Vanilla Fields

"Spicy warm vanilla 'pistachio'" ...Am I trying the same thing that these other reviewers are trying?? The ones that are not so complimentary?? Because I LOVE this. I actually just purchased a set of "Classic" Coty frags in a gift set from Walgreens (included Vanilla Fields, Jovan Musk, Sand & Sable, and Ex'clam'ation) and I'm really very impressed by all of them. None of them smell particularly "cheap" or synthetic to me. But the only one I've wear-tested so far is Vanilla Fields and I have to say, I really love it. Over on the Hanae Mori page, reviewers are going on and on about how it smells just like Vanilla Fields, and I'll give them that it IS very reminiscent...but they are not exact dupes by any stretch. Because I'm a dork, I decided to do some side by side comparisons.... Both of them are described in Fragrantica as "sweet, balsamic, woody" so there's that. VF is described additionally as "powdery, vanilla, aromatic" whereas HM is "fruity, yellow floral" with NO notes of vanilla (although there is a very strong vanilla impression). I would argue that HM is also powdery even though it's not listed as such. The notes that both frags share are jasmine, Virginia cedar and sandalwood, so that basic DNA must hold some big sway here. Then, even though the top notes are different, you get a "green/nutty/woody" sense from the almond tree note in HM which, along with the ylang ylang, must be what is giving the strong vanilla-like impression. Combined with all the berries (blueberry, blackberry, strawberry & black current), I get a strong strawberry cheesecake vibe (love this). But over on the VF side, the coconut and peach are giving off the same sweet juiciness that HM's berries have. Then of course you've got the floral heart, which for VF are very "green" herbaceous flowers of geranium and lily-of-the-valley (HM's herbaceous feeling is probably from the nutty almond tree note, although I would say it's not as "green" as VF is), and HM has the peony and rose, which compliment the strawberries beautifully. So all in all I would say, if you love one, you will definitely appreciate, if not also love, the other. Of course VF's price point is so low, and this is so readily available at drugstores (in the U.S. at least), you can't go wrong to at least try it out. I'm very glad that I did, because I'm truly digging it. It's lasted a very, VERY long time on me. Like I can smell it clearly the next day type of longevity. Depending on your sweet tooth, I guess I could see this turning some people off with it's sweetness...but I am wearing this at the beginning of December...in Texas. Cold one day, warm the next. And I'm totally fine. Excited to try out the other Coty scents I have!

Having acquired two vintage bottles of Vanilla Fields I've had two completely different reactions to a perfume I've never used before. The first bottle was a horrible smell that eventually morphed into a semi-respectable version of a synthetic vanilla. I wondered what all the fuss was about. And then I happened upon my second bottle, tested it, and found out. No wonder people speak so highly of this little gem! These are vanilla fields, hot with a charred log on the fire smell, when the fire needs to be tended because it's gone too low, only embers are showing with the darkness of the burnt logs. Sure you have a few moments of alcohol whizz to wait through, but once you get through that, then Vanilla Fields begins its journey. The fire needs to be resumed and you're in dire need of replenishment leaves and twigs. It's dark and late, you're foraging and all you find are leaves on the damper side, leaves that have been rotting for awhile, but they'll do with the twigs to spark the dead fire. It comes to life with smoke, the smoke of the fire yet you still have the smell of the wet decayed leaves on your gloves. This is primitive camping at night, late fall, a crisp 40 something degrees and you sit back, a job well done, inhaling the woods around you, the fire in front of you and the forests smell on you. For a very inexpensive perfume, it's worth the try. It has never given me a true vanilla flavor, whether back in the day or now with these two bottles and that's what chemistry is all about. Vanilla Fields seems more about a patchouli woods experience, a very light synthetic vanilla base. A cold weather scent that works very differently for me, and that's what perfume is all about, too. There is a world of difference between "smoke" and "burnt" and both can be equally appreciated in perfumes, especially in the cooler or cold weather months. "Smoke" evokes images of fires and fireplaces, hearths with cinders and smoke curling up chimneys. "Burnt" brings to mind the aftermath of the fire, the logs burnt and charred, blackened with dense smoke. Equally pleasurable, both distinct. No florals for me here, but there are some slightly musky undertones mixed in with the woods. Winds down after roughly five to six hours at the minimum and projection is quite good for an inexpensive drugstore classic. I really do enjoy that charred smell, it's quite different. I could mix in some vanilla with it, but I'm not one to mix my perfumes. I like to let them stand on their own.

