Vaniglia

This was my absolute favorite fragrance I smelt after spending close to 2 hours in the Via Della Scala store. I couldn’t leave without buying a full bottle.. I knew I would heavily regret it if I did. The lovely woman that was assisting me also adores this fragrance, but informed me that it’s really not popular. I guess I felt surprised to learn that, for it is incredibly beautiful. I’m not going to pretend that I know everything about the history of this perfumery, but I believe that this is one of their oldest, original formulations. To me it is timeless. The warmth that this scent exudes is intoxicating. Yes, as others here have pointed out, there is an animatic quality to it... and that is what makes it so intoxicating. There is no sugary, syrupy sweetness to be found here. Nothing artificial or cloying. Just a very full-bodied true vanilla with a hint of spice and dark liquor. So rounded and smooth. Modern-day vanillas never appeal to me because they are always so creamy, sugary and sticky. What makes this so appealing is that it is so far removed from all of that. There is no stickiness that gives me a headache. It is luxurious without being too in your face. It is very sensual. I cannot stop smelling my wrists. I cannot stop spraying it onto myself. The cloud that it surrounds me in makes me feel so good. Whilst I was walking around in the blazing hot Florence sun, emanating a lot of natural scent of my own, it melded and morphed into something even more rich. It strikes me as being totally suitable to wear in any sort of weather... icy, humid, dry, overcast... doesn’t matter. It will provide joy and comfort regardless. The longevity/projection aren’t out of this world. After a few hours of wear it leaves a wonderful skin scent, which to me is more meaningful and seductive than a beast that still projects after several hours of wear. I’m very delighted. It’s my new favorite... I think I feel at home in it.

This was a blind buy for me so it took me on a bit of a journey and it's taken me a while to collect my thoughts. I've been intrigued with the fragrance and could not find a sample anywhere. I heavily considered flying to LA to visit a store but decided it would be more cost effective to just blind buy, so I did. Upon initial sniff I was a little disappointed. I was expecting a more 'vanilla' experience and it has ZERO sweetness/gourmand qualities. I wasn't really sure what to think about it but went in for a skin test. I received 4 compliments over the next two days of wearing. Someone asked me if that was my deodorant and 3 others just said I smelled so good, and they couldn't tell if it was just me or if I was wearing something. The initial spray is a tiny bit sharp which throws you off but once it dries down it really is the most natural almost garden fresh or green vanilla. There is something so natural about the scent and it is completely unique, unlike anything I've ever worn. A few days of owning it and now my husband and I are both wearing it and making quite the dent. It is fresh, clean, while still being warm and a tiny bit spicy. Such an interesting and addictive scent. It is not your average vanilla and as a vanilla collector I am just feeling so very lucky to have this in my collection as it brings something completely unique to my nose. My husband says it reminds him of a campfire. It reminds me of summer camp in the hill country and I love that such a light scent that is unisex brings up joyful memories for us both. If you can, get your nose on this but definitely do a skin test as I was not sold until it sunk into my skin. Extra points for packaging! I genuinely cannot wait to take this little bottle on a trip!

Finally. A primarily Vanilla fragrance that I love. No, scratch that.... Adore!!! Vaniglia is my latest exploration of the House of Santa Maria Novella. These are all such natural, slightly unusual fragrances. Vaniglia is a beautiful, very slightly sweet vanilla, touched by cocoa and spices. It really (really) smells like a high quality vanilla extrait being poured into a sublime batter of extra special cookies or cakes. These cookies are the one's made at our in-house bakery... only the best spices, butter... maybe decorated with edible gold... branches of vanilla pod, perhaps? It is not gourmand, to me, more Oriental with a capital "O". Do I sense some distant resemblance to Shalimar Original? A bit, yes. That is a Good Thing.

When first applying it, this scent was seemed alcoholic, like a spicy gin cocktail with lemon in the topnotes. However, the progress of this fragrance is adoring. The middle notes and base notes start to come out and when the scent dries down, I can feel the intens vanilla with cacao in the background. The cacao gives the scent this dark incense quality that is unique in my experience. Overall, I do not find this scent too sweet. It's very darkly soft and has good longevity, surprising for a cologne. The vanilla is really beautiful, strong like an actual vanilla pod, but without the sugar. I like this fragrance more each time I put it on. It has surprising depth for a cologne.

