Exaltatum Perfumes St. Paul’s Review (Eglija Vaitkevice)  + A Baroque Draw

Exaltatum Perfumes St. Paul's review

St.Paul’s Exaltatum Perfumes, photo by Elena Cvjetkovic

There’s something heavenly and carnal about perfume I would say, rational and irrational, inviting us to indulge in its beauty, pushing our inner buttons in a most subversive way, eliciting emotions of joy or sometimes leading to heated arguments and discussions. Perfume speaks to us in its own language of notes and accords, and we listen to it: not only with our noses but with our brains behind our noses. There are fragrances that elevate us in ways sometimes indescribable,  fill our hearts with emotions, empower us or give us a sense of importance. Exaltatum!

Eglija Vaitkevice Of Exaltatum Perfumes

Eglija Vaitkevice of Exaltatum Perfumes

When Lithuanian-born Egila Vaitkevice founded her indie perfume brand in London in 2016 after a long period of incubation since 2009, she had already named it – Exaltatum. She is a self-taught perfumer, partially a GIP Grasse-trainee with a delicately expressed, elegant and refined classic-French style of expression.

Like a proper multipotentialite with extensive education, she turned to Latin for name inspiration. Exaltatum (a little thrill for grammar-lovers: perfect passive participle in nominative for neuter gender, my son is just learning these declinations by heart so he helped me) means to raise something or someone in importance, to exalt, to describe a sense of feeling elevated by happiness. Just like some perfumes do – exalt us!

Exaltatum Perfumes St Paul's

St. Paul’s Fragrance and Cathedral, visual by Exaltatum Perfumes

All the fragrances in the Exaltatum Perfumes collection are extraits du parfum or eau de parfum intense, inspired by Eglija’s personal stories, and having a connection with London, England or paintings: the first one released, Osmanthus Noble (2018) is inspired by P. P. Rubens’ Samson and Delilah (currently on display in National Gallery, London), Pergola (2018) is located in Hampstead Heath Park, Ruby Wood (2018) is an ode to woods in North London, Mimosa Gold (2019) is a fragrant story of a happy childhood, and the newest, just released St. Paul’s (2019) is named after the iconic Cathedral because it is one of the few examples of baroque architecture in London.

Exaltatum Perfumes also have another connecting, signature note: cardamon – sometimes well hidden, but it’s always there.

In the fast-moving world of cyber aesthetics, often stripped  to be minimalistic while we take not one but two many things off, the era of baroque certainly seems fascinating. If I had to choose one, the most popular and widely known painting belonging to that period, it would be this:

Best Baroque perfumes

Girl With a Pearl Earring, c. 1665, Johannes Vermeer

There are paintings and works of art that make you feel both: as you have the painting inside you, and that you are inside the painting. Baroque art has always given me that emotionally intense feeling, and there are some fragrances that make you feel the same way – just like St.Paul’s did.

perfumes inspired by paintings

Still Life With Fruit, c. 1603, Michelangelo Merisi da Carravagio 

A nature-morte painting by Caravaggio inspired its creation, and you can notice specific elements of early baroque art: dramatic contrasts of light and dark, an unseen indirect source of light, emotionally intense depictions that feel physically and psychologically real, alive, pulsing and decaying at the same time, a still life that isn’t still at all.

St. Paul’s is a finely blended perfume, one of those that you feel intensely as a whole, without a need to analyze its parts. It draws you in to participate in its development from the very opening, lavishly displaying seductive yet sparkly orange flowers, traces of ripe pears and juicy mandarin, and dry fruits with undertones of natural vanilla Bourbon extract, beautifully executed – never too sweet or overly saturating.

As the lighter notes disperse over your skin, deeper tones emerge as a contrast. The volume is added by smoothly flowing strokes of overlapping notes, and I feel sensuous suede leathers, mixing with jasmine, vibrant almost as living flesh. Jasmine is moderately sweet, very narcotic, tainted with specks of vanilla and pieces of dry dates, and it almost feels like it’s shining on the skin – a deep, golden glow coming from within.

