Vaara by Penhaligon's
Men Women 2013
Description
Vaara by Penhaligon's is an oriental fragrance for men and women. Launched in 2013, this composition was created by perfumer Bertrand Duchaufour. Its top notes unfold with quince, rose water, saffron, coriander and carrot seeds; the heart reveals a harmony of rose, peony, freesia and magnolia; while the base offers a warm persistence of honey, white musk, cedar, sandalwood, benzoin…
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The olfactory pyramid
A guide to the opening, heart and lasting trail of the fragrance.
The community speaks
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In the collection
Leading answer I own it
2,664 votes
What do you think?
Leading answer Like it
1,126 votes
Season
Choose severalLeading answer Spring
824 votes
Time of day
Choose severalLeading answer Day
431 votes
Each question has its own vote count. You can choose several seasons.
Fragrance profile
About Vaara
Vaara by Penhaligon’s is an oriental fragrance for men and women. Launched in 2013, this composition was created by perfumer Bertrand Duchaufour. Its top notes unfold with quince, rose water, saffron, coriander and carrot seeds; the heart reveals a harmony of rose, peony, freesia and magnolia; while the base offers a warm persistence of honey, white musk, cedar, sandalwood, benzoin and tonka bean.
Fruits, vegetables and nuts Spices Green, herbal and fougère Musk, amber and animalic Flowers Sweet and gourmand Woods and mosses Resins and balsams
It may remind you of
Ranked by what the community voted.
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How it wears
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Longevity
Leading answer Moderate
394 votes
Sillage
Leading answer Moderate
491 votes
Character
Leading answer Traditionally feminine
218 votes
Value perception
Leading answer Fair price
168 votes
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Community reviews
9 reviews
Share what you noticed: opening, drydown, sillage and the moments when it works for you.
A fruity floral with a spicy twist, crafted by Bertrand Duchaufour for a British niche brand. Quince and rose reign supreme here, accompanied by a prominent saffron that is present yet neither metallic nor intrusive. The peony lends an aquatic sensation, keeping it clean and fresh. In the base, I detect more honey than beeswax. There are other notes, but these are the ones I notice. It reminds me of Chance Eau Tendre but with saffron, so if you like that, you’ll surely love this. It lasts 7-8 hours on my skin with moderate projection and a wide trail. It’s versatile, suitable for all seasons, though ideal for spring and transitional weather. I think it’s a good entry point into the niche world and worth trying; it’s a safe bet that you and those around you will enjoy. 🥰 Ig @vale.perfumatica
Fruity floral with a spicy touch, a work by Duchaufour for the British niche. Quince and rose dominate, with a prominent yet soft saffron. The peony gives it an aquatic and clean air. In the base, there is honey that smells more like beeswax. It reminds me of Chance Eau Tendre but with saffron. Lasts 7-8 hours with good projection and a wide trail. Versatile for all year round, though better in spring. A safe bet in the niche, worth trying. 🥰
Elegant for spring and summer, with a juicy citrus opening wrapped in the freshness of coriander and peony. I barely notice the roses, but I do sense that fresh, clean air. The longevity is moderate, and at the end, it leaves the sweetness of tonka bean, honey, and benzoin without losing its cleanliness thanks to the musk. On me, it’s a sophisticated and lovely fragrance for everyday wear.
Elegant for spring and summer. It comes out juicy and citrusy, fresh with coriander and peony; the roses are barely noticeable. Clean and sophisticated. In the end, it leaves the sweetness of tonka bean, honey and benzoin without losing its cleanliness thanks to the musk. Ideal for everyday wear.
It has stolen a sigh of disappointment from me. It comes out strange, with lots of alcohol and nothing pleasant. It turns into a cocktail of synthetic fruits bathed in a strident musk, then a synthetic rose, all without a clear concept. It’s not fatal, but it’s not something I’d want to wear. The longevity and projection are very low.
A fragrance that stole a sigh of disappointment from me 😔. The opening is oddly harsh, with an excessive amount of alcohol that isn’t pleasant at all. It evolves into a cocktail of synthetic fruits bathed in a brash, equally synthetic musk, followed by a rose that is even more synthetic, all framing a scent with no clear identity. It’s not a disaster, but it’s certainly not something I’d want on my skin, at least not for now… The longevity and projection are very low.
Well, I finally tested it at the men’s clothing store where this brand has its exclusive. To be honest, I wasn’t expecting much, and that’s exactly what I found. As light as air, this fragrance is like a mere sigh; of course, with such notes, not much can be achieved. I agree with Drakecito: the musk (not particularly niche) is the only element that lifts the perfume slightly, though it doesn’t feel like a true musk. It’s like Creed Virgin Island Water, which never quite delivers what it promises (though this one is far superior in terms of note purity). Anyway, it’s a fragrance that doesn’t keep me awake in my case.
To me, it’s a disaster from Penhaligon’s and another letdown from Mr Duchaufour. They release too many perfumes a year and the quality is dropping. It’s a pointless sweet fruit medley with honey and that synthetic musk that smells everywhere. Ethereal texture and hardly original; it reminds me of Traversée du Bosphore but lacks body and development. It smells nice but adds nothing, lasting 4-5 hours with a trail that dies in 30 minutes. The price is a joke.
I’m not an expert, having tried it in Valencia at that clothing boutique, but based on the notes, it sounds like a natural products and flowers shop. It has that ‘something’ from Vaara’s notes; I wonder if I dare to go and try it.