The Scent Of Middle Eastern Men: Why So Much Cologne?

In the Middle East, perfume is an important part of daily life and is considered a statement of individuality and status. The use of perfume in the region dates back thousands of years, with Ancient Egyptians burning incense to please the gods and using perfume to conceal the smell of dead sacrifices. The practice of layering fragrances is also common in the Middle East, with individuals wearing multiple perfumes at once to create a unique scent. This is partly due to the use of oil as a composition carrier in Middle Eastern perfumes, which allows the scent to linger on the skin for longer. In addition, cultural norms around bathing and water quality may also contribute to the use of cologne to mask body odours.

To compensate for other potential body odours

In the Middle East, perfume is often used to compensate for other body odours. This is partly due to the fact that bathing is less frequent in the Middle East than in other parts of the world, such as America.

The hot climate in the Middle East can also make it difficult to stay fresh throughout the day, and perfume is an effective solution to this problem. In addition, perfume is seen as a status symbol in the region, and wearing a lot of it can be a way to display one's wealth and social status.

Middle Eastern perfumes are also different from Western fragrances in terms of composition. The majority of Western perfumes are made from an alcohol base, which tends to unfold and project wider ranges. In contrast, Middle Eastern fragrances use oil as the composition carrier, which hovers over the skin and creates a more intimate scent. This means that Middle Eastern perfumes contain a lot more perfume oils, increasing their duration on the skin.

The way that perfume is worn in the Middle East also differs from Western practices. In the Middle East, it is common to layer fragrances, creating a unique and individual scent. Typically, an oud base is used as this is a heavy and traditionally oil-based scent that clings to the skin for longer. Lighter fragrances, such as orange blossom, jasmine, and rose are then layered on top to create an intoxicating signature scent. This practice of layering fragrances means that simpler fragrances are more popular in the Middle East, as they are better suited to mixing and layering.

To display status and wealth

In the Middle East, cologne is a common and traditional status symbol. Perfume is an indicator of cleanliness and good taste. The heavier the scent, the more intense and luxurious it is considered. The use of perfume dates back to Ancient Egypt, where it was used by religious figures to mask the smell of dead sacrifices and bring them closer to the Gods. Cleopatra, for example, soaked the sails of her boat in sweet-smelling essential oils to seduce Mark Antony before he even saw her.

Perfumes are also used as a sign of respect and hospitality. Powerful sultans would scent their homes with fragrances when they had guests over. After dinner, the host family would present a tray of perfumes for guests to mix and create a unique scent to remember their visit by. This is also done as a gesture of goodwill in traditional homes.

The Middle East is known for its sophisticated Arab style of perfumery, with fragrance rituals that layer multiple perfumes. This is because perfumes made with an oil base tend to unfold more slowly, allowing the scent to linger on the skin. The layering method of Middle Eastern fragrances involves moisturising with a musk-based cream and then applying oud oil-based amber scents. This is why Middle Eastern perfumes are considered long-lasting.

Generosity is a big part of Middle Eastern culture, and wearing perfume is one way of showing this. Mona Kattan, the Dubai-based co-founder of Huda Beauty and perfume brand Kayali, says:

> "We believe everywhere you go, you should leave things better than you found them, and leaving behind a trail of fragrance signifies that."

As a replacement for bathing

In the Middle East, perfume is often used as a replacement for bathing, especially in countries with lower water quality and quantity. This practice is not culturally frowned upon and is instead considered a status symbol and a sign of good taste and cleanliness.

The use of perfume as a substitute for bathing can be traced back to ancient times, when religious figures in Ancient Egypt used certain scents to mask the odour of dead sacrifices. The practice has evolved over the centuries, with modern Middle Easterners adopting unique and individualistic approaches to their fragrance choices.

In countries like Saudi Arabia, where women are required to wear black abayas and veil their faces in public, perfume becomes a way to express their personality and individuality. The scent becomes a distinct element of their identity, allowing them to stand out in a society where clothing choices are restricted.