Exaltatum Perfumes

Baroque in Lithuania, photo by Eglija Vaitkevice of Exaltatum Perfumes

To contrast exuberance of scents first offered, a layer of darker undertones adds to this a 3D feeling. It’s yet another dimension, with deep and ambery tolu balsam, slightly smoky with a very soft, almost green incense quieting down the whole composition laid upon soft, rounding, oriental and smoothly flowing sandalwood.

Exaltatum perfume reviews

Boy With A Basket c.1593, early work of Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio, Galleria Borghese, Rome

A baroque, voluminous and captivating vintage-leaning floriental, Exaltum Perfumes St. Paul’s is a deeply seductive and sensual unisex fragrance that left me with a deep sigh and a feeling of a basket full of ripe fruits and flowers clutched against naked, exposed skin.

Notes: bergamot Italy, pear, pink pepper South America, cardamon Guatemala, mandarin Italy, orange flower extract Tunisia, jasmin sambac India, jasmin grandiflorum India, dates, labdanum Spain, tolu balsam, vanilla bourbon Reunion, sandalwood Mysore, vetiver Haiti, patchouli Indonesia, frankincense, amber.

Elena Cvjetkovic, Editor and Author of The Plum Girl

Disclaimer: A mini 15 ml bottle of St. Paul’s was kindly provided by Eglija for my consideration. Opinions and feelings are – as always – of my own.

Exaltatum Perfumes Osmanthus Noble, Pergola, Ruby Wood, Mimosa Gold, St. Paul's reviews

Exaltum Perfumes Sample Set

Thanks to Eglija Vaitkevice we have draw for a registered ÇaFleureBon reader for the EU + UK, AUSTRALIA, USA and Canada for a sample set of all Exaltatum Perfumes. Tell us where you live and what you found most appealing in this review of St. Paul’s, what your thoughts are and where you live! Draw closes2/26/2020

Photos: Elena Cvjetkovic, Exaltatum Perfumes, Wikipedia Commons

This is our Privacy and Draw Rules Policy

We announce the winners only on our site and on our Facebook page, so like Çafleurebon and use our  blog feed…or  your dream prize will be just spilled perfume.

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63 comments

  • Oh gosh – beautiful review – i could almost smell this beautiful scent. Sounds so sexy and opulent, i hope i get to try this one! Thanks for the opportunity. I am in the UK. ta,

  • Hi, I live in Italy!
    I’ve never heard of this brand before but I love the concept behind it! I love the connection between fragrances, paintings and England. Last August I was in London and I visited the St. Paul’s Cathedral, so suggestive! It would be lovely to try the fragrance that was inspired by something so iconic. I particularly appreciated the connection between the captivating description of the fragrance and the two Caravaggio’s paintings, pretty spot on.
    Also, the notes are some of my favourites!

  • I enjoyed reading about the inspiration for St Paul’s. I like that the notes listed the origins of the various ingredients composing this opulent perfume. Thanks for the opportunity to sniff! Mich USA

  • Caravaggio’s use of color and light in his stills was exquisite and that one in particular absolutely suggests scent! Cardamom is a favorite of mine so any perfumer that uses it as a signature is one I’d love to sample! Thank you for the lovely review! In Canada

  • Armando Esparza says:

    Commenting from South Gate, Ca. USA, I love contrasting scents! It was described as having a bright, citrusy, but dry fruity opening, a hearty suede leather and jasmine mid, to a deep ambery tolu balsam, slightly smoky and green incensy notes to round off this composition of a brand I’ve never heard of. Sounds like a winner in my book and would love to be selected the winner of the Exaltatum Perfumes sample set!

  • Great review, St Paul’s sounds fantastic especially by the notes list. I’ve had the chance to test 3 of them and i must say i was really impressed by the house. Osmanthus Noble is an undiscovered gem, simply amazing. I would love to try St Paul’s and Mimosa Gold, this house Exaltatum, rocks! thanks for the chance, i’m in the EU.

  • Joeri Buhrer Tavanier says:

    I loved seeing all the great works of art. I am in the Netherlands, so seeing the Vermeer is always special. I like the feel and the sound of Exaltum’s philosophy and would love to try the set!

  • I am usually hesitant to try a fruity oriental but, this review makes me want to try St Paul and the entire Exaltatum line. They all sound so lush and I love to references to classic art. Thank you for the draw. I’m in the US.

