Parfums M. Micallef 20 Ans (2016), Secrets of Love Gourmet (2017) and Pure Extrême (2015) + Celebrating Martine Micallef on International Women’s Day 2018 Draw

Martine Micallef of Parfums M.Micallef

"For me to be a woman in the world of business allowed me to develop more my intuition side of my character… My sensibility accompanies me in my creativity. As I am an artist, I feel free to take décision only with my feelings. I love to experiment new roads…”. –Martine Micallef of Parfums M.Micallef

My children can attest to the fact that my personal mantra and studied reaction to just about every situation I encounter is a quotation from a Sufi teaching story entitled "What Befell the Three". Because I firmly believe that the words we use shape our realities, I always make an important addition to the original quotation: "There are as many Ways as there are hearts of men [and women]."  – Murad Shami (1640 – c1720). Today, as we celebrate International Women's Day, I would like to extend this tenet into the realm of fragrance, focusing on the extensive oeuvre of the amazingly talented woman entrepreneur, the co-founder and designer of Parfums M. Micallef, Martine Micallef.  When I consider the strength, romance and femininity of womanhood, three unique fragrances by M. Micallef, which was co- founded by Martine Micallef in 1996 immediately come to mind: 20 Ans (2016) Secrets of Love Gourmand (2017) and Pure Extrême (2015).

Martine Micallef  of Parfums M.Micallef  (in yellow) Denis Durand (R) Cannes 2013

 Martine Micallef and perfumers Geoffrey Nejman and Jean Claude Astier are the three creative minds and noses behind the house of M. Micallef. In the past 20 plus years M. Micallef has probably introduced as many stunning perfumes for men and woman as there are personal tastes in perfumery. For International Women's Day I have selected three perfumes by M. Micallef to define three of the many scented pathways that express the ideals strength, romance and femininity in fragrance.

M. Micallef 20 Ans and Veroniek Gielkens by Duy Quoc Vo for Avant Garde 2011

The First Pathway – Temptation – M. Micallef 20 Ans is my dream of a fantasy garden, a temptation sparkling with light reflecting through a snakeskin patterned bottle. My first taste of 20 Ans recalls the soft pink pith and the sweeter than grapefruit aroma of the flesh of my favorite citrus, the luscious pomelo.  I take another bite and am immediately swept away by a blend of mysterious fruits, suffusing my skin with a golden glow. Davana (Artemisia pallens) adds an intoxicating richness to the fragrance. The perfume is at once exhilarating and sultry, comfortable and exotic, with a sillage that is quite flirtatious while remaining polite.  The complex structure of 20 Ans dries down and finishes, after several hours, with a nutmeg spiced wood accord.  From the first breath to the last lingering sigh, 20 Ans shimmers with a kaleidoscope of olfactory effects, offering a tantalizing, seductive aroma that could easily be the scent of the original forbidden fruit. Notes: Bergamot, nutmeg, exotic fruit, white rose, davana, orange flower, jasmine, geranium, patchouli, caramel, vanilla, precious woods and white musk.

Natasha Poly by Willy Vanderperre for Vogue China November 2012​©​ and Secrets of Love Gourmet

The Second Pathway – Smoldering Pleasure – M. Micallef Secrets of Love Gourmet opens as a glowing, smoky gourmand, smoldering with incense, nuts and sweet leather, developing, after a few minutes, into a buttery, vanilla chestnut torte. A touch of something phenolic – the residual leather perhaps – or the effect of aoud, incense and smoking frankincense, ignite a slow burn that warms as it dries down.  Secrets of Love Gourmet is rich and bold with a just hint of airy violet and a slightly tart raspberry. The sillage is pronounced but never overpowering and the longevity at least eight hours on my skin and days on clothing.  Secrets of Love Gourmet finishes, as it starts, a pleasure filled, sweet chestnut dessert, lingering as a glaze and a haze of labdanum, aoud and precious woods. Notes: Incense, raspberry, violet, leather, chestnut, labdanum, aoud and vanilla.

