Yazhini ManimudiThese days, we can get all the fragrances our hearts desire. There are hundreds of brands catering to a variety of clientele and even the most luxurious smelling scents are available at very reasonable prices through scientific advances in the field. But perfumery didn’t begin that way. It was a luxury that you couldn’t just acquire through just any wealth. It was an experience reserved for the aristocratic classes.
Another such rare precious thing is saffron. The gold of spices. It has a long history of use to signify wealth and excess. It has been used to fragrance the spaces occupied by the most powerful and added to their food to make whatever it is fit for royal consumption. At $ 5,000 per kg, saffron remains the most expensive of spices, beating out the last spice we looked at on Perfume Mag: Black Pepper. We have looked at other saffron perfumes before- Byredo Black Saffron, Balmain Homme, Baccarat Rouge 540- both the original and the Extrait de Parfum, but the ones I have listed here truly take the cake.
Carolina Herrera Saffron Lazuli
Key notes: Saffron, Iris, Vanilla, Leather
Unisex
The Herrera Confidential Collection brings us some of the most elegant fragrances as we saw with Cedar Chic. Saffron Lazuli, part of the same collection, brings out the elegance and opulence synonymous with saffron in this warm, spicy fragrance. It exudes a smooth, satiny brand of luxuriousness that feels just right as the temperature begins to drop here in Dubai. It’s on the pricier side, but can be a good way to treat yourself for a special occasion.
Holy Oud Expression
Key notes: Saffron, Blackcurrant, Rose, Amber
Unisex
Holy Oud Expression is a deep, sophisticated perfume. It is marketed as a summer-spring fragrance, but as I have said before, it can be worn without offending in any season. Its longevity is impressive, especially for something so affordable. There’s a bright fruitiness from the blackcurrant to balance out the deeper notes in this perfume. It’s rich enough for special evenings, but if you can use it sparingly, I’d go so far as to say you can wear it everyday.
Prada Luna Rossa Ocean Le Parfum
Key notes: Saffron, Lemon, OrientalXtreme™, Oak
Masculine
The best things in life shouldn’t just be reserved for special occasions. Saffron becomes a part of everyday life in Prada’s simple and well rounded men’s fragrance. The opening has a citrusy zing from lemon that carries the spicier facets of saffron. As the lemony freshness fades, saffron carries you through a journey that leads to the deeper base of the perfume. Something woody with a spicy warmth that’s comforting and classically masculine.
Dior Purple Oud
Key notes: Saffron, Oud, Orange
Unisex
If you like oud, but can’t handle the strength of Dior’s Oud Ispahan or Leather Oud, Purple Oud may be just right for you. With the Orange, the perfume offers a fresh opening and a gentle drydown that you’d think impossible with an oud. For this reason, it isn’t as long lasting. But the trade-off is worth it.
Calvin Klein Liquid Gold Euphoria Men
Key notes: Black Pepper, Saffron, Sandalwood
Masculine
You get a warm and smoky saffron here that is eventually softened and rounded out by the sandalwood. The black pepper isn’t too prominent to my nose at least, but adds a fun bit of sharpness to the soft, creamy sandalwood. It manages to be both warm and fresh (more warm, though) and has a tinge of a cold metallic feeling at times. It’s not the most well known of Calvin Klein fragrances, so you will smell quite unique.
Creed Carmina
Key notes: May Rose, Saffron, Cashmere Wood, Frankincense, Myrrh
Feminine
Carmina is primarily a rose perfume with saffron, frankincense, and myrrh lending it a richness that you don’t get in Creed’s other rose– Eladaria. There’s a thick cherry opening which is something people either love or hate. The cherry feels more modern, providing a contrast to the classic rose and saffron. It isn’t all rich opulence- peony and iris add personality to the fragrance profile with their soft, powdery facets and musk eases the reception of the heavier base.
YSL Libre Le Parfum
Key notes: Vanilla, Saffron, Ginger, Honey
Feminine
Le Parfum was Libre’s go to for vanilla fiends until Vanille Couture entered the chat. But there’s more to Libre Le Parfum than its vanilla. Honey and saffron come together to create a deep animalic sweetness that sets it apart from the rest of the line. The spicy facets of saffron play great with the ginger at the top, keeping the honey from overpowering. While the standard Libre could’ve played well in the warmer months (mostly spring), Le Parfum is a colder evenings only kinda gal.
Yazhini Manimudi
