Francis Kurkdjian is one of the most respected perfumers in the world, and since 2009, he has his own fragrance house. Ever since founding his own house, he has created some of the most incredible fragrances available, but what are the best Maison Francis Kurkdjian fragrances for women?
The House Of Maison Francis Kurkdjian And Its Fragrances
Francis Kurkdjian is an Armenian perfumer who was born in Paris. Before taking the perfume route, Francis wanted to be a dancer. Sadly, he failed to pass the competition, which led to him falling back on another one of his interests; perfumery.
In 1990 he entered ISIPCA, a French perfume school, from which he graduated in 1993. Only 2 years later, in 1995, he created one of the most popular fragrances to date; Jean Paul Gaultier Le Male, a men’s fragrance. After his first success, Francis Kurkdjian had many more to come. Some notable works of his are Jean Paul Gaultier Ultra Male and Narciso Rodriguez For Her.
After working with many different high-end companies for a while, Francis Kurkdjian launched his own fragrance house, simply called Maison Francis Kurkdjian (the house of Francis Kurkdjian). He launched his own house in 2009, and that same year, he released 7 different fragrances.
Nowadays, Maison Francis Kurkdjian (MFK in short) is one of the most respected fragrance houses out there. MFK never fails to amaze and has some huge hits under its name. Names like Baccarat Rouge 540, Grand Soir, or Oud Satin Mood are unmissable in the world of perfumery and they’re all part of this house.
With a rather large collection of fragrances under its name, you might wonder; what are the best Maison Francis Kurkdjian fragrances for women? In this article, we’ll discuss some of the best Maison Francis Kurkdjian fragrances for women, in no particular order!
1. Feminin Pluriel
Feminin Pluriel is a stunning perfume that definitely loves up to its name. This fragrance has a gorgeous scent based arounf floral notes, done in a beautifully feminine way. Made by Francis Kurkdjian, this fragrance was released in 2014.
- Fragrance Notes: Iris, Rose, Violet, Lily Of The Valley, Vetiver, Indonesian Patchouli Leaves, Orange Blossom, and Jasmine.
What Does Maison Francis Kurkdjian Feminin Pluriel Smell Like?
Feminin Pluriel opens with a clean and soapy scent of many different floral notes. There’s the fresh and soapy note of rose, a denser hint of powdery iris, and the clean scent of orange blossom. Along with these three are a few more florals, but these three really make up for the majority of that clean, soapy, and flowery opening.
A little while after the opening, this gorgeous flowery perfume is accompanied by a sweet touch of patchouli. The patchouli adds some weight to the fragrance, making it a little stronger and more powerful. Still, the floral notes are at the forefront, but there’s a heavier emphasis on the denser notes such as the powdery iris and violet. In fact, the violet slowly starts to become the strongest note.
In the dry down, not that much changes anymore. The powdery iris, paired with the sweet patchouli are at the forefront, backed by the refreshing rose and violet, and a woody touch of vetiver. The violet is now the most prominent note, giving off a rich, flowery, and powdery scent. This leaves you with an overall fresh perfume that still has some weight behind it.
Due to the focus on the floral notes, this perfume is perfect for the warmer seasons of spring and summer. However, it also works great during the colder months as well, thanks to the powdery influences. During these seasons, you can easily wear this one casually throughout the day, but it also wouldn’t be a bad choice for any formal occasion.
If you’re interested in this fragrance, you can find it here on Amazon!
- Best seasons to wear: Spring, Summer, and Fall.
- Occasion: Formal and Casual.
- Time of day: Daytime.
- Longevity: 4-6 Hours.
- Projection: Moderate.
- Price Range ($-$$$): $$$
2. Oud Satin Mood
Oud Satin Mood, a fragrance released in 2015, is a flanker of the original Maison Francis Kurkdjian Oud. Oud is a little more on the masculine side, but Oud Satin Mood is a gorgeous fragrance perfect for both men and women. Made by Francis Kurkdjian, this fragrance has a rich scent of rose and oud.
