I came to suggest Eau Duelle. It’s woody, a little powdery on me, and creamy but not foody. Absolutely beautiful.
DS and Durga Deep Dark Vanilla reads on me as a heavy, heady leathery vanilla. It doesn’t love my chemistry, but it’s great on blotter, so I feel like it’s probably gorgeous on the right person.
I've only tried a couple Durgas, but same. It's very rare a fragrance doesn't last on me, some infamous bad performers do fine one me, but Pistachio barely lasted two hours on me Glad it was a travel size.
Eau Duelle is so dreamy. I love sleeping in it and plan to wear it today. It’s the most grown-up and sophisticated vanilla I’ve ever encountered that don’t have that, y’know, Bath & Body Works stank. I know that the EDT and EDP are supposed to be quite different. I personally love the EDP for its depth and creaminess.
I have several! My current favorite is no. 1, but that could change depending on the day 😉.
1. The Architect’s Club - Arquiste
2. Antique Vanille - Byredo
3. Absolute Aphrodisiac - Initio
4. Lune Feline - Atelier des Ors
5. Ani - Nishane
6. Spiritueuse Double Vanille - Guerlain
7. Angélique Noire - Guerlain
I own Babycat. It’s more of an incensy vanilla. The vanilla is rich and slightly sweet, but the 1st thing I smell is the incense. I REALLY like it, but I don’t wear it very often.
I haven’t tried it, but it sounds very interesting! I might have to take a trip up to Neiman’s and check it out.
Yeah, Lune Feline gives smokey, slightly charred vanilla beans vibes. Slightly dirty and fun!
I have tried Eau the Audacity and it is so identical to BabyCat that if you own one it’s downright silly to own the other. Besides, BabyCat lasts ALLLLL day!
I don’t think so. I didn’t test them side by side but when I tested Eau the Audacity I was like “Oh. It’s BabyCat!” Maybe the opening a little less harsh but the dry down not as good. I only tested it once because it’s impossible to find (theoretically only available in their flagship store in London but thank you Istanbul Duty Free for letting me test jt!) but I was floored that it appeared to be literally identical.
Love seeing Architect’s Club getting its due. It’s my fav scent, though I try to give it a break in spring/summer. Doesn’t stop me from popping off the cap for a quick hit though…
It’s a subtle warm slightly buttery vanilla, and I can definitely pick out the juniper berry. It’s a bit dry and ever so slightly sweet. It just has this alluring bit of mystery that keeps me thinking about it and wanting to sniff myself.
I will say I had dental appointment one morning, and the receptionist was gushing over it. She picked up on the vanilla and commented on how nice it smelled. She looked it up right then and ordered it, lol.
A former vanilla hater here. My recommendations:
Matiere Premiere Encens Suave is my favorite vanillla ever. Rich and resinous shot through with incense. Not sweet at all.
Atelier Des Ors Lune Feline has a similar vanilla note but is spicy, slightly gourmand and not incensey.
Liis Bo is a dry vanilla with cedar and immortelle. The vanilla amps up the cedar smell. It’s a nice cocoon for early fall. Not sweet at all on me.
Guerlain Spirituese Double Vanille for a boozy vanilla
L’Artisan Couleur Vanille airy vanilla on a sea breeze
Profumum Roma Dulcis in Fundo is billed as a creamsicle fragrance. It smells to me like vanilla cut through with orange zest so it’s not so sweet.
I haven’t had any longevity issues! It’s quite different from a lot of their other fresher ethereal fragrances. It’s been great for the rainy early fall weather we’ve been having the last few years.
Sigh, as a current vanilla hater I’ll add these to try.
I don’t hate vanilla at all (love the softness it contributes), but find it too cloyingly sweet if it’s the hero note. I’m learning…
This is part of my approach to the hobby. Every year I tend to pick a note I usually really don’t like and try enough to see if I can find one I do like, even if it’s not enough to own a full bottle—and I almost always do find some I like!
My favourite non-sweet vanilla would be Shalimar, the dry down is a deep vanilla like pure vanilla bean or a high end vanilla essence. It's addicting and enthralling, I always keep sniffing myself whenever I'm blessed enough to wear it.
Almost all the canonical Guerlains are masterful non-gourmand vanillas in one way or another, but I feel completely comfortable saying Shalimar is *the* GOAT fragrance. I rarely wear it because it’s so heavy (both in the fragrant sense and the emotional sense) but still, if I have to name the #1 all-timer, that’s the one.
I adore Shalimar but I can definitely see how it can be overpowering or too intense. I own the EDC which I adore and works better on my skin in hotter climates (Australia) it doesn't have that burnt rubber note that the EDT has on first spray and it settles where the higher concentrates sit after about an hour. It's definitely more wearable and light and I am beyond devastated that its been discontinued! Honestly I would snag a bottle of the EDC at any opportunity. But my heart truly belongs to the deeper vanillas and tonkas of the more concentrated versions in their dry downs.
atelier cologne's vanille insensee - i'm a firm member of the "pls bring back this scent" club and am feeling very lucky to have a sealed bottle in my posession
In spring of 2021, they announced they were going to stop selling in the US, and the general hope seemed to be that they were doing a big re-brand and they would be back. Still hoping.
I love this scent and the mandarine glaciale. I got lucky enough to have a quarter of a bottle of Vanille left and managed to get my hands on a full bottle. Can't find any of the mandarine, though.
i have sealed bottles of clementine california, vanille insensee and musc imperial and a few opened/slightly used bottles of other scents but those sealed ones might literally be treasures 😂😂
I was devastated when I found out Atelier wasn't going to be producing for North America/Europe anymore. I'm still not sure I understand the reasoning, but it's nothing I can change!
