Vanilla & Anise

I absolutely adore vanilla & anise. I am quite a bit English, and when I wear this I feel more so. It's gorgeous, smooth, and dry. A semi-sweet vanilla with the anise that has a light, spicy, warm feel to it. I think there is something about the scent that smells like it has a hint of freshly grated ginger in it. I'm in love with the dash of cloves in here reminding me of my favorite hot drinks. There is a hint of a creamy white tuberose in here. I'm not a big tuberose person but it compliments the dry spicyness of the rest of the fragrance so well. If this scent were a day it would be Sunday. Relaxing but a little dressy. The kind of scent I imagined wearing while my mom carved a roasted chicken while my grandparents were over for our monthly Sunday dinner. If it were a time it would be two o'clock in the afternoon. Just when your eyes are getting a bit heavy, and all your hear is the clock ticking in the corner and the birds chirping faintly outside. When the afghan in the corner of the room starts to look inviting and you settle down with a cup of tea and a book.

I love the fennel opening of this scent, it gives the fragrance a lovely crisp herbaceous feel. The fennel opening gradually gives way to the vanilla mixed with spice. This is not a typical heavily gourmand vanilla, but a more cool and refined vanilla paired with spices. I find it interesting that the description here on Fragrantica mentions it is supposed to be a summer scent. I like wearing it year round as it seems to change on me depending on the weather. In the summer it is never too cloying or strong like some vanilla scents can be. And in the winter, it seems to get warmer and more spicy, perfect for cooler temperatures. A perfume worthy of a sniff and a place on my shelf because it is well executed and a different take on vanilla. It also plays well with others and layers beautifully. The longevity is excellent, at least 6-8 hours and it is a skin-scent, but still noticeable. It isn't a sillage monster, but for me, that is just fine.

Looks like I’m in the minority once again as I love a scent that people are beating into submission in the reviews lol. If you’re looking for a gourmand or rich boozy vanilla you will not find it here. This scent opens quite vegetal, the fennel and Anise are fully dominating the opening, making the first 10 mins rather gross tbh BUT hang in there mi gente because what unfolds is a fairly unique vanilla. The vanilla is not heavy or dense, nor is it edible or sweet in any way, it has the tiniest sprinkle of clove running underneath and some delicate powdery sweetened florals that are in perfect balance with the vanilla. I find it sensual, seductive but sophisticated. There’s also this underlying clean vibe, making it feel quite classy. I really like it and just purchased a full size bottle!

A delicate and refined vanilla that isn't sweet. Not sweet enough for me, but I admit my nose is altered from wearing only sweet vanilla perfumes. I purchased this the other day, and despite a few initial reservations, I'm glad I did. Despite the lack of vanilla absolute, the other major notes, like anise and fennel, scream european bakery, keeping it in the foody category. I got Hypnotic Poison the same day, and they're like the lady and the tramp. It depends on what image you want to project that day. If you like your vanilla foody and sweet, you may be disappointed, but if you want to dial it back a notch and a try a quieter scent that's still in the warm spicy vanilla category, this is a good choice. A refined and ladylike vanilla that doesn't scream, it purrs.

I have a TON of Jo Malone and this one is at the top of my favorites list. It’s very anise and not a sweet or cloying vanilla at all, which is part of the reason I like it so much. I can’t believe a vanilla could smell ‘fresh’ but the dominant anise makes it so. To me this is truly a unisex scent, totally genderless and because of a lack of advertising free of preconceptions. Discontinued, it’s come back at JM boutiques and Bloomingdales for limited runs. JM is big on ‘fragrance combining’ and this one has mixed well with any of the others I’ve worn it with (Nutmeg & Ginger or Redcurrant & Cream particularly). It’s also the JM scent I get the most compliments on. Sillage isn’t huge but those close can smell it and it does last a good 5-6 hours easily.

I like the star anise and fennel that I detect in the first 15 minutes or so, but when the perfume dries down, it's a really nice vanilla. I smell mostly vanilla and orchid, much like a very soft and subdued love child of Dior Addict and Gaultier Classique. I perceive a subtle powderiness that is really soft and comforting. If I was not pregnant and in need of soft fragrances with little sillage, I probably would not have bought this. I personally prefer big sillage, like Addict. ------------- Edit 9/16/2015: Since I had my baby, my chemistry and sense of scent has changed a bit. I now find the drydown to be strong enough for me as I actually have veered away from sillage monsters. This has polite sillage. I really adore the softly spiced vanilla!

