My rates for Shades Wood: Scent:........................8.5 Longevity:..................9.0 Sillage:.......................8.5 Versatility:..................6.0 Uniqueness:...............8.5 Quality:.......................9.0 Presentation:..............9.0 Price:.........................10.0 Average:.....................8.56 / 10,00 I do like beasty fragrances. It's only natural that I like ouds. I am not a fan of airy or freshie fragrances. I can accept that a person does not like ouds in general or a particular kind of oud. However I consider ridiculous someone to comment that a fragrance smells like a stable. Either that person is not smelling an original perfume or has never been in a stable, or something is wrong with his/her pituitary. I do consider the following type of ouds with some examples (I have all those fragrances): - bad ouds - Perry Ellis Vetiver Royale Absolute Oud; KELSEY BERWIN Midnight Oud - average ouds - Avon's Premiere Luxe Oud . - nice ouds - Oudi Al Haramain Perfumes; Royal Oud Korloff Paris - very nice ouds - Ferrari Oud; Perry Ellis Black Vanilla Absolute; Zara Exclusive Oud; - really good ouds - John Varvato's Oud; Versace's Oud Noir; Aramis Perfume Calligraphy; Armaf's Shades Wood; Yves Saint Laurent M7 Oud Absolut; Ettienne Aigner No 1 Oud; 24 Platinum Oud Edition - extraordinary ouds - Christian Dior Oud Ispahan. - the best value for money ouds - Armaf's Shades Wood and Zara Exclusive Oud.- very good fragrances, above average quality, easy to buy, inexpensive

I can't believe no else hasn't already mentioned it but if you are into the house of Mancera, this has about a 99% similarity to Mancera Sand Aoud. I'm not kidding. The opener, dry down, and everything. I own both. My girlfriend gifted me this fragrance just recently, and what's funny is that just a week before, I bought myself Mancera Sand Aoud. We were both blown away with how similar they were and I was actually contemplating on returning Mancera Sand Aoud and swapping it out with another Mancera. But because it was my very first Mancera purchase, I decided to keep it as memorabilia. It also smells amazing and I WILL be putting it to good use. Shades Wood by Armaf has that middle eastern flavor and zeal that is to die for when it comes to my personal taste in fragrances. But for others they may run the opposite direction. In fact, I am a devoted fan of the house of Armaf for their release of a collection of quality fragrances for affordable prices. When I first smelled Shades Wood a while back at a fragrance shop, I do remember the opener being just a bit offputting because I don't think I was expecting it. This was one of the fragrances recommended to me by the shop owner who KNOWS her stuff and impressed me and my girlfriend during our visit that day. That same shop owner is now great friends with me and my girlfriend till this day! But I will say that this is 100% a COLD weather fragrance. This is the only time of the year when it works. Wear this in the mild heat or scorching summer heat and you're asking to be asphyxiated... and you will do the same to those within radius. Period. Use with caution. ⚠️ I love this fragrance, but it's a fragrance that you have to surrender to and learn to cooperate with. You either HATE it or you LOVE it. No in-between. Performance and longevity 9/10 Smell 8/10 It's a masculine fragrance and one of the most interesting, powerful woody/spicey cheapies I've discovered. Love it! 😎

Joy Amin, a Bangladesh YouTuber, and CognoScenti, put me on to Shades Wood. I absolutely love this fragrance. Imagine the smell of a grilled rose-- the rose is on fire with a spicy, smokey aroma. It is NOT a blind buy that everyone is going to like. If you do not want the musty, nuttiness of burning wood, you will not like oud fragrances such as this, where the oud note is the prominent focus. The rosiness adds a slight freshness, but if you are expecting a rosy freshness, you might want to try something different. Again, this is more of a burnt, spicy, smokey rose, but I love it!! It's an excellent fragrance for a night out with someone special. It is definitely recommended for colder weather. The cold with the dark oud and rose smells fantastic. Edit: Shades Wood smells NOTHING like La Futura Homme Intense. I have both fragrances and Oud Touch by Franck Olivier as well. Shades Wood does have the same rose/oud combo as Oud Touch. Therefore, I would say that Shades Wood and Oud Touch are similar, but they do NOT smell exactly alike...BUT if I am honest, I do not see a need to have both fragrances in your collection UNLESS you absolutely want both fragrances. Knowing what I know now, I would choose one or the other. And if you do get either fragrance (Shades Wood or Oud Touch), DO NOT, and I repeat, DO NOT OVERSPRAY AND DO NOT be that crazy person that wears either fragrance in the spring and summertime, but don't take my word for it. For any fragrance, read reviews before buying it, but take them with a grain of salt. Everyone has their own opinion regarding smells. Some people love a specific fragrance. Some people hate it. My advice is for you to get a sample of ANY fragrance before you ever buy it. That way, you can assess it yourself and have your own thoughts rather than strictly going off someone else's thoughts and opinions. So, do not let my opinion influence you.

