WAKA - MADAGASCAR Eau de Parfum

The emblematic tree of Madagascar. Ravintsara, meaning 'good leaf' in Malagasy, yields an essential oil with a fresh, intense, camphoraceous scent, close to eucalyptus but softer. A clear, lively and luminous breath.

Origine & récolte
The journey takes us to the Malagasy forests. Harvesting Ravintsara leaves is a local expertise. The leaves are then distilled to extract a highly pure essential oil, a concentrate of the power of Malagasy nature.

History & Origins
Ravintsara (Cinnamomum camphora) is in fact a camphor tree native to Asia, introduced to Madagascar. But on the island's red earth its chemical composition changed, leaving it free of toxic camphor and rich in cineole, which gives it a unique olfactory profile. Today it holds a special place in Malagasy culture and know-how.

Yesterday's and Today's Uses
An emblematic material of Madagascar, ravintsara has become an essential oil sought after all over the world. Its use in perfumery remains confidential, reserved for bold, natural creations.

The Ingredient's Signature
The clarity of a leaf crushed between the fingers: a fresh, luminous, almost frosty breath that opens Waka like a window onto the Malagasy forest. A gulp of crisp air to start the day, fully present.

Impact
Supporting the Ravintsara sector means promoting a flagship resource of Madagascar and providing sustainable income for rural communities.

The leaf that rises, the breath that sets free, A scent of forest, a primal force. Camphoraceous, invigorating, a clear light, The soul of Madagascar, that drives away hardship.

Ravintsara is a challenge in fine perfumery because of its power. I used it to create a striking and bold opening, immediately evoking a journey. Its cineole freshness is the perfect counterpoint to the warmth of the base notes, creating a tension that lasts throughout the fragrance's development.

Ravintsara is Waka's starting point. It is the scent of Madagascar, a unique aromatic freshness that evokes the richness of its endemic flora. It is a note that speaks of nature, freshness and momentum.

The information is given for guidance only. A perfume is a cosmetic product. Ravintsara essential oil is potent and not recommended for pregnant women and young children.

Fresher, more vibrant and floral than classic ginger, Blue Ginger (or Galangal) brings a unique spicy facet, almost peppery and soapy, which energizes the top notes of the fragrance with surprising elegance.

Origine & récolte
This is the story of an encounter between an exceptional terroir and expertise. On the high plateaus of Madagascar, farmers cultivate this rhizome whose bluish color when cut testifies to its freshness and richness in active compounds. Distilling it on site allows its full energy to be captured.

History & Origins
Galanga (Alpinia galanga), or Blue Ginger, is a rhizome from the same family as ginger and turmeric. Originally from Indonesia, it is a fundamental ingredient in Southeast Asian cuisine (Thailand, Malaysia...). Its cultivation in Madagascar is more recent and offers an exceptional olfactory quality.

Yesterday's and Today's Uses
A pillar of Asian cuisine, its use in fine perfumery is a more recent trend, sought after for its spicy freshness and complexity.

The Ingredient's Signature
A sharp, bright spark, like a glint of light on water: blue ginger (galangal) awakens the opening with a spicy, crisp liveliness. Widely used in Asian cuisines, it brings a resolutely contemporary complexity here.

Impact
By supporting a high value-added culture, this sector offers an economic alternative to slash-and-burn agriculture, thus contributing to the fight against deforestation in Madagascar.

On the red earth of the island continent, A secret rhizome, a powerful treasure. Its scent is a flash, sharp and bewildering, A fiery spice under a breath of wind.

Blue Ginger is a fantastic raw material. It has the freshness of ginger, but without its earthy side, and with a floral facet reminiscent of freesia. It allows for the creation of a very bright spicy top note, which links the citrus notes and the warm spices of the heart.

We didn't want a classic ginger. The Madagascar Blue Ginger, sourced by Behave, seduced us with its incisive freshness and complexity. It's the spice that brings the 'waka waka', that African rhythm which makes the fragrance so original.

