ANFAS
GAYA

2019

PERFUMER
Asim Al Qassim

Mango
Pear
Cardamom
Anise

Milk
liquorice
oud
Cedarwood

Sweet Notes
Orris
Amber
Woody Notes

I sprayed 9 fragrances from the Anfas collection on paper and picked 3 that appealed to me the most to wear on skin: Shaghaf, Sa’adah & this Gaya.

Gaya instantly stood out to me as a fresh and fruity option from the Anfas line. The first thing that hits you is a nice realistic pear scent (which I always love).

Within minutes the pear becomes sweeter (presumably the mango, although I don’t get mango as clearly initially). Then this fragrance had another pleasant surprise for me; carroty iris (and milk). Lactonic iris, clearly there and it kind of pulls back the sweetness and fruitiness, to make it a more mature scent. As it dries the carroty iris transitions into the cedary base.

The fruitiness lingers and it’s sweet, but not cloying at all. Mango seems to be a popular note lately and I think Gaya is an interesting option to consider. I personally don’t get as distinct of a mango throughout the wear, instead the pear seems to stay in the mix. The late drydown is also very milky and soft.

From my (limited) testing so far, this is my favorite Anfas fragrance.