French Vanilla

One of the great "drug store scents" of yesteryear! First, my bottle is as pictured above (except that the label looks more like the graphic on the box pictured), and it is the EdP, with a gold paper sticker on the bottom (I bought it without the box). After just a few minutes this settles into a very well balanced scent, with vanilla being the most obvious note (though there may be a bit of benzoin, tonka, amber, etc. in here). There may be the barest hint of citrus, wood, etc. as well, but don't think you will actually smell any of these clearly. What you may get is a touch of sweetness, slight muskiness (not animalic), and a powdery quality (though it's not overwhelming). Also, I doubt you'll get a more "natural" smell at these prices, and I'd guess this would be excellent for layering purposes. I can see why some might compare it to Casmir but that one is less vanillic, more ambery, and has a weird quality I think someone called "old banana." And I don't see why many guys would avoid this, just don't use too many sprays! NOTE: This can be compared to Ignition for Men, which is sweeter, a bit more ambery, and with more noticeable fruit and woods (creating an almost tobacco-like quality).

Thanks for the compliment Action! I have to say, I disagree with Candmarie who said the EDT of this is too weak. I have the French Vanilla EDT and the staying power on my skin is surprisingly good! It lasts at least 8 hours on me, despite the fact that I have dry'ish skin, so I'd call that pretty good staying power! Obviously, a lot depends on a person's chemistry and skin type as to whether a perfume will last a long time on their skin or not. So, my recommendation is that anyone who's interested in getting French Vanilla should definitely try the EDT, especially as at the moment (in England anywhere, which is where I live), you can get it for a very, very reasonable price! It's such a lovely perfume that I got myself a second big bottle (230ml) just in case it gets hard to find! I'm also thinking of getting at least one or two more if I can find the space - I have too many perfumes at the moment!!! ;o))

This is a really lovely vanilla perfume and not one-dimensional like so many vanilla scents are. It's soft, warm, subtle and has excellent staying power. I just got a bottle today and I'm really happy I decided to chance it and give it a try. For the price (currently £5.99 for a big 230ml bottle on one of the UK perfume websites) I felt I couldn't go far wrong and the reviews have been so good for it! I'm absolutely loving this perfume and it makes me smell good enough to eat (in fact, almost good enough to want to eat myself!). It's great and well worth having in my collection. I can see this being one of my 'go to' fragrances, along with Oxygene, because I think it's ideal for any situation and any kind of weather! This works really well with the Avon Vanilla Shakes body lotion, by the way, for extra Vanilla yummy'ness!!

EDP version: This is a creamy, delicious, and affordable oriental vanilla with citrus and wood notes accompanying the vanilla with equal strength. My nose picks up orange blossom whiffs in the opening. The heart consists of mildly citrusy vanilla with strong wood tones. So beautiful and so sensual... This could be the sister of Fire & Ice by Revlon. When I first sprayed it, I picked up a lot of similarities with it. If you’d like another great oriental vanilla fragrance, you could try Fire & Ice. It is also very affordable, has stronger citrus notes than French Vanilla, and it is also less woody. But just as creamy, beautiful, and sensual nonetheless. Enjoy these lovely creations!. :o)

Dana French Vanilla is probably in my top ten. I loved it back in the day and I still love it. I recently reunited myself with a few bottles and I'm so happy. This is a vanilla that does not smell like any other vanillas to my nose. It is a fresh flowery powdery vanilla and yes, very lady like. I agree that it has a vintage feel to it. It's not a modern candy smelling or ice cream and cake vanilla and I think that's what makes it unique. I agree with the reviewer who said it reminds them of women wearing French lace gloves. It's a pretty kind of fragrance. Every time I wear it I get compliments so it must agree with my chemistry. I love this one!

I absolutely adore this perfume. It's the epitome of a great vanilla scent as far as I'm concerned. I do love vanilla fragrances in general and this is the latest I've added to my collection and it's just so pretty. The fragrance isn't cloying or harsh, but is subtle with undertones of woods and floral notes. One time I actually sprayed this over my cocoa butter moisturizer and it smelled incredible. This is the best perfume I have found by Dana so far.

