Mandarin OrangeOpens with
Floral NotesHeart
MuskDries down to
Francis KurkdjianThe nose · 234 fragrances · also made Rouge Trafalgar Esprit De Parfum (2024)Portrait →Will you like it? Mark a few fragrances you own or love and we'll tell you.
Maison Francis Kurkdjian · Sold as unisex
Aqua Vitae
The sun-drenched coast of Formentera, where the sea breeze carries the scent of lemon and mandarin oranges, blending with warm musk and woody notes.
Full bottle: Luxury tier, typically $250+. Links open each seller's own page. We may earn a commission; it never changes the order.
Aqua VitaeLuxury · $250+
54%Similar accords, often for less212 Pop · Carolina HerreraPremium tier, $100–250 · shares 4 of its 6 notes8 matches →How it wears
From community votes · bars are each option's shareComposition & Character
Notes Pyramid
The story behind the bottle.
Launched in 2013 by Maison Francis Kurkdjian, Aqua Vitae is a citrus aromatic fragrance that captures the essence of Formentera's Mediterranean island charm. The composition opens with Calabrian lemon and Sicilian mandarin, creating a bright and invigorating freshness. As it settles, vanilla infusion and musk provide warmth and depth, while hedione and guaiac wood add an earthy, woody undertone that grounds the scent.
Apply two sprays to ensure the top notes linger before giving way to the warmth of vanilla and musk. The fragrance blooms best during daylight hours when its citrus freshness complements the brightness of the sun.
Fig. 01 — Aqua Vitae, Maison Francis Kurkdjian
Where to buy.
Wear it for a week first
A decant costs a fraction of a bottle and tells you how it lasts on your skin.
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Francis Kurkdjian
The composer of lightFrancis Kurkdjian is among the most celebrated perfumers alive — a creative polymath whose work spans haute couture fragrance, contemporary art installations, and the founding of his own maison.
“It’s impossible to predict. Success doesn’t depend on you. It depends on the audience.”
Francis Kurkdjian · SLEEK, June 2026
The Aqua Vitae line
3 fragrances, compared side by side
Designer Maison Francis Kurkdjian
More from the house · founded 2009 · France
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Chosen from what wearers say it smells like, what its fans also love, and its notes
Maison Francis KurkdjianAqua UniversalisEDP · ★ 3.92Loved by the same people
HermèsUn Jardin Sur Le NilEDP · ★ 4.10Similar notes and accords
CreedVirgin Island Water 2007EDP · ★ 4.31Loved by the same people
Rance 1795Rue Rance Eau RoyaleEDP · ★ 4.00Wearers say it smells similarStill deciding?Try the Scent Finder →Love it, not the $250+ price?
Matched by accords and notes. Sample first, then decide.
The originalAqua VitaeMaison Francis Kurkdjian · Luxury · $250+Carolina Herrera · 2011212 PopShares 4 of its 6 notes$100–250★ 3.81 (128)51%Match
Carolina Herrera · 2003212 H2OShares 4 of its 7 notes$100–250★ 3.95 (85)52%Match
Zara · 2016Impact MasculinShares 4 of its 6 notesunder $40★ 4.41 (59)50%Match
Zara · 2019Fresh SandalwoodAll 3 of its listed notes are in this oneunder $40★ 4.01 (68)
With Estée Lauder Cinnabar
Adds warm spicy, amber and balsamic; shares sandalwood.
Suggested from accords and notes · not yet tried by wearers
What people
are saying.
Respected, if divisive: loved by 24%, disliked or hated by 15%.