Vanilla Era

This may be my favorite fragrance from the brand so far. I liked it from the first sniff, but it turned into love when I stepped outside in a warm humid evening - it got only better. How does it smell? It's a rich, decadent, dusty, balsamic, a bit spicy, warm vanilla. It has a vibe of niche perfumes. Very addictive and special. If you enjoy all sorts vanillas, including the darker and complex ones, you may consider blind-buying it. It does have a similar style to some other scents from the brand, in particular, it's in a similar realm as Woodphoria (which I also liked). Notably, it's one of few scent with papyrus that I like. Where would I wear it? Certainly for going out in the evenings when dressed up, any season. It's on a deeper, heavier side, but surprisingly, I did enjoy it during a warm, humid evening. It may be too much for some people indoors, especially in an office setting, but it really shines outdoors in the autumn. This is not a low-key, easy reach, universally pleasing scent, however. It's potent. I can't get enough of it and I'm planning to get at least a travel spray.

I am usually a very calculated buyer of perfume. Read notes, read reviews, look at the 'reminds me of' section, sample on paper, sample on skin, buy 5mL tester bottle and then decide if I want a full bottle. It’s whole system. Vanilla era broke that system. I sampled it on a paper strip at the store and the smell was so delicous that even after trying several other perfumes on paper, I had to go back and try vanilla era on my skin. I thought to myself, depending on how this wears throughout the rest of the evening I might come back to the store tomorrow to purchase a bottle. When I say, I only lasted a couple hours after getting home before thinking to myself "I can’t wait, I need a bottle now", I am not exaggerating. That evening I went back to the store and bought a full bottle and never looked back. It is gorgeous and warm. Woody and sweet, maybe a little musky, maybe a touch of something herbaceous — just very well blended. Definitely worth a sniff.

I'm so glad I bought the full size before they changed it, because I like the original formulation quite a bit. (I say this without trying the new version, maybe it's good as well.) I hate gourmands, I don't like to smell like anything resembling food so I was skeptical about trying this one when I got it in a Boy Smells sampler last year. To me it doesn't smell much like vanilla. It's spicy, creamy, and interesting to experience. It's got some staying power as well, two sprays on me is more than enough and I can smell it all day. I think it's great for winter and colder months since it's got a good amount of coziness as well. One huge gripe about the old bottles though...god it's so stupid. It makes me angry to look at, it's so unnecessary and inelegant. I'm glad they changed that for their new launch.

This reminds me of a toned-down (but still fairly potent) Instant Crush because of the vanilla/saffron/amber. I enjoy IC but it is a bit too ostentatious for me, and I find VE to be a bit smoother and versatile with good projection and longevity. I often times find vanilla-dominant fragrances to either be too cake-like (Vanilla 28) or too dry (Eau Duelle). The vanilla here is sweet but not too sweet, and the saffron gives it that metallic edge. Amber and cashmere wood warm it up. I haven't spent enough time with it to try to pick up on the other notes. I'm not a fan of pepper notes when they're too prominent (like in This is Her), but I didn't even notice it in VE. Overall, it's a lovely vanilla that is sweet and comforting without being too gourmand.

This is, like most Boy Smells scents from what I've experienced, an extremely polarizing fragrance. I happen to be on the side of adoring it. There is a time and a place for a cakey, sugary, sweet, gourmand vanilla - this is not the fragrance to wear if that is what you're looking for. The vanilla here rounds out a lot of deeper, woodier, spicier notes rather nicely. There's also a bit of unexpected earthiness (maybe from the saffron and papyrus?) that really ups the intrigue for me. It is not for the faint of heart - on my skin, which I feel like has a bad habit of eating fragrances up, this spreads far and lasts long. Synonymous with colder weather for me. For me, it's a novel take on vanilla - somewhat unusual, but strangely hypnotic.

My initial impression of 2.0 didn't ping as too different, though definitely softer. But getting them side by side, they're more like siblings than twins. Most notably, it's lost a lot of its smoke, which leaves room for the other notes that might have gotten drowned out before. The scent profile is more rounded out and a little warmer, leaning way more gormand than earthy/spicy. The tradeoff, though, is that it doesn't really go anywhere over time, keeping the same impression from spray to fade. Overall, not a bad formula! I do like it! Unfortunately, I'm here for the smoke and just like the previous formulation way better.

