Remember in the 90’s when every schoolgirl wore Vanilla Kisses body spray by Impulse?! It made us smell like a walking, talking, candy store, but we all loved it! Once I grew up, I steered clear of any fragrance which smelt heavily of Vanilla, as I always found it a little, well, cheap and juvenile. Don’t get me wrong, when it’s blended with ouds, amber, saffron, rose and jasmine, I love it, but as a single scent…. I didn’t want to know!
…And then vanilla got good. Like really good!
Over the last few months I have noticed some of the worlds best perfumeries have been using a lot of vanilla, it is no longer hidden in the base notes adding a touch of sweetness and sex appeal to the fragrance. Instead it is at the top and the heart, with vanilla being in the inspiration behind the fragrance. When a luxury brand makes a great fragrance themed around vanilla, it’s playful, chic and fabulous!
Annick Goutal Vanille Charnelle
I blogged about this Annick Goutal fragrance a few weeks ago, so I won’t dwell on it for too long, but I LOVE this perfume. It’s unashamedly vanilla with hints of pepper, tonka bean and ylang ylang. Imagine a super wealthy woman who shuns wearing black dresses with a black Birkin and instead pairs a bright pink Chanel bag with pink Oscar de la Renta dress and crystal covered Miu Miu shoes. That woman is *goals* and you will find her wearing this perfume!
Van Cleef & Arpels Orchidee Vanille
Van Cleef and Arpels Orchidee Vanille is part of collection Collection Extraordinaire, each fragrance is this collection is themed around a rare and precious raw material. There are only seven fragrances in this collection, which shows how highly regarded Vanilla is by Van Cleef and Arpels. Orchidee Vanille has notes of mandarin, lychee, bitter almond, dark chocolate, rose, violet and tonka bean. Despite all the ingredients in this perfume, vanilla is very much at the core, and the other ingredients steer it in slightly fresher, uplifting, direction. It’s luxurious, warm, intoxicating and playful. It’s every bit as fabulous as the Annick Goutal, but a little quieter and sexier.
Jo Malone London Vanilla & Anise
Jo Malone London have been flying the Vanilla & Anise flag since around 2009. The Sweetness of the Vanilla is balanced perfectly with the citrus bitterness of Anise. Out of the three fragrances, this is the one which is the least vanilla-y, but it’s worth remembering that this perfume is 6 years old and it was actually quite brave for a high end perfumery to use vanilla in this way then. Like many trends, it starts with Jo Malone. Another great Vanilla based Jo Malone perfume is Rose Water & Vanilla from their Cologne Intense range.
…And there we have it, three Vanilla based perfumes which are fabulous, luxurious and playful.
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