Flower Substance

A budget take on the cult Fleur Narcotique by Ex Nihilo, Flower Substance opens succulent and bright with peach, lychee and a creamy bergamot, capturing the original's fruity sparkle. The heart blooms into a fresh, modern floral of peony, orange blossom and jasmine - pretty and radiant rather than heady - before a soft base of musk, green moss and light woods rounds it off. Set beside the real Fleur Narcotique it reads more two-dimensional, the fruit a little sweeter and the floral less luminous, so it trades some of the niche refinement for an easy, crowd-pleasing fruity-floral. Projection is moderate and turns close after the first hour, with respectable rather than standout longevity. Even so, for the money it captures that fresh, unisex, compliment-getting signature convincingly - a juicy peach-and-peony brightness that suits dates, daily wear, the office and casual outings across spring, summer and early autumn, reading as romantic, uplifting and effortlessly likeable.