A few years back, I was enjoying cocktails with friends at an upscale, old-school hotel bar on Manhattan's Upper East Side, and I saw one of the "Olsen twins" seated nearby with two older male companions in suits. I was intrigued by the sight of this former child star evolved into a successful entrepreneur, this waif who swathed herself in layers of urban-bohemian black clothing for a meeting with two executive-looking men in such a traditional setting. Her eyeliner was generously applied, yet her demeanor was serious, even somber. It was an interesting set of contrasts.
I'm having a similar response to Nirvana Rose and Nirvana Bourbon, the two new fragrances from Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen's Elizabeth and James brand. I liked Nirvana Black and Nirvana White, both launched in late 2013 (and followed by matching roll-ons, perfume oil, solid perfume compacts, body oil and dry shampoo), so I was curious about these latest offerings. I'm happy to report that Rose and Bourbon are two more smart fragrances that straddle the line between "grown-up" and "free-spirited."
Nirvana Rose, the one in the red bottle (which still reminds me of a vintage cigarette lighter) is "a seductive floral blend embodying the heart of a dark rose." Its "sultry, refined" composition includes rose de mai, geranium and vetiver. It's interesting that Elizabeth and James doesn't overload us with a long list of notes, and they really don't need to, in this case. Rose introduces itself with a bright hit of bergamot and a greenish edge of geranium leaf, but its heart is a slightly wine-y rose backed by a vetiver note that really smells like vetiver, with that distinctive earthy-grassy feeling that sometimes reminds me of chocolate-infused tobacco. The base has a dose of patchouli (not "clean," but not too "head shop," either). Overall, Rose has noticeable sillage and above average-staying power.
Despite all the pink-tinted "rose" flankers that appear every spring, it can be hard to find a decent rose perfume at Sephora. I usually recommend Stella by Stella McCartney for a modern ambery rose and Tocca Isabel for a pretty tea rose, but now I can add Nirvana Rose to the list if you're looking for something a little deeper and darker. It could also please fans of Byredo Rose Noir or Frédéric Malle Portrait of a Lady on the lookout for a more affordable spicy-rose fix.
Meanwhile, in the amber bottle, Nirvana Bourbon is "a bold, oriental-woody scent with intoxicating confidence" and a "provocative" blend of Bourbon vanilla, oakwood and tuberose. Like Rose, it diffuses nicely off the skin and lasts a good long while; also like Rose, it could probably be worn by open-minded men as well as women. It starts off almost boozy, with a sandalwood note and some slightly syrupy resins, and its dose of vanilla becomes more obvious after a half-hour or so. It's a sweet yet smoky vanilla, like a well-torched crème brûlée followed by a cigarette or two. It may intrigue anyone who misses being able to purchase Kate Walsh Boyfriend at Sephora or who is seeking a cheaper alternative to L'Artisan Parfumeur Vanille Absolument; it also reminds me of J. Crew + Arquiste No. 57, another pleasant surprise from a few years ago that seems to have been discontinued.
Basically, I'm happy to see Rose and Bourbon joining White and Black on the shelf at my local mall. As Kevin recently said of Sarah Jessica Parker's Stash SJP, they might not be experimental, but they're definitely not your typical celebrity scents. Come to think of it, SJP and the Olsens aren't typical celebrities, either. Thank goodness for that.
Elizabeth and James Nirvana Rose and Nirvana Bourbon are available at Sephora as 30 ($65) and 50 ml ($85) Eau de Parfum and in a travel-sized rollerball ($25).
I’ve been meaning to get down to Sephora for samples of these. I actually do wish I had bought a bottle of Boyfriend when I had the chance! It reminds me of Un Bois Vanille but in retrospect I think I actually like it better.
I too regret not buying the Kate Walsh. The Bourbon sounds like it might be sweeter (sadly).
I *threw out* a bottle of Boyfriend after getting sick of it. Sigh… though I still have my grungy, cloudy rollerball that smelled significantly more like vanilla than the spray did.
I haven’t worn Boyfriend in years, but in my recollection, it’s much thicker and heavier than Bourbon. Bourbon isn’t wispy or weak, but I’d call it translucent compared to Boyfriend’s opacity. I also didn’t think Bourbon was that sweet (though my tolerance is high).
I used up my sample of Boyfriend, but I do agree that it was somewhat denser than E&J Nirvana Bourbon. I still got a similar “vibe” with the booze/woods/smoke/vanilla, at least!
And, for anyone who still has a hankering, I believe you can buy Boyfriend on Kate Walsh’s website!
Thanks Eleebelle and Jessica, now I have a hankering to set off to Sephora to sample Bourbon, and Rose.
Oh you’re kidding! I recently bought a decant but if I run out, maybe I will! I did try the Nirvana Bourbon this weekend and found it much lighter/sheerer.
I bought roller ball of Nirvana Black, rarely use it!(that more to do with the climate of the Deep South ugh) I think I will definitely buy roller balls of these, plus one of Stash! I love the Olson twins, watched all their movies growing up! I love them more for being so mysterious and just plain boss’s now! Mary Kate had bowls of ciggys at her wedding, so the bottle is quite fitting!
I agree… I never watched “Full House” or their tween/teen movies, but I did enjoy hearing the occasional bit of gossip about their NYU years, and I salute them for becoming successful businesswomen and sticking to their own style. I’d buy some of their designs if I could afford to!
The Kate Walsh Boyfriend bodycream was amazing. It was my mother’s signature scent before it was discontinued. Now she’s out and it’s crazy expensive on ebay. I will check this out! Thanks!
There was a matching body cream? That must have been nice. Too bad… despite the silly name and ironic (?) advertising, it was a good scent and it seemed to have fans.
I still have some of the Boyfriend bodycream, and I agree that it is amazing. It is so scented that I can only use it in the winter.
I got samples of both of these. I wore Nirvana Bourbon but felt meh about it because it lacked pep and brightness and is, at best, on top of the lower third of vanilla perfumes I have tried. Rose may do better but it is too hot to wear right now. Nice review!
I probably have some other vanilla faves, but they’re hard to find or much more $$$… for Sephora, this is one of the better picks! Oh, and Shalimar, of course. You can still find Shalimar at Sephora.
Really? I don’t think mine has any Guerlain except LPRN. And I love your new image, Hajusuuri! Is that your pup?
:-). It’s actually my brother’s Cavalier King Charles spaniel. He does look like a pup but nope, he is 8 hears old and tips the scales at 12 pounds. My brother has 2 others of the same breed, one slightly older, one the same age and they are both tinier!
Laurels, Shalimar is usually available at most department stores, especially those that have Guerlain make-up
Thank you for mentioning it. I have seen (and sniffed!) it at Nordstrom. It just surprised me that it was carried by Sephora. Except for a handful of Chanels, I tend to think of the perfume there as mostly newish. (I’m pushing 50, though, so “newish” is relative.) Of course, the one nearest to me isn’t very large, and they have shrunk the perfume area at least twice since it opened.
Fingers crossed I like at least one of these! I love the bottles, and the prices. (Unfortunately, I could barely smell White, and Black was a scrubber. Stupid finicky nose!)
I need to stop by Sephora again soon, they hadn’t received these yet last week. I liked Black.
I have been really craving a new darker rose recently. I think I am ready to say goodbye to fresh, sparkly summer scents. This sounds like one to try!