- Fragrance Notes: Bulgarian Rose, Turkish Rose, Vanilla, Oud, Benzoin, and Violet.
What Does Maison Francis Kurkdjian Oud Satin Mood Smell Like?
Oud Satin Mood opens with a gorgeous scent of rose. The rose is fresh and flowery, but it also has a rather sweet undertone to it. In fact, the rose almost comes across a little fruity and jammy, resulting in a fruit cocktail-like scent. Together with the rose is a subtle hint of oud, which is both dark and a little sweet. The sweetness of the oud is probably what caused the rose to be so jammy sweet as well.
Shortly after the opening, a sweet and creamy scent of vanilla makes itself known. The creaminess of the vanilla keeps the rather bold nature of the oud in check, ensuring this perfume is smooth and inoffensive. Aside from balancing out the oud, the vanilla also works wonderfully well with both the rose and oud. The sweetness goes great with the jammy sweetness from the rose, and it also goes great with the bold and dark scent of oud.
This scent will continue on all the way into the dry down. The oud does become slightly stronger and the rose slowly starts to take a back seat, but overall, the scent stays relatively similar. This leaves you with a rich and powerful fragrance with a scent of classy rose, dark oud, and creamy vanilla.
As you can imagine, a sweet and bold scent like this is perfect for the colder months. Here, it’s perfect for a romantic night out with a loved one, but it’s also great for nights out with friends or casual daytime wear. You can even wear this one formally! It’s overall very luxurious, which makes it work well in any setting, provided you’re wearing a nice and fitting outfit!
If you’re interested in this fragrance, you can find it here on Amazon!
- Best seasons to wear: Fall and Winter.
- Occasion: Formal and Casual.
- Time of day: Daytime and Nighttime.
- Longevity: 10+ Hours.
- Projection: Strong.
- Price Range ($-$$$): $$$
3. Baccarat Rouge 540
Baccarat Rouge 540 is arguably the most popular fragrance from the house of Francis Kurkdjian. This gorgeous fragrance has an airy and sugary sweet scent that has captured the hearts of many since its release in 2015.
- Top Notes: Saffron and Jasmine.
- Middle Notes: Amberwood and Ambergris.
- Base Notes: Fir Resin and Cedar.
What Does Maison Francis Kurkdjian Baccarat Rouge 540 Smell Like?
Baccarat Rouge 540 immediately opens with the scent that made it so popular. The opening is sugary sweet with a fresh and airy feel to it. The notes of amberwood and jasmine are both present here, both giving off a natural sweetness, but in a rather airy and inoffensive way. Now, a sugary sweet scent might not sound that appealing, but it’s absolutely amazing.
Shortly after the opening, you can start to pick up a spicy hint of saffron. The saffron adds a rich layer to the perfume without taking away any of the airy sweetness. Not long thereafter, you can also pick up the note of cedarwood, a warm woody note that also adds a warm layer to the scent. Both of these notes make sure the perfume is a little stronger, but they never take away that airy feel.
In the dry down, the scent itself doesn’t really change that much anymore. There is the addition of fir resin, which makes the scent a little richer, but overall, this fragrance is all about the sugary sweet scent. The perfume is rich and classy and always has a sense of elegance and sophistication around it. At the same time, though, it also smells a little playful and outgoing.
Baccarat Rouge 540 is one of those perfumes that you can wear any time you want. The sweet yet airy scent goes great with both the warmer and colder months, and it works amazingly well in both formal and casual settings. There’s just no going wrong with a masterpiece such as this. The only downside to this perfume is its popularity, as many fragrances are modeled after this one and the scent is somewhat common nowadays.
If you’re interested in this fragrance, you can find it here on Amazon!
- Best seasons to wear: Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
- Occasion: Formal and Casual.