  • I liked the lesson in baroque art and history. You guys are so informed! The scent seems with lively with the citrus notes, I’d like to win this. I live in NYC. Should I say that twice?

  • Compelling descriptions: alive, pulsating and decaying at the same time. Rich, dark, intense, tainted with specks of vanilla and pieces of dry dates. It is intense in its many lives on the skin, smoothly flowing from one note to the next. USA

  • Being a fan of florientals, the description of St. Paul’s sounds fabulous! Interesting concept of a painting-inspired line that is intense (extraits du parfum or eau de parfum intense) and has a common cardamon note. Would love to try out this brand. Regards from the USA.

  • Notes: bergamot Italy, pear, pink pepper South America, cardamon Guatemala, mandarin Italy, orange flower extract Tunisia, jasmin sambac India, jasmin grandiflorum India, dates, labdanum Spain, tolu balsam, vanilla bourbon Reunion, sandalwood Mysore, vetiver Haiti, patchouli Indonesia, frankincense, amber. Intrigued by the plethora of notes a wonderful description by Elena. Thanks from the UK

  • Interesting reference to St Paul’s baroque architecture. I am fascinated by the notes of patchouli, vetiver, frankincense, sandalwood and amber in particular. Thanks from the UK

  • I loved the art work displayed in this review. I think always of the music of that period. I like the sense of layers that is expressed. this would be my kind of fragrance. Beautiful review and a most generous draw. Thank you for both. I”m in the USA.

  • Hey I’m from Europe Croatia, this fragrance took my heart by one sentence, it’s about this note, cardamon – sometimes well hidden, but it’s always there. Seems to me so mysterious probably it’s some undertone that comes in a moments and punch you in your face. also beautiful review thank you Elena!

  • I appreciate learning about the inspirations for particular perfumes. Thank you for writing this.
    USA

  • Two things about Elena’s review struck me: First, that cardamom features in every scent (love it), and second, her inclusion of Girl with a Pearl Earring, a painting that I have always loved (and inspired a friend to write the novel of the same name). I live in the U.S. and would feel fortunate to try this collection!

  • “Perfume speaks to us in its own language of notes and accords, and we listen to it: not only with our noses but with our brains behind our noses. There are fragrances that elevate us in ways sometimes indescribable, fill our hearts with emotions, empower us or give us a sense of importance. Exaltatum!”
    Everything about this London indie brand very interesting: start with name Exaltatum Perfumes, then his founder Eglija Vaitkevice talented and creative (self-taught Perfumer!!!) and finally the Perfumes- work of art!
    “A baroque, voluminous and captivating vintage-leaning floriental, Exaltum Perfumes St. Paul’s is a deeply seductive and sensual unisex fragrance that left me with a deep sigh and a feeling of a basket full of ripe fruits and flowers…….” Bravo Elena Cvetkovic, bravo, excellent review

  • blombergskan says:

    I enjoyed the baroque references, all heavenly and carnal! And I must say that it seems like Eglija have given cardamom some really good company in St Paul’s. It sounds really, really good! Would loooove to try it. Living in Stockholm, Sweden (EU)

  • Hi, I live in the EU. Did not hear about Exaltatum before.
    Really like the idea about the connection between the scents and London, England or paintings. All have a special interest to me and I would love to try these scents!

  • I always like when parfumes are referred to art!The photos are deep,dark and gorgeous! this one particulary sounds divine, I’d love to test this and all the others too! sounds like an exellent brand, from Finland,EU

  • I like art and paintings, therefore it’s only normal to want to discover a perfume that has its’ roots in the paintings of Caravaggio. Thanks for the chance!

  • I am very drawn to Exaltatum (I love the Latin name) and would love to try all the fragrances. I enjoyed reading about the art that inspired the line and that cardamom is a common note. In fact USA.

  • The Plum Girl says:

    Thank you for your comments and thoughts – I’m certain that whoever wins this discovery kit will feel the same. Exaltatum!

