Vanilla Sky

I really like this one. It is simple, sweet, and non-offensive. I definitely get a deeper sort of caramel-vanilla with this fragrance, with a hint of coffee, rather than anything artificial. I would say that this is a grown-up, more sophisticated version of Warm Vanilla Sugar from Bath and Body Works, rather than an overly sweet, artificial vanilla like Vanilla Bean Noel. The coffee adds a nice sort of balance to this sweet scent and makes it wearable for every day. However, when I got this scent, I couldn't help but feel like it smelled like shampoo. There is something in here that makes it smell like a vanilla soap or vanilla shampoo or a cleaning product of some kind. Walmart used to sell hazelnut cream candles, and it sort of smells like that to me. I don't mind it, but the fresh/soapiness quality makes this less of a gourmand for me, which I know helps make some scents more wearable. I wish the soapiness could be replaced with some warm spice, the notes say there's cinnamon, but I don't pick up on that. Regardless, I think this is the perfect scent to wear to work, or if you're at home snuggling on the couch. It's just a warm, cozy scent. I personally would wear this most frequently in the Fall or Winter, I'm wearing this today (August) and I think it has the potential to be overwhelming or suffocating in the heat. Longevity is moderate, it lasts a few hours on me (5-6) and then fades. Update: I took this on a trip recently and I just wanted to say that it lasted beautifully! It also changed on my nose a bit, so I updated my description.

Definitely a very “airy” vanilla... Vanilla Sky is aptly named! I do not get the actual liquid of a cappuccino from this, rather the foam on top of the drink itself. This is also a “fresh” vanilla; I’m surprised to see that fresh is not on the accords list. Different from any of the other vanillas in my collection, but I am also a vanilla lover and so I pay special attention to and appreciate the subtle differences between all vanilla fragrances. The dry-down is much different than the initial spray. You definitely get the citrus quite strongly for the first 10 mins or so (but it is a smooth citrus as opposed to sharp, and it is what gives the “airy/fresh” feel). After that, the jasmine really takes the spotlight and will carry you through the mid dry-down. At this point it smells quite floral to my nose (admittedly it does also smell synthetic, but I love that in a fragrance). The base notes last ALL NIGHT; I fell asleep last night at 8:30 and awoke this morning at 6:40 and could still smell it on my wrist... it had dried down to an amazingly creamy and delicious sweet scent, honestly sort of a “your skin but better” type of sweet. I love this vanilla!!! I have only experimented with it on cooler days, so I cannot attest to its performance in the summer months, but I am excited to find out (: this would probably be amazing sprayed on bedding too, as it is a very cozy and comforting scent.

Based on reviews, I was prepared to be underwhelmed. But wow, this one performed like a beast on my skin - amazing projection! To me, it smelled like a creamy rootbeer float mixed with a thick, resinous amber. I usually don't like rootbeer-esque fragrances, but this is an exception - it's gorgeous! Dry down (took about an hour on my skin to get there) was a soft, creamy vanilla solinote. There was zero coffee to my nose/on my skin. A beautiful, sweet, cozy but somehow sexy amber-vanilla that I'm now addicted to - feels perfect for fall! It also reminds me of the girls on the show Pretty Little Liars for some reason - kind of their flirty, feminine style and a bit of a Victoria's Secret "lacey/noir/sexy" perfume vibe. I only wish it lasted longer.

In the opening I get a little blast of lovely coffee which quickly tones down to a caramel macchiato you are enjoying with a vanilla glazed donut at a solid wood countertop in a boutique coffee shop. I can detect a very little bit of that sweet orange in the background but it is very little and doesn’t add any juiciness or sharpness to the scent. It has a lovely sweetness but it is not overpowering or sickly to my nose. The vanilla has a lightness that makes me envision something sugared but fluffy like the donut I described. This fragrance projects at arms length for the first few hours then draws back to more of a skin scent. Really nice for when you don’t want to overwhelm those around you. This one is also a favorite of my wife and kids.

I don't know if it's the "clean" element of Skylar fragrances having absolute shit longevity or what (although 7 Virtues, Rosie Jane and Ellis don't seem to have this issue) but yeah, longevity sucks for the $90/1.7 oz retail price point. Obviously I don't expect them to be "Beast mode" :) ⬆️ but when body mists like bbw, vanilla skin, and even SDJ mists outlast a $90 fragrance, it's an issue. I own and really enjoy Vanilla Sky, Boardwalk Delight and Fall Cashmere but they hands down do. not. last! They are cozy, enjoyable nostalgic scents that are very short lived, unfortunately. Very nice but expect to reapply frequently.