In the heart of the Love Island USA villa — where the drama usually revolves around couplings, texts, and being a "girl's girl" — contestant Huda Mustafa has managed to spark an entirely different kind of conversation: her fragrance. Amid all the romantic entanglements, fans couldn’t help but notice how often Huda gets complimented on her scent.
TikTok users quickly ran with the moment, speculating that the now-viral perfume might be Lattafa’s Angham, an affordable but luxurious-smelling fragrance from the UAE-based brand. Although a video previously linked to this claim has since been removed for being unverified, the buzz hasn’t died down. If anything, it’s pushed Arabian perfumes further into the global spotlight.
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But what exactly makes Arabian perfumes like this so magnetic — and why are they suddenly everywhere?
The Deep Roots of Arabian Perfume
The tradition of perfume-making in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) is centuries old. Historians trace the origins of wearable fragrance to ancient Mesopotamia, modern-day Iraq. Over time, scent-making evolved into a revered art form across the Arabian Peninsula and surrounding regions, deeply intertwined with culture, rituals, and identity.
What makes Arabian perfume so unique is its reliance on natural, high-quality raw materials and a crafting process that emphasizes intensity and complexity. Perfume houses in the region blend woodsy, spicy, floral, and musky notes with meticulous attention to how the scent evolves over time — often referred to as the top, middle (heart), and base notes.
Key Ingredients in Arabian Perfumes
Some of the most prized ingredients in Arabian fragrances include:
- Oud (Agarwood): Known as "liquid gold," oud is one of the rarest and most expensive perfume ingredients in the world. It’s derived from the heartwood of Aquilaria trees infected by a specific type of mold, which creates the resinous, deeply woody scent. High-quality oud oil can cost thousands of dollars per pound.
- Amber: A warm, resinous note often used to create a sensual, long-lasting base.
- Frankincense: With roots in ancient rituals and religious ceremonies, frankincense adds a smoky, citrusy dimension.
- Sandalwood: Creamy and soft, sandalwood provides balance to the heavier notes of oud and musk.
- Musk: Traditionally extracted from animals, modern versions are synthetic, delivering a powerful earthy aroma.
- Floral notes like jasmine and Arabian rose: These lighter scents are layered to soften the intensity of woody or spicy components, making the perfume feel rounded and wearable.
Why TikTok Loves Arabian Perfumes
Social media platforms, especially TikTok and Instagram, have played a huge role in the global rise of Arabian perfumes. Influencers like Funmi Monet, known for her deep dives into Middle Eastern fragrances, have brought widespread attention to these opulent scents. Her suitcase-style unboxing videos, showcasing hauls directly from Middle Eastern souks, have captivated fragrance lovers worldwide.
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What draws people in is the luxurious profile of these perfumes — at a fraction of the cost of Western designer brands. Brands like Lattafa, Ajmal, Swiss Arabian, and Ahmed Al Maghribi offer rich, complex perfumes that can last for hours, often starting under $50.
Where to Buy Authentic Arabian Perfumes
Getting your hands on a legitimate Arabian perfume used to require a trip to a bazaar or souk in Dubai or Cairo. While that’s still a dream for many fragrance enthusiasts, it’s no longer necessary. Reliable online retailers now offer curated selections of high-quality Arabic fragrances.
Trusted Retailers Include:
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IntenseOud.com: A specialty site offering popular brands, samples, and international shipping.
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Amazon: Look for verified sellers and high review counts. Brands like Lattafa and Swiss Arabian are especially popular here.
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Fragrance World & Notino: These retailers offer niche and hard-to-find MENA-region perfumes globally.
How to Spot a Fake Arabian Perfume
With rising demand, counterfeit Arabian perfumes have become more common. To avoid fakes:
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Inspect the packaging. Authentic bottles are typically high-quality glass with clean branding and heavy caps.
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Check ingredients. Real Arabian perfumes often have long, complex ingredient lists. Be wary of generic descriptions like “woody” or “musky” with no details.
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Smell test. True perfumes will evolve on your skin. A fake will often have a flat scent that doesn’t change after application.
Final Verdict: Are Arabian Perfumes Worth It?
Absolutely. If you’re looking for a perfume that tells a story, evolves with your body chemistry, and leaves a lasting impression, Arabian fragrances are a game-changer. Their bold yet balanced profiles, historical significance, and unique use of rare ingredients set them apart in an increasingly homogenized fragrance market.
Thanks to high-profile moments like Huda Mustafa’s viral villa compliments, and the growing online community of scent lovers, Arabian perfumes are finally getting the global recognition they deserve.
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Whether you're a fragrance connoisseur or a beginner ready to explore, there’s a bottle of magic waiting for you in the world of Arabian perfumery.
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