New Perfume Review: M. Micallef Mon Parfum Gold + Cleopatra in Cannes Draw

micallef bottles

M.Micallef perfume bottles are hand crafted in Cannes France

I will admit these M. Micallef fragrances on paper do not seem like my cup of tea at all and the lavish Swarovski bottles are not exactly aimed at my more minimalist and experimental tastes; but as with books and covers, as it is with flacons and juice.  I was very kindly sent a vivid and revealing cross-section of the range, from sparkling décolleté florals and caramalised fantasy aouds to darker drier glimpses of sexy woods and quixotic spices. These are opulent scents with precious associations and lavish ambition, when they are done right the sensual formulae makes the skin radiate an intense sense of satiated, exotic comfort that seems just right.

martine micallef and geoffrey nejman of m micallef

Martine Micallef and Geoffrey Nejman

Martine Micellef has a background in art and beauty, using her skills and passions to drive a singular and vivid House; she launched Parfums M. Micallef in 1997 with her husband Geoffrey Nejman who created the original Mon Parfum as a wondrous personal gift for Martine. This delicious moreish mix of caramel, passion fruit, musks, orange blossom and vanilla has creamy echoes of  Thierry Mugler’s Angel whilst a generous splash of mandarin tips the recipe into fabulous gourmand inundation. This deeply personal formula was eventually (after much persuasion by friends and family) released in 2009 and is one of the most popular fragrances in the range (as well as a favourite of a certain Çafleurebon Editor in Chief…)

cannes liz taylor cleopatra

Elizabeth Taylor as Cleopatra.The Film premiered in Cannes in 1963 (art MC)

Jean-Claude Astier is the perfumer working with Martine and Geoffrey on the M. Micallef line, developing ideas and helping to expand the Micallef dream. I’m surprised to be honest, considering the lovely wearability of the fragrances that they are not more widely known; the website states 900 retailers in 60 countries, but they are still relatively elusive. The perfumes do have a particular stamp, a Cannes Film Festival glitter and shine, a burnished hot skin quality which I think appeals to certain markets. The attention to detail is delightful, Martine’s specatular bottles and a soft-edged feminine vision of the olfactive world that seems to be a trademark of the Micallef vision. Even the men’s scents have a dreamy soft-focus glaze to them. Much of this I assume is due to the generous and glossy amounts of aerated aoud floating through so much of the Micallef line. Aoud and I have our difficulties, but it’s hard to resist this form of glassy, languorous agarwood and I must admit I fell heads over heels for M. Micallef’s ridiculously sexy Aoud Gourmet, which manages to neither sicken or over-skank. It seduces completely with marzipan, honey and spices poured over sticky aoud, woods, cypriol, amber and a massive whoosh of cashmeran.

liz taylor cleopatra

Elizabeth Taylor as Cleopatra (art MC)

Mon Parfum Cristal was launched in 2013, a light-infused, sugared flanker to Martines’ original bespoke scent and now in 2014 we have Mon Parfum Gold both signed off by Jean-Claude Astier. Mon Parfum Gold is one of those perfumes you spray and the air stands still for a fraction of a second, things smell unexpected, but you’re not sure why. You just know you want to inhale more. The hit of plum is plush and rather ordinary at first, but as it drops into tuberose, jasmine, musks and vanilla, the composition comes alive. On the skin, it’s hard to resist; it’s weird as it doesn’t really do anything special; no huge olfactory pyrotechnics, no aromachemical sleight of hand. But then sometimes, simply smelling beautiful and soft is enough. Mon Parfum Gold is an essay on how to lay down classic CHANEL style floral games and veil them in discerning exotica. It is done with discretion and style, making Gold a desirable reflection of Martine’s lovely gourmand original.

cleopatra elizabeth taylor  perfume cafleurebon

Elizabeth Taylor as Cleopatra  (Art: MC)

 Mon Parfum Cristal  emphasised the rose, dripping toffee on the petals to ramp up the vanilla facet of the original.  However, there is is something else sitting mysteriously in the background of Mon Parfum Gold, be it smoke, the trademark sweet aoud or a saffron-tinted myrrh; whatever it is (in the press release it notes a secret ingredient), it glows like a candle in a tired window, generating a sensual capture that makes this an elegant scent. Martine, Geoffrey and Jean-Claude have worked hard to assemble a collection of chic fragrances that make skin smell sexy, warm and inviting. Mon Parfum Gold is true to form and a welcome addition to  the Micallef Collection of sun drenched exotic luxury perfumes that you really enjoy wearing. I kept wondering who smelled so damn fine. It was me.