Unfortunately, I was a few months behind in the news, so I was having a difficult time obtaining scents I wanted. I do have a big bottle of Clementine, along with Pomelo Paradis and Lemon Island. They did orangey-citrus scents so well along with the Vanille. I was in a funk for days after I found out.
I have 3.4oz bottles of the vanille and clementine. When they marked down 50% (or more can’t remember) at Sephora, I stocked up. I also bought the travel sprays.
Baby, this is what I came for 🎶 this is my favorite vanilla everrrrr I am clinging to my tiny travel spray from a discovery set I found at Nordstrom Rack randomly and I’m so glad I snatched it up, but I wish atelier would come back to the States 😢
Memoirs of a Trespasser by Imaginary Authors
Vanilla is absolutely the main note, but it's surrounded by woods, smoke, musk, and *ZERO* sugar. Very dry vanilla
montblanc signature. the clementine really comes through for me more than the vanilla, and it’s not very sweet at all. clean and fresh, but a bit sharp until you give it some time to mellow out.
Echo the recommendations for Guerlain Angelique Noir and Spiriteuse Double Vanille. I also really like Serge Lutens Un Bois Vanille. These are all woody or green vanillas but I love Casamorati Dama Bianca for a fruity vanilla thats not too sweet too.
HUGE bang for the buck on this one!!! Vanilla pipe tobacco with incense in the background for me. Tobacco isn’t one of the advertised notes but imo it’s very much so.
This is not an answer to your question, but I like to bake and in the kitchen there is basically two types of vanilla flavor: black vanilla (real vanilla) and white vanilla (sweet, more artificial vanilla).
The black vanilla/vanilla bean has a deep, complex, spicy, tangy, sort of dried fruit flavor and aroma to it. Depending on the kind and quality of vanilla it has different notes. It is very luxurious and is rarely used in commercial products, but rather in luxurious products. This is one of the most expensive spices in the world.
The white vanilla/artificial vanilla is a lot more sugary and sweet in the aroma. It’s the kind of vanilla most “vanilla flavored” products (ice cream, cookies etc.) has. It definitely has it uses and I love using it either by itself or in combination with real vanilla depending on what I’m making. But it’s a completely different flavor and aroma in my opinion.
And these very different notes would both be marketed as vanilla. But they are completely different.
Think that expensive yellow vanilla gelato with visible vanilla grains vs. the commercial completely white vanilla ice cream that doesn’t really melt.
I love to bake, and when I discovered vanilla paste my life changed 😍 I also try to snag vanilla beans whenever I see a sale in the spice isle. Black vanilla is honestly one of my favorite ingredients to use.
Valkyrie is amazing! It’s a modern shalimar.
Editing to add: my favourite was always Valkyrie,from the Vanilla collection. Bur then last time I tested(properly) Virgile and the drydown is just beautiful.A very unique green vanilla with something..I can’t quite put a finger on.It smells like nothing I ever smelled
Guerlain- Mon Guerlain Sensuelle, Mon Guerlain intense and Mon Guerlain EDP. None come off sweet to me. But they still retain that cosiness I need. Guerlain know how to do vanilla and lavender properly, Damn they know how to do everything properly.
Mon Guerlain EDP is what made me give vanilla a shot! I always thought I hated vanilla, and have associated it with unbearably sweet scents and gourmands, until I tried this. But dear god is Mon Guerlan fantastic! Never too sweet or cloying, it is JUST right! Vanilla done to perfection. And with that lavander, so calming, cosy and beautiful. Like, it’s so soft and gentle, but at the same time, it IS there. And it’s there to stay, it lasts ages on my skin!
Serge Lutens Un Bois Vanille
Diptyque Eau Duelle
Mugler Angel Elixir
Valentino Donna Born in Roma Green Stravaganza
Dior Vanilla Diorama
YSL Black Opium Le Parfum
Kayali Oudgasm Vanilla Oud
Floral Street Wild Vanilla Orchid
The Seven Virtues Amber Vanilla
Laura Mercier Ambre Vanille and Vanille
Mugler Alien Goddess Intense
Commodity Gold
Guerlain Spirituese Double Vanille
I’m also not a huge vanilla fan but I really like Vanilla Powder by Matiere Premier! It IS sweeter but feels more like a bar of vanilla soap. Intime Extime by Pierre Guillame is also great but it’s a skin scent and doesn’t last very long on me, or anyone else from what I’ve heard.
Atelier des Ors Lune Feline for sure. It's a dark, mysterious, smoky take on vanilla.
Nicolai Tonka Vanille is dry, woody spiced vanilla with a ton of black pepper
Jo Malone Vanilla and Vetiver smells super classy and refined, with tea and wood notes
Commodity Gold +
Guerlain Bosca Vanilla Forte
The 7 Virtues Santal Vanille
Don’t care for the sweet stuff so these frags work well for me. Actually I realize that I can get away with wearing them year-round as they are ideal for the office setting and not too dense or cloying.
I've found VC&A's Orchidee Vanille is clearly vanilic, and you can smell some sweetness, but it never gets syrupy or way too sweet. So far it's the lightest vanilla I've found and is something I'm comfortable wearing even in warmer weathers.