- Time of day: Daytime and Nighttime.
- Longevity: 8+ Hours.
- Projection: Moderate.
- Price Range ($-$$$): $$$
4. Amyris Femme
Amyris Femme, launched in 2012, is an easy-going and inoffensive floral perfume that’s bursting with femininity. Aside from the floral notes, the perfumer, Francis Kurkdjian, also made use of several woody and aromatic notes, leading to this wonderful creation.
- Top Notes: Lemon Blossom and Californian Orange.
- Middle Notes: Amyris and Iris.
- Base Notes: Vetiver, Musk, and Amber.
What Does Maison Francis Kurkdjian Amyris Femme Smell Like?
Amyris Femme opens with a fresh scent of multiple floral notes, creating a bright and natural scent that perfectly sets the tone for this perfume. There’s a powdery scent of iris present that gives off a slightly dense, but mostly clean scent, and there’s a hint of Amyris, which gives off a rather mysterious and airy scent.
Along with the floral notes, you can also pick up a few citrusy notes. There’s a juicy scent of orange present, which adds a lot of depth to the perfume, but there’s also the soapy clean scent of lemon blossom. Both of these notes add to the clean and fresh scent and neither detract from the floral opening.
As the fragrance dries down, we’re greeted by one last clean note. This is the note of musk, which is soft, easy-going, and extremely clean. The dry down also contains hints of warm amber and vetiver, but this fragrance mainly stays fresh and vibrant. These woody notes are detectable in the background, but they’re just not that strong.
Amyris Femme is a lovely perfume with a rather fresh scent. This makes it perfect for a warm spring or summer day, where you can wear it practically all the time. It’s elegant and luxurious enough for any type of formal setting, but it’s fun and easy-going enough for casual daytime wear. Like most Maison Francis Kurkdjian fragrances, Amyris Femme is just extremely versatile.
If you’re interested in this fragrance, you can find it here on Amazon!
- Best seasons to wear: Spring and Summer.
- Occasion: Formal and Casual.
- Time of day: Daytime.
- Longevity: 8+ Hours.
- Projection: Moderate.
- Price Range ($-$$$): $$$
5. Le Beau
Le Beau is an amazing floral-based fragrance that combines both white and yellow florals. Made by Francis Kurkdjian himself, this perfume was released in 2015 as a limited holiday edition.
- Fragrance Notes: Tuberose, Madagascar Ylang-Ylang, Tunesian Orange Blossom, and Indian Jasmine.
What Does Maison Francis Kurkdjian Le Beau Smell Like?
Le Beau opens with a gorgeous scent of tuberose. The tuberose is refreshing, classy, feminine, and even smells like pure happiness. Along with the tuberose are a few more floral notes, but the tuberose is definitely the strongest in the first few minutes.
Not long after the opening will the fresh and narcotic scent of ylang-ylang start to appear. The ylang-ylang adds a slightly denser feeling to the perfume without taking away any of the freshness. Together with the tuberose, these two floral notes, one white and one yellow, make for a truly stunning scent. However, along with these two floral notes is a lovely and clean scent of orange blossom.
As we progress into the dry down, you can start to pick up a naturally sweet scent of jasmine. The jasmine adds a heavier feel while also adding to the refreshing floral scent. This leaves you with a scent consisting of four different floral notes that smells absolutely amazing. This is like spring in a bottle, smelling easy-going, feminine, and just happy.
With a scent that’s so heavily focused on floral notes, it should come as no surprise that this one is best worn during the spring and summer. These are the seasons where nature is coming back to life, making for the perfect scenery for a flowery perfume like this. During the warmer months, you can wear this one either casually or formally, it does well in any setting.
If you’re interested in this fragrance, you can find it here on Amazon!
- Best seasons to wear: Spring and Summer.
- Occasion: Formal and Casual.
- Time of day: Daytime.
- Longevity: 6-8 Hours.
