Louis Vuitton Imagination vs Ex Nihilo Blue Talisman

Both are fresh, both have ambroxan in the base and both cost around €300 a bottle. That's where the similarity ends: Imagination goes into dry black tea and neroli, Blue Talisman into juicy pear, orange blossom and musk.

Property	Louis Vuitton Imagination	Ex Nihilo Blue Talisman
House	Louis Vuitton	Ex Nihilo
Concentration	EDP	EDP
Top notes	citron, Calabrian bergamot, Sicilian orange	pear, bergamot, ginger, mandarin
Heart notes	tunisian neroli, nigerian ginger, ceylon cinnamon	orange blossom, Georgywood™
Base notes	chinese black tea, ambroxan, guaiac wood, olibanum	Ambrofix™ (ambroxan), Akigalawood™, musk
Main accords	citrus, fresh spicy, fresh, green, amber	citrus, fruity, musk, sweet, woody
Season	Spring, summer	Spring, summer
Longevity (community rating)	7–9 hours	6–10 hours
Sillage (community rating)	Moderate	Close to moderate
Full bottle	€300 / 100 ml	€280 / 100 ml
Price per millilitre	€3	€2.80
Decant 5 ml	€31.49	€25
Decant 10 ml	€51.99	€45

Imagination is for anyone who wants freshness without sugar: citrus up top, neroli, ginger and cinnamon in the heart, black tea and olibanum underneath. Blue Talisman is more likeable at first sniff, with pear, mandarin and orange blossom, and musk and ambroxan underneath. They're close in price: €3 against €2.80 per millilitre, and for a 5 ml decant €31.49 against €25. If you don't know which direction suits you, take 2 ml of each.

Which is better for the office?

Imagination, because it's drier and more reserved. With pear and musk, Blue Talisman is more playful.

Which lasts longer?

According to the community they're close: Imagination 7–9 hours, Blue Talisman 6–10 hours. The difference between skins is bigger than the difference between the fragrances.

Which is better for summer?

Both work in the heat. Imagination is drier and more bitter, Blue Talisman juicier. If you don't like sweetness in the heat, choose Imagination.

Is Blue Talisman cheaper?

A little. The bottle costs €280 against €300, and a 5 ml decant €25 against €31.49.