Vanilla

Creamy, almondy, sandalwood VANILLA oriented scent. The almond / tonka notes give me smooth amoretto vibes. Also / contrastingly, but at the same time- maybe even more like the vanilla ice cream in a root beer float, but somehow isolated, and without the root beer. It seems to radiate a creamy ”heat” of a grown up (again) amoretto topped vanilla ice cream on my skin. It’s surprisingly unusual (imo) and one of the people in my life who does not usually like sweet fragrances told me he is shocked to like this and complimented it on me, asking to smell it over and over again. He is not the only person in my life who has complimented it in the first two days of me having it that is not usually interested in this sort of fragrance, either. It’s not SUPER sweet, but it’s still SOFTLY sweet and very creamy and nutty. Predictably; it’s an amazing layering scent! One spray of lost cherry with 2 sprays of this smells like the most amazing warm cherry pie with fancy ice cream! I also tried it with Eben Fume and it made it a sweeter vanilla woodsy scent that I love! Really nice extra creaminess w Plum Japonais and Cafe Rose, too. I see limitless potential for layering like this and that versatility is exciting for me. It’s not a tough wear, or an intellectual fragrance (of course). It’s a simple one, but beautifully done and really delightful. The bottle and color is super cute in my collection of TF , and I can tell I will be reaching for this one often - it’s a no brainer. An easy fragrance to wear, with the silly name - that will probably be quite successful for those reasons. Out of the newer TF releases, it is definitely my favorite from the past half decade or so. BUT— I love simple vanilla fragrances. (Tihota is my #1 and btw this is nothing like that, that being a benzoin /musc/ vanilla). Definitely not understanding the Babycat comparisons... All around, very nice! But I am that audience that loves Tom ford and gourmands / vanillas Safe.

I probably look like spam at this point for the amount of times I have reviewed this fragrance, but I felt the need to return once more to reiterate how much this perfume means to me, because you never know when a brand will discontinue.. I come to this page often for a temperature check, and because I’m a broke med student, I can’t afford to just buy 10-20 backup bottles. My mom actually buys my VS for me bc of it. I noticed that Tom Ford has already discontinued the collector’s 250mL and replaced it with the 100mL. (By the way, this is the first time Tom Ford has ever offered Vanilla Sex in a 100ml, so beware of buying from resellers because scammers have been making that size for years). Vanilla isn’t just a simple pleasure for me— and collecting is not a hobby of mine. I could be completely satisfied owning only one perfume for the rest of my life if it is Vanilla Sex. Vanilla is my medicine. I have had severe anxiety and med resistant depression almost my whole life, and vanilla perfumes have saved my life on days I wanted to give up, and almost did . I can feel myself healing on a molecular level when the scent of Vanilla Sex enters my body. I’m such a vanilla connoisseur, I can always tell when a fragrance contains authentic vanilla notes versus just a bunch of aroma chemicals. This is the real thing. And let me tell you, I’m picky. Yann Vasnier did his big one here... and it sucks that so many of you guys only smell urine and private parts! I wish everyone could experience the pure bliss that this masterpiece is made of. See my other reviews for more details bc this is already too long.

I tried Vanilla Sex on for the first time 10 days ago while browsing at the department store and didn’t expect to like it so much. I remember spraying my wrists and then going “Oooh not bad!” Then I continued shopping for the next two hours and couldn’t stop sniffing my wrists. I’m telling you, I was sniffing myself every couple seconds. I felt perplexed. I definitely enjoyed the scent but was it worth the exorbitant price tag? I had to walk away. A week passes and I still cannot get the fragrance out of my head. I had a gift card from my birthday which had HKD$1500 (~$190USD) on it, so with that, I opted to get the 30ml bottle which costed $2040 (~$260USD), meaning I still had to fork out $540 (~$70USD) of my own money. The bottle just arrived at my doorstep and I immediately opened and gave myself a good 8-10 sprays on both sides of my arms, neck and behind the ears. I’ve been sitting with the fragrance for close to an hour and it is absolutely delightful on my skin. It is an almond leaning vanilla scent and is giving vanilla bean milkshake on me. I am so happy to have and able to enjoy it. The scent is very comforting to me and makes me happy 😊