Disclosure I received a sampling of M Micallef perfumes for consideration

The Silver Fox, Senior Editor and Editor of The Silver Fox

mon parfum gold micallef

Mon Parfum Gold  Bottle Art by TSF

Editor’s Note: Parfums M.Micallef has introduced an E-Boutique where you can buy any fragrance in their collection and they ship anywhere in the world. It is no secret that M.Micallef perfumes suit me very well; I own seven more than any other House.  I have implored Martine and Geoffrey to bring back Notes Vanille, which is one of the best vanilla fragrances of the past decade.  Which as Asali commented just might be available in the EU. But for now,  I shall soak my skin in Mon Parfum Gold,  line my eyes with black kohl and feel like a legendary much married movie star. -Michelyn Camen, Editor in Chief

MONPARFUMGOLD100M Parfums M micallef 2014

Thanks to the continued kindness of Geoffrey, Martine, Laurence, Claudia, and Lesley of Parfums M.Micallef we have a 100 ml bottle/190 Euros of Mon Parfum Gold for a reader anywhere in the world.  To be eligible please leave a comment with what you found compelling about The Silver Fox’s review, where you live and if you have a favorite M.Micallef fragrance. Draw closes November 3, 2014

We announce the winners only on site and our Facebook page, so like CaFleureBon and use our RSS option…or your dream prize will just be spilled perfume

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45 comments

  • I love that this scent is described as accomplishing the simple, but so difficult, thing of smelling beautiful and soft. Not every perfume needs pyrotechnics and excessive cleverness. I’ve never sampled any M. Micallefs, but I did once smell someone wearing what turned out to be Royal Muska – delicious.

    I’m in the US.

  • “sexy, warm and inviting” yes, please- and if it wins over the silver fox, despite its ‘cover’ AND opens with a great plum note, then I’m sure it will be love at first sniff.
    I think they might have listened to the prayers of you Michelyn, I heard they brought back the wonderful Notes Vanille in a 100ml. That is a beautiful vanilla.
    Thanks for the review, and the generous draw 🙂

  • Silver Fix had me at honey! This perfume sounds amazing. I love a well-developed gourmand perfume. I’m in the US and I haven’t tried a M. Micallef fragrance yet. 🙂

  • julesinrose says:

    “. . there is is something else sitting mysteriously in the background. . . be it smoke, the trademark sweet aoud or a saffron-tinted myrrh; whatever it is. . it glows like a candle in a tired window” I want to know what the “secret ingredient” smells like!

    My favorite Micallef is Royal Rose Aoud, but I’ve only tried two of their scents. In the US (still) Cheers!

  • Jennifer Witt says:

    I really enjoyed reading about the different types of scents offered by M Micallef. Plum and jasmine are two of my very favorite notes so I would love to win Mon Parfum Gold. I live in the US and don’t currently have a favorite M. Micallef fragrance.

  • The phrase that really resonated with me was ‘simply smelling beautiful and soft is enough’. I sometimes don’t need my scent to be cleverer than me!
    I bought Yellow Sea for my husband but I like Aoud Gourmet on myself but Mon Parfum Gold sounds wonderful.
    I am in Australia and really appreciate a worldwide draw, ty!

  • “The perfumes do have a particular stamp, a Cannes Film Festival glitter and shine, a burnished hot skin quality which I think appeals to certain markets.” I thought this line was simply fabulous – I’d love to experience this burnished hot skin quality myself. I haven’t tried any of the scents but Gaiac is included in my next sample purchase. In the US – thanks for the generous draw!

  • “whatever it is. . it glows like a candle in a tired window”..enchanting parallel with the smell. I want to try this!
    My favorite M.Micallef fragrance is Vanille Orient. And I love to wear Arabian Diamond in rainy weather)
    I’m in Russia.
    Thanks for the draw.

