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TSVTDSLUE – :
Re living this beautiful fragrance. I like the Dana line. By today’s standards these scents are terribly old fashioned but I’m an old fashioned conservative gal and I like retro perfumes. This is a sweet but strong vanilla floral aroma. Smells of a fresh citrus and alcohol at first before it turns into a white floral. The vanilla comes through as it dries combined with woods and resins/ambers as well as musk.
I found this to be simple effective and quite clean and very tame for an Oriental or vanilla. It’s not gourmand so this vanilla is definitely more like a vanilla pod or flower. There are no green notes to my nose but it does have something slightly herbal which reminds me of the patchouli in Shalimar.
This is quite easy to wear and can be worn daily as a casual day time any time scent throughout the year. The vanilla dry down is gorgeous simply gorgeous.
If you like vanilla fragrances without complex notes around it and straight up florals try this one. Very womanly elegant casual but tasteful.
Pessockie – :
Just like Fire & Ice by Revlon. I love Fire & Ice so bought an edp version of French Vanilla and love it nearly as much.
VabyBallutt – :
One of the great “drug store scents” of yesteryear! First, my bottle is as pictured above (except that the label looks more like the graphic on the box pictured), and it is the EdP, with a gold paper sticker on the bottom (I bought it without the box). After just a few minutes this settles into a very well balanced scent, with vanilla being the most obvious note (though there may be a bit of benzoin, tonka, amber, etc. in here). There may be the barest hint of citrus, wood, etc. as well, but don’t think you will actually smell any of these clearly. What you may get is a touch of sweetness, slight muskiness (not animalic), and a powdery quality (though it’s not overwhelming). Also, I doubt you’ll get a more “natural” smell at these prices, and I’d guess this would be excellent for layering purposes. I can see why some might compare it to Casmir but that one is less vanillic, more ambery, and has a weird quality I think someone called “old banana.” And I don’t see why many guys would avoid this, just don’t use too many sprays!
NOTE: This can be compared to Ignition for Men, which is sweeter, a bit more ambery, and with more noticeable fruit and woods (creating an almost tobacco-like quality).
sergenius – :
I had been wanting to try this for a long time, but it was pretty difficult to find. And though it was probably a bad idea to buy a 240ml cologne bottle of this, but after quite some time using it, I’ve come to really enjoy it on days that I don’t want anything much, but I want something that makes me smell nice.
It’s not a big perfume, radiating within arm’s length and modrate longevity (but that’s pretty amazing for an eau de cologne), but it’s pleasant, sweet in character, warm, and innocent. It’s oddly complex for something with minimal notes, and after using it, I can definitely see where the not-too-sweet vanilla becomes ever so slightly more woody and slightly resiny.
So despite my adverse dislike of vanilla perfumes, this one has changed my mind a lot because it has the woody-resin notes I love so much in my perfumes, yet it’s not enough of either, to put off any of those who love vanilla perfumes in general. And because it’s not overly sweet, I find it something more appropriate to wear. Sometimes overly sweet perfumes can be too much to be around, but this one is lovely.
Also, as I stated, you don’t need the EDT or EDP to get good longevity out of French Vanilla (in my opinion). The EDC is good for both, and a 240ml bottle of the EDC can be had for a similar price to the EDT or the EDP, and is five times larger, making it better value for money (in Australia anyway, because you can’t find this in stores in general. I had to order my 240ml bottle off eBay, and was the only one there, for $52AU, and the EDT and EDP cost about the same. It’d almost be cheaper to take a holiday to another country specifically to buy this).
This one’s a winner!
Also, if it’s hard to find the lotion (which it will be, if you’re like me), I bought a bottle of Victoria’s Secret Amber Romance Body Lotion for a very good price, and I can’t tell the difference between the smell of the lotion and the smell of French Vanilla, and it boosts the sillage like nobody’s business.
Kerddor – :
A strong vanilla at first, a bit sharp but mellows nicely. The citrus in here is fleeting and I hardly notice it. I never would have thought this was similar to Revlon’s Fire and Ice, but now that someone has mentioned it, I see that, yes, it is. It is like a simpler, more toned down version of Fire and Ice – they are not similar enough to be interchangeable. I can see this being heavy if overapplied, and it can give that impression at first spray, but this fades quickly into a warm, vanilla scent that’s great for colder weather.
pumants – :
When I think of Vanilla , I think warm, creamy ,
& comforting a nice snuggly scent.
