Explicite

I am exploring (and is some cases re-exploring) peony-rose centric fragrances. I bought sizable decants of Ex Nihilo "Explicite" and Ex Nihilo "Lust In Paradise." I also purchased Profumum Roma "Dolci Pensieri." So, Explicite is a near total love at first sniff. While not as heady, dense, or complex as Amouage "Guidance," Explicite is definitely reminiscent of Guidance. Guidance is and will always be my forever fragrance. Of course, Guidance also has the gorgeous, nutty hazelnut accord throughout, which Is not present in Explicite. Explicite's opening is quite spicy thanks to the pink pepper and nutmeg notes. The perfume quickly develops with a beautiful floral blend that seamlessly merges with the spicy opening. Rose and peony are most prominent to my nose. Thankfully the sharp and spiky note usually accompanying rose fragrances is never evident with Explicite. The perfume continues unfolding with minimally sweet praline and a luscious, creamy, sandalwood and vanilla base accord. If I did not own and love Guidance and Guidance 46, I would possibly purchase Explicite. Also wish to add, Explicite has limited silage and weak-to-moderate performance, characteristics I've come to expect with Ex Nihilo fragrances.

Sweet, flowery, gourmand, spicy- this is one happy playful perfume. It lingers between seductive fresh pink flowers, and candy shop cuteness. But it's thick, think consistency of a syrup, not a watery innocent floral-sweet fragrance. There is something very alluring about this one, I couldn't stop sniffing my hand when I first tried it! What comes to mind is an intersection of Flamenco Ramon Monegal, Hibiscus Mahajad Maison Crivelli, Magnolia Rosae and indeed Gold Immortals Ex Nihilo (minus the BR resemblance the later one carries). Projection is almost embarrassingly good, you feel you kind of overdid it even though you sprayed only 3-4 times 😄. Obviously a winner in my book!

Explixite is lovely. Pepper and nutmeg, later amber add an interesting touch to the praline, peony composition, it doesn't smell too cloying or too floral, the notes are so tight, they are not easy to feel each of them separately. Very well balanced, interesting, has a charm about it. I agree that Ex Nihilo knows how to make modern Parisian perfumes, no vintage feelings, most of them smell very "now", but still contained and quite an acquired taste, not overblown as sometimes modern perfumes can be. Not for gourmand enemies as this is still quite sweet and sweetens drying down. +

This fragrance is one of the most stunning creations among all the Ex Nihilo's fragrances. It is spicy, sweet, ambery, and super-dense floral. It is way more feminine than Gold Immortal and Brompton Immortal. The praline note is also smooth and does not smell like Baccarat Rouge 540, which is absolutely crucial to me: I dislike Baccarat Rouge 540. It is quite a blended scent, and it is very difficult to detect one of the notes in a good way. The longevity and silage are perfect:8-10 hours.

I get the spicy nutmeg, stems, florals, sweetness, wood, vanilla, amber, even a tiny tinge of smoke... But I don't get oud unless people are interpreting the smoke as oud. This a pretty complex perfume. Leans slightly feminine only because the floral aspect but I think a man can wear this no problem unless you despise these florals. But I think the masculine facets offset it to an extent even though they're clear as day. And even though they're clear, they smell very high quality.