Woody Perfumes & Attars

About Woody Perfumes & Attars

What "woody" means in a perfume

Woody scents take their character from trees, roots and resins. Cedar is dry and clean, a bit like a freshly sharpened pencil. Sandalwood is creamy and soft. Vetiver is earthy and green, patchouli is dark and rich, and oud is the deepest of all, smoky and leathery. Perfumers often brighten woods with citrus at the top, or warm them with amber, saffron and spice.

When to wear woody scents in Indian weather

Woods are the most all-season family we sell. In summer, choose a light cedar or sandal blend with citrus on top and keep to one dab or two sprays. In the monsoon, earthy vetiver feels natural. From November to February, the deeper oud and patchouli blends come into their own for evenings, weddings and Friday prayers. Woody scents rarely feel loud, so they are also a safe choice for the office and for long journeys.

Woody attar or woody spray?

Woods suit attar very well. The oil holds the heavy base notes close to the skin, so a woody attar wears slowly and evenly, and a dab on a kurta collar can still be there the next day. A woody Pure Perfume spreads further in the first hour, which helps in a big hall or at a party. Many of our woody scents are made in both forms, so you can wear the attar for prayer and the spray for going out.

What to buy first

If you want one bottle for everything, begin with a sandal or cedar blend rather than oud. Oud is the strongest woody note and takes a little getting used to, so try it in 3 ml first. For a man who wants a smart, long-lasting office scent, a citrus-and-cedar or spicy woody blend is the easiest win. For women, a sandal with violet or flowers is the gentlest way in.

Top picks

• PV Tam Dow attar: amberwood, cedar, sandalwood, ginger and lime, an easy unisex woody for every day, from ₹199 for 6 ml
• PV Sandal Super attar: our everyday unisex sandal, calm enough for work and prayer, from ₹299 for 6 ml
• PV Terre Orange attar: orange, grapefruit and pepper over cedar and vetiver, a crisp woody for men, from ₹599 for 6 ml
• PV Black Oud attar: oud, labdanum, patchouli and rose for men who want depth in the evening, from ₹299 for 6 ml
• PV Oud Zafran attar: cedar, honey and saffron over oud, a warm unisex pick for winter, from ₹299 for 6 ml
• PV Majmua attar: a traditional blend of flowers, musk and woods that suits young and old alike, from ₹199 for 6 ml

Questions we get asked

What is the best woody perfume for men?

For daily wear, a citrus and cedar or sandal blend. For evenings and winter, an oud or patchouli blend. Our guide to the best attars for men picks one for each occasion.

Do woody perfumes last long?

Yes. Woods are base notes, the heaviest part of a perfume, so they are the last to fade. A woody attar usually lasts several hours on skin and longer on cloth.

Is woody the same as oud?

No. Oud is one woody note among many. Most scents in this collection use cedar, sandalwood, vetiver or patchouli, and only some contain oud.

Can women wear woody perfumes?

Of course. Sandal, cedar and soft woody blends are worn by women all over India. Look for woods paired with violet, rose or vanilla if you want something softer.

Can I wear a woody scent in summer?

Yes, if it is a light one. Choose cedar or sandal with citrus, and apply less than you would in winter.

Read next: Sandalwood (chandan) attar · Best attars for men · Fragrance families explained

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