A Pretty Story About Pink Carnations with a Subtle Scent Hint. My 107.5ml Signs of Authenticity.

Hello there!

I'll be honest, I didn't fall head over heels for Lust in Paradise at first. I started with the 7.5ml travel version out of curiosity, wondering what kind of divine nectars Ex Nihilo had created. Perfume enthusiasts and novices alike have been trying to crack the code on whether these 'from nothing' bottles are worth the cash.

Lust in Paradise is one of Ex Nihilo's best-sellers.

But when the 7.5ml bottle ran out, I realized I'd be seriously missing it. No surprise, I ended up getting the full-sized version pretty quickly.

Ex Nihilo Lust in Paradise: key infoYear: 2019

Concentration: Eau de Parfum

Brand: Ex Nihilo

Country: France

Nose: Louise Turner

Size: 100ml, also available in 7.5ml and 50ml

Lust in Paradise is often translated as 'lust in paradise', which might lead you to expect something provocative and over-the-top. But the truth is, the scent is actually quite the opposite. The word 'lust' can also be interpreted as 'passion', 'desire', or 'longing'. I think the name is just a marketing ploy, to be honest.

Igor Mashkov, one of the editors at Fragrancia, sums it up nicely:

In Lust in Paradise, you won't find any over-the-top elements - every note is designed to evoke a carefree, relaxed vibe, like a day at the French Riviera.

Don't expect any coconut milk or tropical cocktails, or even a sultry, late-night party atmosphere. This is a middle-of-the-road scent that's natural and effortless. Elegance should be evident in every move its wearer makes.

Igor Mashkov. The seductive Ex Nihilo Lust in Paradise. Fragrancia

For me, the associations with this scent are pretty abstract and neutral.

Lust in Paradise: pyramidTop note

pink pepper

Heart notes

jasmine, lychee, petalia (a secret synthetic note developed by Givaudan)

Base notes

musk, white cedarwood, amber

One thing to note about the pyramid is the 'petalia' note, which is a secret synthetic component developed by Givaudan. Only Givaudan's in-house perfumers have access to this ingredient.

Lust in Paradise: My Impressions

At first, Paradise hits me as really full-bodied, moist, and even slightly cool. There's a confident floral chord here, with a tangy note of lychee (which I'm familiar with from Kilian's 'Some like it hot'). Before long, the PION takes center stage. I'm not sure if this is the same petalia I've been smelling, or some other perfumery trick – but I'm not complaining. The delicate, tender, and refined note of pion becomes the leader almost until the very end of the composition. And speaking of the end, it's not going to come anytime soon, because Lust in Paradise has incredible staying power. Sometimes I think I'm smelling the scent of a young, freshly cut rose, fragile, with delicate thorns and droplets of dew on the petals.

The scent is perceived as delicate, fresh, and floral, with a clear note of pion. I don't smell any synthetics, plastics, or musk overdose. It's crafted perfectly and balanced.

In the first few hours, Lust in Paradise is quite diffuse and tends to fill enclosed spaces. So, I'm using it sparingly. I've received a lot of compliments on it, including from women. Many have said they can tell I'm around just by the scent of pions and roses.

After a few hours, an interesting note starts to emerge, which I can describe as a skin or body scent.

A certain body-ness. To help readers understand, I'll highlight it if I listen to the scent carefully or, if you will, intentionally dissect it. This chord is similar to one I notice in the famous and more popular scent from the brand 'Flör Narcotic'. This note is new to me. It creates the sensation of the scent blending with the skin, the body, you.

About 3-4 hours in, Lust in Paradise settles closer to the skin. It's no longer as moist and full-bodied as it was at the start. However, the pion's original atmosphere remains. A delicate, refined trail is present here and beyond.

I'll digress and talk about the scent's external characteristics

Honestly, Ex Nihilo's bottles don't exactly thrill me, and I don't feel like admiring them. Although I prefer minimalism, this design seems dull and refined to me. Perhaps the 50ml bottle looks lighter, but my 100ml bottle is quite heavy and massive.

The glass bottle is thick, and the edges are smooth. The glass is perfectly smooth and transparent.

The bottom of the bottle is thick, not like those cheap knockoffs that try to pass off a thin base.

