The Hedonist Eau de Parfum by Ex Nihilo

I tried Ex Nihilo at their counter for the first time and I fell instantly in love with a few scents: Atlas Fever, Midnight Special and The Hedonist. I struggled there for almost 30 minutes to decide which one to get since their prices are not cheap. Then I did get a full bottle of the Midnight Special because it’s the type of scent that I’m always drawn to but I knew The Hedonist is more suitable for the region climate that I am in (LA where is warm almost all year round and super hot in summer). The SA was really nice enough to give me the samples of all 3 of them when I made the purchase of the Midnight Special so I can try full wears of all of them before I open the bottle so I can return it if I change my mind. I tried and I found out that I miss The Hedonist the most after I used up all 3 samples. I kept thinking about it. Also both Midnight Special and Atlas Fever are really thick and cloying to use in such climate. I own more than too many dark, gourmand, sweet, woody, and oriental scents in my collection that they are being used up so slowly because we don’t get cold often (I naturally love these scents) so I’ve been hunting some summer or spring scents to be added in my collection. I don’t like strong acidity scents so it’s not easy for me to find some summer scents that I like. The citrus in The Hedonist is just the right amount along with the prominent woody (but not dark) in the heart and strong musk in the the base that give a modern sensual feel. I’m also glad that it has tonka bean note in the base that provides some sweetness in the undertone so the whole course of this fragrance is not too masculine. Very nice summer/spring unisex scent that is not too citrusy and last a pretty long time. About 9+ hours on my skin and days on clothes with moderate projection.

I got a sample of this today mailed to me from someone I buy perfume from at Saks. She thought I would like this and she's right, I do like it. Very smooth, not exactly generic but not exactly special either. I'm seeing comparisons being made to other scents already which makes sense as this didn't smell "unique" to me. I also don't find this woodsy at all. I love the smell of cedar but this isn't it. I'd love to find a great cedar fragrance that actually just smells like cedar!

My issues with this of course is the price Ex Nihilo charges. Also this smells out of date to me, I feel I've smelled this in the 80's. Anyway nice sample, nice fragrance but I won't be taking the plunge on a larger bottle.

After wearing this for a while and letting it really dry down, this reminds me of Paco Rabanne XS when it first came out.

Not typically a fan of fresh perfumes but the woodiness in The Hedonist really helps with the balance. I'm surprised that people are voting that it's more suited for men - is it because of its likeliness to Chanel Bleu (I don't find them similar though)? I find it quite gender neutral. An uplifting zing for hot weather and has pretty decent longevity.

Totally! disagree! with PerfumeKick…. wearing it for the second day now and as a woman got compliments from both sexes. Still there after 6 hours….Unisex, totally,…. interesting, yes….peppery&mettalic, not on me : )
It’s not cheap, that’s true but definitely going to buy a 50ml when my sample runs out.
A strong “yes” for me!

You're the first to rent out a new Airbnb in the mountains--a single room of bright cedar walls and floors under a glass ceiling. Throughout the day, the sun pours in, super-heating the new lacquers on the wood all around you, causing the walls to sweat and the ceiling to fog and your spirit to leave its frame. The Hedonist by Ex Nihilo.