Lattafa, Afnan or Armaf – which Arabic brand should you choose?

Afnan or Lattafa? Or perhaps Armaf? If you have opened the Arabic perfumes section, you have almost certainly stopped at these three names – and rightly so. All three come from the United Arab Emirates, and all three offer a richness and tenacity of scent that in the designer segment usually costs twice as much. But their characters differ. Below you will find out what each brand is known for, where it is strong and where less so, and which is the best bottle to start with.

Three brands from the Emirates – where their popularity comes from

In recent years Arabic perfumery has broken out of the "heavy oud for special occasions" frame. Brands such as Lattafa, Afnan and Armaf created modern, easy-to-wear fragrances with European taste, but kept what the Middle East is known for: concentration, rich bases of amber, musk and woody accords, and bottles that look more expensive than they are.

Much of their success came from so-called inspirations – compositions that recall famous niche and designer hits. It must be said clearly: these are independent, original products of the respective brands, not copies under someone else's name. Some are close to the "original", others merely borrow the idea and develop it in their own way. Everything we offer in the Arabic perfumes collectionis 100% original, directly from official distributors.

Lattafa: sweetness, coffee and vanilla at a ridiculous price

Lattafa is perhaps the most recognisable name in the segment. The brand has a huge catalogue and a clear handwriting: its fragrances are usually sweet, creamy and "warming" – with vanilla, caramel, coffee, dried fruit and spices. If you like cosy, warm perfumes for autumn and winter, you will feel at home here.

The iconic bottles

• Khamrah – a unisex oriental gourmand fragrance with cinnamon, nutmeg, dates, praline and vanilla. It is often compared with Kilian's Angels' Share, and many consider it the brand's best buy. It is wonderful in cold weather.
• Yara – the pink bottle that became a social media hit. Soft, creamy, with orchid, heliotrope, mandarin and vanilla musk. Gentle, sweet, very feminine.
• Asad – masculine, spicy and dark, with black pepper and a tobacco and vanilla tint. It appeals to people looking for something in the style of Sauvage Elixir but with a sweeter base.

Strengths: a wide choice, excellent value for money, the fragrances get noticed. Weaknesses: if you do not like sweetness, much of the range will not be for you; some cheaper series are simpler in their development.

You will find the brand's whole range in Lattafa perfumes.

Afnan: the clean-cut, "more European" choice

You often ask: what kind of brand is Afnan? Afnan Perfumes is a perfume house from Dubai with a less noisy but very loyal following. If Lattafa is the patisserie of Arabic perfumery, Afnan is more of a boutique – its compositions sound more balanced, with fresh citrus, fruit and woody notes, and are rarely intrusive.

What to try

Supremacy Silver is the men's bestseller: fruity-woody, with citrus and a fresh character, often placed next to the famous "pineapple and birch" fragrances. It is good for everyday wear, the office and the warm months. 9 AM Dive is a light, aquatic and citrusy unisex fragrance – ideal for summer and for people who do not like heavy fragrances.

The level above is the Highness series – more luxurious bottles and richer compositions, colour-coded (Green, Red, Black, Blue and others). It sits in the brand's higher price class and targets people who want a niche feel without a niche price. See the whole series in Afnan Highness.

Strengths: refinement, fresher options, beautiful bottles. Weaknesses: a smaller choice than Lattafa, and the Highness line is noticeably more expensive than the other Arabic brands. All fragrances – in Afnan perfumes.

Armaf: projection, Club de Nuit and the playful Odyssey series

And what kind of brand is Armaf? Armaf is a brand of the Dubai company Sterling Parfums and has a reputation as the "loudest" of the three. Its fragrances are often strong, with a noticeable scent cloud around you, and boldly follow modern trends.

Club de Nuit Intense Man is the reason many people learned about Arabic perfumery at all. Lemon, pineapple, blackcurrant and smoky birch – for a long time it was the answer to the question "how to smell like Aventus without paying for Aventus". It stands out for its great longevity and projection; the first minutes can be sharp, so we recommend 2–3 sprays, no more. The whole line is in Armaf Club de Nuit.

The Odyssey series is the brand's other face – colourful, fun, modern fragrances with gourmand and fruity themes, aimed at a younger audience. Club de Nuit Bling is a unisex option for people who want an evening presence.

Head-to-head comparison

Here is how the three brands look side by side. The ratings summarise the general character of the ranges – a specific fragrance may differ.

Longevity also depends on the skin: on dry skin any perfume "disappears" faster, while on moisturised skin it lasts longer. Spray on pulse points and on clothes if you want a long trail.

Which Arabic perfume to choose according to your taste

Lattafa or Afnan?

If you are torn between these two, the question is simple: do you like sweetness? If yes – Lattafa, specifically Khamrah or Yara. If you prefer something fresh and clean that will not "weigh heavy" in the office, Afnan Supremacy Silver or 9 AM Dive are the better choice.

Lattafa or Armaf?

Lattafa wins with warm, cosy fragrances and with its women's options. Armaf is for people who want to be noticed and like fresh-smoky or modern fruity fragrances. If you are looking for an everyday men's signature with lots of character – Club de Nuit Intense; if you want an evening men's fragrance with coffee and spices – Lattafa Asad.

Armaf or Afnan?

The two brands meet on "Aventus territory": Club de Nuit Intense is smokier, sharper and stronger, while Supremacy Silver is softer, fruitier and easier to wear. The former is for those who love projection, the latter for those who value discretion.

Do you like sweet oriental fragrances? Also browse the vanilla perfumes – there you will find more candidates from all three brands.

Frequently asked questions