Golden Goddess Editorial for Idol Magazine by Lindsay Adler©
"Nashwa" is the English transliteration of the Arabic word نشوة, equating to ecstasy and to an overwhelming feeling of comfort, happiness and joyful excitement. "Nashwa" can be used to describe personal feelings of rapture or can explain the experience of mystical religious transcendence. "Nashwa" is also a popular name for baby girls, a blessing that the parents bestow on their child, suggesting a lifetime filled with beautiful fragrance and a future of brilliant joy and happiness.
Donyale Luna Formidable Magazine
This summer, 2017, the word "nashwa", a synonym for elation, euphoria and intoxicating fragrance, has been brought to life in a new perfume by Shay & Blue London.
Shay and Blue Parfum Nashwa
Creative Director Dom de Vetta, in collaboration with in house-perfumer Julie Massé, launched the House's first pure perfume, Parfum Nashwa Extract of Parfum, available now exclusively at Harrods London, (it sold out its first day!). Shay & Blue developed a special gold colored flacon for their new creation and as always, the fragrance is hand-poured.
Donyale Luna in Satyricon photographed by Federico Fellini (1969)
Shay & Blue Parfum Nashwa opens a door into another dimension, a golden world of gilded reflection, emanating the light and atmosphere of peaceful bliss, a serene refuge from the world. The very first delicate spray suffuses my skin and immediate surroundings with a sunny amber freshened with just a touch of bergamot and neroli. This gentle and balmy opening evolves into a crisp, sweet woodiness, reminiscent of a fine Borneo oud graced with creamy undertones of butter and coconut.
Donyale Luna in Lurex by Paco Rabanne, photo by David Bailey for Vogue, 1966 (apped MC)
A trace of dark chocolate colors the heart of Parfum Nashwa with a tawny hue. For me, Nashwa is not so much a gourmand fragrance as it is an hypnotic and tranquilizing aura. I can almost see myself glowing, a radiant halo surrounding me and emanating from every pore. This soothing and protective effusion lasts for at least eight hours before the perfume begins to slowly vanish, becoming increasingly evanescent as the lush golden color resolves to a transparent glimmer of musk, oud and amber. The life of this beauty is an astonishing; 12 hours on skin and days on clothing. Yet, Nashwa is never overpowering, and the sillage remains sensuous and simultaneously subtle from the first to the very last breath.
Donayale Luna photographed by Federico Fellini (1969) Apped MC
Shay & Blue Parfum Nashwa is a fragrance that transports and intoxicates. It seems apt that the word "nashwa" can also signify the moment of poetic or artistic inspiration. Perhaps every creation, every work of art, including the art of perfumery, is simply ecstasy realized. Certainly, for me, the Shay & Blue Parfum Nashwa is euphoric bliss, focused, concentrated and brought to life in a gleaming, golden flacon.
Notes: Bergamot, neroli, cacao noir, coconut, fine musks and oud.
Disclaimer: Many thanks to Shay & Blue London for the glittering flacon of Parfum Nashwa Extract of Parfum. My opinions are my own.
Note:The Oud Alif and Amber Rose fragrances will also soon be available in pure parfum strength at Harvey Nichols
Gail Gross, Editor
Michelyn Camen, Editor-in-Chief and Art Director: I wore Nashwa for a few days and in my mind and the exotic images of Donayale Luna, the 1st African American model to appear on the cover of Vogue kept appearing as I wore it.
Gail's Photo of Parfum Nashwa
Thanks to the generosity of Shay & Blue London and Dom De Vetta we have one 60ml bottle of Parfum Nashwa for one registered reader in the US, the EU or Canada. (be sure to register or your comment will not count). To be eligible, tell us where you live, what appeals to you about Gail’s review and your favorite fragrance by Shay & Blue. Draw closes 8/12/2017
We announce the winners only on site and on our Facebook page, so Like Cafleurebon and use our RSS feed…or your dream prize will be just spilled perfume.