I experience this fragrance as cool, sharp, metallic (?) and uplifting, like a refreshing peppery/ bubbly Vanilla carbonated beverage. It's not like the typical gourmand vanilla I've been exposed to (which tends to lean more similar to a warm, creamy, decadent dessert). The projection and longevity are fantastic (I continue to smell this on my outerwear days later), make this a good value, so no need to overspray. I really enjoy this interpretation of vanilla. It feels very current because of the iso-e super note in the composition, but also unique enough to not smell too trendy. (something that concerned me).

A beautiful blend of vanilla, woodiness, spices and comforting ambergris and cashmere as the scent settles on the skin. By no means a super sweet or gourmand vanilla- more on the hotel lobby side of things- the saffron and olibanum add a nice resinous suede appeal upon initial spray. Would love a full bottle for the F/W, very lovely for layering!

A perfectly unisex vanilla. This is not your ordinary sweet vanilla! It has just the right amount of sweetness without doing too much. It’s woody & spicy...a bit hard to understand at first spray mostly because it’s not what you are expecting. I got a travel size initially and now I have a full size on the way.

i initially hated this because of how uninspired it was when it was new. after letting it sit for over a month, i was surprised by how much the scent has changed. it got way more deeper and longer lasting. something about this reminds me of an old book because of how dry it smells, almost like an old library

It's rare I like a vanilla fragrance and I love that this has vanilla, but it isn't gourmand, not sticky sweet, and leans more on the masculine side of unisex. Yes, there is that incense accord in there that I love and what makes it lean more masculine.

The perfect vanilla for someone who doesn't like vanilla. The vanilla is fighting for its life and losing <3 Smells almost peppery at first, fades into a nice sweet woody concoction. Not very strong so you can really go for it with this one.

If you are expecting a gourmand, creamy, ice cream vanilla, you will NOT like this. But if you are like me, and love spicy, woody, not-too-sweet, interesting vanillas, it will be a love.

A woody, dry, powdery, spicy type of vanilla. My favorite type.

Smells exactly like Ellis Brooklyn Vanilla Milk on skin

This is Byredo Vanille Antique on a budget.

I am fairly new to fragrances! just a disclaimer lol I am a big gourmand vanilla fan, and this by itself doesn’t feel like a gourmand to me at all. I find that on me it comes off very floral. The beetroot is only really detectable to me in the first hour of wearing, but for some reason after that it starts to become slightly figgy. (Not in a bad way, but it makes me wish that it was intentionally figgy.) The vanilla is there still but it feels boozy, as some others have mentioned. I’ve found that when I layer it with my nemat vanilla musk oil that it pulls out the sweeter side of vanilla, but not that much. I def will only be wearing this in the cooler months, I think in the summer this could get incredibly overwhelming. It is quite androgynous smelling, and I do think for what I paid, it’s worth it. But I would def try a sample first before you go for a travel size. (I made that mistake) Coming back a month later to say that I actually love this scent and have found myself reaching for it incredibly frequently!!! idk what I was on about before but it really is a delicious masculine/leaning vanilla. I would def try a sample though before purchasing. I think this just works really well for me :) Coming back in a warmer month to say that sometimes.... this smells like dill. like dill pickles.

I don't seem to understand people complaining about the one-note sickly sweet nature they find in this. The vanilla exists like paper in a book, and I mean this as yes this makes up the bulk of it, it is in everything you smell, but rarely is it the focus at any given point. The wood and pepper notes are quite heavy, and though it may have a sweet base, it is nowhere near as sweet or juvenile as I find most vanilla perfumes to be. It is a fairly straight forward, decently priced adult vanilla. (also I have seen comparisons on occasion to the target brand vanilla bourbon, and maybe if you want something in the same ballpark it would do as an "in a pinch" substitutw. That said, I've tried both at length and the vanilla bourbon lacks maturity and quality (and silliage) vanilla era has. It's apparent even to the casual observer) As a final note, if you want your perfume to transform as you wear it, this is not the scent. It stays consistent throughout the day, though that is not something I have an issue with when it comes to a daily wear.

