Black Ananda was was launched in 2011 by niche line M. Micallef as part of their Ananda collection. It is one of my favourite expressions of tuberose. 

It opens with a jolt of citrus - juicy lemon and bitter orange – tempered by a note of succulent, sweet plum backed by sweet, floral, indolic jasmine. I love the fruity/floral balance at the opening. That jasmine though, hints at what’s to come: creamy, fleshy tuberose surrounded by the citrusy, honey-laced neroli and rich banana-faceted ylang-ylang. The heart echoes the opening but is richer and headier while having a feeling of lightness and freshness. The base of vanilla, tuberose and benzoin creates the impression of powdery-tinged floral sweetness.

The drydown is rich, slightly sweet and powdery. Those white flowers show up at the start and linger for hours on my skin. Bliss.

Black Ananda has a light and sunny feel and not the dark heaviness that the name implies. In fact it was designed as an evening counterpart to the more flowery Ananda, which explains the name.

The M. Micallef website says that is dedicated to the mysteries of the power of the seduction of women. Oh, those powers of seduction! Sultry, slinky, alluring; Black Ananda is black lace as opposed to black leather.

And really, the only thing to do when faced with the irresistible seduction of Black Ananda's tuberose perfection is to surrender to it. I do. Regularly.

Note: lemon, bitter orange, plum, jasmine, tuberose, neroli, ylang-ylang, vanilla, tuberose and benzoin.