The best Lattafa fragrances to start with

Lattafa is a Dubai house, and three of its bottles have become the ones people ask about: Khamrah, Yara and Asad. All three are Eau de Parfum, all three come in 100ml, and all three sit at the affordable end of what we sell.

This guide takes them one at a time. For each we list the notes from our product pages, what the scent is going for, who it suits, and when to wear it. If you would rather be matched than read, the Oudre scent finder asks a few questions and picks for you.

Quick view

Khamrah: the sweet, spiced one

Notes: cinnamon, nutmeg and bergamot on top. Dates, praline and tuberose in the heart. Vanilla, tonka bean, benzoin and myrrh underneath.

Our mood line for it: a low table after dinner, dates and cardamom coffee, cinnamon in the air. It is warm, sweet and slow. If a sweet, spicy scent is what you want, this is the one most people start with.

Who it suits: anyone who likes dessert-leaning fragrances. It is worn by men and women; the notes do not lean either way.

When to wear it: cold weather and evenings. In a heated room or a hot summer it can feel heavy, so go light on the sprays.

Layering tip: Asad on top for more spice and less sugar.

Read the full Khamrah review or go straight to Khamrah.

Yara: the soft, easy one

Notes: orchid, heliotrope and tangerine on top. A gourmand accord and tropical fruits in the heart. Vanilla, musk and sandalwood at the base.

Our mood line: pink light through a curtain on a slow Sunday. Orchid and heliotrope, soft as powder, sweetened with vanilla and a little fruit. It is gentle, close to the skin and very easy to wear.

Who it suits: people who like soft, sweet, powdery scents and do not want anything loud. A sensible first bottle if you are buying a gift and are not sure of the taste.

When to wear it: daytime, spring and summer, work, errands, a lazy weekend. It does not need a special occasion.

Layering tip: a spray of Khamrah over Yara adds warmth for an evening out.

See Yara.

Asad: the dark, peppered one

Notes: black pepper, pineapple and tobacco on top. Coffee, patchouli and iris in the heart. Vanilla, amber, benzoin and labdanum at the base.

Our mood line: embers at the end of the night. Black pepper and tobacco over coffee and amber. It is dense, warm and a little dangerous, and best worn when it is cold out.

Who it suits: people who want something with weight. If you find sweet scents too sweet, Asad is the drier route into the same warm territory.

When to wear it: autumn and winter, evenings, nights out. Probably not the one for a hot office.

Layering tip: Khamrah underneath for sweetness, or wear it alone. It does not need help.

See Asad.

How strong are they?

All three are Eau de Parfum, which means a higher share of fragrance oil than an Eau de Toilette. In practice that usually means longer wear and more projection from the same number of sprays. We have not run our own wear tests yet, so we are not going to put hour counts on the page. Skin, climate and how you apply it all change the result. Start with two or three sprays, see how it behaves on you, and add from there.

Which one first?

• You like sweet and warm: Khamrah.
• You like soft and powdery: Yara.
• You like dark and dry: Asad.
• You are unsure: take the scent finder. It uses the same families and notes you have just read.

Price is part of the appeal here. All three sit under £40 for a 100ml bottle, and Yara is the lowest of the three. Delivery is built into the price, so the number you see is the number you pay.

FAQ

Which Lattafa fragrance is best for a beginner?

Khamrah if you like sweet and spicy scents, Yara if you prefer something soft and floral. Both are easy to wear and neither needs much explaining.

Are Lattafa fragrances strong?

They are Eau de Parfum, which is the stronger concentration, so a few sprays go a long way. Start light, especially with Khamrah and Asad.

Can I wear Lattafa fragrances in summer?

Yara works best in warm weather. Khamrah and Asad are built for autumn and winter, though you can wear them on cool summer evenings with fewer sprays.