The Story
Why it exists.
The beginning
In 2009, Mexx expanded its growing XX fragrance collection with two new expressions: Very Nice and Very Wild. The pairing made immediate sense, XX by Mexx had already established a language of contrasts, where each edition gave a different answer to the same question about modern femininity. Very Nice arrived as the softer, clearer option: a gentle young woman, her freshness and tranquility, as the brand copy described it. The pale violet bottle matched the scent's tone, approachable, unforced, unmistakably youthful. Mexx built its fragrance philosophy around the idea that scent should be as easy to wear as a pair of jeans. Very Nice is that principle at its most direct.
What makes XX Very Nice work is the discipline in its structure. Fruit-forward openings are easy to do loudly, the trick is doing them with restraint. Here, blackcurrant brings tartness without aggression, bergamot brings brightness without sharpness, and melon brings softness without disappearing. That trio opens the fragrance at a moderate volume, inviting rather than declaring. The heart escalates gently: peony and lily of the valley add floral weight, but the apricot and pear keep them grounded in something almost edible. Then the cinnamon arrives, not as a dominant spice note but as a whisper of warmth that makes the florals feel inhabited rather than abstract.
The evolution
The opening is bright and fruity, with blackcurrant and melon doing the heavy lifting while bergamot provides lift. The transition to the heart happens smoothly, like a cloud passing over the sun: the florals arrive soft, led by peony, with lily of the valley lending that characteristic clean-dewy quality that makes the phrase 'spring morning' actually mean something. The pear and apricot keep the heart sweet without tipping into confectionery. The drydown is where XX Very Nice earns its name. Cedar emerges first, giving the composition a quiet structural confidence. Sandalwood follows, smooth and creamy. Musk ties it together into something skin-close and intimate. The fragrance shifts from its initial brightness through a sweet floral heart into a warm, intimate finish, each stage flowing naturally into the next.
Cultural impact
XX Very Nice presents itself as a fragrance built around accessibility and easy wearability. Mexx approached its scent portfolio with a philosophy of offering something pleasant and unintimidating, a fragrance you can live with rather than one that asks you to make a statement. The fruity-floral character is warm and sweet, never confrontational. XX Very Nice embodies this approach fully, balancing light florals with gentle sweetness to create a scent that's approachable and comfortable. The 4-6 hour longevity and moderate sillage are appropriate for its character, allowing the fragrance to remain present without announcing itself.
