Nanshe

I had been interested in this scent for a number of years, but somehow always put off getting a sample or a bottle in favor of getting something else I was more interested in. Reading Elena Prokofeva's wonderful review of this fragrance, (Nanshe by Nishane: A Dedication to a Hardworking Goddess), so enticed me that I set out to get a sample immediately. Within an hour of wear, I was kicking myself that I didn't get it sooner. This is one fragrance I know would have been in very heavy rotation had I had it in my wardrobe. As to the scent, it is not just lovely, but very interesting as its complexity always keeps me guessing where it is going next. Ultimately, after going through several transitions of citrusy, spicy, gourmand, and powdery, in the end this becomes a very boudoir powdery candied (not sweet though it brought sweetness to mind) rose with a subtle, very interesting trace of spice. Fortunately, I do not get cumin as one reviewer said, which is not a listed note either here or on Nishane's website, but I do get cardamon, one of my favorite notes. Its appearance is right at the beginning of this scent, along with citrus and a vegetal carrot seed, which then blends in adding a nice gentle warmth throughout the fragrance. When it finally becomes a skin scent many, many hours later, if I smell where I sprayed it makes me think of the most luxurious soap in the world. After one wearing of this sample I went and purchased the 100ml bottle from Luckyscent. There was a difference between the bottle and the sample though, mostly having to do with strength. The sample only puts out tiny sprays of fragrance, but the bottle puts out a much bigger spray. It almost overwhelmed me at first and seemed very rough and bitter until I realized that I needed to adjust how I spray and how much I spray. This is an extrait after all. I have to keep from depressing the sprayer fully so that I can control how much fragrance goes on at a time. Once I got that covered and it fully dried down, it was as gorgeous as the sample I purchased. Silage and projection are big at first, but then it goes down to a more acceptable level, though this is still a very noticeable fragrance that does leave a nice trail in its wake.

Nanshe is a rose scent of two halves. It starts off spicy and pungent, but quickly settles, becoming smooth and powdery in its development, reminiscent of vintage chrome-encased powder compacts. It is an unusual combination of several facets I'm partial to in perfume - rose in general, iris-led powder, a spicy rose accord - and Nanshe really delivers. It is ultimately a creative, refreshing approach to a soft, powdery floral scent, featuring rose as a focal point. Nanshe opens with a spicy rose accord that feels Middle Eastern in style. Aromatic, peppery cardamom is very prominent here, giving an unexpected amber-like effect to the opening. The rose is jammy and sweet, complemented nicely by the spices. Some tart citrus adds a little freshness up top. As it develops, it changes direction, becoming deliciously powdery and old-fashioned in the best sense of the word. Smooth, soft and slightly musky, it is quite a pivot from the spicy rose opening, yet feels surprisingly cohesive. The rose becomes soft and powdery, vintage-style and silky. Rooty orris and carrot seeds amp up the powder. Despite the rose and orris, it doesn't quite reach lipstick territory - the other floral notes round it out. The soft powdery phase, sweet and musky, is the longest part of Nanshe, lingering on my skin for hours. It becomes woody and increasingly musky as it fades. Sillage is moderate and longevity is long-lasting, but it becomes very subtle as it dries down. Nanshe is a feminine-leaning, transeasonal floral day scent that is creative but wearable. One of my favourite Nishanes. Powdery rose for a modern audience. 4/5.

Hi all! I started my fragrance journey many years ago and still feel like I am learning something new all the time and there are new fragrances to discover. I have fallen in love with a house that has made a big impression on me. The house is called Nishane and has launched some wonderful scents. They have recently launched two new fragrances Ege and Nanshe. I bought Nanshe and got a sample from Ege. Nanshe is a wonderful unisex fragrance formulated by Cecile Zarokorian who also formulated Ani for Nishane. Nanshe is in my opinion a unisex fragrance that opens with citrus notes (yuzu) balanced with gentle herbs and a heart of lovely flowers (without being feminine). Everything is backed up by Patchouli and woodnotes. There is a sweetness throughout the experience that I think comes from ylang ylang. It feels like Ani has got a hot sister 😊 Like all other Nishane perfumes, this one has great longevity and has a good amount of projection. So here it is important to go easy on the trigger. This should definitely be under the Christmas tree for someone who likes scents!

