#nirvana black

I've come to a new stop on the self-care/Bougie Bitch train: perfume before bed.

It started about a year ago, when I got a bottle of Armani Sì Intense. It smelled so absolutely incredible that I wanted to smell like it on me all of the time—so that night, after my shower, I sprayed more on and inhaled my wrists. I woke up and the scent while long-gone from my skin, was still lingering on my pillowcase, and blankets—I inhaled the scent one more time, and rolled out of bed.

Since then, I've made it a point to bring a favorite scent to bed with me. 

“What do I wear in bed? Why, Chanel No. 5, of course” ― Marilyn Monroe

After my ten-step beauty routine, and shower, I feel like a few light spritzes of a perfume that I love just tops off my whole nightly routine. And yes, I do have a boyfriend, but this isn't for him at all, I just love doing something small like this for myself, because it completely makes me feel nice. Not only is my mood enhanced, this practice makes me feel incredibly glamorous—as in, old-Hollywood, silk nightgown with a feather collar, bouncy pin-curls kind of glamourous. Glamorous, as in the Queen of Glam, Marilyn Monroe, famously proclaiming, “What do I wear in bed? Why, Chanel No. 5, of course”—if perfume was a staple in her nighttime routine, then you know it's worth having in yours.

So what kinds of fragrances do I like for bedtime? I'm a dark, moody kind of girl (surprise), anything too bright or upbeat and I won't feel relaxed enough to sleep. A few of my favorites are:

Elizabeth & James - Nirvana White and Nirvana Black: I've been a fan of this duo since they came out several years ago. Both scents separately smell beautiful, but the key is to actually layer them together for a seriously intoxicating combination of musk, floral, and vanilla.

Giorgio Armani - Sì Intense: This has a slightly more fruity finish from the blackcurrant, but it also has warm musk and vanilla notes that just blends so perfectly, it should be a crime. Any time I wear this I get compliments, in addition to the fact that I actually can't stop trying to smell myself.

Ralph Lauren - Tender Romance: This is the sweetest of the three, but equally as mesmerizing. It has notes of bergamont, ginger, musk, and jasmine, it smells really fresh and pretty but has just enough moodiness that it works great at night for bed.

The last thing I love about incorporating scents into my beauty routing is that now I don't have to wait for a special occasion to wear my fragrances, every night can feel a little more special, and I can actually enjoy my perfume collection rather than letting it collect dust. 

Favourite new scent @elizandjames #nirvana black

BLACK AND WHITE HAS NEVER LOOKED SO COLORFUL

Everywhere we turn, we see #SephoraStripes.

SPEND DECEMBER 23RD RELAXING FOR ONCE

After all that great gift shopping, You deserve some ZZZ’s.

CAMEO: ASHLEY OLSEN AND MARY-KATE OLSEN ON ELIZABETH AND JAMES NIRVANA PERFUME OIL

The Sephora Glossy gets the story on the sensorial new way to experience euphoria from the designer duo.

From glow-inducing face elixirs to ultra-hydrating cleansing formats, oils have become a staple in the modern beauty routine. Now, inspired by their own love of luxurious oils, Elizabeth and James designers Ashley Olsen and Mary-Kate Olsen introduce their very first perfume oils in the beloved Nirvana Black and Nirvana White scents. Whether you switch up the scent depending on your mood like Ashley or mix and layer the oils like Mary-Kate, incorporating oil into your fragrance wardrobe just got easier. We caught up with the trendsetting style icons to get the scoop straight from the source. RENEE TRILIVAS

Why did you decide to create perfume oils? ASHLEY OLSEN: When Mary-Kate and I developed the Elizabeth and James Nirvana fragrances, we wanted to offer options. Expanding the collection with perfume oils builds upon that. MARY-KATE OLSEN: Ashley and I have always been drawn to the purity of oils. 

What do you think makes oils so luxurious? AO: Perfume oils offer a more intimate fragrance experience. They blend with each person’s chemistry for an entirely unique scent.   MKO: I love how oils seep into the skin and wear with you throughout the day.

What are the differences between the eau de parfums and the oils? MKO: The oils have a slightly softer scent, but both forms of the fragrance remain true to the raw notes—peony, muguet, and musk for Nirvana White, and violet, sandalwood, and vanilla for Nirvana Black. AO: The perfume oils, even more so than eau de parfums, really change depending on who is wearing them.

What about the formula? MKO: We focused on the texture of the oils and how they are absorbed into the skin. We added primrose and safflower oil to achieve the perfect texture while maintaining the purity of the scents. AO: These oils also help moisturize and condition the skin. 

How do you like to wear the oils? AO: A touch behind the ears and inside your wrists. MKO: Less is more.