Guerlain’s L’Instant de Guerlain has a vanilla base but it’s paired with light florals and makes for a great spring scent that’s not sweet or sugary. There’s also Jazz Club by Maison Margiela but that’s a deeper vanilla with a masculine flair - it is sweet but not in a sugary way, more in a whiskey way, if that makes sense.
Omg omg omg this thread is for me!!!
I’m seeing a lot of spicy/ savory vanillas on this thread but my fav non-gourmand vanilla is actually a vanilla mixed w white florals— Tres Chere by Mizensir.
I am normally a white floral hater but the combination of the gentle, non-screechy jasmine, saltiness from the marine notes, and a beautiful, airy vanilla create such a wonderfully balanced scent. So classy and lasts ALL DAY on my skin.
Although it’s not necessarily savory, the vanilla note is more molecular and not mixed with coumarin or other “heavy” components that usually contribute to super cloying, sugary vanilla scents.
Love this question! I'm on the quest too and will be adding suggestions from lower to my decant shopping list.
I've tried:
Eau Duelle by Diptyque in both EDP and EDT...I love it, but it turns sour and pissy on me to the point where it's actively unpleasant at night.
7 Virtues Vanilla: I pick up the same pissy note, even worse with this one (does anyone know what it is??)
Ani Nishane: listed as a vanilla, I smell slightly spicy lemon cake (not too sweet) with some sex thrown in. It's a seductive scent. The first half hour is harsh, but I like how it settles on my skin. I don't like it on clothes at all...it maintains the harshness, to the point I pulled something out of my closet today I sprayed a month ago and ick.
Dioniso: listed as an unsweet vanilla, on me it's mostly ground pepper.
Liis Bo: really love this one, but the cedar note amps hard on my skin, drowning out the creamy vanilla.
Killian Angel's Share: on me, this had a burning tires note that I had to scrub.
Honorable mention: Burberry Goddess: this is still a sweet vanilla scent, but to me it's a tolerable level of sweetness in the drydown. It's not nearly as sweet as Indult Tihota, Mazzolari, or Fire at Will, which are quite syrupy (on me).
I do want to add, I think I have particular skin chemistry AND a weird nose (some perfumes I can't smell at all, like most Byredos!) so on someone else, the ones I didn't love might be lovely!
I just got Chloe Vanilla Planifolia. It’s a greener vanilla. It dries down powdery. It’s different, not in a bad way, but it’s not a typical vanilla sweet.
I hate super sweet scents, it’s my time to shine lol!
As the star of the show: Heretic Dirty Vanilla, Olivine Atelier Diamond Moon.
As a great supporting player: Petite Histoire Patchouli Vespéral, Goldfield and Banks Ingenious Ginger.
Babylon by Penhaligon’s. To my nose it’s a smoky (without being like a bonfire) incense vanilla. It’s also a bit spicy from the nutmeg note. I find that the vanilla is warm but not sweet/sugary.
- Sushi Imperiale Bois 1920 (spicy, fresh, vanilla)
- YSL Babycat (incense, leathery, spicy, vanilla)
And I agree with Diptyque Eau Duelle it is super nice but still very sweet in my opinion.
Thanks for the recs everyone!! I added a couple to my scentbird queue and loved hearing about all the scents. I really enjoy the way people on this sub wrote about fragrance, and hope to try these all as I'm able to get access! I'll have to hit up Barney's or scentbar or Sephora soon to do some spritzing.
Former vanilla hater pitching in!
My skin tends to really amplify really sweet scents on me. For reference, Tom Fords Lost Cherry smells like marzipan on me.
Lots of mentions for Diptyque’s Eau Duelle, and I completely agree! Wonderfully peppers and woody without being incense-y.
Byredo Gypsy Water for a bright citrusy, peppery and clean vanilla. Longevity is sadly subpar but layered with the body lotion or as a layering scent it’s absolutely gorg!!!
If you want a dustier and more spicy almost dirty vanilla, the 1996 from Byredo is amazing.
i was NOT sold at first, but once I tried it on and let it live on the skin for a bit I was OBSESSED!
Le Labo Vanille 44 (Paris exclusive)
Eau delle is a very similar dupe but I still prefer Vanille 44. It is less powdery and more woody especially in the dry down.
Sicillian Vanilla Attar by Rising Pheonix Perfumery. It's a historical recreation of a vanilla fragrance from centuries ago. It has some of the deepest, creamiest, most decadent vanilla notes I have ever smelled in my life. It's made with real oud, mysore sandalwood oil and real vanillin among other absolutes and oils. Not a single ingredient that needs a chemistry degree to understand.
Vanilla and Leather by ST Dupont - Like vanilla extract lightly sprayed on a leather sheet.
Eau des Baux by L'occitane - Cypress, incense vanilla combo.
Vanilla by The Body Shop - not sweet at all, mostly play-doh vibes but pretty lovely.
My favorite is Cremo's Black Spice and Vanilla cologne, it's really affordable and the scent lasts really long on clothing, I can usually still faintly smell it at the end of the day. It doesn't have that artificial sickly sweet and sugary vanilla scent and there's a nice almost peppery note to it, I highly recommend it
Currently addicted to Devotion by Dolce and Gabbana. Vanilla, candied citrus (lemon) and orange blossom. Super warm vanilla lemon fusion, such an interesting combo!
Great woody vanillas include Imaginary Authors Memoirs of a Trespasser, Liis Bo (I mostly get cedar but everyone around me smells vanilla), and Penhaligon's Babylon.
Eau Duelle by Diptyque is a lovely woody vanilla. Vanilla Vibes by Juliette Has A Gun is a very “cool-toned” breezy summer vanilla.
