Insolent Ex

The Irreverents is high on my “to try” list. I recently received a 10ml of Insolent Ex as part of a bundle I purchased, and I’m genuinely glad I did. Slightly spiced saffron which comes across smooth with caramel that adds sweetness whilst jasmine keeps it airy. As it settles, the tonka, amber and vanilla provide depth. There’s also something that reminds me of Absolute Aphrodisiac. That fragrance has an animalic nuance that can feel a little sickly to my nose. Insolent Ex seems to have something similar, but not as sickly. At this price point, this is definitely worth it. Performance is also above average with decent sillage.

This is a great fragrance with a beautifully sweet opening—almost gourmand but not quite. It stands strong on its own, feeling more like a unique interpretation rather than a direct copy. However, as a dupe of The Irreverents, it falls short. It lacks that je ne sais quoi that justifies Ex Nihilo’s $400 price tag. Compared to the original, this version is noticeably softer in the opening. The Irreverents has a deep, addictive sweetness, while this one delivers a similar vibe but with less intensity. It’s still a lovely scent, especially for the price, though Ex Nihilo takes it a step further. Insolent Ex leans more bottom-heavy, and while it attempts to replicate the perfect saffron, caramel, and pink pepper top note blend of The Irreverents, it doesn’t quite hit the mark. That said, it’s still a fragrance worth owning—especially since The Irreverents doesn’t project much anyway. This might be the smarter choice, allowing for more generous application as needed.