Ananda by M. Micallef

Ananda is a luminous, reassuring fragrance that smells of home, of returning to safety. It breathes cleanliness, peace, and harmony in white—a scent of motherhood. It feels like an inner embrace, perfect for daytime and 100% feminine. It smells of the goodness of a woman who stands out for being kind. I imagine it on a woman over 30, reflective, peaceful, affectionate, and sensitive. Normally, I don’t like mimosa; I associate it with a pretty but smelly flower. However, here it is fantastically crafted, without that unpleasant thread or pollen note, just pure and clean. Light flowers, very soft fruity touches, and a musky base. If I were to go solely by Fragrantica notes, I wouldn’t approach it—neither pear nor plum fascinate me. But here they work together, a white syrup that doesn’t cloy, lasting but not overwhelming, accompanying you and staying fresh. It’s linear, with little evolution or trail, yet it has presence without being intrusive. I can’t imagine anyone who wouldn’t like it at all; it’s not offensive. It’s a simple composition that gives the sensation of having smelled it before, creamy and elegant, smelling of a nice face cream. There’s a slight hint of sugar that doesn’t bother, perhaps very lightly vanillaised just for cohesion. The downside: it’s very simple, so its exorbitant price isn’t justified. The fragrance is good, but it’s not worth paying almost €200 for the large bottle. Better to start with a deal and the smaller bottle.

It’s hard for me to rate Ananda without comparing it to Guerlain’s Champs Élysées, where it clearly loses—a perfume I repeat. In Ananda, the pear substitutes for the melon and the base is less woody. I like the pear, but perhaps it stands out too much here. I also find it a bit alcoholic and it doesn’t evolve well on my skin; it sits better on clothes. It’s a white floral with fruits and musk, neat, chic, feminine, and very French. It bears the mark of Grasse’s tradition: classic, elegant perfumes of good make. Its longevity is very good and the trail is noticeable. It’s a Micallef classic, quite better than the flankers I’ve tried. I like it, but it’s expensive and has its drawbacks. The truth is, it’s made me want to buy Champs Élysées again this spring.