Arabian-inspired fragrances have become one of the biggest trends in the beauty world, with shoppers increasingly seeking rich, long-lasting scents that smell far more expensive than their price tags suggest. Now, Boots has launched a new collection of perfumes priced at just £14.99 each, and buyers are already comparing one of them to luxury niche fragrances costing hundreds of pounds.
Jawhara Oud Velvet: A Standout Scent
The standout scent is the Jawhara Oud Velvet Eau de Parfum, which has impressed shoppers with its blend of oud, rose, spices and vanilla. Part of the newly-launched Jawhara collection, which translates as 'Jewel', the Oud Velvet fragrance opens with coriander and saffron before developing into smoky oud, amber wood and cedarwood, softened by creamy vanilla.
Full Jawhara Range
The wider Jawhara range also includes four other fragrances, each priced at £14.99 for 100ml. Jawhara Sultan Rose Eau de Parfum offers a sophisticated take on rose with peony, saffron and vanilla incense, while Jawhara Golden Nectar Eau de Parfum blends bergamot, tuberose and musk for a brighter floral scent. Those who prefer sweeter perfumes may enjoy Jawhara Sweet Dates Eau de Parfum, which combines vanilla, raspberry and dates with caramelised amber. Jawhara Amberwood Nomad Eau de Parfum mixes cardamom, cedarwood and myrrh for a warmer, more masculine-leaning fragrance that could make a Father's Day gift idea.
Available online now and arriving in selected Boots stores from early June, the collection aims to bring the richness and artistry of Arabian perfumery to a wider audience, without the luxury price tag. Some alternatives include the Kayali Vanilla Musk Mini Duo set for £24 from Sephora, or the Versace Miniature Set Women's 1 Piece for £39.29 from Amazon, which includes four mini perfumes.
Shopper Reviews
One reviewer online said: '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 added: '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 person commented 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 plastic-feeling cap, the perfume itself punches way above its weight class.'
Another review said: 'If you've been scared of oud, buy this. It's warm, velvety, and smells like a £200 boutique perfume.'
And this person wrote: 'This is a very woody, slightly smoky, and warm spicy fragrance. In a funny way, it kind of reminds me of smelling the inside of an old wooden drawer that had spices like clove and cinnamon kept 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.'
The Jawhara Oud Velvet Eau de Parfum is currently £14.99 at Boots.
