Ex Nihilo Is The Perfume Brand Celebs Gatekeep. Here Are 7 Scents, Ranked
There’s an influencer I always run into at beauty events, and I smell her presence in the room before I even see her face. Not in an overpowering way — more like the softest, most addictive scent trail pulling me in her direction. The only way I can describe it is like a tall, iced piña colada sipped in the sun — within reach of cooling sea spray — topped with a wedge of syrupy pineapple: sweet and indulgent, but fresh and invigorating at the same time. There was just one problem: every time I asked what perfume she was wearing, she’d conveniently “forget.” Then one day, Ex Nihilo’s Blue Talisman landed on my desk — and with one spritz, the mystery was solved.
She isn’t the only one with impeccable taste in fragrance. At The Devil Wears Prada premiere in New York, Refinery29 senior fashion writer Victoria Montalti asked celebrities which perfume they were wearing, and the love for Ex Nihilo abounded on the red carpet. Take Olympian Johnny Weir — a devoted collector of niche fragrances — who revealed he’d drenched himself in Emerald Royals, a rich blend of nutmeg, vanilla-like tonka bean, and frankincense. We posted our findings to Instagram, and the comments section quickly filled with praise for Ex Nihilo. The consensus? Johnny knows ball.
As a fragrance fanatic, I’ve tried my fair share of niche perfume brands, but few are as impressive as Ex Nihilo. Still, a couple of newer launches had somehow escaped my radar — until now. Naturally, I made it my mission to smell as many as possible and determine which ones are actually worth the hype. With that in mind, here are some of the most compliment-worthy Ex Nihilo fragrances, ranked in order of how much I love them as a perfume-obsessed beauty director.
Ex Nihilo Blue Talisman Eau de Parfum
Blue Talisman is my favorite fragrance in Ex Nihilo’s perfume dynasty because it encapsulates all the best parts of being on vacation. The vodka tonic and lime on the plane; the warm air that envelops you on landing; salty shoulders slathered in coconut sunscreen; soapy skin as you wash off the day; orange blossom cooling off from the heat on the walk down to dinner. That’s all down to the ripe pear, fizzy bergamot, skin-like musk, and the peppery warmth of ginger, not to mention the aforementioned orange blossom petals.
All of this makes it cozy and comforting, but the cedarwood gives it a slightly salty edge that means it transcends summer. It’s best on skin, where it gets toastier with each minute of wear as it mingles with your natural skin smell. I can’t get enough, and it seems I’m not alone, with countless five-star reviews echoing the same obsession. Especially with the Extrait de Parfum version, which boasts even better staying power than the original.
Ex Nihilo Lust In Paradise Extrait de Parfum
If you like Delina by Parfums de Marly, you’ll absolutely love this new extrait — a stronger, longer-lasting version of the original. Perfumer Louise Turner has bottled the magic of a sunset on the coastline. The jasmine is intense and creamy, as though the petals have been baking in the sun all day, but it’s the Petalia — a synthetic rose molecule — that makes this so delicious and distinctly Middle Eastern. It’s like tucking into a bowl of Turkish delight and lychees, while the blackcurrant and cedarwood notes give it a tangy, green edge. I can’t stop smelling myself when I wear this — and it’s one of my most complimented fragrances.
Ex Nihilo The Hedonist Eau de Parfum
All fragrance is genderless, but I can imagine anyone wearing The Hedonist — and loving it. In fact, my partner and I regularly share this scent, and we agree that it’s a safe “blind” buy. The top notes are peppery ginger and zingy bergamot, but on the dry-down, the milky cedarwood and crunchy vetiver give it a slightly minty edge, like taking in a breath of cool air. Unlike plenty of other perfumes, that freshness doesn’t fade throughout the day. It’s one of those fragrances that can be worn anywhere: the gym, the office, even on a flight if you can’t be without a single spritz on the wrist — just for you. If you want your partner to smell incredible, gift them this — and make sure you get to borrow it, too.
Fleur Narcotique Eau de Parfum
Think you hate florals? Think again. Most floral scents are either too overpowering (it’s almost always the rose) or fall completely flat (some florals, like lily of the valley, are so delicate they’re hard to capture in perfume), but this lands perfectly in the middle. Creamy jasmine is balanced by airy orange blossom with a fresh linen feel, while peony keeps things soft and light. Wood and moss add a green, earthy edge. Imagine a verdant florist with freshly washed laundry hanging in the back, and you’ve got it down to a T. Hailey Bieber is also said to be a big fan.
Ex Nihilo Santal Calling Eau de Parfum
I’m not usually a fan of santal, but I’ll always make an exception for Santal Calling; it feels incredibly elevated. The only way I can describe it is this: you’re drinking an expensive latte in the softest cashmere turtleneck, reading a brand new book, and catching that faintly nutty, papery smell from the fresh pages. Milky accord, vanilla, and, of course, sandalwood give it a creamy, skin-like warmth with just enough woody depth. I always recommend it as a wedding scent. Soft, comforting, and memorable all at once.
Ex Nihilo Spiky Muse Eau de Parfum
Gourmands — scents with dessert-like notes — are reigning supreme, but if you’re on the hunt for a more grown-up version, look no further than Spiky Muse. It’s strawberry picking in the warm afternoon sun, bottled. Think fragrant leaves, freshly cut grass, and a subtle sweetness from overripe strawberries, lifted with a sprinkling of spicy pink pepper, rich pistachio accord, and cocooning amber. It’s always the most-spritzed Ex Nihilo fragrance in any department store I walk into.
Ex Nihilo Speed Legends Eau de Parfum
Think of the sexiest man you know, and you’re halfway to understanding how special Speed Legends is. It’s somewhere between Davidoff Cool Water and Dior Fahrenheit thanks to smoky clary sage, grassy vetiver, spicy pink pepper, and soft mandarin, but the amber woods and vanilla-esque tonka bean give it a warm depth that’s like pulling on a loved one’s favorite jacket. I’ve found that the eau de parfum is one of the longest-lasting fragrances in Ex Nihilo’s collection.
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
Gym Perfume Is Trending—But Not Everyone’s Into It
The Fragrances Celebs Wore To Devil Wears Prada 2
From Smoky To Tropical: New Scents To Shop In May
from Refinery29 https://ift.tt/vEfkQI4
via IFTTT