Information is given for guidance only. A perfume is a cosmetic product. Cannot replace medical advice.

A rose-scented flower, but with a greener, more vibrant personality. Geranium offers a floral, minty and slightly lemony scent. It's a note that brings floral freshness and natural elegance.

Origine & récolte
The journey takes us to the Nile Delta. The geranium plants are harvested just before flowering, as this is when the leaves are richest in essential oil. They are then distilled to extract an essence with a powerful and complex fragrance.

History & Origins
Pelargonium graveolens, or Rosat Geranium, is native to South Africa. It was introduced to Europe in the 17th century. Although it is called 'geranium', it should not be confused with the geraniums on our balconies, which are odourless. Production for perfumery is now concentrated in Egypt and China.

Uses of Yesterday and Today
Long cultivated, geranium has become a key perfumery ingredient for recreating a fresh, green rose note at a lower cost than rose absolute. It is a pillar of fougère and floral accords.

The Ingredient's Signature
The tender green of a geranium leaf rocked by the sun: a fresh, slightly minty rose, almost velvety to the touch, that rounds Waka's heart and links the freshness of the opening to the warmth of the base.

Impact
Supporting these sectors encourages sustainable agriculture and provides stable incomes for Egyptian farming communities.

On the banks of the Nile, a velvety leaf, Offers a rose fragrance, a mentholated freshness. A flower that is not a flower, a bewildered beauty, The promise of harmony, of an enchanted soul.

I chose an Egyptian Geranium for its exceptional quality, a very balanced blend of its rosy, minty and green facets. It has an almost "ice cube" freshness which is very interesting. I used it to create a floral heart that is not opulent, but on the contrary, vibrant and sparkling.

Geranium is the floral and green heart of Waka. It brings that rosy and minty facet which links the aromatic freshness of the top notes to the woody depth of the base. It's a balancing note, bringing harmony to the composition.

The information is provided for informational purposes only. A fragrance is a cosmetic product. Cannot replace medical advice.

A rose-scented herb. Palmarosa is a herbaceous plant whose aerial parts are distilled to obtain an essential oil with a floral, rosy fragrance, with green, lemony and slightly dry facets. It's a note that brings a floral freshness and luminous naturalness.

Origine & récolte
The journey takes us to Nepal. Palmarosa is a herb harvested before flowering. It is then distilled to extract an essential oil with a fresh and delicate fragrance, reminiscent of rose and lemon.

History & Origins
Palmarosa (Cymbopogon martinii) is a tall grass native to India and Pakistan. Its name comes from its rose-like fragrance. It is in the same family as citronella and lemongrass.

Yesterday and Today's Uses
Native to Asia, palmarosa essential oil is now highly prized in natural cosmetics and perfumery for its rosy scent and versatility.

The Ingredient's Signature
A herbaceous, lemony rose, soft as the morning light over the highlands: palmarosa softens the spices and invites you to slow your pace. It is also much loved in natural cosmetics for its rosy scent.

Impact
Supporting organic Palmarosa agriculture means encouraging a farming model that is more respectful of the environment and farmers' health.

In the foothills of the Himalayas, a wild herb, Offers a rose scent, a wise message. A lemony freshness, a gentle drink, For the soul that calms and finds its shore.

I love Palmarosa for its very natural floral freshness. It has a 'clean' and slightly watery aspect that is very interesting. I used it to bring a more airy dimension to the floral bouquet, so that it wouldn't be too dense and would retain its vibrancy.

Palmarosa is Waka's rosy light touch. It complements geranium with a softer, more lemony facet. It's a note that brings joy and lightness to the floral heart of the fragrance.

Information is given for guidance only. A fragrance is a cosmetic product. Cannot replace medical advice.

A flower with a surprising and audacious fragrance. Marigold offers a green, fruity (apple, blackcurrant) and aromatic scent, with an almost metallic facet. It's a characterful note, bringing a striking originality and modernity.

