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Home Fragrances Etienne Aigner Explosive
Bottle photo Etienne Aigner
Bottle photo Etienne Aigner
Image Etienne Aigner
Image Etienne Aigner
Eau de toilette

Etienne Aigner Explosive

Gender image: Female
Gender:
Female
Segment image
Segment:
Lux perfumes
Fragrance information:

Identity and Release History

The fragrance Etienne Aigner Explosive, released in 1986, is a cult eau de toilette from the legendary house Etienne Aigner.

This brand, founded in 1963, embodies luxury and refined taste, and Explosive became one of its iconic creations, reflecting the spirit of the 80s with its bold experiments in fashion and perfumery.

Positioning and Character

This female fragrance is ideal for confident girls who value classical elegance with a touch of nostalgia.

It belongs to the chypre and floral families, creating a balance between freshness and warm, enveloping depth.

Its trail is not noticeable, making the fragrance a delicate and intimate companion for daily wear or special occasions, when you want to emphasize sophistication without intrusiveness.

Influence and Legacy

Explosive strengthened Etienne Aigner's reputation as a master of creating exquisite perfumes, inspired by impeccable materials and a passion for luxury.

Released during the fashion boom of the 1980s, this fragrance is still remembered as a symbol of elegance and sophistication, demonstrating how the brand successfully adapts its heritage to modern trends while remaining true to its DNA.

Similar Fragrances

If you liked Explosive, be sure to try Sisley Soir de Lune with its melancholic floral notes, the classic Chanel No.5 for lovers of aldehydic freshness, and Clinique Aromatics Elixir with its rich herbal base — all of them share a similar classical aesthetic and depth, perfectly complementing the collection of true perfume connoisseurs.

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Key fragrance characteristics

Better suited for:
Girls and women
High fragrance longevity

The fragrance is highly persistent and lasts on the skin for up to 8–10 hours, gradually revealing its notes and allowing you to enjoy the full bouquet throughout the day

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Sillage
Very weak

The scent exists only for you—no one around you will notice it

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Style
Solemn

The perfume has a rich aroma that will help you stand out from the crowd and create a memorable image

Solemn
Concentration
Eau de toilette

A light and elegant fragrance with harmonious richness—the perfect balance between the depth of eau de parfum and the freshness of cologne

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Fragrance seasonality
Autumn - Winter

Perfumes for the fall and winter seasons often contain notes of vanilla, spices, ambergris, wood, and other warm accords, creating a feeling of comfort and warmth during the cold months

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Perfume information

Description of the composition

Pyramid of Notes

The note structure of Explosive begins with the top notes: aldehydes, bergamot and coriander, which create a playful and fresh opening, filled with a light spiciness.

In the heart of the fragrance, floral notes unfold: geranium, iris, lily of the valley and rose, adding tenderness and sophistication, like a bouquet in a spring garden.

The base consists of oakmoss, patchouli, sandalwood, vetiver and musk, which give the composition depth, longevity, and a warm, earthy finish, perfectly harmonizing with the chypre character of the fragrance.

Gender Female
Brand Etienne Aigner
Segment Premium perfumery
Country France
Website http://www.etienneaigner.com
Year of production 1986
Status Produced
Concentration Eau de toilette
License holder Designer Parfums Ltd

Popular fragrances by the brand

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Etienne Aigner Aigner No1 Platinum Etienne Aigner Aigner No1 Platinum
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Etienne Aigner Clear Day for men Etienne Aigner Clear Day for men
4.0
Etienne Aigner Starlight Etienne Aigner Starlight
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Etienne Aigner Pour Homme Blue Emotion Etienne Aigner Pour Homme Blue Emotion
5.0
Etienne Aigner Aigner Blue Etienne Aigner Aigner Blue
3.0
Etienne Aigner Soft Musk Etienne Aigner Soft Musk
0.0
Etienne Aigner Black Icedrops Etienne Aigner Black Icedrops
3.0

Composition pyramid

Note photo Aldehydes
Aldehydes
Note photo Bergamot
Bergamot
Note photo Coriander
Coriander
Note photo Geranium
Geranium
Note photo Iris
Iris
Note photo Lily of the Valley
Lily of the Valley
Note photo Oak moss
Oak moss
Note photo Patchouli
Patchouli
Note photo Sandalwood
Sandalwood

