Project #3: Precious Oud

Published on 12 November 2024 at 19:43

I really love how chic and beautiful the bottles of Van Cleef & Arpels' Collection Extraordinarie look.

They're super simple, yet sophisticated, like the perfumes treasured inside of them. The whole packaging looks clean, but it's always super refined and classy, perfectly aligning with the whole line's aesthetic and style.

I really enjoyed taking these pictures of Precious Oud, using as only props some leaves and a white shelf.

Once again, I love a clean and essential aesthetic. The shots aren't surely the best ones you'll se out there, but I'm very proud of them, especially if I consider that I never used a camera in my whole life, including the one on my phone. I know, it sounds surreal, but that's the truth.

I've never been a photography person, until a year ago, when I started to share images shot by me of my perfumes on different social media platforms.

But back to the images... What I love about them is how rich the color of the fragrance looks, with those warm ambery nuances, that make it look like pure expensive honey.

About the perfume:

I don't have many certainties in my life, but one of them is surely the fact that oud is not a favorite note of mine. I'm more into white florals, gourmands and other accords, and I always found oud too much for my nose and taste.

But then I discovered Precious Oud from Van Cleef & Arpels and everything changed. For good.

What I love about this perfume is the way it showcases the luxurious and opulent side of oud, thanks to a great balance between delicate floral accords and warm woody notes, that put the spotlight on the more approachable side of the oud note.

Don't expect a strong and heavy oud, beacuse here the oud note is reworked in a very subtle and refined way, perfect for a daily use, or for those, like me, who are not totally into this bold note.

The scent opens with bright notes of bergamot and pink pepper, which add a touch of freshness, setting the stage for the richness to come. At its heart, Precious Oud features a beautiful floral blend of jasmine and tuberose, softening the oud and adding a creamy, sensual dimension. These floral notes make the fragrance feel soft and inviting, enhancing its impeccable elegance.

The base is where the true depth of Precious Oud shines. Oud, sandalwood, and vetiver create a warm, earthy foundation, while hints of amber and vanilla add a subtle sweetness and softness, and the result is a perfectly balanced perfume, which feels luxurious, exotic, and wearable.

I hope you'll enjoy the images I took of this beautiful bottle.