Art of Arabia I: fresh mint at the start, incense at the finish
The opening is very green: bergamot and mint, with a sharpness that wakes you up immediately. Not a classic citrus freshness but a herbal one, frankly minty for the first minutes. After twenty to thirty minutes, black tea takes over – dry, tannic, slightly smoky – and ginger warms it from below, with lavender as the hinge between the green start and the spice. Then the composition darkens: ambroxan sets a lasting mineral base, incense brings resinous depth and cinnamon a dry warmth. The contrast between an icy beginning and a resinous end is exactly what makes this perfume interesting.
Fragrance pyramid
- Top: bergamot, mint
- Heart: black tea, ginger, lavender
- Base: ambroxan, incense, cinnamon
For whom, when
Marketed as masculine, unisex in practice: women who like fresh, unsweetened compositions wear it easily. Wearers report around six to eight hours on skin, depending on skin type, with a clear trail for the first two hours before it settles close to the body; on clothing it lasts noticeably longer. A daytime perfume – office, travel, meetings – for spring, summer and mild autumn. One reservation comes up regularly: the first half hour can feel sharp, almost metallic, for those who dislike mint. If the opening puts you off, give it thirty minutes; it is a different perfume by then.
How to wear it
Three sprays on pulse points: wrists, base of the neck, behind the ears. Do not rub your wrists, you would crush the mint and bergamot before they have played their part. As wear on skin is moderate, a spray on a shirt collar or jacket makes all the difference: the resinous base molecules cling to fabric for the whole day. Keep the bottle in its box, at a stable temperature and away from light.
The bottle
Eau de parfum, 100 ml, spray. A matte black bottle topped with a silver button, in the sober presentation of the Lattafa Pride line.
Product details
- Size: 100 ml
- Concentration: eau de parfum
- Country of origin: United Arab Emirates
- Precautions: keep away from heat, flammable. External use only. Do not spray into the eyes. Keep out of reach of children.
Frequently asked questions
Does it really smell of mint?
Yes, for the first twenty minutes, and deliberately so. Not toothpaste mint but green, herbal spearmint paired with bergamot. It then disappears completely in favour of black tea and ginger.
How long does it last?
Six to eight hours on skin according to wearers, depending on skin type, with clear projection over the first two. It performs noticeably better on fabric than on skin: put one spray on clothing if you are out for the day.
Can a woman wear it?
Without any problem. Apart from its marketing, nothing in the composition is specifically masculine: black tea, ginger and incense are neutral notes. It will particularly suit those who avoid sweet perfumes.
Is it suitable for the office?
Very much so, at two or three sprays. No sugar, no oud, a discreet resinous base: a profile that bothers nobody in a shared space.
Is the bottle new and sealed?
Yes, sold new under its original film in its factory box. No item is reconditioned.
What if it doesn't suit me?
As long as the bottle has not been opened or unsealed, the legal fourteen-day withdrawal period from receipt applies. Contact customer service, who will explain the procedure.
Few perfumes at this level dare to start on mint and finish on incense: add Art of Arabia I to your basket and see what the transition does on you.
