The Story
Why it exists.
Undo, taken from the Japanese verb meaning “to move,” arrived in 2005 as Annayake’s homage to the modern warrior who values motion and presence. The house’s Japanese‑French philosophy of balance inspired a composition that pairs sharp citrus with disciplined spice, echoing the rhythm of a tea ceremony turned into daily momentum. The scent was designed to awaken the wearer with kinetic energy, then settle into a calm that reflects the brand’s dialogue between precision and emotion.
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Take Five
Dave Brubeck
The Beginning
Undo, taken from the Japanese verb meaning “to move,” arrived in 2005 as Annayake’s homage to the modern warrior who values motion and presence. The house’s Japanese‑French philosophy of balance inspired a composition that pairs sharp citrus with disciplined spice, echoing the rhythm of a tea ceremony turned into daily momentum. The scent was designed to awaken the wearer with kinetic energy, then settle into a calm that reflects the brand’s dialogue between precision and emotion.
The top combines bergamot, mandarin orange and lemon juice with juniper berry, creating a crisp, pine‑sharp spark like a sunrise workout. Cardamom and coriander seed add a subtle heat, while nutmeg lends a warm nuance. Green tea and lavender form a calming heart before tobacco leaf, frankincense and a mix of precious woods, oakmoss, cedar and labdanum settle like a quiet dojo after training.
The Evolution
The opening erupts with a bright citrus splash that dominates the first ten minutes, the juniper berry cutting through with a clean, pine‑like snap. As the initial brightness fades, the heart emerges around the fifteen‑minute mark; coriander seed and cardamom mingle with nutmeg, while green tea and lavender create a breezy, slightly herbal mid‑phase that feels like a calm after a sprint. By the half‑hour point the base asserts itself: tobacco leaf brings a warm, smoky depth, frankincense adds a resinous whisper, and precious woods, oakmoss, cedar and labdanum lay a soft, earthy foundation. The drydown lingers for four to six hours, the tobacco and woods lingering on the skin like the faint echo of a finished workout, while the citrus fades into a subtle, comforting warmth.
Cultural Impact
Undo quickly earned the nickname “fragrance for winners,” positioning itself as the scent of a disciplined achiever. Wearers often describe it as the perfect bridge between athletic vigor and refined elegance, making it a go‑to for those who value movement and subtle confidence. Its blend of citrus, spice and tobacco places it alongside performance‑inspired men’s scents that celebrate action over ostentation.
The House
France · Est. 1988
Annayake is a French fashion and cosmetics house that entered the fragrance market in 1988. Over three decades the label has built a catalogue of more than sixty scents, ranging from early releases such as Miyako (2005) to recent compositions like Path in the Woods (2025). The brand is noted for its quiet dedication to balance and ritual, drawing visual and olfactory cues from Japanese aesthetics while operating from a Parisian base. Its collections span both men's and women's lines, offering a spectrum of moods that range from airy florals to grounded woods.
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Community picks
Undo feels like a crisp morning run that eases into a relaxed evening lounge, think steady jazz rhythms that match its citrus spark and smoky finish.
Take Five
Dave Brubeck






























