I have never been much of a fragrance collector, but then again I wasn’t much of a makeup hoarder in general until the last couple of years. As my love for beauty has grown, my love for fragrances has grown with it. I used to only own two perfumes (DKNY Be Delicious, a tried and true favorite which I’ve had for like five years, haha, and the Daisy Eau So Fresh by Marc Jacobs that my boyfriend’s parents bought me for Christmas- which smells amazing, by the way), but over the last few months I’ve definitely started dabbling more in the perfume department.
The newest additions to my growing collection are the Elizabeth and James Nirvana Perfume Oils. I’d never tried a perfume oil before these, but I am loving the concept. These perfume oils are perfect for me because the fragrance isn’t quite as powerful and headachey as regular spray perfumes can be if you accidentally go a little overboard (but hey, if you love your pretty smells, give layering a perfume oil with a regular perfume a try!). I feel like the oil really absorbs into the skin and makes the scent last a lot longer without being too overpowering. I also can’t complain about the alcohol-free formula that’s made with natural evening primrose oil and safflower oil- my skin will definitely take all the hydration it can get!
Let’s start with packaging, because that’s always a big selling point for me and beauty products (I totally judge books by their cover, I’ll admit it). Any product with gold anything on it is a big thumbs up from me. Gold is insanely “in” right now and I always want #allgoldeverything, so I was very happy to see these come in a gorgeous gold box. The bottles themselves are black and white (obviously each color with their corresponding perfume name) and they have a gold dropper. I love the bottles of these so much that when I run out of perfume oil, I am sure I’ll save them and either just have them on display or find some sort of use for them.
The Nirvana Black Perfume Oil has notes of violet, sandalwood and vanilla. I find this to be a little more masculine than I would usually wear, so I don’t reach for it as often as I do the Nirvana White Perfume Oil. While I used the word masculine to describe it, it’s still a feminine perfume. It’s super hard to explain- it’s just a bit of a heavier, darker scent than the White. The Sephora site describes this as “sensual, mysterious, warm” which I would say is quite accurate.
The Nirvana White Perfume Oil is definitely my favorite of the two. It has notes of peony, muguet (a sweetly scented flowering plant) and tender musk. I find it to be much lighter than the Nirvana Black Perfume Oil and this is a scent that I like to wear on a pretty regular basis. I usually am not big on floral perfumes, but this one is just the right amount of floral. The Sephora site describes this as “sophisticated, feminine, captivating” and I agree with all of those!
If a perfume oil isn’t your thing, the Elizabeth and James Nirvana perfumes also come in a rollerball set (which would be a great stocking stuffer- look at me thinking about Christmas in advance for once!), as a solid perfume (Nirvana Black/Nirvana White), and as a regular perfume (Nirvana Black/Nirvana White).
Have you ever tried a perfume oil?
Heather says
I adore these perfumes, so I need this oil! I love the black by itself but I have to use the white with the black. I really have gotten into perfume oils.
Chelsea says
I never thought to mix the two, that may actually come out to make the perfect scent. Definitely trying that!
Norah Loves Makeup says
I love perfume oils! These sound a tad too sweet for me but I do love their packaging.
Chelsea says
I don’t find the Nirvana Black to be sweet at all, so you may actually like that one! The White would probably be too much for you though because it is fairly sweet and floral. Gorgeous packaging, agreed!
Neversaydiebeauty says
I got a sample of these at Sephora a couple of months ago, and where the heck did I put them? I like the Black version and I am a perfume oil lover. I’ve gotta find ’em!
Chelsea says
Haha finnnnd them! I want to try more perfume oils now :)
Zully Hernandez says
I actually really like perfume oils. There is something that feels more pure and rich about them and part of me feels like it’s a healthier option. I would love to try these!
Chelsea says
Totally agree! I like that I’m not like inhaling it like I do when I spray perfume hahah, I don’t have the best aim ;)
Anastasia says
I love the idea of perfume oils, I like applying scents that way even more than spritzes.
Chelsea says
Me too, now that I know this option exists!
Tess Galen says
I also smell these scents when I’m in the store, I love them both! And OMG the packaging. I like the idea of a perfume oil, but haven’t tried one. Maybe if I finally pick one of these scents up I’ll try the oil.
Chelsea says
Eeeek, the packaging is just stunning. I love it! I never knew perfume oils even existed before these haha, but it’s a definite new fave for me.
Destany says
I’ve never tried perfume oils. Sounds like I need to do some experimenting!
Chelsea says
Definitely give them a try next time you’re in Sephora!
Carleen says
I like the packaging on these.
