Blue Talisman
On request
Ex Nihilo Spiky Muse
Rose, strawberry and pistachio on ambery woods
Spiky Muse is the house's portrait of a muse who has become an artist, and rose is its subject. Louise Turner shows the flower through essential oil, a pure absolute and two abstract notes, then gives it a sweet turn with a natural strawberry extract from an upcycling process and a pistachio accord. Ambery woods hold it all.
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Reviews of FragranceGems, the shop behind NicheGems
The store’s selection is really good and comprehensive. Placing an order was very easy, and shipping was really fast. The fragrances were well packed and they were all...
The composition
How it unfolds in notes
The curve shows the order in which the notes come forward, not their strength.
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Top notes
- Upcycled natural Strawberry
- Bergamot
- Pink pepper
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Heart notes
- Rose absolutes
- Pistachio accord
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Base notes
- Cedarwood
- Akigalawood™
- Ambrofix™
- Tonka bean
- Character
- Moderate
- Occasion
- Concentration
- Explore by note
In the same spirit
Similar in character
On the skin
How it unfolds
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Strawberry and pink pepper
The opening is bright and fruity. Strawberry, which the brand takes as a natural extract from an upcycling process, meets bergamot and a spark of pink pepper. The fruit is sweet, but the citrus and the dry, peppery lift keep it in check, so the start feels lively rather than syrupy.
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Rose and pistachio
Rose absolutes take the centre and give the perfume its depth: full, rounded and a little jammy beside the strawberry. The pistachio accord adds a soft, nutty, faintly creamy note, a quiet sweetness that gives the rose a different texture.
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Ambery woods
Cedarwood supplies a dry, clean wood, while Akigalawood™ and Ambrofix™ give the base an ambery, woody warmth, and tonka bean adds a soft, smooth sweetness. Together they form what the brand calls a deep canvas. The rose and fruit fade into it slowly, and the finish is warm and woody.
Wearing it
When, who and why
How to wear it
A confident evening perfume that also works for dressed-up days. The sweetness is clear, so two sprays are usually enough; apply at the neck and wrists and let the fruit settle before the rose takes over. It suits cooler seasons and spring evenings; in the heat of high summer a lighter hand is wiser.
Who it is for
For people who like rose with a modern turn: fruit and nuts, then woods, instead of a classic powdery rose. It suits someone who enjoys a little sweetness and wants wood underneath to balance it. A dry, green or fresh floral is not what this offers.
Why choose Ex Nihilo Spiky Muse
It places several forms of one flower side by side: essential oil, absolute and abstract rose notes, all composed by Louise Turner. The natural strawberry from upcycling fits the house's stated use of new-generation natural extracts. The result is a distinct, clearly intended rose.
At a glance
Questions
Frequently asked
What is Spiky Muse centred on?
Rose, in several forms: absolutes in the heart, with strawberry, bergamot and pink pepper above, and pistachio, woods and tonka bean below.
Is it very sweet?
There is a noticeable fruity sweetness, but bergamot, pink pepper and cedarwood add dryness, so it reads as a rose with fruit rather than a candy.
What is upcycled strawberry?
The brand names it as a natural strawberry extract obtained through an upcycling process. In the perfume it gives the rose a ripe, sweet turn.
Which strength and size is it?
It is a 100 ml eau de parfum, a concentration with enough body to carry the rose and the ambery woods without feeling overly heavy.
The house
About Ex Nihilo
Ex Nihilo is a Paris house founded in 2013 by three people from the luxury world, working with emerging perfumers who are given free creative rein. Its perfumes sit in four universes, floral, ambery, woody and citrus, with a modern design language drawn from French avant-garde art.
- Founded in Paris, France, in 2013 by Sylvie Loday, Olivier Royère and Benoît Verdier
- The name is Latin; the brand glosses it as ‘created out of the blue’
- Works with emerging perfumers and gives them total creative freedom
Pick up where you left off
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Reviews of FragranceGems
What FragranceGems customers say
NicheGems is new. These are reviews from FragranceGems customers about their orders at FragranceGems, the shop behind NicheGems. Collected by Judge.me.
4.7 out of 5
1,200+ reviews on Judge.me
Reviews of FragranceGems, the shop behind NicheGems
The store’s selection is really good and comprehensive. Placing an order was very easy, and shipping was really fast. The fragrances were well packed and they were all excellent. I’m very satisfied. 👍💯👍
Very good quality profume, it last long and it has a good price for its incredible aroma and mixes of fruit and wood smell
A cozy, slightly sensual vanilla that feels like warm night air by the sea. Easy to love if you enjoy gourmand perfumes with a soft smoky edge.
This perfume is really well blended, I just removed a star because I personnaly don't like the top note (citronella)
Placing the order was very easy. Shipping was very fast. I am completely satisfied.
Good cologne, love the citrus and ginger scent making it a playful combo while the tea base makes it a bit more mature. Great for the gym
FragranceGems is again really quick with their releases. I hope this one smells better than Too Damn Good. Already rating a 5 star because of previous experiences!!
Already pre-order. As always, FragranceGems is the first with good releases. Looking forward to my bottle!
The cap of the bottle came with a small part of it broken off and the glass pieces were in the box
A selection of recent reviews in proportion to their star ratings.
From the house of FragranceGems
The niche department of FragranceGems
NicheGems is part of FragranceGems B.V. in Zoetermeer, the Netherlands. Original perfumes from niche houses, handled by the same team that looks after every FragranceGems order.
Reviews of FragranceGems, the shop behind NicheGems
- Original perfumes, new and in original packaging
- Packed with care in the Netherlands
- Customer service by the FragranceGems team