I have been looking for a new summer scent that is derived from higher quality ingredients & doesn't smell of synthetics. Luckily, I stumbled onto Jo Malone's Vanilla & Anise! This is such a beautiful, light, & unique scent on me. Upon first spritz I am immediately delighted with a fresh, airy floral, with a brisk rush of Anise. I would say this scent wears fairly linear on me, which I am happy with, because the top notes are what I adore about it, the soft vanilla does chime in with in 15-20 minutes and mingles beautifully with all of the notes... Vanilla & Anise is a lovely summer fragrance that wafts on the air for hours, it's not overly sweet or cloying, just fresh beautiful & feminine, and my husband loves it on me!

I love this fragrance! It used to be my signature scent for many years until it got discontinued. I went on a hunt then and bought the last 3 bottles I could find in my city. I’m currently 3/4-way thru my 2nd to last bottle and was savoring it while i searched for a new signature. I know a lot of people don’t like this cologne but on me it was soft, warm and enveloping. I got a lot of compliments from both men and women; people would say I smell fresh, clean, sweet or best of all, like a clean baby LOL! I wish I could find the original formulation again. I know this has been brought back but to me, the one exclusively from Jo Malone’s website smells a little different. Not the same fragrance I have.

got a sample of this and decided to order a full bottle. I love this. It is simple, basic, and linear, yet it was love at first sniff. Vanilla & anise & a little clove..yep, that's it. I dont get any of the other notes. But what I get is enough to make me really love this scent. Unfortunately, it's gone after an hour and half...but so what..I'll just spray more. This is a nice vanilla, not strong, not cloying, not the oriental type. This perfume is warm, sorta sweet, and different (to me, at least). yummy vanilla, licorice-y and medicinal clove. never would've thought I'd like something with vanilla in it, but there ya go. I should be getting my full bottle in the mail tomorrow.

This is one of my very favorites. Warm, cuddly vanilla tamed by anise. The combo is different and wonderful. I find so many vanilla fragrances to be cloying, and it is difficult for me to find ones that work well with my skin. The anise in this makes it very wearable to me. The floral notes in the heart are to die for. Oh how I wish they lasted longer! Increasing the longevity of those heart notes would make this one perfection, but it's darn good as is. The drydown is in the name, and those notes do stick around, so really, the short-lived mid-notes are just a nice surprise, I suppose.

I was so intrigued by this unique vanilla that I purchased it from sampling once at the Jo Malone counter. Yet when I brought it home, I found the fennel in it a little offputting and too strong in the drydown. It made the vanilla seem stale. So I took someone's suggestion here from Fragrantica and layered it with some Jo Malone Grapefruit that I'd had for some time, and the two are definitely meant to layer together! It adds a freshness to the anise and fennel that brightens it. You could wear this combo very easily in summer and early fall, even spring. Very unisex and crisp.

SO far all other scents pale by comparison. I so much believe that a woman should and must find a SIGNATURE SCENT. THAT IS sooo difficult to find. I LOVE ANY FRAGRANCE THAT BEGINS WITH THE LETTER "P". but JO MALONE VANILLA & ANISE SMELLS SIMILAR TO a blue fragrance. it is my chosen signature because it is sophisticated modern, showing maturity without feeling aged and old. It clearly says "Hey I made you Look" people will look - saying "what is that" wow you are different I like that about you.

Like all Jo Malone, this was refreshingly different from the cloying mainstream alternatives. On me it is very spicy, the top notes dominate and never quite seem to fade and the tuberose is distinct. The vanilla is barely there until it begins to wear down and I actually layer this over vanilla body butter, as it softens the edge of the spices. Jo Malone does list this a a Spicy scent, and with how it smells and the notes I have no idea how this is classified as Floral Fruity Gourmand.

Love, love, love this scent. I will never tire of it. Mmmmmmmmm.....Jo Malone, I grok you. (Google "grok" if you need to. Heinlein.) I have other perfumes, and I wear them. But this one, I wear when I need to feel hugged and loved. I'm a very intuitive person (I've taken the Myers-Briggs personality test, and I skew far over on the intuitive side). I'm just intuitively in tune with this scent. It gives me what I need. I keep a sample-size spray in my bag. MMmmmmmm.... so good!!!

I love this. It is a clean scent. Like straight out of the shower and the soap scent is still lingering on your skin. It reminds me of a more wearable version of Replica Bubble Bath. To my nose RBB has a sharp and dominant floral note where this doesn't have that sharpness. It is a skin scent and even with 6 sprays I only get about 4 hours but it's going to be a great evening and bedtime scent for me.