  • I love the sound of the “languorous agarwood” and I also love the bottle. I am in the US, and I have not tried any of their scents yet.

  • Wow. M. Micallef are always so incredibly generous! It was thanks to this site that I was introduced to the line. Thank you to them and Cafleurebon for this draw and the wonderful articles! I am in the US and my favorite M. Micallef is Ylang in Gold. I was intrigued by the Silver Fox’s description of the experience with this scent, how the “air stands still” and something mysterious and strange captures your senses. This is going to be yet another M. Micallef on my wishlist. Thank you for the chance!

  • “On the skin it’s hard to resist!!! Sometimes simply smelling beautiful and soft is enough! The secret note whatever it may be has me intrigued. Who wouldn’t want to smell damn fine and then realize it was them…Michelyn, the Notes Vanille sounds delightful. I love this perfume house and appreciate the beauty of the bottles as well as the olfactory treasure that they enclose. I am in the US

  • I love Martina ´s work. I had a few of her scents, currently Note Poudree. Rose Oud was also one of my favs. I would like to know what is this “mysteriously sitting behind…”, it sounds very interesting. Thank you for this opportunity.

  • Marcopietro says:

    Can I to resist to something so simple and chic at the same time like that? I had got and loved some Micallef’s fragrances but my favorites are Avant-Garde and Le Seducteur by G.Nejman.
    I live in Italy.
    Thanks for the draw!

  • I very like this review. Elizabeth Taylor looked wonderful as Cleopatra. I had never tried M.Micallef fragrances, but these bottles are fabulous.
    I live in Europe.

  • Reading the Silver Fox’ description of Mon Parfum Gold had me inmmediately thinking I want to try this one badly. Plum, tuberose, jasmine, vanilla and musc…. hmmmm…. The ingredients sound lovely and I love soft fragrances.

    My favorite Micallef? It’s a toss between Gaiac and Patchouli.I live in the Netherlands.

    Thanks for this lovely draw.

  • The secret ingredient must be that mellow glow that the review, and the perfectly suited photos implied. That should be it – glowing from inside when you wear it, not feeling snob, but beautiful and giving!
    My favorite, so far, is M. Micaleff Sous Le Figuier – the most mouth-watering fig in perfume I have ever tried!
    I am in Bulgaria (EU). Thank you for the great chance!

  • Beverly Wright says:

    Love how a husband and wife can envision fragrances together. I love Vanilla Aoud the best…so far. I’d love to try them all.

  • The opening line by Silver of, “I will admit these M. Micallef fragrances on paper do not seem like my cup of tea…”, had me wanting to read it all with great interest. I have enjoyed Nasreen from this line. USA

  • You had me at ‘exotic luxury’! I really enjoyed Nasreen and to a lesser extent Vanille Cuirs, but those are the only ones I’ve tried, though I’m interested in many more! I’m in the US.

  • Now I want to smell it just to try and guess the secret ingredient. Black Sea is my favorite so far, but I haven’t tried many M. Micallef fragrances yet. Thanks for the drawing! I’m in the US.

  • Mystery ingredient? Languorous, glassy eyed agarwood? PLUM flecked floral? Yes. I’m instantly intrigued by these descriptions. M. Micallef perfumes have been on my radar to try since I acquired a bit of the Les Saisons Hiver which I absolutely adore. Mon Parfum Gold is described so lushly by The Silver Fox that I’m drooling to get my hands on some of this. This line “it glows like a candle in a tired window, generating a sensual capture” keeps running a scent-visual in my head that won’t quit. I think of a quiet, hazy, warm siren song – tamer than Lorelei on the cliffs but no less seductive and compelling. I simply must have some 🙂 I live in the US. Thanks for the lovely review and giveaway!

  • Vinh Nguyen says:

    Would love to give this to my wife. I think she would adore it and the thought of a mysterious ingredient being in the mix makes it ever so fascinating. And I want to smell it on her… mmm… vanilla+++. I am in Canada.

  • I, like you, am surprised the fragrances are not more widely known especially considering how great some of them are and that they have 900 retailers in 60 countries.

    I live in the U.S.A.

    My favorite is Royal Vintage!

