A Rose by Any Other Name: Ex Nihilo's Lust in Paradise Falls Short of Expectations

I've been hooked on Ex Nihilo's unusual scents for a while now, and their Flör Narkotik was a total game changer for me. So when I heard about their new release, Lust in Paradise, I was super stoked to give it a try. The price tag of 20,000 rubles was a bit steep, but I wanted to see if it lived up to the hype. I ended up ordering the travel-sized 7.5ml bottle from their official website for around 3,000 rubles.

The packaging arrived in a sleek, white box, and the liquid itself was a soft, pink color. I was expecting a floral, airy scent with notes of pion and lichi, but what I got was a seriously overpowering, sweet rose aroma. It was like someone had taken a bottle of expensive, perfumy rose oil and just slapped it on my skin.

Lust in Paradise by Ex Nihilo is a floral, woody, musky fragrance for women. It was released in 2019, and the perfumer is Louise Turner. The top notes are rose pepper, the middle notes are pion and lichi, and the base notes are white cedar extract, musk, and amber.

I was expecting a scent that was similar to Flör Narkotik but with a lighter, more airy quality. Instead, I got a perfume that was heavy on the rose and reminded me of Parfume de Marly's Delina. The problem is, I'm just not a fan of rose-based perfumes, especially not the kind that's overpowering and sweet. I know it sounds weird, but I have a physical aversion to rose oil, and it makes me feel queasy. I've tried a few other rose perfumes, but they all seem to get it wrong – it's like they're trying to replicate the smell of rose oil instead of the real thing.

I'm not alone in my love for rose, though. I adore the scent of a freshly bloomed rose in the garden, with its delicate, slightly sweet aroma. But there's something about rose perfumes that just doesn't do it for me. Dior's Addict Eau Sensuelle is the only rose perfume I've ever loved – it's like a gentle, refreshing breeze on a warm summer day.

Ex Nihilo's Lust in Paradise is a well-made perfume with high-quality ingredients and a harmonious blend of notes. It's a shame it's not my cup of tea, but I know many people will love it. If you're looking for a niche perfume with a unique scent, this might be worth checking out. Just be aware that it's a rose-heavy perfume, and if you're not a fan of rose, you might want to try a sample first. In fact, I think it's a good idea to try a sample of any perfume before you buy it, especially if you're not sure what you're looking for.