This is a harsh bitter synthetic Vanilla , and yet I really like to wear it in summer -it grows on me 🙂 Great price too !
tdutybq – :
I’m depressed! My first ever blind buy and my first eBay purchase and YUCK. This is old lady flowers on me. I honestly detect no vanilla in the first 30 minutes. It’s probably in there as an anchor for the other notes, but undetectable as a note itself. Heavy floral. Strike 1!
Note: PM me if you’re interested in swapping for this!
Lev26Tr – :
French Vanilla took me by surprise. You know those moments when everything just clicks? I had one of them with FV.
My niece came over for a Supernatural S1 marathon and I had a few samples lined up, one of which was Dana’s French Vanilla EDC.
I sprayed some on my niece and I and we sniffed away watching Sam and Dean explore monsters gallore.
Aaand there it was. The click. As I giggled at the fact that Sam looks so tiny compared to S7 French Vanilla tickled its way into my nostrils and my heart.
It’s soft, not at all sugary but pleasantly sweet. It’s warm, slightly spicy, and oh so comforting. I’ve NEVER had a comfort scent. This just makes me feel so cozy and relaxed that I’m perplexed by the strength of something so gentle. It’s an eau de cologne, but so powerful!
I’m in love.
Got “Carry on Wayward Son” in my head every time I smell this.
Next time I fall in love I’ll have to get my man to wear this sometimes.
I’ll melt and turn into a puddle of lovey dovey goo if I ever find myself in a French Vanilla embrace.
Furbunene – :
No. I don` like this. At all.
It smells just like Chopard Casmir, which I dispise.
This is more fruit than vanilla, very misleading name on this scent I must say.
oinxgkqdnjr – :
Absolutely gorgeous deep vanilla fragrance. Not overly sweet as so many vanilla perfumes are. It opens with citrus and floral notes that are inviting and invigorating. It dries down after a few minutes to a lovely vanilla-woody-resin fragrance. The resin makes the fragrance smell like amber intertwined with vanilla. I am in love. This is officially my signature fragrance. The holy grail of vanillas.
ddaamm – :
Received a sample from the lovely EK and I am loving this. It’s extremely… ladylike. Very soft and delicate and puts me in the mind of french lace and white gloves.
This is not an overly sweet or obviously gourmand type of vanilla, but its delicious all the same. The initial strong alcohol blast is off putting, but as it calms the vanilla and soft florals peek through in a blend that smells more like a vanilla custard that either an outright vanilla or floral. It hugs the skin but sends off an enhanced sweetness around the skin. On my skin the longer it sits the more the florals peek through. A very lovely and quite enjoyable vanilla.
viamba – :
This was purchased blind on the strength of the glowing reviews herein and, regrettably, it did not live up to expectations. IMO this fragrance does very much match its budget price and is not something I would wear. In the same price category, my preference would be for Coty’s Raw Vanilla, which is marketed as a men’s fragrance but is eminently suitable for ladies too.
PlutAssutty – :
I recently bought a big 7.75 oz. bottle of French Vanilla on ebay for $5 plus $6 shipping. I feel like I’ve won the lottery – what a bargain! A natural vanilla, no synthetic, chemical yuckiness, no sickeningly sweet fake cake batter smell. This is not a gourmand vanilla – it’s a soft, clean fresh vanilla with a tinge of citrus and floral. Great for an everyday go-to fragrance. Perfect for layering with other scents. Good sillage and longevity (6+ hrs. on me). It smells better than many of the high priced synthetic designer fragrances out there. Sometimes simple is best. If you find a bottle, don’t pass it up.
Update: On subsequent use, it reminds me of Johnson and Johnson baby lotion in the opening, which is a little off-putting. Maybe there’s a bit of artificiality to it initially…but in the drydown it’s still a soft, gentle, pleasant vanilla.
vars – :
EDP version: This is a creamy, delicious, and affordable oriental vanilla with citrus and wood notes accompanying the vanilla with equal strength. My nose picks up orange blossom whiffs in the opening. The heart consists of mildly citrusy vanilla with strong wood tones. So beautiful and so sensual… This could be the sister of Fire & Ice by Revlon. When I first sprayed it, I picked up a lot of similarities with it. If you’d like another great oriental vanilla fragrance, you could try Fire & Ice. It is also very affordable, has stronger citrus notes than French Vanilla, and it is also less woody. But just as creamy, beautiful, and sensual nonetheless. Enjoy these lovely creations!. :o)
oleg19030 – :
I absolutely adore this perfume. It’s the epitome of a great vanilla scent as far as I’m concerned.