As soon as the fragrance was released, I bought a full bottle right away. I liked it, but at some point I eventually decided to sell it. Still, mentally, I kept coming back to it from time to time. Today I decided to stop by a perfume store and refresh my memories. And the second time around, I liked it even more 😬 For me, it’s one of the most beautiful fragrances in the gourmand vanilla category. I realized that the bottle needs to return to my collection, because I haven’t come across anything similar. When the updated note pyramid was released, it finally became clear where some people detect so-called urinous nuances , apparently the animalic facet comes across that way to some. The animalic facet, apparently, comes across that way to some noses, just like in another fragrance with a similar profile, Initio - Absolute Aphrodisiac, which also has an animalic touch that isn’t to everyone’s taste. But both fragrances are beautiful 😍

I hadn't read anything about this perfume before smelling it, so I was quite surprised by the negative reviews. However, it is striking that I have seen before that pheromone-like scents are perceived very differently; now I just haven't decided yet whether this scent smells bad to some people because the fragrance isn't sexually compatible with them or because they haven't stuck their noses into flowers often enough to discover that urine can actually smell quite nice. To me, this smells like a damp, sun-warmed oleander that, immediately after spraying, has a very smoky quality that changes on the skin into something sweet and synthetic, reminiscent of condoms, and over time leans more towards vanilla ice cream. I’m very excited about this scent!

An easy reach if you animalic vanilla. The slight skank gives this a very classic-vintage vibe. While I am a fan, I wouldn't mind just the "vanilla overdose" minus the "sex" part. Maybe they can make this without the tonsil stone accord and call it Vanilla Overdose. If you see my other reviews you will know what I'm talking about. I'm not square, I'm just saying. This is coming from a Shocking, tabu, papillon salomé et al. enjoyer. I am glad to have just a small sample size of this rather than the whole bottle, considering the price. The skank does eventually take a seat and let the vanilla powdery musk stand alone which I am enjoying!

I know that this is a very love or hate Tom Ford fragrance - I am firmly in the love category. It is a warm marzipan dream! Super sugary and ever so slightly woody with an almond milk base that lasts for hours on the skin. I think it’s offensive to simply call this a ‘vanilla’ perfume because it is so much more, and if you are purchasing for a traditional, basic vanilla you will be disappointed. It is quite the unique vanilla with an animalic, skin-like note. I cannot describe how much I love this scent and how sexy it is!

Off the top its almond & a dash of cherry, animal & a synthetic smell that is hard to describe.The vanilla hits for me in the middle & the dry down is a soft vanilla, powdery, buttery, nutty musk with a hint of spice that disappears into my skin beautifully. It reads vanilla without being too sweet. There is a depth & warmth I appreciate. I dont smell urine at all. Im a vanilla lover & own numerous vanillas. None of my vanillas are done quite like this. Its more carnal & I can see why its called vanilla sex.

At the first sniff i loved it too much. And as soon as i came to house, i have bought a 30ml.Then i opened Fragrantica to read comments. I was schocked. too many person says it is like piss. omg. 3 days later had i my little bottle. i smelled it again and again :)) it was soo smooth and pure vanille. its like a warm soft blanket in winter days. so i like it. please dont be effected from all bad thoughts here. yes someones can feel it like a urine but some people have good feelings ♡ :->

I love this perfume, and how hilariously polarizing it is. to me it smells like almond, and vanilla in a warm creamy sort of way, not sweet or cloying. it lasts like two days on my skin and my friends don't stop sniffing me. definitely sample in store before purchasing! but i personally love it as a vanilla enthusiast who doesn't want to smell juvenile. i dont get any piss or animal notes personally. but shoutout to the person who said it smells like someone came in cake batter 💀

People's reviews are cracking me up... I think most folks must not realize that vanilla sex is a saying about traditional mission-style sex, not kinky sex. Therefore, this lovely, musky-vanilla with a nice indole undertone is aptly named vanilla sex. If you are looking for dark and dirty, you misunderstood the name. P.S. If you like TF's Vanilla Sex, but not the price tag, check out Dua's Intimate with Vanilla, dead ringer and great longevity!

I said it smells like cat piss but today i gave that fragrance another chance and bought a 50 ML bottle. And let me tell you this; once it dries down it evolves into a really sweet edible vanilla scent, i think this is a fragrance that the smell changes depends on your skin chemistry. And most people make negative comments just smelling it from the Tester Paper, nah... you should try it in your arm, and let it dry for 15-20 mins.