Middle Eastern perfumes are known for their long-lasting effects, which can be attributed to their composition. Unlike Western perfumes that use alcohol as a base, Middle Eastern fragrances use oil, which hovers over the skin and creates a more intimate scent. This oil-based composition also allows the fragrance to cling to the skin for longer, making it a practical alternative to bathing.

The layering of fragrances is a common practice in the Middle East, with individuals combining multiple complementary and complex scents. This technique further enhances the longevity of the perfume, ensuring that the scent lingers throughout the day.

To show individuality

In the Middle East, perfume is a powerful statement about individuality. The region's perfume culture is varied and not monolithic, but perfume is an integral part of daily life in most countries in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), including the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia.

The use of perfume is a way for individuals, especially women, to express their personalities and individuality, particularly when other means of expression, such as clothing choices, are restricted. Rawya Catto, a perfumer and general manager for CPL Aromas Middle East, explains that "individuality in fragrance is vital for women because clothing choices in public are restricted and cannot be a defining feature. The one thing they have [to show personality] is fragrance. Your scent is a distinct element of your individuality."

The process of crafting a unique persona through perfume involves layering scented oils and eau de parfums. This layering method is a distinctive feature of Middle Eastern fragrances, with individuals typically applying multiple fragrances rather than a single scent. The wearer might start with a musk-based cream, then apply oud oil-based amber scents, and finally layer lighter fragrances like orange blossom, jasmine, and rose. This results in an intoxicating, signature scent that is highly personal and distinct from anyone else's.

The composition of Middle Eastern fragrances also sets them apart from Western perfumes. Middle Eastern perfumes typically use oil as the composition carrier, while Western perfumes are often alcohol-based. Oil-based perfumes tend to be more intimate, lingering on the skin, and hovering over it instead of projecting wide ranges. This characteristic further enhances the personal and individual nature of fragrance in the Middle East.

The generous use of perfume among Middle Eastern men can be seen as an expression of individuality and a way to stand out with a unique scent. It is also influenced by cultural factors, such as the traditional status symbol associated with fragrance, and the belief that it indicates cleanliness and good taste. Additionally, the strong scent may be used to compensate for other potential odors, especially in regions where bathing is less frequent due to cultural or practical reasons.

To show generosity

In Middle Eastern culture, generosity is highly valued, and wearing cologne is one way of demonstrating this virtue. By donning a pleasant fragrance, individuals convey that they have made an effort to present themselves well to others. This notion is encapsulated in the belief that one should "leave things better than you found them," and the lingering scent of cologne serves as a metaphorical "trail" that enhances the environment for those who come after.

The act of wearing cologne is deeply rooted in the region's history, with fragrance playing a significant role in daily life for thousands of years. In Ancient Egypt, for instance, perfume was employed in religious and sacrificial ceremonies, symbolizing power and wealth. The use of fragrance continued to evolve, with modern interpretations viewing perfume as an indicator of cleanliness and sophistication.

The art of layering fragrances is also unique to the Middle East. Men and women alike embrace a variety of scents, including bold florals, musk, and animalic ouds, creating complex and individual scent profiles. This practice allows for a dynamic expression of personality, particularly in societies where clothing choices may be restricted, such as in Saudi Arabia.

The generous application of cologne can be understood as a form of hospitality. In traditional homes, trays of scents are offered to guests, inviting them to perfume themselves as a gesture of goodwill. The scent of cologne, therefore, becomes a symbol of welcome and respect.

Furthermore, the composition of Middle Eastern fragrances differs from their Western counterparts. Instead of an alcohol base, oil is used as the carrier, resulting in a more intimate and long-lasting scent that hovers close to the skin. This distinction sets Middle Eastern perfumes apart and contributes to their reputation for intensity and longevity.

In conclusion, the generous use of cologne by Middle Eastern men can be seen as an extension of their cultural values, blending tradition, hospitality, and a desire to leave a positive impression on others.

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