Smells amazing, got 7 hours of performance. Can't wait to order more
Smells just like the original.!!!!
Midnight Special — Ex Nihilo Midnight Special Alternative Perfume
★
Rated 4.6 by 50K+
1M Bottles Sold
Made in California
HumanSafe™ Verified
Description
A Luxury Dupe of Ex Nihilo Midnight Special Fragrance
HumanSafe™ Verified Perfume Dupe — Clean, Long-Lasting & Cruelty-Free
Midnight Special shares the spirit of the iconic Ex Nihilo Midnight Special fragrance—a poised, subtly magnetic composition that whispers rather than shouts. This elegant floral captures an intimate sensibility perfect for those seeking luxury at a fraction of the investment. Built with HumanSafe™ verified ingredients and available from just $14.99, it's accessible elegance without compromise. Available as EDP Spray, alcohol-free concentrated Body Oil — ideal for those seeking a longer-lasting, skin-close experience — or as the complete Duo Layering Set for maximum longevity, from our store.
Scent Profile — What You'll Experience
Top Notes
Cinnamon and Black Pepper · Black Pepper · Cinnamon · Saffron
Heart Notes
Turkish Rose · Rose and Grapefruit · Grapefruit · Rose
Base Notes
Agarwood (Oud) · Vanilla and Patchouli · Agarwood · Patchouli · Vanilla
The top notes arrive as a luminous floral opening, crisp and inviting—setting an intimate tone that draws the wearer inward. The composition feels fresh yet refined, promising a journey rather than a single fleeting impression.
As the fragrance settles, the heart reveals itself with layered floral sophistication. The middle notes deepen into a poised, subtly magnetic character that feels both wearable and distinctly luxurious. This is where the fragrance truly becomes a second skin, unfolding its complexity across the hours.
The base anchors everything in warmth and sensuality, creating an intimate skin-close trail that lingers gracefully. With 6–8 hours of longevity and moderate sillage, Midnight Special excels in warm conditions while remaining equally wearable year-round. This is a fragrance for those who understand that true luxury whispers.
Performance & Wear
Midnight Special delivers 6–8 hours of wear on skin with moderate projection. Apply to pulse points for optimal diffusion. Layer with the Body Oil to extend longevity throughout your day. Perfect for evening wear and cooler seasons. HumanSafe™ Verified · IFRA Compliant · 100% Vegan & Cruelty-Free.
How It Compares to Ex Nihilo Ex Nihilo Midnight Special
Midnight Special is built in the same style as the original Ex Nihilo creation—sharing a similar profile of refined florality and intimate projection. While the designer version commands luxury pricing, CA Perfume's alternative delivers the same poised, subtly magnetic character at a fraction of the cost. This is inspired-by perfumery that respects both the original vision and your budget.
| Signal | Midnight Special (CA Perfume) | Ex Nihilo Midnight Special (Ex Nihilo) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | From from our store | — |
| Longevity | 6–8h EDP · 12–16h Duo Set | 6–8h typical (EDP) |
Mood Profile — Romantic
When you wear this fragrance, ask yourself: "Why do I feel so romantic?"
The answer is already there. I am romantic.
Mood Elevation Index (MEI): created by HumanSafe™ Mood Architecture Framework based on 876 peer-reviewed scientific studies and proprietary algorithm.
Who Should Wear This
Equally suited to day and night, Midnight Special thrives in warm climates while remaining versatile across all seasons. Wear it to intimate dinners, professional settings where you want to leave a whispered impression, or simply as your signature daily fragrance. It's also a thoughtful gift for anyone who appreciates understated luxury and meaningful scent composition.
HumanSafe™ Verification — Ingredient Safety
HumanSafe™ is an independent product safety platform that assesses cosmetics and fragrances using dose-aware, science-based scoring — not fear-based ingredient blacklists. Every CA Perfume fragrance is assessed through the HumanSafe™ framework before it reaches you.
