Anais Anais by Cacharel

Today I finally got this wonder, which transported me to my mother, who is no longer with us. I remembered how she wore it; such a coquettish woman who brought out all her femininity and romance, highlighting everything. After so long, incredibly, this bottle fell into my hands. I thank the universe.

IT SMELLED LIKE WHO WE YET WERE NOT. There are perfumes that don’t smell of the body, but of the soul’s memory before becoming flesh. Anaïs Anaïs is one. Born in 1978, when innocence was still believed in without irony, it arrived as a love letter in petals of lily, hyacinth, and orange blossom. It seemed made for the idea of youth: ethereal, white, immaculate, yet with something deep, a nameless sadness. Its round, milky bottle seemed to contain warm milk and lace dreams. It wasn’t sexy; it was virginal. But the trap lies there: beneath that angelic appearance, it hid a convulsive heart, floral to exhaustion, with spicy carnation, unctuous ylang-ylang, and a rose that didn’t blush. Its moss and white leather base anchored it to the skin with almost desperate tenderness. As if it wanted to stay, knowing it couldn’t. Over the years, reformulations softened it. The current version (L’Original) keeps the gesture, but not the depth. What was once lyrical is now a faint whisper, translucent, like a worn photograph. Yet still… there are days you smell it and it returns. The girl on the white bicycle, the folder with dreams, the pressed flowers. It wasn’t a perfume; it was a way of beginning to be.

What a lovely memory to try it today; I hadn’t smelled it in many years. I smell it, I think about it, I love it, but I feel it too close to the skin, which disappoints me… well, after more than 12 hours it is still close to the skin, another point in favour for this classic of classics. In three words: Feminine, floral, delicate. White floral scent. Daily occasion. Versatile climate, not my style in extreme heat but I think it works for others. Would I buy it? Yes. Would I recommend it? Yes, it’s worth it. I would get it in 50ml or 30ml to remember those times.

I have the original fragrance from the 00s, a gift from my aunt that I never opened. I tried it and I have to say, it was probably expired because when I applied it: what a strong smell, I didn’t like it at all; it’s the only one that gives me a headache, even though I like some strong scents. I am more of a gourmand than a floral person, but this one is not. It is sophisticated and matronly, nothing youthful. Longevity and sillage are long. They surely reformulated it and now it doesn’t smell so strong; I am sure that one was expired. If I see it in a perfumery, I will give it another chance.

This is another perfume with much affection. When I was a child, my financial situation wasn’t the best; I lived with my grandmother and sometimes we went to ‘everything at one price’ shops to pass the time and treat ourselves to a little ‘luxury’. She always bought a perfume that smelled wonderful. Whenever she sprayed it, I would be transported to a magical garden and ask to use it. The years passed and I kept the bottle from that dollar shop. One day, while cleaning, I found it almost empty and looked for a refill to keep the memories and that scent. My surprise: that cheap and short-lived perfume was a dupe of Anaïs Anaïs. So now, at 28 with better purchasing power, I went to buy a bottle of Anaïs Anaïs. I think it has been reformulated, but still… for me it is a delight, like being in a green field with fairies and forest creatures, feminine and delicate but intense. It has no age or era; it is a wonder, the epitome of femininity. A success by Cacharel that never goes out of fashion. 10/10.

For those seeking the original Anaïs Anaïs, I warn you that most old bottles are fakes. You can tell by the material quality, and the contents are dreadful. If you are lucky enough to find an authentic one, there is a 99.99% chance the perfume has been ‘picked’ (oxidised); the components of Anaïs spoil before others, unlike an Alien Essence Absolue which remains intact after ten years. Cacharel, what are you doing? All of 2023 releasing the rubbish from the Yes I am Blooming Up line. I think they have stopped loving perfumery; they just need to release one made of mango and another of coconut. Noa, Loulou and the reformulated Anaïs have left my collection. I won’t buy from this brand again until they come to their senses.

Anaïs Anaïs, along with Youth Dew and L’Air du Temps, marked my childhood. I grew up with them and remember how my mother would hide them, especially the Anaïs Anaïs, so I wouldn’t use them, but I always found them. Although the reformulation lost a bit of what it once was, the dry-down reminds me so much. I still use it from time to time, especially when I want to feel carefree and with the sensation that everything will turn out well. Whenever they continue to sell it, I will buy it.

Piccohan, I tell you that you will be surprised with this fragrance because most people have never tried it and it is super versatile. It lasts for hours; it is a splash of water, use it and they will fill you with compliments.

I must clarify that I am one of the 2% of women who did not have this perfume as a child nor had I tried it. Recently I had the opportunity and it never caught my attention due to the ‘girl’s perfume’ label, but my impressions distance themselves from that concept. A tender and fruity opening; I am on the boat of those who consider it tender, but only the first whiff felt like that to me. I sensed a certain freshness that turns sweet and vanilla-like, but not dense. It seems very feminine, sweet but different from what is customary today. It did not seem vintage to me, but different from contemporaries. It has longevity, but I doubt its performance in hostile environments, so one should not hesitate with the sprays. It has a sensual point, definitely, which is why I am surprised that girls from those eras used it; it is a great perfume, it smells like it is for girls aged 23 to 30, not for young teens. I do not feel it is powdery, but fresh, nor pink. If there were no possibility of generating nostalgia, it would be a success for smelling different.

I had a formulation from the late 80s and another from the 2010s. The 80s version was a very lovely floral that transported me to weekends at my grandmother’s house and outings to the park with my aunts. It was long-lasting but not overpowering, perfect for the end of winter. In contrast, the Anaïs Anaïs I bought in 2015 was a fatal mistake. It is unbearable, it smells like a closet that hasn’t been cleaned for decades.

It’s an 80s perfume: super potent, with great projection and longevity. Everything was like that back then, even this Eau de Toilette that many would wish were an EDP. It’s a bookish floral, powdery, intense and not youthful; not subtle, light or fresh. The opening is overwhelming, floral, woody and powdery, from before everything smelled of sweets. It reminds me of my adolescence, when my mother wore it and I’d put it on for the floral scent. I love the opening less than the evolution; after an hour I start to see the charm and understand why it’s a top seller. It smells great if you have patience, because if you stick with the beginning, you wouldn’t buy it. It’s a floral bomb, pretty and a classic, though not easy to wear. There are faithful followers and I understand; you need personality to wear it, it will never go out of style. PS: the bottle is a real gem.

Anaïs Anais is a pretty, tender and very feminine floral, versatile and all-rounder with good sillage and projection, suitable for young ladies and discreet women. Its projection is notable and the dry-down very delicate; a Cacharel gem, though like every great success, it became hyper-massified even in colognes. But I still like it; it’s a classy classic.

In my family it’s tradition to gift this perfume to every girl; it was my first perfume for many years, perhaps due to the memories. It has a talc-like, floral, feminine and very tender aroma; I find it perfect for daily wear.

I always wanted to give it a chance, tried it years ago and no dice. It’s a strong, heavy, loaded, lugubrious scent; nothing fresh or youthful; you smell it and want to pull your nose away. Very unclean, it has too many different flowers. I don’t like it a bit; I feel it.