Eau Gourmande Ambre Vanille

It’s Yara... Sweet, creamy, approachable, but it’s still not a strawberry milkshake scent. There is a non-descript berry/gourmand accord, that is hard to place. It does have a creamy richness. It reminds me of a cheesecake topped with berries. But I get the idea of that dessert more than a literal interpretation. I wore both Yara and Ambre Vanille at the same time and I could not tell the difference. I even did some informal testing and asked several people if they could tell the difference. No one could. I love this though, and I think it’s an affordable Marshall’s gem. I reach for this in the fall and winter, because it cuts though cold weather and has a cozy vibe. But I have worn this in the spring and summer and it works year around. This is a great everyday, dumb reach type of scent. I have worn this to work events several times. It was sweet and interesting without being too intense or overtly sexy. It smells feminine and she has presence but she is not overly demanding of attention. The longevity is excellent, 8 hours, and the projection is moderate. The performance really impressed me because this is an eau de toilet. This gets compared to Sol de Janeiro 68 but I do not think they are dupes, however they layer beautifully together. Another combo that I think is a must try is Valentino Born in Roma. The sweet florals in BIR and the sweet vague gourmand qualityof Ambre Vanille blend together beautifully. Its youthful without being juvenile and is sensual in a pretty in pink sort of way.

This is an absolute beauty!! And right up my scent profile alley. And what a happy, blind buy cheapie! $16.99 at Marshall’s. Can’t go wrong! This a sweet, floral vanilla gourmand (probably from the orchid), with a tangy tangerine opening that settles into warm sandalwood and creamy coconut. Coconut gives it a nice thorough creaminess. The wafts of almond I do pick up are more of an almond extract rather than a nuttiness. It’s slightly powdery from heliotrope, but not overly so, just enough to blend it all smoothly together. This may be an EDT, but it has serious projection. I keep smelling it as I move about. I know there is no vanilla listed, but it definitely smells of it. Also, I find there is an unidentifiable salty note (perhaps ambergris?) lingering throughout that reminds me of the vanilla caviar in Burberry Goddess. I wish I knew what is causing it because it really is giving hard core Burberry Goddess when it comes through, and now I can’t unsmell it. That being said, if you like vanilla and Burberry Goddess you will heartily enjoy this!!!

I just finished this bottle today and I'm really disappointed I didn't get a back-up bottle on clearance (second markdown) for $6 at Marshall's! I din't think I'd like it and only got it because of the hype on here, but it really grew on me. I'd wear it around the home and to bed and it's just a cozy and warm scent and would last for a few hours and it's close to the skin for projection. Anyway on my skin I'd get mostly vanilla, and it smells just like the good quality vanilla extract I'd use in baking. And on my clothes, mostly on thick robes, I'd get the loveliest heliotrope note, that smells lightly powdery but sweet and reminds me of compact face powders from when I was younger, I think it was the Mary Kay ones. Anyway, if I see this again, sale or not I'm getting another one! Update: (9.27.2021) I miss this fragrance so much :(

It starts off a little too food-y for my tastes, kind of like the smell of a cupcake bakery. But after 2-3 hours, it turns into this amazing, warm, skin with sandalwood and amber sort of scent with a bit of vanilla. I'm surprised to see neither amber nor vanilla in the notes list, but I definitely get them from this perfume. I would prefer for it to smell the way it does after 2-3 hours all the time, but as it is, Ambre Vanille is not too shabby! Edit 3/2014: After wearing it more often, I'm noticing that my perception of the notes varies. Some days I pick up on distinctly floral and fruity notes (as well as pure sugar), and some days it's strictly a vanilla/amber/sandalwood to my nose. Either way, it's delightful and surprisingly long-lasting, but definitely one to test out several times before making a decision.

From the Laura Mercier website: “ Amber. Vanilla. Brown sugar. The quiet sensuality of amber blends with the warmth of vanilla, and is enhanced with fresh notes of tangerine and tiger orchid, the delicious essence of almond and brown sugar, and a final hint of musky sandalwood for a finish that is soft, intimate and absolutely addictive.” Somebody needs to update the notes on Fragrantica. I can smell each of the notes listed on the LM website. I only purchased this yesterday (at TJMaxx for $12.99) so I cannot give a detailed review. It’s a nice addition to my collection. I think it will be great for layering. It strikes me as a more refined Bath and Body Works Warm Vanilla Sugar scent with some amber. It’s fairly aggressive in the beginning. The dry down is soft and sensual. Very nice gourmand!