Ananda by M. Micallef

Ananda is a luminous, comforting fragrance that smells like home, like returning to safety. It breathes cleanliness, tranquility, and harmony in white—an ‘mom’ scent. It’s an inner embrace, perfect for daytime and 100% feminine. It smells like the goodness of a woman who stands out for being kind. I picture it on a woman over 30: reflective, peaceful, affectionate, and sensitive. Normally, I don’t like mimosa; I associate it with a pretty but pungent flower. Here, it’s fantastically crafted, without that unpleasant thread or pollen smell—just pure and clean. Light florals, very soft fruit touches, and a musky base. If I were to go solely by Fragrantica’s notes, I wouldn’t even try it; neither the pear, the plum, nor the mimosa fascinate me. But here they work together, a white syrup that doesn’t weigh you down, lasting but not suffocating, accompanying you while staying fresh. It’s linear, with little evolution or sillage, yet it has presence without being intrusive. I can’t imagine anyone hating it; it’s not offensive. It’s a simple composition that gives the feeling of having smelled it before—creamy and elegant, smelling like a nice face cream from the vanity. There’s a slight hint of sugar that doesn’t bother, perhaps a very faint vanilla just for cohesion. The downside: it’s very simple, so its exorbitant price isn’t justified. The fragrance is good, but you shouldn’t pay nearly €200 for the large bottle. Better to start with a deal and the small bottle.

I find it hard to rate Ananda without comparing it to Guerlain’s Champs Élysées, where it clearly falls short, even though I keep coming back to it. In Ananda, the pear takes the place of melon, and the dry-down is less woody. I like the pear, but it might be a bit too prominent here. I also find it slightly alcoholic and it doesn’t evolve well on my skin; it works better on clothes. It’s a clean, chic, feminine white floral with fruit and musk, very French. It carries the hallmark of Grasse’s tradition: classic, elegant, well-made perfumes. The longevity is excellent and the sillage is noticeable. It’s a Micallef classic, definitely better than the flankers I’ve tried. I like it, but it’s pricey and has some flaws. The truth is, it’s made me want to buy Champs Élysées again this spring.