
Juliette Has a Gun is a fragrance brand with a range of perfumes, including one called Not a Perfume. The scent is made from a single element called Cetalox, which is usually used as a base note in perfumery but takes centre stage in this fragrance. Some people love the scent, describing it as divine, while others are less enthusiastic, saying it smells like stale manure. The perfume is described as having musky, woody, and ambery notes, and is said to be a your skin but better fragrance.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Not a Perfume |
| Year of Launch | 2010 |
| Fragrance Notes | Salty, Sun-warmed Skin, Woody, Musky, Amber |
| Ingredients | Ambrox, Cetalox |
| Hypoallergenic | Yes |
| Allergens | None |
| Fragrance Type | Feminine, Skin Scent |
| Longevity | Poor |
| Intensity | Mild |
| Perfumer | Juliette Has a Gun |
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$34
What You'll Learn
- Juliette Has a Gun's Not a Perfume is made from a single ingredient: Cetalox
- Cetalox is a synthetic ambergris scent, used in laundry detergent and perfume
- The scent is described as musky, woody, and ambery
- 'Not a Perfume' is a skin scent that blends with the wearer's body chemistry
- The scent is polarizing, with some loving it and others hating it

Juliette Has a Gun's Not a Perfume is made from a single ingredient: Cetalox
Juliette Has a Gun's "Not a Perfume" is an innovative fragrance made from a single ingredient: Cetalox. This synthetic ambergris scent is commonly used as a base note in perfumery, but in "Not a Perfume," it takes centre stage. The result is a minimalist, elegant, and pure fragrance that has become an iconic offering from the brand.
Cetalox, also known as Ambrox or Ambroxan, is a unique molecule that adds a subtle warmth and structure to the perfume. It is described as having woody, musky, and ambery notes, creating a "my skin but better" fragrance. The scent is intimate and mellow, requiring someone to be close to detect it.
The use of Cetalox in "Not a Perfume" makes it a true skin scent and one of the only perfumes on the market that does not contain any allergens. This hypoallergenic quality makes it an excellent option for fragrance-sensitive individuals and those with allergies. The perfume has received mixed reviews, with some praising its subtle and intimate nature, while others find it too faint or underwhelming.
"Not a Perfume" stands out from traditional perfumes due to its singular composition. Its minimalist approach to perfumery results in a scent that blends seamlessly with the wearer's natural body chemistry, creating a unique fragrance experience for each person. This quality also allows it to layer beautifully with other fragrances, enhancing their smoothness and longevity.
The fragrance has developed a cult following, with wearers describing it as elegant, classy, and delightful. The scent is subtle yet distinctive, always garnering compliments from those around them. "Not a Perfume" has become a signature scent for many, reflecting Juliette Has a Gun's unique and innovative approach to perfumery.
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Cetalox is a synthetic ambergris scent, used in laundry detergent and perfume
Cetalox is a synthetic ambergris scent used in laundry detergent and perfume. It is the key ingredient in Juliette Has a Gun's "Not a Perfume" fragrance. Usually used as a base note in perfumery, it takes centre stage in this scent, resulting in a minimalist, elegant, and pure fragrance.
Cetalox is described as having woody, musky, and ambery notes, creating a "'my skin but better'" fragrance. It is also hypoallergenic and free of allergens, making it suitable for those with fragrance sensitivities or allergies.
The scent of "Not a Perfume" has been described as mellow and faint, intimate and sexy, airy and clean, and slightly aromatic and fruity. Some have noted that the fragrance evolves over time, with initial impressions of stale manure and decay giving way to a clean and museum-like smell.
The unique quality of Cetalox is its ability to soften harsh notes, add structure, and provide a smooth, skin-like finish. This makes it ideal for layering with other perfumes, enhancing their longevity and creating a personalised scent.
While some have praised "Not a Perfume" for its subtlety and elegance, others have criticised it for being too subtle or not worth the price. It is important to note that, due to its single-note composition, the fragrance may react differently with each individual's chemistry, resulting in varied experiences.
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The scent is described as musky, woody, and ambery
Juliette Has a Gun is a perfume brand with a range of fragrances. One of their most popular perfumes is called "Not a Perfume". This fragrance is formulated with a single element: Cetalox, a synthetic ambergris scent with sweet, musky, and ambery notes.
