Hawa by Swiss Arabian

Swiss Arabian

Swiss Arabian Hawa Extrait de Parfum

A rich oriental floral of ylang-ylang, cardamom and amber musk, part of Swiss Arabian's Waaw collection, best suited to cooler evenings.

Feminine
Oriental
Oriental Floral
2021
Reviewed byBibi Burness·Last updated 23 September 2026

Swiss Arabian Hawa Extrait de Parfum is a rich oriental floral built around ylang-ylang, cardamom and a warm amber-musk base, created by perfumer Christian Provenzano.

What does Hawa smell like?

Hawa opens with ylang-ylang, cardamom, mandarin orange, plum and bergamot, a fruity-floral entrance with a spicy edge. The heart moves into jasmine, cashmeran, orange blossom and rose, keeping the floral side rich rather than sweet. The base is where it earns its intensity: myrrh, patchouli, musk, sandalwood, ambergris, vanilla, oakmoss and cedar combine into a warm, resinous finish that lasts well into the evening.

  • Top notes: Ylang-Ylang, Cardamom, Mandarin Orange, Plum, Bergamot
  • Heart notes: Jasmine, Cashmeran, Orange Blossom, Rose
  • Base notes: Myrrh, Patchouli, Musk, Sandalwood, Ambergris, Vanilla, Oakmoss, Cedar

Performance and when to wear it

Hawa is typically long-lasting on skin, with the resinous amber base carrying it well past the working day. It suits cooler evenings and autumn or winter wear in South Africa, where its density feels appropriate rather than overpowering. Reviewers note the opening can be intense, so starting with one or two sprays is a sensible approach.

Who is it for?

Hawa suits women who like dense, oriental florals with real staying power, rather than a light daytime scent. Anyone drawn to rich amber-musk fragrances with a spicy floral heart will find Hawa a satisfying, well-built option from Swiss Arabian's Waaw line.

At a glance

Hawa by Swiss Arabian — Oriental – Oriental Floral. Launched 2021. Created by Christian Provenzano. Price in South Africa: R899. Best for: morning commute, weekend brunch, date night, black tie evening.

Scent profile
Oriental – Oriental Floral
Launched
2021
Perfumer
Christian Provenzano
Price in South Africa
R899
Gender
Feminine
Best for
Morning Commute, Weekend Brunch, Date Night, Black Tie Evening
Price RangeR899
Where to Buy in SA
R
Rio PerfumesUnverified
R899
Score = checks passed of 8All sellers →
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Main Accords

Spicy
92%
Warm
90%
Amber
88%
Sweet
85%
Musky
65%

Fragrance Pyramid

How this scent unfolds on your skin

Ylang-Ylang
Cardamom
Jasmine
Cashmeran
Orange Blossom
Myrrh
Patchouli
Musk
Sandalwood

Community Opinions

Pros
Perfect for evening and special occasions👍 514
Unique and memorable scent profile👍 502
Available from trusted retailers👍 421
Cons
Best suited for cooler seasons👎 366
Can be overwhelming in hot weather👎 327
Bold scent may not suit all preferences👎 235

Wear It When

🌅

Morning Commute

A spritz before you leave — fresh enough to wake you up, polished enough for the boardroom.

Morning
Energising
🥂

Weekend Brunch

Sun-dappled café tables, iced lattes, and effortless charm.

Midday
Relaxed
🕯️

Date Night

Candlelight, slow conversation, and a scent trail that draws them closer.

Evening
Seductive
🎭

Black Tie Evening

When the invitation says formal — this is what you reach for.

Night
Opulent

Drag the knobs to explore

🌸 Spring0% · Skip
☀️ Summer0% · Skip
🍂 Autumn0% · Skip
❄️ Winter0% · Skip

This Scent Is For

For Her
Warm & Opulent
Gourmand

Warm & enveloping — leaves an unforgettable impression.

Scent Mood

FreshRadiantWarmCosy

Peak season: ❄️ Winter (100%)

60

Spr

60

Sum

90

Aut

100

Win

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If You Like Hawa

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Layer It With

Curated scent pairings to build a signature from Hawa. Each combination is vetted by perfumers, editors, and community.

Jo Malone London Grapefruit

The brightener for heavy days.

Spring
Summer
Unisex

Adds an uplifting citrus accessory to anything richer — works whenever a scent feels too heavy for the weather.

Layering Tip

Spray the heavier scent first, then the lighter one on top. Start with two scents — more than three quickly becomes muddled. Always test on skin first.

How to Layer Hawa

Combine Hawa with these partners to create something new. Spray the heavier scent first, let it settle, then add the accent on top. These are note-based suggestions — a great starting point to experiment with.

Swiss Arabian Inara
Suggested pairing daytime and warmer-weather wear

Layer Hawa with

Swiss Arabian Inara

How: 3-4 sprays of Swiss Arabian Hawa on chest and clothing as the base, then 1-2 sprays of Swiss Arabian Inara on the neck and wrists to lift the top.

Result: Inara shares bergamot, cedar, jasmine with Hawa, so the pairing deepens the dry-down without fighting for attention.

Lattafa Yara Candy
Suggested pairing daytime and warmer-weather wear

Layer Hawa with

Lattafa Yara Candy

How: 3-4 sprays of Swiss Arabian Hawa on chest and clothing as the base, then 1-2 sprays of Lattafa Yara Candy on the neck and wrists to lift the top.

Result: Sweet candy-fruity floral builds on Hawa's base, giving it more sweetness and projection for evening wear.

AI Review Summary

Synthesised from fragrance data

Hawa is a richly built oriental floral that earns its extrait de parfum status — the ylang-ylang and cardamom opening has real presence, softened by a lush heart of jasmine, rose and orange blossom before a deeply resinous base of myrrh, patchouli, ambergris and vanilla takes over and anchors everything beautifully. It's the kind of fragrance that rewards patience, because that base is where Hawa truly comes into its own. Reviewers note the opening can feel intense, so one or two sprays on pulse points is genuinely the smarter approach rather than going heavy-handed. It's best suited to cooler Highveld evenings or Cape winter nights, where the density feels considered rather than overwhelming. If you're drawn to fragrances with real weight and staying power — think rich amber-musk with a spicy floral soul — Hawa is a well-crafted option that delivers well beyond its price point.

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