M.Micallef Pure Extreme and Sofia Sanchez & Mauro Mongiello©, Model: Coco Rocha​ 

Final Pathway – Afterglow – M. Micallef Pure Extrême: After succumbing to the temptation of 20 Ans and savoring the smoldering pleasure of Secrets of Love Gourmet I find myself basking in the floral afterglow of M. Micallef Pure Extrême. Pure Extrême is the ultimate relaxation, rose petals, jasmine and gardenia blossoms floating in a steamy bath of amber, woods and white musk. Opening humid, moist and balmy, Pure Extrême soothes with the transparent, luster of a fragrant gold-toned rose.  As the perfume develops it suffuses, surrounds and comforts me with the intimate touch and feel of the delicate, waxen petals of white flowers, gardenia and jasmine, ever so slightly bruised and gilded with golden amber. I luxuriate in this elixir of flowers for eight hours and more before Pure Extrême slowly vanishes into a mist of woods and musk. Notes: Gardenia, rose, jasmine, precious woods, amber and musk.

20 Ans, Secrets of Love Gourmet and Pure Extrême are perfumed pathway to strength, femininity and romance, you need only follow your nose and discover your heart in these three entrancing beauties by Geoffrey Nedjman and  Martine Micallef of Parfums M. Micallef.

Disclaimer:  Many thanks to Martine Micallef of Parfums M. Micallef for the beautiful bottles of 20 Ans, Secrets of Love Gourmet, and Pure Extrême. My opinions are my own.

Gail Gross – Senior Editor

Art Direction: Michelyn Camen – Editor-in-Chief

M.Micallef Secrets of Love Gourmet, 20 ans and Pure Extreme. Photo © Gail

Thanks to the generosity of Martine Micallef  M. Micallef we have a  large size bottle of your choice of 100 ml  20 Ans,  75 ml Secrets of Love Gourmet and 100 ml + travel size of Pure Extrême available to one registered reader anywhere in the world. Be sure to register or your comment will not count.) To be eligible for the draw, please tell us where you live and what appeals to you about Gail's reviews and which you should choose should you win.  You can also let us know how you celebrated International Women's Day 2018. Draw closes March 11, 2018

 

We announce the winners only on site and on our Facebook page, so Like Cafleurebon and use our Blog feed…or your dream prize will be just spilled perfume.

 

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44 comments

  • VerbenaLuvvr says:

    I should choose 20 Ans if selected. A fragrance that is “quite flirtatious while remaining polite” is a scent that I can appreciate. I like to enjoy fragrance without beating others about the senses with it. I celebrated IWD today by engaging in respectful conversation on social media and at lunch today with people having differing viewpoints from mine, talking with and encouraging my daughters concerning their life goals, and attempting to set a positive example for them as I strive to every day. I live in the US and thank you for this draw.

  • RoseMacaroon says:

    What a beautiful Womens’ Day post! An inspiring femininity is what I’m taking away from that. If I do get a bottle out of it, that’s an excruciatingly hard one to choose, but i’d most like to try Secrets of Love Gourmet (it was the violet-raspberry, incense-leather that got me there — um, combined with the chestnut torte, obviously ).
    Thank you so much for the draw, and the exquisite post!
    I’m in the US.

  • Patsi says:

    A beautiful sensual feminine piece by Gail on the M. Micallef scents. Its intense and tempting as are the bottles. I think the one i would go for if i am chosen is Pure Extrême – i am a sucker for floral woody musks.

    Today i organised an International Women’s day coffee morning in our work and the proceeds went to a local Women’s Aid Centre. I am in the UK and thank for the drawing.

  • GrandmaGaga says:

    How did I not know that the ‘M’ behind M. Micallef scents was a woman!? I enjoyed Gail’s review of these three scents and her discussion of the fragrances from a women’s point of view. I experienced International Woman’s Day at home (due to a flare up of knee problems, darn it all!) by reading numerous articles published today in honor of the holiday. If I were so lucky as to be drawn, I would choose the Pure Extreme….it sounds lovely and I can share with my daughter, a strong, intelligent woman who teaches.