  • I love the way the Silver Fox creates a visualisation of the rose, “dripping toffee on the petals” “smoke, the trademark sweet aoud or a saffron-tinted myrrh;” These descriptions conjures up wonderful images- to be frank, makes me drool!! I feel like I’m in 5th C Arabia with nothing to do but wear perfume! I’ve never tried M. Micallef perfumes before but I’d love to- a very generous draw and a wonderful review, many thanks I’m international

  • I do not necessarily find it compelling, but quite interesting That the Silver Fox say that the Micallef bottles do not seem like her cup of tea at all and the lavish Swarovski bottles are not exactly aimed her more minimalist and experimental tastes. For me it is quite the opposite, I also have minimalistic taste I some things, but in this case its the gorgeous bottles that appeal to me also besides many of the stunning fragrances from the Micallef line. The design and extravagance that these bottles exude make them so very appealing to me in every way. I am a long standing fan of Mon Parfum in the line and Ylang in Gold is probably my favorite followed by Mon Parfum Cristal. Great review and now I think I need a bottle of the Mon Parfum Gold. And I would be very happy if the Notes Vanille indeed came back 🙂 I am in the US

  • The Silver Fox writes an impressive review. I am fascinated, thank you. I have smelt M. Micallef perfume on a friend and it was divine I think it was Les Saisons Hiver if memory serves me correctly. I love the descriptions, the Rose, the Vanilla and the air standing still, glowing like a candle. Pure desire. What a generous draw. I am US.

  • Just from the list of notes – plum, tuberose, jasmine, musk and vanilla – Mon Parfum Gold is exactly my cup of tea, and if the air stands still, I must try this!! I am far from a minimalist and find the bottles exquisite. The original Mon Parfum is a favorite and I also love Rose Extreme. Thank you for the generous draw. I am in the US.

  • “Mon Parfum Gold is one of those perfumes you spray and the air stands still for a fraction of a second […]” shortly followed by a still of Ms. Taylor as Cleopatra immediately had me in a blissfully suspended state. I’m a sucker for Mr. Fox’s way with describing how a perfume transforms the atmosphere as it enters it. Mon Parfum Gold has “test me” written all over it.

    My favorite Micallef is Gaiac as of now – weather dictates.

    thanks for the draw. I am in the US.

  • TSF is the master at describing fragrances, I don’t know where to begin. The way he describes the elements featured in this perfume makes me want to order a bottle right now! Smoke, aerated Aoud, myrrh, plum, musk. All elements I love. “Sun drenched and exotic ” and all I need to know. I’m in the U.S. and thanks so much for this wonderful draw! I don’t have a favorite perfume from this house because I haven’t tried enough of their scents yet.

  • I found quite compelling Silver Fox’s notion where he mentions that Mon Parfum Gold is a luxuriously sensual and captivatingly exotic perfume yet a very elegant one close to the classic ones like Chanel’s, which you really enjoy to wear. I loved the phrase where he says: “I kept wondering who smelled so damn fine. It was me” and this is something that I personally crave from a fine perfume to really smell good on my skin.
    Although I have been informed about M. Micallef perfumes from Cafleurebon beautiful reviews and have been a friend via of the official page of this house in Facebook I never ever had the chance to wear one of his amazing creations or even to experience…
    Loved the whole review and found the pictures of Elizabeth Taylor as Cleopatra really amazing ones which they really fit with these perfumes since they must smell as if they were made for a royalty princess or even better for a Pharao queen.
    I live in EU and I thank you for this lovely review and draw.

  • The Silver Fox,thanks for the review!. It makes me want to try Mon Parfum Gold immediately.
    My favorite Micallef is Royal Amber.
    I am in the U.S.

  • I am interested in the mysterious smoke hanging in the background of this scent. The Silver Fox is correct- sometimes it’s enough to smell beautiful and soft.
    I am in the US. Thanks for the draw!

  • Fazal Cheema says:

    As I was reading this article, a desire emerged within me that Notes Vanille is reintroduced and suddenly the perfume is mentioned in the end as well as a little hope it may come back, at least in Europe. The article kind of supports my belief that one of the notes Micallef is really good at working with is Vanilla and it may be a note that brand founders love, given how many vanilla-themed scents they have introduced.