I do love vanilla fragrances in general and this is the latest I’ve added to my collection and it’s just so pretty.
The fragrance isn’t cloying or harsh, but is subtle with undertones of woods and floral notes.
One time I actually sprayed this over my cocoa butter moisturizer and it smelled incredible.
This is the best perfume I have found by Dana so far.
cat1977 – :
Kittycat63,
That’s good to know! I had passed on the EDT at a great price due to those other reviews, but now I think I’ll go for it. Layering is where it’s at anyway, right? 🙂 I am so happy i found this scent just in time for Summer, as it’s sort of a fresh oriental vanilla, which seemed unlikely, but for me that’s what it is. I love it!
Valensiya – :
You are welcome Kittycat and I totally agree with you on the staying power too!!
popigor69 – :
Thanks for the compliment Action!
I have to say, I disagree with Candmarie who said the EDT of this is too weak.
I have the French Vanilla EDT and the staying power on my skin is surprisingly good! It lasts at least 8 hours on me, despite the fact that I have dry’ish skin, so I’d call that pretty good staying power! Obviously, a lot depends on a person’s chemistry and skin type as to whether a perfume will last a long time on their skin or not.
So, my recommendation is that anyone who’s interested in getting French Vanilla should definitely try the EDT, especially as at the moment (in England anywhere, which is where I live), you can get it for a very, very reasonable price! It’s such a lovely perfume that I got myself a second big bottle (230ml) just in case it gets hard to find! I’m also thinking of getting at least one or two more if I can find the space – I have too many perfumes at the moment!!! ;o))
Mekio141InsuffBooni – :
BTW, I reviewed the EDP. I wouldn’t waste time with the EDT. I’ve read some reviews saying it’s weak and fades quickly. Unlike the EDP, which lasts and lasts and lasts. Definitely in my A-rotation!
multabult – :
Because of the informative reviews here I have discovered this little gem. That’s what this site is all about. People often post topics asking for great but inexpensive scents. Well, here you go. Dana French Vanilla.
A subtle, complex, non-foody, slightly woody vanilla. Bravo, House of Dana! This is going into my weekly rotation.
StoomAffirm – :
Fantastic review Kittycat!!
Anonymous – :
This is a really lovely vanilla perfume and not one-dimensional like so many vanilla scents are.
It’s soft, warm, subtle and has excellent staying power. I just got a bottle today and I’m really happy I decided to chance it and give it a try. For the price (currently £5.99 for a big 230ml bottle on one of the UK perfume websites) I felt I couldn’t go far wrong and the reviews have been so good for it!
I’m absolutely loving this perfume and it makes me smell good enough to eat (in fact, almost good enough to want to eat myself!). It’s great and well worth having in my collection. I can see this being one of my ‘go to’ fragrances, along with Oxygene, because I think it’s ideal for any situation and any kind of weather!
This works really well with the Avon Vanilla Shakes body lotion, by the way, for extra Vanilla yummy’ness!!
carne – :
Once more, I totally agree with Action. This is not at all synthetic. I am looking forward to the body lotion so I may layer. The vanilla is not blatant. French Vanilla is a lovely warm well blended scent that will find a prominant spot on my Winter roster. Not everything can be judged by its cost. Give this one a try.
stels7 – :
This is a nice lightly spicy vanilla, it has decent depth and is not too sweet. I finished my sample but I won’t berunning out to buy it as I have many vanillas already in my huge collection.
dekpitty – :
I am really suprised nobody rating this beauty yet! I am sure that a lot of us are afraid for the Dana house, being synthetic etc. Well, this one is quite different. It is a very nice and subtle Vanilla perfume that is more complex than only vanilla monotone. I would recommend it very much, if you love Vanilla in perfumes. Great choice!
Action
Dreatagak – :
This is a wonderful warm fragrance. From the Dana line it is my favorite, together with the headstrong Tabu!
Action