Origine & récolte
The journey takes us to South Africa. Marigold flowers are harvested and then distilled to extract an essential oil with a powerful and surprising fragrance.

History & Origins
Native to South America, the marigold was introduced to Europe in the 16th century. It is often called "Indian marigold" although it is not native to India. It is used in many cultures for religious ceremonies.

Yesterday's and Today's Uses
Used as an ornamental plant and in rituals, marigold is a more confidential raw material in perfumery, reserved for audacious creations because of its unique olfactory signature.

The Ingredient's Signature
A luminous, fruity, almost metallic green, like a green apple bitten in the sun: tagetes gives Waka its singularity and unexpected sparkle. An emblematic flower of garlands and festivities in many cultures.

Impact
Supporting marigold cultivation means promoting unique floral biodiversity and supporting the local agricultural economy.

In the South African veld, a sun flower, Offers a wild fragrance, a strange marvel. Green, fruity, a scent without equal, That shakes the senses and awakens the spirit.

Marigold is a very powerful and distinctive raw material. It must be used with extreme parsimony. I incorporated it for its green apple note which brings a fruity freshness and an almost aggressive greenness, creating an interesting contrast with the sweetness of the base notes.

Marigold is Waka's audacious note. It brings this unexpected green and fruity facet that breaks the codes of the classic floral chypre. It's a note that evokes the wild and unpredictable flora of Africa.

Information is given for guidance only. A fragrance is a cosmetic product. Cannot replace medical advice.

Far from the reductive cliché of the 60s, patchouli is a note of abyssal depth. Its fragrance is that of damp earth after rain, a dark and sensual wood which, thanks to the perfumer's expertise, can metamorphose into an elegant, clean signature with hints of dark cocoa. It is one of the most charismatic and structuring materials in the palette.

Origine & récolte
The journey for patchouli takes us to the rural villages of Sulawesi. There, patchouli is not an industrial crop, but a family affair. Behave Sourcing immerses itself in this reality to build trusting partnerships, where ancestral know-how meets sustainable practices to create an exceptional raw material.

History & Origins
Native to Southeast Asia, patchouli travelled West along the Silk Road, where it was used to protect precious cashmere shawls from moths. Its scent thus became, in Europe, synonymous with luxury and exoticism, before being adopted by the hippie movement.

Uses Then and Now
Long associated with fabrics and journeys to the East, patchouli has become indispensable to modern perfumery. It is an exceptional fixative and the cornerstone of the chypre, oriental and woody families. Technological advances now make it possible to obtain refined fractions offering an infinite palette of nuances.

The Ingredient's Signature
A deep, dark earth, warm under the palm after the rain: patchouli sets Waka's base, woody and rooted, and gives it presence on the skin. It is the cornerstone of the chypre, oriental and woody families.

Impact
The story of patchouli is one of community empowerment. By supporting a supply chain that offers fair prices and ongoing training, we help create stable incomes that reduce pressure on forests.

In the humid shadow where the jungle breathes, The leaf waits, a secret a long time desires. Fermented, distilled, its dark soul stretches, The earth becomes perfume, a powerful empire.

Patchouli is an architect. I don't use it for its smell alone, but for the structure and depth it brings to a composition. It's a dark, velvety backdrop that brings out the light of a rose or the warmth of amber. Modern fractions like “Cœur de Patchouli” are a revolution: they give me the power of its tenacity and richness without the dusty facets.

Patchouli is the chypre foundation of Waka. It brings that earthy, dark structure which anchors the fragrance and gives it its timeless character. We chose a 'Patchouli Heart' for its purity, which marries the richness of the Malagasy spices.

The information provided is for guidance only. A fragrance is a cosmetic product and cannot replace medical advice.

The black gold of perfumery. Far from a sugary image, vanilla absolute is a raw material of incredible richness and complexity. It unfolds warm, balsamic, leathery, smoky and spicy notes, with a gourmand facet that is never sickening.