So, day four of my nostalgia trip, how did my teenage favorite hold up? After the let downs of Sand & Sable and Jovan Musk (for women) I'll admit, I was worried...and...I didn't need to be. From spray #1 Vanilla Fields brought back all the memories I had hope it would. Friends at church...middle school dance...my first baby date at the AMC...🥰 So first spray: like the first three it's a bit weaker than it used to be. That's par for the course though, and in no way was this one a let down. Immediately the wave of light florals, toasted coconut and warm vanilla hit. Then after about 30 minutes I picked up a refreshing woody + patchouli scent. It marries to the lighter florals and heady vanilla. It lasted until about hours 3-4 and I reapplied at hour 5, not necessarily because I needed to but because I very much wanted to. I got a few compliments while I was out and my husband told me how nice he found it too. I always enjoy a good, "Ooohh, what're you wearing today?" I reapplied a bit heavily before bed and it's a really nice sleeping scent. It's still in my sleeping shirt a bit. Very comforting to me. 💖 So the run down of this Coty 4 pack: Worth it entirely for Exclamation and Vanilla Fields. The set and the perfumes on their own are so affordable you can't really go wrong. I also spoke to my sister and she mentioned she bought an individual bottle of Sand & Sable and she actually found it to be too strong. So, did I just get a couple of duds in my set? Honestly they're so affordable I may purchase them separately in the future to retest. Vanilla Fields is certainly getting repurchased in the future. I may even spring for an old bottle since they're still pretty plentiful. It's nice when things live up to your memories of them. 💕💃🏻🤸🏻

I've been having a hard time thinking of a way to review Vanilla Fields because of bittersweet associations. I could write a book about it but I'll keep it short. Here it goes! This was my absolute favorite in high school and it represents some of the most tumultuous times of my life. As with most teen fragrance in my life I smelled this on a friend and thought it heavenly! I said "you smell like vanilla! and she in her special "I resent you" way just raised one eyebrow and smiled. We were serious frenemies. We always had a fantastic time together and competed mercilessly. I think she loved me as much as I loved her despite the time I scratched her contact lens out. I won't say all the things she did to me incase she's reading this! I made a mental intention to get a bottle for myself because I loved it so much. She thought I did it to bug her. For the first time that wasn't true. I was crushed when I realized it would never smell as good on me as it did on her! That's okay I started dating her boyfriend the moment they broke up. No! not really! yes,no,ya. What?! I really kind of looked up to her but she would be forever breaking my heart. The beginning notes have changed a little and it went less rich but the dry down is still close enough to the origanal to evoke sour sweet memories. Not all vanilla but also a wonderful warm oriental for Fall. Since high school I have never been without Vanilla Fields in my entire life. I think it may be gone now but when I run out I will lift every stone on eBay to find a vintage bottle and if I fail I'll buy the newer version. I can't imagine ever being without it.

SOLAR VANILLA, bergamot and cashmere woods come together in this timeless classic. Opening burst of vanilla-coconut fruity florals deepens to a balsam shampoo vibe that settles out onto a slightly soapy, tonka-amber base. Takes a few weeks after first sprays to blossom. In the air there is a slight beachy vanilla vibe, and on the skin I get the bergamot-tonka (which reminds me just a little of Shalimar EDT) and lily of the valley. Overall: with average or above average performance, this affordable and versatile classic makes a great 'dumb reach' for the beach. Although the beach is where I could see myself wearing this it really could be worn by anyone for any occasion. Enjoy! Comparison to Hanae Mori Hanae Mori: Although these have been compared I find them very different. They both may be woody vanillas, but Hanae Mori is more vanilla forward and a heavier, smooth and sweet blend of vanilla woods & creamy yellow florals and doesn't have the solar or sharp qualities from bergamot and Lily of the Valley present here. Update 07/17/24: It's been quite awhile since I sniffed this, so I sprayed it twice on my forearm today. Coconut is more forward now than I remember, with a hint of bergamot, and the musky-woody vanilla-tonka base swelling through. This definitely reminds me of summer in the 90s. In addition to it being a very solar/summery vanilla, it really shines in warm weather and needs the skin imo, to be at its best.