Essence No. 4 Oud
“Essence No”
The Quick Read
Well loved by wearers — a oud, fresh spicy composition with a amber undertone. Voted best for fall and winter wear — and genuinely unisex.
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Launched in 2014 by Elie Saab and crafted by Francis Kurkdjian, Essence No. 4 Oud is a bold Oriental Woody fragrance that centers around the richness of oud. The composition opens with fresh spicy notes, creating an immediate contrast to the deep, smoky heart of amber and warm spices. As it settles into its base, vanilla adds a comforting sweetness, balancing the intensity of the oud. This unisex scent encapsulates a luxurious and complex olfactory experience that is both bold and inviting.
Composition & Character
Notes Pyramid
Notes
As listed
Main Accords
When to Wear
Who Wears It
How It Wears
Application Tips
Given its strong sillage and long-lasting nature, one generous spray is sufficient. The fragrance blooms over time, so it’s best applied about an hour before you need to go out. Essence No. 4 Oud reads better close to the skin than across a room, making it perfect for intimate settings or evening wear.
Francis Kurkdjian
Founding perfumer · 234 fragrances · French
“My creations are an invitation to choose the scent that suits you daily, because I like the idea that each woman and man can express a part of themselves through perfume.”
Maison Francis Kurkdjian was born in 2009 from the encounter between Francis Kurkdjian, a renowned perfumer with scores of successful creations to his name, and Marc Chaya, Co-founder and President of the fragrance house. At only 24, Francis Kurkdjian composed his first perfume, "Le Male" by Jean Paul Gaultier, an international best-seller and game-changer of its time. Instead of relying on a very promising start to his career, he decided, as a precursor, to explore new possibilities and give olfactory creation a new artistic dimension. In keeping with his visionary outlook, in 2001 he set up his tailor-made perfume workshop, against the general tendency of perfume democratization, while constantly putting his know-how and sensibility at the service of the greatest fashion designers (Rick Owens, Hedi Slimane, Riccardo Tisci, Alber Elbaz or John Galliano), as well as the most iconic houses (Dior, Guerlain or Saint-Laurent). From 2003, artists like Sophie Calle, Christian Rizzo or Sarkis called on him to compose his first olfactory compositions - the starting point of his quest to break down the boundaries between different fields and the senses. In 2008, he was named Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres.
Also created
Designer Elie Saab
More from Elie Saab
Edited by Scentsation Editorial
The story behind the bottle.
A leather-bound journal in an opulent study, where the rich scent of oud and warm spices evokes a sense of mystery and elegance.
Fig. 01 — Essence No. 4 Oud, Elie Saab
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