Origine & récolte
The journey takes us to northeastern Madagascar. Vanilla cultivation is a work of infinite patience: each flower is pollinated by hand, then it takes 9 months for the pod to ripen. Then come the complex stages of scalding, sweating and drying, which last for months and develop the vanilla aroma. It's an ancestral and precious know-how.

History & Origins
Vanilla is the fruit of an orchid native to Mexico, where it was used by the Aztecs to flavor their cacao drink. Its cultivation was exported to Madagascar in the 19th century, where a young slave, Edmond Albius, discovered the process of manual pollination, which is still used today.

Uses of Yesterday and Today
The world's most popular spice, vanilla is a mainstay in perfumery, particularly in the oriental family. It brings roundness, warmth and tenacity to compositions.

The Ingredient's Signature
The caress of an unsweetened vanilla, warm and velvety like a light blanket: it softens the patchouli and wraps the trail in a gourmand, reassuring warmth.

Impact
Supporting a sustainable vanilla sector means fighting deforestation (because vanilla grows in agroforestry) and preserving the unique biodiversity of Madagascar.

In the SAVA forest, the orchid awaits its night, An expert hand unites it, gives life. The dry black pod, a treasure that ripens, Its fragrance is a balm, that delights the soul.

Vanilla absolute is one of my favorite ingredients. It has a warmth and depth that nothing can replace. I use it to create amber and gourmand bases, but always with elegance. Combined with sandalwood, it creates an incredibly sensual and comforting "skin" effect.

Vanilla is the treasure of Madagascar that we wanted to celebrate in Waka. We chose an absolute for its depth and smoky, leathery notes, far from the sweet vanilla. It's a terroir vanilla, which tells the story of the richness of the red island.

The information provided is for guidance only. A perfume is a cosmetic product. Cannot replace medical advice.

Benzoin tears are a balsamic resin of incomparable warmth and sweetness. Its fragrance is rich, vanilla-like, with facets of caramel, almond, and a spicy touch of cinnamon. It's a balm for the soul, an enveloping and extremely comforting base note.

Origine & récolte
The journey takes us to the forests of northern Laos. The harvesting of benzoin is an ancestral skill. Harvesters incise the bark of the Styrax tree and wait several months for the resin to flow and harden before collecting it. It's a story of patience and harmony with nature.

History & Origins
Benzoin is a resin from the Styrax tree, native to Southeast Asia. Its name is said to derive from the Arabic 'luban jawi', meaning 'incense of Java'. Used for centuries as incense in temples and mosques, it was introduced to Europe in the 14th century.

Uses of Yesterday and Today
Used as incense since Antiquity, benzoin is a key ingredient of oriental and amber perfumes. It is the main note of the famous 'Papier d'Arménie'. It brings exceptional warmth and tenacity.

The Ingredient's Signature
The warmth of an amber balm melting slowly on the skin, like firelight at the end of the day: benzoin extends the trail and makes it last. A historic ingredient of oriental perfumery, it is part of the famous 'Papier d'Arménie'.

Impact
The harvest of benzoin is a sustainable economic activity that encourages local populations to preserve their forest environment.

The tree's wound is a sacred door, From which flows a tear, sweet and amber. Its fragrance is a balm, a golden warmth, A comfort for the soul, a peace regained.

Siam Benzoin is one of the most beautiful balsamic notes. It has a natural gourmand facet, without being sweet. I used it to bring extreme warmth and roundness to the base of the perfume, creating an amber and powdery trail with great tenacity and comfort.

Siam Benzoin is Waka's ultimate 'cuddle' note. It brings that vanilla and balsamic warmth that envelops the patchouli and vanilla, creating a base of addictive sweetness and sensuality. It's the note that makes you want to snuggle into the fragrance.

The information is given for guidance only. A perfume is a cosmetic product. Benzoin may contain allergens (benzyl benzoate).