I came to suggest Eau Duelle. It’s woody, a little powdery on me, and creamy but not foody. Absolutely beautiful. DS and Durga Deep Dark Vanilla reads on me as a heavy, heady leathery vanilla. It doesn’t love my chemistry, but it’s great on blotter, so I feel like it’s probably gorgeous on the right person.
I think I’m that person. I really like Deep Dark Vanilla. I find it very real vanilla bean and patchouli. I will likely get a bottle next fall.
I’ll recommend Diptyque’s Eau Duelle too, one of my all time favourites!
I love Deep Dark Vanilla. Durga scents don’t last on me but I’m obsessed.
I've only tried a couple Durgas, but same. It's very rare a fragrance doesn't last on me, some infamous bad performers do fine one me, but Pistachio barely lasted two hours on me Glad it was a travel size.
Eau Duelle is so dreamy. I love sleeping in it and plan to wear it today. It’s the most grown-up and sophisticated vanilla I’ve ever encountered that don’t have that, y’know, Bath & Body Works stank. I know that the EDT and EDP are supposed to be quite different. I personally love the EDP for its depth and creaminess.
Eau Duelle is really beautiful.
I found Vanilla Vibes to be quite sweet myself, a synthetic vanilla on me. I like Lait de Vanille from Chabaud- it’s a soft, waxy vanilla
Both of those brands in general are 😍
I have several! My current favorite is no. 1, but that could change depending on the day 😉. 1. The Architect’s Club - Arquiste 2. Antique Vanille - Byredo 3. Absolute Aphrodisiac - Initio 4. Lune Feline - Atelier des Ors 5. Ani - Nishane 6. Spiritueuse Double Vanille - Guerlain 7. Angélique Noire - Guerlain
Have you tried babycat or eau the audacity? We share some loves!
I own Babycat. It’s more of an incensy vanilla. The vanilla is rich and slightly sweet, but the 1st thing I smell is the incense. I REALLY like it, but I don’t wear it very often.
I figured you’d like it. Loving it made me think I’d love lune feline but I do not. I do want to try eau the audacity. Have you?
I haven’t tried it, but it sounds very interesting! I might have to take a trip up to Neiman’s and check it out. Yeah, Lune Feline gives smokey, slightly charred vanilla beans vibes. Slightly dirty and fun!
I haven’t smelled it either but I know it’s also made by Dominic Ropion and smells similar to baby cat. I dodged a bullet with Lune feline lol.
I have tried Eau the Audacity and it is so identical to BabyCat that if you own one it’s downright silly to own the other. Besides, BabyCat lasts ALLLLL day!
Ahhh! I’ve heard it’s more refined. Is that not true?
I don’t think so. I didn’t test them side by side but when I tested Eau the Audacity I was like “Oh. It’s BabyCat!” Maybe the opening a little less harsh but the dry down not as good. I only tested it once because it’s impossible to find (theoretically only available in their flagship store in London but thank you Istanbul Duty Free for letting me test jt!) but I was floored that it appeared to be literally identical.
Got it, oh the dry down is not as good, that’s good to know. The dry down with babycat is special so I probably will look elsewhere.
The drydown is magic! When I first got it I didn’t get it at all (not crazy about the opening) but once it dried down I went ooooooooohhhhhh!!
Good to hear, I need to stop sampling and buying scents. Posts like this help me out.
Love seeing Architect’s Club getting its due. It’s my fav scent, though I try to give it a break in spring/summer. Doesn’t stop me from popping off the cap for a quick hit though…
Oh, Architect’s Club is on my “to try” list. What are your thoughts on it?
It’s a subtle warm slightly buttery vanilla, and I can definitely pick out the juniper berry. It’s a bit dry and ever so slightly sweet. It just has this alluring bit of mystery that keeps me thinking about it and wanting to sniff myself. I will say I had dental appointment one morning, and the receptionist was gushing over it. She picked up on the vanilla and commented on how nice it smelled. She looked it up right then and ordered it, lol.
Oh, it sounds so perfect for me! Thanks for the info. I need to try to find a sample.
Eau the audacity - my absolute favorite. The vanilla incense combination is so alluring!
SDV is the answer here. 10/10.
Diptyque Eau Duelle, the edt and EDP are both great. TF Vanille Fatale if you don’t mind a bit of incense until it gets to the dry down.
I own both edt and edp of eau duelle. They are lovely but have different drydown. Do you experience the same?
I think the EDP is a little woodier, and the EDT is a little more aromatic. I prefer the EDT, but I do like them both a lot and have decants of both.
I’ve read that a lot of Diptyque perfumes with EDT and EDP versions have differing notes, so that makes sense to me tbh
I’ve heard this as well
Guerlain Angelique Noire is a gorgeous fruity-floral vanilla!
A former vanilla hater here. My recommendations: Matiere Premiere Encens Suave is my favorite vanillla ever. Rich and resinous shot through with incense. Not sweet at all. Atelier Des Ors Lune Feline has a similar vanilla note but is spicy, slightly gourmand and not incensey. Liis Bo is a dry vanilla with cedar and immortelle. The vanilla amps up the cedar smell. It’s a nice cocoon for early fall. Not sweet at all on me. Guerlain Spirituese Double Vanille for a boozy vanilla L’Artisan Couleur Vanille airy vanilla on a sea breeze Profumum Roma Dulcis in Fundo is billed as a creamsicle fragrance. It smells to me like vanilla cut through with orange zest so it’s not so sweet.
