Ex Nihilo Lust in Paradise Review + Pretty is GOOD Draw

 

French Actress Cécile Aubry photographed on the beach for Life Magazine, 1950. © Philippe Halsman 

Pretty is good. No, I’m not talking about the grudging praise of “pretty good”. I’m singing loudly out of my window, finally open as the spring sun is shining bright, “I LOVE PRETTY!”  The beauty of niche and artisanal perfumery is that the field is wide open for creative minds and hearts to create fragrances of every imaginable sort. There are the artistic, abstract fragrances that challenge the mind. There are complex, dense perfumes that are masterpieces of composition that would never be able to be produced for the mass market.  There are also very lovely, wearable perfumes that earn their niche stripes by the great care with which they are blended and highest quality ingredients used. The new release, Ex Nihilo Lust in Paradise, is unapologetically pretty.

White Peony is the star of Lust in Paradise © Janosh Diggelmann

I have travel size bottles of almost every Ex Nihilo release, but the two full bottles I have bought and love are Fleur Narcotique and Musc Infini. Lust in Paradise is their love child. The lychee and peony of the former is coupled with the musk of the latter to create a beautiful, playful daughter – an innocently sexy creature who languidly moves through the warmth of the French Riviera. My mind wanders to French ingenue Cécile Aubrey in a modest but provocative bikini stretched out on the beach.

View from hotel bar on Cap d’Antibes © Sandro di Carlo Darsa

Ex Nihilo Lust in Paradise is part of the Parisian house’s “Les Interdites Collection” – the Forbidden. The other fragrances in the family are Sweet Morphine, Devil Tender, Love Shot, and Viper Green. The concept is fragrances that cause a sweet addiction; the tag line for Lust in Paradise is “French Riviera Addiction”. It’s true in the case of Lust in Paradise as I can’t stop smelling my wrist while wearing it. The fragrance opens immediately with a lush peony accord with just enough pink pepper to tickle your nose in a beguiling manner. The prettiness of the peony lingers and is joined by the mouth-watering scent of lychee fruit. This heart of the perfume is quite long lasting before settling down to its last phase, a warm amber and musky base with the faint scent of peony still laying on top. The longevity is excellent and perfect for spring daywear and to be used as a base in the evening for a complementary heavier hitter (I suggest Ex Nihilo Fleur Narcotique.)

Louise Turner of Givaudan

The creator of Ex Nihilo Lust in Paradise is  Louise Turner. It’s not too much of a surprise that she also created one of the first fragrances for the house, Musc Infini in 2013 as I can sense its ghost in the base of Lust in Paradise. Ms. Turner is having an extremely successful creative run these past two of years. She signed (with Yann Vasnier) The Jo Malone Wild Flowers and Weeds Collection including fragrances like Cade and Cedarwood released earlier this year. Ms. Turner was the perfumer behind last year’s big buzz, Tom Ford Lost Cherry.This young English perfumer is not only creating for niche houses, she has signed numerous popular fragrances for designers like Carolina Herrera, Chloé, Maison Margiela, Mugler, and Roberto Cavali.

Spring is brave in its prettiness © Nazym Jumadilova

As spring is springing for most of us in the northern hemisphere we are seeing crocuses, daffodils and magnolias brave the crisp air. I almost always hear myself sigh aloud, “pretty” when I see them when I am out on my city walks. That sweet, contented feeling of wonder at pretty is not to be scoffed at. It is to be celebrated. Ex Nihilo Lust in Paradise does just that. Notes: pink pepper; peony; lychee; white cedarwood, musk, amber.

– Marianne Butler – Senior Contributor

Sample kindly supplied by Bergdorf Goodman. My opinions are my own.

Thanks to the generosity of Ex Nihilo at Bergdorf Goodman we have a 7.5 ml deluxe travel spray of Ex Nihilo Lust in Paradise for one registered reader in the USA (be sure to register or your comment will not count). To be eligible, tell us what appeals to you about Marianne’s review of Ex Nihilo Lust in Paradise and if you think “pretty” is more than “pretty good”. Draw closes 3/14/2019

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19 comments

  • INYA says:

    I'm a huge fan of Ex Nihilo fragrances. Lust in Paradise sounds lovely with notes of lychee and peony. Pretty, for me, is definitely a good thing. Ms Turner will be on my radar, as I discover more scents, I'm always interested in the perfumers behind the juice. Thanks for another fabulous draw! USA 

  • Christie says:

    I wish all the reviews were longer this time of year so I could get lost in the description of Spring.  I live in the South and I am anxiously awaiting the blooming cherry blossoms and magnolia trees. I've never heard of Ex Nihilo fragrances so I appreciate the introduction.  And pretty, is always better than "pretty" good! 🙂 In the USA.

