Nejma introduced the Les Extraits, a line of 7 perfumes exclusive to Harrods, a couple of months ago.
The founder of the brand, Marie Lise Bischoff, was inspired by an oriental fairy tale and created a line of seven fragrances that all have in common the precious and warm scent of Aoud as their signature charm.
Perfumer Alice Lavenat used Sandalwood from Mysore, Ottoman rose, Egyptian sambac and the jasmines of Arabia among other ingredients to create these new and exciting fragrances.
The bottles are heavy and sparkling like the starry sky and the symbol of the star is embossed in gold on every cap; Nejma after all means star.
To the perfumes now; they are all very beautiful in their own way and at the launch event I went to everyone had their favourite. Mine surprisingly was No. 7 but let's take things in order:
Nejma Extrait No.1
An oriental woody fragrance
Top notes: Saffron Powder, Thyme, Pink Pepper, Italian Bergamot
Heart notes: Bulgarian Rose, Jasmine, Incense, Candied Fruit
Base notes: Aoud Wood, Patchouli, Black Wood, Dark Leather
Spicy and sparkling opening gives way to a blooming floral heart that plays with leather, sweet patchouli and the signature oud to create a scent that is rich and intoxicating.
Nejma Extrait No.2
An oriental floral fragrance
Top notes: Saffron, Ylang Ylang, Aldehydic Fresh, Italian Bergamot
Heart notes: White Rose, Centifolia Rose, Ottoman Rose, Candied Fruit
Base notes: Aoud Wood, Sandalwood, Black Wood, Dark Leather
The fresh spicy opening is followed by an abundance of sweet roses and the signature oud base with the addition of creamy sandalwood.
Nejma Extrait No.3
A chypre oriental fragrance
Top notes: Ylang Ylang, Cardamom Seed, Bitter Orange Oil, Italian Bergamot
Heart notes: Bulgarian Rose, Hibiscus Flower, Dark Leather, Candied Fruit
Base Notes: Aoud Wood, Sandalwood, Oak Moss, Black Wood
A beautifully made chypre with a twist; the ylang - rose combination is just gorgeous and the signature oud base grounds it beautifully.
Nejma Extrait No.4
A chypre oriental fragrance
Top notes: Mandarin, Neroli Oil, Pear, Italian Bergamot
Heart notes: Jasmine, Indian Tuberose, Dark Leather, Candied Fruit
Base notes: Aoud Wood, Amber, Cedar, Black Wood
My second favourite of the line, this jasmine - tuberose combination has a very lush feeling on the skin, it's perfectly balanced between floral sweetness and woody darkness.
Nejma Extrait No.5
A chypre floriental fragrance
Top notes: Wild Peach, Blackcurrant, Grapefruit, Italian Bergamot
Heart notes: Bulgarian Rose, Wild Narcissus, Tunisian Neroli, Candied Fruit
Base notes: Aoud Wood, Vetiver Bourbon, Black Wood, Dark Leather
A very tart and fruity start opens way for an abundance of flowers that dance on the skin lead by rose and settle on a layer of a boozy twist on the signature oud base.
Nejma Extrait No.6
An oriental musk fragrance
Top notes: Provencal Lavender, Cinnamon Bark, Coconut, Italian Bergamot
Heart notes: Incense Resinoide, Tonka Bean, Dark Leather, Ambergris
Base notes: Aoud Wood, White Musk, Benzoin, Black Wood
The musk as a top note is really ingenious and the French lavender is so dry it brings a hay like feel to the scent. The bergamot / cinnamon combination leave a hint of Christmas while the signature oud base grounds it to a musky / woody scent that feels warm and bright at the same time.
Nejma Extrait No.7
A sweet floriental fragrance
Top notes: Calabrian Lemon, Green Tangerine, Pink Grapefruit, Star Anise
Heart notes: Neroli Flower, Cocoa Bean, Coconut Milk, Candied Fruit
Base notes: Aoud Wood, Patchouli, Black Wood, Dark Leather
I wouldn't exactly call it a floriental fragrance, it's much more a gourmand to my nose; the coconut milk brings a very interesting twist to the rich opulent heart. The fragrance opens spicy and with a dash of sparkle before its sweet floral heart makes it entrance, blooming neroli, candied juicy fruit sprinkled with cocoa and an edible anise note almost like a dessert. The coconut milk adds to that edible gourmand quality and the fragrance lingers on the skin very long slowly turning into a deep soothing leathery scent enriched by sweet patchouli and the signature oud base.
From all the fragrances, we were told, it was the most difficult to bring to completion - the easiest was No.1 - and it took a total of 2 years for the entire concept to come to life; a very well done job indeed as the fragrances have a common denominator while keeping their own individual personality.
You can find all 7 Nejma Les Extraits exclusively in Harrods. Link here