Fragrances - Olfactive Family - Woody

Ajmal Shadow II for Him is a citrus, woody, and amber eau de parfum for men, in a 75 ml bottle. Ajmal describes it as a luminous blend of bergamot and saffron, with orange blossom and a warm finish of patchouli, amber, and musk. It is a powerful fragrance without being overpowering.

How it smells

• Top notes: cardamom, lemon, bergamot, and saffron.
• Heart notes: cedarwood, vetiver, orange blossom, guaiac wood, and pepper.
• Base notes: patchouli, amber, cocoa, and musk.

The top notes are what you smell upon the first spray. The heart emerges after the citrus notes fade, while the base is what lingers on the skin until the end. The fragrance journey goes from spices and citrus to wood, then to a warm, slightly sweet cocoa base.

When to wear it

Ajmal recommends it for everyday wear and special occasions. It is also one of the fragrances the house suggests as a gift idea for men.

How to apply it

1. Apply it to clean skin after a shower.
2. Spray it on the neck and wrists.
3. Hold the bottle a short distance from the skin.
4. Do not rub: let the citrus and saffron notes unfold on their own.
5. Use less at the office; in the evening, you can add a spray to the chest.

Specifications

What else you might need

• Ajmal Shadow II for Her, the feminine counterpart
• Ajmal Shadow Ice, the unisex version
• Ajmal Shadow Noir, from the same line
• Ajmal Carbon, citrus and woody

ProBeauty tip. The saffron and cardamom in the opening may seem intense on a paper strip. Test it on your skin and judge it after the opening fades, when the cedar, vetiver, and amber emerge.

Ajmal Evoke Her is a spicy, floral, and powdery eau de parfum for women from the Evoke line by the Dubai-based house of Ajmal. It opens fresh with bergamot and pink pepper and settles warmly on vanilla. The Evoke Her bottle contains 75 ml.

What it smells like

• Top notes: bergamot and pink pepper. These are the notes you smell immediately after spraying—fresh and lightly spicy.
• Heart notes: rose, jasmine, and iris. They emerge as the opening settles and give the fragrance its floral character.
• Base notes: musk, patchouli, and vanilla. These linger closest to the skin toward the end of the day.

Ajmal describes it as a balance of freshness and warmth, with a powdery, woody finish.

When to wear it

The brand recommends it for everyday wear, including at the office, as well as for evening outings and special occasions.

How to apply it

1. The best time to apply it is after a shower, when your skin is clean and moisturized. An unscented cream helps the fragrance settle better.
2. Spray it on your wrists, the base of your neck, and behind your ears, where the skin is warmer.
3. Do not press the sprayer against your skin: hold it at a short distance so the fragrance mists evenly.
4. Let it dry on your skin. Rubbing your wrists together warms it up and speeds up evaporation.
5. For the office, start with a little. In the evening, you can add a spray to your clothes, provided the fabric won't be stained.

Specifications

What else you might need

• Ajmal Evoke Silver Her, 75 ml eau de parfum
• Ajmal Evoke Gold Her, 75 ml eau de parfum
• Ajmal Evoke Him, eau de parfum for men
• Ajmal Entice Pour Femme, 75 ml eau de parfum

ProBeauty tip. If you're choosing between Evoke Her and Evoke Silver Her, decide based on which base you prefer: Evoke Her has musk, patchouli, and vanilla, while Silver Her has sandalwood, tonka bean, and vanilla. Wear each for a full day before deciding.

Ajmal Kuro perfume is a blend of spicy and floral aromas that are perfect for both day and evening wear or special occasions. A perfume for young, stylish men, with the essence of energizing aquatic notes. It is aromatic and spicy, for a warm yet refreshing effect at the same time. The perfume opens brightly with aromas of citrus, bergamot and spicy pepper. The opening notes blend into herbaceous flowers of lavender and geranium. The base is composed of patchouli, vetiver and ambergris, for a woody effect with marine notes.
Composition: Top notes: Bergamot, Geranium, Lavender, Pepper
Middle notes: Patchouli, Vetiver and Ambergris
Base notes: amber
Fragrance category: woody, spicy, aromatic

Ajmal Kuro is a fresh, aromatic, and woody eau de parfum for men. Ajmal designed it for stylish and bold men who want a fragrance with personality. The bottle contains 90 ml.