  • mrpeeck says:

    As a man… trying to celebrate International Woman Day- the social, economic, cultural and political achievement of women. More power to ya! Go for it! Be all you can be! I understand. I guess I will have to wait and celebrate International Men’s Day on November 19th… Now as far as femininity in fragrance and your pathways that Gail has chosen I find to be very diverse… Not being in the gender to be able to pull off very feminine fragrances ,but I do have a wife and daughter that can… I can appreciate your review of the 3 pathway scents! Perfume 20 Years 100 ml I think would be my choice… with its White Rose and Nutmeg Spiced Wood accords. THANK YOU and I do Live in the USA…

  • fazalcheema says:

    Hard to believe it has been more than 20 years since the founding of Micallef Perfume House. Martine is quite independent in creating perfumes and frequently relies on her intuition. All three perfumes are quite feminine and appropriate to celebrate International Women’s Day. I notice that all three have strong floral elements. I am most intrigued by Pure Extreme that has musky drydown. Thanks for the draw. My choice is Pure Extreme. I celebrated International Women’s Day by reminding myself that MeToo Movement has been revolutionary by any standard and its a sign of good things to come regarding equal rights for women. I am in US.

  • Rae Lynn says:

    Such a wonderful way to celebrate International Woman Day! Your choice of the “Three Pathways” to express femininity in perfume is genius! My favorite from your descriptions is “The First Pathway – Temptation – M. Micallef 20 Ans”. Your review “offering a tantalizing, seductive aroma that could easily be the scent of the original forbidden fruit” makes this my choice if I should win the draw. I live in the US.

  • INYA says:

    I enjoyed reading about Martine’s personal mantra. I would chose Secrets of Love Gourmet. I’m in the USA.

  • roxhas1cat says:

    I ‘celebrated’ woman’s day by going to work and running errands. Just a regular day. I love this line, my favorite is Gaiac. Such a beautiful scent. I would choose Secrets of Love Gourmet. The buttery, vanilla chestnut torte made my decision. I’m sure any gourmand from this line doest go into cupcake land. Thanks for the chance. US.

  • Corletia Banks says:

    I can definitely relate to the statement regarding our words shaping our realities! The Second Pathway – Smoldering Pleasure (Secrets of Love Gourmet) stands out as the scent I’m most interested in trying.

  • esz says:

    They all sound divine but I am most taken by the sound of Pure Extreme – that would be the one for me. I am falling in love with big florals again after a brief sojourn away from them. It would be nice to add to this part of my collection

    I am in Melbourne Australia

  • Sleepylizard says:

    Gail’s description of my perfume choice – Pure Extreme as a relaxation of florals in a steamy bath of Amber, woods and musk caught my attention!
    For IWD we all brought our favourite food from our native countries to work – lots of laughs shared as well as recipes!
    Thank you
    Australia

  • Chocolate Marzipan says:

    “A sweet chestnut dessert” has me longing for Secrets of Love Gourmet. Thank you for this generous draw! I reside in the United States.

  • peppermoon says:

    Thanks for the draw! I’ve been exploring nutty perfumes lately so the description of Love Gourmand as a chestnut gourmand drew me in – I’d chose that one. I didn’t do anything special for International Women’s day. I’m in the US.

  • Roxana says:

    I find it interesting how fragrances are depicted on Çafleurebon. When you are good with words, you can do everything. And Gail knows what she is doing. This review makes me want every single one of these scents.
    On further investigation, I realized that “20 Years” and “Pure Extrême” are too sweet for me or, at least, they seem so. So I settled for “Gourmet”. Leather, oud, incence, labdanum, smokiness, even chestnut, what can be better?
    I live in the E.U. Thank you.

  • LiskMaePearl says:

    I enjoyed Gail's reviews and learning more about Martine Micallef and like another reader didn't know she was the M in M Micallef. The three paths was a clever way to feature each and I loved the art too. My choice is 20 ans and I live in the USA

  • Alen says:

    HAPPY WOMEN’S DAY!!! Great review , i would go with Secrets of love gourmet, i live in the EU, thanks for the draw.

  • Dosva says:

    I like Gaik review- short, but very informative. Mostky I am interested in Love Gourmet- smoky, leathery!!!
    I tested Micaleff perfumes and love Royal Vintage
    I celebrated International Women’s Day 2018 with my mother and relatives. As always I gave tham presentes.
    My choice is Secrets of Love Gourmet!!!
    I live in Armenia now.

