Can you wear FAAN Qasida Purity in winter? Honest advice for the cold

FAAN Qasida Purity is a creamy white-flower Eau de Parfum. Its projection is rated 2 out of 5 and its longevity 3 out of 5, the lowest projection of all fourteen bottles. That matters more in winter than you might think.

What winter does to this pyramid

Purity opens with pear, fig nectar and lily of the valley. These are airy, watery and green. Cold air slows the evaporation of such light notes, so the opening stays close to your skin instead of floating out.

The heart is ylang-ylang, sambac jasmine and tuberose. White flowers like warmth, and in a cold room they stay closed and polite. You will smell them if you lean into your scarf, and your neighbour on the train will not.

The base is cashmere musk, sandalwood milk and vanilla. This is the part that suits winter: soft, creamy and slightly sweet. It is also the part that stays longest.

How to adapt it: sprays, placement, time of day

• Sprays: three or four rather than the usual two. Projection 2 means you will not overdo it.
• Placement: one on the chest under your jumper, one on the scarf. Fabric holds the musk and milk notes well, and wool keeps them warm.
• Time of day: put it on at home, before you put your coat on, so that the opening has settled when you step outside.
• Indoors: offices, shops and living rooms are where Purity reads best in winter.

Where it shines instead

The product page lists spring and autumn, and daily wear and office as moments. Think of a mild October morning or a May afternoon. The pear and lily of the valley open up in that kind of weather, and the white flowers breathe. If you only own one bottle and want it all year, Purity is a good daily choice from March to November.

Better winter bottles if you want the same mood

Do you like the creamy, soft side of Purity but want something with more weight in January? Two options from the range:

• Qasida Signature keeps the orange blossom and adds coconut, praline and vanilla. It is listed for autumn and winter, with longevity 4 out of 5.
• Amjad Mystery has sambac jasmine in the heart like Purity, then sandalwood and vanilla in the base, with hazelnut and saffron on top. It is an Extrait de Parfum with longevity 4 out of 5.

Both are warmer and louder, which is what cold days need. Our guide to autumn and winter compares the rest of the range.

A note on the ratings

Projection 2 and longevity 3 are the lowest numbers in the range, and they are the reason this article exists. A scent that stays close in July does not turn into a scent that fills a room in January. What you can change is where it sits: on wool and silk it lasts longer and speaks a little louder.

Mistakes to avoid

1. Spraying over a thick coat. The perfume ends up on the coat and does not reach anyone.
2. Adding more sprays because you cannot smell it. Your nose gets used to a scent in about ten minutes.
3. Layering Purity with a heavy resin. The soft flowers disappear under it.
4. Storing the bottle on a windowsill or next to a radiator, which dulls pear and flowers first.

Want to see every bottle on one page? Browse the full FAAN range or the Qasida line.

FAQ

Is Qasida Purity too light for winter?

Outdoors, often yes. It is rated 2 out of 5 for projection and 3 out of 5 for longevity. Indoors, with extra sprays on clothes, it works.

Can I wear it to the office in winter?

Yes. It is one of the bottles listed for the office, and dry heated air is kind to it. Two to four sprays are fine.

What if Purity is sold out?

Use the notify option on the product page. Delivery takes 3 to 6 working days in the Netherlands and 5 to 8 working days in the rest of the EU after you order.

Related reading

• FAAN Qasida Purity described note by note
• Perfume at the office: how much is too much
• Best FAAN perfumes for autumn and winter