Top notes

Aldehydes Bergamot Coriander

Heart notes

Geranium Iris Lily of the Valley Rose

Base notes

Oak moss Patchouli Sandalwood Vetiver musk

Families

Family Chypre Chypre
Family Floral Floral

Fragrance characteristics

based on 7 opinions
Chords
Relevance
Dosage
Perception
Appearance quality
Similar
Persistence
The persistence of a fragrance is determined by how long it can be felt. It is a characteristic associated with ingredients that evaporate slowly. Persistence depends on the physical properties of the perfume ingredients—mainly their volatility and environmental factors such as temperature and humidity.
Persistence
High (5 to 12 hours)
4
Sillage
Imagine a light cloud of fragrance that, like an aeroplane trail, remains in the air after your appearance. This is the sillage - a subtle or vivid imprint left by the most diffuse element of a perfume composition. The sillage can be almost invisible when it is felt only by you and those around you. Or it can be so expressive that its presence is noticed even long after you have left.
Sillage
Imperceptible
2
Complexity and depth
The complexity of a fragrance is the number and variety of notes that create a unique composition. A complex fragrance contains many different notes that reveal themselves on the skin. The depth of a fragrance is the richness and intensity of the fragrance. Fragrances with a deep composition include heavy and powerful notes that stay on the skin longer and affect others over long distances.
Complexity and depth
Medium and varied
2
Gender
This scale depicts gender focus and demonstrates how the brand positions the fragrance - as masculine, feminine or universal.
Male
14%
Unisex
14%
Female
71%
What kind of event
Date
17%
Wedding
0%
Sport
17%
Sleep
0%
For party
17%
For every day
17%
Sex
17%
For Holiday
0%
Theatre
17%
Office
0%
For what time of year / season
Winter
Winter
30%
Spring
Spring
20%
Summer
Summer
20%
Autumn
Autumn
30%
For what style / mood
Casual
0%
Gala
25%
Classic
25%
Avant-garde
0%
Romantic
25%
Sporty
25%
For what age
under 18
50%
18-25 years old
0%
26-35 years old
0%
36-45 years
33%
46+ years old
17%
Any
0%
On the skin
The optimum amount of atomisation on the skin is the balance at which the fragrance reveals itself in its entirety and sounds its best.
Spot
0%
Enter the cloud
33%
1-2 atomisations
33%
2-3 atomisations
33%
3-4 atomisations
0%
4-5 sprays
0%
Where is the best place to apply the fragrance?
The best places to apply a fragrance are the areas where it will reveal itself most fully and create the most vivid impression.
On the chest
20%
On the wrist
20%
On the knees
0%
On the back of the neck
20%
Behind the ears
20%
On the elbow
0%
On the abdomen
0%
On the back of the hand
0%
On clothes
20%
Не могу оценить
0%
On clothing
The optimum amount of atomisation of the fragrance on clothes, at which it reveals the best quality of the fragrance.
Spot
0%
Enter the cloud
33%
1-2 atomisations
33%
2-3 atomisations
33%
3-4 atomisations
0%
4-5 sprays
0%
Associations
Perfume associations are the emotions and images that pop into the imagination when you perceive its unique notes and accents
Freshness
25%
Exoticism
0%
Luxury
25%
Euphoria
0%
Passion
25%
Joy
25%
Calm
0%
Excitement
0%
Sadness
0%
Despair
0%
Effect
Fragrances can attract attention and evoke positive emotions, others can leave neutral, and others can cause negative associations and repel people.
Effect
Attracts attention
4
Intensity
The intensity of a fragrance is like its ‘volume’, the degree of intensity and strength with which it is felt around you or on the surface.
Intensity
Moderate
2
Bottle
Bottle
High quality
4
Spray
Spray
High quality
4
Packaging quality
Perfume bottle packaging quality is about protection and aesthetic appeal, including strength, reliability, design and materials. High quality ensures the safety and security of the product, a good first impression and attractiveness
Packaging quality
High quality
4
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Aromatics Elixir Sheer Velvet Philtre Sensuel
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Similarity according to users
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Calandre
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Eau de toilette
Similarity according to users
3%
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Reviews
Average rating
3.8
8 ratings
10 comments
5
25%
4
50%
3
0%
2
25%
1
0%
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4/5
4
At first, the scent seems too intrusive and loud. But then it starts to unfold, and you can already smell a delicate chypre rose with aldehydes, reminiscent of something elegant, like Chanel No 5. Overall, it's a pretty interesting and beautiful smell, but it's clearly not for everyone. Personally, I found it a bit complex
4/5
4
After spraying, this scent is like a nuclear explosion! It just screams, it's long-lasting and heavy. Chypre with rose and patchouli, plus a ton of oakmoss. Although it's positioned as a women's fragrance, it would smell much better on men's skin
4/5
4
A chypre that leaves a bitter aftertaste, truly impressive. I can't quite pinpoint the notes, but in my head, I distinctly hear... wax! That very beeswax, with a warmth that embraces you. The combination of wax and bitter herbs creates an atmosphere as if you're immersing yourself in a world of aromatherapy before sleep. But I'm not yet brave enough to wear it out in public
2/5
2
A chypre with a sweet taste, on me it opens in rainy weather. Pleasant to wear only in suitable weather. The rest of the time it weighs down and irritates. There's sillage, but it doesn't please, it depresses. I don't know how to endure it
4/5
4
This fragrance, in my opinion, is truly explosive and multi-layered. Honey notes, which were so popular in the last century, take a backseat here, giving way to plum. I think cedar is also present, which, in combination with patchouli, creates that dark and brutal shade of a sweet composition. My version of the fragrance isn't very long-lasting. Overall, it's a high-quality premium fragrance with a good composition. Rose dominates in it, and although it looks luxurious, it lacks modernity 😕
5/5
5
The fragrance, in the end, is a sweet chypre. It truly unfolds amazingly in rainy, warm weather. I prefer to wear Explosive precisely on such days. At this time, it creates a gorgeous sillage, which makes me VERY happy. And, of course, that's when its scent becomes most expressive.
2/5
2
This perfume is just awful. There's no complexity here, just intrusive notes that hit you in the nose. Incense, yes, there's too much of it, and prunes with some nasty medicinal aftertaste just kill it. The rose, which should be sweet, seems soaked in something disgusting. In general, the scent isn't interesting, but rather irritating, standing out only because it's impossible to forget. All this modern nonsense with perfumery is just unbearable
5/5
5
The scent is warm and smoky, yet it has something vintage that evokes admiration. The rose here is velvety and rich, the woody notes are elegant and bright, and the musk is alluring, though subtle. This fragrance is a real gem, it gives you the feeling of being a Lady, a Woman with a capital W. In the drydown, it slightly reminds me of Habanita with its mysterious smoky nuances, but it's hard to judge the similarity since I tried it a long time ago. The longevity is simply amazing, the development is bright and interesting, you want to keep sniffing it until it completely fades. The sillage is captivating - strong but not intrusive, leaving only a subtle hint of its presence. I recommend trying it in cool, humid weather, as it sounds especially beautiful then 🌧️
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