I’ve known for some time that smoky woody notes, especially those that were historically used for holy (and similar) purposes work for me when I need psychological tranquility. So it really shouldn’t have come as a surprise that oud would fit right in with those type of perfumes.
I feel like a broken record, this whole year I kept whining about how stressed I am and I kept hoping it would pass. Well, it hasn’t, and I’m even more exhausted now which is why I am craving tranquility in any manner I can ge
t my hands on.
So, in keeping with that thought, yesterday I went to try some of the decants I have but never use, and ended up trying White Oud.
Oooh, the serenity that went through my nose and spread to my mind!
Today when I sprayed it on I got the most weird opening that is terribly familiar but for the life of me I couldn’t remember from where. 🙂 I keep thinking it must some type of medicine I took at some point in my life but can’t remember what. The saffron, oud and cardamom combination are to be “faulted” for that but I really enjoyed it. It doesn’t last long though, and I find it funny that even though I can smell oud perfumes and realize the differences between them, I still have a problem smelling those differences that aren’t oud.
There is some kind of bitterness swirling around the rose in the heart, possibly a combination of patchouli, cardamom and vetiver. It is also where the rose is most prominent to my nose.
Wearing White Oud has really helped me be calm and collected today and managed to keep my stress levels low as I breathe it in with each inhale (and I furtively smell the collar of my turtleneck each chance I get).
The combination of whiteness outside (there is still snow around) and the White Oud (how aptly it is named in my case) are really working for me – obviously the whiteness spells tranquility for me.
Notes: Damas Rose, Safran, Oud, Cardamom, Jasmine, Patchouli, Mysore Sandalwood,
Precious Wood, Amber, Vetiver, Vanilla, Labdanum
Tagged: Montale, Perfume review, tranquility, White Oud
All I am - a redhead 
I like that you made this association of oud to scents for holy purposes.
As a principle, I dislike oud. But I smelled Tom Ford’s Oud wood on a friend, that could not pick up what was in that perfume that reminded him of church. I discovered it leaves a faint smell of beeswax candle on him -smoked beeswax candle, at that- and so Oud wood is now recorded in my olfactory archives as a church/holy perfume.
I can’t say it relaxes me, but it is just personal.
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Marianthi, I don’t think every oud would work in this manner for me. I mean, I tried many so far and this one is the first that hit the right spot (although I’ll be testing others to see if I might get some others into this category).
It took me quite a long time to get into wearing ouds, in the beginning I liked the idea but did not find it wearable.
But now I do. 🙂
And I do believe ouds lean toward those holy rituals of the past.
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Oud is a note I need to explore more. As of now the only oud based fragrance I have tried is Kilian’s Amber Oud. Anyway, I hope that more permanent relief from stress happens soon.
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Thank you James. 🙂 I’m sure some time off over Christmas will help.
As for oud, I believe it should smell great on a guy. It has all the things I like to smell and men seem to make it become more sexy-rugged. 🙂
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You’re welcome, Ines. I hope the time off helps. Several male friends who are into fragrances have tried a lot of ouds lately. I’ve been reading their reviews to get some ideas for what to try next. Maybe White Oud would be a good place to start.
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Mona’s oud is also a good place to start – easily likeable and not as difficult to process into liking as some of them can be.
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Hmm. I’ve gone from “Oud? Bleah.” to wanting to like an oud – and so far faiing. And a tranquil perfume also sounds like something I’d like to have at hand.
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I think ouds are like every other note one doesn’t like. You try one every once in a while, your nose starts becoming familiar with it and then suddenly you try one and love it. 🙂
At least I hope you will. 😉
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Ines, I am surprised to hear you say that you are still feeling stressed out because I thought you sounded more relaxed lately, reading between the lines of your recent posts and a couple of your emails. Of course, I should stop trying to read between lines … it usually gets me in trouble. (And after a remark I made recently at one of Undina’s posts, where I said that I couldn’t smell the Tom Ford Tuscan Leather sample she sent me … then went and found the sample and realized it was Tom Ford Arabian Wood, I probably should make sure I have my glasses on before reading any lines at all!) 😀
At any rate, loved your review of this. It made me wish I had some! And I hope the Christmas break gives you a break from your stress. ❤
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Suzanne, it was better but I guess I got my hopes up too soon.
We took our little dog to the vet on Friday, she was 17 years old and suffering terribly and my boyfriend’s mother had a surgery on Friday as well.
It wasn’t the best of weeks for me. 😦
That is why I’m hoping I’m done with stress for this year now, it’s time for some good things to start happening.
But no, you didn’t read wrong between the lines but they changed in the meantime.
Glad you liked the review. 🙂 knowing your love of oud, I believe you would like this one.
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Ah, I understand. So sorry to hear about your little dog. I hope your boyfriend’s mother has a speedy recovery.
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Thank you.
She is recovering rather well.
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I’ve gotta try this if you’re saying that it keeps your stress level down. We all need that.
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True. Plus, it’s a great perfume. 🙂
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[…] third choice for the tranquility of the white world (winterland) is Montale’s White Oud. It’s as serene and peaceful as a white, snowy landscape where you are alone to find […]
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