What it smells like

Fragrance notes appear in sequence. The top notes greet you first, the heart notes give it character, and the base notes keep it close to the skin until the end.

• Top notes: nutmeg and bergamot.
• Heart notes: lavender, pepper, and elemi.
• Base notes: grey amber, patchouli, and vetiver.

Ajmal describes it as an encounter between freshness and spices. The cooling notes at the beginning give way to the warmth of patchouli, vetiver, and grey amber.

When to wear it

Ajmal recommends it for everyday wear, casual outings, and semi-formal occasions.

How to apply it

1. Start with clean, well-moisturized skin. On dry skin, the fragrance does not last as long.
2. Spray it on your neck, behind your ears, and on your wrists.
3. Keep a small distance between the bottle and your skin so that the drops do not pool in one spot.
4. Let it dry without rubbing. The pepper and lavender in the heart need a few minutes to become noticeable.
5. For a long day, refresh it slightly at lunchtime instead of applying a lot in the morning.

Specifications

What else you may need

• Ajmal Kuro sample, 1.5 ml
• Ajmal Shiro, eau de parfum for men, 90 ml
• Ajmal Blu, eau de parfum for men, 90 ml
• Ajmal Carbon, eau de parfum for men, 100 ml
• Ajmal Chemystery, eau de parfum for men, 90 ml

ProBeauty tip. Kuro should be judged on its base, not in the first few minutes. The patchouli and vetiver only emerge after the opening settles down, so give it time on your skin before deciding.

Ajmal Aristocrat Him is an eau de parfum for men from the Aristocrat series. Ajmal describes it as a citrus, floral, and musky fragrance, fresh from the first spray. The bottle contains 75 ml.

What it smells like

The top notes are what you smell immediately. The heart appears after a few minutes, while the base lingers the longest:

• Top notes: lime, bergamot, and watermelon.
• Heart notes: musk, freesia, and jasmine.
• Base notes: cedarwood, musk, amber, and patchouli.

The opening is energetic, with citrus and a juicy watermelon note. As it settles, musk and cedar give it a woody trail.

When to wear it

Ajmal recommends it for the office, brunch, vacation, and outings. It is an everyday fragrance.

How to apply it

1. Apply it after a shower, on well-dried skin.
2. Aim for the neck, chest, and wrists.
3. Hold the bottle at a short distance so the fragrance sprays evenly.
4. Do not rub the area after spraying.
5. At the office, use less. A fresh fragrance smells great even in a light dose.

Specifications

What else you might need

• Ajmal Aristocrat Her, the matching fragrance for women
• Ajmal Aristocrat Coastal, for men
• Ajmal Aristocrat Coral, for women

ProBeauty tip. Aristocrat Him has a matching fragrance in the same series: Aristocrat Her, for women. If you want something spicier and woodier from the same collection, try Aristocrat Coastal.

Ajmal Ambre Pimenté is an amber and spicy eau de parfum for men, with a woody base. Ajmal describes it as the fragrance of a man of action: a fresh, spicy, woody, and amber accord. It comes in a 100 ml bottle.

What it smells like

Ajmal does not publish a full pyramid for Ambre Pimenté, so we are giving you the notes exactly as the brand does.

• Main notes: amber and spices, complemented by the warmth of cedarwood and musk.

The Ajmal page in the United Kingdom adds that the opening is dominated by pepper, while the heart brings amber and aromatic accords. The name says the same thing: in French, "ambre pimenté" means peppered amber.

How to apply it

1. Spray on clean skin, after a shower and after moisturizing.
2. Choose the neck, chest, or wrists: on warm areas, spices open up better.
3. Hold the bottle away from the skin so that you do not concentrate the perfume in one place.
4. If you use aftershave, choose a neutral one so that it does not clash with the pepper.
5. Start with a little. Pepper is clearly felt in the first few minutes and does not need many sprays.

Specifications

What else you need

• Ajmal Amber Zest, eau de parfum for men
• Ajmal Amber Leather, unisex eau de parfum
• Ajmal Amaze Him, eau de parfum for men
• Ajmal Rhythm of Oud, unisex eau de parfum

ProBeauty tip. Do not judge Ambre Pimenté by the first few minutes, when pepper is in the foreground. Let it reach the amber, cedar, and musk, that is, the part that remains on the skin.

