For as long as I can remember, fragrance has been part of my self-expression. In my twenties and thirties, I was the collector. A young woman delighted in lining her vanity with bottles in every shape and shade imaginable. Some I chose because they were popular, others simply because the packaging was too beautiful to resist. Consequently, at the time, it was something glamorous about having an entire wardrobe of perfumes at my fingertips. After years of playing dress up and indulging in way to much of my Grandma, mom and aunts’ perfume, it felt like a quiet whisper to myself. A reminder that I had, in fact, arrived. However, I only wore a handful of them. The rest sat as pretty trophies, admired but rarely touched.
The Shift
As I’ve gotten older, I noticed a shift. Regarding style, beauty, and even life itself: less becomes more. Not in the sense of minimalism, I’ll never pretend I don’t still love a bit of indulgence. Conversely, in the sense of being more intentional. Functionality and use matter. I no longer want 20 bottles of perfume gathering dust when I know I’ll only reach for three or four with any regularity. I crave meaningful scents that elevate my everyday rituals and connect to something more profound.
That realization has made me more selective. These days, fragrance isn’t just about how I smell to the world, it’s about how it makes me feel. It’s about wellness, grounded in the five senses. The right scent can transform a mood, shift my energy, or even anchor me when life feels hectic. Everything we feel, touch, smell, taste, and hear impacts our wellness, and fragrance has always been the sense that resonates most deeply with me.
Oud Sat Mood
Which brings me to Maison Francis Kurkdjian’s Oud Satin Mood. For me, in every way, spritzing on Oud Satin Mood is an elevated sensory experience. However, it isn’t just a perfume I spray on before heading out. It’s a part of my ritual, setting my day’s tone. There’s something about the way it opens. Think delicate violet accord and the lush richness of Damask and Bulgarian roses that feel like silk brushing against the skin. Real talk, velvety, lush, rich, and oh-so smooth. Then the oud subtly reveals itself, warm and resinous, adding depth and quiet sensuality. Finally, the base of amber, vanilla, and benzoin wraps everything in golden warmth, like a cashmere throw on a crisp evening.
The result is a fragrance that feels elevated, sophisticated, and grown, in the word’s best sense. It’s not about being the loudest in the room. It’s about presence. Wearing Oud Satin Mood makes me feel enveloped in strength and grace at the same time. It’s indulgent but never overpowering, romantic but grounded, sensual but composed. It’s the fragrance that doesn’t just sit on your skin — it lingers in your aura, following you quietly throughout the day.
I think that’s why I love it so much right now. In this season of my life, I want things that serve a purpose and offer beauty and intention. Oud Satin Mood does that. It reminds me that fragrance isn’t frivolous; it’s foundational. It’s a small but powerful way of nurturing wellness through the senses. When you take time to honor what you feel, touch, smell, taste, and hear, you’re not just tending to your body but also nurturing your soul.
And to me, that’s where true style begins.
What is your favorite scent of the moment?
