Short answer: The easiest Ex Nihilo layering combinations are Blue Talisman with Fleur Narcotique, Devil Tender with Santal Calling, and The Hedonist with Iris Porcelana. Each pair shares two or three notes, so they blend instead of fighting.
Ex Nihilo builds most of its range on bergamot, rose, musk, sandalwood and ambroxan, which makes the house unusually easy to layer with itself. We scored every pairing of the 42 Ex Nihilo fragrances in our catalog with MixMode. Dozens scored 98%, so we kept the eight that cover the widest range, from clean musk to dark rose and oud.
How to layer Ex Nihilo fragrances
Spray the heavier fragrance first, wait about 30 seconds, then add the lighter one on top. Start with two sprays of each. The Extraits are stronger than the eaux de parfum, so use one spray when an Extrait leads.
Notes that connect the house: bergamot and musk (Blue Talisman, Fleur Narcotique, Musc Infini), rose and patchouli (The Hedonist, Midnight Special, Rose Hubris), and sandalwood and vanilla (Devil Tender, Santal Calling).
8 Ex Nihilo layering combinations
Fit scores come from MixMode's note and family analysis. Use them as a starting point, then test on your own skin.
Blue Talisman + Fleur Narcotique 98% fit
The two best sellers together. Bergamot, orange blossom and musk sit in both. Fleur Narcotique's lychee, peach and peony float over Blue Talisman's pear, ginger and ambroxan.
Spray order: 2 sprays Blue Talisman, then 2 sprays Fleur Narcotique. Spray Blue Talisman first and give it 30 seconds before Fleur Narcotique.
Best for: office days and evenings, year-round. Open this pair in MixMode
Blue Talisman
Fleur Narcotique
Devil Tender + Santal Calling 98% fit
Rosy sandalwood cream. Vanilla and sandalwood connect them. Santal Calling's milk, nutmeg and iris soften Devil Tender's rose and suede.
Spray order: 2 sprays Devil Tender, then 2 sprays Santal Calling. Spray Devil Tender first and give it 30 seconds before Santal Calling.
Best for: fall days and dinners. Open this pair in MixMode
Devil Tender
Santal Calling
Musc Infini + Vetiver Moloko 98% fit
Milky musk. Rose and vanilla are in both. Vetiver Moloko's milk, cypress and vetiver sit under Musc Infini's ambrette and white musk.
Spray order: 2 sprays Musc Infini, then 2 sprays Vetiver Moloko. Spray Musc Infini first and give it 30 seconds before Vetiver Moloko.
Best for: office days in spring and fall. Open this pair in MixMode
Musc Infini
Vetiver Moloko
The Hedonist + Iris Porcelana 98% fit
Powdered rose woods. Rose, sandalwood and musk run through both. Iris Porcelana's iris and violet leaf smooth out The Hedonist's ginger, pink pepper and leather.
Spray order: 2 sprays The Hedonist, then 2 sprays Iris Porcelana. Spray The Hedonist first and give it 30 seconds before Iris Porcelana.
Best for: spring and fall evenings. Open this pair in MixMode
Sweet Morphine + Bois d'Hiver 98% fit
Powdery winter woods. Heliotrope and patchouli tie them together. Bois d'Hiver's cardamom and cedar meet Sweet Morphine's mimosa, iris and vanilla.
Spray order: 2 sprays Sweet Morphine, then 2 sprays Bois d'Hiver. Spray Sweet Morphine first and give it 30 seconds before Bois d'Hiver.
Best for: winter days and nights. Open this pair in MixMode
Sweet Morphine
Bois d'Hiver
Midnight Special + Rose Hubris 98% fit
Dark rose. Rose and patchouli are in both. Rose Hubris's lychee and oakmoss meet Midnight Special's saffron, cinnamon, oud and vanilla.
Spray order: 2 sprays Midnight Special, then 2 sprays Rose Hubris. Spray Midnight Special first and give it 30 seconds before Rose Hubris.
Best for: fall date nights. Open this pair in MixMode
Midnight Special
Rose Hubris
Demon Dancer + Amber Sky 98% fit
Bright amber woods. Bergamot, ambroxan and tonka sit in both. Demon Dancer's rhubarb and blood orange spark over Amber Sky's coriander, geranium and vanilla.
Spray order: 2 sprays Amber Sky, then 2 sprays Demon Dancer. Spray Amber Sky first and give it 30 seconds before Demon Dancer.
Best for: spring through fall, day or night. Open this pair in MixMode
Demon Dancer
Amber Sky
Lust in Paradise Extrait + Outcast Blue 98% fit
Spiced rose and woods. Pink pepper, patchouli and cedar are shared. Lust in Paradise's blackcurrant rose meets Outcast Blue's saffron, tobacco and vetiver.
Spray order: 2 sprays Lust in Paradise Extrait, then 2 sprays Outcast Blue. Spray Lust in Paradise Extrait first and give it 30 seconds before Outcast Blue.
Best for: fall evenings. Open this pair in MixMode
Lust in Paradise Extrait
Outcast Blue
Which Ex Nihilo to spray first
Lead with the base-heavy fragrance: Blue Talisman, Devil Tender, Musc Infini, The Hedonist, Sweet Morphine, Midnight Special or Amber Sky. Put the brighter floral or fruity scent on top: Fleur Narcotique, Santal Calling, Iris Porcelana, Rose Hubris or Demon Dancer.