London - Vanilla scented diffusers are passe and fig fragranced votives old hat.
If you want your home to smell warm and sensual, you need an oud candle.
One of the oldest, and most expensive, fragrances in the world, oud is made from a dark, scented resin of the rare South-East Asian agar tree.
The resin is only produced when the tree is infected by a particular type of mould. Experts claim the best oud comes from the oldest trees, which may explain why 1kg of this precious, fragranced resin can cost £3 500 (about R77 000).
Used by the Ancient Egyptians for embalming bodies, fashion designer Tom Ford now has an Oud Wood eau de parfum in his Private Blend range. Versace, Gucci, the Queen’s favourite perfumier Floris and even Marks & Spencer have oud fragrances, too.
There’s oud-infused shower gel in The Body Shop - and you can even get oud air fresheners for your car.
Strong, musky and sensual, people tend to either love or hate the smell of this woody fragrance. If you want to try it, but don’t fancy dabbing it on your pulse points, why not treat yourself to Noctua’s Sweet Oud and Saffron candle in an owl-shaped glass jar (£12.50, johnlewis.com).
And if you have money to burn? Timothy Dunn’s Golden Oud candle (£139 or about R3 000, Harrods) lives up to this exotic resin’s pricey reputation.
Daily Mail