The Real Deal: Is Ex Nihilo's Lust in Paradise Worth It?

I'm not exactly a perfume aficionado, but I've tried my fair share of scents over the years. I've got about 10 bottles on my shelf, but that's about it. Still, I've developed a bit of a sense for what I like and what I don't.

Ex Nihilo Lust in Paradise Bottle Of course, I don't always get what's under the hood, and I'm not exactly a perfume expert. But in my book, it's all about whether I like it or not.

Today, I wanted to talk about the one Ex Nihilo scent that really does it for me: Lust in Paradise.

What's the deal with this scent?

One thing that's often said about Lust in Paradise is that it's similar to a certain Parisian classic. But having both on my shelf, I can tell you that they're two very different beasts. Both are soft and floral, but that's where the similarities end. I've been familiar with that Parisian classic for over 15 years, and I've always had a bottle on hand. It's one of the few scents that I just can't get enough of.

Ex Nihilo Lust in Paradise Tester I was starting to get desperate to find this scent in stock, and I thought I'd try to find some alternatives. I wasn't holding out much hope for Ex Nihilo, but something about the brand just drew me in. I think it was around the time when the whole 'floriental' thing was getting popular.

Ex Nihilo Lust in Paradise Tester Incidentally, I've tried all the other Ex Nihilo scents, and I just don't get them. They're not my cup of tea, to say the least. But Lust in Paradise is a different story altogether. I think some people might find it too generic or too 'floriental', but for me, it's just right. Maybe I'm in the minority, but hey, we all have our own opinions.

As for Lust in Paradise, I have to say that I fell for it from the very first sniff. I don't 'listen' to perfumes, I just sniff them, and Lust in Paradise has a certain something that just drew me in. I ended up getting a full-sized bottle after trying it out in a tester, and I've been hooked ever since.

Ex Nihilo Lust in Paradise С рандеву I've bought multiple bottles of this perfume at once, and I've been wearing it in cycles, because I get drawn to different scents at different times. It's like I have a rotation of favorite perfumes, and this one just doesn't always fit the bill. I've come to realize that my collection is missing a few key scents that I'd love to have. Honestly, I'm excited to build out my collection and see how it evolves.

Ex Nihilo Lust in Paradise Крышечка I got the bottle as a gift last year, but I've been familiar with the scent for a while now. Unfortunately, I won't be able to provide a receipt for it. But I can assure you that it's the real deal, since the person who gave it to me bought it from a reputable store.

🌸🌸About the scent and its development.

First of all, I want to say that the opening of this scent is quite intense and not for the faint of heart. I've noticed that every time I apply it, I end up sneezing for about 10 minutes. I'm not sure why that is, but it's become a consistent reaction. At first, it's a strong rose with a noticeable citrus note, but it's not specifically lemon or bergamot - it's something else entirely.

Ex Nihilo Lust in Paradise Флакон As the scent develops, the rose blends with a hint of peony. I'd say this is a floral scent, but it's not light and airy - it's more intense and overpowering. I wouldn't recommend wearing it in hot weather or enclosed spaces, because it might not be appreciated by those around you. In fact, I had a waitress at a café ask me what scent I was wearing, which is a first for me. To me, this scent is more acidic than fresh, with notes of rose, peony, and something sour.

I have to admit that I wasn't initially a fan of this scent when I first tried it on a blotter or my wrist. It's just too overpowering for my nose, too intense and rich. I have some other perfumes in my collection that I'd say are even more intense, but there's something about this one that really hits you over the head and creates a bit of resistance. It's not just my body that reacts this way, either - I've noticed it in others who've tried it out.

But when you get past the initial sweetness, Lust in Paradise reveals a soft, rose-petal-orchid scent, with a powdery note of lychee. And it's not the fresh, just-cleaned lychee smell you'd expect. As a fan of this fruit or whatever it is, I can tell you it's not the real deal – it's more like a synthetic, but somehow still natural, kind of vibe.

Ex Nihilo Lust in Paradise

Despite its richness, this scent has a certain coldness to it. And to me, it's not a summer scent – it's more like something for the colder months, under a leather jacket, a sheepskin coat, or a parka.

Actually, I used this perfume more during the colder months, because it was overwhelming in the summer.

❓❓But why did I mention a Parisian in the title?

Well, many people compare these two scents, and I think it's an unfair comparison – they're just too different.

YSL Parisienne The only thing they have in common is that they're both transparent, glass bottles with a gold cap. That's about it.

Ex Nihilo Lust in Paradise vs YSL Parisienne Take Parisienne, the original, from back in the day – it's not about roses and peonies. In my mind, it's more about vinous notes, elderberries, and currants. And that's exactly where the contrast comes in. I just can't wrap my head around comparing a fruity, floral scent to a vinous, berry-based one. They're just too different.

YSL Parisienne The scent itself is nice, I'll give it that. I like it, and I can see why it's great for the colder months. But when I first tried it, I realized that it's just not the same as Parisienne. For me, Paradise is something newer, something that came later. And what it's missing for me is that nostalgic feel from the 2010s, when I always had Parisienne on my shelves.

🖤🖤About the packaging.

I'm not gonna go on and on about the packaging, to be honest, because it's super minimalist and looks really high-end. The ridged cap on the bottle is a bit of a weird touch, though - it's heavy, but the bottle itself isn't that heavy. It's aesthetically pleasing, I guess, but if I had to choose, I'd go for something simpler and more straightforward.

Ex Nihilo Lust in Paradise I have to say, the spritzer on this bottle is really nice - it doesn't irritate me at all. To be honest, I've been thinking about perfume a lot lately, and it's not so much about the packaging as it is about the sound, the feel, or the smell itself. So, I think comments about packaging are kind of pointless, because we're all different, and what one person likes, another person might not.

Ex Nihilo Lust in Paradise Пульверизатор For me, the fact that I can own this perfume is what I like about it. I like that I can wear it in certain periods of my life. And, as I've noticed, whenever I get the full-sized perfume, my obsession with it usually wears off pretty quickly. And that happens more often than I'd like.

My Verdict.

I think this is a good, worthy scent, but it's currently way overpriced. Of course, there are reasons for that - import costs, and so on. It's really interesting in terms of its sound, and it's perfect for people who like floral compositions that aren't too sweet or overpowering. It's more fresh and citrusy. For me, sometimes this scent can be a bit overpowering when it's hot outside, but when it's cooler, it feels completely different, and my nose isn't irritated. Honestly, I didn't find any major drawbacks, so I'm giving it a five-star rating, and I'd definitely recommend it.