Arabian-inspired fragrances are dominating the beauty industry as shoppers hunt for rich, long-lasting scents on a budget. Now, Boots has dropped a £14.99 perfume collection, and beauty fans are already comparing one bottle to a luxury niche fragrance worth hundreds.
Jawhara Oud Velvet: A Steal at £15
The star of the collection is the Jawhara Oud Velvet Eau de Parfum, which has captivated shoppers with its combination of oud, rose, spices and vanilla. Part of the recently launched Jawhara collection, the Oud Velvet fragrance begins with coriander and saffron before evolving into smoky oud, amber wood, and cedarwood, mellowed by creamy vanilla.
The broader Jawhara range also features four additional fragrances, each costing £14.99 for 100ml. Jawhara Sultan Rose Eau de Parfum presents a refined interpretation of rose, with notes of peony, saffron, and vanilla incense. At the same time, Jawhara Golden Nectar Eau de Parfum combines bergamot, tuberose and musk for a lighter floral aroma.
Other Fragrances in the Collection
Those who favour sweeter perfumes might appreciate Jawhara Sweet Dates Eau de Parfum, which blends vanilla, raspberry and dates with caramelised amber. In contrast, Jawhara Amberwood Nomad Eau de Parfum blends cardamom, cedarwood, and myrrh for a warmer, more masculine-leaning fragrance that could make a great Father's Day gift.
The collection seeks to introduce the depth and craftsmanship of Arabian perfumery to a broader audience, without the premium price point. It's available online now and in selected Boots stores.
Customer Reviews Rave About Oud Velvet
Regarding the Jawhara Oud Velvet Eau de Parfum, one reviewer online commented: "First thing I noticed was that this brand is owned by COTY and the nose behind this is Jordi Fernández. 'Oud Velvet' is a phenomenal oud, rose, and spice fragrance for those who love that profile."
For under £15, it's an absolute steal. If COTY sends this to some influencers to promote, I can see the price easily tripling. It reminds me a bit of the luxury DNA you find in Dior's private collection line (like Oud Ispahan).
Another stated: "It projects heavily for the first two hours. It's a gorgeous mix of velvety rose, oud, spices, and a trailing incense cloud that gets tons of compliments."
One shopper remarked on the bottles: "The scent itself is rich, deep, and incredibly sexy. On the skin, it leaves a lingering, expensive sillage. However, be aware that the bottles and caps feel very lightweight. If you can overlook the cap, the perfume itself punches way above its weight class."
A further review noted: "If you've been scared of oud, buy this. It's warm, velvety, and smells like a £200 boutique perfume." While another customer wrote: "This is a very woody, slightly smoky, and warm spicy fragrance. Funnily enough, it reminds me of smelling the inside of an old wooden drawer that had spices like clove and cinnamon in it."
The spices are not too heavy, and the vanilla just sweetens it enough to balance it out perfectly, so it's not bitter, but it's not too sweet either. It definitely has a seasonal, almost holiday kind of warmth.
Alternatives to Consider
Some alternatives include the Kayali Vanilla Musk Mini Duo set from Sephora for £24. This set contains one Vanilla 28 Eau de Parfum 5ml Mini Bottle and one Freedom Musk Santal 34 Eau de Parfum 5ml Mini Bottle. Amazon, meanwhile, offers the Versace Miniature Set Women's 1 Piece for £39.29, reports the Mirror. This includes four mini perfumes, and for optimal results, customers should apply them to pulse points such as wrists, neck, and behind the ears.
