Juliette Has a Gun Not a Perfume is a perfect scent for anyone who may be allergic to the chemicals found in fragrances.
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Created with cetalox and an amber base, this molecular concoction is for those looking for something clean and crisp to wear daily. Its curious white packaging and the fact that it’s not a perfume make it an exciting conversation piece.
Continue reading for our in-depth Juliette Has a Gun Not a Perfume review.
Who Makes It?
Juliette Has a Gun was born in France when Romano Ricci decided he wanted fragrances to become the signature statements they once were.
He intended for all of his scents to become something that could be worn confidently, as something to grab the attention of those around them. He knew the importance of wearing something that people could recognize.
House of Juliette Has a Gun launched Not a Perfume in September 2010, and it’s not your average scent. It contains no allergens, which is unique to the market.
It was created with molecules in mind rather than the chemicals many other companies use. This method goes against the ways of many of its fragrance-developing competitors.
Scent Notes
The Juliette Has a Gun Not a Perfume notes include mainly cetalox, a member of the amber family.
The molecular composition cetalox is the main ingredient that forms the base of this anti-perfume.
You could compare it to scents by Molecule 02, which uses ambroxan in its formulation, another amber-based scent. It’s floral, with a woody unisex twist.
PROS: It’s a unisex scent and can be enjoyed by anyone
CONS: Its lasting power isn’t as good as some others
- Sillage: Very good
- Longevity: Good
- Scent potency/ Appropriate for: Everyday wear with an edge
- Price: $$
Who Would Like It?
Since its scent is somewhat unisex due to its woody musk quality, and although it contains a bit of floral, both men and women could enjoy Juliette Has a Gun Not a Perfume.
Its scent is fresh, and if you’re a minimalist looking for something bright but interesting to add to your collection, this non-perfume is the one for you.
Fragrance sensitivity can cause headaches, asthma aggravation, or skin rashes, among other problems.
Since Not a Perfume doesn’t contain the harsh chemicals that some perfumes do, it’s safe for everyday use by someone with this affliction. It would be an excellent choice for anyone who has an issue with common perfume chemicals.
When To Wear It
Not a Perfume is so versatile that you can wear it all year round, both night and day.
When searching for a fall fragrance, or something to wear on a warm summer night, you can confidently reach for this one by Juliette Has a Gun.
Its floral aspect fits well with spring, while its woody quality suits the winter.
Where To Wear It
Made for any occasion, we recommend this for work or date night. It is pleasing enough to wear to weddings or simply a night out on the town.
You could spritz this on with a leather jacket or a flowing dress and leave the house smelling perfectly unique and confident.
Packaging and Presentation
Although its packaging is minimal in design, the white bottle with red and silver lettering, beautifully flanked by a floral design, gives it a bit of an exciting edge over others.
In fact, the packaging represents the scent well: simple yet curious and possibly different than expected.
Purchased in a round glass white bottle, inside of a white box with minimal black lettering, don’t let its understated packaging fool you. It is unlike other scents and stands on its own value and presentation.
Personal Impressions
This is Juliette Has a Gun’s best perfume. Its vibe is edgy, safe for those with allergies, and it can be considered a signature scent for some.
Its woody, floral notes are surprising, and we recommend pairing this with leather boots and an oversized sweater.
This fragrance is perfect for those looking for something that comes in a minimalist package with a clean scent that can be worn throughout the day.
The only issue we noted was the need to re-apply Not a Perfume periodically throughout the day to retain its strength.
Performance
Its longevity could use a bit of work, although you don’t have to spray a lot to get the desired amount, and it’s easy to carry in your bag for renewed application if needed.
Its sillage, on the other hand, is excellent. This aspect makes for a terrific signature scent, something some people constantly want to change up.
Dupe
Although there is no perfect Juliette Has a Gun Not a Perfume dupe, there are a few that could pass for one. Musky Musk by Dossier’s version is one that we consider close enough.
It incorporates cetalox, much like Not a Perfume, which makes it a close cousin to this unique scent. However, Iso E Super is also used, which gives it a spicier twist.
Le Labo has also released Another 13, which could be considered a close cousin to Juliette Has a Gun’s fragrance.
The difference in Le Labo’s is its use of Ambrox, an animal musk that gives it more of an earthy scent than that of Not a Perfume. It’s similar enough to be counted as a dupe.
Final Thoughts
We hope our Juliette Has a Gun Not a Perfume review is helpful. If you’re looking for something new to wear that isn’t your typical women’s fragrance or men’s cologne, we definitely recommend testing out Juliette Has a Gun Not a Perfume.
It’s different than your average department store scent, and you’ll certainly be asked what you’re wearing, at which time you can tell them it’s not a perfume. It’s a molecular composition. That alone will spark a conversation.
Selena Marc is a fragrance enthusiast, freelance writer, and dog mom living in Houston, Texas. When she's not writing about her favorite new perfumes, you can find her enjoying yoga or a morning hike.