Esprit de Contradiction
Perfumer: Christian Vermorel
Votes lean feminine
189 ratings
From your scent profile
Maison Matine Esprit de Contradiction is a fresh, floral unisex scent where citrus and green notes meet spice and a woody backbone.
Skunky's take: A candidate for the summer vacation bag.
How does it perform?
From 161 community ratings, all out of 10.
Keeps you company for a few hours, a quick refresh fits nicely.
Leaves a light trail and stays polite in a crowd.
Sits nicely on a shelf.
Most people feel it is worth the price.
Blind buy risk
82% of votes are positive and opinions barely differ.
Notes
They open one after another, from the first spray into the evening.
Top notesfirst 15 minutes
Heart notesfirst few hours
Accords
From most dominant to most subtle.
- Fresh
- Citrus
- Floral
- Aquatic
- Green
- Spicy
- Woody
What does Esprit de Contradiction smell like?
Coriander, mandarin orange, lemon and black pepper open bright and slightly sharp. In the heart, ylang-ylang, ginger, orris root and clove balance floral softness with spice. The base settles into a dry, woody footing of cedarwood, musk, sage and vetiver, while an aquatic, green air hangs over the whole.
Longevity and sillage are moderate. Most voters pick summer and spring, and it is seen as suiting leisure, daily wear and the office. Votes for feminine and masculine are almost level, so it doesn't lean clearly to either side. Majouri 1982 and Eisenberg Eau Fraîche have a close profile.
How it changes through the day
First minutes
- Coriander
- Mandarin orange
- Lemon
First hours
- Ylang-ylang
- Ginger
- Orris root
Towards evening
- Cedarwood
- Musk
- Sage
When to wear it?
Seasons and occasions, by user votes.
- 46%Summer
- 40%Spring
- 10%Autumn
- Casual26%
- Daytime25%
- Office22%
- Sport20%
Smells like this
The closest scents by notes and accords.
67% match1982
Majouri · 2019
54% matchEau Fraîche
Eisenberg
54% matchF by Ferragamo pour Homme Free Time
Salvatore Ferragamo · 2011
54% match360° for Women (Eau de Toilette)
Perry Ellis · 1993
54% matchAccordo Marino
Farmacia SS. Annunziata · 2021
53% matchVictorious
Floris · 2012
52% matchHe Wood Cologne
Dsquared² · 2017
49% matchCorallium (Eau de Parfum)
Carthusia · 2010
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Last updated: October 26, 2026


