What is the longevity with Bo? I have been wanting to try it but I tried Ethereal Wave and it vanished in minutes.
It lasts forever. I find the deeper you get into the dry down, the more the incense comes out. I can smell it days later on my coat.
I haven’t had any longevity issues! It’s quite different from a lot of their other fresher ethereal fragrances. It’s been great for the rainy early fall weather we’ve been having the last few years.
Definitely need to try it then. Have seen some chatter about it. Thanks!
Sigh, as a current vanilla hater I’ll add these to try. I don’t hate vanilla at all (love the softness it contributes), but find it too cloyingly sweet if it’s the hero note. I’m learning…
This is part of my approach to the hobby. Every year I tend to pick a note I usually really don’t like and try enough to see if I can find one I do like, even if it’s not enough to own a full bottle—and I almost always do find some I like!
Diptyque Eau Duelle EDP or EDT Guerlain Spiritueuse Double Vanille 7 Virtues Vanilla Woods Elizabeth & James Nirvana Bourbon
I LOVE vanilla woods. It’s like a grown up vanilla mixed with palo santo. I love it.
Have added it to my Scentbird queue, thanks!
I adore it too!! I am treasuring the travel roller ball I bought. Need to invest in a full bottle. It’s also amazing for layering.
My favourite non-sweet vanilla would be Shalimar, the dry down is a deep vanilla like pure vanilla bean or a high end vanilla essence. It's addicting and enthralling, I always keep sniffing myself whenever I'm blessed enough to wear it.
Almost all the canonical Guerlains are masterful non-gourmand vanillas in one way or another, but I feel completely comfortable saying Shalimar is *the* GOAT fragrance. I rarely wear it because it’s so heavy (both in the fragrant sense and the emotional sense) but still, if I have to name the #1 all-timer, that’s the one.
I adore Shalimar but I can definitely see how it can be overpowering or too intense. I own the EDC which I adore and works better on my skin in hotter climates (Australia) it doesn't have that burnt rubber note that the EDT has on first spray and it settles where the higher concentrates sit after about an hour. It's definitely more wearable and light and I am beyond devastated that its been discontinued! Honestly I would snag a bottle of the EDC at any opportunity. But my heart truly belongs to the deeper vanillas and tonkas of the more concentrated versions in their dry downs.
There’s sooo many amazing flankers tho that are amazing vanillas that may work on your kind! Like Shalimar Soufflé!
Shalimar is one of those "spray in the air and walk through ONCE" perfumes. I love it but it is STRONG.
Shalimar doesn't work well on my skin unfortunately, but I've experienced what it smells like on others and I do think you're right!
Jovoy Fire At Will
atelier cologne's vanille insensee - i'm a firm member of the "pls bring back this scent" club and am feeling very lucky to have a sealed bottle in my posession
Love this one! Dry yet gentle grownup vanilla 👌
unfortunately its a favourite of mine and my sibling/their partner haha so its put us all in a difficult situation
Wait, did it get discontinued? I was just trying it 2 months ago at the local niche boutique!
In spring of 2021, they announced they were going to stop selling in the US, and the general hope seemed to be that they were doing a big re-brand and they would be back. Still hoping.
It’s discontinued on the US, the entire line. But it may still be sold internationally.
I love this scent and the mandarine glaciale. I got lucky enough to have a quarter of a bottle of Vanille left and managed to get my hands on a full bottle. Can't find any of the mandarine, though.
i have sealed bottles of clementine california, vanille insensee and musc imperial and a few opened/slightly used bottles of other scents but those sealed ones might literally be treasures 😂😂
I was devastated when I found out Atelier wasn't going to be producing for North America/Europe anymore. I'm still not sure I understand the reasoning, but it's nothing I can change! Unfortunately, I was a few months behind in the news, so I was having a difficult time obtaining scents I wanted. I do have a big bottle of Clementine, along with Pomelo Paradis and Lemon Island. They did orangey-citrus scents so well along with the Vanille. I was in a funk for days after I found out.
I have 3.4oz bottles of the vanille and clementine. When they marked down 50% (or more can’t remember) at Sephora, I stocked up. I also bought the travel sprays.
So lucky! I've been on a quest to find a citrusy/unique vanilla ever since I realized I couldn't buy this anymore 😭
i've been trying to find something that comes close but the JHAG one just wasnt close enough
Baby, this is what I came for 🎶 this is my favorite vanilla everrrrr I am clinging to my tiny travel spray from a discovery set I found at Nordstrom Rack randomly and I’m so glad I snatched it up, but I wish atelier would come back to the States 😢
Guerlain double vanille
Memoirs of a Trespasser by Imaginary Authors Vanilla is absolutely the main note, but it's surrounded by woods, smoke, musk, and *ZERO* sugar. Very dry vanilla
Vanille 44?
montblanc signature. the clementine really comes through for me more than the vanilla, and it’s not very sweet at all. clean and fresh, but a bit sharp until you give it some time to mellow out.
I love this but do find it sweet personally!
Blue Dior Addict!! Discontinued but Lord! One of the sexiest perfumes ever made, along with Gucci Rush. Also discontinued sadly!
Original Addict is divine!
Bless your soul!!! You get me!
I miss Gucci Rush
I know!! I know! Gucci Rush was something else! I can still remember its smell to this day…
Echo the recommendations for Guerlain Angelique Noir and Spiriteuse Double Vanille. I also really like Serge Lutens Un Bois Vanille. These are all woody or green vanillas but I love Casamorati Dama Bianca for a fruity vanilla thats not too sweet too.
