Ciao by The House of Oud

Ciao is part of the Crazy collection from The House of Oud and is inspired by one of the most Italian rituals there is: the sunset aperitif. That moment when glasses clink, someone puts on music, the wooden-and-canvas lounge chairs are out, paper lanterns are up, conversations stretch on, and a single word—ciao—is enough to start a great night where anything feels possible. As often happens with The House of Oud, the presentation is very polished. The characteristic hand-painted oval bottle makes each one a small work of art. It’s one of those bottles that ends up decorating a shelf even when there isn’t a single drop of perfume left inside. Ciao combines fruity, hesperidic, and musky notes in a bright, energetic composition. Opening: ice (yes, but… what does ice smell like??), orange blossom, bergamot, and orange. A sparkling start in which the iced orange and bergamot evoke a toast with freshly poured bubbles. Heart: white peach and iris. The peach adds juiciness and a velvety facet (to me, it smells much more like donut peaches—those squashed white peaches—delicious), while the iris introduces a very well-integrated powdery nuance. Base: musk, patchouli, and ambergris. A modern, enveloping foundation where ambergris lends depth and the musks extend the experience for hours. On skin, it all starts with an explosion of vitality. The combination of orange granita, bergamot, and an Italian-bubbles accord is fun, bright, and hugely summery. For more than an hour, I pick up something that inevitably reminds me of Halls menthol candies. I don’t know whether it comes from the ice effect, the patchouli, or the mix of the two, but it gives the scent a very recognizable and rather addictive twist. When the top notes soften, the white peach appears (like I said, I find it closer to donut peaches), juicy and delicate, accompanied by an iris that adds sophistication without making the whole thing too serious. There is sweetness, yes, but the kind that makes you want to keep bringing your nose to your wrist, not the kind that gets cloying after ten minutes. The evolution is simple but very pleasant: from the initial effervescence it moves into a more intimate base, where ambergris and musks leave a clean, modern trail that is very easy to enjoy. On my skin, it easily exceeds 6 hours of longevity, and during the first hour it projects much more than I expected, creating a sillage of more than two meters around me. Also, it’s one of those perfumes that draws smiles and compliments; there’s something especially appealing in that blend of bubbles and fruit. Although anyone can wear it, I personally find it quite feminine. I see it as perfect for spring and summer, especially for terraces, vacations, outdoor dinners, or any plan that involves good weather and a desire to have a good time. Overall, Ciao is a cheerful, flirtatious fragrance that is very easy to enjoy. It doesn’t try to impress with infinite complexity or a dark personality; it simply puts you in a good mood and makes everything seem a little prettier. Like a summer evening that lingers longer than expected and that no one wants to end. 🍊🥂🍑