Bite Autumn 2012

bite oils

eastern Essential Oil

L ike so many other areas of our lives, the world of beauty is turning more and more to natural ingredients when creating new products. Much better for our bodies and better for the environment, these products are definitely worth trying. One particular area where this is prolific is fragrances, with many new fragrances created solely from natural oils. An important advantage of these fragrances is, unlike others that are made mostly from water and alcohol, they do not evaporate. This is particularly useful in hot weather, as the fragrance actually gets stronger rather than weaker as the day heats up.The inclusion of natural ingredients also gives the fragrance a longer shelf life, as it will not evaporate over time. I set out to try some new fragrances and my first stop was Arabian Oud, which opened its first UK-based flagship store in 2002 on Oxford Street. The company takes its name from the Arabic word Oud,which refers to the incense derived fromAgarwood ( otherwise known as Aloes wood in English), and also the main ingredient of each fragrance. A wood indigenous to far eastern countries like India, Malaysia, Burma and Cambodia, Oud has become more and more popular with perfume companies in recent years, with Dior and Tom Ford using it in their new fragrances.When mildly heated, Oud produces oil that can be used on clothes, hair, and in fragrances. A most valued commodity, some varieties are priced up to £22 a gram, making Oud more expensive than gold! One of the finest oils at Arabian Oud, the Princess Hamida Blend was first created for the Princess of Brunei’s wedding and is now a bestseller. With the rare and exquisite blend of Taif Rose and Frankincense, and heart notes of Mandarin and Ylang-Ylang, this delicate feminine perfume exerts body, depth and meaning. Unlike most regular perfumes, which can be very strong and overpowering when you first put them on, and then fade away after a few hours, this lasted all day. Another bestseller, Arabian Legend for Women includes natural, floral ingredients with a scent evocative of a hot evening on holiday. The top scents of Mandarin and Lotus Flower give a slightly sweet edge that makes the fragrance feel fun as well as serious and sexy.