I have been in the scent game for years now, and I have to tell you, I am no longer convinced that big prices equal big quality. These days, my signature scent is a $35/100ml fragrance. It's a Creed Aventus clone that performs at the same level as Creed Aventus. It even wins smell tests against the boss on YouTube! You all probably know which one I am talking about. Anyhow, once again we have a fragrance here that is SO very close to a $900/bottle; it is none other than Blue Sapphire Boadicea the Victorious. I paid $17 for Shades Wood, and I am not even remotely disappointed. On the contrary, I am elated! How in blue hell does someone think it's okay to charge almost $1000 for a product with less than half the performance of a quality clone that smells almost 90% similar? A couple people said that it smells like Amouage Interlude ... NOPE! Not even close! There is ZERO smoke in Shades Wood. Interlude is a smoky BEAST! This is either a clone of Blue Sapphire Boadicea the Victorious, or at least, very, VERY comparable to it, and that's in a good way, no doubt. I get a good 7 - 12 hours of longevity, and it never really cascades down into a boring skin scent. It remains relatively linear in that respect. The sillage and projection are both heavy, but not cloying in any manner. Compliments do come along, as well. Let's get to the ratings: Projection - 8.5/10 Sillage - 8.5/10 Longevity - 8.5/10 Fragrance - 8/10 Compliments - 7/10 Seasons - Autumn, Winter Time - Day or Night, but because the base notes pack such a wallop, it is more suited for night wear. I am consistently impressed and pleasantly surprised by Armaf. There a two or three clunkers, but with the rest, it is clear that a lot of love and care went into their being created! Shades Wood is one of those. It comes highly recommended!

I was looking for clove bombs a couple of weeks ago and discovered Shades Wood. Cloves are one of the main heart notes and I'm also fond of rose and geranium as well as cedar and oud. As it is dirt cheap right now on eBay, I went for it. it's a huge clove bomb and has all the attributes of a rosy oudy fragrance, brash and intense and woody. And I got a full 100 ml bottle for the price of an average 8ml decant of a not so high end fragrance. But what I find really interesting for all its masculine packaging and reviews by men is that it is so much like Nina Ricci's L'Extase Rose Absolute. Its notes aren't identical, but the vibe is so similar: top notes pink pepper and black pepper; heart notes, taif rose and atlas cedar; base notes: benzoin, vanilla, patchouli, and musk. And the Extase is "strictly" a woman's fragrance, whereas Shades Wood is strictly for men. So much for strictly... The men who reviewed it are correct; this scent should be worn in winter. Well, it was rather brisk here this afternoon.... Even if I was dead heading roses in my garden in the sunshine. Women need to discover these really inexpensive men's fragrances which are nearly identical to some fragrances retailing up over $200 a bottle. Just because we women are used to prices that high doesn't mean we should pay them. Men don't if they don't have to; they look around for something cheaper. And I'm finding more than just these two fragrances that are so similar to each other except one is in a bottle marked for women and the other for men.

Provocative cumin & geranium with oud-rose blend... This scent had me scratching my head for a bit, as it seems to be quite polarizing. There's a clean sweaty cumin note here in the first couple of minutes that won't be for everyone, but it adds an interesting dimension to the oud-rose blend. The oud here is pretty tame imho, but it's lightly sweaty due to cumin and leans far to ambroxan. As the sillage opens up I get a really great geranium-rose that's elevated by the cumin. The base has an oud-cedar-sandalwood that's largely built with ambroxan to my nose, but the lingering cumin-geranium help to freshen the woods and make them smell freshly cut and without dust. This has amazing performance for year round wear, and I find the fresh-spicy notes to lighten the profile and make it versatile but I wouldn't recommend overspraying. It's a love for me. Enjoy! Update 03/08/25: Sprayed this on this morning and was happy to notice the rose coming more forward. I notice it more in the air, whereas a direct sniff gives the woods & cumin. Oud here isn't a barnyard oud at all, and I also don't get a traditional oud-rose scent where the oud turns the rose into creamy and chocolate-y leather, but rather the rose here is fresher & spicier but still sweet. The rose here is the star, with fantastic projection. Woods are on the synthetic side, built from amberwood, ambroxan etc. (don't be expecting a Dior or Guerlain sandalwood or cedar), but they do project the rose. Still love it for the rose.

