M.Micallef Ma Nature, brand photo 

“Each day Grasse awakens our senses by the splendour of its terroir. In this paradise illuminated by a languid sunshine, through its fields and alleyways, the air is filled with the penetrating notes released by an army of jasmine, roses, iris, tuberose, violets, orange blossoms, citrus fruits, aromatic plants… Such is the palette reflected by our creations, the mirror of a luminosity, a majestic nature, a history as well as the embodiment of our lifestyle on the Riviera. This is where we live, where we create.” – Martine Micallef & Geoffrey Nejman.

As a personal gateway into the world of niche fragrances, the brand M.Micallef holds a special place in my heart as their Ylang in Gold, Royal Rose Aoud, and Royal Muska have been cherished bottles in my collection for many years. Beautiful, roundly composed perfumes, held in precious bottles that make one go on the slippery slope of wanting to collect each and every one of them – and re-furnish the house from Swedish minimalism to intricate French maximalist – just to match the aesthetics.

Martine Micallef and Geoffrey Nejman photo, via the brand

For nearly 30 years, M.Micallef has set the standard for luxury niche perfumery, captivating fragrance lovers across the globe. Coming from Grasse—the epicenter of French perfumery—all the M.Micallef bottles feel like bespoke creations, blending exquisite raw materials with Martine Micallef’s artistic vision to elevate fragrance into a form of personal expression. From the very beginning, Martine has embraced the idea of perfume as an art, inspired by her background in painting and a deep-rooted passion for creating beauty in all its forms – and for all the senses.  She and her husband Geoffrey Nejman transformed their love and shared creativity into a family-run business that reflects both their bond and their respect for traditional French craftsmanship. Throughout the years, M.Micallef has built a loyal following, and it’s an inspirational success story, now reaching over 75 countries and 900 high-end retailers (including Jovoy), and their own luxurious flagship boutiques.

M.Micallef mood photo, via the brand

The collections of the brand cater to various aesthetics and moods, with the opulent perfumes of the Jewel and Nectar Collection hosted in sculptural beauties – bottles ornate with Swarovski crystals, embossed with hand-painted, gold accents, and jewel-like finishes that make them feel more like pieces of art or precious objects than simple perfume bottles.  On the other hand, the Secrets of Nature collection – which began in 2016, explores various facets of seduction and love and is inspired by the beauty and purity of the natural world. The bottles mirror the concept with clean lines, and subtle design elements that reflect a sense of organic harmony – with an addictive tactile element.

With the new release, M.Micallef Ma Nature, we are invited to explore a new emotion and to unveil our true nature. Ma Nature is a scent focused on the free-thinking attitude, created for those who dare to be different, and it aims to give the wearer a sense of fierce self-confidence.*

So – what better scent to encapsulate a free-thinking spirit than the earthy, sweet richness of patchouli, grounding and deep like the roots of an ancient forest? And what better color for the bottle than a deep green, evoking the leaves of the patchouli plant itself? The fragrance is encased in a round, textured bottle, cloaked in smooth, opaque green, with a golden neck and a spherical cap embossed with a logo—like a magical potion from a lost fairytale.

M.Micallef Ma Nature, picture by Nicoleta 

The first sniff takes you through a forest where light and shade dance together, weaving through the thick foliage, mossy roots, and deep shadows. There’s a subversive trace of golden honeyed sweetness that mingles with the forest’s darkness—morning air filled with the thick honey of the wild blossoms, and as evening falls, a cool, blue camphor mist in the lavender–colored dusk.

Clearing in a Forest, painting by Narcisse Virgile Diaz de la Peña (1874)

It’s here that the IELE come to mind—mystical beings from Eastern European folklore, a fusion of Greek dryads and Western fae, moving swiftly through the imaginary forest invoked by this perfume. If these elusive creatures had a scent, it would surely be the intoxicating, earthy yet otherworldly aroma of patchouli. At the heart of this fragrance lies a sweet and spicy warmth, where cinnamon adds a bite, and patchouli unveils lush, green facets that melt into the creamy softness of sandalwood. In the air, the scent dances—free, weightless, and ethereal—yet as you draw your hand closer to your nose, it intensifies, heating up like a whirlwind of leaves caught in a gust, forming a deep green, swirling portal.

AI Mood Image by Nicoleta  

In Romanian tales, “ielele” dance in perfect circles, leaving behind either burned grass or vegetation so lush and green, that’s dangerous to all living creatures and the place would remain untouchable, swirling with energy, until nature slowly healed itself. Seen from afar, their dance would conjure vortices that appeared as glowing circles of light, said to shimmer like fire. Going further into the base notes, the heat intensifies into flames, with toasted gourmand tonka, seductive vanilla, and the rounded warmth of amber and musk, wrapping the fragrance in velvety deep embers with glowing fiery edges.

Nymphs Dancing to Pan’s Flute by Joseph Tomanek (1920)

Deep and mysterious, the composition is grounded by the vertical force of patchouli, anchoring it like a verdant axis through which amber sap and wild honey flow. Its lush foliage stretches both above and below, weaving the elements together in a perfectly round autumnal experience. M.Micallef Ma Nature is both a comforting and empowering experience—a scent I’ll reach for during my October rustic nature walks when I seek a moment of reverie while stepping on golden leaves, or as a refreshing pick-me-up amidst the happy chaos of my pre-Halloween preparation days. It offers a warmth that transforms patchouli leaves into the crisp crunch of autumn underfoot, before melting them in the sweetness of wild honey.

M. Micallef’s Ma Nature is a grounding yet revitalizing embrace, with a dark-sweet charm that carries a sense of comforting eeriness—like a Tim Burton film set in an oversaturated sepia dream.

Top: Lavender, Honey and Patchouli, Middle: Cinnamon, Patchouli, Sandalwood and Cashmeran, Base notes: Tonka Bean, Vanilla and Musk

Nicoleta Tomsa, Senior Editor

*Info via the press release

Disclosure: Bottle of Ma Nature was gifted by M.Micallef. My opinions, as always, are my own.

M. Micallef Ma Nature bottle & box by Nicoleta

Thanks to the generosity of M.Micallef we have a 100 ml bottle of M.Micallef Ma Nature for one registered reader in the USA or EU.  You must register or your entry will not count. To be eligible, please leave a comment saying what sparks your interest based on Nicoleta’s review and where you live. Do you have a favorite M.Micallef perfume? Draw closes 10/18/2024

Ma Nature was composed by Marc Daniel Heimgartner, Senior Perfumer at LUZI AG

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