Vanille 44 Paris

I just picked up this fragrance as a blind buy - I have been looking for something vanilla to add to my collection and wanted something unique and naturally gravitated towards this one. I've got a couple of Le Labo scents in my collection already and this one I think is my new favorite. Others have noted this but the thing that stood out to me on first spray was the sheer depth of fragrance to this. The initial spray was met with a muted note of citrus, I believe bergamot and orange, with the smoky-sweet vanilla undergirding the entire fragrance through the whole time. I was then hit by a strong herbal-smelling note, something like rosemary and probably thyme which has wafted in and out, followed by a devolution into a powdery, musky-smelling vanilla. This even further devolved into a very complex accord of a slightly powdery, dry vanilla with a small amount of sweetness that for some reason evokes Chanel No 5 but in a very good way, backed up by a very nuanced accord of that signature le labo DNA where you have a complex mix of aldehydes and woods---specifically gaiac wood and something that's reading as sandalwood to me. There is also, of course, a very clean, high-quality smelling incense note that many others have talked about. On top of that, (as if this fragrance could get any more complex) I sometimes get wafts of a spicy, balsamic-style fragrance that wafts in and out perhaps backed up by a note like civet? There's a small touch of something animalic deep in there, but among the many notes (44 ingredients after all) it's like a french girl---ephemeral, teasing, and a bit fun and difficult to cloy out. Plenty of people have read it as churchy, which I think is fair, but what is Paris if not a city famous for some of its very old churches? I could honestly spend hours trying to pick apart these fragrance notes and probably fail and miss some. It's definitely a Le Labo fragrance through and through, and the complexity of this fragrance is unrivaled in my collection. Some have called it a bit linear, but I'm not sure they're trying hard enough. For the price, well, that's for you to decide. I got this as a gift and I am certainly excited about it.

Don’t listen to the naysayers: this is undoubtedly a vanilla scent but, more importantly, it’s also gorgeous and complex. The incense blends expertly with the vanilla, along with other notes I can’t quite put my nose on, to make this a sumptuous and supremely addictive scent. It’s inherently French, but oddly so: I don’t normally associate vanilla with Paris, yet I did imagine the scent of Vanille 44 while I was strolling the streets of Le Marais. It's the perfect balance of smoky and sweet - as though you just picked up a delicious croissant at a Parisian bistro after having a French cigarette with coffee. This is an extremely comforting scent – spray some on in a bubble bath, and imagine that you’ve been whisked away to a candlelit Parisian apartment overlooking the Seine, or to a chateau in the French countryside. If this scent were a movie or TV show, it would be Frasier (which, in case you were wondering, is a glowing endorsement): beige, sophisticated, witty, nostalgic and soothing. Vanille 44 has often been compared to Diptyque’s Eau Duelle but, as is the case with several of Le Labo’s fragrances, you get what you pay for. I own both Vanille 44 and Eau Duelle, and I can say with confidence that Vanille 44 is the far more nuanced and superior bottle. As a side note: I have several friends who love and compliment the scent of Vanille 44 on me, but they despise the scent of Eau Duelle. Like the fragrance itself, sillage and longevity are both solid. It’s a bit of a chameleon, as it’s appropriate for year-round wear: easy-going during the summer, cozy during the winter, pleasant during the day, and sultry at night. In five words or less: Cozy. Chic. French as hell.

