Nostalgia Blue

As Complex As Hegel’s Thinking Maybe there is a reason this fragrance is getting negative reviews and low rates, although I don’t consider it a bad fragrance, but a complex fragrance. Although its notes are almost ordinary, with no usual or out-of-the-ordinary notes, the result is unusual, almost as if it were a niche perfume for intellectuals, individualists, and non-conformists, created specifically to please a few. It is no coincidence that the nose Ilias Ermenidis has niche perfumes behind him, created for the brands Nishane, Kayali, Goldfield & Banks, and perhaps he also wanted to create an original perfume for ZARA not to please the masses. I must confess that I too, the first time I tried the three fragrances in this series, turned up my nose slightly, out of ignorance and not disgust, preferring Antique Brown, warmer, more pleasant, and flattering. Indeed, Absolutely Dark was so close to A&F Fierce that I skipped it as I have a few dupes already. Nostalgia Blue almost seems to be shy, introverted, grumpy, prickly, laconic, of few words, that it doesn’t want to socialize with those around it, at least not at the first meeting. I realize that I am describing myself and that Nostalgia Blue is my image reflected in the mirror. It is precisely this dark, slightly nostalgic character that made me change my mind and pushed me to buy it after trying it again and again, to learn about it, and perhaps understand the thoughts of the master Ermenidis. A complex thought like that of the philosopher Hegel. What makes this fragrance complex? I’ll start describing it by saying it’s indescribable. Don’t make the mistake of associating it with Bleu de Chanel or Sauvage because the Blue here is misleading. It finds it very difficult to present itself and does not use the classic common means. Nostalgia Blue is warm, spicy, aromatic, just a tad rosy and earthy. There are no citric, airy, or aldehydic notes or chords. If there is a whiff of citrus by mistake, the cold spicy edges immediately swallow and absorb it. The thorns that surround the opening are a tangle of aromatic cardamom intertwined with sour saffron. If the cardamom is barely identifiable, the leathery saffron that we often find in other fragrances is unrecognisable. I feel it is there, but I struggle to recognise it. If you think that this indescribable agreement will dissolve soon, you are wrong. The perfume evolves but always maintains balance on this common thread. So complicated, yet so interesting. Without impulses towards a particular genre. Niche, pure niche. After roughly an hour, in the heart, leathery reflections appear, thin, smooth, and closer to tender suede, which complements the green and slightly pink notes of geranium and the more herbaceous notes of lavender. Underneath, a background of saffron, always acidic, is more subtle but constantly present. Lavender contributes in its fullness, with flowers, spikes, and dry leaves to recall the scents of hay bales and immortal flowers. It is both herbaceous and creamy but never medicinal. A smidgen of smokiness and resinousness makes me think of unburnt olibanum, or frankincense, more sappy than fumy or liturgical. In the dry-down, something changes. I get a warm and spicy vanilla that rounds out all the sharp edges of the other notes, supported by a modern and cleaned-up patchouli. Nice spicy vanilla, with no trace of pastry or cake-like aroma. In all phases, and slightly more in the base, there is a salty touch of synthetic amber, pleasant and not over-dosed or overbearing, never dominant. It’s simply stunning and I’m drawn to it, with the interplay between vanilla, amber, and patchouli balanced perfectly on me. I have written many reviews, but never before has it been so difficult like this time. Nothing is as it seems. If I had to describe the perfume in one sentence, it would be “A modern touch for a vintage garment”. Besides being indescribable, indecipherable, almost secretive, to my nose, it doesn’t resemble any of the perfumes I’ve smelled so far. I think it is appropriate for spring and autumn days, discreet and intimate, quite formal, to be worn in free time and in the office. It is not suffocating and does not disturb those around us. Projection and duration are moderate, with a scent on the skin that is felt for a few hours. Not as strong as the other two, but it lasts much longer on fabric. I don’t recommend buying it blindly, still, it deserves more than one try. As often happens, I go against the grain and appreciate this perfume, which is a little too underestimated by influencers and YouTubers. I'm formulating my thoughts on a bottle I've owned since September 2023 (BC 32211).

see I did NOT get the branding whatsoever when I saw it in store and tested it on my skin for a bit. I was befuddled, bamboozled, and bemused. a zara perfume being called nostalgia blue and being blue but not having anything blue in the smell? confusing, but very Zara. then I bought it (discounted!) and sprayed it outside. I now get why this is called nostalgia blue. holy shit Zara made a perfume that actually matches its name. first whiff had me whipping my head around. it smelled chemical. familiar. watery? I thought some workers were cleaning out the streets or the pipes. pipes. water. oh. It’s Chlorine. that first whiff is a fleeting chlorine, like a pristine sims 2 pool, teal blue. tiles. the whole shebang. I keep on catching this for a good few minutes. then a more familiar scent pops in. to me, after that chlorine top, it goes down into a perfume sibling territory. I sniff in the grocery store and I get slightly confused. i didn’t get another cdg 2? ah, it’s not. but it’s a sibling. that sort of wet steamy aldehydic preserved tearoom in a cyber world. the video for kirakuni by crystal kay. but this one smells creamier. sweeter. like someone dropped another teabag into the citrus tea. it gets dusty, but is putting up a different show than cdg2. steamy, but a bit more in your face. a runway in the future. a structured leather jacket with bleach. in short: you ate this one thing Zara. approved.

This is just Wow. For this pricepoint, this is elite. I usually go to Zara with my gf and i smell all their fragnances and I am never impressed. This one though... This one hits different. It has this old money smell that is so familiar but also unique. Never smelled the Costume national one but this one is getting inside my winter rotation. Mr. Ermenidis, congrats and thank you for this cheapie masterpiece.

This is like anything else I own as a scent and that's one of the reasons I love it, it stands out of the mass produced, wanting to please all, kind of scents. I like to be surprised by what I'm smelling and this is that kind of perfume. There is a freshness emanating from it in the opening that morphs into a smoothness ; like wearing a soft cashmere scarf around your neck .

WOW ZARA WOW!!! This is elegant, regal and beautiful. Niche for $22! This is a creamier more wearable version of “Costume National Scent”. I didn’t know Zara created gems like this. This perfume is blended to perfection. I’m wearing it every day in 60 degrees weather and it shines like a diamond. I get asked what I’m wearing a lot. Magnificent job Zara!