Sweet Morphine

It’s not my thing, but I can’t stand sweet notes in perfumes. The way it smells like Halls cherry or Kool Aid makes it feel overpriced for what it delivers. And while the scent gets stronger with time, the base notes are overwhelming—especially the beastly iris note—that gives me a headache. Honestly, I think I’ll steer clear of Ex Nihilo for now and focus on what I already have.

My first Ex Nihilo perfume was Sweet Morphine, which I included in my discovery set. I’ve saved it for last because each time I wear it, there’s something about it that just doesn’t click for me—it’s tough to put my finger on exactly why. I wanted to give it a fair shake since I saved it for last. On my skin, the dominant note is mimosa absolute. The opening is soft with strong floral notes: iris, lilac, and powdery heliotrope. As it dries down, those florals become less prominent, but patchouli and vanilla start to come through. Oddly enough, I get a slight plasticky vibe in this phase—it’s one of those chemistry things where they just don’t play well together. Overall, Sweet Morphine doesn’t work for me, so it’s a pass. My favorite from the set is Devil Tender, but Viper Green still holds the crown as my go-to Ex Nihilo scent.

It’s like the classic “shower fresh” scent that people have been describing for ages—it has that soap-and-shampoo vibe. While it doesn’t stick around long, it’s far from bad—it’s upbeat and bright, putting a smile on your face. Who doesn’t love that clean, shampooy feel? Plus, it’s perfect for a small collection since a full bottle feels a bit much—but maybe I’ll make an exception... Though, if you’re someone who loves spending time outside—especially on those cool summer nights—it’s definitely a great companion!

It has a cool, dewy petal feel with a sweet, slightly spicy lilac aroma that feels fresh, almost like it just came from a florist. The scent is all about the flowers with no heavy, woody or spicy undertones. A powdery, floral note from cassia takes over, making the purple flowers softer in the mix. The heliotrope blends nicely with the lilac, giving it a fresh, powdery vibe. It must be a bee magnet when worn outdoors—it’s quite heady and strong-scented. While it doesn’t stick around as long as I’d like, it could easily be someone’s signature scent if they love lilac fragrances.

Uh-oh. It’s clear this perfume isn’t for me. Most iris scents just don’t work, and this particular version has that earthy, root-like iris scent that I really can’t stand.