I really liked everything about this scent! Except for the cumin... The cumin note is extremely accurate. It's very bitter and reminiscent of food, which totally killed this scent for me, personally. That aside - the rose note is amazing and waxy in the best way. The oud is spectacular! It's because of this scent that I found an appreciation for oud, and because of this scent that I went searching for rose and oud scents, both together and separately. So, while I couldn't wear this one often myself, I will say it is good and give credit where credit is due, because this is a niche level fragrance in every aspect at a budget level price. Furthermore, the bottle I had performed VERY well. Beastly performance with only 2 sprays and lasted for 12+ hours, easily. I'm surprised to see the inconsistencies with performance, as that was not my experience! Update: After selling off my first bottle, I ended up buying a 2nd, over 2 years later. The second bottle is only slightly like the first! The cumin note is toned WAYYYY down on this one! It's nowhere near as strong as the first bottle, and it's SOOO much more pleasant! I'd even dare say that I LOVE the smell of this second bottle! Clean, dark, woody rose. Easily unisex. Easily crowd pleasing. Nothing like the first bottle I received 2 years ago! I wish I hadn't sold the first so I could compare, but this is a night and day difference compared to before! Performance is still off the charts as well, a few sprays will last all day long

A very good Oud does not need to be expensive. That's the case with this Armaf fragrance. This is a top top top quality fragrance. It does not seem to be a fragrance designed by a clone oriented company. In a blind scent proof I would imagine it an exquisite perfume by an Amouage or a Kilian or a Creed or a Marly type of perfumer. I like it very very much. I never tried Killian's Oud so I am not interested if they resemble or not. (edit) - I will just state an opinion related to some very negative reviews about this fragrance; Some people just don't know how to sniff and wear a strong oudy or woody perfume. - Don't spray near the face or neck (near the nose). Use chest, wrists, fore knee, elbows .... or clothes. - Forget about the first 10 or 15 minutes. The food is still raw, let it cook for a while. - Trust what you get from the sillage effect in the first couple of hours. If you spray the back of your hand and then and then sniff it with the skin "glued" to your nose, you may get nausea and headache... - Want to smell it with your nose close to the skin? give the perfume 2 hours or more before doing it. - Want to wear it on a night out? Spray it at least one hour before leaving your home. Better 2 hours :-) You will be the Club King that night. - This is not Aqua di Gio or Versace pour Homme. Don't use the same way you use a citrus fresh perfume.

I love this fragrance and I’m not sure why some people seem to really hate it. To me it is great. As others have already written, it is like a slightly more masculine, woody version of Aramis Calligraphy, which is no longer available. Unlike Aramis (or the much more expensive By Kilian Rose Oud), this is a very low cost fragrance. The reviews of the various Aramis Calligraphy fragrances (Calligraphy, Calligraphy Rose & Calligraphy Saffron) are generally very positive about those scents. And some of the most positive reviews are written by users like the celebrated and very expert Colin_Maillard. If your idea of a good scent is 1 Million, Acqua di Gio, Aventus or Sauvage, you're not going to like this fragrance. But if you like a mix of oud, woods, spices and floral notes, then this is a winner. Yes it contains a rose note. No it’s not a heavy, suffocating rose note. It’s blended nicely with oud and other wood notes. It could be worn by either sex but is slightly more masculine. I get decent longevity from this fragrance. And the projection is also good. For those who complain about the performance of this scent, I’d like to remind you that it’s dirt cheap. So reapplying from time to time won’t break the bank. I’ll continue to test when I receive my full bottle (this review is based on a decant) and will update this review if necessary.

For me it was a strong "clean" leather at first, which lasted perhaps half an hour (possibly less), with a touch of a sweet element that seemed to incorporate some florals and spice. After that, not much of anything. I could use my hand to waft it up to my nose, and it's pleasant, but felt too indistinct. I used two sprays to the chest and had the first couple of buttons to my shirt open, with no undershirt, but my sensitivity has been low lately. Later, I was able to get more of the scent, and it seemed that a bit of an oud note had emerged. I think the top is so strong it has this effect on a lot of people. In any case, it's quite nice, though not as distinct as other scents of this type, such as Calligraphy Rose. This one, however, seems far more "masculine," with much less rose. I obtained a bottle in a swap for something I might have never worn again, so I'm not unhappy about doing it. Next time I might have to spray 4 or 5 times instead of 2, and see what happens. UPDATE: Second wearing, I'm thinking this should be regarded mostly as a take on the Tuscan Leather theme. In fact, I might prefer this one to TL, but it isn't as strong (from what I remember of TL). So, at least for me, this is an incredible bargain!

First. One of the of the main notes in Shades Wood, isn't even listed.... Saffron. Lesson One: Saffron imitates Leather. And because of that, It naturally gives off a synthetic Leathery nuance. That said, absolutely nothing about the overall composition of this fragrance smells cheap or synthetic. Shades Wood is a Saffron/Rose/Oud BOMB ! The Saffron is so incredibly Loud, Dark, & Leathery that its impossible to miss. I'll even go as far as to say that Shades Wood is hands down Armaf's best creation. And all of this is coming from an admitted "Niche Snob". I love this fragrance so much that its the only Armaf I own a backup bottle of. And its the only Armaf that I can definitively say is not a Clone of any other fragrance. The Rose here isnt Jammy. There are no sweet gourmand or fruity nuances to it. This is a fresh dry smelling Rose shrouded in the darkness of Leathery Saffron, a Petrol-like Oud, Heavy Spices, & Ash. This fragrance, while alluring, also smells dangerous. Like long walk down a dark alley in Cairo. The performance is bananas. You'll literally choke out a room. But its a compliment getter for sure.