Ajmal Viva Viola is a fruity, floral, and sweet eau de parfum for women. Ajmal says it balances sweetness with warmth and is a youthful, confident fragrance. The pink and silver bottle contains 75 ml.

What it smells like

• Top notes: blackcurrant, pear, and blackberry, for a succulent opening.
• Heart notes: rose and white flowers.
• Base notes: patchouli, cedarwood, caramel, and musk.

The fruits are the first to be noticed and fade the fastest. The flowers follow, and finally, the caramel, musk, and wood remain, forming the warm and sweet part of the fragrance.

When to wear it

Ajmal recommends it for both everyday wear and special occasions: at work, for a casual outing, or on a romantic evening.

How to apply it

1. Apply it to clean skin after an unscented moisturizer.
2. Choose the wrists and neck.
3. Spray from a distance, not directly on the skin.
4. Do not rub, as this may cause the fruity top notes to fade too quickly.
5. As it is a sweet fragrance, start with a little and add more only if needed.

Specifications

What else you might need

• Ajmal Viola, eau de parfum for women, 75 ml
• Ajmal Shine, eau de parfum for women, 75 ml
• Ajmal Aristocrat Coral, eau de parfum for women
• Ajmal My Wonder, eau de parfum for women, 85 ml

ProBeauty tip. Ajmal recommends it for both work and a romantic evening. At the office, a single spray is enough. In the evening, you can add another one to the back of your neck.

Issey Miyake L'Eau d'Issey Pour Homme is a woody and aquatic eau de toilette for men. The brand describes it as a balance between the freshness of citrus notes and the warmth of woods and spices. The bottle contains 125 ml.

What it smells like

• Top notes: yuzu, lemon and tangerine, for a sparkling freshness.
• Heart notes: water lily, with its aquatic facet, warmed by nutmeg.
• Base notes: sandalwood, vetiver and an amber accord.

It opens with bright, luminous citrus. Water lily brings the idea of water, while nutmeg makes it warmer. The woody base gives it a distinctly masculine presence, says Issey Miyake.

When to wear it

Issey Miyake presents it as a timeless and elegant fragrance, suitable for any occasion.

How to apply it

1. Apply the eau de toilette to clean, dry skin.
2. Spray it on your neck and chest, where the fragrance will gently rise towards you.
3. Spray from a short distance to create a fine mist, not a drop.
4. Do not rub the area after application.
5. You can add a spray at lunchtime when the citrus notes have faded.

Specifications

What else you might need

• L'Eau d'Issey Pour Homme Vétiver, 50 ml
• L'Eau Super Majeure d'Issey, 50 ml
• L'Eau d'Issey for women, eau de toilette
• Dolce&Gabbana Light Blue pour Homme, 75 ml

ProBeauty tip. The 125 ml bottle is designed for daily use. If you wear the fragrance to the gym or on trips, transfer a small amount into an atomizer and leave the large bottle at home, protected from light.

Dolce&Gabbana Light Blue pour Homme is a fresh and invigorating eau de toilette for men, as described by the brand. It opens with citrus, moves through rosemary, and settles on patchouli. The bottle contains 75 ml.

What it smells like

• Top notes: Sicilian lemon, bergamot, and grapefruit, a cool citrus cocktail.
• Heart notes: rosemary, pepper, and Brazilian rosewood.
• Base notes: patchouli, frankincense, musk, and oakmoss.

Dolce&Gabbana associates it with an adventurous Mediterranean man. The citrus notes are felt first, rosemary provides the aromatic character, and the woody base warms it up. Dolce&Gabbana classifies it in the woody family.

How to apply it

1. Spray on clean, dry skin after a shower.
2. Aim for the neck and wrists, where the skin is warmer.
3. Hold the bottle a few centimeters away from the skin, not flush against it.
4. Let the fragrance dry without rubbing. The opening citrus notes will fade faster if you rub.
5. If you want to smell it more, add a spray to your clothes, not another two to the same area of skin.

