Attar for Ramzan evenings and Eid gifts
What Lucknow wears to iftar, to Eid namaz and to the visits that follow, and how to choose attar as a gift.
How to make an attar last all day
Where to apply it, how much to use and how to store it.
Attar is concentrated. A single drop, applied well, lasts far longer than several sprays of perfume.
Apply attar to warm pulse points: the inside of the wrists, behind the ears, at the base of the throat and inside the elbows. These spots are warmer, so they lift the scent gently through the day. Dab, do not rub; rubbing breaks down the top notes.
Apply attar to moisturised skin. Dry skin absorbs oil quickly, so the scent fades sooner. A little unscented oil or cream first helps.
Many people in Lucknow put a drop on a small piece of cotton and tuck it behind the ear or in a pocket. It is a lovely way to wear attar without it touching silk clothes.
Store attar upright, in a cool and dark place, away from sunlight and heat. Keep the cap tightly closed. Unlike alcohol perfumes, attars do not go off. A well-kept ruh gulab will be deeper and smoother in five years than it is today.