Absolutely gorgeous deep vanilla fragrance. Not overly sweet as so many vanilla perfumes are. It opens with citrus and floral notes that are inviting and invigorating. It dries down after a few minutes to a lovely vanilla-woody-resin fragrance. The resin makes the fragrance smell like amber intertwined with vanilla. I am in love. This is officially my signature fragrance. The holy grail of vanillas.

A strong floral note often marketed as "orchid" is present from top to bottom; I love it. Another unsweetened '90s vanilla has become a favorite alongside Coty's Vanilla Musk and Vanilla Fields. I find Dana's French Vanilla is most similar to Revlon's Fire and Ice. 10/10. P.S. my review is for the Eau de Cologne from the big splash bottle. It actually performs like a Parfum de Toilette!

I am actually obsessed with this right now. For lovers of Casmir and Hanae Mori, for sure. It has that rich buttery dessert liqueur vanilla that you can almost taste. Warm but not spicy. More like a soft wool blanket, with a cup of hot milk and honey with a dash of tea. Also reminds me of Angel Sucrée without the patchouli and fruit, just that megadose of praline.

I am really suprised nobody rating this beauty yet! I am sure that a lot of us are afraid for the Dana house, being synthetic etc. Well, this one is quite different. It is a very nice and subtle Vanilla perfume that is more complex than only vanilla monotone. I would recommend it very much, if you love Vanilla in perfumes. Great choice! Action

Kittycat63, That's good to know! I had passed on the EDT at a great price due to those other reviews, but now I think I'll go for it. Layering is where it's at anyway, right? :-) I am so happy i found this scent just in time for Summer, as it's sort of a fresh oriental vanilla, which seemed unlikely, but for me that's what it is. I love it!

Because of the informative reviews here I have discovered this little gem. That's what this site is all about. People often post topics asking for great but inexpensive scents. Well, here you go. Dana French Vanilla. A subtle, complex, non-foody, slightly woody vanilla. Bravo, House of Dana! This is going into my weekly rotation.

BTW, I reviewed the EDP. I wouldn't waste time with the EDT. I've read some reviews saying it's weak and fades quickly. Unlike the EDP, which lasts and lasts and lasts. Definitely in my A-rotation!

Yall this is a very sexy perfume. Used to wear it when going on dates. Major compliment getter. It's vanilla plus fresh floral, like how could it go wrong. Love it and will definitely restock it.

This is a wonderful warm fragrance. From the Dana line it is my favorite, together with the headstrong Tabu! Action

You are welcome Kittycat and I totally agree with you on the staying power too!!

