Oh, the Olsen twins. The Mary-Kate and Ashley (who was always my personal favourite of the two). Do you remember them? I sure do, they were my favourite actress duo in the 90s as I grew up. Who can forget the adorable Michelle from Full House…and when they got older and started to turn their twindom into an actual business with those awesome books and movies!? We’re talking, my childhood in a nutshell. I’ve always supported them, even in that weird “whoa, is Mary-Kate suffering from an eating disorder!?” phase about 6-7 years ago. Not kidding, I have almost every single one of their movies, both of the “You’re Invited” series and their more “tween/teen” feature-length films (hello, Passport to Paris & Getting There!!! :D), sitting in my basement right now, if not on DVD, on VHS (#Throwback…Tuesday!?). Like, we’re talking über fan. Forever and always.
Which is the exact reason why, when their much hyped fragrance from their ever-successful fashion brand came out in Summer 2013 and I wasn’t interested, most of my friends thought I had lost the plot. See, for weeks, I had been saying that I would probably buy one or both bottles of the Elizabeth & James Nirvana perfume duo because I was yearning for a new “signature scent” and had always felt bad that I’d never purchased anything from their lovely fashion collection (honestly, the clothes they design are beautiful, but about $$$ too much for my -$ student budget). Yet, when I actually went into Sephora to give them a whiff…they just weren’t for me, either of them. I was slightly disappointed because I had all of these secret ideas of me strutting walking down the streets of Toronto in a hot pink faux fur coat, white elbow-length gloves and one of those long cigarette holders in my mouth, sans the cigarette because I don’t, nor will I ever smoke. But, they sure do look cool and if Audrey Hepburn looked that good holding one, I want to hold one too. 😉 People would take one look at my sassy self and think “dayuummm, that girl is on FIAHHH!!,” and once they took a sniff of me, well, it would be game over. “It’s Mary Kate & Ashley Olsen’s new perfume,” I would say as they dramatically drop to their knees, I delicately put on my sunglasses and continue down the street (coming to theatres the twelfth of never :P). The only problem with that truly, completely realistic scene is that I didn’t want to buy either scent! They both had their faults, and all hopes of that majestic vision coming true were dashed as I skulked out of Sephora thinking “I’ll never buy that.”
Photo not my own, it was found here.
Until now. I don’t know how and I certainly don’t know why, but my sense of smell seems to have changed over the last couple of years and, after receiving a sample size of the Nirvana White perfume from Sephora a few weeks ago, I actually really, really like the way it smells. Nirvana White was always my favourite of the two, with less of a woodsy-piney and strong, masculine scent as Nirvana Black, but I didn’t particularly favour the white version either. However, now, I quite enjoy the subtle musky scent with a strong “pang!” of floral essence that Nirvana White brings, with strong notes of peonies and lilies composing the sophisticated, feminine and slightly sensual fragrance. Plus, look at that bottle! How lovely, modern and fresh would that look on display!?
I can so see me rocking this at work on a mild, breezy spring day, and even wearing it into the early evening to “after hours” dinner and drinks with my favourite girls. On my skin, the scent doesn’t exactly last long, I’d say maybe 3-4 hours of wear-time before I’m left wondering “What am I wearing again!?,” but, considering that there is a super handy (not to mention cute!), 0.34 ounce rollerball size available for only $26 CAD, I wouldn’t mind re-applying this to the nape of my neck or wrists during the mandatory “Do I still look presentable?” lunchtime bathroom check. I wouldn’t consider wearing it for a night on the town, though, as to me, it fades perfectly into a nice, subtle fragrance that you just catch when standing close enough to me, and doesn’t translate into the “BAM! I’m here, let’s get the party started!” statement that I like to make on nights like these.
Other than the user-friendly rollerball size, Elizabeth & James Nirvana White is also conveniently available at Sephora in a 1 ounce bottle for $66 CAD or the full size, 1.7 ounce bottle for $90 CAD. Previously, I thought that their perfume was way too expensive, but having been exposed to more fragrances now that come at a much steeper price tag (I’m looking at you, Jo Malone!), I actually don’t think that’s all that bad. Oh, and did I mention the beautiful bottle!? Oh, I did? Well, just goes to show you how much I LOVE it! Add this to the “fragrance wants” list, please!
What do you think? Have you given either of the Elizabeth & James Nirvana scents a whiff? If so, do you like?? Would you consider buying any? You know what to do! ↓↓↓
Until next time, my friend!
Much love,
S♥
