Roja London, Espresso Aoud
Roja London has always understood the art of excess done well and Espresso Aoud is perhaps the house’s most pleasurably indulgent move in recent memory. A new addition to the iconic Aoud Collection, it takes a material that already commands a room and runs it through the warmth of roasted coffee beans and caramelised nuts. It’s the olfactory equivalent of a very good espresso in a very good chair. It’s a blend that sounds surprising but truly shines when worn. The scent is rich and enveloping, with a soft, velvety quality that teeters on the edge of being edible but avoids overwhelming sweetness. Picture savouring a perfect espresso while sinking into a plush chair, this fragrance captures that essence beautifully.
Kajal Perfumes Paris
Founded by Ibrahim Faris and Moe Khalaf, Kajal Perfumes Paris has built one of the more compelling fragrance houses to emerge from the intersection of French perfumery and Middle Eastern soul. The house draws its name from the Arabic word for humility and the kohl-lined eye, two things that suggest both restraint and drama, which, as it turns out, is a fairly accurate description of what the fragrances do. Across six distinct lines, from the luminous Gold collection to the depth-driven Arqam and the floral Wardé, there are 25 compositions, each one carrying a sense of narrative that’s rare in a market flooded with single-note launches.
Maison Crivelli, Musc Nurāsana
Capturing the stillness and clarity of first morning light, Musc Nurāsana marks the first milestone in the Maison’s new Olfactory Escapes collection, a series centred on vitality and sensory experience. Rooted in its name, Nūr (“light” in Arabic) evokes the emergence of dawn, while Āsana (“posture” in Sanskrit) grounds the body in the present moment.
Developed in collaboration with perfumer Gaël Montero, the fragrance draws inspiration from a sunrise stretching ritual bathed in chiaroscuro light. It unfolds like a suspended breath, settling softly on the skin before expanding into a fluid, radiant trail. Notes include bergamot, olibanum incense, Damask rose, msk accord, tonka bean and cistus.
From this vision emerges a synesthetic approach to fragrance, transforming physical sensation into scent and capturing the vibration of a fleeting moment.
Nafas by Noor Naim
Nafas, the niche perfume house by the renowned creator and entrepreneur Noor Naim has officially arrived at Ulta Beauty Dubai Mall. Marking its second retail presence at two of the iconic shopping destinations in Dubai, the Mall of the Emirates and the Dubai Mall. Despite launching a couple of months ago, the perfumery has attained a major milestone by joining other renowned local and global labels. Each scent from the brand is crafted with the vision of a French nose to artfully enmesh heritage and sophistication while bringing a contemporary approach to the art of Middle Eastern perfumery.
These elements are coupled with an emotional storytelling approach that is led by Naim herself, who draws on her personal experiences and cultural background to create a deeper connection between the scents and their origin. A female-led fragrance house with genuine creative conviction is still rarer than it should be. Nafas is one to watch closely.
Canéza, Prisca & Hypnotic
Canéza has introduced two fragrances that perfectly capture the essence of summer. Prisca starts with the inviting scents of tuberose, warm peach and a hint of mandarin. It blends into a heart of gardenia, jasmine and a smooth orris before settling down into a base of vanilla, sandalwood and vetiver. It’s glamorous and reminiscent of a beautifully tailored linen dress.
On the flip side, Hypnotic brings a refreshing twist with blood orange and grapefruit, brightened up by a zesty minty lemon. This scent flows into notes of peachy rose and lily of the valley, finishing with a warm base that ties everything together.
Both fragrances stand out beautifully on their own, but they’re also interesting enough to layer. Both feel like they belong to this moment, which is really all you want from a summer fragrance.