  • Cynthia says:

    I love the peony note in fragrances and I think lychee is a perfect accompaniment. This sounds like a great spring scent! Thanks for the review.

  • Leah says:

    I love Ex Nihilo fragrances and peonies are my favorite flower!  Thank you for this draw…pretty ALWAYS beats pretty good!  I’m in the USA.

  • Pato Loco says:

    Loved the review. Lust in Paradise sounds amazing with the combination of peony and lychee. Pretty is most definatley superior to pretty good. USA. Cheers!

  • Tova says:

    Big Ex Nihilo fan here and I love fleur narcotique and was looking for a new perfume for spring.i will buy this either way but it would be great to win.

    i think pretty is how I want to smell 

  • Maya says:

    I do not want my perfumes to be “pretty good” but I do very much want them to be “pretty”. I like peonies and would love to try Lust in Paradise, especially since it is springlike and “pretty”. I need spring to arrive as quickly as possible even if it comes first in perfume form. And the name Lust in Paradise is great! USA.

  • damianachi says:

    I very much enjoyed the description of the luscious peony sprinkled with pink pepper, followed by the sweet lychee note. This sounds definitely sounds like a very addictive fragrance, which is much more than "pretty good". I live in the USA (Dallas, TX).

  • NiceVULady says:

    I love peonies and love lychee, so this sounds absolutely perfect for me.  "Pretty" always has a place in perfumery I think.  Ms. Turner seems to be having amazing accomplishments.  Good to know.  Thanks for a really "pretty" review and a lovely draw.  I'm in the USA

  • doveskylark says:

    We need pretty in our lives. Pure prettiness. Flowers and cloud formations. I thought about the 1980's movie "Pretty in Pink" when I read this. I was also transported to the South of France when I read this review. And I am now very intrigued by Ex Nihilo. I am off to listen to the song "Pretty in Pink" by the Psychedelic Furs. 

    I live in the USA.

  • Diana D says:

    Ooh, this fragrance does sound pretty!! Peony is one of my favorite notes in perfumes for the spring and summer. Peony = Pretty. Pretty is definitely better than pretty good.

    I live in the USA.

  • kb1993 says:

    What appealed to me is the love for spring and flowers as I love it as well.pretty is definitely better then pretty good . I'm in the USA North Carolina 

     

    thanks for the chance

  • Monica Beaton says:

    As much as I love "edgy" and "unconventional", sometimes I just crave pretty. A sweet simple classic fragrance that smells expensive and "European". Something a little Audrey Hepburn. Lust in Paradise sounds interesting and something I'm going to have to try. I live in Australia.

  • audesko1 says:

    This new fragrance sounds perfect for spring.  Lust in Paradise with Lychee and Peonie, really good combo.  I would love to try.  I do love Fleur Narcotique by  Ex Nihilo.  Thank you for the chance to try.  USA

  • Caliwas says:

    I love the review and the I believe pretty is more than pretty good for sure. Also I would love to smell this fragrance of paradise with Lychee and Peonie. Blessings and I live in CA, USA.  

  • Vahagn says:

    Thank you for this nice review.

    I like peony in perfumery finding it very elegant, and with pink pepper and musc it will be really perfect, beautiful and I hope- compliment getter.

    I like Fleure Narcotic very muck.

    US

  • gtabasso says:

    I love pretty, too. I love peony and pink pepper. This description reminds me of things like Twilly or many of the Agent Provocateurs. Pretty. I have them. I love them. Many Penhaligon's florals and Annick Goutal florals are pretty. Aqua Allegorias are pretty, if fleeting. I have and love them. Let's add this one! Peonies remind me of my grandmother who grew them. I'm in USA. 

  • Zibbyz says:

    Oh  good sounds lovely , and I'm looking for a pretty, just yummy scent that's not challenging or warm, just pretty, how did you know!? Something that is always right, one that I don't need to save for special occasions, or grey Seattle days  Thank you for the wonderful review and draw! In the us. 

  • Johanna says:

    You are talking about artisanal perfumery? About creativity? Where is the creativity and legitimacy when houses like Ex nihilo start to make clones of blockbuster DeLina to generate sales?
    Quality creative houses are very few and the ones making clones at crazy retail prices are not part of them. You should be more selective as a perfume specialist and expert.