This vanilla is a beautiful representation of the old world. It holds a special place on the shelf due to its thick and lusciousness. However, it is not a modern-day vanilla, it is aged, beautifully aged. This scent is extremely good overall, I love it. I believe that this scent favors the female more than the average, on the contrary, a male with an understanding of the primordial gracefulness that comes with the scent would be able to pull it off. Vaniglia is beautiful and very simple, it is not all over the place, I would highly recommend it for an aristocrat of the soul - worth $150.

This is not a light/cakey vanilla like you'll find in many modern formulas. This vanilla is thick, almost oily like a vanilla bean paste. As Vaniglia opens there's something animalic in the scent profile but it disappears pretty quickly so don't panic. There is a hint of smoke that lingers throughout and the cocoa takes some time to unfold but by the dry down it's fully revealed itself and is a beautiful complement to the vanilla. Vaniglia is a stunner IF you're looking for an old fashioned vanilla. If you want something sweet/fluffy, you should sample before you buy.

On my skin this turned out to be a soft vanilla fragrance with just a bit of spicy chocolate thrown in. It reminds me of a Tootsie Roll :)) It's only slightly sweet, and it is smooth and delicious. My skin chemistry is such that I do not get any of the smokiness or extreme sweetness that some of the other reviewers experienced - or maybe I am strangely anosmic to those qualities, I don't know. Anyway, on me Vaniglia lies extremely close to the skin and lasts a long time. I found it to be a nice, yummy, warm personal fragrance.

One of my favorite vanilla frags. Actually, one of my favorite fragrances, ever. The opening is quite pungent, almost like nail polish remover. I don't find it off-putting, but I can imagine others might not enjoy it. However, once you get past that stage, it turns into an intoxicatingly beautiful vanilla fragrance. I received a few compliments while wearing it, which surprised me because of its projection, I thought other people could barely smell it on me. Scent: 10/10 Projection: 7/10 Longevity: 9/10

I love it. I wish I discovered it before. It's a really pleasant and interesting, scent. It is "different vanilla" but still vanilla and it's not a cheap scent vibe, and indeed its not cheap. I really feel I am wearing an exclusive cologne. It's not so weak, but it's not an annoying scent neither, just so lovely.. It's sweet but thanks to spices, it's well balanced. If you love vanilla and want to feel that you are wearing something above the "average", go for it!

Yes, the perfect vanilla is right! People are paying much more and missing this house. This goes on a blast of alcohol, booze and sweet vanilla but in seconds dries down to a dry vanilla cooking vanilla. So smooth and rounded with the cocao in it. Vanilla without being overtly gourmand. This is a vanilla haters vanilla and a vanilla lovers heaven. P.S. I have the vintage with the foil label not the modern pictured above. Not sure if formulas have changed.

I am a vanilla lover and think this may just be that "perfect vanilla" I've been searching may whole life for...I don't want to smell like candy or a child, and this vanilla is definitely grown up, unisex, and as close to 100% vanilla with no filler as I've found...SMN perfumes seem to be up my alley, now that I have two including this one...SMN also has a direct website now you can order from in the U.S., making these perfumes easier to get now...

This is, as others have said, the perfect vanilla. It’s grown-up without being fusty — not a cheap-smelling or teenage vanilla at all. There’s definitely a boozy note in it that keeps me from wearing it to the office, but it’s perfect for a cashmere sweater, glass of neat bourbon, and a roaring fire. Practically heaven for cool months.

Absolutely charming and unusual. I would not call it gourmand at all. It is rather a vanilla which landed by mistake in some artist's atelier and soaked with some interesting chemical and herbal ingrediens. It is quiet, non-arogant and stays very close to my skin. Ideal scen for a nice, Sunday strolls in early Autumn. Love.

I’m sampling from a Lucky Scent sample dauber vial, so I may not be getting the full experience...because the opening was a smooth transition into a sugar-free, spicey, vanilla cloud. And I’m here for it. I really enjoyed my time with this relaxing beauty. Would not hesitate to try it again.

