Vanilla Vibes

Beachy, fresh, aquatic/marine, salty, refreshing, softly sweet, powdery, musky, woody, warm, feminine, sensual, chic, unique I did previously review this, but I wanted to post an updated one in hopes that I’m able to describe it better. On me this opens fresh and aquatic with a refreshing, salty marine scent. As it begins drying down the sensual vanilla absolute, and the powdery orchid come into play, nicely balancing out the fresh and salty marine scent. Further into the dry down it becomes more warm, musky, and woody with the warm and vanillac tonka bean, soft powdery musk, slightly sweet and woody sandalwood, and warm and cozy benzoin. Overall, it comes of as a beachy and aquatic vanilla scent that I thoroughly enjoy. I do think that the name “Vanilla Vibes” is a bit misleading. It made me think that it would be a more typical sweet vanilla scent instead of something that comes off more beachy and aquatic/marine. I’m definitely not complaining, but I am glad that when I had mentioned wanting to get Lust For Sun because I was looking for some beachy fragrances, a few people mentioned to me that I might enjoy Vanilla Vibes more because it was also a beachy scent. I ended up buying both of them (I couldn’t miss out on Lust For Sun since I really enjoy monoi oil scents), and was very happy when I received them because I really enjoy both of them very much. I’ve had them for almost 2 years, and I’m still not sure which one I like more. To me Vanilla Vibes feels feminine, and that it would work for women of any age. This feels best suited for the warmer months of spring and summer, but could be worn during the colder months to evoke feelings of the beach and summertime. I think this works well for most occasions including work, or school. However, I think you might want to consider another fragrance for a really fancy occasion. I think this is a great option for people who want a beachy fragrance, but without the white florals, citruses, or coconut, but that still evokes a beachy/summertime/vacation feeling. I do think this is a rather unique fragrance, but it does remind me somewhat of a couple other fragrances. I do see a similarity to Bobbi Brown Beach because they’re both aquatic/marine beachy scents, however Beach has a lot more of a Sun tan lotion like scent whereas I don’t really get that with this one. I’m also slightly reminded of Alien Goddess since I’ve always gotten a slightly aquatic/marine scent with that one too, but it’s more subtle. Goddess is also a lot more vanilla forward, has coconut and florals, and is more suited for year round wear even though I personally enjoy it most during the spring and summer. I get great performance with Vanilla Vibes. The longevity is very good, it lasts the majority of the day on me. The projection is decent, it radiates out at least a couple feet from me. Just for some reference, some of my other favorite beachy/coconut fragrances include Tom Ford Soleil Blanc, Nest Sunkissed Hibiscus, Yves Rocher, Monoi Eau des Vahines, Kilian Sunkissed Goddess, Estée Lauder Bronze Goddess, JHAG Lust For Sun, Bobbi Brown Beach, Kayali Maui in a Bottle, Kayali Maldives in a Bottle, SDJ Coco Cabana 39, B&BW Coco Paradise

