Nanshe by Nishane

From start to finish, it smells like dirty dust.

The opening didn’t suit me; oriental notes hit all at once, but then came powdery, soapy, clean florals. It has that patchouli touch. Very original.

Reminds me of my school days: old memories of a flower pergola in my garden. Notes of iris, carrot seed, and that powdery touch with a rich musk take centre stage. It was love at first sight. They say it’s for mature women, but it’s one of those you must try at least once in your life. Despite my experience in perfumery, it’s hard to find another like it. I recommend it purely for nostalgia (yes), but don’t buy blindly; better to try a decant first. Performance: little sillage, but it lasts all day on the skin and evolves beautifully. It’s perfect as a signature scent, with an innocent aura for daytime wear.

I bought it blind, a bit intimidated because I’m not much of a floral lover and the comments pointed to a perfume for an older woman. I imagined it as the feminine archetype of Brumel, which would be Goya, I imagine hahaha. Well, nothing like that. It’s a beautiful perfume, hard to describe, because it’s flowers and talcum powder, but not in a pompous way or with that typical sweet smell of feminine fragrance. This is like the acidic side of the flowers it carries, but it doesn’t become astringent or painful, because the talcum powder notes soften and round everything off, leaving an elegant, beautiful, super enjoyable, attractive, charming and distinctive perfume. Although it has a certain something that reminds me of another something found in Pardon by Nasomatto. When I run out of it, I’ll buy it again.

I bought it with high hopes. First impression: intense, dark, deep rose. It doesn’t hit you over the head. It’s a good perfume, pleasant and sensual, but doesn’t add much to the known. I prefer rose-oud combos, which are more wearable for me. It has floral notes, not the typical synthetic ones from Mancera, Montale, Dior, or Bond No. 9. It’s creamier and deeper, with a mix of sandalwood, cardamom, and a faint citrus touch. After half an hour, everything is balanced with a powdery touch that becomes more present over time. It’s enchanting, but it dilutes quickly and clings to the skin after four hours. The performance didn’t convince me. From this house, it’s the strangest. Use it when you feel like it; it has no specific season. Pleasant and elegant, but not as I expected. Unisex, leaning towards feminine, for dressing up a bit. Scent 7.5/10, Sillage 5.5/10, Projection 6.5/10, Longevity 5.5/10.

I loved the scent, but not the poor value for money. The performance isn’t good on my skin; it projects little and doesn’t last long given its high cost. If not for that, I’d rush to buy it.

For me, this is the most enigmatic fragrance from the house: unisex, talc-like and earthy with an iris that makes it elegant and versatile. It’s the most different thing I’ve tried from them so far. Once it settles, it leaves a rich balsamic and creamy sensation among the roses and other flowers (the sambac note stands out especially). On my skin, I never felt the woody side; although it gives a warm accord, at 30 degrees in my city it’s not oppressive, so it can be worn even in spring/summer. The only downside is that I think it has the worst performance of the house: less than an hour of projection and barely noticeable close to the skin after two hours. (8.5/10)