Melipona

I blind bought this during the holidays for a song. Have been in a major vanilla phase the past few months and despite testing another one of this brands perfumes, Etoile de Bali which was a tropical floral but was a hard no for me and disappointed as I read a enchanting review of it, I gambled and bought this as I read a lot about the vanilla used in it and seemed top quality. The best way I’d describe it would be a 35% ratio of indult, 60% ratio of sucre noir and 5% ratio of what the fluff. (Or just 37% insult, and 63% sucre noir, as I feel what the fluff leans closer to sucre noir). It has that rich vanilla musk sweetness from indult, but leans with more vanilla, less musk, a bit of that burnt sugar vibe. It’s a beautiful vanilla, but my main issue with it, is that it needs extensive spraying if you want to leave any trail whatsoever, and it starts to fade too quickly. At first spray or two, I didn’t notice this. When I reached for it on rotation after not using it for a week or two, I noticed that I needed to really spray a lot to get what I’d want, and even then, it wouldn’t stay with me as long as I’d hope. It’s possible it needs some time, and perhaps it will get stronger. Though I tend to view a lot of vanilla scents as closer to colder weather frags, due to its slight weak projection, I feel like this would be an easy vanilla to wear in the spring and at least early summer, though I wouldn’t hesitate to bust it out in the humid hot summer nights in July and August, perhaps it may be better suited then. I don’t regret buying it as I’m quite sure I would have felt that I liked it as much if not more than indult, (though indult is more musky vanilla), and more affordable than a full priced bottle of sucre noir which I prefer to this, as it’s richer, has better projection, and is high on my list of frags I want to own. I didn’t want to spend the $130 for the 30 ml bottle sold on luckyscent, as I think that’s the only place I found it in that size, even with a $20 off code or 10-15% off, id be paying $8 for their shipping and tax, so I wouldn’t be saving much, the 100 ml size I think is around $200-250, I forget, I know I could have gotten it for $195 (on sale) during another frag Black Friday sale, but had already been over my limit. It shares similarities with vangilia and vanilla West Indies as well, though I don’t find it as sweet as vanilla West Indies, leans closer to vangilia which is less cloying imo. The bottle is nice, but it is also really heavy. This makes it hard to spray at times, it feels like I’m holding a brick. I think for what I paid for, it was worth it, but could also say that a full bottle of what the fluff though has a slightly different profile, with it being more of a sugary semi smoky burnt vanilla dream, has a better projection and longetivety, and I can smell that on my clothes next time I wear them. This however, fades from the skin as well as fabric. It isn’t light by any means, Melipona smells like a very well rounded mix of vanillas, but falls short in showing off just how luxe it is by losing its power within the first 15-30 mins and becoming a skin scent. Though I’m not a fan of its projection (or lack there of) and longevity, I do recommend it for the vanilla lovers that enjoy indult, vaniglia, and sucre noir. It smells of quality and is classy, and for the price I paid ($96) I don’t feel like I was ripped off as there are so many others out there that are overpriced, unoriginal, and lack the quality and balance this scent has. Would I pay full price for it ($195)? No. But if you can find a bottle for $125 or less, I do think it is worth that and as mentioned, has that sweet vanilla musk indult has, and the slight burnt sugary vanilla sucre noir has, just not the projection and the longevity they both carry, but still smell like a splendid mix of vanilla’s, definitely one I like to wear to bed as it’s comforting and sensual.

Nectar Olfactif Melipona smells just like all your infamous vanillas that have trended over the past years: Mazzolari Vaniglia and Ligne St. Barth Vanille West Indies, both especially with their very sweet melted-caramel vanilla. Then maybe the drydowns of Profumum Roma Vanitas and Maison Tahité Vanilla2 with less caramel and more balmy benzoin than in the two previously mentioned. Also, Arte Profumi Sucre Noir and Jovoy Fire at Will, that are similar but maybe softer and mixed with a bit of Indult Tihota's musky vanilla. I hate to name drop like this but it is the same exact dna. At this point, you would be buying based on bottle preference and performance. Melipona is among the most cost-effective for this dna, so that could be considered when choosing. The performance is moderate and softens up as it dries like all the vanillas mentioned. This one however does not have the long lasting performance of Vanitas, Mazzolari, and Vanille West Indies Lignie, which last 7+ hours but still need the skin to be warmed up to give off decent projection. Meipona also has the slightest fruity nuance (red berry) in the vanilla by the dry-down 4-5 hours later before it disappears soon after. Regardless, since I love most of these, I can't possibly say I don't love this either lol.

I love this and think the scent is divine, but find it weak. I so wish it lasted longer and projected more. I feel like I can only smell it for around an hour, and even then I need to smell my wrists to detect it. It is December though and considering this is a spring/summer scent, it’s entirely possible this fragrance is designed to shine in the warmth of those months. I still bought a full bottle regardless, because it is gorgeous and the best from this collection. It’s also quite unique in my opinion, being a honey vanilla. If you’re someone who already has Melipona and Secret Di Nil, you should absolutely layer them! I’m not keen on Secret Di Nile. It was initially an instant love after it dried down, but I then realised it was reminding me of 80’s dry shampoo. I decided to layer it with Melipona and together they’re absolutely gorgeous! It also increases the longevity and intensifies the scent of Melipona.

I almost tossed this in the declutter pile when I first received the sample—but I’m so glad I didn’t. It’s a creamy, warm vanilla that might feel a bit redundant if you already own Vaniglia, Sucre Noir, Vanitas, or Indult—but still, it’s worth a sniff for any sweet vanilla lover. The drydown is where the magic happens: a delicate crunch of light sugar sweetness that smells like literal vanilla sugar. Soft cashmere woods float gently throughout, and a cozy amber base wraps it all in warmth. It’s comforting, softly gourmand, and just so lovely.

