Nostalgia

I am nervous to review this scent because I only just purchased it on the weekend. I went shopping for a new signature. Nothing was really speaking to me, and the Santa Maria Novella shop was the last place I wanted to go before giving up. Shoutsout the indefatigable Estelle who came with me and consulted – she works the Gucci counter at the international airport so she knows her stuff. The shop attendant explained the backstory to me. I'm not into cars–I haven't driven a car since my driving test (which I passed with flying colours, I just don't like driving because I get crash premonitions)–and I don't really like Italians, but as a trained Medievalist and the chicest inhalant huffer around this appealed to me. It was love at first whiff. I instantly loved how plastick-y it smelled. It evokes packing peanuts, motor oil, grease, keyboard cleaner, gasoline. The word 'Holy Grail' comes to mind... "It's styrax," said the attendant. "What the fuck is that?" I replied "Burning rubber." "Well, take my money." I wore this for the first time to a gallery opening the night after we 'broke up' for like the fifth time. Of course he showed up. He said I made a good choice and that it suited me. The night was a car crash–How did we end up at a wedding? Why did he leave me on the side of the road? How did I wake up next to him again? Nostal-gia... The bottle is infallible. I like the uncomfortableness of the fogged glass, like a chalkboard, against my nails. It is certainly animalic. It reminds me of pigs, all squished in against one another on a truck, oinking..oinking.... I told myself I wasn't going to get another woody, dark fragrance, but I couldn't help it. It stays very close to the skin though, unlike other woods. My only qualm is that it does not last very long, maybe two to four hours before it fades. I have not had a perfume like this before, one that I have to spray in like five different points (shoutsout Jeremy Fragrance who taught me where the best, most sexiest places are). Be careful because this scent is really seductive. I was turned on for like three days after I started wearing it and, as you read above, we had 'broken up'–FOR THE LAST TIME I PROMISE–so what was I supposed to do except sit on my hands? At $215AUD I think it's reasonably priced. I was looking to shell out that day anyways. I love that it really popped off amongst Fragrantica users in 2011 and since then has fallen somewhat out of favour. It sprays on smelling like a catastrophic spillage coating ten thousand white swans in tar, and dries down pretty masculine. What more could you want.

I must let you know that I [love] this fragrance. NOSTALGIA SANTA MARIA NOVELLA is art. It instantly transports you to another time. Of polished farm-made leather-meets-guilty pleasure petrol. But also of varnished lacquered wood, and antique old world books with covers built of hide. Yet it is art, and despite, I can Not wear this for public or fun. One of your first ideas in the joys of fragrance finding is the idea that strong perfumes are better. I'm sure however that you may enjoy the experience of something in the background over something that reminds you its right next to you all the time. And NOSTALGIA is really strong! I can't stand to wear one spray because it makes my skin too noticeable (of leather polish and a hint of petrol, even!) Another reviewer below me also acknowledges it makes this a bit unwieldy in wearability. However! I found the perfect use of NOSTALGIA SANTA MARIA NOVELLA. Home Spray! Now why would you pay $195 for a glorified home spray? Because NOSTALGIA is exactly IT-- NOSTALGIA SANTA MARIA NOVELLA is the [holy grail] scent to make any home smell of lacquered wood, and polished leather. (And a bit of petrol if you spray too much, but that might just be your thing if your house looks industrial.)

Having first discovered Nostalgia at the Santa Maria Novella boutique in Florence in 2015, this fragrance became the first that I always made sure I had a bottle of. Having worn it consistently since then, imagine my dismay to learn this week that Santa Maria Novella have discontinued this fragrance. I'm unsure of the exact point it stopped being manufactured, but the last bottle I purchased was in October last year (anticipating this fragrance would disappear during the rebranding that SMN went through). The company informed me all remaining inventory has been sold. Nostalgia's aroma, distinguished and unique, will always remind me of evening walks in Florence and aperitivo in Venice. I have one boxed bottle left to ration, forever reviving memories of the trip it was first bought and countless memories beyond. For a fragrance whose name refers to a wistful affection for the past, it seems only fitting.

The scent description of SMN Nostalgia was intriguing enough for me to purchase. I found a vintage bottle with the wood cap and the uninspired label on Ebay. First spray and I was in love. The nostril hairs in my nose immediately curled and I harkened back to the time when I used to sniff the leaded gasoline (not habitually, just when I visited the gas station). The top notes of bergamot, petitgrain and styrax are what make this scent unique. Sadly, this intense rush dies down quickly and what remains is a fairly common leather, tobacco scent. Don't get me wrong, even my wife likes the dried-down scent, but I bought it for the gasoline punch and sadly that aspect of this cologne is too short-lived. Re-application is a must.

This is like a shot of high octane testosterone. Smells just like unleaded fuel and vintage leather. It's a splash bottle and I get more gasoline top notes when I spray it, and stronger leather and citrus when I splash it. I'm not sure how they created this vibe without violet (likely Styrax and Birtch Tar) but they hit it out of the park. The citruses used are top notch and I get mostly musk and cedar in the base. Performance is very strong for a cologne concentration. Strong projection was expected, but it also sticks to my skin and clothing for 4 to 5 hours. If you love cars and want a wearable, high quality car scent without use chemicals, this is worth trying if you can find it. ⛽ Scent 9/10 Performance 6/10