Midnight Special has been independently assessed through the HumanSafe™ framework — formulated without phthalates or parabens, IFRA compliant, vegan, and made in California. See the full safety profile below.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Midnight Special smell like?
Midnight Special is an elegant floral fragrance with a poised, subtly magnetic character. It opens fresh and inviting, settles into refined floral complexity, and closes with a warm, intimate base. The overall effect is sophisticated and wearable—perfect for those who prefer scents that whisper rather than shout.
Is this a Ex Nihilo Midnight Special dupe?
Yes. Midnight Special shares a similar profile with the Ex Nihilo original, built in the same style of refined floral elegance and intimate projection. It's an inspired-by alternative—not an identical reproduction, but a thoughtfully crafted fragrance that honors the original's sensibility.
How long does Midnight Special last?
Midnight Special delivers 6–8 hours of longevity with moderate sillage, creating an intimate skin-close trail. It performs best in warm conditions but is equally wearable year-round. Perfect for day wear and evening occasions alike.
Is it HumanSafe™ verified?
Yes. Midnight Special is HumanSafe™ verified, formulated with ingredients that meet our rigorous safety and quality standards. We're committed to clean perfumery without compromise on scent or performance.
What's included in the layering set?
Our duo set includes both the EDP spray and complementary body oil, allowing you to customize your scent experience and extend longevity throughout the day. Layering creates a more intimate, personalized fragrance journey.
Shipping & Handling
Enjoy free shipping on ALL U.S. orders over $50. Express Shipping option available at checkout. Exchanges for USA customers in the contiguous 48 states.
Returns
Enjoy our 30-day risk-free trial. If our perfume isn't your perfect match, request an exchange or store credit within 30 days. Your satisfaction is our priority. Please note that original shipping costs are non-refundable.
Midnight Special — Ex Nihilo Midnight Special Alternative Perfume
Transparency for Peace of Mind
Product Safety Profile
Evaluated by the HumanSafe™ Safety Framework
HumanSafe™ is a science-based framework that scores ingredient safety at realistic use levels — with transparent methodology you can verify. No fear. Just clarity.
B
HumanSafe™ Score
Safety Verified ✓
BESTWORST
B
Use
With
Caution
With
Caution
You deserve to know what you're putting on your skin — not a vague rating, not a worst-case scare. Ingredients are evaluated at realistic use concentrations typical for fine fragrance. You can wear it with confidence.
HumanSafe™ scores are calculated using peer-reviewed safety data, evaluated at realistic wear conditions.
| CAS NO. | INCI NAME | FUNCTION | ISS SCORE |
|---|---|---|---|
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Fragrance Mood Profile
How This Scent Feels to Wear
Measured by the MEI™ Mood Architecture Framework
MEI™ estimates how a fragrance may influence your emotional state across seven mood dimensions.
8.91
MEI™ Score
Mood Profile ✓
BESTWORST
8.91
Primary Mood
Romantic
Secondary Mood
Confident
Inner Voice
I am beautiful.
Confidence
8.8
Presence
8.94
Mood Lift
9.5
Identity
9.37
Warmth
9.5
Social Ease
8.55
Energy
4.1
When you wear this fragrance, ask yourself: "Why do I feel so beautiful?" — The answer is already there. I am beautiful.
MEI™ scores are calculated using the Mood Architecture™ Framework, informed by peer-reviewed olfactory research. How the score is calculated →
Performance
Longevity & Sillage
These ratings reflect typical wear time and how far the scent projects from the skin. Both are shaped by a fragrance's note structure and raw material behavior — results may vary with skin chemistry, environment, and application method.
Longevity
Long-lasting wear
Wear time on skin under everyday conditions.
Sillage
Moderate projection
How far the fragrance radiates and trails in the air around you.
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CA Perfume is not affiliated with the brands listed. Names are used solely for comparison to help customers understand the scent inspiration. All trademarks belong to their respective owners.