Our take
What does Extatic smell like?
Balmain launched Extatic in January 2014 as an eau de parfum by Émilie Coppermann. The name nods to the house’s festive and embroidered fashion. The opening brings together a crystalline rose, juicy nashi pear and osmanthus, which smells of dried apricot and tea. It starts bright and a little fruity. In the heart, orchid and jasmine meet a drier iris. The base is the surprise. Amyris and sandalwood lay down something creamy, cashmere wood thickens it and a touch of leather adds grain. The leather stays soft, closer to suede than to a saddle. Compared with Chloé’s eau de parfum, another pale rose from the same years, Extatic is warmer and turns a little darker as it dries. On skin, the pear fades within the first half hour and the leather arrives sooner than you would think.
When to wear it
A spring and autumn floral for evenings or a date. Two sprays on the neck, and the leather shows up after an hour.
It belongs to the Floral, Woody family. Extatic is one of 7 creations by Balmain in our encyclopedia.
