Éveìlleur NOT INNOCENT

Éveìlleur NOT INNOCENT photo by Nicoleta ©

Do you know those rare moments of clarity, when the answer you’ve been searching for suddenly stares back at you, crystalline, unescapable and undeniable? Those times when the universe seems to conspire, weaving serendipitous threads of light into a perfect red string – the only one that will lead you out of the maze? I am deeply moved by stories of these moments, having also built some of the most important decisions in my meticulously organized life upon their fragile, transient brilliance.

Dajana (pronounced Diana) Jukić, founder and creative director, photo via the brand

“All the best decisions in my life have been made by intuition” It was one such moment that gave birth to éveìlleur. In the heart-stopping beauty of the Croatian Coast, where mornings unfold in a symphony of soft purples and golden light melting into the endless blue of the Adriatic Sea, Dajana Jukić experienced her awakening. Inspired by her homeland, Dajana envisioned a brand that could bottle the very soul of Dalmatia, transforming its essence into a fragrant ode to creativity, courage, and exploration. The name she chose, éveìlleur – French for “awakener”- encapsulates the brand’s mission: to stir the senses, spark new journeys, and illuminate the path ahead.

Éveìlleur dragonfly bottle cap – detail, photo via the brand

I loved the logo, embossed as a subtle detail on the caps, and it immediately drew me into a new paradox, building on the butterfly effect. Perhaps the courage to trust your intuition and the strength to follow your heart are part of a new, contagious “dragonfly effect”. This graceful, agile creature symbolizes courage, wisdom, and adaptability – the dragonfly dodges obstacles, soars through challenges, and emerges unscathed. It’s the perfect wingman for éveìlleur, a brand born from a moment of clarity and vision, and perfectly embodying their mission: to awaken, inspire, and remind us of life’s infinite beauty and potential.

The first chapter, presented to us in a fragrant triptych, reads like a story in three acts: Éveilleur DSCVR ME, I AM, and NOT INNOCENT – a playful invitation to see beneath the surface: DSCVR ME, the first act, is a salty stormy kiss of the sea, a marine, earthy and mineral universe composed by Oliver Cresp. I AM is an addictive, luminous bouquet of white florals – an assertive yet delicate creation signed by master perfumer Nathalie Lorson. Not surprisingly, given my unconditional love for roses, my heart was instantly stolen by the cheeky charm of NOT INNOCENT.

Olivier Cresp, (Monsieur Cresp signesd1992 ANGEL by MUGLER and is one of our Modern Masterpieces) photo via his official Instagram page

But, first, the words of the creator, Olivier Cresp: “A sensual gourmet fragrance, decisively feminine. Initially, it’s a sensual, vanilla-flavored gourmand fragrance. For this creation, I was inspired by a Croatian pastry that the brand’s founder introduced me to when we met: cake rozata. A pastry with the texture of a tart, a caramelized vanilla cream with rose petals. The inspiration for Éveilleu NOT INNOCENT is the figurative idea of the pastry, the DNA of Croatia, which I wanted to recreate into a non-sticky, gourmet fragrance”. For the base notes, I used citrus fragrance, then the heart of the rose essence, and finally a warm, sensual, creamy and addictive scent embodied by vanilla, milky notes and oakmoss. The story unfolds on this warm, enveloping, creamy, very feminine and sexy base.”

Dubrovnik rose crème caramel, infused with Ružolin brandy – “cooked” with AI by Nicoleta©

Éveìlleur NOT INNOCENT begins by sinking our teeth in a sweet delight – almond and candied oranges instantly make the mouth water, while the pupils dilate in anticipation. The Pavlovian effect is strong in this one, as the opening notes evoke memories of my grandmother’s version of cremă de zahăr ars (Romanian version of crème brûlée), often paired with a side of socată – a sparkling linden-tree delight infused with pink petals picked from our rose garden.

