Quick answer: Mykonos Nautilus and Mykonos Reflection Elixir are both unisex extraits in the citrus and fruity families; both open on bergamot and ginger and finish on musk and ambroxan. Nautilus is the warmer, sweeter summer scent, with pear, orange blossom, vanilla and amber, rated strong and sold in 100 ml. Reflection Elixir is a year-round citrus with rhubarb leaves, peach, ylang-ylang, magnolia and a chypre accord, tagged for work and sold in 50 ml.
Mykonos Nautilus vs Reflection Elixir pairs two fruity, unisex extraits that look alike in their family tags and part ways in almost everything else: fruit, flowers, base, season, and even bottle size, since the two share no size at all. Below we go through the notes tier by tier and then look at who each one suits. We sell both, so we are not neutral about Mykonos, but we have no stake in which one you choose; and a note list never tells you exactly how a scent will wear on your skin.
What they have in common
Four notes appear in both pyramids: bergamot and ginger at the top, musk and ambroxan at the base. Both sit in the citrus and fruity families, both are unisex extraits de parfum, both are tagged for daily wear and evenings, and both are listed for summer. Each also has a fruit at its centre: pear for Nautilus, peach for Reflection Elixir.
Their starting points differ. Mykonos Nautilus is inspired by Ex Nihilo Blue Talisman Extrait and Eau de Parfum; Mykonos Reflection Elixir is inspired by Louis Vuitton Symphony. See what "inspired by" means on a perfume for how to read those lines.
Mykonos Nautilus vs Reflection Elixir: the notes side by side
Both pyramids come from the Mykonos brand handbook. Mykonos gives sillage, projection and longevity figures for Reflection Elixir but not for Nautilus.
| Mykonos Nautilus | Mykonos Reflection Elixir | |
|---|---|---|
| Top notes | Pear, bergamot, ginger, mandarin orange | Grapefruit, bergamot, ginger, rhubarb leaves |
| Heart notes | Pear, orange blossom, jasmine | Ylang-ylang, peach, magnolia |
| Base notes | Amber, musk, vanilla, guaiac wood, ambroxan | Ambroxan, musk, chypre accord |
| Concentration | Extrait de parfum | Extrait de parfum |
| Character (accord) | Fruity, floral, woody | Citrus, floral, musky |
| Stated intensity | Strong | Moderate |
| Sillage / projection | Not listed | Strong / strong |
| Longevity | Not listed | 12+ hours |
| Best season | Summer | All four seasons |
| Best for | Daily wear, evenings, special occasions; unisex | Daily wear, evenings, work; unisex |
| Sizes | 100 ml only (Sunforged collection) | 50 ml only |
The opening: pear, or grapefruit and rhubarb
Both start with bergamot and ginger. Nautilus adds pear and mandarin orange: soft and juicy. Reflection Elixir adds grapefruit and rhubarb leaves, which make it tarter and greener; Mykonos calls it a vivid citrus.
The heart: pear and orange blossom, or peach, ylang-ylang and magnolia
Both hearts are fruity and floral, in different ways. Nautilus repeats its pear with orange blossom and jasmine. Reflection Elixir softens its citrus with ylang-ylang, peach and magnolia, a creamier floral with a stone-fruit edge.
The base: vanilla and amber, or a chypre accord
Both bases have musk and ambroxan. Nautilus adds amber, vanilla and guaiac wood, so it finishes warm and a little sweet. Reflection Elixir adds what the brand calls a modern chypre accord, and describes the result as purity with staying power. On paper, Nautilus ends warmer and Reflection Elixir cleaner.
Where they differ
- Warmth. Vanilla, amber and guaiac wood give Nautilus a warm base; Reflection Elixir has none of the three.
- Season. Reflection Elixir is listed for all four seasons; Nautilus for summer only.
- Occasion. Reflection Elixir is tagged for work, Nautilus for special occasions.
- Strength. Nautilus is rated strong in intensity and Reflection Elixir moderate. The handbook gives Reflection Elixir strong sillage, strong projection and 12+ hours; no such figures are listed for Nautilus.
- Size. Nautilus, part of the Sunforged collection, comes in 100 ml only; Reflection Elixir in 50 ml only.
Which one should you choose?
- One scent for the whole year: Reflection Elixir.
- The office: Reflection Elixir, tagged for work.
- Summer evenings and special occasions: Nautilus.
- You love vanilla in a fresh scent: Nautilus.
- You prefer tart citrus and florals to sweetness: Reflection Elixir.
- Bottle size: Reflection Elixir if you want 50 ml, Nautilus if you want 100 ml. Our 50 ml or 100 ml guide helps if you are unsure.
Wearing them: sizes and sprays
Nautilus belongs to the Sunforged collection. Rated strong, it needs only one or two sprays on the chest, a little more for an evening outdoors. A 50 ml bottle of Reflection Elixir is roughly 500 sprays; with strong sillage and projection, two sprays are plenty for the office. Our guide to how many sprays of perfume has the general rule.
At the time of writing, Nautilus has 15 reviews averaging 4.47 out of 5 and Reflection Elixir 60 averaging 4.35. Reflection Elixir has a sibling, Mykonos Reflection, which we compare with it in Reflection vs Reflection Elixir, and we set Nautilus against that original in Nautilus vs Reflection. Mykonos pairs Reflection Elixir with Mykonos Constantine in its official Citrus Veil combo. For Nautilus on its own, see our Mykonos Nautilus guide. If you also look at other houses, we compare Nautilus and Reflection Elixir with perfumes from other houses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Reflection Elixir stronger than Nautilus?
It depends on the measure. Nautilus is rated strong in intensity and Reflection Elixir moderate, but the sillage and projection of Reflection Elixir are rated strong, and Mykonos lists no sillage or projection for Nautilus.
Which lasts longer, Nautilus or Reflection Elixir?
Reflection Elixir's listed longevity is 12+ hours. Mykonos gives no longevity figure for Nautilus, so we cannot compare the two on paper.
Which is better for summer?
Both are tagged for summer. Nautilus is the summer-only scent, warmer and sweeter; Reflection Elixir is the fresher, tarter choice and the one to take to work on a hot day.
Can I wear Nautilus in winter?
Mykonos tags Nautilus for summer only. If you want one of these two for the cold months, Reflection Elixir is listed for all four seasons.