On the opening spray, I pick up the vanilla with a dose of spicy wood. The opening is very soft and airy to my nose. This is not a modern sweet vanilla, but true to its Parisian roots; it's a subtle vanilla that genuinely shows its French chic roots. By 'French chic roots ', I mean it exudes a sophisticated, understated elegance that is characteristic of French perfumery. After about three minutes, the incense comes in, adding depth to the light opening. The incense is sweet and smokey, reminiscent of a Catholic cathedral you would visit while in Paris. Honestly, this scent does give off the vibes of a softly perfumed Parisian at a church service on a cold Paris afternoon. Vanille 44 is no projection monster with its aroma. At certain points, I would forget I had this on, but then I would get whiffs of the incense softened with vanilla every so often. This perfume has a similar vibe to Juliet has a gun - not a perfume, in that you forget that it's there, but it always finds a way to return to your nose later that day. To me, the perfume was projected off my skin for the first four hours. After that time, I would have to go to my arm and catch the aroma. However, to my surprise, the aroma is still there at the eight-hour mark, so while soft, this perfume does have the longevity expected of a niche perfume at this price point. In conclusion, this is an excellent bottle for someone who wants to have their aroma discovered and not announced—a perfect example of French chic perfumery.

Slightly floral, slightly boozy, and sweet but not too sweet, Vanille 44 by Le Labo is a welcome entry in their City Exclusive line and their total catalog, as the house doesn't seem to offer an abundance of sweet fragrances, otherwise. It's agreeable and not likely to offend, since it does not push the extremes of concentration, sweetness, or floralness. Rather, it sits in a comfortable unisex medium that makes it a greater year-round option for fans of vanilla. I certainly wouldn't go the route of emphasizing that this is so much more than vanilla, as the signature note is certainly the star of the show, but there are other elements that give it some depth. For some reason, the incense and guaiac (per the note listings) are giving me a musky vibe in the base, I suspect, and I don't get the orange or any citrus at all, really. I can imagine Vanille 44 being a fragrance where subservient notes resonate differently for wearers. While it carries the same burden of price as the other City Exclusives, it's one of the better offerings of the line, but surely not one that I would buy. In the vanilla scheme, it's still inferior to Tauerville Vanilla Flash and Dame Perfumery Black Flower Mexican Vanilla, that I can attest are significantly more affordable, as well. 8 out of 10

It's odd to me that some people think this scent doesn't smell like paris. Paris is a city known for its abundance of patisseries (Vanilla) and its old churches (Incense). This fragrance combines what I think are two very well-known cultural stereotypes into a magnificent fragrance. They could've gone for something overbearing here, like a cake shop on the street, but it's a surprisingly intimate fragrance. The opener is fresh and delicious, with citrus and a hint of ginger spicing it up. The drydown reveals the best vanilla scent I've ever had. It would've been easy given the pastry inspiration for them to lean gourmand, but Le Labo doesn't do that. It's a pure, excellent vanilla that's backed up with a batch of smoky incenses and something very palo-santo inspired, patchouli and gaiac wood add a really pleasant depth. I also smell some herbs lingering in the background and a fair bit of that le labo amrboxan aldehydic DNA that's in a lot of their scents. Projection and sillage will be kind of disappointing to some, and I get it. But the fragrance is just so out of this world for me that if I ever have an occasion I need to play it safe like a corporate meeting or a wedding, this is the scent I reach for. It's a little bit enigmatic and mysterious.

2 years ago a friend of mine who is now a former employee of Le labo prior to me knowing this fragrance felt life fall apart. Every other weekend he would visit us in Virginia with a bag of amazing samples for free. All was good until one day downstairs I found this atomizer of the most beautiful fragrance ever Vanille 44. Fast forward a month when he returned to sense this smell in the air losing his mind knowing I had been overusing this juice. Unaware of the history, location, or schedule of its release I destroyed him. Now relocating to California we still get a kick out of this because this is hands down a must have and apparently you can purchase a bottle in New York during the month of September. Soooo I guess I'll see you guys in September. Don't miss out on samples or any authentic form of this beauty.

I've never worn this and not gotten at least one compliment (it's usually a cacophony of compliments!) One of my top 3 favorites. Daytime I like to wear this one in my hair, and at the nape of my neck so when I'm out in the sun it wafts up and creates a cloud around me. Subtly nuanced, not overwhelming at all; soft. I'd call this a comfort scent but it's got a bit of adventure in to it too. This is work-out safe, work safe, but at the same time totally sexy enough for a night out or a date. I find that so many of the vanillas out there are too sweet, too foody, or turn into something unlike vanilla in their dry down. This one only gets warmer and more intricate as time goes on. It was totally worth it to me to look past the price, as it's becoming my signature scent.

