How to make an attar last all day
Where to apply it, how much to use and how to store it.
Choosing an attar for the season
Cool attars for summer, warm ones for winter: the old Lucknow rule, and why it still works.
Lucknow’s attar makers have long divided scents into cooling and warming. The idea is that what you wear should balance the weather, and it is a good guide even today.
In summer, choose cool, fresh attars. Khus, distilled from vetiver roots, smells green and earthy and feels cool on the skin. Mitti, the scent of rain on dry earth, is calm and light. Rose and kewda are classic for summer weddings.
In the monsoon, lighter florals such as mogra and champa suit the damp air without becoming heavy.
In winter, warm attars come into their own. Shamama, a blend of dozens of herbs and resins, is the classic Lucknow winter scent. Oud, amber and saffron are rich and long-lasting in cold air. Hina, made from henna flowers and spices, is another old favourite.
If you want one attar for the whole year, try ruh gulab. Rose in sandalwood is gentle enough for summer and deep enough for winter.