Cetalox is commonly used as a base note in perfumery, but in "Not a Perfume", it takes centre stage. The result is a minimalist, elegant, and pure fragrance. It is described as a "skin scent", enhancing the wearer's natural scent rather than overpowering it.
On the skin, "Not a Perfume" has been described as musky, woody, and ambery. Some people have also noted a subtle saltiness, reminiscent of the ocean. For some wearers, the scent evolves over time, with one reviewer noting that the initial scent of stale manure and decay transformed into a clean, museum-like smell.
The scent is also said to have a warm and cozy feel, without being powdery. It is a versatile fragrance that can be worn by those who are sensitive to strong perfumes or have allergies. "Not a Perfume" is also ideal for layering with other fragrances, as the Cetalox molecule softens harsh notes and adds structure.
Juliette Has a Gun offers a range of other fragrances with unique scent profiles, including fruity and floral options. The brand encourages customers to try samples of their perfumes before purchasing to find their perfect signature scent.
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'Not a Perfume' is a skin scent that blends with the wearer's body chemistry
Juliette Has a Gun's Not a Perfume is a unique fragrance with an interesting concept. It is a scent that is designed to blend with the wearer's body chemistry, creating a personalised fragrance experience. The perfume has only one aromachemical in it, called Cetalox, which is usually a base note in perfumery but takes centre stage in this fragrance.
Cetalox is a synthetic ambergris scent with sweet, musky, and amber notes. It is hypoallergenic and one of the only perfumes on the market without any allergens. The result is a minimalist, elegant, and pure fragrance.
Not a Perfume is designed to be a "my skin but better" fragrance. It offers an airy, clean quality without being soapy. The perfume acts like a blur filter, muting overly sweet elements and helping lighter fragrances last longer. It blends with the wearer's natural scent, producing a different effect on everyone.
Some people have described the scent as clean, fresh, and never overpowering. However, others have noted that it can smell quite chemical, and some have even compared it to stale manure or cardboard. It seems that this perfume is quite polarising, with some people loving it and others being unable to detect any scent at all.
Overall, Not a Perfume by Juliette Has a Gun is an interesting concept in the world of fragrances, offering a personalised scent experience that blends with the wearer's natural body chemistry.
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The scent is polarizing, with some loving it and others hating it
Juliette Has a Gun is a perfume brand with several fragrances, including Lust for Sun, Pear Inc., Juliette, and Not a Perfume. Not a Perfume is a particularly polarizing fragrance, with some describing it as "the most amazing set of fragrances in the history of forever" and others as "bland and linear".
Not a Perfume is made from a single element called Cetalox, which is usually used as a base note in perfumery but takes centre stage in this fragrance. It is described as having musky, woody, and ambery notes, resulting in a minimalist, elegant, and pure scent. Some reviewers describe the scent as "warm and cozy" and "airy, clean [and] without being soapy," while others detect notes of "stale manure" and "retirement home".
The polarizing nature of Not a Perfume may be due to its unique construction, with one reviewer noting that it is not a perfume in the conventional sense because it is made from a single ingredient. The scent may also vary depending on the wearer, as one reviewer notes that it blends with the wearer's scent to produce a different effect on everyone.
Overall, while Not a Perfume by Juliette Has a Gun may not be for everyone, it is a unique and intriguing fragrance that has garnered a dedicated following among those who love it.
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Frequently asked questions
Not a Perfume is made from a single element called Cetalox, which is usually used as a base note in perfumery. The scent is described as musky, woody, and ambery, and is said to smell like "warm and golden skin".
Some of their other fragrances include Lust for Sun, Pear Inc., Juliette, Vanilla Vibes, and Ode to Dullness.
Not a Perfume is hypoallergenic and does not contain any allergens. It is also said to be long-lasting and not overpowering.
Not a Perfume is available at Sephora and on the Juliette Has a Gun website.
Reviews of Not a Perfume are mixed. Some people describe the scent as "divine" and "elegant", while others say it smells like "stale manure" or "nothing at all". Some reviewers note that the scent is very subtle and may not be detectable by everyone.











































