Geisha Vanilla Hinoki Eau de Parfum

Hinoki. The most sacred and revered wood in Japan. Very unusual b/c it has a distinctive lemon aroma. Wearing this I'm influenced by Maria McElvoy's inspiration. I imagine thin clouds of fragrant mist hanging motionless on a mountainside. Warmed by sunlight in a forest of angular trees, like wind sculptures with strange bonsai shapes . A Japanese onsen beckons . . . its rock pool warmed by volcanic heat. Relaxing amid these woodland apparitions, the atmosphere and aroma are healing. Subtle incense burns in the background, where scents of tranquility . . . woods, mosses, herbs, saturate the area with calm. A spiritual perfume that is a glorification of hinoki wood. Hinoki is an evergreen cypress that grows wild only in Japan. Lemony facets make its unique aroma addictive . It's kind of an aromatic green camphor infused with citrus sunshine. McElvoy intensifies the citrus/wood accord by using bergamot and cedarwood. Echoing the hinoki and magnifying its lemon-woody vitality. Herbs and spices are used to create the transcendental atmosphere . . . mirroring the onsen of her inspiration.. Even the rare Moroccan vanilla was selected to add a woodsy, smokey quality. Beautiful! Already ordered the Eau de Parfum FB! Moderate sillage and longevity. Edit: Got my FB, and the Moroccan Vanilla is slightly stronger than it was in the sample. In my sample, the hinoki was the focus, with vanilla being a secondary note, complimenting the wood. In the FB, vanilla shares equal spotlight as the hinoki. The vanilla stays stronger through the drydown and becomes a bit more pronounced. Probably batch difference. Since the name is Vanilla Hinoki, that is probably the intent. Still as beautiful, but different emphasis. Edit again! Have already used almost half my bottle! It smells so luscious and fresh thanks to the lemony hinoki and rich vanilla. I love this! It really is addictive.

Hipnotic, spiritual, and simply gorgeous indeed! This. Is. Beauuuutiful! The opening is beautiful, bright, sparkly, slightly incensy, bergamot and lavender, with some aromatic cedar. Ah-mazing! It stays pleasantly faintly citrusy, while sliding into aromatic woods, and slightly smoky/incensy, non-gourmand, and definitely not sweet, vanilla. This is just so beautifully done. All the notes there, but none of them overpowering of fighting with other notes, so nicely blended, coexisting in this beautiful harmony of pure pleasure. Relaxing and soothing, but at the same time uplifting and energizing, with woods giving it that "spiritual" dimension. I love this so much! It makes me... happy! And... calm.

Geisha Vanilla Hinoki has special qualities that make it a solid addition to my collection: it brings a warm-weather citrus that doesn't quit thanks to its perfect pairing with hinoki, and a beautiful vanilla-like accord that comes without any of the heaviness that vanillas are prone to. It has depth, but isn't overly complicated. Worth trying and quite versatile.

Despite the official notes, Geisha Vanilla Hinoki reminds me so much of a cross between Tom Ford Black Orchid and Tom Ford Noir Anthracite, but a much softer and gentler version of both. A complex, woody vanilla, but very tasteful and well-done. Lasting but not overpowering.

I am loving the spicy woodyness of this non sugar Vanilla. I get at least 6 hours and love the compliments I get all day