Vanille Noire

I don't get anything aquatic from this. Though, if I had to pin-point one note here that I initially found "out of the ordinary" in such a "sophisticated" vanilla scent, it was the mandarin orange. It took me a while to catch on to that slight citrus note, but it works really well, subtly adding the perfect level of spiciness & preventing the fragrance from becoming too dry. From the onset this is a mainly cedar oriented fragrance for me; and that's what really makes this stand apart from Yves Rocher's cheaper (but equally delectable) vanilla bourbon fragrance. They are both very edible, but this one's got that added touch of class and it makes an impression. The first impression for me was that this is a "work" scent for an independent woman who's always in control. I envisaged a woman who reads incessantly and dreams of traveling; probably wants to go to India to stock up on hand-carved elephants. (Haha! Where this idea comes from... who knows...) I decided to keep this fragrance for special occasions. I can't see myself wearing this very regularly because it feels very indulgent. After prolonged exposure to this, I finally put my finger on what the dry down reminds me of - I concluded that it is the embodiment of custard cream biscuits. This elegant fragrance starts out very boozy and sharp as crème caramel, then dries down to buttery custard cream biscuits. Gourmand all the way! Very sharp, thick and boozy, like an alcohol-fueled-dessert, with striking cedar wood on a soft underbelly of indulgence. I love it! The only downside is that it lasts for only 2/3 hours on my skin, thus could work out more costly than anticipated, but it's worth it. Yves Rocher have, hands down, created my all time favorite gourmand vanilla scent. I only wish they would release a pure parfum version of this, preferably in an attractive decanter to do the juice inside justice!

What I am going to say will to be in complete opposition to the board of critics here, so hear me. Vanille Noire is a cup of Capuccino in the room full of people sipping Espresso. It is a tiny wild daisy growing between majestic peonies and roses. What I am trying to say is that this fragrance does not necesserely need to smack people around you right in their faces; Vanille Noire is a great fragrance for a change, if you feel temporarily tired of wearing killers, it is delicate but noticeable enough to wrap you in a creamy blanket. Vanille Noire reminds me Fleur De Noel, I cannot, however, feel any resemblance to Hypnotic Posion. Vanille Noire is my ''I just want a change'' fragrance if I am too tired of rich florals or oversweetened fruities. In my opinion, Vanille Noire is a brilliant fragrance - vanilla is presented in a way that does not feel like queueing to get a truckfull of doughnuts at a local bakery, yet it makes me feel I want to get a sip straight from the bottle :-) It changes on my skin every now and then...one minute bitter, dry and leathery to suddenly turn into warm, sweet and cuddly the next minute...and that symphony lasts for about 6 hours on my skin. Not bad. Mr Cavallier, unlike the whole crowd below my comment - I take my hat off for you :-)

Here I am again the next day with my slightly sheepish and embarrassed update. I felt I needed to write another review. I was reading a thread on the boards about giving fragrances that you don't like initially another try. So I decided, what could it hurt? I'm glad I did because I think I actually might like this now! I'm not a fan of the first spritz, that is still true. Although it no longer makes me sick (Perhaps I put too much on or maybe lack of sleep.). What I do like very much is the dry down. It really is quite yummy. My husband likes it too, which really surprised me. This is not my favorite vanilla...but mainly because I don't get a true vanilla vibe from this at all. I think it's the orange blossom and mimosa shining subtly through underneath that I really like. I could see myself reaching for this on a summer night or in the Fall. It's strangely compelling. I can't believe I had such a dramatic aversion to it now. I might even order a full bottle. Wow. I apologize Yves Rocher for my snap judgement. I think Vanille Noire had to grow on me! ***Update: I love it now. Got the full bottle!

This one is interesting. It goes through so many phases on my skin, that I find it hard to keep up sometimes - but I love it nonetheless. The first spray is amazing - I can feel an exquisite vanilla liquor scent that envelops me and makes me think of fancy old ballrooms. This doesn't last more than a minute though. The liquor note fades quickly, making room for something different. As the minutes - than hours - go by, it transforms into a leathery-vanilla perfume, with slight pencil-shavings undertones. It is a grown-up vanilla, that certainly lives up to its name - Vanille Noire. Towards the end, the strong leather notes calm down and allow the vanilla to shine through on its own, for an hour or so. The longevity is good, as it lasts at least 7 hours on my skin. The projection is somewhere between moderate and heavy. This perfume is perfect for December, when you're walking down the street, as it evokes a natural warmth and a craving to bake cookies for Santa Claus as soon as you get home.

Rich, Subtle Vanilla... A great Vanilla scent here. One which is not too expensive, and which smells real and natural. Vanilla is generally one of my favourite smells, and I think this one would work great on both sexes. I have always appreciated everything I've tried so far from Yves Rocher . This one is no exception. I think the quality is great for what you get, and they always try to use natural ingredients as much as possible. Vanille Noire is a linear Vanilla scent, but therein lies the beauty. It's a simple blend of real, natural smelling Vanilla pods and orange blossom with a hint of mandarin orange. I love it. A clean base of cedar finishes off the composition nicely. I enjoy this one more than I did Yves Rocher Cedre Bleu , which was a Vanilla-Cedar combo but which was too powdery for my taste. I like this one a lot better and it smells more natural. Great for men or women, and great for layering. A good, natural, simple Vanilla scent... and good for the price too. Not bad.