u/GulaabKaNote

I really hope a lot more people experimented with layering frags. You can literally create a scent that has never existed before (now whether it'll smell good or bad is a different conversation, of course).

But here's a layering combo that has served me immensely well this summer:

Aqua Oud Ahmed Al Maghribi (2-4 sprays on chest (clothes))

Wisal Dhahab Ajmal (just 1 spray on the middle of the neck; maybe another one on the back too if you're feeling bold)

There's some inexplicable magic that happens when you layer these. The aromatic/aquatic/woody notes of Aqua Oud just go so, so well with the lovely rose notes in Wisal Dhahab. It's simply amazing.

I often layer some Misk Rijali on skin too, but it's more for the "mann ki shaanti" factor (you can never be too prepared when it's literally 40 fkin degrees out there).

One of the most memorable compliment I've received is when I unexpectedly had to go to a hospital for a neck x-ray.

You have to keep your neck COMPLETELY still for an x-ray, but I just couldn't do that. After a couple of failed scanning attempts, the chatty young nurse walked over to align my neck properly. And upon nearing, she suddenly said with a slight smile, "Kuch lagaye ho kya? Badi hi acchi smell hai."

Layering ftw, ppl.

PSA: My hospital visit was unexpected, but it's better not to wear anything strong there. Especially not a Wisal Dhahab.

Edit: if you're gonna try this layering combination, give the scent a few minutes to properly settle after applying.

I'll be honest, didn't really like the song at first. Especially, how the song abruptly cut in between for the drum solos.

But... recently the song's growing on me. And I find myself loving the drum parts more and more.

So basically, I'm asking for suggestions where drums are the star and interrupt the song as much as possible lol

Bought Asad a few years back (in winter). Loved the fragrance immediately. But that thing didn't even last a couple of hours while the one my friend had lasted a couple of DAYS.

But come next winter, the lasting was amazing.

The same case of "not performing properly until macerated" happened with cdn iconic and hawas black too. Hence, paranoia regarding maceration has been my best friend since.

Now, I literally bought my winter frags (Blue Oud Ahmed, Khamrah Qahwa, Bade Al Oud) all the way back in March just so that they'll be mature by the time 2026 winter comes. Lmao.

P.S. I only buy 8 or 30 ml decants.

So I (24M) was at the post office yesterday and there was a big queue (like the case usually is on a Monday). An uncle behind me legit murmured to himself: "Ye sab kapde pehan ne hain to kahi aur jao. Ye post office hai, dhandhe ki jagah nahi."

At first, I was confused ki ye aadmi bol kya raha hai (cuz he certainly wasn't talking to/about me). After I followed his gaze I realized he was saying this stuff about a girl standing a few spots ahead of us in the queue.

She was literally wearing a half-sleeved top and a pair of denim jeans (nothing that I'd call "uN-sAnSKaARi").

And he didn't even stop, just kept mumbling more filth about her to himself.

I'm not the guy who usually feels for other people, but even I was disgusted by this behavior.

I spoke to him politely, "Arre koi baat nahi, uncle. Azaad desh hai, har kisi ko freedom hai apni zindagi jeene ki."

I kid you the fck not, he replied:

"Freedom hai to kya matlab kuch bhi karegi?"

WDYM Kuch bhi karegi??? I mean, that's exactly what freedom means, my guy. I was dazed by the sheer stupidity of his statement.

And that uncle himself was wearing a pair of shorts, brandishing his hairy legs for us all to see. I pointed this out to him too.

"Uncle, aapne bhi to bermuda pehna hai."

He replied, "Humara chalta hai. Lekin uss ladki ko koi samjhaye pehle."

I responded (still fairly polite): "Uncle, vo chup chaap khadi hai line mein. Dikkat hai kya aapko?"

"Beta, dikkat sirf mujhe nahi, tum sab ko bhi honi chahiye. Kapde dekho uske. Kapde."

I said, "Kapdo wali kya baat hai isme? Jeans hi to hai?"

"Beta, kapde ka kaam hota hai tann ko dhakna, naa ki usse ubhaarna." (he was referring to how the jeans were tight or something).

And the worst part was, sure his statements were disgusting, but the even more disgusting thing was that he was still staring at the woman's behind like a lecher while saying all this. Like, at least look away, pig.

But before I could reply with anything else, his phone rang and he left for some reason. If there was a slight silver lining about this whole situation, it was that at least the girl didn't hear any of the verbal stupidity that the uncle just blurted.

Afterwards, I thought, if those were the kind of things he felt no shame saying out loud, just how sexist his actual thoughts might be?

Disgusting ppl.