I love this combined fragrance especially when my wife wears it. I find it irresistible and inviting. To me this is a distinctively feminine fragrance with a creamy sensuality, initially cool at first blush but quickly building to an inviting snuggly warmth that draws me close. Lightly enveloping but not clingy, and yet powerfully inviting. Way to go Celine!

I've had this perfume for a while and have loved it. I keep my bottles for a long time so maybe it's developed this with age or I've just noticed it more after wearing it long term, but I feel like a smell a hint of almost root beer! I love this scent and is set apart than other vanilla fragrances

A culinary combination of anise and clove with a pinch of ripe citrus hiding in the wings; but not stirring in a pot, instead something silky on the skin. Within 15 minutes, the gourmet vanilla joins the party with an amber finish for a very gourmand finale. Warm or cool weather, it works!

On my second bottle of Vanilla and Anise. I absolutely love the enveloping waft of fennel / anise and the vanilla gives it a comforting edge. One of my favourites from Jo Malone and it's great for combining, most lately been enjoying this worn together with Wood Sage and Sea Salt.

I love this fragrance. I've been looking for something similar to my Neal and Wolf shampoo and conditioner that has a lovely incense fragrance, and I think this is the nearest to it yet... though still searching for the perfect match.

I get compliments ALL THE TIME from my friends and stranger even my patients ask me what perfume I’m wearing! I have the old formula, unfortunately, and I am on my final few mLs! I hope they fix the formula as I am in love with it.

Why this was ever discontinued I will never understand. It's one of the loveliest vanillas I've ever smelled. I have a tiny bit of it left and I use it sparingly. It's just lovely and clean and fresh.

Beautiful, almost tropical. I adore the scent of fennel and its here by the truckload. Tuberose, in an almost jasmine type way, dry vanilla and a touch of cloves + anise. Stunning!

Jan 2019 : I just found out by chance Jo Malone Vanilla & Anise is back exclusively at Bloomingdale’s. Available on online as well for a limited time only ! Time to splash again !

This is warm, sweet, and spicy, but still has a fresh, light feeling about it. I expected it to be much heavier. I am so glad I bought this-I'll be wearing it year 'round.

One of my favourites from Jo Malone. Sad they decided to discontinue this!! Was told in Jo Malone store once the stocks are out that's it, no more! So buy while you can.

Distance cousin of gucci eau de parfume and I'm still in love.........

This frangrance smells sooooo good! It reminds me of Dior Hypnotic!

This baby is back! Love Love Love. Happy Dance :)

I’ve sampled a good amount of JM perfumes (only cause my mom has had so many of them in her own collection) and so far, this is probably the most interesting one I’ve tried. There is nothing else in my collection that smells quite like this and for that purpose alone, I had to get a full bottle of this. This is probably the freshest vanilla scent I own. Vanilla & Anise is the perfect name for this because those are to two prominent notes that I get. It’s so beautifully blended, with all the other notes acting as a support for the two main stars of the show. It’s cool, crisp, and someone else described it as “vegetal”, which is super accurate and I absolutely adore it. It’s so clean and comforting, very sophisticated and classy, without being too loud and overbearing like vanilla can sometimes be. If you’re not big on anise, skip this one. But if you’re open to trying a unique vanilla scent, definitely sample this one. As with most JM scents, the performance isn’t amazing. You really have to spray this one to create a good scent bubble and layer it atop a good lotion. However, with how soft and light it is, I think this would be appropriate to wear year round as a day time scent. Otherwise, I’m a huge fan of this one and feel happy to have it in my collection. Edit: I just want people to understand that just because a fragrance has the name “vanilla” in it, doesn’t mean it’s going to be a tooth-rotting sweet gourmand. I hate when people come in these comments talking about some “this is not a vanilla scent” because yes the f*ck it is. Just because it doesn’t smell like every other basic ass vanilla scent out there, doesn’t mean this scent is void of a sweet vanillic vibe. If you’re looking for a gourmand vanilla, you ain’t gonna find it here but to say this isn’t a vanilla scent is just stupid. Vanilla doesn’t always have to be one way.