  • In the US- I’ve never smelled a perfume that made me feel like I was in a painting. This perfumer is hugely talented it seems. I adore cardamon and admire her use of a note that ties all her beauties together. <3

  • okay i just loved that last bit: “A baroque, voluminous and captivating vintage-leaning floriental…a basket full of ripe fruits and flowers clutched against naked, exposed skin.” should prove well, in california

  • I love the name “Exaltatam,” it just sounds special. I’ve seen reviews of her other fragrances and all of them sound intriguing to me. What I found most appealing about St. Paul’s is the vintage-leaning floriental vibe you described. I would love to win the sample set. Thank you for the giveaway. In the USA

  • Never heard of this house, but Elena painted a beautiful review folded into the beautiful art.
    Pennsylvania USA

  • Beautiful article again from Elena. I loved the art masterpieces inserted in it and the parallelism with this opulent, sensual, elegant perfume. The notes sound like an ode to femininity and grace. Also, how beautiful is Eglija? I would love to smell these samples. From the EU.

  • I am in the US. That all of these scents contain cardamom in some guise is intruing to me. The description of St. Paul’s as a seductive unisex floriental for some reason reminds me of my grandparents and makes me want to try it.

  • What interested me most in the review were the references to Eglija Vaitkevice’s Lithuanian background. As an American with Lithuanian ancestors who has visited the country, I loved the picture of the church. The fragrance sounds super. The long list of notes would ordinarily make me fear a mish-mash, but Elena’s sentence reassured me: “St. Paul’s is a finely blended perfume, one of those that you feel intensely as a whole, without a need to analyze its parts.” I live in the U.S., in North Carolina.

  • Oooh, I love complex note layouts that are pulled off nicely. Especially with frankincense, which can be finicky. Also loving the pairing of classic art with perfume! Brings extra dimension to the notes. I’m in the US!

  • So well put “There are fragrances that elevate us in ways sometimes indescribable, fill our hearts with emotions, empower us or give us a sense of importance. Exaltatum!”. Another new house I had not heard of. Base notes of the exotic Mysore sandalwood with nice flowery opening and bourbon and vanilla in between. Another one i have added to my bookmarks

  • This particular description from Elena says it all for me, the ‘jasmine…is very narcotic, tainted with specks of vanilla and pieces of dry dates.’
    VA, USA

  • Very nice review indeed 🙂
    and the composition sounds very interesting too/
    I really enjoyed the baroque references,and the parfum’s description

    Aris ,Athens Greece

  • Elena’s review is so vivid and descriptive. While I have never tried this house’s offerings before, I am captivated because of this perfume, St. Paul’s, being “whole” while being composed of so many different parts, an artful symphony of sorts, doing which is always a difficult job. I love the beauty of baroque art and would love to try the sampler set offered in this drawing. Elena’s use of pictures to illustrate the quality of the perfume was spot on. A slight quibble I have with her description of cyber aesthetics being minimalistic – to me it almost seems maximalistic with the information overload everywhere. To create an artful, non-distracting symphony with diverse ingredients is bringing a minimalistic order out of the cyber-aesthetic chaos which we live in. An oasis of olfactory beauty created from nature, with help from the baroque masters who have gone before. It is only a minor quibble and in no way detracts from the lovely review. I am hoping and, from the review, quite sure, that St. Paul’s perfume is as sublime as the beauty of the perfumer Eglija herself. I’m writing this from USA – thanks Elena for a wonderful review and to Cafleurebon for bringing so many hidden gems of niche perfumers to light.

  • Cardamom scents are always welcomed for me. I liked how the backstory describes the inspiration for the scent.
    I Live in Georgia, US

  • Bryant Worley says:

    What I enjoyed most were the fleshing out of how the notes would take me to olfactory nirvana. I want to be exalted! I live in Waldorf, MD, USA.

  • QuentinMathieu says:

    I had heard of this brand before, but wasn’t familiar with its backstory or concept. I think this is really the kind of perfumery that corresponds the most to my taste. The fact that those perfumes are inspired by paintings or places in England draws me in even more. I’ve always been a fan of Flemish/baroque style paintings as I live in Belgium and it’s a big part of our history.
    From Belgium EU

  • I enjoyed reading about how art feels inside of you as well as the fragrance, St Paul ‘s feelings when you smell and wear it. The amount of notes in the fragrance sound amazing. I would love to try a sample set. Thank you for the chance. The beautiful artwork in the article was so pleasant to start the day with! USA

  • I like the transition from lighter to deeper tones as it travels the notes list. New Jersey, USA.

