Mainstream Monday – Sniffing a Popular Perfume
Yves Rocher is one of those brands that I’m usually very happy with, but I don’t really buy it. Why? It’s only available online in the US and I forget about them. It’s that simple. When I travel elsewhere, I’ll stop in the store, sample a few things and even buy a few things and wonder why I don’t buy more from them. I usually like their shower gels and a few of their skincare items. However, I think the highlight of the brand is their fine fragrance. They have great perfumes, especially for their price.
Vanille Noire reminds me of heliotrope. It’s like a sweet vanilla with a green almond quality. There’s a slightly floral aspect to Vanille Noire, almost like fresh lilies with a hint of anise-like spice. Then it starts to wear as heliotrope blossoms and vanilla marshmallows. The heart of the fragrance is a balsamic vanilla with smoky woods. It dries down to a soft and sweet vanilla musk with what the industry would describe as “smooth woods”. It’s like vanilla and woods with a sunlit warmth.
Overall, I think Vanille Noire is an excellent perfume for the price. It’s a modern vanilla that has more going on that what the note list will lead you to believe. It’s a beautiful interpretation of all the different directions that vanilla can go – from floral to smoky to leathery. It’s surprisingly complex while still being a “vanilla” perfume.
Notes listed include bourbon vanilla absolute, Tahitian vanilla and Ugandan vanilla. Launched in 2010. PERFUMER – Jacques Cavallier
Give Vanille Noir a try if you like vanilla or sweeter, woodsier scents. Or if you like perfumes like Diptyque Eau Duelle, Dior Hypnotic Poison, Atelier Cologne Vanille Insensee, Arquiste The Architects Club and/or Byredo Gypsy Water.
Projection is below average. It wears close to the skin. Longevity is above average.
The 1.7 oz retails for $72 at Yves Rocher. You can often find it for cheaper (like for under $50) if you wait for a sale. Body products are also available in this scent.
Victoria’s Final EauPINION – A vanilla viewed from many angles. It’s surprisingly complex; yet, totally distinguishable as “vanilla”. I really like it. And this has been a reminder that I should be using more Yves Rocher products than I do.
Want more reviews? Try…
Perfume Shrine – Vanilla roundup
*Sample obtained by me. Product pic from the brand. Adele Smith pic from www.fanpix.net. Sample obtained by me. Post contains an affiliate link. Thanks!
Hi Victoria,
I own Vanille Noir EDP, shower gel and lotion. I like to wear it as a sleep scent during the winter months. Although it is certainly sheer enough to wear in the warmer months as well. I never noticed the almond aspect but you are absolutely right. I also use the Manoi shower gel and body oil by this line which I actually really love for the price. Also, the nice thing about ordering online from this brand is that they load you up with samples. Good for cheap thrills. Thanks for the review!
I’d love to have a bottle and I really want the bath products. It’s one of those vanillas that can be worn all year. It reminds me of much more expensive modern vanilla perfumes.
I’ve used the Manoi products for over a decade. That’s my favorite line of theirs that I’ve tried. I really should make an order. I’ve been happy with all their products and they do treat their online customers very nicely!
Lovely…a vanilla-marshmallow toasted over a smoky, woodsy bonfire scent.
I absolutely love the bottle – reminds me of smoky quartz.
I want a bottle. It’s such a cozy scent!
So funny you mention smoky quartz. I’ve been obsessed with it lately. I don’t own any jewelry with it…yet 🙂
Glad you reviewed this. Kept thinking about trying it but was afraid it would be all fake vanilla-y.
I love Hypnotic Poison ! Byredo Gypsy Water has also been on my to- try list but hasn’t happened yet so now you have me lemming two things.
It took me years to try it as I feared it would be some plastic-y vanilla. There were lots of good reviews and yet, I was still irrational because I judged it on its price! I’m awful.
It’s actually really good. I’d love to have a bottle. It’s one of those scents I see myself wearing when I don’t want to think about perfume but I want to smell good.
Someone asked me the other day which Byredo scents were my favorite. I think I finally concluded that I like Pulp and Gypsy Water. Pulp is fruity but not like the usually fruity scent. Gypsy Water is one of those modern vanillas that I could wear any time of the year, any place. I love a versatile fragrance like that.
[…] of year, I crave comforting scents, especially those with notes of vanilla. Here’s a review of a modern vanilla fragrance that smells like it could be much more expensive than what it […]
I agree. It’s wonderful. My favorite YR is their LotV. Sounds boring, but no. It starts out green, but develops into a more true LotV. Overall it is just so lovely and makes me smile whenever I wear it. And it’s dirt cheap.
Oh! If you don’t mind getting multiple emails per month, sign up for their newsletter for exclusive offers. I don’t always open every email I receive from them, but it’s a great way to remember they exist (I used to forget too). 🙂
Their Lily one is excellent, really at any price point!
So, yeah, I signed up for the newsletter because I keep forgetting about YR but I love the brand. I also want to know when they’re marking down Vanille Noire again because I want the bath/body products 🙂
[…] of year, I crave comforting scents, especially those with notes of vanilla. Here’s a review of a modern vanilla fragrance that smells like it could be much more expensive than what it […]
[…] of year, I crave comforting scents, especially those with notes of vanilla. Here’s a review of a modern vanilla fragrance that smells like it could be much more expensive than what it […]