Oh the drama lol. Suddenly, everyone's nose is blocked and all they smell is cat piss and baby powder smh. Fix that nose will ya? This is simply a great balsamic vanilla, with some almonds and woods. I agree with the comment that mentioned the Nag Champa vibe in the drydown. Great release. I will wear this on Christmas eve, and i suggest all those negative reviews to CLEAR THEIR NOSTRILES LOL. Bye for now smh.

After wearing it for 24 hours I can declare that I love it. It is very comforting and bold vanilla. Seems a pretty plain but keeps the bar al all levels. To test a parfume I wear it overnight - processing it while sleeping. Catching the wife’s every time I moved gave me sensations of micro happiness. Waking up to the sweet, comforting, vanilla was also quite therapeutic lol

Bury me in this. Then, have someone exhume my body and cremate me. Once I’m reduced to a pile of ashes in a jar, I need those ashes to be infused with vanilla sex, and placed into the soil in a field of vanilla. Once the vanilla is harvested, someone needs to buy those plants and sell them to Tom Ford for the next batches of vanilla sex.

I don’t understand all the hate. This is with highest quality I smelled (own big collection) very dense. Lasts forever and very deep. The animalic notes are amazing but this for a vanilla lover is pure bomb. Sure it’s pricey and sure it’s a niche (never blind buy this). But you can try before buying. Quality wise this is a top notch.

Fab spicy,leathery,slight animalic vanilla. Not sweet. Reminded me a bit of Victorias Secret Bare Sueded Vanilla. That one is less animalic but has a suede note that gives smiliar effect. I dont understand all this negative comments about piss etc. If my piss smelled that good l would just sell it on Vinted.

This is almond forward vanilla. The medicinal note the reviewers are mentioning is the almond, similar to the almond in PDM Pegasus- a little sharp, almost metallic. I am noticed that heavy almond bothers me in fragrances. This is my first time wearing this fragrance so not ready for a verdict yet :)

I was skeptical about it because of the low rating but it's actually pretty good, I wore it on a summer evening and just kept smelling a sort of gooey almondy vanilla. The company I had also said they smell vanilla. It's overpriced for sure but it's not as dramatically fecal as most reviews imply.

Definitely very polarizing. Interesting, unique vanilla with animalic notes. I find the scent to be more pleasant on my skin, can get screechy on clothes after a while. Subjectively though, I absolutely love this perfume. Hate reviews wrongly put me off at first, so definitely try it out yourself.

I genuinely do not understand the hate, it isn’t some insanely niche offensive polarising scent I can barely smell the animalistic notes, it just smells like a warm vanilla hell I struggle to smell any sensuality. I love it a lot, but it is way too expensive for what it is

To be honest, I wasn’t expecting much from this, but it has a lovely vanilla-almond scent. What sets it apart is the distinct animalic note. I find that aspect quite sexy, so I’m giving it top marks. 10/10

Very beautiful fragrance of Vanilla and Sandalwood. I bought my back up bottle too. Don't get the nasty comparison to body fluids, being an Obstetrician myself. It's a real shame.

maybe I'm just insane but there rlly is no piss/urine note that every1 and their mother is talking abt. smells great tbh or maybe i js walk around smelling like a urinal ♪( ́ε`*)

Ummm what tf happened to the listed notes?? 😭 read the description if u want to know the actual notes.. not sure why they were randomly changed along with the name

Alien Essence Absolue sprayed on after a wild night. I definitely get the “sex” note. I don’t find this gross at all, maybe it just reminds me of good sex 🤷♀️

This, vanilla planifolia extrait by Guerlain and roses vanilla by Mancera are the best best best BEST vanilla fragrances on the market! Period. End of debate.

This is insanely delicious 🤤 idk what people are smelling but this is divine on me. Animalic vanilla. Compliment getter. The Dua dupe is spot on.

Unreal vanilla I don’t understand the hate, super smooth and edible. Smells like vanilla, chocolate and leather to me.

Everyone who is saying this smells like piss is an idiot. It’s a creamy nutty vanilla. You can’t get anything better.

@oat_milk Excellent review among those TF bashers. I have it and agree 100%. One of the best Vanillas ever.

