Scent of a Woman: Elizabeth and James NIRVANA Black and White

I’m fairly pessimistic when it comes to “celebrity” fragrance launches, but Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen’s fashion line Elizabeth and James doesn’t really fit in to that category. Designers and visionaries in their own right, their brand is young and hip (if not obscenely over priced) and they have long since shed their tween dynasty images to head up a fashion empire. They capitalized on childhood fame to become legitimate business women and ready-to-wear trend setters. Extending in to the fragrance industry seems like a natural progression if they are focusing on becoming a lifestyle brand.

Ashley and Mary-Kate wanted the signature fragrance for Elizabeth and James to embody the same sense of duality inherent to their partnership and the brand: timeless femininity and contemporary sophistication. The result was not one, but two blends—distinctly different, but undeniably connected: Nirvana White and Nirvana Black.

Nirvana White works best as a daytime fragrance since it is the more subtle and doesn’t have as much longevity (approximately 4 hours). The first impression is the delicate scent of peony that is supported by muguet (lily of the valley to you anglophiles) and slight musk. I spray this fragrance and I smell Spring: sweet florals and misting rain. If you or the man in your life are not partial to vanilla or headier spicy scents, then this one will be in your scent wheelhouse. Honestly, I’m surprised I like it because like warmer thicker scents, but this one is fresh but still enticingly feminine without crossing in to girly.

Nirvana Black is distinctly an evening scent. I think it is a bit too heady and, dare I say, sensual for day wear. Not that you can’t be va-va-voom when the sun is up, but this perfume begs for wining, dinning and candlelight. The notes are an alluring blend of violet, sandalwood and vanilla. While obviously a scent for women, there is a faint strain of cologne, which fits the Elizabeth and James feminine/masculine appeal. Something about the top notes and how it settles in to the skin is reminiscent of Billionaire Boyfriend (horrid name) also available at Sephora, although I still prefer Nirvana Black.

They are certainly statement bottles, especially with the gold detailing, etching and bevelled texture. The flat shape and hard exterior do make them travel friendly if not a little awkward. I suppose they were aiming for understated chic with the packaging and they would have been successful if it didn’t feel so…well plastic, most noticeable the lids. It is also a little bit deceptive because the actual product isn’t visible and I didn’t realize there was only 1 fl oz per bottle until I read the box. The heft of the bottle masks the skimping on the liquid goodness.

Grade: B