I am so surprised by this. I got a bath oil version of this - it opened my eyes to Jo Malone fragrances - I never used to like their fragrances, because they all seemed either.. too simplistic, or, too one / two-note: which I CANNOT FAULT THEM FOR BECAUSE IT'S IN THEIR NAME, but I had hoped to like a few of their fragrances, at one point or another. I finally understand what their creations: perfumes that smell exactly like what they say they should smell like. AT LEAST that is what I get with Vanilla & Anise - a very pleasant, un-intense, yet beautiful vanilla, simplistic in it's sweetness and role in rounding out the fragrance, and a VERY very photorealistic anise, mixed with another spice, which I cannot place. I love it. I was looking for a perfume that smells like Moon Milk from Hakuba Japan, this perfume takes the anise out of the milk, and places it within a soothing veil of vanilla - a type of simplistic vanilla that I haven't smelled in a while. Bring it back please! Or, Jo Loves, remix it (even though I appreciate the original so much) ;) I like the smell of anise 'isolated', or at least clear and easily separated (this is the best way I can describe it) from other notes in a fragrance, seemingly a lot more than any other singular note in fragrance (other than vanilla it seems).

Thanks, Clairdelune,for sharing this one with me. I'm really digging Vanilla Anise so far. It certainly has something in common with Lolita Lempicka, which I also love and wear, but Vanilla Anise is softer, less sweet and more unisex. This would be an excellent daytime alternative to LL, or for days when you don't want a scent with so much projection. My first thoughts upon spritzing: root beer! After it dries down a bit, I find it reminds me of another big perfume I love: Givenchy's Ange ou Demon. (But as with LL, it's a shy, soft-spoken cousin to the Givenchy.) I also noticed an unusual (and not bad) characteristic with Vanilla Anise that I haven't noticed in other scents. The sillage of this fragrance smells different than the aroma I encounter when I bury my nose in my wrist. The sillage is a bit sweeter, but a close-up sniff has a pronounced vetiver note. Very dry and grassy, and much less sweet. I agree with the other comments that it is fairly linear and not especially original or ground-breaking, but it sure smells nice. Might be my favorite Jo Malone of all I have tried so far.

wow, the cleanest, freshest vanilla I have ever tried. Very different and very lovely. I'm a huge vanilla addict, sweet, creamy and dark vanillas - give it to me! But this one will be a great addition for when I need something less sweet. Its mostly salty and spicy on me, with a subtle and delishious hint of something sweet. It's very natural smelling, both in the sense of the quality, and in overall feel. It doesn't smell like 'perfume' to me, it just feels like this is how you would naturally smell - if you are awesome :) It reminds me of my mothers baking, and sunkissed skin on the beach.. haha, sounds like a weird combo, but its not, its magic. It's a rainy fall day today, I put this on right after I woke up and it was a perfect wake-me-up scent. Very uplifting and gentle and refreshing. EDIT: in the dry down there is a lot more vanilla, it's warmer and less salty. still lovely.

What a gorgeously penetrating scent! The opening is typically fresh for a cologne; the fragrance is anything but ordinary--bergamot, anise and a green herbal twist courtesy of fennel. A little bitter and sharp, but well tuned by the sweet neroli. The heart becomes reminiscent of sweet, aromatic fresh licorice with waxy tropical flowers gently swaying in and out. Clove keeps the composition piquant, occasionally surfacing with little random bites. During this phase, the fragrance makes me feel a little restless with its lively personality. It keeps my interest none-the-less. The drydown is girlishly tomboy. Sweet, aromatic, warm yet sparkling, remaining fresh in every way. I'm so glad to have been introduced to Jo Malone with this intriguingly mischievous cologne.

Overall a very lovely fragrance, and I find the description very fitting for what it is. The sweetness of vanilla mixed with the herbal anise. I'm not a huge black licorice fan (I don't despise it though) but I think these two notes balance each other out very well. The fennel and anise are perfect alongside the vanilla. I think you can wear this day or night, probably a bit more in the fall/winter. Lasting power isn't bad, but not amazing. Sillage is soft to moderate on me and lasting power is about 5 hours. It's sexy, sweet, with a hint of that more masculine spice of anise. It's not a masculine scent though. Very sophisticated. 8/10 would recommend

I am wearing Vanilla Anise layered with JM Incense and Cedrat and they are lovely together. On its own I get soft and spicy with the delightful delicious warm vanilla and the subtle anise note working very well together - I am a sucker for vanilla. As with pretty much all of the JM Colognes this doesn't have tremendous stamina but I do think it's really rather likeable - inoffensive, attractive but not a heart-stopping-show-stopper. I would say this is, however, perfect for summer and reapplications are not a hardship because it is pretty. The only JMs that last on me are Lime Basil and Mandarin and Pomegranate Noir.

