Vanilla Lace

Vanilla Lace ---Tip 2 all: luckily not Resting in Peace (friggin Vic Secrets) thanks 4 NDA New Direction Aromotics I can't believe i never found this 2 review as this is my ABSOLUTE fav gourmand scent and I have a funny story about it below. It's a signature and top 3 fav 4 sure. I honestly would b in therapy had I not found a true DEAD ON dupe from a company called NDA, so I make my own perfume and body lotions and their product is just as lasting as well. This scent is a TRUE pure food grade vanilla, unlike most vanillas that lean artificial smelling. It is reminiscent of hot chocolate made with a premium true vanilla bean. All smell like real food components. There is vanilla, chocolate, alcohol and I guess musk is the other note I detect but is hidden from my recognition... I do love musk if it's light and more of a soul mate 2 vanilla (like in Skin Musk) vs a straight nose punch like many manly musky offerings. So I guess I'm not too surprised musk is detected in here although my brain/nose can't place it there per se. The perfume and the lotion was super strong, all enveloping and comforting as is vanilla and the smell of cocoa. The bath spray was not as strong and more alcohol smelling. It will announce that either u've been there or u're coming...yes it's THAT strong. I used 2 work with a girl who wore it and I knew of her presence if this was in the air even if she wasn't around 4 a long time. It was heavenly so I asked her what it was and 1rst reply was "I don't know" #$%^ ...? What, u don't KNOW what U r wearing? "I don't remember". How foolish and petty. It's not like i needed 2 wear it there at work...I could smell it on her but so what if I did...if u like the smell y not want 2 smell more of it? I did not relent. At some point in the future I tried again. This time she lied and told me it was BBW's Vanilla Bean Noel and it not being Xmas season, I couldn't get my mits on it 2 rule it out. Finally, when Christmas came I was gifted some only 2 know she LIED yet again. On my quest I went studying, researching...found Hanae Mori as many said it smelled like hot chocolat and they were right, 4 the lotion, but it still wasn't it... Flash forward a few years later, I am leaving a store and suddenly my nose is kissed with the glorious scent I knew and loved but couldn't name... so I stopped this kind stranger 2 inquire and share the story. She easily and happily told me what it was... Vanilla Lace by VS! I immediately went and bought all I could. I still have some bottles 2 this day as when they had their seasonal sales... i bought it up. My soul would truly b destroyed if I didn't have my NDA dupe 2 continue 2 smell amazing and feel comforted with just a spray or 2. Moral of the story... if u like a smell of a scent...DON'T HIDE IT--let the world smell like u want it 2! Also if u love it so much, the more ppl that buy it, the more it will stay in demand and ergo on the shelves 2 b ABLE 2 buy! Oh, and Melissa, if u're reading this... I hope u see my note on how u can get a good dupe. Nope not even hiding it from u... 4 those that love this scent, I highly recommend the insanely affordable Al Rehab Chocomusk, of which again I smell NO musk but a more vanilla chocolate heaven scent concoction that well fits the bill of being gourmand and comforting. It most resembles Vanilla Lace and a true vanilla that anything I have found (except NDA's fragrance oil which is a dead on dupe 4 Vanilla Lace). I hope this review has helped old and new lovers of Vanilla Lace alike! Happy sniffing! CC