I finally caved and got a full bottle after the sample captured my heart. Fom their website (and it perfectly describes the vibe of the scent IMO): Nanshe is the name of a Sumerian goddess of fertility, water and social justice, which was believed to be the patron of dreams and prophecy. She watched over orphans and widows, oversaw fairness, fresh water, birds and fish, fertility, and favored prophets, giving them the ability to interpret dreams accurately. The main challenge was to create a scent that reflects the kind, compassionate, welcoming and wise attributes of this divine figure. With Nanshe, NISHANE wishes a world where the forgotten, the poor, the lonely, and disenfranchised are looked after. Surrounded by a sublime accord of rose which had been widely resorted to help fertility by many civilizations, Nanshe is suggesting poetic emotions with earthy aromas that will mystically conceive the positiveness even in the darkest times.

This is my absolute favorite fragrance of all time. It has a spicy, powdery character without being overly sweet, with every note seamlessly wrapped together in perfect balance. Gentle spice, gentle florals, gentle watery-fruit nuances, and gentle sandalwood and patchouli — all harmonize beautifully to create the ultimate modern interpretation of a powdery fragrance. The softness, depth, and richness make it versatile enough for everyday wear as well as a comforting bedtime scent. I find the overall rating of this fragrance surprisingly low, especially considering that fellow fragrance enthusiasts around me hold it in very high regard. There seems to be a clear gap between the online ratings and the reality of how this fragrance is appreciated. Without a doubt, this is a masterpiece. I will continue to wear and cherish this beautiful scent for the rest of my life. 10/10

**"Let me start by saying—this review is written entirely under the influence of this fragrance. Allow it about five minutes on the skin, and it begins to reveal its true character: utterly uplifting. The opening greets you with a delicate floral accord, seamlessly blended with soft, clean musks and refined powdery nuances. The powderiness isn’t static—each unfolding note seems to bring a new variation, shifting between iris-like smoothness and almost makeup-like elegance. There’s a remarkable complexity here; it’s a multi-layered composition that resists being pinned down. It demands to be experienced rather than analyzed. And on each wearer, it will likely unfold in a uniquely personal way. When I close my eyes, I envision a woman who is grounded, self-assured, and magnetic—someone whose presence speaks louder than words. Sophisticated, serene, and unforgettable."**

I agree completely with @mollykkeith. It is comparable to MFK Oud Satin Mood, but more of a daytime-friendly balance and I'm totally here for it. I think it is really gorgeous and tender. It is rose-dominant on my skin, but I don't find that off-putting as someone who isn't really a fan of rose fragrances. It's not nearly as powdery as you might expect either, at least not for the first couple of hours. The longevity and silage are absolute beast mode. Two sprays last many hours and the silage remains strong. I do feel it leans slightly feminine, but I can't see any gentlemen having a problem with it who already appreciate Toy Boy by Moschino. A beautiful fragrance made by a fantastic house. Worth trying if you enjoy roses.

I've never smelled anything in the "smells similar" section of this fragrance, so this is unique to my nose. Opening I get a big hit of yuzu which I love, and then cardomom and carrot seeds. It's fuzzy and zippy to my nose, juxtaposed with a watery fruit floral note that is devine. It almost smells like a marchione cherry 🍒 Strangely sorta reminds me a bit of Oud Satin Mood and the Rose from Noir De Noir, but brighter. Leans a bit fem but not too much for my tastes. Settles into a patchouli, iris powdered rose 🌹. I really like this one. Performance is huge like all from this brand I've tried. Another hit from Nishane. Scent 8/10 Performance 7.5/10

I'm really surprised that 'powdery notes' were voted so high on this. Having read that, I was reluctant to test because powdery scents aren't really for me - but I'm so glad I tried this! For me, the scent is cardamom heavy, with the freshness of rose in the background. It's spicy, fresh and intoxicating. I fell in love with Amouage Epic Woman a few years back and this reminds me of that. It's got this fresh, spicy note that is unusual and dramatic. I rate this 9/10. It only loses 1 point because it's not something that would suit every occasion, I think it's a special, once in a while scent.

