Our take
What does Nirmala smell like?
Nirmala was born at Molinard in 1955. The name comes from Sanskrit and means purity. The Grasse house has reworked it several times since, and the version sold today has little in common with the original extract. That modern version is the one described here. The opening smells like a basket of tropical fruit: grapefruit, mandarin, mango and passion fruit. It's juicy and openly sweet. Jasmine takes over next, surrounded by exotic flowers that stay rather vague. The base sits on sandalwood and cedar, softened by vanilla, tonka bean and a little musk. That woody vanilla drydown explains why it gets filed among woody orientals. Next to most modern fruity scents, Nirmala has a sunny, retro feel. Fans of the old version say they no longer recognize it. Molinard remains one of the oldest perfume houses in Grasse.
When to wear it
A holiday scent for a light summer dress, by day or at an outdoor dinner. Two sprays are enough, since the mango gets noticed fast.
It belongs to the Oriental / Amber, Woody family. Nirmala is one of 8 creations by Molinard in our encyclopedia.
