Over the years, I’ve went through many perfume phases. I won’t get into this during this review; it should be a separate post. During my current phase, I’m finding myself attracted to Francis Kurkdjian’s style. His compositions are typically “safe” with fresh, clean prettier-than-reality notes but then he’ll surprise you with an “odd” beauty (Absolue Pour le Soir and Dior Eau Noire). He’s one of the few people that can make something that smells like laundry detergent and make me want to part with $300. When it was announced that Kurkdjian was launching an oud perfume (and later a series of oud-centric perfumes), I wasn’t annoyed like I would be with other houses. I wanted to see what he would do with oud.
MFK Oud opens with a creamy lemon tarte and sea air (I now think of this as Kurkdjian’s signature – he has a way with citrus blossoms). And there is motor oil – spring flowers drowning in an oil spill. MFK Oud settles into a mushroom-y, mineral oud. It’s oud but it’s not aggressive or filthy. The perfume dries down to this soft, creamy amber cedar with a cup of steamed saffron milk. Hours and hours pass and what I think is the “dry-down” isn’t. I get a dry-down sequel. MFK Oud becomes a gorgeous savory cream with patchouli.
MFK Oud is exactly what I wanted it to be. Surprises can be nice but I think that this first oud by the house is the most Kurkdjian oud. It manages to have that creamy-fresh that I associate with the perfumer’s style all while accenting the natural eccentricity of oud. It’s not an overly oud-heavy perfume which is why I like it. It’s that sort of “irresistible” everyday wearable that I’m always looking for.
Notes listed include saffron, elemi, Laotian oud, cedar and patchouli. Launched 2012. PERFUMER – Francis Kurkdjian
Give MFK Oud a try if you like creamy ouds. Or if you like perfumes like Guerlain Shalimar EDP, Tom Ford Oud Wood, Caron Secret Oud, Juliette Has a Gun Midnight Oud and/or the other perfumes in Maison Francis Kurkdjian. MFK Oud is unisex.
Compared to the FMK Oud’s, this one is more “subdued” with its projection but it still projects. It has above average longevity. I get 13+ hours.
The 2.4 oz bottle retails for $300 at Parfumerie Nasreen. Samples are also available for purchase.
Victoria’s Final EauPINION – Oud pudding – an oud that I want to eat with a spoon. It’s smooth and delicious. Elegant, everyday elegance.
Want more reviews? Try…