Oh how I enjoy this one. I ordered a sample vial of this in search of a perfect vanilla. The price point and lack of general availability has downgraded this from a "love" in my books. I am not sure this one is worth the high price. But it is a solid perfume offering if your pocket book permits. I should know better as this is a Le Labo perfume, but I bought this expecting the vanilla to be the star of the show. At first sniff I wasn't sure I liked it. This one is heavy on the woods to my nose, and lesser on the vanilla. After trying a few times, I did come to enjoy it, and notice the vanilla on the dry down. Very unisex leaning and not a gourmand whatsoever, the vanilla is dry. Longevity is a good 6 hours on me. Somewhat similar to Eau Duelle by Diptyque.

This is a vanilla fragrance that is smokey and sexy without being sweet or foody at all. It swirls around you like the finest incense with the vanilla coming into play in the heart and even then it never overwhelms the entire fragrance. The vanilla provides a softness, a supporting role as opposed to the main star and it works well. All the notes seamlessly meld into one another without any of the little transitional hiccups that can occur with some scents. This fragrance just seems to smoulder on my skin, very soft and sultry never ever making me think of food. It is not at all powdery on me, but dry and smooth. This is one I could see wearing in the summer as well as the winter. Formal attire or jeans. So sad it can only be purchased in Paris.

My favorite from the city exclusives! I knew I would love this before I even smelled it and when September finally came around I had to grab a full size bottle. It's so feminine without being sticky sweet. I'm a big vanilla girly and having something that isn’t a gourmand is very exciting! I wanted to updated after owning the scent for 7 months now. I'm already 1/3 of the way through my bottle which with a collection as big as mine is quite impressive. This continues to be one of my top favorite vanillas and one that I would repurchase again and again and again. It's perfect and appropriate for any occasion, workplace, event, a wedding, day or night. I feel so beautiful and put together when I wear this and I am just so so in love.

Frankly I love. Sharp and aromatic wood and creamy vanilla. The incense is notable too. Tbh sometimes I struggle with this kinda scent because the deep intense notes like incense are in such sharp contrast to the lighter sweeter notes. But I dont have that issue here. I dont find the wood and incense sharp like I sometimes do. And the vanilla is wicked creamy and rich. Like french vanilla ice cream sans ice cream. Then to me the citrus manifests in kind of vague greenness which I also appreciate here. Definitely has a musty or maybe sweaty quality. Not bad, like an old wooden house, and hair. Not clean hair not dirty hair. You'd think I'm pointing this out as a drawback but it's all very tasteful. I think this is wearable sue me!

I just want to thank everyone who suggested Diptyque Eau Duelle de Toilette as a dupe for this. I fell in love with Le Labo Vanille 44 last year during their annual selling of city exclusives but could not justify the price. Bought and loved Eau Duelle and today I received a sample of Le Labo Vanille just to compare how similar they are. Le Labo Vanille 44 definitely has more of a candied vanilla vibe probably from the citrus, whereas I find Eau Duelle more heavy on the Juniper notes (think almost Christmas Tree). But on dry down they are very similar. I think I still slightly prefer the sweetness of Le Labo over the pepperiness of Diptyque but is the small differentiation worth the $340 price difference? For me, no.

Vanille 44 is not a sweet vanilla — it’s a clean, airy, skin-like interpretation of vanilla. Soft citrus opens the scent, followed by delicate incense and warm guaiac wood. The vanilla here is subtle, blended seamlessly with musk and aldehydes, creating an intimate and refined aura. Not a loud fragrance — but one that feels elegant, personal, and quietly addictive. ليس عطر فانيلا حلو — بل تفسير نظيف، خفيف، وقريب من رائحة البشرة للفانيلا. تبدأ الرائحة بحمضيات ناعمة، يتبعها بخور رقيق وخشب دافئ من الغاياك. الفانيلا هنا هادئة ومندمجة بانسيابية مع المسك والألدهيدات، لتخلق هالة حميمة وراقية. ليس عطرًا صاخبًا — بل عطر أنيق، شخصي، وإدماني بهدوء.