This is melted Mexican Vanilla ice cream mixed with chocolate liqueur and topped with sweetened whipped cream. A delight for some, too rich for others...

I bought a sample of this, because I didn't think I would like it based on the reviews. I was wrong. It's actually a very interesting vanilla. I read that it isn't sweet, and I don't agree with that. It's sweet mixed with other things. I get a very smoky note in the beginning stages that reminds me of By the Fireplace, which is a perfume I strongly dislike. The smoky note from Fireplace never fully goes away on me, but it does eventually with Vaniglia. It dries down into a sweet (but not overly so) vanilla with interesting spicy, chocolate nuances. I tend to not like unisex fragrances, but that tends to not apply when it comes to vanilla. Another favorite of mine is Vanille Fatale from Tom Ford. I can see how this could be considered a unisex fragrance, but I do think it is sweet (which I am happy about).

On me, I get a ton of vanilla, but also something smokey in the background. I don't get any sweet notes from this. Slightly powdery. I would not purchase again, and probably will sell this off. It's not feminine enough for me. It smells like old men at the pool hall with their fedora's on, cigar smoke lingering in the air in the back of the pool tables. Yep, I visited the pool halls only to purchase comic books when I was younger, I was too afraid to look in the back, but when I got older, I used to hang out in another one, and this cologne reminds me of that. I think it's better suited for a man. Not a young man either, this is old man's elixir.

This one needs to macerate. When I first got it, I barely smelled anything and what I did smell was straight incense. I gave it to my husband to use up. Today I randomly decided to give it a sniff and took it straight back. It’s a cold, powdery vanilla. It’s complex and unique. I agree with another reviewer if you like Eau Duelle from Diptyque, you’ll probably like this too.

A realistic vanilla, woodsy and a little spice, more dry , not creamy or gourmand, definitely shared . A grown up vanilla , close to the skin scent suitable for summer, spring and fall. Not enough projection for colder weather. I’m definitely in like! Reminds me of Diptyque Eau Duelle EDP .

The vanilla is not too sweet and I smelled something like incense in the fragrance. For a minute, it reminded me of Ambre Sultan by Serge Lutens, but without the heavy smoky notes. The lasting power in this was excellent and I am very surprised because it's a cologne.

A very dry, phenolic vanilla with a decidedly odd opening. This isn’t like most others in the vanilla category. Gourmand? Not a bit. After the repugnant and jarring beginning, it moves into a desiccated vanilla bean that spent its last bit of aroma stored in very dry, forgotten leather jacket. It isn't a cozy vanilla - like the last exhale from cigarette mixed with some vanilla schnapps breath. It’s so different, almost medicinal and I’m not sure if I’m understanding it, but it’s not a bottle I reach for very often. In the far drydown, it’s just a smoky arid vanilla bean. I only bought it for a cheap price when the old SMN fragrances were being discontinued. If I want a cigarette scented vanilla, I’ll stick with SDV or vintage Habanita. I’m sure this scent has a special fan base - it’s just a rather different take on the vanilla theme.Your mileage may vary. Do NOT blind buy a bottle - try first.

Not sure how to feel about this one. This fragrance is a really intense vanilla scent with a heavy bourbon-like undertone. More vanilla extract than classic vanilla. It is a bit too heavy for my taste and has given me headaches in the past, however I have also had others try it and they really enjoyed the deeper, smokier vanilla note. Although others have suggested it is quite similar to Diptyque's Eau Duelle EDP, I don't find it is comparable at all. Eau Duelle is much woodier and softer, whereas Vaniglia is VERY strong with a more boozy scent profile.

The dry down on this one is nice, but the ride it took to get there, not so much. The initial spray was, like some other reviewers stated, pretty sharp, animalic, and to me a little plastic. The middle notes brought me back, and I could really smell the jasmine, which is one of my favorite scents. So the mid-dry was more vanilla jasmine, and I liked that a lot. However, it didn't last, settling into a generic vanilla with a hint of sophistication and pepperoni. Everyone's skin is different, so I give it a pass, but not a full bottle I'd invest in.