I live in a tropical climate but I have a thing for warmer, richer fragrances. I bought this on a whim since I heard its a clone of Rose Oud by Killian. When it came in and I smelled it...I didn’t get it. Honestly, it wasn’t a terrible scent, but it just didn’t make sense for me for some reason. But, I decided to stick with it and give it a shot. I finally understood this scent when I wore it with a navy blue suit and crisp white shirt and tie to an evening event (thoughit wasn’t a big event due to COVID, nevertheless suit and tie was the expected dress code). We were in a temperature controlled environment, and that evening had been a cooler one for where I live. It smelled FANTASTIC. I finally got the elegance of the combination of rose and oud (though admitted not the most natural oud, which I was expecting for less than $25). So, for me, this scent is an amazing one, but a situational one. It wouldn’t be a signature scent for me, but rather one I would use for more formal occasions. Definitely for cooler temperatures, because even one spray is pretty powerful. Very classy, especially for the price.

Finally got this precious gem after searching for almost 6 months in all perfumes store in my city. Amazing frag by Armaf. Well this is one of those, even top of those perfumes which will give tough competition to those expensive western perfumes. People often say that the quality of a perfume is directly proportional to its price.... well friends here this sentence gets rolled back. The quality of this perfume is so amazing that i am considering to stock at least 3 to 5 bottles in advance cause i am afraid of reformulation and increase in price. Couple of things you should consider while wearing this 1. Never judge the fragrance of this perfume in the first 10 to 20 minutes, as it is little bit harsh for those top notes 2. 2 to 3 sprays are quite enough. It has overpowering properties 3. This perfume gives it's best when spraying on skin rather than clothes. Overall: 9/10 Longevity: 8/10 Sillage: 8/10 Fragrance: 9/10 Price: 20 /10 I got this for 20$ but consider my words " I will buy this perfume for 100$... even more" Love this frag..... Thanks Armaf and keep it up

I purchased a bottle of this 2 years ago, couldn't stand the strong cumin note and sold it off. I ended up buying a 2nd bottle, over 2 years later. The second bottle is WAY different than I remember the first! The cumin note is toned WAYYYY down on this one! It's nowhere near as overpowering as the first bottle I had, and it's SOOO much more pleasant! Either that or maybe my nose has just evolved? Either way, I'd even dare say that I LOVE the smell of this after receiving the second bottle! Clean, dark, woody rose. Easily unisex. Easily crowd pleasing. The cumin note is not overpowering the rose or oud this time. I wish I hadn't sold the first bottle so I could compare, but this is a night and day difference compared to what I remember from before. Still lasts FOREVER in spite of not being as overpowering. Even after 12 hours after applying this last night, it's still going strong. This is in the same vein as Ferrari Essence Oud, a waxy rose oud, but less sweet and less resinous. This is pobably more unisex, in spite of being less sweet.

This scent came into my possession via unusual circumstances. Over a period of years, I was recommended this fragrance by five different people due to its supposed resemblance to five different perfumes in my collection. I blind bought it because, hell, what are the odds I wouldn’t love it after that? Well I adore it...but it smells not a thing like any of the scents it was compared to and I am equal parts thrilled and confused. This scent is, to my nose, a well composed, Saffron forward Arabic style saffron leather over violets (think Ajmal 1001 Nights) backed up by a fruity, raspberry rose, woods and musk in that order. The leather is neither bombastic nor headache inducing. The raspberry rose is a realistic raspberry rose scent not just rose with added berries, real enough. The other parts are definitely backgrounds singers. The scent is very long-lasting, distinctly triphasic and projects well. I would say it is firmly unisex.

What a charming scent! Shades Wood is a warm, spicy, rose scent, Orientalized with oud. It is soft tender rose, with a very warm and intimate spicy accord that I thought was cinnamon, joined by softly woody oud that neither fecal nor barnyardy. There is a very minimal sweetness to Shades Wood that just makes it even better and more cuddly, & it is what made me think of cinnamon. The whole combination is just gorgeous! Invitingly warm & spicy rose/oud scent. People voted that it smells like Rose Oud by By Killian. I haven't smell that but if it is true, thank you Armaf for making such a great scent affordable to us. The bottle can be unappealing but it is a polar opposite to what it holds inside. Cool weather, unisex scent that leans masculine. Perfect for dates or even when alone for a dose of warm comfort. "Love"!