- Projection: Moderate.
- Price Range ($-$$$): $$$
6. Aqua Celestia Forte
Aqua Celestia Forte is an incredible fragrance that combines citrus notes with green notes to create a bright, sparkling, and tropical scent. Made by Francis Kurkdjian, this absolute delight was released in 2018.
- Top Notes: Lime, Petitgrain, Lemon, and Mint.
- Middle Notes: Blackcurrant Blossom, Jasmine, Hedione, Mimosa, and Lily Of The Valley.
- Base Notes: Musk.
What Does Maison Francis Kurkdjian Aqua Celestia Forte Smell Like?
The opening of Aqua Celestia Forte immediately shows you what this perfume is all about. Juicy, sweet, and refreshing hints of lime are at the forefront, closely followed by a cool and calming scent of mint. When combined, these two notes create a sparkling and vibrant scent that kind of smells like some sort of tropical cocktail you would sip on the beach.
Shortly after the opening, the fresh scent of lime and mint is accompanied by a few green-smelling notes. This green scent is coming from several floral notes, as well as from the blackcurrant blossom. These notes add a rich yet fresh layer to the perfume that only makes it appear brighter and fresher.
From here, the fragrance doesn’t really change that much anymore. It does become slightly warmer, but not to the point that this is no longer a freshie. This leaves you with an overall happy-smelling perfume, a true delight that never fails to put a smile on your face. It’s so bright and refreshing that it’s impossible to dislike it.
Best suited for the warm spring and summer days, Aqua Celestia Forte is a little too fun and playful to be worn formally. However, this makes it all the better in a casual setting. Whether you’re going to the beach, having a fun day in the city, or you’re just relaxing on a lazy Sunday morning, this perfume will be perfect for you!
If you’re interested in this fragrance, you can find it here on Amazon!
- Best seasons to wear: Spring and Summer.
- Occasion: Casual.
- Time of day: Daytime.
- Longevity: 8+ Hours.
- Projection: Moderate.
- Price Range ($-$$$): $$$
7. Oud Silk Mood
Oud Silk Mood is another flanker of the original oud. This one also focuses on the notes of rose and oud, but done in a lighter way. Made by Francis Kurkdjian, this fragrance was released in 2018.
- Top Notes: Bulgarian Rose, Chamomile, and Bergamot.
- Middle Notes: Hedione and Guaiac Wood.
- Base Notes: Oud and Papyrus.
What Does Maison Francis Kurkdjian Oud Silk Mood Smell Like?
The opening of Oud Silk Mood is rather luxurious with the note of rose at the front. The rose is classy, rich, and a little jammy, immediately settling for a powerful scent. Along with the rose is the note of bergamot, which is acting as a balancing factor against the strong rose. Together, they make for a powerful, yet somewhat fresh opening that almost smells a little aquatic.
Of course, the note of oud is also there right from the get-go. The oud is bold and dark, but also feels silky smooth, blending in nicely with the somewhat fresh opening notes. Over time, the oud starts to become stronger and richer, but it will never fully overtake the rose and bergamot combination.
As the perfume starts to dry down, a few woody notes can be detected, and these once again add to that silky smooth feeling. They also add a layer of warmth to the scent, accentuating both the oud and the rose. In the end, you’re left with a rather smooth scent of rose, oud, and bergamot. It definitely shares some similarities with Oud Satin Mood, but this perfume feels fresher and a little smoother.
Just like most oud fragrances, this one is best worn during the colder months. This is a rather powerful perfume that would simply be too strong for the warmer months. During the fall and spring, though, it’s amazing. It’s perfect for a hard day at work in the office, but it’s also great for dates or romantic nights out. Another perfume that gets its versatility from the luxurious feel it has.
If you’re interested in this fragrance, you can find it here on Amazon!
- Best seasons to wear: Fall and Winter.
- Occasion: Formal and Casual.