Category: Vanilla, ozonic, woody Notes: Sprays on quite alcoholic, but soon a light and airy vanilla and refreshing orchid emerge. The orchid adds a cool, watery feel reminiscent of cucumber. I can't say I'm picking up an obvious salt note, but can see how the almost ozonic nature of this fragrance could be interpreted as the smell of saltwater. As this continues to develop the sensual and soft sandalwood takes more and more space until it practically dominates the scent, with just a few remnants of that orchid and vanilla keeping it fresh. The overall scent impression is a very light and clean ozonic vanilla. Vibe: Ocean breeze. Sunscreen. Cold beach day. Metal cigarette case. Gold candelabra. Sheer white curtains. Bar soap. Driftwood. White beach. Antlers. Coastal villa. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. Sandcrabs. Lanterns. Sillage: 6.5/10. Very toned down, yet not a skin scent. Projection is mild, but very present when up close and personal. Longevity: 7/10. Lasts 6-8 hours on skin, which is quite decent in my opinion. It maintains a good sillage for the first 6 hours too in a way that is very impressive and for me indicative of a high quality fragrance. Wear: Daytime. Spring & summer due to its refreshing, beachy nature, but could totally work as an everyday/all year round wear. Definitely office wear approved; perfect sillage and wholly inoffensive. Somewhat unisex but with a marked feminine lean, meaning I could see this being worn by a man but not just any and every man, only those with an aura befitting of this kind of fragrance. Suitable for a large age range of 18-70, frankly I’d consider this an ageless and timeless kind of scent but perhaps just a tad too adult for tweens and early teenagers. Overall rating: 7.5/10. This is my second time trying this perfume on, the first being some two or three years ago before I had really started taking my interest in perfumes seriously. I remember finding it challenging and slightly off-putting in a way I wouldn't have been able to vocalize then. Wearing it today, with a wealth of references under my belt, I can confidently say this is a wonderful and unique vanilla fragrance that my untrained nose just wasn't ready for the first time around. Light, airy, ozonic with a mild marine touch, to me it evokes the ocean breeze more than the ocean itself. The vanilla adds warmth without ever feeling heavy, and alongside the sandalwood in the base creates a creamy yet sparkling combination reminiscent of coconut (the milk and the water) and sun lotion. This is in my book a quintessential beach fragrance, although it feels more like the cool beaches of say the Irish coast or the south of Sweden where the sandy dunes meet saltwater, cloudy skies, crisp ocean air and driftwood, rather than a hot, sunny beach in a more tropical climate. I would love to add this to my collection as a lighter option for summer that still feels put-together with a more adult undercurrent than some of the fruitier options on the market, but could also totally see myself wearing this as an everyday scent. Who would wear it?: Francesca Johnson in Bridges of Madison County (1995).

Such a lovely and pretty perfume. The salty note at the beginning, mixed with the vanilla and the fantasy orchid note... adorable. It might not be for people not used to mineral notes or for those expecting a gourmand perfume. Be aware of this. The vanilla is balanced, not strong. I understand people saying it smells like sunscreen but for me it does not, it smells like a flowery vanilla wich might be what most people is referring to which later, combined with the tonka bean and benzoin bring a slight creamy feeling to the vanilla note that last longer on my skin. This perfume in my skin feels ethereal and later becomes an skin scent. If you are a fan of beastmode perfumes, this I do not recommend since will not perform like that by it's own. I found it to be one of my favorite fragrances since it transported me back to the sunny beaches of Aruba, sitting in the water, feeling the salty breeze on my face and drinking a cocktail under the shade of the mangroves close to Spans Lagoon.

My favorite summer scent, it instantly transports me to the seaside! Photorealistic to a T, smells exactly like the moment I step into the sea after putting on my favorite sunscreen. For that alone I would laud it to high heavens, but it’s also gotten me plenty of compliments (two friends have already purchased Vanilla Vibes after smelling it on me!), and I’m certainly not above that ego boost either. I must say that I absolutely love salt notes in perfumes and I’m not the biggest fan of sweet and gourmand fragrances and this one hits the spot for me, so do with that info what you will. It does lean more vanilla-y and powdery on me, but I can still smell the salt up until the very last of the dry-down, so that’s great. My friends call it my “vanilla perfume”, though, so I think it’s a perfume which smells quite different to different people, and that interesting aspect is another plus for me. Overall, an utterly charming little concoction.

literally the best thing i've ever smelt my entire life. delicious. it smells like a mixture of peach and sunscreen in the best way possible. i could never imagine a sunscreen smell being as addictive as this one. vanilla in middle note is just top notch. now, im not the best at depicting a scenery such as "this feels like the fear and excitement bella felt just before she went to the woods with edward, with a hint of fresh apple that she just ate at lunch. she's ready to climb to the top of the mountain on edwards back" like your average fragrantica user. but if you want a moodboard/scenery, this perfume gives off zara larsson - midnight sun vibes. it will definitely turn heads and make people look at you. a summer fragrance for sure but it fits for late spring too i guess. suitable for work. i'm sooo in love