Boots has launched a new collection of Arabian-inspired perfumes priced at £14.99 each, and shoppers are already comparing one of them to high-end niche fragrances costing hundreds of pounds. The Jawhara Oud Velvet Eau de Parfum, part of the recently unveiled Jawhara collection meaning "Jewel," has wowed customers with its blend of oud, rose, spices, and vanilla.
Fragrance Profile and Comparisons
The Oud Velvet fragrance opens with coriander and saffron before evolving into smoky oud, amber wood, and cedarwood, mellowed by creamy vanilla. One online reviewer 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."
Range and Availability
The broader Jawhara range features four additional fragrances, all priced at £14.99 for 100ml. Jawhara Sultan Rose Eau de Parfum delivers a refined interpretation of rose with peony, saffron, and vanilla incense, while Jawhara Golden Nectar Eau de Parfum combines bergamot, tuberose, and musk for a more vibrant floral aroma. Those drawn to sweeter perfumes might fancy Jawhara Sweet Dates Eau de Parfum, which merges vanilla, raspberry, and dates with caramelised amber. Jawhara Amberwood Nomad Eau de Parfum blends cardamom, cedarwood, and myrrh for a warmer, more masculine-leaning fragrance that could serve as a Father's Day present. Available online and in selected Boots stores, the range seeks to deliver the opulence of Arabian perfumery to a broader market without the premium price point.
Customer Reviews
Shoppers have praised the Oud Velvet perfume for its performance and value. A second person noted: "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." Another shopper commented on the packaging: "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."
Another review read: "If you've been scared of oud, buy this. It's warm, velvety, and smells like a £200 boutique perfume." And another person said: "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."
Alternative Options
Alternative options include the Kayali Vanilla Musk Mini Duo set for £24 from Sephora, which contains one Vanilla 28 Eau de Parfum 5ml Mini Bottle and one Freedom Musk Santal 34 Eau de Parfum 5ml Mini Bottle. Amazon stocks the Versace Miniature Set Women's 1 Piece for £39.29, featuring four mini fragrances; the retailer reports that over 50 have been snapped up in the past month. The Jawhara Oud Velvet Eau de Parfum is currently priced at £14.99 at Boots.