I am not a vanilla fan but I enjoy this , it’s a soft vanilla bean that is not sugary or what some would say is gourmand.

Airy, woody vanilla that smells very dry and barely sweet.

Vanilla baking extract with spiced hot chocolate

This is definitely an odd one. I wanted to like it, but while pleasant in the air it did not work on my skin at all. Vaniglia opens with an apple juice note that several other spicy vanilla fragrances have but fortunately that doesn’t last. It remains very fruity and it takes a while for this to evolve into spicy and slightly smoky territory. Unfortunately, by that time an off, plastic, synthetic notes snuck in. It reminds me of Estee Lauder Sensuous, in particular the “molten woods” and sandalwood in that one. That is not a negative comparison for me, but hopefully gives an idea of how unusual this is for a spicy vanilla. Edit: eventually I smelled cocoa or something like Belgian chocolate. When I addes vanilla essential oil it smelled great! This didn’t work out for me, but I am sure it is awesome on some people.

This one did not work with my skin. I was wanting to love it but unfortunately it was unwilling to love me back. Well...you win some...you lose some!!! The first blast out of the bottle was a rush of alcohol. It settled down after a few minutes but an hour later I have this strange synthetic almost plastic note. Plastic not leather. It has to be the way the spices are blending on my arm but unfortunately I get no cacao and definitely no soft incense or vanilla.

Tried again. Realized that the initial hit that turned me off last time is actually a very strong incense scent on me. I let it dry down, still only smell the incense, not the vanilla. Not a warm vanilla on me at all. Staying power is - unfortunately - quite good, the scent continues to linger on my skin even after repeated washings.

I can attest that if you are looking for a true vanilla, this will disappoint you. I thought I would like this when I read the Notes, but there was a dark, smoky component to this that I just couldn't handle, but I abhore smoky smells. I think I was expecting nutmeg or cardamom spices, and got something like incense instead. Bummer.

Not a good perfume for me. Smeels very synthetic, didn't get much vanilla out of it on me at all. It smells... wet. Like vanilla got stuck somewhere and got wet.

It's giving vanilla and bourbon. Not my fave. But a pretty smell for those that like vanilla.

An unpleasant hot boozy mess initially, the drydown (hours later) was much nicer.

I'm still in a slight state of shock. I never expected to smell such a sweet vanilla scent. Actually it's sweeter than sweet, it smells almost like a bag of icing sugar. It's hard to detect the vanilla in Santa Maria Novella's Vaniglia. It seems to be smothered by a variety of sweet accords; soft incense, sugary powder and banana lollies. If you're not looking for the perfect vanilla, then this fragrance is enjoyably different, but for vanilla lovers seeking vanilla in all its glory, this fragrance could be a disappointment. In all honesty, I'm not a huge fan of the sugary and powdery opening, but I do like it once it reaches the heart. Vaniglia becomes increasingly spicier and smokier as it settles on the skin. Very unique in its approach and strangely sensual. It's somewhat of an acquired taste in some ways. It's not something that I initially liked, yet the more I subject myself to smelling it, the more it grows on me. The spicy and musky accords really make Vaniglia an interesting experience on the skin. After five hours of wear, the scent is still there but very subtle, as you would expect from a cologne. Throughout Vaniglia's development, I really didn't sense any strong vanilla accords, however I did smell it every now and then, lingering in the background, not necessarily wanting to be found. Sugar, spices, powder and smoky incense is a more realistic scent description.

Wow, this is a strange one. It opens as a fairly traditional vanilla but within a few seconds, it turned very smoky and animalic. I was a bit worried because I hate overly animalic notes, but then it calmed down a lot. The animalic notes took a back seat and within 10 mins, they were just adding a warmth. The smokiness remained, but I was also getting a powderiness. “Oh no!” But this went away too. This is a wild ride! Now, after about 2 hours, it has settled into a deep, ambery vanilla, still smoky and a bit sweet but not overly so. The animalic note has gone and it reminds me of being in my grandad’s study, all leather sofas, resins and slight whiff of smoke from a fireplace. Very warm, cosy and comforting. It is unisex, sillage weak to moderate. Longevity- not sure yet, but I suspect about 6 hours. I think it is worth having it if you like vanillas, just because it’s so different. No pound cake here!

