Elizabeth and James Nirvana Black

I feel like I haven't tried or reviewed any new fragrances in the past few weeks and today I am going to change that trend.  When I was picking up the Smashbox eye palette during my last Sephora visit, I received a free rollerball sample of a brand new fragrance and I have been playing with it the past two days.  A small rollerball of a new fragrance is one of the best Sephora VIB samples that I have ever received and I hope to see more rewards like this one.  Elizabeth and James is a new brand that has just released two new fragrances in time for the holiday season and we will be looking at one of them today.

First we need a bit of background on the Elizabeth and James brand.  This is brand that is exclusive to Sephora and was created by Mary Kate and Ashley Olson.  I will admit that I groaned when I first saw their pictures on the display as I tend to really display celebrity fragrances (on principle).  I am so glad that I received a sample of Nirvana Black as I would never have tried either of these fragrances on my own...

The Sephora website provides background on the brand and we will start here before looking at one of the first fragrance releases from it.  "Global style icons and successful entrepreneurs Ashley Olson and Mary Kate Olson have established themselves as the fashion industry's most influential young designers.  Elizabeth and James reflects their innate personal style and attention to detail.  Ashley and Mary Kate's modern sensibility and thoughtful designs have been acknowledged by the Council of Fashion Designers of America, The New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal.  Ashley and Mary Kate Olson wanted the signature fragrance for Elizabeth and James to embody the same sense of duality to their partnership and brand.  The Elizabeth and James Nirvana fragrance collection represents the ultimate state of happiness - an idyllic memory, feeling, moment, or experience."

The two fragrances that represent the duality are Nirvana Black and Nirvana White.  We are looking Nirvana Black today and will be saving the White for the spring season. 

"Elizabeth and James Nirvana Black is an addictive blend of alluring violet, sensual sandalwood, and rich vanilla that strike the perfect balance between masculine and feminine.  Launched in 2007, Elizabeth and James embodies the duality of sophistication and feminine detail balanced with downtown edge and masculine tailoring. The fashion brand's contemporary-yet-timeless aesthetic offers the modern girl clothing and accessories that make stylish everyday dressing effortless.  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. The result was not one, but two blends—distinctly different, but undeniably connected.", states the Sephora website.

The fragrance notes are: Violet, Sandalwood, Vanilla.

Nirvana Black is very similar to Tom Ford Black Orchid, if you love that fragrance then you will love this one.  I tried wearing one fragrance on one wrist and then one on the other and I noticed little to no difference once they both developed on my skin.  I have a full bottle of Black Orchid already (plus of half a bottle of Bath and Body Works Black Amethyst) so I don't think that I will need to buy a full bottle of Nirvana Black until I use through that bottle.  I do love Nirvana Black for the exact same reasons that I have loved Black Orchid for years, I love the violet and sandalwood notes and I love how dark and lush the fragrance is.

This fragrance develops fully in about an hour and then lasts for a good six hours on my skin.  Black Orchid does last longer on my skin but not enough for me to insist that Black Orchid is a better fragrance.  I would wear either of the fragrances but I certainly don't need both at the moment.  I will pick up a bottle of this fragrance once my bottle of Black Orchid gets low but I absolutely recommend this as a lovely cold weather fragrance to anyone that likes strong base note fragrances or lush florals.

photo courtesy of Sephora