Elizabeth and James · Nirvana Rose & Nirvana Bourbon

Like most people, fragrance is something extremely personal to me and very intertwined with both my personality as well as my mood. The right scent not only meshes with my frame of my mind, but can positively enhance all my feelings, while the wrong one can trigger an instant migraine — thankfully, both Nirvana Rose and Nirvana Bourbon, the latest releases from Mary-Kate & Ashley Olsen, fall into the former category. A good thing too, because it was love at first sight when these bottles landed across my desk.

As Summer’s heat filled with sunny citrusy scents gives way to cooler weather, that’s when I like to pull out something cozier to spritz on, aromas with both warm & sensual notes to reflect the changing season. These two latest releases in the Nirvana family come housed in display-worthy translucent textured bottles that are easily identifiable; scarlet for Nirvana Rose and amber for Nirvana Bourbon, and far from being one-trick ponies, they each have a unique combinations of scents that make them stand out and ready to withstand the test of time.

Mega entrepreneurs: The Olsen Twins

Elizabeth and James | Nirvana Rose & Nirvana Bourbon Eau de Parfum Spray

Nirvana Rose Eau de Parfum Spray (CAN $107.00/50 ml, 1.7 fl oz) | Historically, florals & I have not always seen eye to eye, although every now and then something comes along that makes me stop dead in my tracks; Nirvana Rose, labelled a ‘seductive floral blend’ did exactly that at first sniff. The dark rose at the heart of this fragrance has been given a fresh and invigorating injection of lightness by the addition of vetiver, thereby eliminating any cloying sweetness and turning this into one of the most original, sophisticated and sexy florals I’ve ever come across. Yes, sexy + floral in one bottle.

Notes: Rose de Mail, Geranium, Vetiver

Nirvana Bourbon Eau de Parfum Spray (CAN $107.00/50 ml. 1.7 fl oz) | The word ‘bourbon’ alone, conjures up an image of a dark and smoky club, filled with deep leather armchairs and heavy cut-crystal decanters — the entirety permeated with a heady sensual overtone … and that pretty much sums up what Nirvana Bourbon is all about. This oriental-woody scent is all about that intoxicating boozy lushness, but the hint of tuberose inserted in the mix prevents it from leaning too far into masculine territory, and thereby rounding out any rough edges with a light & feminine touch.

Notes: Vanilla Bourbon, Oakwood, hint of Tuberose

Elizabeth and James | Nirvana Rose & Nirvana Bourbon Eau de Parfum Spray

I don’t know how many times I’ve dismissively said that I can’t wear florals; it turns out that I hadn’t come across the right combination — until now. Vanilla & I have a very strong relationship and if there’s one mainstay in my fragrance library, then that would be it. So it came as no surprise that I would absolutely love Nirvana Bourbon, but I never would have predicted that Nirvana Rose would so totally captivate me as it has. As an experiment I even combined the two and once again, was blown away by how harmoniously they meshed, although giving them each their due by wearing them solo is where they truly shine. Oh, and expect people to ask you what fragrance you’ve got on … happens to me every time I wear either one. And can we just take a minute and admire these bottles? Sigh

Available at Sephora