  • [From the US]

    A big fan of florals here, especially when it involves citrusy notes. Would love to try

  • ThatMulattoDude says:

    Enjoyed the connection of the fragrance to the baroque art and architecture. The contrast of light and dark elements is what is most apparent. Appreciate the opportunity for the giveaway. -Virginia, USA

  • I live in the US and would love a sample set. This fragrance sounds like it has a lovely and interesting progression. Certainly curious what the other perfumes evoke. The sample set seems like a wonderful mix of scents, and I’m curious about Ruby Wood and Pergola.

  • I love that she uses cardamom in all her fragrances. I would like to win this fragrance.
    Regards from EU.

  • m.r.everything says:

    Wow Elena…. I was enthralled when reading about St. Pauls… the article was phenomenal and the artistry that went with it was stunning. I enjoyed reading about St. Paul’s quite a bit, but when I read the notes that were in it, just wow! There are some heavy hitters in this scent, that is for sure! I can’t even imagine what this smells like with the notes that are present. I love how the notes also have where in the world they are obtained from. That is fascinating and you can tell the meticulous detail that went into this fragrance! I have had the pleasure of sampling only one of Exaltatum’s perfumes, and I fell in love… Osmanthus Noble is a stunner without a doubt. I WILL own a bottle some day! Thank you Elena, for the beautiful write-up, as always! Thank you Eglija for your generosity and for bringing us such stunning and unique fragrances! Thank you, as always, Michelyn for bringing us this content and making this all possible! Commenting from Delaware, US.

  • Matt Peterson says:

    All I have to say is that this house sounds terrific and cardamom is one of my favorite smells in all the world. I would love to try these!

    I am in Utah, USA

    thanks!

  • I was enthralled by the description of this perfume as a beauty on its own, without the need to over analyze or understand the blend of notes. In my experience, the greatest perfumes of all times have always been a graceful final mix, rather than a mosaic of notes. I would love to smell this one too, from the EU.

  • I like the idea of orange flower with fruits, as orange flower itself is rather fruity to me. Also love orientals.Thanks for the review. USA

  • Awww, I love cardamom!!! I only know Ruby Wood from a decant from a dear friend and with every review I read about Exaltatum I am more and more convinced this would be of the brands that I love each and every one of their creations! Thanks for the short Latin lesson, as well, Elena! And what I like the mos was “a still life that isn’t still at all.” I can relate! Furthermore, I have always found the combo of white flowers and naked skin very compelling, so I cannot wait to try this Baroque richness!!!
    I am in Bulgaria, EU. Thank you for the chance! Keeping my fingers crossed to win the set!!!

  • This sounds divine 🙂 Thank you Elena for another wonderful review. That notes listing also has me drooling. I’m in USA

  • You had me at “A baroque, voluminous and captivating vintage-leaning floriental.” (UK & Bangladesh)

  • What a great review, never heard of this house.
    The notes look good and this description : feeling of a basket full of ripe fruits and flowers clutched against naked, exposed skin. It sounds opulent
    Hope i have the chance to try it.
    I live in the US

  • I like that Elena describes the development of this perfume as 3D, great fragrances usually are multilayered and multifaceted. I’m sure it is as good and rich as the baroque paintings mentioned. I’d like to try all of Eglija’s creations. I live in USA.

  • wallygator88 says:

    What an interesting set of notes and such a great review! There is so much light and heavy and layers of earthiness and age in this fragrance.

    From WI, USA

  • I really loved learning a little about baroque art- having absolutely no background in art or art history, it was all new and exciting to me!

    Writing from Canada

  • I am delighted by all your response and feel grateful to everybody. Thank you so much dear Elena for your magnificent work, your skills in Latin grammar, knowledge of perfumery notes and baroque art. You all inspiring me to work more harder. Thank you very much!

  • Sunny Chaudhary says:

    Caravaggio’s use of color and light in his stills was exquisite and that one in particular absolutely suggests scent! Cardamom is a favorite of mine so any perfumer that uses it as a signature is one I’d love to sample! Thank you for the lovely review!

    I am in Atlanta-GA USA

    Sunny