This is my first touch of NISHANE, 💗Wonderful brand presentation and lovely fragrance! The beginning is slightly citrusy and spicy. Very soon after, a field of fragrant flowers unfolds. And the rose feasts! She, the beautiful queen, is powdery, earthy, spiced with spicy seeds and divine powdery musk. In the drydown, I also detect a whiff of wood. All the ingredients evoke something that whispers of elegance, airiness, sophistication. The fragrance is very special, soothing, mostly feminine than unisex. It lasts a long time on the skin, and on the hair it can be felt for more than 10 hours.

The delightful unisex scent Nanshe begins with citrus notes that are delicately harmonised with herbs and a floral centre. Woodnotes and Patchouli support everything. I believe that ylang ylang is the source of the sweetness that permeates the entire experience. Both its longevity and projection are excellent. Carrot seed and a lot of orris to my nose. Smooth, very peaceful, reassuring, and distinctive. To my nose, it smells fuzzy and zingy in contrast to a wonderful watery fruit floral scent. is strongly feminine. Precious!

Oh my, I wasn't expecting this to be so similar to my beloved (and discontinued) Love by Chloe. Too bad the price tag makes it out of reach for me. But I will be ordering another decant to tide me over. A little goes a long way luckily. I mainly detect soft powder, orris, rose, and water fruits. Yes, this is a good representation of what I think the Sumerian goddess Nanshe would wear. This is more feminine than unisex to me, but you do you and wear whatever you want. :)

What an interesting scent. Cozy and powdery, soft citrus and florals. The carrot seeds note is the star, making this a whole a lot more unique than it might seem at first. The dry down has an incredibly clean smell, without being soapy or have the usual laundry detergent implications. This is incredibly long lasting, and in the deep dry down it really is rose centered, and what a lovely fresh but powdery rose it is! I really love this one much more than I expected.

The funny thing is that I came for Nefs and stayed for Nanshe. How come? I ordered a large discovery set just to make sure I find a vial of Nefs somewhere, but fell in love with Nanshe, so I also ordered a full bottle of this one at the end of the testing day: powdery without causing me nausea (Shunkoin is an example of nauseatic powdery perfume), creamy, floral in the best oriental style, but without being too heavy. Love, love, love!

A little harsh and very intense in the beginning, but in a while it turns into rich, creamy , very pleasant fragrance. Very long lasting , classy perfume . I find it has kinda vintage vibe, so it's definitely not a blind buy ( no - no 🙅♀️). I can smell it all day long so be careful with the dosage ( one spray is enough ). To my nose it's on the feminine side, nothing masculine. I love layering it with Ani.... Amazing

I am not a fan of a powdery fragrances, in general, but I love this one! This one doesn't feel dated to me, quite the opposite: it smells like modern luxury face powder and cleanliness, at the same time. Performance is top notch (even better than for other Nishane fragrances, e.g. HSW), so I am happy to have a 100 ml bottle in my collection. If I feel like wearing a powdery perfume, I have this one and need no other.

Very underrated. Hidden gem. Opening is a bit confusing and sour, but after 10mins it turns into a lovely powdery, laundry detergent type, slightly rosey, clean scent. Signature scent worthy. Leans feminine but a man can pull it off, especially in a professional setting. To my nose, it has a similar scent profile to Amouage Lyric Man, but more powdery, in a good way. Great performance. Awesome fragrance.

I really love this fragrance! I bought it retail, without looking at any reviews, just smelled it and fell in love with it. Some say it leans feminine, if I overspray it do it lean a little feminine, otherwise it smells somehow clean. I don't know why everyone is classifying it as a cold weather fragrance, for me it smell really clean, powdery and fresh, also suitable for day office use.

To me this is a very similar vibe to Tom ford rose cafe, which I have. Same type of patchouli which reads chocolatey to me but Nanshe is more complex, stronger and definitive - but if you like rose cafe I think you would like this if you’re looking for something similar with more oomph. Powdery, soft , interesting - definitely not blind buy safe but I love it.

A soapy rose fragrance that is quite nice. I have a small dabber sample from Luckyscent and I kid you not...three little dabs of this fragrance from the sample bottle made with the tip of my finger lasted ALL day. I can count on one hand the number of fragrances that I own that last this long or project this much. One bottle of this could last you a lifetime.