Wow, it's crazy how polarizing the reviews for this are! I found this quite lovely and honestly one of the more unique vanillas out there, but my mom totally disliked it, she said the incense was too strong. To me, it's very ambery, but there's a subtle sweetness to it that reminds me of something edible, and it's driving me crazy that I can't figure out what it is! Almost like that dry waffle smell you get when entering a fancy ice cream place. It's gourmand, just not your TYPICAL gourmand. Less cakey, more earthy. It actually reminds me of a more intense version of Eau Duelle from Dipytique, but other than that, I truly haven't smelled anything like this. Love it!

The more I spray it, the more it grows on me. The initial spray is peppery with a hint of sweetness, and you can pick up on the coffee too, along with some clean florals too. I like how the coffee note is subtle and not overpowering. As it dries down, the vanilla notes start to emerge, along with a soft cashmere warmth. Would I buy a full bottle? Probably not. But is it a good scent? Yes !!!

The only scent I enjoy from Boy Smells. I blind bought this hoping it wouldn't be masculine and it's surprisingly feminine (I feel their fragrances lean masculine). The notes are much more complex than this smells. It's just sweet vanilla. It's lighter than I expected from this brand. Very nice and easily wearable. I'm saving it for colder weather.

this has the same synthetic vanilla musky thing going on that Vanilla Vice has, SOMETIMES I think it smells good, but if it’s anywhere above 75F outside it smells SO cloying and instantly makes me nauseous.

The peppery top note almost make me sneeze every single time I spray this. But then it's so complex and rich. Old Hollywood vibe. This is a spiciest vanilla I have ever owned. Will be great for winter.

A mix of Burberry Goddess and Atelier Vanille Insensee. I’ve owned both perfumes and it’s a perfect combo of both. Very lovely. ☺️ I think it could easily be a year round 4 season vanilla.

I got a travel size of this earlier today. It reminds me of a toned down and sweet version of Loewe Paula’s Ibiza. I really disliked that fragrance but I really enjoy this one so far.

This smells like a mix of Santal 33, Molecule 01 and By the fireplace. Very pleasant, a more wearable and vanillic version of By the fireplace in my opinion

for a vanilla fragrance, this does peak my interest. it’s a woodsy vanilla. I do get a very slight cigarette smell, but I enjoy it. its kind of vampy.

i was excited to see the Boy Smell's take on a simple vanilla perfume, a staple of mall brands everywhere. i was excited to see how they'd add their complex, gender-neutral twist to it, make it edgy and unique. i sadly got not much more than just that mall brand vanilla i mentioned. marginally better longevity, no complexity at all. this is vanilla through and through. maybe cashmere and black pepper if i'm really looking for it while sitting down in a room doing nothing else, but believe me, this will have people believe you ran to the nearest Bath & Body Works and bought yourself a gallon of Warm Vanilla Sugar. it's nice, don't get me wrong, but from Boy Smells i was expecting much, much more.

This is just okay to me. It’s a mildly incensy vanilla and nothing more. Like a masculine leaning vanilla. I think I’m tiring of vanillas in general and this one doesn’t make me want to run out and buy it. Pretty linear and unchanging throughout the wear time. 4/10 EDIT: I tried this again two months later... I actually kinda like it now. It’s still not blowing me away but I’m loving the ambery-ness more now. It’s a completely unisex vanilla and it has that little touch of saffron which I totally love in a fragrance. I’d accept this as a gift and wear it but I don’t think I’m convinced enough to buy it myself... yet.

Haven’t been able to place what scents come up for me - when sprayed on paper the vanilla is very forward. After wearing on the skin, I get almost no vanilla at all - maybe it is just my skin? I get much more papyrus on the dry down and the beetroot is a surprising and unique note. Honestly, if this had been marketed as a beetroot/earthy scent with a small vanilla note I may have even enjoyed it more. Go for a sample before purchasing the whole bottle!

I am not a lover of vanilla, so, to me vanilla fragrances are not easy to evaluate. But Vanilla Era seems like a good, contemporary basic vanilla. It's moderately interesting, not too cloying, it has some modern touches, which makes it smell like a cross between the classic vanillas and the usual Iso E Super fragrances like Molecule.