Oh. My. God. I love this vanilla, after trying so many and especially after finding that I hated SL Un Bois Vanille which so many others loved, I have found this, the most beautifully sweet but not foody vanilla, with a bit of incense and a bit of wood and a bit of amber. Everything blended to perfection so that none of the notes are dominant but its a luminous composition, but its got a definite dark edge to it. Its comfoting but sexy too in equal parts. Oh lord help me. I currently have a large decant from TPC, I just hope there is no way for me to get a FB from Paris, because if I can I'll happily spend the big bucks for this one.

Opens with vanilla. It’s a semi sweet vanilla and not very thick. The whole fragrance is pretty thin, however contrary to others I get solid longevity. After the vanilla, it transitions into incense- in a fascinating way. Really enjoyable from 30min - 2hrs. The incense here smells exactly like Gossamer Spirit from Univeral Flowering; but it has vanilla in the opening. After 2 hrs the incense dies down and it converts back to a vanilla skin scent for the next 3-4hrs. I consider 6 hrs for a fragrance solid. This is really nice, price point has to be considered, and I’m going to pass - but won’t deny it’s a nice fragrance.

okay picture this: your girlfriend just got home from pilates class (in this scenario you have a lustful spirit like me) and she’s wearing some like. vanilla lotion from lush and one of those native aluminum free deodorants that’s like. orange vanilla flavor. and she’s kissing you and all you can smell is vanilla and that naturalized musk that you only really get to smell when someone you REALLY want to fuck is hot and sweaty. basically that’s how this one smells on me. overpriced obvi like everything else from le labo but jesus christ if this isn’t divine

Ah, such a lovely, dry, refreshing vanilla! On me it's basically a pure vanilla + incense-blend. The vanilla is a true vanilla, exclusive, natural, not sweet but beautiful. And right next to it the incense. They both vary in strength throughout the day, they take over the lead in turns, but they are both always there. Sillage is good, but it decreases in strength a bit too soon. I would still get a BIG bottle of it if it was a bit less expensive. If anyone wants to get rid of a bottle, please let me know, I'll swap half my collection for it ;-)

My favorite city exclusive so far! Nothing mind-blowing but soooo pretty and truly the perfect slightly smoky, resinous vanilla for a night out in fall/winter. The bright mandarin and bergamot in the top make this scent very balanced along with the smokiness of the incense and gaiac wood notes. Alberto Morillas really did his thing, the longevity is solid and the drydown is deep and creamy with a hint of tobacco. I would honestly get a full bottle of this for F/W, but with the pricetag there are a lot of other cheaper similar options.

The vanilla note in Vanille 44 is more of a shadow rather than in full spotlight. Smoky, incense kissed, and woody, with vanilla drifting through like a warm mist rather than taking center stage. It feels cozy and has a nostalgic pull that reminds me of Catholic church with stone walls, candlelight, and incense in the air. As the city exclusive for Paris, it captures that atmosphere perfectly, refined and old world. Personally, I’m obsessed. However, it’s worth noting that if you’re after a gourmand vanilla, this is not the one.