You guys have very interesting pleasures, such as smelling urine. I have no idea how urine smells like.

U guys genuinely make me scream laugh with how much u hate this. Why do u all have a piss kink LMAO

No matter how i tried so much to love it i always ended up on hating it. SMELLS LIKE URINE !!!

This stuff is heavenly. No, it does not smell like urine, just a gorgeous almondy vanilla

It just smells like dry vanilla beans a little bit smoky its good imo but its overprice

The dry down is amazing my new favourite fragrance 😍wish it was cheaper 😫

Straight up vanilla liqueur with lots and lots of cream, mood lifting.

in my ideal world this would be what nut would smell like

smells like someone came in a vanilla cake batter. 10/10

The smell is good but the price range is too high,

One of those fragrances that makes you say: "Ugh, that's disgusting... I'll take a bottle." Let me tell you about my relationship with Tom Ford fragrances. For a long time, I was completely indifferent to them. Sure, I tested them from time to time, but none of them really spoke to me. My first real encounter happened in a very hot country when Lost Cherry had just been released. At the time, nobody was talking about it yet. I simply noticed the bright red bottle and decided to give it a try. Unfortunately, I sprayed on far too much (and the weather was unbearably hot). I ended up practically suffocating myself with it to the point of nausea and a splitting headache. After that experience, I stayed away from Lost Cherry for years. The next incident happened about a year later. I was in another hot country when I came across Métallique. I was genuinely intrigued by it, but history repeated itself. Once again, I oversprayed, and the result was exactly the same as with Lost Cherry. I never went back to that one either. About six months ago, I finally bought my first full-size Tom Ford bottle: Soleil Neige. I completely fell in love with its scent, which reminds me of Soviet "Snezhok" candies. After that, I decided to revisit Lost Cherry, and to my surprise, I actually liked it this time. In fact, now I even want a bottle. Then, about a month ago, I tried the fragrance I'm talking about today. I had decided it was time to explore Tom Ford's collection more seriously. I hadn't read any reviews beforehand - I'd only heard a few brief comments without paying much attention. The moment I smelled it and applied it to my skin, I was horrified. Every negative review I would later read was exactly what my own nose was telling me. Dirty, urine-soaked, unwashed clothes. Yes, I smell that too. At the same time, I also smell almond and vanilla. So I spent quite a while walking around making disgusted faces and complaining about the scent lingering on my sleeve. And yet... I couldn't stop smelling it. My nose kept pulling me back for another sniff of that dirty, animalic sleeve. And, as strange as this may sound... I decided to buy a bottle. Yes, there's something animalic, dirty, unkempt - even downright repulsive - about it. But that's exactly why I like it. All of my other perfumes are beautiful, elegant, and harmonious. This one is the oddball of my collection - the ugly little duckling that, for some reason, I simply had to own. I own almost every fragrance by Francesca Bianchi. The problem is that every single one of them gives me a severe allergic reaction. I can't even inhale them properly - I have to take antihistamines almost immediately. And if we're talking about animalic fragrances, hers certainly don't hold back. So instead, I've chosen my own dose of dirtiness and animalic character in Tom Ford Vanilla Sex. I have no intention of wearing it out in public because I fully understand that many people might interpret the scent as smelling like urine. That's definitely not the impression I want to leave. So I bought myself a little secret guilty pleasure: Tom Ford Vanilla Sex, strictly for my own private enjoyment. I also have an approximate formula for this fragrance. It contains 41 ingredients, including several natural materials: * benzoin resin; * Texas cedarwood essential oil; * fresh ginger essential oil; * jasmine absolute; * tonka bean absolute; * vanilla CO2 extract; * ylang-ylang essential oil; * bergamot essential oil; * myrrh CO2 extract; * Jamaican rum CO2 extract; * natural tree resin. Now I actually find it fascinating that such beautiful natural materials, combined with modern synthetic aroma molecules, could come together to create a fragrance that so many people associate with dirty laundry - or even urine. To me, this is one of the most polarizing fragrances Tom Ford has ever released.