- Time of day: Daytime and Nighttime.
- Longevity: 10+ Hours.
- Projection: Strong.
- Price Range ($-$$$): $$$
8. A La Rose
A La Rose is a beautiful and feminine rose-based fragrance. Francis Kurkdjian took the note of rose and paired it with several citrusy notes to create something elegant and delightful. Launched in 2014, A La Rose has been a favorite amongst rose lovers ever since!
- Top Notes: Calabrian Bergamot and Californian Orange.
- Middle Notes: Bulgarian Rose, Grasse Rose, Violet, and Magnolia.
- Base Notes: Cedar and Musk.
What Does Maison Francis Kurkdjian A La Rose Smell Like?
A La Rose surprisingly opens with a scent of fresh rose. Along with the rose are two citrusy notes; bright and vibrant bergamot and juicy fresh orange. These three notes make up the opening, introducing you to a calming yet refreshing scent. Aside from the fresh citruses, though, the opening also has this nature-like undertone to it, and when paired with the rose, it smells like a freshly cut bouquet of roses.
This perfume uses two different types of rose; Turkish rose and Grasse rose. Rose from Grasse is fairly rare and is commonly seen as the most luxurious version of rose. And that can definitely be found back in this fragrance, as it appears very classy and feminine.
As the fragrance progresses, we’re briefly introduced to other floral notes, although these only play a minor role. There is the note of cedar, though, which does have an influence on the scent. The cedar is rich, warm, and intensely woody. When paired with the rose and citruses, you’re left with a clean, smooth, and rich fragrance that feels both elegant and a little playful.
A La Rose is a wonderfully fresh fragrance that’s primarily focused on the note of rose. With such a fresh scent, it comes as no surprise that this is a warm-weather fragrance, best for the spring and summer. During these seasons, A La Rose is perfect for the office or any other formal setting, but it’s just as great for a casual laid-back day at home.
If you’re interested in this fragrance, you can find it here on Amazon!
- Best seasons to wear: Spring and Summer.
- Occasion: Formal and Casual.
- Time of day: Daytime.
- Longevity: 6-8 Hours.
- Projection: Soft.
- Price Range ($-$$$): $$$
9. Grand Soir
Grand Soir is one of the most stunning amber-based fragrances, made by Francis Kurkdjian himself. This perfume beautifully blends amber with other similar sorts of notes to create something warm, rich, and resinous. Ever since its release in 2016, this fragrance has gained a massive following.
- Fragrance Notes: Amber, Benzoin, Vanilla, Tonka Bean, and Labdanum.
What Does Maison Francis Kurkdjian Grand Soir Smell Like?
Grand Soir immediately opens with a rich scent of amber, giving off a warm and golden-like scent. This scent will be there all throughout the perfume and it will only become nicer over time. The opening itself is already gorgeous, though, and for the first little while, we can really only smell the amber.
After a short while, a beautiful hint of sweet vanilla starts to appear. The vanilla blends in gorgeously with the amber, creating an even richer and warmer scent that now also possesses some sweet qualities. Along with the vanilla are the notes of tonka bean, benzoin, and labdanum, all adding either a sweet, warm, or resinous scent to the mix.
From here, the fragrance doesn’t change that much anymore, leaving you with an overall luxurious amber-based perfume. Grand Soir truly is a masterpiece. Even with so few notes and a somewhat linear scent, it manages to not only be one of the most popular fragrances of the house but one of the best amber-based fragrances in general.
With the focus on warm and sweet notes, Grand Soir is best worn during the fall and winter. Here, it will serve as a welcoming and comforting scent that portrays elegance and sophistication. Perfect for a formal occasion, a night out, or a date, Grand Soir is amazingly versatile. And on top of that, it’s also amazing for casual daytime wear as well!
If you’re interested in this fragrance, you can find it here on Amazon!
- Best seasons to wear: Fall and Winter.
- Occasion: Casual and Formal.