Someone once said that it is one of the most beautiful vanilla scents... And I agree! A true, beautiful, super versatile, wearable and well-performing delicious vanilla. I get the comparison to Vanitas, Vanille Absolu and others, but Melipona feels more elevated, classy, luxurious, subtle and unique in its' own way. It feels kind of airy, that's the best word I can have to describe the feel. But I can assure you that it is still rich and lasts very well. You must give it a wear it to truly appreciate it. Totally get why it is so popular!

Wow. This is a very quiet fragrance. Like I can barely smell it a half hour after applying a decent amount onto my shirt. This smells exactly like Vanitas, Montale Sweet Vanilla and Sucre Addict. I'm glad I sampled this first bc it's way too expensive to pull a disappearing act like it did. I'll stick with my beast mode Montale Sweet Vanilla when I want to wear this type of vanilla.

A delicious scent but I can say it smells 99% similar to Pacifica Island Vanilla and Sand and Fog White Vanilla, and a softer version of Solinotes Vanille. I sprayed Island Vanilla and Melipona side by side and they smell the same. For the price range, Island Vanilla (the old version) is a no-brainer for $10. Both have that effortlessly smooth buttery vanilla smell.

This is a very elegant, creamy and airy fragrance, im so in love with it. Imagine a woman in her late twenties/early thirties who is confident, sexy and very feminine. I can detect all the notes. However this reminds me of Celine's Black Tie, which I also have but this is like a sweeter and more feminine version of it. Black Tie is more unisex imo.

Very sweet vanilla, candy scent. I love the creamy vanilla dry down too. I just wish it lasted longer and projected better!!! I do enjoy this very much while I can smell it.

Mama likes. It gets better the more it sits on the skin, the dry-down is really delicious.

Personal: 7.5/10 - I enjoy it! It's warm, resinous sweet, and very natural smelling. This is the more natural version of MB Club Black. Mass appeal: 8/10 - It's relatively quiet, pleasant, and simple. Most will find it pleasant. Performance: 7/10 - It's fine. Doesn't last as long as I'd expect for sweet resins. Value: 4/10 - For an artisanal fragrance, it's kind of boring. Not unique enough to justify the price. Uniqueness: 7/10 - Kind of generic. Very pleasant DNA, but not unique at all. Just takes the resinous vanilla DNA and makes it more natural and pleasant. SCORE: 67/100 Full bottle buy? NO. It's nice, but MB Club Black does this for WAY cheaper. Blind buy? YES, it's resinous and sweet. You know what you're getting with this VERY simple fragrance. Recommend? YES, if you want something that's warm, sweet, and resinous without the synthetic heaviness. Date night? YES, cozy and intimate, sweet and seductive. I'd totally wear this. Office safe? YES, soft and wearable without being too loud or overbearing. Pros: Very natural smelling. Smooth, warm, and versatile in colder months. Cons: Steep for how generic it smells. Doesn't stand out in a crowded genre. There's astoundingly little to actually say about this fragrance. It's not bad by any means, but it's certainly boring. It's super linear and is a simple sweet, resin, vanilla fragrance. Like I said before, it's entirely similar to MB Club Black, so much so that this is practically the same fragrance. It's gold, sweet, and resinous. It's nice to experience its natural smell, but not an essential bottle in any collection. *Review #33 in my fragrance journey - this fragrance I own as a decant*

So when I first received this, I was on the fence because it smelled so much like Vanille2, almost too much like candy. I chose to revisit this the other day; approximately 4 months later, it is maturing nicely, becoming more beautiful to the point where I am able to smell the other notes as well. It lasts for about 6-7 hours on my skin with a moderate projection. I really enjoy it now and look forward to wearing it in the fall.

Some are comparing this to Tihota, but Melipona is not in the same league--nowhere as rich, dimensional, or sweet. That said, it is a pleasant, cozy, adult vanilla, not boozy nor too sweet and a bit floral. Dries down beautifully.

Interestingly, the scent voted most similar to Melipona, Vanitas, was also a pass for me although it’s a favorite of many, just like this offering with the elevated like/love numbers. This vanilla perfume smells common, too sweet and a little too synthetic for me. I like my vanillas rounder, creamier, and Melipona falls flat.

A deeper, a little more ambery version of Biancolatte by Zeromolecule. A pretty straightforward "deep" vanilla scent. I feel like a lot of people would referto it as mature, deep, and sexy, but it does smell a little bit grandma to me, which is not a bad thing! It can be comforting, while not being a "soft" fragrance

I thought I would like this scent, but on my skin this was a weirdly soapy vanilla, that smelled very synthetic and plasticky. The dry down after hours and hours is fine, but for the price I would not buy it. If you want a high quality pure vanilla I'd recommend Fire At Will by Jovoy.

Upon initial spray there is something off-putting here that tickles my nose, like a true honey note. It dries down to a true vanilla, slightly one dimensional for my tastes, on top of which the performance is not great.

It’d be perfect if only that woodsy note didn’t take center stage and eclipsed the spices and vanilla😞 It lasts all of 10 minutes on my skin so that’s going to be a no for me... That bottle though😳😳😳it is gorgeous 💛💛💛

It’s a good perfume but definitely not worth the price.

Smells identical to vanitas but add a powdery candied sugar note. Think of the candy sugar that you dip those white candy sticks into (dip sticks) it is that smell exactly. Not for me, I much prefer vanitas. This does not remind me of Tihota in the least bit, this is way less sweet and delicious than Tihota to my nose.