Vanilj

The word I said to myself as I sprayed this perfume was "YES". It fitted the idea I had of it in my head, only a bit smokier. As a swede myself, imagine this: you're burning incense in kitchen, while you're kneading a dough of Swedish cinnamon buns. The dough is raw (because this doesn't smell like cooked cinnamon buns, rather the uncooked dough), you get a whiff of icing sugar into your nostrils. In this scenario you're especially proud because you used freshly mortared cardamom instead of ready-made powdered cardamom. Ironically, crushing fresh cardamom makes the dough more "perfumey" :D Although, I had still anticipated/wished some more cinnamon in this perfume (it sounds funny but swedish cinnamon buns usually have cinnamon AND cardamom, so cardamom for me smells like cinnamon buns). I also miss some full fat milkiness or cream in this composition. But I do understand that this perfume is not made to make you smell like a baked good. It's sweet but it's not overly sweet, it's feminine in a mature way, a bit smokey, fancy, elegant, beautiful, and stand-alone. I imagine myself wearing this during cold winter days when it's dark outside all the time (like now in Sweden) or out in a fancy restaurant by the evening. It's cozy and I just want to wear it in a darkly lit room, while drinking red wine with your girlfriends. Fantastic!

As a Swede myself, I was immediately lured by the description of this - Swedish cardemum buns, a more mature and sexy vanilla with that touch of sandalwood. And scent-wise, I was not disappointed. This is probably one of my favorite scents ever, and every single person who've sniffed this has also loved it. Even those who proclaim themselves anti-vanilla has adored Vanilj. Since it's such a warm scent I'd probably say it's better for the colder months, but try separating me from this scent. You can't. However, and this is what really saddens me, the longevity on this one isn't that great for me. That said, I do have a problem with scents lasting on me, and yes, I've tried moisturising before. It just doesn't last as long as I would like it to, especially when I want this to last forever on my skin. I'll probably still get a full bottle of this as that's how in love I am - I can't get enough of this warm, comforting and inviting vanilla.

I have regularly heard this described as a cardemom bun (including by the reviewer below), but to my nose Vanilj is not quite as edible as all that. I am saying this because the reference to the bun put me off this scent, and it shouldn't have - and so I hope to invite any other gourmand-wary readers to try this. To my nose the cardemom competes with the cedarwood: Vanilj is fresh spicy and dusty wood chippings supported by a dry and warm vanilla that never veers too sweet. There is a rugged texture to this scent that I find very pleasurable: this is a vanilla with a personality. It could accompany you on the couch or on a hike on an autumn day. Definitely one to check out even when you're wary of vanilla scents (as I often am) - I have a decant for now, but can really see myself buying a full bottle once I finish that, for Vanilj is very addictive and versatile.

Haven’t bought it but it’s on my list. This perfume is gorgeous and so sophisticated, clean and great for daytime everyday wear. The cardamom note is really vibrant never medicinal , and same with the cedar which can be like toilet cleaner in some perfumes. It’s not a sweet vanilla whatsoever and really falls to the back of the other notes, holding them together. It’s really comforting and subtle, but the green notes perk you up on a cold winters day when you feel dull. I’ve not tried it in spring but I think it would work in warmer weather. When you first spray it it’s a bit sharp but when it’s warmed up it has medium projection and lasts about 6 hours. I would almost describe it as having a glowy quality. Like having a nice cardamom bun in front of Christmas tree on a snowy crisp night in a woolly scarf.

I’ve been searching for a cardamom forward vanilla fragrance, and this is by my favorite. It feels like the scent of home, a soft hug, a favorite sweater, an evening outside looking at the stars with a cup of cardamom chai in hand. There is no bonfire, no marshmallows, just the crispness of the surrounding wood your slightly lactonic spiced tea and a waft of vanilla coming from inside the glowing cabin next to you. It’s not a tea scent, but I can’t help but think of the comfort of tea. The vanilla is snuggly but round, no powder whatsoever. The patchouli is stronger to my nose than the cedar, but it’s a gloriously round patchouli with an almost herbal edge. The cardamom is the key player, no smoke, just cold beautiful spices.