Specifications

What else you might need

• K by Dolce&Gabbana, eau de toilette 50 ml
• The One for Men, eau de toilette 50 ml
• The One for Men, eau de parfum intense 100 ml
• L'Eau d'Issey Pour Homme, eau de toilette 125 ml

ProBeauty tip. Citrus is the liveliest and shortest-lasting part of this fragrance. If you want to feel that freshness again in the afternoon, keep a small atomizer filled from your bottle with you.

Diesel Only The Brave is an eau de toilette for men with the iconic clenched fist-shaped bottle, here in a 75 ml size. Diesel describes it as the scent of courage: fresh lemon, aromatic rosemary, and sensual amber wood. The fragrance family is woody amber.

How it smells

• Top notes: lemon, mandarin, and coriander, a lively citrus opening.
• Heart notes: labdanum, violet leaf, and rosemary, the aromatic part.
• Base notes: amber, leather accord, and cedarwood, which give the fragrance its strength.

For Diesel, the fist bottle is the emblem of strength and determination. The scent follows the same idea: it starts fresh and settles on wood and leather.

How to apply it

1. Apply to clean skin a few minutes after drying off after a shower.
2. Spray on the sides of the neck and the inside of the wrists.
3. Hold the bottle away from your face when spraying.
4. Do not rub the area; let the citrus notes give way to the wood.
5. At the office, two sprays are enough.

Specifications

What else you might need

• Diesel D RED, 100 ml eau de parfum
• Diesel Fuel for Life, eau de toilette for men
• Azzaro The Most Wanted, Intense eau de toilette 100 ml
• Azzaro Wanted, 50 ml eau de toilette

ProBeauty's tip. Only The Brave is a safe choice if you are looking for a fresh men's fragrance with a solid woody base. If it seems too citrusy in the first few minutes, wait: the rosemary, amber, and leather appear a little later.

JOOP! Femme is an eau de toilette for women, called JOOP! Parfum pour Femmes on the brand's website. JOOP! describes it as a tribute to feminine allure and subtle attraction. The bottle contains 100 ml.

What it smells like

You experience it in three stages. The top notes appear first, while the base notes linger longest on the skin:

• Top notes: bergamot and neroli, for a lively freshness.
• Heart notes: Bulgarian rose oil and orange blossom.
• Base notes: sandalwood and patchouli.

JOOP! says that the opening is sure of itself, that the heart is sensual, with floral facets and a slightly spicy touch, while the warm base gives it depth.

How to apply it

1. Apply the perfume to clean skin moisturized with an unscented cream.
2. Choose warm spots: the wrists, neck, and the crook of the elbow.
3. Spray from a short distance, not directly against the skin.
4. Do not rub your wrists together. Let the perfume dry on its own.
5. If you want to refresh it, spray again on the neck, not on the wrists.

Specifications

What else you might need

• JOOP! Homme, eau de toilette for men
• Burberry for Women, eau de parfum
• Calvin Klein Eternity Moment, eau de parfum
• Gucci Bloom, eau de parfum

ProBeauty tip. The rose and orange blossom emerge after the citrus opening settles. Test it on your wrist and smell it again later before deciding.

The resealed Ajmal Evoke Her is the same Eau de Parfum for women from the Evoke line, spicy and floral, in a 75 ml bottle that has been unsealed. It opens with bergamot and pink pepper and settles on a warm, powdery base.

Resealed product. It was unsealed for inspection or display and may have minor signs of wear or handling. It is complete and functional, verified by us, and has the same warranty as a new product. It comes without the original box.

What it smells like

• Top notes: bergamot and pink pepper, a fresh opening with a touch of spice.
• Heart notes: rose, jasmine, and iris, the floral part that emerges after the first few minutes.
• Base notes: musk, patchouli, and vanilla, which linger closest to the skin at the end.

Ajmal designed it for a young and vibrant woman: a fresh opening, a floral heart, and a woody-powdery finish.

When to wear it

Ajmal suggests it for both everyday wear and evenings and special occasions.

How to apply it

1. Spray after a shower, on skin that is still slightly damp or moisturized with an unscented lotion.
2. Choose warm areas: the inside of the wrists, the neck, and the décolletage.
3. Spray from a short distance, creating a fine mist, rather than directly onto the skin.
4. Avoid rubbing the skin: the fragrance settles more beautifully if you let it dry.
5. Keep the bottle in a cool, dark place, especially since it does not have the original box.

