Before Ihram it is recommended to perform a full ritual bath (ghusl) and to apply perfume to the body only, not to the garments. Men put on the two white cloths, women their usual covering clothing.
At the Miqat one makes the intention for Umrah and recites the Talbiyah: “Labbayka Allahumma ‘umrah”, then “Labbayka Allahumma labbayk …”.
Prohibited in Ihram are, among other things: perfume, cutting hair and nails, marital relations and, for men, stitched clothing and head coverings.