TLDR: This is a creamy, non-sweet vanilla in a classic, vintage style — comforting, elegant, and quietly long-lasting. Best of all, no plastic vanilla notes! The 1oz EDP bottle I’m reviewing comes from a Parfums Parquet gift set (PP was part of the Dana companies in the 90’s), and the wording on the back of the box reads: “Envelope yourself in the softness, warmth and sensuousness of the intoxicating fragrance. Its velvety smoothness comes from a masterful blend of natural ingredients.” On my skin, I didn’t experience a citrus top note in a traditional sense - no lemon, orange, or sharp brightness. However, I do detect a soft peach-like accord in the opening. It feels more like fuzzy peach skin rather than true citrus, it’s quite present but subtle and well blended. This may be what some descriptions interpret as “citrus.” It blends quickly into the vanilla and never reads as overly fruity or sweet. The vanilla itself is smooth, creamy, and decidedly non-gourmand. It’s supported by very well-behaved woods that provide structure without becoming dry or dominant. There’s also a soft whisper of white florals, understated and restrained, acting as a supporting player. As the hours pass, the vanilla continues to smooth out; the floral and woody notes become much easier to detect, creating a balanced and polished drydown. In the later drydown, there’s a faint clean “shampoo” nuance that works beautifully with the vanilla. It never turns soapy or sharp; instead, it reinforces an overall impression of cleanliness and comfort - quietly telegraphing “fresh and put together.” to whoever is near you. This note keeps the vanilla inoffensive, and prevents it from ever becoming cloying or headache-inducing. Just one of the reasons why I like it so much. The EDP concentration is surprisingly long-lasting, with very respectable sillage. I felt gently enveloped in a creamy floral vanilla for several hours and never felt the need to reapply. It wears present but polite - comforting rather than attention-seeking. Despite the word “sensuous” on the box, I wouldn’t describe this as sensuous in the way fragrances like Tabu or Shalimar are sensuous. Instead, this is soothing, warm, and emotionally grounding. It’s ideal at bedtime and genuinely calming to the nervous system, while still being perfectly appropriate for an office or other shared environment. Importantly, this version contains no plastic or vinyl vanilla notes (a la Coty Vanilla Fields lol) - none of the sharp synthetic vanilla accords that became common in the 90’s. The vanilla smells smooth and natural, which supports the box’s claim of a blend of natural ingredients. If you associate vanilla with dessert or syrupy sweetness, this may feel understated. If you enjoy restrained, cosmetic-style creamy floral vanilla, this version will feel just right. I can’t speak to the Eau de Toilette or perfume versions, but the EDP from this Parfums Parquet gift set performs beautifully and is an underrated option for vanilla lovers. Rating: 4.5/5. I enjoy it very much and will absolutely be repurchasing the same gift set (it had an EDP and a small dusting powder, which wasn’t sealed and made a mess all over - shame on you Dana!) ⸻ Who this is for • Lovers of creamy, non-sweet vanilla • Anyone seeking a comfort scent that still smells clean • Fans of classic, vintage-leaning fresh compositions • People who appreciate subtle peachy freshness and shampoo-clean nuances • Those who want something office-safe, calming, and elegant • Vanilla fans who enjoy layering potential (just for fun I layered this with Sand & Fog’s White Vanilla, which is basically vanilla cake in a bottle - the combo was fantastic! Who should skip • Gourmand lovers expecting sugar, caramel, or dessert notes! • Anyone looking for a bold, sexy, or provocative vanilla • Fans of loud projection or statement fragrances • Those who dislike clean or cosmetic-style accords

A strong vanilla at first, a bit sharp but mellows nicely. The citrus in here is fleeting and I hardly notice it. I never would have thought this was similar to Revlon’s Fire and Ice, but now that someone has mentioned it, I see that, yes, it is. It is like a simpler, more toned down version of Fire and Ice - they are not similar enough to be interchangeable. I can see this being heavy if overapplied, and it can give that impression at first spray, but this fades quickly into a warm, vanilla scent that’s great for colder weather.

This is less a vanilla fragrance than a honeyed sweet white floral with vanilla and resin supporting it. Very pretty and unique. Not the vanilla bomb you expect. Very heady and can give a headache. That kind of sweet floral. I really like it. The base is total and complete resinous benzoin. I went from okay to like to love on this cheapie. What a surprise.

Once more, I totally agree with Action. This is not at all synthetic. I am looking forward to the body lotion so I may layer. The vanilla is not blatant. French Vanilla is a lovely warm well blended scent that will find a prominant spot on my Winter roster. Not everything can be judged by its cost. Give this one a try.

Received a sample from the lovely EK and I am loving this. It's extremely... ladylike. Very soft and delicate and puts me in the mind of french lace and white gloves. This is not an overly sweet or obviously gourmand type of vanilla, but its delicious all the same. The initial strong alcohol blast is off putting, but as it calms the vanilla and soft florals peek through in a blend that smells more like a vanilla custard that either an outright vanilla or floral. It hugs the skin but sends off an enhanced sweetness around the skin. On my skin the longer it sits the more the florals peek through. A very lovely and quite enjoyable vanilla.

This was purchased blind on the strength of the glowing reviews herein and, regrettably, it did not live up to expectations. IMO this fragrance does very much match its budget price and is not something I would wear. In the same price category, my preference would be for Coty's Raw Vanilla, which is marketed as a men's fragrance but is eminently suitable for ladies too.