Another winner from Jo Malone! I like almost all of them, in spite of being apparently simple scents with only two notes there. Two notes are usually dominant but the other ones make a beautiful background like unheard notes in a symphony. Vanila & Anise is a lovely, sweet and slightly powdery vanilla with a big star anise on top! Vaguely reminding of L'Heure Bleue like a fraction of it! I wish that the flowers were more noticeable anyway and unfortunately the lasting power is quite poor on me, otherwise it would have made a beautiful, warm, feminine scent for winter.

Surprisingly liked it! I'm not a fan of Vanilla or Anise. But somehow this won me over. Not to mention a crush liked this on me too! So whoop de doo! So I like to think of this fragrance in the same way as salt. Yes, table salt. Well because Salt = Na + Cl. Sodium on its own, is toxic. Chloride on its own, is toxic. But together...they're a whole different thing. In fact they're essential to human sustainability. So for me, Vanilla alone is UGH. Anise alone is double UGH. But, together... They just bring the boys to the yard :p (heheheh)

I just received this perfume today, I ordered it directly from Jo Malone which is one of my favorite houses. What I get on the first note is Frangipani. It’s really realistic and beautiful. My parents live in Hawaii and when I visit I always pick up the fallen flowers for my hair. So far, that’s really all I can pick up. It’s light and a bit soapy floral. I think it’s a great spring/summer scent, a vacation scent that is perfect if you don’t want to smell like suntan lotion. So far, I like it.

This scent is powdery and feminine -- just completely gorgeous! The vanilla/tonka notes are warm and lovely rather than having that icky sweetness that overpowers many vanilla scents. The fennel and star anise help to offset the sweetness and their black liquorice undertones add a dash of quirkiness to the whole mix. I sampeled over Christmas and for me the cloves (as listed in the notes) made it perfect for the season, however, it is light enough to wear any time of the year, day or night.

I have wanted to try this for so very long (thank you wonderful swap partner) but I am so sad to find that this just doesn't last on me, at all. If only it would project and stay put, this would be great - the combination of the vanilla and anise is so lovely and warm, without being cloying or overly sweet. There is a medicinal hint to it at first application but this dries down within minutes. So lovely, I just wish it would last longer.

Found a forgotten sample on an "anything goes" day and surprised to find I really like it. Not too sweet, not too sharp, like Goldilocks' porridge this is just right. Now I see it's discontinued! Noooooo! This is an ideal summer scent. Totally unisex and as others have said, a nice break from the heavy vanillas we usually wear, but not another citrus cologne, either. Bye bye, lovely knowing you, little sample :(

This is initially a bit medicinal on me, perhaps due to the warming anise note. The dry down is lovely, hints of mellow vanilla with a touch of spice to add depth. My favourite Jo Malone fragrance. I don't think I'll invest in a bottle as this reminds me a lot of Jennifer Aniston's perfume which I already have, but it is a lovely scent.

If you like this one you might enjoy Mon Petit from Lolita Lempicka. I tested this on my arm in selfridges and kept sniffing and thinking "I know this from somewhere!" Then I realised that it reminds me of a less creamy Mon Petit (both alcohol free and edt versions!). Mon Petit is much more affordable so.... Just a suggestion!

vanilla always brings reminiscence of candy shop to me. However, to my greatest surprise this vanilla&anise aroma isnt gourmand at all. whoch is refreshing since my recent perfumes are incredibly sweet. The silage is quite good so I need to spritz myself couple of times in the morning and let the perfume open on me :)

Warm, cozy and pleasant. On me it was very straightforward, no surprises or hidden depth. I had high hopes because the anise is somewhat unusual (and I love anise) but I thought it was a little boring. But my husband loves it! I'd say it's worth a try, I can definitely see how many people would love this one.

I sampled it with Orange Blossom bath oil. I ended up buying the Vanilla & Anise perfume! It's very light and sweet without being overpowering, clingy or headache-inducing. It lasts all day without really changing much. It's pretty casual with a little sophistication so can be worn at work or play.

I had a tester of this for a while now...I was hesitant to try it because I'm not a fan of licorice smelling scents. I like this but don't love it. My boyfriend, however, loves this on me...So I purchased the smallest bottle and it's good occasionally.

When I first sprayed this, I loved it. It was like an airier take on Hypnotic Poison with a great anise note. However, the excitement faded rather quickly. About 2 hours, to be exact, when I could no longer smell the faintest trace of it.

A beautiful nuanced vanilla scent. I'm not generally a fan of foody scents, but the vanilla works very well with the anise spice, balancing the overall effect. It is very well rounded and warming.