Sometimes the best things in life are those little unexpected finds that take you completely by surprise. On my fragrance journey, I’ve found that pretty much all of the assumptions we make about perfumes can always be challenged, and often shattered.
A big eye-opener for me was from a taxi driver in Oman. I was on the way to the Amouage factory, and he pulls out his mum’s homemade fragrance, which is apparently a thing – every home has it’s own signature fragrance. That took me a little by surprise, but also, it was genuinely unique.
So that got me into the idea of Artisan fragrances, and Etsy is a great place to find some. One store that grabbed my attention is the UK based store ‘Bakhoor Store Incense’. They’re of Yemeni origin, and the owner’s aunt has been cooking up her own fragrances in the kitchen for the store.
I own several of their bakhoors (or incense), including Yemeni Bridal Bakhoor, and they are incredibly rich and raw, not like anything you’ll find elsewhere. But, I also own one of their hair fragrances, called Makhmaria Mashooka Al-Akhdariane, and I can tell you now, it’s beast mode!
What is Makhmaria Mashooka Al-Akhdariane?
Makhmaria Mashooka Al-Akhdariane is a Yemeni hair fragrance, but it can also be used on the skin.
According to Bakhoor Store Incense, the Makhmaria was made in the kitchen where the ingredients were pounded by hand and then smoked with incense. This paste is then mixed with oils and stored in a jar in a cool, dark place to mature it.
What ingredients are in Makhmaria Mashooka Al-Akhdariane?
According to Bakhoor Store Incense, it contains:
• Oud oil
• Saffron
• Cloves
• Cardamom
• Cherry seeds
• Amber
• Black pepper
• Sandalwood
• Vetiver
• Onycha
• Other florals and essential oils
It contains no alcohol so it won’t be drying on the hair.
Texture of Makhmaria Mashooka Al-Akhdariane
The Makhmaria is a liquidy, slightly oily paste with a touch of graininess.
I find warming the liquid in between my fingers dissolves the grains and I then apply it to my hair whilst it’s still damp.
What does Makhmaria Mashooka Al-Akhdariane actually smell like?
The scent is really intense and slightly familiar. I think the best way to describe it, is it smells like paan masala straight off the bat, but with a slight follow-up note of… cleanliness. That probably sounds like a strange description, but when I smell this, I get high-end Arab washing up liquid vibes.
I definitely pick up the creamy sandalwood, the warmth of the spices, subtle green notes, probably from the vetiver and richness from the drops of oud oil and amber. It’s a familiar smell, probably from the various attars my dad wore.
The scent is also pretty linear and doesn’t seem to develop at all, which is fine by me.
If we’re talking in Western language, this wouldn’t be classed as “feminine” but in the Arab world, fragrances are typically non-gendered anyway – this is good for anyone really.
Longevity and sillage
When this first arrived in the post, I opened it and accidentally spilled a drop onto my duvet cover. Every time I went into the bedroom that day, I could smell the fragrance strongly. Initially it took me a minute to realise what the scent was, I just wasn’t expecting it to be the room filler that it is.
I mainly apply Bakhoor Store Incense’s Makhmaria to my hair whilst it’s damp. This way, I find that the scent actually lasts the whole day, and I get wafts of it whilst I’m out and about when there is a breeze.
It is insanely strong so a little goes a long way, plus a bit too much will result in oily hair.
How much does Makhmaria Mashooka Al-Akhdariane cost?
I bought the 40g pot of the Makhmaria which cost £38.53. The 20g pot costs £17.53.
I would recommend buying the 20g as it will last you forever and you need the tiniest amount.
You can find the link to Bakhoor Store Incense’s Etsy store HERE, or you can buy direct from their standalone website HERE.
