You thought you had this one figured out, didn’t you? “Ex Nihilo Spiky Muse is, yes, another Bulgarian rose number,” you probably muttered as you clicked through. Bzzzzt. Wrong! I wish I had a quiz show buzzer to hit because what I smelled here totally caught me off guard, in the best way.

What I got wasn’t just another dusty, classic rose. Ex Nihilo Spiky Muse opened with the most photo-realistic strawberry note I’ve ever encountered in a fragrance. Not candy, not synthetic, an actual juicy, just-bitten strawberry. And while some reviews might debate how “real” it smells, I’m here to say: It’s spot. on.

Then came the pivot, a lush, red rose blooming out of the fruit like a midsummer dream. It’s the kind of transition that makes you lean in and go, Wait, what IS this magic? I’m already a sucker for pink pepper and rose, so this combo hit me right in the heart. Add in bergamot and more of that juicy berry brightness, and you’ve got a rose that feels anything but heavy. This one is sparkling, happy, radiant, full of joie de vivre.

If you’re after a rose that feels fresh, modern, and made for sun-soaked days, this is it. Remember the name: Ex Nihilo Spiky Muse. Spring and summer? Covered. Mood-boosting? Absolutely. I’m fully in love.

Bravo, Ex Nihilo. Add this beauty to your queue, it’s available now as part of our Neiman’s Select Collection.