BEAUTY
English has one word for love but Arabic has dozens. Each one describes a completely different emotional state, the early flutter, the deep devotion or the kind of love that borders on madness (we've all been there). But what does love smell like? The answer is a heady combination of saffron, pepper, leather, musk, rose, depending what type of love you are referring to of course.
Ahwak, a niche fragrance house launched in Dubai by British-born Iraqi Lena Alkhaddar, as an exploration of love throughout the centuries and reimaged with a modern outlook. Indeed the name Ahwak translates to “You are my air” a love as intense as breath itself, the beloved is not merely a part of your life, but the very force that sustains it. It is an all-encompassing devotion where every heartbeat is inextricably tied to their existence, who can create the fragrance of love better than this?
The Eternal Love Collection, is not only the most romantic name for a collection that we have ever come across, but is also the most varied and unique. Each fragrance has its own stunning profile, clearly distinct from its sisters and very obviously approached with the same love and care, no filler products here.
All fragrances in the collection are unisex, all with highly concentrated 30% Extrait de Parfum oil. This is a beautiful quality fragrance, most perfumes sit at 15-20%. At 30%, these are intense, long-wearing scents that don't need reapplying halfway through the day. We're about to introduce you to all three.
Ishq - Passionate Love
Bergamot, cinnamon, and rose up top. Tonka bean, saffron, and nutmeg in the heart. Sandalwood, musk, oud, and incense at the base.
Ishq is the Arabic word for the fiery, all-consuming kind of love. The fragrance embodies all the emotions around that. It opens warm and spiced, the rose is softened by bergamot and sharpened by cinnamon. The saffron and nutmeg heart keeps the heat going rather than letting it settle too quickly. The base is where the oud comes in, subtle and not overpowering, letting the other elements shine.
This feels like the more masculine fragrance from the collection but not tilting too far that women shouldn’t wear it. It’s deliciously spiced giving it an elevated, grown up scent and reminding us of Dubai days gone by.
If you’re new to Arabic perfumery and find straight oud a bit much, Ishq is a good starting point. The oud is soft here rather than the main star.
Hayam - Obsessive Love
Black pepper and saffron on top. Turkish rose, carnation, and sage in the heart. Leather at the base.
Hayam doesn’t ease you in, much like the obsessive love it’s named after. Black pepper and saffron is a bold opening, a bit addictive, and it sets the vibe for the other notes that follows. The floral heart has an herbal edge from the sage and carnation giving it a delicious sweetness without it edging into sickly. On us the leather gives the fragrance its staying power without being too present.
It’s hard to choose our favourite out of the collection but this is one we keep coming back to. It’s a unique and beautiful fragrance for anyone who likes some sweetness without wanting to smell girly. Just like the previous, it’s an elevated perfume that makes you feel like you have your life together.
Gharam - Everlasting Love
Pink pepper, rosemary, and juniper berries on top. Conifer and oakmoss in the heart. Leather, amber, ambergris, and musk at the base.
Where Ishq burns and Hayam grabs, Gharam has a calming feel to it, much like the love it’s named after. Pink pepper and rosemary open it, fresh and a bit spicy but well mannered, nothing aggressive. The oakmoss and conifer heart is stunning, a green-woody combination that feels both classic and expensive. The amber and musk base brings warmth without weight.
Gharam is the most approachable of the three for everyday wear and the one that reveals the most different scents across the day. It’s named after love that matures and deepens over time and appropriately, it’s better the longer you wear it.
Our Final Notes
Gharam is their best seller but honestly, don’t sleep on the other two. The collection feels like it was built for every version of yourself, different moods, different days, different kinds of love and the high concentration means these evolve beautifully on the skin rather than disappearing by lunch.
A lot of niche fragrance brands are just mainstream perfumery with a higher price tag and better looking branding. Ahwak is so much more than that.
The Eternal Love Collection is available now at ahwakperfumery.com. All three are worth trying but if you’re starting somewhere, start with Gharam. Or maybe Hayam. Or maybe Ishq. Oh just get them all.
The Eternal Love Collection is available now at ahwakperfumery.com.