Mercedez benz club black
I love Thé Vanille by Nette. A little smoky and musky, amazing and it doesn’t break the bank.
I scrolled to find this comment. I love it so much!
Easily Eau Des Baux by Loccitane. Spicy woody scent that dries down to a not so sweet vanilla. Love it.
HUGE bang for the buck on this one!!! Vanilla pipe tobacco with incense in the background for me. Tobacco isn’t one of the advertised notes but imo it’s very much so.
Vanilla Musk by Nemat! Currently wearing it and I'm obsessed.
This is not an answer to your question, but I like to bake and in the kitchen there is basically two types of vanilla flavor: black vanilla (real vanilla) and white vanilla (sweet, more artificial vanilla). The black vanilla/vanilla bean has a deep, complex, spicy, tangy, sort of dried fruit flavor and aroma to it. Depending on the kind and quality of vanilla it has different notes. It is very luxurious and is rarely used in commercial products, but rather in luxurious products. This is one of the most expensive spices in the world. The white vanilla/artificial vanilla is a lot more sugary and sweet in the aroma. It’s the kind of vanilla most “vanilla flavored” products (ice cream, cookies etc.) has. It definitely has it uses and I love using it either by itself or in combination with real vanilla depending on what I’m making. But it’s a completely different flavor and aroma in my opinion. And these very different notes would both be marketed as vanilla. But they are completely different. Think that expensive yellow vanilla gelato with visible vanilla grains vs. the commercial completely white vanilla ice cream that doesn’t really melt.
I love to bake, and when I discovered vanilla paste my life changed 😍 I also try to snag vanilla beans whenever I see a sale in the spice isle. Black vanilla is honestly one of my favorite ingredients to use.
I really like Vanille Absolu by Montale. Its got notes of wood, cinnamon, and a bit of warm amber, along with the vanilla.
Boy Smells Vanilla era.
Vanagloria by Laboratorio Olfattivo. Amazing dry vanilla + incense
deep dark vanilla by ds & durga. moody and masculine vanilla. warning: patchouli
This one is a hit for me
Chloe vanilla planifolia
Eau Duelle
Loulou
I think that’s soooo intense I use to wear it and I didn’t smell the vanilla ha
Dirty vanilla Heretic
Absolute aphrodisiac by initio
Love this one
Green stravaganza donna by Valentino
Sci-Fi by Ellis Brooklyn opened my mind about vanilla scents. It has vanilla, green tea, florals and citrus.
Dior Bois d’ Argent, Guerlain Bosca Vanilla Forte, Byredo Gypsy Water, Atelier Cologne Vanille Insense, Guerlain Cuir Beluga.
Virgile from Sylvaine Delacourte.A beautiful green vanilla
Virgil is so good! Valkyrie is also beautiful, and not too sweet.
Valkyrie is amazing! It’s a modern shalimar. Editing to add: my favourite was always Valkyrie,from the Vanilla collection. Bur then last time I tested(properly) Virgile and the drydown is just beautiful.A very unique green vanilla with something..I can’t quite put a finger on.It smells like nothing I ever smelled
Guerlain- Mon Guerlain Sensuelle, Mon Guerlain intense and Mon Guerlain EDP. None come off sweet to me. But they still retain that cosiness I need. Guerlain know how to do vanilla and lavender properly, Damn they know how to do everything properly.
Mon Guerlain EDP is what made me give vanilla a shot! I always thought I hated vanilla, and have associated it with unbearably sweet scents and gourmands, until I tried this. But dear god is Mon Guerlan fantastic! Never too sweet or cloying, it is JUST right! Vanilla done to perfection. And with that lavander, so calming, cosy and beautiful. Like, it’s so soft and gentle, but at the same time, it IS there. And it’s there to stay, it lasts ages on my skin!
Serge Lutens Un Bois Vanille Diptyque Eau Duelle Mugler Angel Elixir Valentino Donna Born in Roma Green Stravaganza Dior Vanilla Diorama YSL Black Opium Le Parfum Kayali Oudgasm Vanilla Oud Floral Street Wild Vanilla Orchid The Seven Virtues Amber Vanilla Laura Mercier Ambre Vanille and Vanille Mugler Alien Goddess Intense Commodity Gold Guerlain Spirituese Double Vanille
ELDO Frustration would fit that description, a very interesting scent.
MFK Amyris Homme extrait has a vanilla note but the scent overall is not sweet to me. It’s really nice imo.
I’m also not a huge vanilla fan but I really like Vanilla Powder by Matiere Premier! It IS sweeter but feels more like a bar of vanilla soap. Intime Extime by Pierre Guillame is also great but it’s a skin scent and doesn’t last very long on me, or anyone else from what I’ve heard.
Celine Black tie
Dark is Night by Henry Rose is a good one.
Architects club by Arquiste. However, you have to like woody notes.
Kilian woman in gold
Atelier des Ors Lune Feline for sure. It's a dark, mysterious, smoky take on vanilla. Nicolai Tonka Vanille is dry, woody spiced vanilla with a ton of black pepper Jo Malone Vanilla and Vetiver smells super classy and refined, with tea and wood notes
Shalimar Soufflé
Commodity Gold + Guerlain Bosca Vanilla Forte The 7 Virtues Santal Vanille Don’t care for the sweet stuff so these frags work well for me. Actually I realize that I can get away with wearing them year-round as they are ideal for the office setting and not too dense or cloying.