- Time of day: Daytime and Nighttime.
- Longevity: 8+ Hours.
- Projection: Strong.
- Price Range ($-$$$): $$$
10. Gentle Fluidity Gold
Gentle Fluidity Gold is a gorgeous unisex fragrance from Francis Kurkdjian with a lovely scent of powdery vanilla and amber. Released in 2019, this perfume somewhat flies under the radar, but should definitely not be slept on!
- Fragrance Notes: Vanilla, Amber, Musk, Woody Notes, Juniper Berries, Nutmeg, and Coriander.
What Does Maison Francis Kurkdjian Gentle Fluidity Gold Smell Like?
The opening of Gently Fluidity Gold is sweet, smooth, and airy. The vanilla is immediately present, giving off its creamy sweet scent, but it’s done in an inoffensive and airy way. Along with the vanilla are two spicy notes; nutmeg and coriander. These two notes add a bunch of character to the perfume, giving it depth and making it richer.
Shortly after the opening, a clean and powdery scent of musk starts to appear, blending in beautifully with the vanilla and softening the spices a bit. This all comes together to create an effortlessly gorgeous perfume that’s both powerful and inoffensive. Over the course of time, the note of juniper berry is added, giving off a crisp scent that accentuates the airiness from the opening.
In the dry down, a few woody notes start to appear, backing up the smoothness of the vanilla and adding some warmth. Aside from the woods is a touch of amber, and the amber gives off another layer of warm richness. Still, the scent itself stays airy and a little crisp, making for an overall unique and well-crafted perfume.
Despite the airy feel of this fragrance, it is better suited for the colder months. The airy yet warm scent of this fragrance will fit in perfectly with the spring, fall, and winter, where it can be worn pretty much all of the time. This is definitely a head-turner, but not a loud and offensive one, making it great for the office or any other formal setting, but just as great for a casual day out with friends.
If you’re interested in this fragrance, you can find it here on Amazon!
- Best seasons to wear: Fall, Winter, and Spring.
- Occasion: Formal and Casual.
- Time of day: Daytime and Nighttime.
- Longevity: 8+ Hours.
- Projection: Moderate.
- Price Range ($-$$$): $$$
11. Aqua Universalis
The last of the ‘Aqua’ fragrances on this list, Aqua Universalis is a gorgeously refreshing perfume based around citrusy and white floral notes. Made by Francis Kurkdjian, this refreshing delight was released in 2009.
- Fragrance Notes: Lily Of The Valley, Lemon, Bergamot, Musk, Orange Blossom, Orange, and Woody Notes.
What Does Maison Francis Kurkdjian Aqua Universalis Smell Like?
Aqua Universalis opens with a bright and sparkling scent of several citrusy notes. There’s a juicy scent of sweet and fresh lemon, paired with a bright, vibrant, and sparkling scent of bergamot. These two notes make up the fizzy opening and perfectly set the tone for the remainder of the perfume.
Shortly after the opening, the sparkling scent of citruses is accompanied by a naturally fresh scent of several floral notes. These floral notes add a clean and almost soapy undertone to the citruses, creating an unbelievably fresh and pleasant scent. The citruses are still the main stars of this fragrance, but the florals aren’t far behind.
As the fragrance starts to dry down, we’re greeted by another soapy clean note. This time, it’s the note of musk, adding a smooth and clean feel to the perfume. Along with the musk are some woody notes, but these woody notes mainly serve as a rich base for the other fresher notes to thrive on. Overall, this is a bright and sparkling perfume with a scent primarily based on citruses and floral notes.
Aqua Universalis is without a doubt a warm-weather fragrance. This perfume is bright and sparkling, making it perfect for a warm spring or summer day. During these warmer seasons, this fragrance is perfect for any casual setting. The sparkling feel makes this fragrance fun and outgoing that goes great in any casual and laid-back setting. However, even formally, Aqua Universalis will do an amazing job!
