As the weather cools, light citrus and fresh scents give way to something richer. Warm, resinous, sweet and spiced fragrances feel natural in winter, and attars are especially good at them. Here are our picks for winter, for both men and women.
What makes a good winter attar?
Look for warm base notes such as oud, amber, musk, vanilla, tonka bean, honey and resins. These deepen on the skin and feel comforting in cold air. Fresh, sharp top notes can still work, but they should lead into something warmer.
Our winter favourites
Shehad-e-Oud: honey, oud and musk
Shehad-e-Oud is built around golden honey, balanced with oud and lavender, with warm nutmeg and soft musk underneath. It is comforting and rich without being overpowering.
Tob Vanille: tobacco leaf and creamy vanilla
Tob Vanille combines sweet pipe tobacco leaf with vanilla, tonka bean, cocoa and dried fruit, finished with ginger and softwoods. It is dessert-like but dry, and built for cooler weather and evenings.
Golden Ways: saffron, rose, incense and Shamama
Golden Ways opens bold and smoky, then softens into a calming sweetness. Saffron, rose and oud sit at its heart, grounded by incense, benzoin and Indian Shamama. It is a good match for winter evenings and ceremonies.
Karvaan Nights: lavender, tonka and amberwood
Karvaan Nights opens with bright citrus, then settles into lavender, caramel, tonka bean and amberwood. It moves easily from day into evening.
Purple Oud: spiced and woody
Purple Oud brings oud, saffron and peppercorn together with a lift of sweet orange and night queen rose. It is a bold choice for winter weddings and festive dressing.
How to wear attar in cold weather
- Moisturise first. Winter skin is drier, and oil-based attars sit better on hydrated skin.
- Use pulse points. Wrists, the sides of the neck and behind the ears.
- Start with one roll. Warm attars are concentrated and can feel stronger in still, cold air.
- Try layering. A lighter floral under a warm oud makes a personal blend.
For men and women
All Karvaan attars are unisex, so choose by the scent you enjoy rather than the label. To sample the warm range, the Mehfil Oud Edit Trial Pack includes Purple Oud, Shehad-e-Oud and Tob Vanille. Browse everything in oud and woody attars.