Notes on bottle: vanilla, orchid, amber, musk Sweet, vanilla, powdery, musky, balsamic, luminous, rich, deep, feminine, sensual, seductive, sexy, flirty, chic, charming, whimsical, enchanting, angelic, magical, dreamy, mysterious, delightful, delicate, alluring, tempting, addictive, intriguing, inviting, cozy, comforting, unique This is the most gorgeous, sweet, powdery, and musky vanilla with swirls of warm golden amber! It’s very much like a straight vanilla extract! Somehow I’ve still never smelled anything quite like it, even after all of these years of being a vanilla and gourmand lover! It’s also still managed to keep its place among my most loved fragrances, probably always will! I’ve owned this stunning fragrance for over 15 years, and still love it just as much as I always have! I bought this in the mist and body butter along with both in Coconut Passion (which had just come out), and still own both in the mists. For me it has a nostalgic vibe, but in the best possible way! I should also mention that I am reviewing my OG version. I think it’s because of its simplicity that it’s so gorgeous. I also really enjoy how they didn’t add any fruity, or floral notes besides the one that reads as a delicate vanilla orchid. Adding any fruity or floral notes would have taken away from the delicious vanilla extract scent. There’s plenty of fragrances where complexity is beautiful, but this is one of the ones where you see the real beauty of simplicity. This is the gold standard for vanillas and gourmand fragrances! I honestly believe that Vanilla Lace and Pink Sugar had such a massive impact that they ended up influencing the current vanilla and gourmand trends! Whenever I bought Vanilla Lace the more translucent, clean and/or watery florals (think Coach Poppy, Coach Legacy, Marc Jacobs Mod Noir, JPG Classique X) were big at the time. However, Vanilla Lace was always popular, and so were others like Coconut Passion and Amber Romance. I saw more and more sweet gourmand scents growing from these over the years. As for Bare Vanilla, it’s pretty, but it doesn’t hold a candle to Vanilla Lace. It’s a much more woody and slightly spicy vanilla, and lacks the richness and depth that Vanilla Lace has. I get excellent performance with Vanilla Lace, especially considering that it’s a mist. The longevity is fantastic, it lasts throughout the entire day on me. The projection is strong as it radiates out several feet from me. This made it an excellent value as it still outperforms some of my perfumes. I actually think it’s one of the few fragrances that’s worth paying the higher prices for now because of how incredible it smells, and how amazingly it performs. A few of my other favorites from VS from around that time include Dream Angels Heavenly Stardust, Dream Angels Forever, Seduction Dark Orchid, Tease Temptation, and Coconut Passion. For reference, some of my other favorites include Kayali Yum Boujee Marshmallow, Vanilla 28, Vanilla Candy Rock Sugar, The Wedding Silk Santal, Yum Pistachio Gelato, Kilian LDBS, Princess, Sunkissed Goddess, GdT Celeste, Bianco Latte, PdM Oriana, Tom Ford Soleil Blanc, Nest Sunkissed Hibiscus, Gucci Flora Gorgeous Orchid, Burberry Goddess, The 7 Virtues Vanilla Woods, YSL Black Opium Le Parfum, Guerlain Mon Guerlain, Rosie Jane Dulce, Ellis Brooklyn Marshmallows, Queen’s Caramel, Vanilla Salt, Phlur Heavy Cream, Vanilla Nectar, Beach Skin, BBW Beach Nights, Boardwalk Marshmallow Clouds, Whipped Honey & Vanilla, Fireside Flurries

Gorgeous, Sweet, warm, feminine, sensual, seductive, powdery, delicate, musky, elegant, addictive, enchanting, whimsical, charming, cozy, comforting, nostalgic This is THE vanilla! Nothing has ever truly compared to it. Vanilla Lace really does somehow seem to just have everything so many of us are looking for in a vanilla fragrance, yet it’s still somehow a rather simple and straightforward vanilla. Its simplicity is probably what makes it so unique and appealing to so many of us. There’s the sensual golden warmth from the amber, the soft musk, the powdery orchid, and of course the star at the center of this gorgeous fragrance, the sweet, warm, creamy, rich, cozy, and comforting vanilla. The notes are balanced so well and seem to be just right. It’s such an easy reach and really works for pretty much any occasion and any season. You really just can’t go wrong with this gem! I get excellent performance with Vanilla Lace, especially considering that it’s a body mist. The longevity is great, it lasts the entire day on me. The projection is really good too, it radiates out at least a few feet from me. This performs more like most perfumes do compared to how body mists perform, especially now. It truly just amazes me! I’m a really big vanilla fan, so for reference some of my other favorite vanillas include Gold Sugar, Kayali Yum Boujee Marshmallow, Kayali Vanilla 28, Kayali Vanilla Candy Rock Sugar, Kayali The Wedding Silk Santal, Gucci Flora Gorgeous Orchid, Nest Vanilla Bourbon, Burberry Goddess, Replica Afternoon Delight, The 7 Virtues Vanilla Woods, Ellis Brooklyn Marshmallows, Phlur Heavy Cream, SDJ Summer é Amor, SDJ 39, SDJ 62, VS Coconut Passion, VS Midnight Exotics Forbidden Vanilla, VS Glitter Hustle Just a side note - their current Bare Vanilla is a really good one too, but it still just cannot compare to this classic! Also, this is a review of the OG formula. The notes on my bottle (it’s from around 2009 - still smells exactly the same - there’s a picture of it in the photos section) are vanilla, orchid, amber, musk