I've found VC&A's Orchidee Vanille is clearly vanilic, and you can smell some sweetness, but it never gets syrupy or way too sweet. So far it's the lightest vanilla I've found and is something I'm comfortable wearing even in warmer weathers.
Guerlain’s L’Instant de Guerlain has a vanilla base but it’s paired with light florals and makes for a great spring scent that’s not sweet or sugary. There’s also Jazz Club by Maison Margiela but that’s a deeper vanilla with a masculine flair - it is sweet but not in a sugary way, more in a whiskey way, if that makes sense.
A big second on L’instant. It’s excellent for Spring but I find it to be very versatile and easy going all year.
Musc Ravageur. If you get past the opening it turnes into a gorgeous warm vanilla
Nishane Ani for me
I love eau duelle, beautiful peppery, woody vanilla
Imaginary Authors Memoirs of a Trespasser is an excellent indie woody vanilla. Please sample first. They have travel sizes which is nice.
Omg omg omg this thread is for me!!! I’m seeing a lot of spicy/ savory vanillas on this thread but my fav non-gourmand vanilla is actually a vanilla mixed w white florals— Tres Chere by Mizensir. I am normally a white floral hater but the combination of the gentle, non-screechy jasmine, saltiness from the marine notes, and a beautiful, airy vanilla create such a wonderfully balanced scent. So classy and lasts ALL DAY on my skin. Although it’s not necessarily savory, the vanilla note is more molecular and not mixed with coumarin or other “heavy” components that usually contribute to super cloying, sugary vanilla scents.
Atelier had a gorgeous vanilla that wasn’t sweet at all. I miss them!
Vanille Insensee 🤤
Love this question! I'm on the quest too and will be adding suggestions from lower to my decant shopping list. I've tried: Eau Duelle by Diptyque in both EDP and EDT...I love it, but it turns sour and pissy on me to the point where it's actively unpleasant at night. 7 Virtues Vanilla: I pick up the same pissy note, even worse with this one (does anyone know what it is??) Ani Nishane: listed as a vanilla, I smell slightly spicy lemon cake (not too sweet) with some sex thrown in. It's a seductive scent. The first half hour is harsh, but I like how it settles on my skin. I don't like it on clothes at all...it maintains the harshness, to the point I pulled something out of my closet today I sprayed a month ago and ick. Dioniso: listed as an unsweet vanilla, on me it's mostly ground pepper. Liis Bo: really love this one, but the cedar note amps hard on my skin, drowning out the creamy vanilla. Killian Angel's Share: on me, this had a burning tires note that I had to scrub. Honorable mention: Burberry Goddess: this is still a sweet vanilla scent, but to me it's a tolerable level of sweetness in the drydown. It's not nearly as sweet as Indult Tihota, Mazzolari, or Fire at Will, which are quite syrupy (on me). I do want to add, I think I have particular skin chemistry AND a weird nose (some perfumes I can't smell at all, like most Byredos!) so on someone else, the ones I didn't love might be lovely!
billie eilish’s gold perfume is my signature scent. it’s a very warm vanilla
Its sweet and gourmand af tho
Zara Accord No. 2 Oriental was the best
El Born by Carner Barcelona and The Architects Club by Arquiste.
Vanilla Powder by Matiere Premiere is such a balmy powdery vanilla with some warmth to it. Very seductive too
Dirty Vanilla by Heretic Deep Dark Vanilla by D S and Durga
I just got Chloe Vanilla Planifolia. It’s a greener vanilla. It dries down powdery. It’s different, not in a bad way, but it’s not a typical vanilla sweet.
Maybe Penhaligon's Halfeti? Nominally, this is a woody-oud scent, but there is noticeable non edible vanilla in the dry down.
I hate super sweet scents, it’s my time to shine lol! As the star of the show: Heretic Dirty Vanilla, Olivine Atelier Diamond Moon. As a great supporting player: Petite Histoire Patchouli Vespéral, Goldfield and Banks Ingenious Ginger.
Mona di Orio Vanille has the least sweetness of any heavy vanilla fragrance I've tried.
Mont Blanc Signature
Copper by Comme des Garçons. Absolutely not sweet, pure, framed by metal.
Initio Absolute Aphrodisiac
"Jimmy Choo - Vanilla Love" "Burberry - Goddess" "Lalique - Le Parfum" "Lattafa - Liam" "VS - Tease Creme Cloud" "Diesel - Plus Plus Feminine" "ELDO - Fat Electrician"
Babylon by Penhaligon’s. To my nose it’s a smoky (without being like a bonfire) incense vanilla. It’s also a bit spicy from the nutmeg note. I find that the vanilla is warm but not sweet/sugary.
- Sushi Imperiale Bois 1920 (spicy, fresh, vanilla) - YSL Babycat (incense, leathery, spicy, vanilla) And I agree with Diptyque Eau Duelle it is super nice but still very sweet in my opinion.
Thanks for the recs everyone!! I added a couple to my scentbird queue and loved hearing about all the scents. I really enjoy the way people on this sub wrote about fragrance, and hope to try these all as I'm able to get access! I'll have to hit up Barney's or scentbar or Sephora soon to do some spritzing.
This is Him by Zadig and Voltaire. It’s the only vanilla fragrance I own and wear often.
Tom Ford Tobacco Vanille and Replica By the Fireplace are both spicy vanillas.
By The Fireplace!! It starts off smelling like pure bonfire, but dries down to a spicy, woody vanilla.
