By occasion
Getting ready for an evening out: choosing the scent
A slow look at choosing a scent for an evening out, from the first thought in front of the shelf to the last check at the door, step by step.
Julien Marchand4 min read
Julien Marchand
Writer
Writes beginner guides and occasion picks for Arabian fragrances.
Articles by Julien
By occasion
Oud vs amber vs musk: which suits which weather and occasion
A plain comparison of oud, amber and musk by weather, occasion and personality, with a simple rule for choosing your first bottle.
Julien Marchand4 min read
Musk
Is musk perfume made from animals today
Is musk perfume made from animals? Most modern musk is made in a lab. A short answer on the old source, today's norm and how to check what you buy.
Julien Marchand2 min read
Start here
What is an attar and how do you wear it
What is an attar? A concentrated perfume oil worn by dab or roller. Learn how it differs from a spray, how much to use and how to try one safely.
Julien Marchand5 min read
By occasion
How to choose an Arabian perfume gift for someone
How to choose an Arabian perfume gift: pick a safe family, a small size, and a format they can use. Rules for who you know well and who you do not.
Julien Marchand5 min read
Start here
How to store perfume and attar so it keeps its scent
How to store perfume and attar: keep bottles cool, dark and closed. A short guide to where to keep them, what to avoid and when a scent has turned.
Julien Marchand2 min read
By occasion
Perfume for someone who dislikes strong scents
What perfume to choose for someone who dislikes strong scents: pick clean musk or a light amber, use one dab, and avoid heavy oud. A short, gentle guide.
Julien Marchand2 min read
Musk
Musk attar vs musk spray: which wears better
Musk attar vs musk spray compared by wear time, strength, ease and skin feel, with a simple rule to choose the one that fits your day.
Julien Marchand4 min read
Start here
Walking into a perfume shop: what to ask
A slow look at what a good perfume shop feels like, the first things to notice, and the questions that get you a scent you will actually wear.
Julien Marchand2 min read
By occasion
Arabian perfume for the office: what is safe to wear
Arabian perfume for the office works if you pick a quiet musk or light amber and use one spray. A short rule for oud, oils and shared rooms.
Julien Marchand2 min read
Musk
What does musk smell like in perfume
What does musk smell like in perfume? Soft, clean and skin-like, sometimes powdery or sweet. How it wears over the day and how to pick a gentle one.
Julien Marchand5 min read
Start here
How to make Arabian perfume last longer on skin
How to make Arabian perfume last longer: prep your skin, pick the right spots, layer oil and spray, and fix the common mistakes that cut wear time.
Julien Marchand6 min read
Start here
How to test a perfume on skin before you buy it
How to test a perfume on skin the right way: how many to try, where to put them, how long to wait and when to say no before buying a bottle.
Julien Marchand6 min read
Musk
How many sprays of musk is enough
Musk is soft and close to the skin, so people tend to overdo it. A simple rule for how many sprays to use, where, and when to stop.
Julien Marchand2 min read
Start here
Oud, musk and amber: a beginner's guide to Arabian perfume
A beginner's guide to Arabian perfume: what oud, musk and amber smell like, how attars differ from eau de parfum and how to try them without wasting money.
Julien Marchand5 min read
By occasion
Perfume gift set vs single bottle: which to give
Perfume gift set vs single bottle: which is the better gift, when a set of small sizes works best and when one full bottle is the safer choice.
Julien Marchand3 min read
By occasion
Carrying perfume when you travel: bags, flights, heat
How to carry perfume and attar when you travel: cabin or checked bag, size limits to check, leak prevention and how heat in a car or bag affects scent.
Julien Marchand5 min read
Musk
A quiet musk in a crowded lift
A short column on wearing a soft musk in a crowded lift or train, what a quiet scent does for the people around you and why less often works better.
Julien Marchand4 min read
Musk
Musk as a layering base: how to build a scent
How to use musk as a layering base for Arabian perfume: what to put under it, what to put on top, how many layers to use and common muddy mistakes.
Julien Marchand5 min read
By occasion
A first date and a first attar: a column
A short column about wearing a first attar on a first date: nerves, one small dab and why a quiet scent beats a loud one when you are close to someone new.
Julien Marchand4 min read
Musk
Musk
Musk perfume for sensitive skin: what to know
Musk perfume for sensitive skin: simple, general steps to test a scent gently, what to avoid on irritated skin and when to ask a doctor or pharmacist.
Julien Marchand2 min read
Oud
Bakhoor vs incense sticks: what is the difference
Bakhoor vs incense sticks: how they are made, how they smell, how each is used at home and what safety steps to take with burners and open flames.
Julien Marchand4 min read
By occasion
Arabian perfume for a wedding guest: what to wear
What Arabian perfume to wear as a wedding guest: how strong to go, which scent families suit day and night, and how to avoid clashing with others.
Julien Marchand5 min read
Musk
White musk vs skin musk: which is softer
White musk vs skin musk: how the clean, airy style differs from the warm, close one, how each wears and which suits office, home or evening.
Julien Marchand3 min read