Don't get your hopes up. Sadly, there is no way the recent release (2025) is anything like the original Vanilla Lace! On the VS website these are the notes for the new formulation: Top: Vanilla Orchid, Café Au Lait Heart: Pink Hydrangea, Muguet Petals Base: Creamy Vanilla, Sandalwood Without smelling it, just reading the notes it's clear they have changed our beloved! It might be good, or even similar, but there's zero chance that it is the same! 💔 New notes like Pink Hydrangea, Muguet Petals, and Café Au Lait... Nope. There wasn't ever anything that resembled coffee in the mix before. It was never a floral heavy scent, with only a touch of orchid, being the exception. Orchid was actually in the notes of the original formula. The notes on the box of the now vintage EDT version were "vanilla, orchid, amber, and musk." I found a photo... But, now there's three different floral notes listed. Seriously? It was first and foremost vanilla! Almost all vanilla. A rich custard, gourmand pudding like vanilla! It was strong, especially the lotion. Their lotions were so much thicker than they are now back in the day. I hope this is lovely, but the lotion will be thin and runny. All of their lotions are these days in comparison. And, without a doubt the notes are definitely different. Others have mentioned the mist is lighter and smells like plastic. Don't mess with us Victoria's Secret! Why would you put out a brand new fragrance, but give it the same name, change the notes, and make it a lot thinner and lighter? Still, claiming it's from the archives! 😡 Are you really trying to pass it off as THE ONE we all miss so much, and have been begging to have back? Did you think we wouldn't know better? Signature scents worn for years are not easily forgotten! Pulling our heartstrings, playing on our nostalgia, how obnoxious!

Recently found my old bottle of this, from way back in 2012~ish. I remember all the cool, popular, pretty girls had these VS body mists, and they would show them off and spray them all over the girls locker room and compare them to each others. I was desperate to have one of my own. When I finally got this one I felt so proud to show it off at school- it might've been the first time I felt like I could be one of them... Well, I never really managed to fit in with the popular girls, and I didn't even really love the scent of this back then (it had an alcoholic note that I found overwhelming). So, the bottle remained mostly untouched and eventually forgotten. Until now! I thankfully have matured and learned that not only is "fitting in" a lost cause, it is also very boring. I guess my tastes in scents have also matured, because wow! Admittedly it is a juvenile scent, and unsurprisingly heavy on the vanilla. The alcoholic note that deterred me at age 10 is what draws me in now, it smells vaguely of rum. It's a warm, strong, somewhat masculine (I would argue, although my idea of masculinity may be skewed), intense vanilla scent. Like liqueur filled chocolates, in a way. At least for the initial sprays, then it quickly settles on the skin as a much less complex, but equally lovely, vanilla-musk combination. Unfortunately, it doesn't last very long, but that's understandable for a body mist (especially one that's stood untouched for about 12 years). I've been enjoying this old-new addition to my shelf. I like to layer it with fruitier or muskier scents, it works very well as a base. Also, I adore the bottle (I have one of those old triangular ones), it makes me so nostalgic <3