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!

Haha! I am another TJ Maxx find person. I love this. It is creamy, sweet and long wearing. Pretty and fun. I am wearing this for Summer nights here In balmy Florida. It is projecting in a good way. I do get a blast of sweet Citrus at first. It blends nicely with the strong Orchid which here is lovely mixed with the creamy Coconut and powdery Almond. The Heliotrope is here too giving a soft floral that is decidedly feminine. I also love the Sandalwood in the dry down giving this juice a bit of a grounding element. I do not get any Amber or Vanilla though so that was a bit misleading but that is ok. Ambre Vanilla is a keeper and great find. This should have been named something like Gourmand Orchid Night. This gourmand is multi-faceted and I highly recommend.

Uhhgg this is amazing. I had to go back and get a second bottle the very next day (TJ max, 1.7 oz for $13.) Vanilla sweetness, but not just plain vanilla. I don’t pick up any coconut, but maybe some almond or snickerdoodle or sugar cookie. It’s dessert in a bottle, but also not. It’s not so sweet you want to eat it. It’s just super sweet “what’s that amazing smell” perfume. If that makes sense. I would say this isn’t nearly as desserty and foody as say, Choco musk. Slightly more grown up and fancy but still gourmand and simple. Delicious vanillaness. I know I’ll probably never find this for as cheap as I just did, so I’ll treasure it and use sparingly.

This is so well blended. The tangerine is a nice burst of flavor in the beginning and on my skin it disappears rather quickly which I love because you're left with the most comforting, fresh, Tonka Bean and vanilla. It lasts forever and projects beautifully. Some might say it smells "mature" but in my opinion it's not mature at all. It reminds me of illicit and gold couture. It's SO sweet and very powdery. I dont personally find powder "mature" but some people do. I'm in my mid 20s. My boyfriend said it has a hint of "church lady" but I just find that it's just so comforting. And you can find it at marshalls or burlington for $20

On the paper it smells very sweet and gourmand with a tinge of floral, but on my skin it gets much more.. smoky and intense, and I mean in a good way. It smells soooo wonderful on the skin that I can't help sniffing my wrist for like several hours and keep wanting it more! On my skin it smells like someone's drinking coconut milk and burning amber at a fireplace.. It sounds wierd, but I just wanted to say that this is one of the best scents I have ever experienced. It conveys both warmth and sexiness at the same time. And for the price? Really, it's a must buy for me. Going to get a bottle real soon.

This is lovely. I was scared before receiving this in the mail that the amber would be too heavy. It's not - it's just right. It just adds depth to the vanilla. This manages to be sweet without verging into food territory. This manages to smell fresh as well with the tangerine. This does smell quite similar to the Brazilian bum bum cream and perfume, but it doesn't smell as caramel-y (this fragrance doesn't have caramel at all but manages to smell a bit like it). I'm very happy with this. I love powdery scents. Make more scents, Laura Mercier!

This stuff is good :) I would say, it is more like a spring-summer vanilla with fresh floral notes. In the same time it has some depth, it's not just your usual basic vanilla. I was afraid, that coconut will be annoying, I usually don't like coconut, but no, it gives to the scent slightly summery feeling. I remember my first sniff in the car, when I opened the package, thinking.. wow, it is as good as some other expensive niche perfumes. Projection is strong for the first hours, lasting power 4-5 hours.

Ambre Vanille has quickly become my most favorite guilty pleasure. So rich, decadent and shamelessly sweet in the opening and so inviting, warm and delicious on the dry down. AV starts off a super sugary sweet floral vanilla and then as it dries down and becomes less sweet hints of coconut and almond blend in along with the sandalwood - sooo good. Love this. As June7rose suggested below - if you want to extend the longevity layer the edt with the body cream and it will last for 12+ hours.

I'm so glad to see this has been added to the database. I bought this scent as soon as it came out, after falling in love with the body butter. First, I'll say that it smells exactly like the body souffle. Not a complex fragrance, but very warm and delicious. The name describes it completely- vanilla and amber. Perfect for cooler weather. Sillage and longevity are good too. Laura Mercier does gourmands well, and this is one of my favorites in her collection.

Beautiful Eau Gourmande Ambre Vanille!! It's such a lovely, sweet and subtle coconut! Amazingly gentle and delicate, and so easy to wear. You don't feel bombarded as is so often the case with coconut that I'm very wary of any perfume with coconut in it; no, not in this delightful and feminine darling! Soft amber and coconut, that's what it is for me, with a lovely vanilla and almond topping! It's just lovely. Love it very much. Adore it in fact!!!

This isn't much of a vanilla scent at all in my opinion, I get a slightly coconutty almond. So beautiful, it's like SDJ 62's older sister. I'm sad this was discontinued because this is so delicious. I love this in the winter but I also think it works in the summer as long as it isn't too too hot. The coconut and heliotrope can pull it into summer as long as you don't overspray or maybe cut it with something a little fresher

I just got mine st TJ MAXX for also about $15 USD. I’m in love. Seriously, I cannot remember the last time a single whiff has made me feel so happy just to be able to smell it. A little spice, a lovely vanilla...for a gourmand it really isn’t that sweet. More complex than I was expecting for an edt. *I have not read any reviews yet but if anyone mentions holiday candles, I can understand that. I’m enjoying it so much.

This feels like the grown-up version of the vanilla scents I loved in my teenage years. A little woody, a little sweet, gourmand but not sickly strong. I love to wear it on cold winter days when it is a comforting addition to grey skies. I find that it wears better when I spray it on my skin than on my clothes - the notes stay more complex and it seems to last longer on the drydown.

I tried it on at Marshalls but didn't purchase it. I figured I would see how it set on my skin and buy it later based on the results. I picked up a food order and as I was leaving the woman behind me asked what I was wearing because it smelled amazing. I've since purchased it. Like others have mentioned it's currently on sale at Marshalls and TJmaxx but it's cheaper at Marshalls.

Repurchased this fragrance today and I am happy to have it. I owned it a couple of years ago and enjoyed it so much I went through it fast. Well, I purchased another bottle and it smells just as good as I remember. It's sweet and nutty and powdery but light and airy. Overall, a really pretty scent that doesn't really smell like perfume but like your own unique scent.

Found this version at tjmaxxx for a good price and took a chance. This is the most perfect sweet/vanilla scent for summer! Light and comfortable, it stays close to the skin and layers well with vanilla scented body lotions. Will definitely enjoy my little bottle while it lasts. I also layered this with amber musk perfume oil to give a little more depth to it.