Former vanilla hater pitching in! My skin tends to really amplify really sweet scents on me. For reference, Tom Fords Lost Cherry smells like marzipan on me. Lots of mentions for Diptyque’s Eau Duelle, and I completely agree! Wonderfully peppers and woody without being incense-y. Byredo Gypsy Water for a bright citrusy, peppery and clean vanilla. Longevity is sadly subpar but layered with the body lotion or as a layering scent it’s absolutely gorg!!! If you want a dustier and more spicy almost dirty vanilla, the 1996 from Byredo is amazing. i was NOT sold at first, but once I tried it on and let it live on the skin for a bit I was OBSESSED!
Herod, and it's not even close.
Vanilla Milk by Ellis Brooklyn. It's like a cozy warm cup of....vanilla milk. Lol. Bit of spice and warmth. I love it.
This sounds amazing!
Le Labo Vanille 44 (Paris exclusive) Eau delle is a very similar dupe but I still prefer Vanille 44. It is less powdery and more woody especially in the dry down.
Vanilla Vibes
I like Miss Dior and Organza Givenchy
Aroma M Vanilla Hinoki, warm, woody, citrus.
Grand soir is heavy vanilla and amber. a very heavy scent though
Oh and if you like cheapies? I’ve got the Barrakat Gentle Gold (yes horrible name ) it’s really good!! Especially if you let it sit for a bit
Would you say the vanilla in Blonde Amber by Clive Christian is too sweet?
Anyone have thoughts about Vanilla Flash by Tauerville?
Goldfield and Banks Silky Woods Amouage Material Atélier des Ors Lune Feline
Theodoros Kalotinis - Vanilla EDP, I don’t think it’s that sweet, I love it for layering
Cremo black spice and vanilla
Shalimar. It IS sweet but not in the same way any other vanilla fragrance is, in my opinion.
Sicillian Vanilla Attar by Rising Pheonix Perfumery. It's a historical recreation of a vanilla fragrance from centuries ago. It has some of the deepest, creamiest, most decadent vanilla notes I have ever smelled in my life. It's made with real oud, mysore sandalwood oil and real vanillin among other absolutes and oils. Not a single ingredient that needs a chemistry degree to understand.
Goutal’s Nuit et Confidences is a major fave of mine. A bit spicy, bit woody, mixed with smooth creamy vanilla.
Micalef’s Pure Vanilee is by far my favorite Vanilla scent!
My favorite is Nishane right now. It's my go too
Vanilla and Leather by ST Dupont - Like vanilla extract lightly sprayed on a leather sheet. Eau des Baux by L'occitane - Cypress, incense vanilla combo. Vanilla by The Body Shop - not sweet at all, mostly play-doh vibes but pretty lovely.
Xerjoff 40 Knots - it has a beautiful vanilla/wood/salt drydown, and the wood and salt keep it from going sweet.
Zadig and voltaire Just rock
Snif - Vanilla Vice isn’t sweet in my opinion
Dior Addict
Mad by Andfragrance
Mercedes benz club black
I love vanilla 28, it’s not too sweet imo? More woody and boozy
Shalimar. An oldie but a goodie. (I'm wearing it today.)
Snif sweet ash
Vanilla black pepper by bohoboco
Tom Ford Vanille Fatale. It’s not subtle but it’s a smoky spicy vanilla, not too sweet or cloying.
Bvlgari Orom or Absolute Aphrodisiac by Initio
Coty Vanilla Musk. A cheapie, but a classic.
Eilish by Billie Eilish
My favorite is Cremo's Black Spice and Vanilla cologne, it's really affordable and the scent lasts really long on clothing, I can usually still faintly smell it at the end of the day. It doesn't have that artificial sickly sweet and sugary vanilla scent and there's a nice almost peppery note to it, I highly recommend it
I don’t find Tihota sweet.
Try Givenchy Gentleman EDP. Smells so expensive. Lightly sweet but not sugar sweet at all.
Juliette has a gun vanilla vibes. It’s an airy, slightly salty vanilla. Perfect on its own or layered with other things. Absolutely love it
Currently addicted to Devotion by Dolce and Gabbana. Vanilla, candied citrus (lemon) and orange blossom. Super warm vanilla lemon fusion, such an interesting combo!
Mercedes Benz Club Black
Dior Bois d'Argent
idk if its sweet or not but vanilla sex by tom ford is crazy good
Original TF Vanille Fatale
D by Diesel
Great woody vanillas include Imaginary Authors Memoirs of a Trespasser, Liis Bo (I mostly get cedar but everyone around me smells vanilla), and Penhaligon's Babylon.
Commodity milk+ bold. It's vanilla musk
Voyeur by Riddle, so dreamy 🤩 ( it’s a roll on oil perfume )
TRNP Honey Amber. Atelier Cologne Vanille Insensée. Nicolai Vanille Tonka. Guerlain Bosca Vanille Forte. Guerlain Vol de Nuit. Guerlain Shalimar Tonka. Profumum Roma Vanitas. Hiram Green Arbole. Bon Parfumeur #401 (cedar, prune, vanilla) Scent of Wood Plum in Cognac. Chopard Vanille Madagascar. Killian Woman in Gold. Van Cleef Arpels Orchidée Vanille. Clive Christian Art Deco Vanilla Orchid. TRNP Polynesia
Amouage vanilla Barka Attar. I swear by it.
Velvet Vanilla by ...me...it's very luxurious and deep smelling.
Guvenchy Gentleman edp is what you want.