Scent Solutions
How and Why to use Bakhoor to Scent Your Hair?
on Feb 11 2022
Bakhoor is the Arabic word for incense. Arabs have been using bakhoor since decades to scent their homes. Their love for fragrances, perfume oils, attars and Oud is not new. Arabic Bakhoor was traditionally burned on a piece of hot coal. When the fragrant piece of bakhoor (infused with attar oil, herbs, flowers, Oud and other woods) is placed on the hot coal it generates smoke that smells wonderful.
Very quickly Arab women discovered, that if they put their wet hair above the bakhoor burner (with extreme care because you definitely don’t want to burn your hair) their hair dries very quickly and smells really good until the next wash. The hair absorbs and retains the scent from the smoke. You would have probably noticed that if people are smoking cigarettes around you, your hair will smell of cigarettes, or if you spend time cooking a very fragrant dish, your hair smells of food. Bakhoor works in much the same way!
If you want to try scenting your hair with bakhoor, we recommend 2 different ways of doing it.
Method 1: Light up a piece of coal till it is red hot. Carefully place it on a burner and put a piece of bakhoor on the coal. The coal will instantly start smoking. Carefully lean over, tilt your head and allow your hair to absorb the fragrant smoke. Gently lifting your hair over the smoke will allow for better absorption. Ensure to keep a safe distance between your hair and the coal.
Method 2: Light up a t light candle and place it in a Dukhni exotic burner. Place a piece of Dukhni bakhoor on the burner. Within minutes the fragrance will begin to disperse. There will be little, or no smoke generated but as the fragrance is diffusing, carefully lean over, tilt your head and allow the fragrance to weave through your hair. Gently combing your fingers through your hair will help your hair retain more scent. Ensure to keep a safe distance between your hair and the candle.
Explore our Oud Bakhoor
Different Ways to burn Bakhoor! and some common mistakes
on Feb 11 2022
Bakhoor is the Arabic word for ‘incense’ and there are several ways in which you can burn bakhoor. We will look at all the different ways that you can burn bakhoor in this article and also point out some common mistakes that people make while burning bakhoor.
1. THE TRADITIONAL WAY:
The most common way of burning bakhoor, and the way it has been done since time immemorial is on coal. Here are the steps to follow:
Burn a charcoal disc on a flame until it is hot and burning through, a grey soot like ash on top is indicative that your coal is
Then carefully transfer this charcoal disc to the mabkhara (Incense burner).
Add bakhoor on this piece of hot coal and immediately you will smell the wonderful fumes spreading through your space.
You can carefully move the burner into different parts of your home or space during this
Remove the bakhoor after 15-20 min and discard it.
COMMON MISTAKES:
Allowing the bakhoor to continue to sit on the coal for longer than 20min will give you a burning
The bakhoor piece itself is not flammable and should not be heated or burned
2. WITH AN ELECTRIC BURNER:
This is one of the easiest and most convenient ways to burn bakhoor.
Plug in your electric burner
Place the bakhoor on top of the plate
Usually we recommend putting a piece of foil on the plate as many types of bakhoor melt and can be messy
Unfortunately this cannot be moved while the bakhoor is burning
Unplug after 15-20 min and enjoy the scent!
COMMON MISTAKES:
Allowing the piece of bakhoor to sit on the plate for more than 20-30 min will give you a burning smell.
3. ON A DUKHNI BURNER:
This is slow, easy and convenient, but is also doesn’t generate smoke like the above 2 ways of burning bakhoor.
Light a t-light candle and place it in the burner below the plate.
Put a piece of bakhoor on the plate.
COMMON MISTAKES:
The bakhoor piece itself cannot be burned
Placing other brands of bakhoor that could melt on the burner, can be dangerous and must not be
This method is ideal in a closed environment.
In conclusion, burning bakhoor is a time-honored tradition that adds a rich, aromatic layer to your space. Whether you choose the classic method using coal, the convenience of an electric burner, or the subtle, smoke-free option with a Dukhni burner, each technique has its unique benefits. However, to fully enjoy the captivating scents of bakhoor, it's essential to avoid common mistakes like overheating or using the wrong type of burner. With the right care and method, burning bakhoor can enhance your home, uplift your spirit, and offer a sensory journey rooted in centuries of tradition.
