For the last few weeks, millions of Muslims around the world have been observing Ramadan. From dawn until sunset, we fast, with no food or water, not as an act of deprivation but as a way of resetting ourselves. It is a month of reflection, patience and gratitude. A time to quieten the noise of the world and strengthen our connection with God. Ramadan ends with the sighting of the new moon and the arrival of Eid al-Fitr, one of the most joyful days in the Muslim calendar.
In most homes, the announcement of Eid brings with it a sudden burst of excitement, and the slow, peaceful pace of Ramadan becomes a little frantic. WhatsApp groups start buzzing, barber shops have queues spiralling around the corner, and someone always realises they have taken annual leave on the wrong day because they did not expect the moon to be sighted.
And with that, the joy of Eid begins.
My cousins and I have a tradition of getting together the night before Eid to apply henna, do our face masks and wrap any last-minute presents for the children. Eid morning itself begins early. During Ramadan, everyone is used to waking before sunrise for suhoor, the pre-dawn meal eaten before the fast begins, and in many countries, the Eid prayer itself starts very early in the morning. There is a quiet and familiar ritual to the preparation. A bath, putting on our best clothes, self-grooming, and one small detail that might seem simple but carries centuries of meaning: fragrance.
Because if there is one invisible thread that runs through Muslim culture, from Morocco to Malaysia to the Middle East, it is scent.
Growing up, I remember the smell of incense sticks burning through the house as my mother tried to cover the scent of frying onions from the many dishes she was preparing. It was one of the rare occasions when she would allow me to wear her favourite perfumes too. Throughout the day, the house would fill with notes of pistachio, cardamom and rose drifting from various desserts. My father has always been a sandalwood man, and decades later, it is still a note that instantly makes me feel safe, grounded and at home.
Across many Muslim cultures, fragrance does not just belong on the skin. It fills the entire home. Guests are welcomed with warmth and generosity, and scent becomes part of that hospitality. In many households, bakhoor, perfumed wood chips, are gently burned so the smoke drifts through the house and settles into curtains, cushions and clothing. The result is something intangible but instantly recognisable, a warmth that signals that this is a celebration.
Eid is also deeply about community. For those of us living in diaspora communities, British Muslims balancing different cultures, languages and traditions, the day often means moving between multiple homes. In my family alone, Eid will involve breakfast after prayers with the wider community, Pakistani dishes for double lunch at my parents and in laws, followed by tea and desserts with the wider family, and then evenings with friends from all different backgrounds, including Arab, Turkish, Somali and British converts. It is one of the most beautiful things about Eid in the UK. So many cultures coming together under one celebration.
When you visit someone’s home for Eid, you rarely arrive empty-handed. Food is always welcome, desserts especially, but fragrance is another favourite gift. It is universal, thoughtful and meaningful. For hosts, I often turn to Rituals as they have an array of ideal gifts, like the Rituals Precious Amber gift set that contains a number of home scenting items and is beautifully packaged, so it's one less thing to worry about wrapping!
At home, I love burning Kayali’s Oudgasm Café Oud wood chips - they combine the traditional ritual of bakhoor with creamy cappuccino and rose notes. The oud burner releases smoke, which I place under curtains and near upholstery so that the scent settles into the fabric of the room and creates that comforting, unmistakable Eid atmosphere. For gifting, Kayalı also have numerous mini duo sets priced reasonably, and they're ideal for when you have lots of people to buy for.
During Ramadan itself, I have been reaching for deeper fragrances – scents that feel contemplative and grounding. Frédéric Malle Promise has been a favourite this year. It is intense at first with pink pepper, apple and rose, and feels a bit much for rainy February in London, but once it settles, it becomes warm and magnetic. Every time I wear it, I get both compliments and questions on it. Another one I have been reaching for and always gets complimented is Creed Carmina, it is elegant and powerful, with black cherry, rose and saffron layered over amber and musk. It feels celebratory and is the kind of fragrance you reach for on a day when everyone has made an effort to look and smell their best.
With Eid falling close to Mother’s Day, Emporio Armani Power of You Eau de Parfum is another beautiful option for gifting. The fragrance opens with juicy passion fruit before softening into creamy frangipani and settling into a comforting base of vanilla. It feels warm, joyful and almost dessert-like on the skin. A lovely choice for mothers, sisters or the women in your life you want to honour during Eid. Jo Malone Myrrh & Tonka is also popular around this time of year. It is rich and enveloping, and on its own, it is bold, but when layered with something lighter like Jo Malone Grapefruit, it becomes beautifully balanced. Their candles are also wonderful for gifting or scenting the home. They are subtle but comforting, perfect for rooms filled with family and conversation.
For something lighter YSL Libre L’Eau Nue is alcohol free, and the oil texture allows it to last beautifully on the skin. The bright notes of mandarin and orange blossom feel nostalgic across many cultures where Eid is celebrated. For a more accessible option, Pixi PixiFig, with citrus, fig leaves and iris, is fresh, uplifting and perfect for when you need to buy multiple gifts.
Sebina's Ramadan fragrance picks
FREDERIC MALLE Promise
Creed Carmina Eau de Parfum
Giorgio Armani Power Of YOU Eau de Parfum
Jo Malone London Myrrh and Tonka Cologne Intense
Jo Malone London Eau de Cologne Fragancia Grapefruit
PixiPerfume Eau de Parfum - PixiFig
Fragrance on Eid isn’t just about the brand or the bottle; it's about the lasting memory it creates. It is the comfort of your mother’s perfume as she hugs you, the faint trace of oud on the money your father hands you as your “Eidi” after morning prayers, the warmth you feel in someone’s home as you arrive with desserts in hand and children racing ahead of you. Ask many Muslims what Eid smells like, and their answer will undoubtedly carry connotations of joy and celebration. For me, Eid smells like warmth, togetherness and belonging – because as well all know the best fragrances are not just about how they smell, but about how they make you feel.
