50ml
50ml
50ml
7.5ml
7.5ml
MAYA NJIE
NORDIC CEDAR
Eau De Parfum
Unisex
Sizes
Starting
$148
Description
Nordic Cedar opens with a bright and spicy introduction of fresh cardamom, immediately setting an animated tone. As it develops, earthy notes of patchouli and cedarwood emerge, providing a grounded balance to the initial zest. The fragrance settles into a warm and piquant finish, with soft musk and amber forming a comforting foundation. This scent beautifully balances a wild, untamed energy with a smooth, elegant Nordic sensibility, evoking the feeling of a crisp breath in a warm, comforting forest. Perfumer: Maya Njie
Scent Profile
Woody
Spicy
Earthy
Warm
Musky
Ambery
Fresh
Notes
Top Notes
CardamomMiddle Notes
Patchouli
CedarwoodBase Notes
Musk
AmbergrisAbout MAYA NJIE
Maya Njie Perfumes, founded in 2016 by self-taught perfumer Maya Njie, crafts high-quality artisanal eau de parfums inspired by intimate family photographs from her Swedish childhood and Gambian heritage, blending nostalgic Scandinavian notes like cardamom, rhubarb, and vanilla with exotic accords. Her philosophy centers on scent as a direct conduit to memory, creating unisex fragrances that evoke preserved moments—such as Swedish forests after rain or family weddings—while feeling profoundly contemporary through in-house formulations combining natural essences and synthetic molecules. What sets the brand apart is its synesthetic approach, where visual color palettes from 1970s photos inform both scents and minimalist Scandinavian bottle designs, produced in small batches at 30% oil concentration in her East London studio.
Perfumer
Maya Njie
Maya Njie is a Swedish-Gambian self-taught perfumer born in Västerås, Sweden, who founded her niche fragrance brand Maya Njie Perfumes in 2016. She developed her practice through experimentation with essential oils, aromatic compounds, and resins, creating autobiographical fragrances inspired by her family photo archive from the 1960s-1970s and her dual Scandinavian-Gambian heritage. Her work combines visual design, photography, and olfaction to create artisanal, small-batch fragrances that capture memories and sensory experiences from her childhood.
Reviews
5.0
Excellent19 reviews
MAYA NJIE
5.0/5 • 18 reviews
Ministry of Scent
5.0/5 • 1 reviews
Community Insights
Reviewers often find Nordic Cedar to be a unique and captivating scent, frequently described as warm, spicy, and woody. Many appreciate its ability to evoke imagery of forests and cozy winter settings, making it a versatile choice for various occasions.
Pros
Wonderful Scent: Many describe it as a magical, well-rounded, and stunning fragrance that evokes a walk through a forest.
Unique Composition: Reviewers note its distinctiveness, stating it's unlike other perfumes in their collection and not overly dry or 'pencil-like' in its cedar projection.
Versatile Appeal: It's considered a versatile scent that can be worn anytime, offering a balance of wildness and elegance.
Cons
Divisive Opening: Some reviewers find the initial impression to be overwhelmingly pine and patchouli, or reminiscent of body lotion rather than dry cedar.
Performance Concerns: A few users wish for more staying power, noting it seems to wear off after only a few hours.
Specific Note Dislike: For some, the cardamom and musk combination doesn't resonate, leading to a less favorable impression.
Comparisons
Christmas Market in Gamla Stan: The scent is said to evoke the atmosphere of a Christmas market.
Related to Vanilj: It's described as closely related to Maya Njie's Vanilj, but less gourmand and more forthright.
Vibe & Emotions
Cozy and Festive: Evokes a feeling of enjoying Kanelbullar by a fire or coming in from a cold day.
Forest Walk: Reminiscent of a walk through a forest, with sun-warmed needles and crisp air.
Nostalgic and Modern: Captures a sense of memory and place, feeling both timeless and contemporary.
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