Was ordering something else from Boy Smells so I grabbed this one too. It’s pretty boring, and overall kind of bizarre. It almost smells like citronella on me. I don’t imagine I would like this if it was warm or hot out, but mid-60s is perfect. It does have quite a bit of staying power.

as someone who was raised on bath and body works warm vanilla sugar i have a total soft spot for this, but the cashmere and amber thing going on is so heavy, sticks around way too long and inevitably gives me a headache by the end of the day.

this is definitely a better vanilla that most but i think the vanilla absolut overpowers any other note i don’t get really anything else in this but a boozy dirty leaning vanilla

This has strong waterlily notes to me? The tulip is speaking and mutating in a vial of thin vanilla formaldehyde, it’s weird. (I did kinda like it at the gym, though)

Starts out as a very woody vanilla and then ends as an olipop cream soda. It’s definitely nice but it’s not super interesting.

Blind bought the 0.3oz travel spray because the notes look beautiful on paper and I want my money back. This has gotten slightly better as it has macerated over the 3 or so months I've had it but I still want to wash it off every time I spray it. Imagine burning a full stick of incense in your bedroom with the door closed and then spending the whole day trying to rid your safe space of a noxious fog -- that's what wearing this feels like. I definitely get beet, cashmere, and lots of vanilla, but the full smell can be best described as the composite of all of the beast mode frags you'd find in a bloomingdales. Androgynous, confusing, sweet (..?). It's amazing how much lasting power this has, it almost feels evil.

I am a huge fan of Iso E Super, Vanilla, Saffron, Pepper, Amber, so most of the notes I knew I would like. This is like a musty dusty bookshelf on me. It has a teeny bit of vanilla, but it is over powered by the heavy wood scent. It reminds me of being in either a furniture store or used bookstore. This isn't my Vanilla era 😅. I have had two misses of the four travel sprays I bought from this house. I'm thinking maybe my skin chem doesn't vibe with this house, sadly.

I was really excited for this one because it is a very rare day I don't like woodsy vanilla however I hated this. I don't always need an incredibly sweet vanilla either but this smells sickly and masculine to me in the same way by the fire place does. Sadly not for me.

pretty generic designer-esque amber scent trying to disguise itself under a dusty pleather jacket. I get little hints of something more naturally sweet and, yes, beetroot-y, which is honestly the most exciting aspect of this.

The amber and musk overpowers any other note there might be within this fragrance. It is very strong and for me, too masculine leaning. This does not work for me.

this is a slightly less egregious version of Vanilla Milk, which i hate. i could smell this for hours and kept getting nauseous every time i caught a whiff of it

Almost bought this, but in the dry down it became a scrubber. JHAG Not A Perfume decides to become a vanilla perfume. No, thx.

Woody vanilla with pickles. Same vibe as Santal Vanille, Vanilla Powder, and Santal 33.

Must love Iso E Super for this one. (I do not.)

The opening of this fragrance reminded me of Altair/BBW vanilla romance/liquid brun, so I had high hopes. However, in the mid, the ambergris and isoE super dominated for me - I’m not a fan of those notes (I hate BR540) and so I found it really unpleasant. Deep drydown turned to a sweet white vanilla on me - pleasant, but very common and not worth the torturous mid. If you like ambergris and odor super, you might really enjoy this, but for me, I won’t even use the rest of my 2 ml sample.

I love vanilla. This is disgusting, made me sooo sick unlike anything I have ever smelled before. Smells exactly like beetroot, and I'm Russian so I know it well. Smelled ok in store, this is horrible... returning this travel spray

No, just no. My sister, who likes woody and smoky vanillas, found this to be lovely. I got a hint of something nice too but overwhelming it all was this stinky synthetic aspect that ruined it.

This is nauseating. There is something about this that’s vegetal mixed with a super sharp vanilla. I’m currently in the restroom washing this off my arm.

It blows my mind that I am the first person to say this is an exact match to CH Good Girl EDP in the dark blue shoe. Amiwrong? Like identical. I get zero vanilla. Zippo. Heavy floral, amber, woody & sharp. I got a recent sample (not a decant) and can only assume it is the current formulation. I have Eau Duelle both the EDT and EDP and get no similarity at all to what I am wearing at the moment. I love Eau Duelle - both of them. They have that soft earthy vanilla vibe. Not here. I own Burberry Goddess, as well. This is as far from a gourmand vanilla as you can get. This is a predictable 'designer' scent profile. I swear this is a predominantly bulgarian rose, though there is no rose listed in the notes. I am so confused as to why this is even called "vanilla"? Update: by the end of the day, going on 8 hours, I was getting a very slight hint of Burberry Goddess. Just a passing whiff on my arm as I was wrapping up for the day. Strange how long it took to dry down to a sweet vanilla.