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!

Duration: 6.5/10 ✅ Projection: 7/10 ✅ Fragrance: 7.5/10 ✅ A good fresh and completely unisex perfume, for informal spring mornings and afternoons. Suitable for relaxing walks in good company, for simple work contexts or in less demanding areas. It would look great on a woman too. Too bad that at least for the moment it is no longer available in the Zara collection. Final rating: 7/10 ✅ FOLLOW ME ON IG ➡️ @ilProfProfumato

Tested this in store alongside some other freshies- Sunrise On The Red Sand Dunes and Absolutely Dark. This was the nicest one to me. Sweet, clean, bright, light floral. Unique too I haven't smelt a fragrance like this before. The other two were average, but have higher ratings on here probably because they are cloning more popular scents. But this was quite good, if I needed another freshie I'd pick this one.

Very interesting perfume. Smells a tiny bit musky and fresh in the top. In the mid it gets a little sweeter. As others mentioned, very inexplicable. But I personally find it to be a clean scent with a hint of aftershave. Can be worn during spring and fall, and probably even in the winter. Longevity is about 8 hrs and the sillage is moderate.

one of the most luxurious scents zara has come out with, and a great price point. it doesn't have the best longevity or sillage but at a price point of £23 for 100ml you can't complain. be careful with that cardamom note though, it comes through very intensely after dry down and took me a little by suprise the first time.

As I am introduced into more type of frags from niche to designer, this is one of the only Zara Perfumes I've bought. It smells good for small simple dates and normal every day use. However, the longevity is questionable, you can spray alot and loose it after 2-3 hours. I'd give it a 6.5/10

It is just an alright smell of a floral leather. A smell that would not invoke any sensation. Just “oh, that person just smells alright”.

Zara Nostalgia Blue unveils itself with a mesmerizing, watery, soft, and light touch. It's like the first whisper of dawn, not overwhelming but gently enveloping the senses in a ethereal vapor. The blend of sweet, rooty-spiced cardamom with a whisper of saffron creates a complex aroma that's both comforting and intriguing, like a cozy nook in a spice-filled kitchen on a rainy day. I've noticed a 'Zara juice' element in this fragrance, something I've also seen in other Zara scents. It adds a unique signature but at the same time brings some kind of a synthetic intensity. While the scent is beautiful, it doesn't quite match the boldness I prefer. For its price of €13, it's affordable, but when you consider your choice, Arabic fragrances, which I'm a fan of, sometimes offer much stronger scents for the same cost. However, affordability comes with its downsides. The sillage is weak, and the longevity is fleeting. Both my girlfriend and I have observed this subtlety, so it's not about just me not feeling it. It's not the fragrance for making bold statements, but its mild nature and low cost allow for generous overspray without overpowering. I can't really tell about the other notes in this fragrance besides the opening as it's too transient. In essence, Zara Nostalgia Blue is not seeking the limelight but offering a quiet charm. It's perfect for those moments when you want to feel special in an understated way. This fragrance is quiet yet elegant. It's a gentle reminder that sometimes, the most profound experiences come in the softest packages. Maybe it needs long maceration. I don't know. Opening note: 8 Sillage/Projection: 3 Dry down: 6+ Longevity: 4 Blend/Composition: 8 Versatility: 6 Uniqueness: 6 Value for money: 6- Bottle design/Aesthetics: 6- Overall experience: 5+ Blind-buy rating: 7

Clone of Cedrat Boise. Not sure the note breakdown is accurate at all. Will have to try it again but I was pretty sure it was giving me Cedrat Boise vibes. Definitely pleasant for the price.

Nostalgia is a perfect word to reflect the feeling I got smelling Nostalgia Blue. From the opening through the dry down I was taken on a journey through scents I love. This is a lovely, well thought out and mature scent - not mature as in old persons, but as in timeless and experienced. Of course there is the reminder it’s a Zara creation as it has a sharp alcohol spray opening - beware sniffing too quickly at it.

Wow this is TERRIBLE!! It's giving me headache from the start. It smells like peppermint mixed with flowers and it smells so synthetic! It's very, very feminine so i immediately gave this one to my mom. By far my worst Zara purchase so far, even if it was 50% off, absolutely terrible!

It is good. It feels familiar, probably due to the affordability of the synthetics used, but the delivery is distinct. It is a very pleasant aroma but not at all a projection beast. Others may not smell you at all but for a warm private wear, I like it a lot!

prince64's review is poetry and I want to buy this fragrance just to feel included in his entourage of words.

This is clone of Costume National Scent Intense