M. Micallef
A unique visual signature based on accords, character, and seasonality
Lemon and grapefruit pierce through with citrus clarity, bright and almost herbal, cutting through what would otherwise be an immediately dense composition. These top notes feel almost utilitarian—they're here to provide lift and prevent the fragrance collapsing into pure warmth before it's had a chance to develop.
The florals emerge gradually, with jasmine providing a creamy, almost indolic quality that intertwines with orange blossom's honeyed, slightly powdery character. Here the woody-sweet foundation becomes undeniable—sandalwood and vanilla rise up together, creating a creamy cocoon that transforms the fragrance into something considerably more enveloping and intimate than the opening suggested.
The spicy notes fade, leaving pure woody-creamy warmth as sandalwood and vanilla become the complete focus, rounded and soft against skin. The oud provides subtle depth and a whisper of animalic character, preventing the finale from becoming purely sweet, whilst the fragrance settles into its most sensual, least volatile form—a skin scent that rewards closeness.
Secrets of Love – Sensual arrives as a paradox: a fragrance that whispers rather than shouts, yet carries surprising density. Jean-Claude Astier has constructed something deliberately ambiguous here—neither fully masculine nor feminine, instead existing in that compelling middle ground where sensuality becomes intellectual.
The composition pivots on a creamy sandalwood-oud axis that feels distinctly warm and enveloping. This isn't the harsh, medicinal oud of niche experimentalism; it's been softened considerably by vanilla that adds almost dessert-like roundness, creating a woody accord with unexpected softness. The jasmine and orange blossom in the heart provide the floral architecture, though they read more as supporting players than protagonists—they offer brightness and structure without demanding attention. There's a subtle spiciness threading through, likely from cardamom or a similar warm spice, that prevents the composition from becoming merely creamy and comforting.
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4.2/5 (132)