Definitely vanilla, but not like other vanilla fragrances I've tried. Vanille 44 is a dry, peppery vanilla. Woody, warm, not sweet. It's kind of a cerebral, adult vanilla scent. If Vanille 44 was a person it would be an architect with cool, trendy eyeglasses. Unisex and wearable year-round - it's not too cloying in warm weather. Minimal projection, average performance on my skin. Overpriced, yes, but special to me as I got it on a trip to Paris and it's tied to those memories. RIP Colette:(

I lOOOOVe this perfume. Wow. I don't love pure vanilla usually, but this is so complicated. I get smokey, slightly sweet, so warm. I cannot wait until COVID is done with because I want people to smell me in this. Definitely good for cooler weather though, I can see how it might be overpowering in the heat. You don't need much, either. It's silage is excellent. Obviously though, it's way too expensive and only offered in Paris. So I make the samples last. But I can see why it's so expensive!

As an update to my review: as my flacon (I bought a 500ml) sat, and my sample sat as well, the incense/spices have seemed to calm down. I get more vanilla now. The longevity on my skin is 6 hours with quite good scent bubble. Unrelated but I made a bodywash of this stuff, in the bodywash I can smell the iso-e-super and cedar prominently whereas the perfume smells much less cedary. Someone I chat with described this one as a sweet expensive Swiss cheese, and I can definitely see that!

Sensational, cozy, vintage (but not old or musty!!!!) vanilla. I will be savouring my 15ml as the city exclusives cost an arm and a leg. Layered with Santal 33 it is heaven, but also worn on its own it's beautiful. Looking forward to fall and winter draped in this scent. Tried to find a dupe but this one is a one of one. I have Eau Duelle but that one is far more green than this. They are both lovely but I prefer this one. It smells more earthy, woody, and pure.

The guaiac wood and vanilla make this smell almost like a gourmet root beer float on my skin, but it still smells expensive. I would suggest a sample of vanilla anise for those of you who cannot afford this, as they are similar on my skin. Vanilla anise gives the same vibe but is much less rich than Vanille 44. This was very pricy and I still prefer tihota by miles, but of course, thats discontinued. Over all I am happy with my purchase, but not my HG.

It’s a no for me, it’s big on the hype train. This is a decent idea but the execution is just ok In contrast, I love Alberto Morillas’s line. Gorgeous line of fragrances, Mizensir is. Sits right on your skin, intimate with some nice wafts here and there. A dusting of aromatic spicy musk w a passing note of slightly green vanilla. You have to put your nose on yourself to smell anything. It’s eau duelle watered down for $535+

Has this been reformulated? My official sample (2020) smells of an incense bomb. I smelled this on someone before and it smelled totally different. It's sad to agree with "this smells like" but it really smells like This is Him Zadig & Voltaire. Not a bad thing, but This is Him! can be had for much less. I wonder if what they mix at the store will be different? Maybe the samples came from a bad concrete/batch this year.

I purchased this hoping I (a guy) could pull off this unisex scent. While the scent is potent and pleasant, it has a synthetic note that smells of women's make-up. The kind of scent one might find in a woman's purse. While I like/love the scent, I'm going to have trouble wearing it comfortably. Whereas, I can wear Hypnotic Poison without the same concern--both vanilla based.

Not a straightforward vanilla, but an incense with edges rounded by vanilla. Drier and more mineral than other vanilla/incense perfumes (Spiritueuse double vanille, Akro Glow). Surprisingly a few whifts of cacao in the dry down, as well as something a bit animalic. Never found a vanilla I would chose over this one (except maybe SDV if it didn't wear so close to the skin).

This is a nice edgy vanilla. I enjoy the woody incense addition to this, it makes it more interesting. The vanilla dry down is addictive, but not your gourmand. It smells very sophisticated and is quite light and inoffensive. There isn't much projection and the longevity is average. I enjoy this and would definitely love to add this to my collection.

This smells incredibly beautiful on my skin! I went through my sample so fast and it was too late to buy it online so I started searching for an inspiration...and I found one that's even better! Montagne Parfums Eau Vanille is stronger and lasts longer. Gorgeous perfume❤️ I don't think I'll buy a bottle since Montagne is better. Love it!