On initial application this scent was very alcoholish, like a spicy gin cocktail with lemon in the topnotes. However, the development of this fragrance is lovely. The middle notes and base notes start to come out and when the scent dries down it is a lovely very spicy, incensy vanilla with cacao in the background. The cacao gives the scent this dark incense quality that is unique in my experience. It is not a sweet chocolate at all. Overall, I do not find this scent too sweet. It's very darkly soft and has good longevity, surprising for a cologne. The vanilla is really beautiful, strong like an actual vanilla pod, but without the sugar. I like this fragrance more each time I put it on. It has surprising depth for a cologne. A man could definitely rock this with no problem at all.

This smells so similar to Lush's Vanillary from afar that I kept thinking I was wearing it or I had taken a trip to the Lush store. I like this better though. I get powdery tonka, sandalwood and smokey vanilla pod, strong and enveloping. Definitely a vanilla scent on me. I find some similarities to the smokey vanilla powdery scent I get from Shalimar. It's a different, more vintage take on vanilla that is really beautiful in my opinion. I really like this! I plan to save up and hopefully get myself a bottle. Good sillage and longevity. Just a note, for some reason when you first spray this high-pitched slightly fishy scent comes out. This burns off quickly and you can't smell it after a few minutes.

I like this but I don't love it. While other commenters enjoy the liqueur note, the booziness is its downfall for me. It does subside over time but I want to love every stage of a fragrance, not just parts. I am picking up the cacao note, which adds some interest, but I'm looking for dominant vanilla. Also, this wears very close to the skin - little to no projection that I can detect - it's present but very soft and unobtrusive. It's nice enough but I think all vanillas are just coming up short for me compared to the sadly discontinued L'Artisan La Vanilia, which to me, is the quintessential vanilla. The search continues...

On my skin it turned out to be a soft vanilla fragrance with just a bit of spicy chocolate in it. It's only slightly sweet, and it is smooth and delicious. My skin type is such that I can t feel the smokiness or extreme sweetness. Anyway, on me Vaniglia lies extremely close to the skin and lasts a long. I found it to be a nice, yummy, warm personal fragrance.

Skin scent. Dry, non sweet, woody and boozy vanilla scent. Slightly animalic there is a funky note that irritates me... but fortunately it doesn't last long. This is not a gourmand scent, this is not cute, not sexy....this is an acquired taste scent. More booze than vanilla, a little bit too stern ... Do not blind buy. A sample is more than enough for me.

It comes so close to giving me the wrong first impression at first spray but in just a few minutes develops into one of the most delicious vanillas I've found so far in my neverending quest to find a perfume that smells like the big jar of vanilla extract my dad brought home from Mexico when I was a child (and that we used for baking for years on)

Very weirdly boozy opening for me, almost smells medicinal? I get no warmth from this fragrance at all. For me it’s a very ‘cool’ or ‘cold’ vanilla, with some sort of sugary powdery-ness mixed in. Very strange, not really what I was expecting. It’s hard to place for me, not a bad scent but I don’t think I’d wear it.

Whilst on a quest for the perfect vanilla I came across this beauty in store. I tested it on the back of my hand and accidently got some on my coat. The fragrance lingered on my coat for months! It smells amazing to me and pretty linear. Once I save up my pennies I will be back for it.

sick and boring to me it was like an old air freshener can't find any charm or delicacy (the staff said it is single note perfume, but unfortunately I can't feel the depth either)

I dont know why but this smelled like cat piss or poop in the store.. like really disgusting just a litlle sweet with lots of weird animalic notes.. love this brand tho.

Notes from the official site: Top: Bergamot, Lemon, Orange Middle: Vanilla, Jasmine Base: Vanilla, Sweet Woods, Benzoin Concentration: Eau de Cologne

was a big nope for me. it did the dusty, cat pee thing that some vanillas do for me :(