This scent is a very interesting idea of vanilla but it matches tom ford perfectly. I notice all of the perfumes have this DNA that it was created by the same person. This does smell like what tom ford thought of the idea of a nice, sexy vanilla. Vanilla Sex surprised me since everyone and their mom hate this scent wholeheartedly. I actually like it. Its more of a almond perfume. Almond is nutty and smoky, maybe even roasted. Vanilla is powdery and dry. Its a strong smell that I can imagine, can give someone a headache. The most prominent profile to me is tonka bean. Its very strong. As well as almond- bitter and roasted on some fire. I personally like it. It smells a bit like vanillary that i personally own but stopped using because of headache it gives me. I feel like a lot of people like this sugary, youthful, sweet vanilla in perfumes and can be judgmental towards mature, almondy vanilla like this one. If you have sweet tooth, it might be not for you. Its not a sweet gourmand. ...But its lovely. I dont know if i am so fond of this because i had THE WORST idea in my head of how this might smell or if its actually that good. Well well. I guess well never know (yes that is kanye reference)

Forget the "custard" and childish vanilla we are used to. With this 2023 release, Tom Ford continues his exploration of monolithic raw materials, elevating them to a level of almost carnal sophistication. The opening is an explosion of Indian Vanilla and Vanilla Absolute. It's sweet, yes, but not cloying; It has a bright and airy quality that avoids the "freshly baked biscuit" effect. The Heart: Here the fragrance becomes cultured. Jasmine and Orris Rhizome give a powdery, almost buttery texture, which removes any residue of vanilla naivety. The Base: This is where the magic happens. Sandalwood and animal notes transform the perfume into something "lived in" and intimate. The animal notes are not aggressive, but add that subcutaneous warmth typical of the brand's luxury creations. It's a welcoming yet bold scent that manages to be both innocent and provocative at the same time. It is the ideal choice for those who love layering. Try it over a woody or leather fragrance to add a dimension of irresistible softness.

NOT a safe blind buy for sure. The biggest mistake for me was to smell it straight out of the bottle-literally a cat p**s (sorry if it’s too offensive). So nauseating at first, but... I sprayed it on the skin and let it sit for a while-I can definitely detect smooth vanilla and bitter almond (maybe that’s what smelled off at first). This fragrance definitely should be used in moderation, preferably one spray, because let me tell you-it lasts forever on my skin .Has a strong silage, from one spray people could smell me from few feet away. I even got compliments, which I very rarely get. Can’t imagine this perfume be worn in hot, even warm weather. Personally I would die of suffocation. 8/10 overall. I can see why it’s expensive, but also it’s overpriced a bit for what it is. I’ll give it some more time.

I have had a sample of this fragrance and only recently bought a 50 ml bottle. Personally, I love it. I am a gourmand vanilla fan and this is vanilla on steroids. I also smell the milky creamy quality, the almond accords and enjoy the slight edge the bitterness of the tonka confers on this as it develops. For me this is a bit of a skin scent. I would like this in an extrait form and perhaps there will be a good dupe like that. (I must say, the crude and mysoginistic comments here are offensive. You can dislike a fragrance because taste is personal and you can object to the high prices that some brands have but saying vulgar things about women is unacceptable and I am surprised people can reveal such archaic and brutish sentiments that speak more to their own character flaws.)

it opens funky animalic in the first 5 minutes, then the funk goes away and you are left with low sillage soft vanilla-almond mix with the funk still peaking thru but just a bit. no vomit inducing urinal cake accord everyone talks about, maybe just a tiny bit, noticeable only if you want it to be. definitely suits more for women. can be worn in public. "f. fabulous" is more edgy than this. it is interesting but i will stick with "sadonaso", it is more edgy, it has that sexy animal funk pronounced more.

As I've let this sit, it has turned in to a unique vanilla. The opening feels like licorice, with the creamy orris root and vanilla extract, slightly sweet, and the dirty diaper animalic note is not as bad as when I first tried it. This one might grow on me. I have never smelled a vanilla like this. As it dries down it's becoming even more smooth and pleasant.

how do people dislike this? its such a vibrant vanilla i think of braums ice cream . not even a touch animalic just a really almondy decadent vanilla . more full bodied and lasting than other vanilla soliflore scents . if heliotrope - etro had the powder dialed down this would be it . hedonistic

Personally, I like it. Smells like a hot coworker in a cashmere sweater you work with in a law firm. I had a friend smell it though and she said it smells like being trapped in a white room in a straight jacket with a singular vanillapod