If you’re interested in this fragrance, you can find it here on Amazon!
- Best seasons to wear: Spring and Summer.
- Occasion: Formal and Casual.
- Time of day: Daytime.
- Longevity: 6-8 Hours.
- Projection: Moderate.
- Price Range ($-$$$): $$$
12. Petit Matin
Petit Matin is commonly seen as one of the most stunning lemon-based fragrances out there. Francis Kurkdjian took the note of lemon and expressed it in the best way possible. Inspired by the warm spring mornings of Paris, this fragrance was released in 2016.
- Fragrance Notes: Lemon, Orange Blossom, Musk, Lavender, Ambroxan, and Hawthorn.
What Does Maison Francis Kurkdjian Petit Matin Smell Like?
Petit Matin opens with a gorgeously soft and invigorating scent of lemon. The lemon is juicy, fresh, citrusy, and overall just very soft. This makes for an easy-going and relaxed opening that still manages to portray a sense of sophistication and elegance. You can clearly see that this perfume was inspired by the cool spring mornings in Paris.
Along with the lemon is a soft scent of clean musk, adding to the elegant and sophisticated vibe. Later on, this citrusy fresh scent is accompanied by a few floral notes. There’s the aromatic floral note of lavender, which adds some life to the perfume, but there’s also a clean and soapy scent of orange blossom. The orange blossom once again adds to that clean and sophisticated feel.
In the dry down, you can find that the scent doesn’t really change any more. There is the note of ambroxan, a synthetic note, but the ambroxan mainly strengthens the citruses and florals. Overall, you’re left with a truly stunning perfume that’s extremely fresh, clean, and soft. It’s easy-going, yet luxurious and elegant; a true masterpiece.
With such a fresh scent, as well as the spring-time inspiration behind the perfume, Petit Matin is best worn during the spring and summer. The wonderfully fresh scent is perfect for the warm spring and summer days and can be worn both formally and casually. It’s perfect for a fun day at the beach but just as great for when you’re closing an important business deal!
If you’re interested in this fragrance, you can find it here on Amazon!
- Best seasons to wear: Spring and Summer.
- Occasion: Formal and Casual.
- Time of day: Daytime.
- Longevity: 6-8 Hours.
- Projection: Moderate.
- Price Range ($-$$$): $$$
13. Oud Velvet Mood
Oud Velvet Mood is the last of the ‘Oud’ collection we’ll discuss. This fragrance is more focused on combining oud with several spicy notes, making for a much warmer and richer scent. Made by Francis Kurkdjian, this fragrance was launched in 2013.
- Fragrance Notes: Oud, Copahu Balsam, Saffron, and Ceylon Cinnamon.
What Does Maison Francis Kurkdjian Oud Velvet Mood Smell Like?
Oud Velvet Mood opens with a strong and resinous scent, provided by the note of Copahu balsam. This opening is rich, warm, and intensely sweet, setting the tone for the remainder of the perfume. Luckily, the resinous scent settles down into something more enjoyable as it slowly starts to become softer and subtler.
Not long after the opening will the spicy notes reveal themselves. There’s the note of cinnamon and the note of saffron, and both add a warm and spicy scent to the mix. The saffron has a spicy and slightly medicinal sweetness to it and the cinnamon has a warm and spicy scent to it. Both of these notes add to the already rich and warm scent, but they are soft enough to prevent the perfume from becoming overpowering.
All the while, the note of oud has been present as well. The oud is dark and bold, just as you would expect, but it stayed relatively subtle in the opening. Nearing the dry down, the oud becomes more pronounced, and eventually, it’s the main focus of the perfume. The spicy notes are still there and they’re still adding a nice and warm scent to the mix, but the bold, dark, and somewhat sweet scent of oud is front and center.