Chelsea says
Isn’t it gorgeous? :)
Phyrra says
I do love perfume oil.
Chelsea says
I need to find out what other brands do perfume oils! They’re definitely a new fave. :)
Diana says
I have never heard of a perfume oil, but I love the concept! It sounds like it wouldn’t be drying on the skin like traditional perfume.
Chelsea says
I hadn’t etiher, but loooove the concept too! It’s not, it’s a little hydrating in fact :)
MarciaF says
I find the Olsen girls so interesting and wondered what they’d pick as their signature fragrance.
Chelsea says
Haha me too, I was their #1 fan back in the day!
Kristi says
Nirvana Black is one of my favourites. I never used to be a perfume girl either, but over the last year, I’ve definitely gotten into it. I love the musky scent, but it’s definitely more of a fall/winter scent, and I usually only wear it in the evening. I have started to come around to Nirvana White, as I’m also not a huge fan of florals. I think the perfume oil would be perfect for me, since it’s not as strong.
Kristi | Be Loverly
Chelsea says
Yeah I’d definitely agree that it’s more of a fall/winter + evening scent for sure! Maybe I’ll wear it more often then :) Someone suggested mixing the two, maybe try that?
Kath TheFabZilla says
The bottled versions of these came a bit too strong for me. Great review ‘tho
Chelsea says
I could see that, because I find the perfume oils to have enough scent as it is and they are supposed to be a dulled down version of the actual perfumes. I think I’d definitely prefer these. Thanks! xo
Polarbelle says
They sound interesting. Sandlewood gives me a migraine but it’s in so many perfumes that I just avoid them all together.
Chelsea says
Yeah I’m not a huge sandalwood person either, not that it gives me full on migraines but I do find it to be a bit of an overpowering, headachey scent. I think that is why I prefer the lightness of Nirvana White :)
Jess Scull says
Ooh these sound intriguing! Adding them to my wish list!
Chelsea says
Haha I can only imagine how long yours must be when I think of mine! xo
Ashley says
Love the packaging! I’ll have to check these out – they sound great!
Chelsea says
They’re gorgeous, aren’t they? :)
Erika says
Both of these scents are splendid. I’ve had samples and I need to pick up larger bottles of them.
I feel you on the gold thing… It’s intoxicating to me.
Chelsea says
I feel like I should go check my perfume sample stash to see if I ever got one of these and just hadn’t tried it.. I’m intrigued now that a couple people mentioned that samples have gone around, haha. And yes- gold EVERYTHING. I’m so sucked into this trend it’s not even funny. ;)
blue Ducklings says
People always say don’t judge the book on the cover but on what’s inside. It is the same in these cases :)
http://www.blueducklings.wordpress.com
Jodi says
I have Nirvana Black in rollerball form and LOVE it in the cooler months. I love the idea of perfume oils cus it feels like the disappear so fast otherwise!
Lisa Heath says
Nirvana White is definitely more my tastes
Nidia - Lit From Within says
regular perfume doesn’t last long on me, so I want to try a perfume oil! The White version appeals to me more.
Sammi the Beauty Buff says
Oh, I love the regular Black and White fragrances! I didn’t know they had a perfume oil though. Have you tried layering them? The Black and White smell lovely together. You might even be able to do one as an oil and one as a spray!
Brooke @ Blushing Noir says
I heard it was awesome to mix these two together for a killer scent.. I tried it in store and … it just did not work… not on my. My natural oils rejected it completely lol I was sad, though. More than one person told me it’s amazing!
Chelsie says
I always have such a hard time buying perfume because I’d much rather spend the money on eyeshadow, haha. I really need to just buy some though; and this one sounds great!
Lydia B. says
I started grabbing up Elizabeth & James fragrances as soon as they hit the shelves! I am a huge fan. I mix them, wear them alone, just sit there smelling them… HA! I have the perfume oil and perfume in the Nirvana Black, as well as the rollerball in White, and a few deluxe samples of both. I just picked up one of the new scents, Nirvana Bourbon, and I LOVE it! It’s the perfect mix of woody/masculine with a hint of femininity to it (to my nose). My only “thing” with the line of perfumes is the packaging. They can be a bit bulky if you want to carry a spray with you. And I seriously cannot keep those tops on! That being said, it doesn’t keep me from continuing to pick these up at Sephora. Now, I’m only wondering if I should try their dry shampoos!
Chelsea says
I only have the perfume oils but really love how long lasting they are! There’s also something so luxe about a perfume oil… love them. I didn’t know they had new Nirvana scents, I need to check them out on my next Sephora trip! I’ve heard good things about the dry shampoos but haven’t tried them myself.