Named for an ancient Chinese goddess known for creating mankind and repairing the pillars of heaven, and described by Roja Dove as “The Elixir of the Gods”, it would seem that Nüwa has a lot to live up to. Famously reformulated in 2015 to banish a heavy, animalistic cumin note, Nüwa is now reborn as a floral oriental with a delicate transparency that jives better with its Chinese inspiration. It is simply exquisite.

A gently-spiced floral with a peachy osmanthus heart and a backdrop of smoky black tea, Nüwa is a fragrance to wear while strolling down the Riverside Promenade in Shanghai, slowly twirling a stiff silk umbrella over your head. Smoky resins and spice add exoticism, but never obscure the golden florals. Later on, a dusky jasmine accord moves in, and the effect is like walking under a pagoda dripping with jasmine vines at night, their warm, spicy scent snaking out into the warm air around you. If rose gold had a scent, it would be this