Note Pyramid
Sandal Abiyad
Sandalwood and amber, nothing else: Afnan Sandal Abiyad Eau de Parfum 100ml is a two material fragrance and it is worth knowing that in advance. The sandalwood is the whole point. It appears at the top, it holds the base, and it smells the way good sandalwood should, creamy and dry at the same time, with a soft milky warmth and no sharpness anywhere in it. Amber provides the only contrast, a resinous sweetness in the middle that fills out the wood and keeps it from feeling austere. Short compositions do not evolve, and this one is honest about that. There is no opening act to enjoy and no surprise after an hour. You get a warm, smooth, creamy sandalwood scent from the first minute, and it simply becomes quieter as the day goes on, which is either a disappointment or a relief depending on what you want from a bottle.
As an eau de parfum it has decent staying power and a modest reach, which is the natural behaviour of these two materials. It will see out a working day sitting close to the skin, and it is about as inoffensive as a fragrance can be without being boring. It reads unisex, it suits all seasons, and it is particularly good in cold weather when sandalwood comes into its own. The spray is the practical choice of the two formats the house offers for this scent, and the 100ml bottle makes it cheap enough to wear every single day rather than saving for occasions.
The 9 AM scents are the fragrances this house puts in its own shop window. Afnan is Emirati, it started in 2007, and it blends and fills everything itself in the Gulf instead of working for a fashion brand. Turathi, Supremacy, Kiaana and Bouquet are its four collections.
Please note: images are a guide only. Packaging and bottle design may occasionally differ from those shown due to manufacturer updates or promotions.
The Scent Vault
Join thousands earning on every order
Earn points as you shop, redeem for money off, and unlock member perks.
Find out more
The Scent Vault Gift Cards
Give the gift of choice
One card, every scent. Let them pick the fragrance that is truly them. Send it instantly by email, or schedule it for a future date with a message of your own.
Shop gift cards