The base isn't flat, it's slightly concave. On the bottom of the bottle, there's a batch code, a transparent sticker with the brand name, volume markings, and the country of origin. There are also two engravings on the edge of the base: "BOTTLE" and "MADE IN FRANCE", along with a combination of letters and numbers. When buying a fragrance from a street vendor, I'd recommend paying attention to these details, as there are a lot of counterfeit products out there. Some are obvious fakes, while others are high-quality knockoffs. Buying from a street vendor is always a gamble. I decided to play it safe and buy from a reputable store.

Another interesting feature of the bottle is the cap.

The gold cap is heavy and a bit awkward-looking to me. But the fragrance is great. Near the base of the cap, there's a small circle with the shortened brand name - "E.N", followed by a period.

Inside the cap, there's a plastic insert, and the color is a distinctive blue.

The cap's rim is adorned with the brand's logo.

The front of the bottle has the brand name and fragrance name. This frame, I'll call it that, feels really solid to the touch. It's like it's made of metal.

The text is laser-engraved.

The sprayer is another important detail where you might find a hidden message indicating its authenticity.

Unfortunately, my camera couldn't take a clear photo. However, with a magnifying glass or good eyesight, you can see the markings around the sprayer, which include letters and numbers. I have one letter and two numbers.

Lust in ParadiseThe box is huge. Not exactly my style. Subjectively, of course. I'm not a fan of the box material – some kind of foam plastic, I think. It's a bit scratchy when you run your hand over it.

The fragrance comes with a little insert with a postcard.

The back of the box has the standard info.

I'm not exactly blown away by the design, but I'm not entirely disappointed either. It's all about personal taste.

Back to the fragrance.

My ImpressionsThis is one of the few fragrances that didn't immediately capture my heart. Usually, it's the other way around – I try it, fall in love, and buy it. But with Lust in Paradise, it was a gradual process. I wouldn't say it repelled me at first. It just didn't grab me, and I didn't feel that initial rush that usually comes with trying a new scent.

It wasn't until later, when I'd used up about 7.5 ml, that I started to appreciate it. The fragrance is beautiful. It's simple, yet it has a certain charm. I mean, who doesn't love the smell of roses and carnations? But what sets Lust in Paradise apart is its realistic, long-lasting carnation note and the subtle, well-balanced background notes that don't overpower the main attraction. It's like when you apply a floral scent expecting to enjoy it all day, but it somehow morphs into something unpleasant – like cheap soap or musk. That's not the case with Lust in Paradise. It's just a beautifully crafted fragrance that's both elegant and unique.

It's weird, because on the surface, it doesn't seem like a complex fragrance, but it's actually really well done. The quality of the ingredients and the attention to detail are impressive. I'm not usually a fan of floral scents, but there's something about Lust in Paradise that's just captivating.

What I love about Lust in Paradise is its neutrality (although that's a very subjective characteristic – it might be intense and perfect for a special occasion for someone else). It's just a clean, well-balanced fragrance with no flaws. No plastic, no cheap soap, no musk, no weird morphing – just a beautifully crafted scent that's a joy to wear. It's a testament to the quality of the fragrance and the skill of the perfumer. Even if it's not my usual cup of tea, I can appreciate the craftsmanship that's gone into creating Lust in Paradise.

I mentioned the longevity briefly earlier. Let me tell you more about it.I have sensitive skin and the scent lasts all day, slightly reducing the volume, but it's still noticeable. The projection is great. It lasts all day, even until evening. By the end of the day, the scent becomes a bit more transparent, but it's still the same powdery piety. The body note adds a sense of intimacy to Lust in Paradise, making it even more alive and feminine. Things are completely saturated with it – until they're washed out.

What I can say in the end. The scent is worth your attention. You might find the piety you've been searching for here. You might, like me, be blown away by the phenomenal longevity and clarity of the scent. I recommend trying it out and wearing it in different seasons. I enjoy it just as much in winter as I do in summer. My summer, by the way, is quite cool and not sweltering. Personally, I think Lust in Paradise is suitable for everyday wear. However, I do want to note that I don't divide scents into those for everyday wear and special occasions.

You can check out my perfume reviews here