Specifications

What else you might need

• Ajmal Evoke Her, new 75 ml bottle
• Ajmal Evoke Silver Her, 75 ml Eau de Parfum
• Ajmal Evoke Him, Eau de Parfum for men

ProBeauty's tip. The resealed version is a good choice if you are buying it for yourself and do not need the box. For a gift, choose the new, sealed 75 ml bottle of Evoke Her.

Rochas Man is a woody eau de toilette for men, which Rochas says embodies everything the modern man wants to be: tender yet masculine, cheerful yet profound. The fragrance is based on the contrast between lavender, jasmine and sandalwood. The bottle contains 50 ml.

What it smells like

• Top notes: lavender and bergamot, an aromatic freshness at the start.
• Heart notes: jasmine and blackberry wood, which Rochas says bring grace and refinement.
• Base notes: vanilla and sandalwood, with a gourmand sweetness.

The fragrance starts off classically with lavender, then becomes floral and, finally, warm and slightly sweet. Rochas says that it thus brought gourmand notes to traditional men's fragrances.

How to apply it

1. Use it on clean, dry skin after a shower.
2. Aim for the base of the neck and the chest, one spray each.
3. Hold the bottle a short distance from the skin, not touching it.
4. Do not rub the skin: the top lavender evaporates quickly and is among the first notes to fade.
5. As it is an eau de toilette, you can refresh it in the evening with a spray.

Specifications

What else you might need

• Dolce&Gabbana The One for Men, intense eau de parfum
• Issey Miyake L’Eau d’Issey Pour Homme Vétiver, 50 ml
• Ralph Lauren Polo Black, eau de toilette
• Lolita Lempicka Homme, 50 ml eau de toilette

ProBeauty tip. If you like lavender fragrances but find them too harsh, Rochas Man is a warmer option. Test it on your skin and wait for the base notes: vanilla and sandalwood are what set it apart from a classic aromatic fragrance.

Mugler Alien is an amber, woody, and floral eau de parfum for women, in the iconic refillable 60 ml bottle. Mugler describes it as a radiant and sensual solar goddess, built around jasmine, cashmere wood, and white amber. The violet bottle, cut like a gemstone, can be refilled.

What it smells like

• Top notes: Indian sambac jasmine, the solar face of the fragrance.
• Heart notes: cashmere wood, an enigmatic wood with a clear musk note.
• Base notes: a soft and enveloping white amber accord, which Mugler compares to white mohair.

Perfumer Dominique Ropion speaks of the strangeness of a trio: jasmine, cashmeran, and molecules evoking grey amber. Hence comes Alien's mysterious character.

How to apply it

1. Mugler recommends spraying a cloud of fragrance in the air and walking through it, so it settles on your hair and clothes.
2. You can then add one spray to each pulse point: wrists, neck, inner elbow.
3. Apply to clean, moisturized skin.
4. Let it settle on its own without rubbing it into your skin.
5. Start with a little: Alien is powerful even in small doses.

Specifications

What else you might need

• Mugler Alien Goddess, eau de parfum 60 ml
• Lancôme Idôle L'Intense, eau de parfum 75 ml
• Lancôme La Vie Est Belle, eau de parfum
• Lancôme Miracle, eau de parfum 30 ml

ProBeauty tip. Keep the bottle after it is empty: being refillable, you can fill it with the Alien refill. If you are afraid it is too intense, try the cloud technique recommended by Mugler.

For Him Bleu Noir Extreme, an energizing variation For Him. A vibrant fragrance where the cool freshness of citrus notes meets the warm and woody notes of sensual woods. It was launched in 2020. The creator of this fragrance is Sonia Constant. 

Fragrance type: woody
Top note: Basil, Green Mandarin
Middle note: Musk
Base note: Ebony, Cedar, Cistus

Prada L'Homme Intense (L'Homme Prada Intense) is an eau de parfum for men from the L'Homme Prada line. Prada says the fragrance expresses the multiple facets of masculine identity. In the L'Homme Prada line, Intense is an eau de parfum, alongside the line's eaux de toilette. The bottle contains 100 ml.