Bright citrus notes weave through the composition, lifting the sweetness and adding an airy, effervescent sparkle. Then comes the twist: a splash of rum, poured into a warmed glass beside a plate of gourmet French toffees. The toffees melt with a creamy, milky richness, wrapping the senses in a silky, addictive veil that mixes oh-so-deliciously with the boozy rum – turned into rose-infused liqueur. As the scent evolves, the boozy facets melt into soft rose petals, and the creamy milk deepens into the smooth texture of sandalwood. Meanwhile, the sweetness of the toffee takes on a darker, more complex tone, revealing its burnt toffee-caramelised edges. It’s a sensory journey that tempts, delights, and surprises at every turn.

AI Mood image with ingredients – by Nicoleta©

In the Venn diagram of gourmand enthusiasts and rose aficionados, Éveìlleur NOT INNOCENT sits perfectly at the sweet spot. It’s a mouthwatering delight with a modern, airy profile that reimagines the classic milky caramel genre in a fresh, addictive way. This fragrance seduces on every level – emotionally, olfactively, and aesthetically, and I for one, am utterly smitten.

Top notes: Almond, Orange, Rum; Heart: Toffee, Milk Smell-the-TasteTM, Rose Essence; Base: Vanilla, Sandalwood, Tonka Beans

Nicoleta Tomsa, Senior Editor

Disclosure: A bottle of Éveìlleur NOT INNOCENT was kindly offered by the brand, opinions are my own.

Also read the review for DSCVR ME which was a top ten perfume of 2024 for Karl

Thanks to the generosity of Dajana Jukić, we have a 100ml bottle of NOT INNOCENT for one registered reader in the USA, EU, UK. You must register or your entry will not count. To be eligible, please leave a comment saying sparks your interest about Nicoleta’s review and where you live. Draw closes 1/25/2025

Also read the review for DSCVR ME which was a top ten perfume of 2024 for Karl

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6 comments

January 22, 2025 at 3:41 pm
Jackie Rosenfeld says:
I love the idea of this being in the rose/gourmand Venn Diagram sweet spot. I am forever a fan of rose and love when it is used in ways that nod to rose water with both its hygienic and culinary uses. This sounds amazing.

in Texas
January 22, 2025 at 3:48 pm
Sybelle16 says:
For the gourmand lovers, a scent that was created through intuition and inspired by the Croatian coast. Éveìlleur NOT INNOCENT, awakens the senses with a sweet delight: almond and sweet oranges combined with bright citrus notes that elevate the sweetness to a sparkling high. With the added boost of rum and a milky, creamy toffee that is addictive. In the dry down, Éveìlleur NOT INNOCENT, evolves as the sweetness darkens and the rose, floral notes and sandalwood come forward. Overall, this scent tempts and delights.
USA
January 22, 2025 at 4:27 pm
redwheelbarrow says:
This sounds absolutely incredible! There is so much going on here that draws my attention – rum, toffee, candied orange – and then milk and rose?! I find myself craving sweets reading this. This really sounds like a novel approach to gourmand and I loved reading this review. Thank you for the draw, from the US.
January 22, 2025 at 4:48 pm
Saverioud says:
Wow, this is really interesting.
lately I was searching for a gourmand that could fit my taste, and I tried a decant of “let the good times roll” by Lush. I like the scent of caramel and croissants but in that perfume there’s so much of it, I find it overly sweet.
According to Nicoleta’s review, in this fragrances citruses and rum notes add an airy and effervescent sparkle.
This seems to be the compromise I was searching for.
I live in Italy.
January 22, 2025 at 4:51 pm
Scentlogue says:
Nicoleta’s review is truly captivating! The way she describes the intricate layers of Éveìlleur NOT INNOCENT, from the bright citrus top notes to the creamy, rose-infused heart, sparks so much curiosity. The connection to Croatian culture and the inspiration from the rozata pastry adds such a personal and unique touch. A modern twist on a gourmand fragrance like this sounds absolutely irresistible—definitely something worth exploring!

EU
January 22, 2025 at 5:40 pm
Ramses Perez says:
If it’s about a gourmand fragrance, sign me up! Anything remotely resembling something edible I love because who doesn’t want to smell like a yummy pastry. This is the second time I am reading about Eveilleur and everything from the bottles to the inspiration behind the fragrances is top notch and highly researched. Taking on inspiration from Croatia, this house needs to be more known to many more people. Also, enlisting some of the best perfumers in the industry assure the quality of the fragrances is immaculate. I’m located in the USA.