  • Kate C says:

    We were all under the weather here, so I spent the day reading to my daughters. I live in the US and would love to try the Pure Extreme, I enjoyed Gail’s description of it as the ultimate relaxation. Thanks for the generous draw!

  • Lola N says:

    I like the Sufi quote Gail used in this review. If I won I would choose Secrets of Love Gourmet. I spent International Women’s Day being a woman and mother and reflecting on the powerful women who paved the way for me.
    I live in California U.S.A.

  • kwick says:

    I would choose 20 Ans, if I were the lucky winner. What I liked about the review was the lushness of the language, and how it took me through the different facets of the fragrances. I live in Winston-Salem, NC. Thanks for the opportunity!

  • Timea says:

    Wonderful review. These perfumes are all sounds incredible good, very hard to chose only one. I have never had a chance to try anything from M. Micallef, but I always wanted to try them. If I would be as lucky to win, my choice would be 100 ml 20 Ans. Thank you very much for this generous draw. I live in Europe.

  • Wood4Ever says:

    I also did not know M. Micallef was a woman. My knowledge of the brand comes almost exclusively through the reputation of Guiac, which is renowned to the best at this scent. I have not had the pleasure of being able to smell any of her work in person.

    Pure Extreme sounds like pure luxury, and the analogy of being in a rich steambath of flowers and musk sounds heavenly. I also love any kind of gold-toned rose, like a padparascha sapphire. I would love to win this fragrance.

    Thanks for the draw! I am in the US.

    p.s. I work in an almost entirely female office, so I celebrated International Women’s Day around my coworkers. We also had a baby shower, an oblique way of celebrating femininity.

  • Donna S says:

    Gail really hits it on the mark in how she lists each individual review. I felt as though I was on a sultry journey reading these. They all sound so yummy. I am a big fan of M. Micallef’s perfumes. I would choose 20 Ans if I won. It was nice having fellow women just be in tune and in touch yesterday although we’re pretty great all year long 🙂 I am in the US and thank you so much for the opportunity.

  • fleurdelys says:

    It’s hard not to love Gail’s review. Concise but full of essence.
    It’s great to be able to read excellently written reviews here on Cafleurebon that seem to always deliver vivid olfactory sensations.
    I’ve always been drawn to M.Micaleff perfumes. The way they manually decorate most of the bottles adds a personal, artisanal touch and that’s beautiful.
    I spent Women’s Day outdoors during a long walk.
    A great choice of three beautiful, but different fragrances. I’m drawn towards M. Micallef Pure Extrême. It seems perfect to me.
    Thank you for the review and Happy Women’s Day to all !
    I’m from the EU.

  • Annatar says:

    Beautiful review. I love the idea of expressing a pathway through fragrance, and naturally, I’d choose something close to mine should I win this time: smoldering pleasure is my jam :)! Secrets of Love Gourmet has a little bit of everything I like in a perfume: incense, chestnut, violet and a hint of leather. Sounds promising.

    I celebrated Women’s Day drinking champagne and rewatching Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

    Thanks for the fantastic draw! I live in Russia

  • TravisO says:

    Should I win Gail make me want 20 Ans. Not only do I love fruit fragrances but her description of a sweet grapefruit make me hunger for this fragrance. Also I would like to know what a original forbidden fruit smell like. Thanks for the draw from Hawaii

  • NiceVULady says:

    I would really like to try the 20 Ans. Loved the review. Loved the language. Gail’s review is so evocative. Thanks for the draw. I’m in the USA

  • Carol Webb says:

    I celebrated Women’s Day by working all day and going out to dinner and drinks with two former coworkers and catching up on what they are doing.
    I love the way Gail describes these three fragrances. They all sound intoxicating but If chosen I would select Pure Extreme, it sounds so beautiful and the photo to go with is perfect.
    Thanks for the draw – I’m in the US.