What it smells like

Prada does not publish a layered pyramid for this fragrance, but rather its main notes:

• Main notes: amber, patchouli, iris, sandalwood, and roasted tonka beans.

The brand places amber, patchouli, iris, and tonka beans at the heart of the composition to showcase the multiple facets of the Prada man. The tonka beans are roasted, a detail Prada explicitly mentions in the list of notes.

How to apply it

1. Spray it after a shower, when your skin is clean and dry.
2. Spray it before getting dressed, on your neck and chest.
3. Hold the bottle at a short distance for an even spray.
4. Let the fragrance settle on its own without rubbing it into your skin.
5. A warm fragrance like this needs only a little. Add more only if necessary.

Specifications

What else you might need

• La Femme Prada Intense, the match for her
• Armani Code, eau de toilette for men
• Tom Ford Noir Extreme, amber woody

ProBeauty tip. Iris and amber are best experienced up close, on warm skin. Apply it to your neck and chest, not your clothes, so it remains a personal fragrance.

Dsquared2 He Wood Rocky Mountain Wood is an eau de toilette for men from the He Wood line by Dsquared2. The box says "Eau de Toilette pour Homme", and the bottle is encased in a wooden frame. You can find it here in a 50 ml bottle.

What it smells like

We tell you honestly what we know. The official Dsquared2 page for this fragrance lists the format and country of manufacture, but not the notes. The box doesn't list them either. We prefer not to promise you notes that Dsquared2 has not published.

• What we know for sure: it is an eau de toilette, a lighter formula than an eau de parfum.
• Line: the He Wood name on the box links it to the Dsquared2 men's line of the same name.
• Origin: Dsquared2 presents it as a product made in Italy.
• How to choose it: a test on your skin will tell you more than any description.

How to apply it

1. Apply it to clean, lightly moisturized skin after a shower.
2. Spray it on your chest and the base of your neck, the warmest areas.
3. Do not press the sprayer against your skin. Hold the bottle a little further away so the fragrance can spread.
4. Let it dry on its own without rubbing.
5. Since it is an eau de toilette, you can reapply with a spray in the afternoon.

Specifications

What else you might need

• Issey Miyake L'Eau d'Issey Pour Homme Vétiver
• Ralph Lauren Polo Black, eau de toilette
• Diesel Only The Brave, eau de toilette
• Tom Ford Noir Extreme, eau de parfum

ProBeauty tip. Since the notes are not published, only choose it after trying it on your skin. Spray it in the morning on the inside of your wrist and return to it a few times during the same day.

Paco Rabanne Invictus is the men's eau de toilette that launched the Invictus line. Rabanne describes it as a fresh woody fragrance built around grapefruit, marine accord, and guaiac wood. It comes in 50 ml or 100 ml bottles shaped like silver trophies.

What it smells like

A fragrance evolves on the skin in three stages. The first passes quickly, while the last lingers closest to the skin:

• Top notes: grapefruit, bright and tart.
• Heart notes: a salty, mineral marine accord, like a sea breeze.
• Base notes: guaiac wood, patchouli, and ambergris.

Rabanne presents it as a clash between the freshness of the sea and the warmth of wood. Within the Invictus family, it is the freshest and most versatile option.

When to wear it

The brand recommends it as a daytime fragrance for warm weather, spring and summer. You can wear it for sports, at the office, or every day.

How to apply it

1. Apply it after a shower, to clean, moisturized skin. Moisturized skin holds a fresh fragrance longer.
2. Spray it on your wrists, neck, chest, and behind your ears.
3. Hold the bottle slightly further from your skin so the fragrance falls like a fine mist.
4. Let it settle on your skin on its own. Do not rub.
5. Rabanne says that spraying it on your shirt collar extends its scent. Try it on a hidden area of the fabric first.

Specifications

What else you might need

• Invictus Set with Travel Spray
• Paco Rabanne Pure XS, men's eau de toilette
• Paco Rabanne Paco, 100 ml eau de toilette

ProBeauty Tip. If you wear it in summer, spray it in the morning on skin that is still cool after a shower. The grapefruit is clearer, and the guaiac wood emerges throughout the day without becoming heavy.