Oud Velvet Mood is without a doubt a winter perfume. This fragrance is incredibly warm and strong and might even be a little too much for the fall. During the winter, either during the day or at night, this perfume is great. It’s somewhat romantic and alluring, but it’s also powerful, elegant, and sophisticated. This makes it perfect for just about any situation.
If you’re interested in this fragrance, you can find it here on Amazon!
- Best seasons to wear: Winter.
- Occasion: Casual.
- Time of day: Daytime and Nighttime.
- Longevity: 12+ Hours.
- Projection: Strong.
- Price Range ($-$$$): $$$
14. Aqua Vitae
Aqua Vitae is the last of the ‘Aqua’ fragrances we’ll discuss in this article, but it’s definitely not the least. Based around wonderfully fresh citrusy notes and warmer woods and vanilla, this perfume is a true delight. Made by Francis Kurkdjian, this fragrance was released in 2013.
- Fragrance Notes: Lemon, Mandarin, Guaiac Wood, Tonka Bean, Jasmine, Vanilla, and Hedione.
What Does Maison Francis Kurkdjian Aqua Vitae Smell Like?
Aqua Vitae opens extremely fresh with the note of hedione at the front. Hedione is a synthetic note that recreates an aquatic scent. Along with the hedione are some citrusy notes, creating an overall sparkling and refreshing aquatic scent. The citruses work together beautifully with the aquatic scent, providing us with a true delight.
Shortly after the opening, you can start to pick up a beautiful scent of woods. The woody notes in this perfume are done in a soft way, ensuring it never overtakes the main refreshing theme. The woods do add a luxurious edge to the fragrance, making it a little more sophisticated and intriguing while also providing a stronger base for the other notes to thrive on.
As the fragrance dries down, the note of vanilla slowly starts to reveal itself. The vanilla is warm and smooth and just like the woods, it adds a richer layer for the fresh notes to thrive on. What this leaves you with is a scent that’s refreshing and outgoing, but also smooth and a rich. The vanilla also adds a touch of sweetness, mixing up the scent every now and then.
Despite the woody and vanilla notes, this perfume is best worn during the warmer seasons. This perfume is primarily refreshing and easy-going, making it perfect for a warm spring or summer day. During these seasons, you can either wear this one casually throughout the day or wear it formally to the office. It’s an extremely versatile perfume that you can’t really go wrong with.
If you’re interested in this fragrance, you can find it here on Amazon!
- Best seasons to wear: Spring and Summer.
- Occasion: Formal and Casual.
- Time of day: Daytime.
- Longevity: 6-8 Hours.
- Projection: Soft.
- Price Range ($-$$$): $$$
Are Maison Francis Kurkdjian Fragrances Worth It?
The house of Maison Francis Kurkdjian is one of the most respected fragrance houses out there, responsible for some of the most amazing fragrances on the market.
A Maison Francis Kurkdjian fragrance is definitely worth it in terms of quality, scent, and longevity. These fragrances are on the more expensive side, so it’s up to you whether it’s worth it to you. Purely looking at quality, these fragrances are undoubtedly worth it.
Master perfumer Francis Kurkdjian is one of the most talented perfumers in the world, responsible for some all-time classics. Names like Baccarat Rouge 540, Grand Soir, or Oud Satin Mood are staples in the perfume world and they couldn’t be missed. The only real drawback to Maison Francis Kurkdjian fragrances is their price, but that can easily be avoided by trying out decants beforehand.
A decant is basically a smeller bottle filled up with the original fragrance. This way, you can try out the original fragrance without having to settle for a full bottle right away. This way you can try out several perfumes for a much lower price. If you’re interested in learning more about decants, where to purchase them, and how they’ll save you money, you can read this article here!
In my opinion, Maison Francis Kurkdjian fragrances are full-bottle-worthy. Whether that’s the same for you is really up to you. Speaking from a quality standpoint, they are definitely worth it, and generally speaking, MFK fragrances are widely loved, but it’s ultimately up to you!