The initial blast is a big yikes— smells overwhelming of nail polish remover. Also felt burning on my hand. Maybe my bottle has turned? Not a good blind buy from fragnet, sadly

I had been wanting to try this for a long time, but it was pretty difficult to find. And though it was probably a bad idea to buy a 240ml cologne bottle of this, but after quite some time using it, I've come to really enjoy it on days that I don't want anything much, but I want something that makes me smell nice. It's not a big perfume, radiating within arm's length and modrate longevity (but that's pretty amazing for an eau de cologne), but it's pleasant, sweet in character, warm, and innocent. It's oddly complex for something with minimal notes, and after using it, I can definitely see where the not-too-sweet vanilla becomes ever so slightly more woody and slightly resiny. So despite my adverse dislike of vanilla perfumes, this one has changed my mind a lot because it has the woody-resin notes I love so much in my perfumes, yet it's not enough of either, to put off any of those who love vanilla perfumes in general. And because it's not overly sweet, I find it something more appropriate to wear. Sometimes overly sweet perfumes can be too much to be around, but this one is lovely. Also, as I stated, you don't need the EDT or EDP to get good longevity out of French Vanilla (in my opinion). The EDC is good for both, and a 240ml bottle of the EDC can be had for a similar price to the EDT or the EDP, and is five times larger, making it better value for money (in Australia anyway, because you can't find this in stores in general. I had to order my 240ml bottle off eBay, and was the only one there, for $52AU, and the EDT and EDP cost about the same. It'd almost be cheaper to take a holiday to another country specifically to buy this). This one's a winner! Also, if it's hard to find the lotion (which it will be, if you're like me), I bought a bottle of Victoria's Secret Amber Romance Body Lotion for a very good price, and I can't tell the difference between the smell of the lotion and the smell of French Vanilla, and it boosts the sillage like nobody's business.

Re living this beautiful fragrance. I like the Dana line. By today's standards these scents are terribly old fashioned but I'm an old fashioned conservative gal and I like retro perfumes. This is a sweet but strong vanilla floral aroma. Smells of a fresh citrus and alcohol at first before it turns into a white floral. The vanilla comes through as it dries combined with woods and resins/ambers as well as musk. I found this to be simple effective and quite clean and very tame for an Oriental or vanilla. It's not gourmand so this vanilla is definitely more like a vanilla pod or flower. There are no green notes to my nose but it does have something slightly herbal which reminds me of the patchouli in Shalimar. This is quite easy to wear and can be worn daily as a casual day time any time scent throughout the year. The vanilla dry down is gorgeous simply gorgeous. If you like vanilla fragrances without complex notes around it and straight up florals try this one. Very womanly elegant casual but tasteful.

I recently bought a big 7.75 oz. bottle of French Vanilla on ebay for $5 plus $6 shipping. I feel like I've won the lottery - what a bargain! A natural vanilla, no synthetic, chemical yuckiness, no sickeningly sweet fake cake batter smell. This is not a gourmand vanilla - it's a soft, clean fresh vanilla with a tinge of citrus and floral. Great for an everyday go-to fragrance. Perfect for layering with other scents. Good sillage and longevity (6+ hrs. on me). It smells better than many of the high priced synthetic designer fragrances out there. Sometimes simple is best. If you find a bottle, don't pass it up. Update: On subsequent use, it reminds me of Johnson and Johnson baby lotion in the opening, which is a little off-putting. Maybe there's a bit of artificiality to it initially...but in the drydown it's still a soft, gentle, pleasant vanilla.

This is one of my favorite Vanilla fragrances. My best friend wore this when we were in 8th grade and I loved it so much. She bought me a bottle and I wore the heck out of it. Once the bottle was gone. I couldn't find it at any store, I was so upset. Have not smelled another Vanilla fragrance like it. It's so sweet, cozy, and pretty.

I'm depressed! My first ever blind buy and my first eBay purchase and YUCK. This is old lady flowers on me. I honestly detect no vanilla in the first 30 minutes. It's probably in there as an anchor for the other notes, but undetectable as a note itself. Heavy floral. Strike 1! Note: PM me if you're interested in swapping for this!

When I think of Vanilla , I think warm, creamy , & comforting a nice snuggly scent. This is a harsh bitter synthetic Vanilla , and yet I really like to wear it in summer -it grows on me :) Great price too !

This is a nice lightly spicy vanilla, it has decent depth and is not too sweet. I finished my sample but I won't berunning out to buy it as I have many vanillas already in my huge collection.

No. I don` like this. At all. It smells just like Chopard Casmir, which I dispise. This is more fruit than vanilla, very misleading name on this scent I must say.

Just like Fire & Ice by Revlon. I love Fire & Ice so bought an edp version of French Vanilla and love it nearly as much.