I stalk Sephora.com. My beauty bag runneth over…daily As a Rouge VIB, I spend way too much money on makeup and the siren call of YVES ST LAURENT Couture Palette Wild Edition with its black and gold leopard allure whispered “Love me Love me” and almost lured me off my no spend shore, until I realized it looks and is exactly the same as Yves St. Laurent Couture Palette #2. I Loved the Limited Edition Rouge Pur Vernis À Lèvres Collectors Glossy Stain in Rouge Laque ,Sephora Formula X Brushed Metallic Nail Polish in Prophecy and Valor that day instead; (I did NOT link to the site, no need for you to become addicted to Love). It is rare that I put a designer perfume into my Sephora beauty bag, but when I found out that Elizabeth and James Nirvana Black and White are now available as perfume oils, I had a change of “heart”.
Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen Photo: Sephora
When we reviewed Elizabeth and James Nirvana Black and White we noted that Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, the twin child television and movie stars turned fashion moguls designed Nirvana Black (Pierre Negrin of Firmenich) and Nirvana White (Honorine Blanc of Firmenich) to be layered, as well as to be worn individually; it was our opinion that the EDPs were better alone. Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen have always loved perfume oils and so do I; I remember thinking why didn’t they just do them right out of the gate; oils are much easier to layer on the skin.
Still Life with Sephora shopping bag and Elizabeth and James Perfume Oils
The package light was on when I got home yesterday (not unusual for a fragrance and beauty editor). I went downstairs and there was a gigantic Sephora bag half my height. My heart skipped a beat. The last time Sephora messengered a bag this size was the mysterious appearance of Pharrell Williams Girl Perfume. After some rummaging, I found Nirvana Black and White perfume oils surrounded by golden roses, scented driftwood and beribboned dried vanilla bean pods nestled within the tissues and mountains of black confetti paper.
Elizabeth and James Nirvana Black and Nirvana White Perfume Oils
The 14 ml bottles are housed in gold topped flacons with classic glass apothecary style droppers. I tried Black, my favorite in the EDP first. The oil version has a sensual, grown up vanilla aroma topped with a dollop of creamy sandalwood. A more subtle scent than the EDP, but still there is a neo boho vibe that shimmers as it slides like silk on the skin. Next, was White; the oil was much better with my chemistry than the original EDP. The white florals are less synthetic smelling and the muguet accord is much fresher and the musk is deeper. Combined, Nirvana Black and White mesh perfectly, a melding of sexy and innocent, chic without trying too hard. When layered, my skin pulls the sandalwood and vanilla notes more than the florals which are there but muted whispers. The musky dry-down is soft but not laundry clean. As a bonus, Nirvana Black and White are alcohol free and contain natural sunflower and evening primrose oils. I warmed the blend between my hands and smoothed my hair which emanated pufffs of scent for hours. The longevity on my pulse points was a bit less, three hours with minimal sillage.
They are available online exclusively at Sephora priced $35/14 ml each. Buy both, as they are definitely the best bang for the buck this year. I don’t think you will be disappointed. I hope Elizabeth and James make a larger size for the body. That would be Nirvana.
Disclosure: I received Nirvana White and Nirvana Black fragrance oils from Nirvana Perfumes PR
–Michelyn Camen, Editor in Chief
Thanks to Elizabeth and James Nirvana Perfumes exclusively at Sephora we have a draw for either Nirvana Black or Nirvana White for a USA reader To be eligible please leave a comment with which you would like best and if you would layer them with each other or with the original EDP. Draw closes October 3, 2014.
We announce the winners only on site and our Facebook page, so like CaFleureBon and use our RSS option…or your dream prize will just be spilled perfume.