I was getting ready to see my mom and I was like "oh I want her to smell me smell nice" and then I was picking a fragrance from my closet and I thought " I really want to smell like vanille 44 today", but the thought that followed was "I she definitely won't even smell it on me" and that's what you should know about this fragrance lol

I disliked this at the beginning of my fragrance journey. I dove pretty hard into the gourmands as a Vanilla lover and now years later I really appreciate how this vanilla isn't sweet. My nose must be maturing. It's spicy/peppery on the open and the settles into a dusty old books store vanilla. It's enjoyable. I crave it.

Vanille 44 by Le Labo is a Euro girl—her soul light and poetic. She’s a mysterious whisper in Paris, reserved for discerning company. Romanticism is her muse, with warm nuances that never trespass her refinement. Smoky, resinous notes entwine with the ethereal, painting an olfactory portrait of an artist.

I fell in love with this at the store after trying, and went online to get a sample. Although I do love it, it is so not worth the price because of very poor sillage and lasting time. It's a great smelling non-gourmand fragrance, but absolutely not worth the price imo.

This is the best modern vanilla out there. I got it in an event where they were offering all of the city exclusives at all locations and truely hope this is a regular thing. It's an authentic vanilla bean that is just so comfy and warming. Love Love Love this scent!

This is honestly a banger of a vanilla. The incense note makes it so dark and sexy, and it develops so nicely on skin. It’s mysterious, almost a little spooky, like a cool autumn night. Candles burning, old books, black clothing, this scent is a whole personality.

probably the smoothest smoky vanilla perfume I know. falls in the same category (not dupe) as Celine Black Tie, this one is drier and more long-lasting though. outrageous price point, but still I'll happily douse myself with this every given day if I could.

The best vanilla in the world! So sexy and warm, dangerous vanilla. I personally found some similarities with Lab on Fire What We Do In Paris is Secret. Shame that both of fragrances have to be shipped from Paris in one case and The States , in the other.

This is a beautiful incense vanilla. It smells quite similar to Caftan YSL, which I love. I think Caftan lasts longer than this, and projects better. The ingredient quality seems comparable. The price of Vanille 44 is just unreasonable!

Wildly overpriced and short lived but my god this is the best smelling vanilla I’ve ever tried in my life. I hate you can only buy in month of September or in Paris but they do allow refills of full sized bottles at any time.

It’s very nice... smells quite like Eau Duelle by Diptyque and Caftan by YSL. Far too soft for the price. I don't think it projects or lasts well. Given the price tag, this should perform better than Santal 33 no?

The opening was bright and fluffy but the dry down strongly smells like Johnson's baby powder from the 90's. Feeds into my nostalgia carefree days but I'm not sure if the price justifies me buying a full bottle

Super sophisticated deep and woody vanilla. I only use it on special occasions because I have the 15 ml and it’s so expensive but it smells very special. Good for date nights or nights out with the gals.

Ok, so It’s like the dry down of Musc ravageur, but softer. It is very nice and warm. For the price, you’d hope incredible performance that you can count on, but unfortunately feels average in longevity.

Beautiful smoky vanilla. I agree with the reviewers, that Duelle is very similar. I do have Duelle too! Duelle is also super cozy and comforting, and this is exactly how this perfume is!

Love at first sight, an elegant dry vanilla. and what makes the difference is an addictive guaiac wood, which is pretty strong here, combined with this delicate touch of mandarin.

I own 50ml.label from Paris ,Yes Vanille44 is One of the best vanilla scent in the world So wonderful fantastic seduction juice The big problem is PRICE! Are you kidding me?

é o vanilla perfeito! nem muito doce, nem muito spicy, nem muito smoky, bem equilibrado. hoje, quando eu estava usando, disseram que eu estava com cheiro de kinder ovo.

This is wonderful, but ridiculously priced and the (non-) distribution is a joke. But then again. I may have to auction off an organ so I'll be able to get a bottle...

An old-world vanilla... smells like one of those beautiful churches in Europe. So woody, dry and not gourmand at all. Love it..