    I may not own as many Micallef fragrances as the author but I believe I do own at least 5 from Micallef..thanks so much for the generous draw. My favorite Micallef fragrance is Notes Vanille though I have just smelled it as a decant and hope to buy full bottle if it returns. I am in the US.

  • Incredible pictures! The pictures of Elizabeth Taylor as Cleopatra, the pictures of the bottle! Stunning!

    I am not a fan of plum, but I know a few fragrances where this note performs very well and I am curious how it would do here with so many exotic ingredients like vanilla, tuberose, jasmine.

    A great review! This fragrance should be carnal, sensual, smelling of warm soft skin. That is how I imagined it after reading this wonderful review of The Silver Fox.

    I live in Eu. Thanks for the draw and the review!

  • I love that The Silver Fox said as with books and covers the same with bottles and jus. It is true we can judge without really knowing something. I would love to wear a fragrance sun drenched and exotic. The reference to aerated oud sounds lovely, not heavy but pleasing. I own one Micallef Nasreen and its gorgeous. I have heard so much on the forums about the mythic Notes Vanille so please M Micallef bring it back
    I live in the US

  • I liked the description of smoke. M. Micallef are not a brand i know well, so I’d not pick a favourite.
    I’m in the Ue, ty

  • I’ve tried about a half-dozen M. Micallef perfumes, and even the ones that were “not my cup of tea” (cough, Vanille Marine) have been really well done. I can’t say I’ve settled on a favorite yet, as I have been waiting for months for a sample of Vanille Aoud, and thanks to this review, Aoud Gourmet, as well as Mon Parfum and Mon Parfum Gold, are joining Ylang in Gold on my Must Try list. I’m in the US. (And I do love the blingy bottles. I can’t believe the line isn’t more widely available just so stores could display them.)

  • Don’t have any favorite from M. M. YET but i love the fact that spouses work together. 🙂 I must say I am intrigued by the secret note. 🙂

  • How I would love to try something that “glows like a candle in a tired window, generating a sensual capture that makes this an elegant scent”. So far my favorite Micallef is Rouge No2.
    I live in the EU. Thanks for the draw!

  • The secret ingredient sounds very good, I like the idea of a candle, I don’t think I have smelled something reminding a candle in a perfume before. Saffron tinted myrrh sounds very good as well. Must be a really good fragrance and ideal for winter and cold weather… I haven’t sampled any M. Micallef yet. I am in the EU. Thanks for the draw!

  • Cynthia Richardson says:

    When The Silver Fox writes “one of those perfumes you spray and the air stands still for a fraction of a second, things smell unexpected, but you’re not sure why. You just know you want to inhale more,” I pay attention. I live in the US and have not yet had the pleasure of wearing an M.Micallef fragrance.

  • Donna Spiegel says:

    One of my absolute most favorite perfumes is Mon Parfum. I wear it almost daily. I too am astonished that this line isn’t found at more houses but then it is also what makes them more special and unique. I have Mon Parfum Cristal. Mon Parfum Gold has that alluring quality appeal sound to it based on The Silver Fox’s review which I would certainly enjoy I am sure. I liked the description of how things smell unexpected and you’re not sure why. I like when perfume speaks to you. You should feel it. That is compelling. As always a wonderful article. I’d love the oportunity to try this and thank you for the draw. I’m in the US.

  • Wow, these words make me love Mon Parfum Gold before I have even tried it! One sentence from this review that seriously draws me in is this: “However, there is is something else sitting mysteriously in the background of Mon Parfum Gold, be it smoke, the trademark sweet aoud or a saffron-tinted myrrh; whatever it is (in the press rlease it notes a secret ingredient), it glows like a candle in a tired window, generating a sensual capture that makes this an elegant scent.” I think either this or Aoud Gourmet would be my favorite Micallef. I’m in the U.S.

  • The sense of the Mon Parfum Gold as an accomplished perfume which just smells good, which does not rely on shock or tricks but is just extravagantly good, which is lit from within “like a candle in a tired window” (love that phrase!) is what I loved about The Silver Fox’s review, and is why I want to try it! Bo favorite yet, thank you for the review and draw!
    USA