  • Diana D says:

    OOH!! Of the 3 scents, I was so drawn to the notes of 20 Ans. And when I read the quote “20 Ans is my dream of a fantasy garden, a temptation sparkling with light reflecting through a snakeskin patterned bottle”, I swooned! This fragrance sounds intoxicating!! I would be over the moon if I won it!
    I was snowbound on International Women’s Day and my boyfriend is away on a business trip so I just pampered myself and did a facial mask and deep hair mask treatment.
    I live in the U.S.

  • yukon1 says:

    Great review Gail ! These fragrances all sound intriguing but after reading notes and that beautiful bottle the secrets of love gourmet stole 1st place and obviously if im lucky enough to win this will graciously be my pick. And for International womens day I took the fam out to eat and watched some movies at home.

    Thnx for giveaway ,again secrets of love gourmet is my pick if im lucky

    HAPPY WOMANS DAY

  • Fifi says:

    I loved reading Gail’s review in regard to M.Micallef’s new perfume releases! The whole review style is infused with sensuality transcending the real message of M. Micallef new scents which are intense and really very tempting in their amazingly crafted bottles!
    My choice in case I am chosen as winner is the Secrets of Love Gourmet because I love smoky gourmand perfumes which are rich and bold.
    I live in EU. Thank you for this amazing draw!

  • Catanosmia says:

    Secrets of Love Gourmet would be my choice: sounds wonderful and just look at that beautiful bottle!! I’m in the US, thanks for the draw.

  • hotlanta linda says:

    Many details in the writing!! soooo almost can whiff the scents! Pure Extreme if we win….TY for the draw, we are in the USA.

  • Bubeto_GG says:

    Dear God “smoky gourmand, smoldering with incense, nuts and sweet leather, developing, after a few minutes, into a buttery, vanilla chestnut torte” – it’s like this one was made for me.Gourmand+incense, nuts and sweet leather….count me in pls.
    I was with my daughter and my brother on vacation.
    Winston VA

  • bumbuliuki says:

    What a better way to celebrate International Women’s Day than to select 3 special perfumes from M. Micallef
    I love the way Martine Micallef manages to infuse her creations with artistry starting with the fragrances and ending with the beautiful bottles and packaging.
    Secrets of Love Gourmet is a M. Micallef creation I am drawn to. A smoky gourmand.
    Thank you for this incredbile draw !
    I’m from the EU.

  • doveskylark says:

    I completely agree that the words we use shape our realities. I try my best to not utter negative words. The universe is listening. I felt Gail’s love and appreciation of this perfume house with each review.
    I would choose Love Gourmet because of the sweet leather.
    For International Women’s Day I listened to and read Patti Smith.
    I live in the USA.

  • StaceyW says:

    I am deeply respectful of all the wonderful women in perfumery and appreciate Gail’s homage to Martine Micallef. If I would be so lucky to win, I’d love to own a bottle of Secrets of Love Gourmet. I am in the U.S., much thanks!

  • Vahagn says:

    Thank you for this interesting review. You use so many nice disctiptions: “luscious pomelo”, “mysterious fruits, suffusing my skin with a golden glow”. “intoxicating richness” ant etc..
    I celebrated Women’s Day by working all day, but with all male co-workers congratulated female part of team…cake, friuts, wine..etc..
    I would choose Love Gourmet because of gourmand leather and nice bottle.
    from Armenia

  • WaltherP99 says:

    I do like all the notes in Gourmet – “smoky gourmand, smoldering with incense” got me intrigued , plus vanilla chestnut torte and a slightly tart raspberry … boy oh boy i need this one in my life.
    By the whey the perfume is called just Gourmet-not “Secrets of Love Gourmet ” – Secrets of Love is the name of the line.Own and love my personalized bottle of Delice from the same line.
    Virginia USA at least 95% of the time and London UK from time to time.

  • gregorysop says:

    I love that quote that ‘there are as many ways as hearts of man.” Micelles is on my short list to try. The hardest part is trying to choose between the two in case I would win the random draw. Thank you so much for the bottle Ms Micallef!
    I am from USA

  • gregorysop says:

    Oops. The hardest part is actually leaving the one I would like to try not even choosing! If i won I would choose Gourmet.

  • Gail says:

    Thank you all for your comments! It is my great pleasure to have the opportunity to review such gorgeous fragrances. Good luck on the draw!