Anaïs Anaïs (1978)
by Cacharel

I know this is for some reason a hugely popular perfume but personally I find it sickening. I have been given this as a present before and had to give it away, I just couldn't wear it. I have never liked any of Cacharel's perfumes, finding them cheap-smelling, and had a similar reaction to Eden. I thought I liked it when I smelled it on someone else, got some, put it on, and promptly sickened myself and all of my family! So, no, big thumbs down on this one for me, another one where I just don't get what all the fuss about it is.

I wasn't using it in my teenage years although I am in the right age group, and it somehow went past me and became a classic before I really gave it a try. And now when I'm in my forties I fell in love with this oh so romantic perfume, which carries no olfactive memories for me, but which has captured me with its sheer timeless beauty.

This was one of my first fragrances as a little girl and a staple throughout my teenage years. I recently revisited it (at age 30) and have fallen in love with it again. This smells incredibly pretty--a perfect blend of floral and powdery/soapy notes that is neither too sweet nor too green, with fantastic lasting power and a moderate price tag. Its eighties/girly image shouldn't prevent anyone from giving this one a try--it is better in many respects than a lot of pricier fragrances that have been launched in recent years. Will always have a bottle in my collection.

Go to a flower shop. Buy a bouquet of white lilies and hyacinths. Get them home and spray some inexpensive, but nice deodorant on them. Leave for a few hours. Now stick your head right in. Take a deep breath. You've pretty much got Anaïs Anaïs.

It's like a good pop song that's been overplayed in the radio - wasn't considered "cheap" when it was launched by any means, but its sheer availability and exposure has devalued it quite a bit. There are far worse florals being released today, but I'm not convinced that makes for a top proposition for the perfume of your dreams either.

On a personal note, this takes me back to my teens when an older girl I admired used to wear it and I kept thinking it was wonderful.

Anaïs Anaïs has been in the stores all years since it´s release, and is almost a classic, I guess, but I have never liked to wear it. It just is too strong and too sweet on my skin. No matter how old I get, it will never be one of my faves. Others wears it very well, so I rate it with a neutral thumb.

Has Cacharel ever released a decent, high-quality fragrance? I’m sorry but this one smells awfully dated and pungent – maybe it’s the aldehydes but I most certainly dislike it. The bottle (or is it can?) is extremely tacky as well.