Vanillary by Lush

Generally, Lush and I don’t get on well: walking into their shops stresses me out with the intense crowds and chaotic mix of colours and scents. I do like vanilla, but only occasionally, so I’m not sure what made me pick up the solid (probably just impulse buying and a desire to dash out). I bought it before 2024, so it will be different from the current tube. Although gourmands usually don’t work for me, I absolutely love this one: it smells like something baked and calorific, like a butter biscuit; a friend said it smelled like chocolate (dessert). I didn’t notice the jasmine before, but now I do—a subtle, slightly dirty note that adds interest. Would I buy it in liquid form? Probably not; it’s too expensive for what it is. I prefer the solid to mix or wear on its own: the projection is decent, and since it doesn’t last long (1–2 hours), it’s easy to reapply.

I don’t know why, but every time I’ve worn this perfume, the opening smells of citrus—not like Devotion, but like bergamot. Then comes a very floral and vintage vanilla. I’m a huge vanilla lover; I adore Byredo Antique, but I can’t do this one. I don’t want to be harsh, but my grandmother would probably like it… I don’t understand why I’m the only one with this reaction, while others smell dessert, but my mother was a pastry chef 😂

I bought it as a blind buy expecting a creamier vanilla, but nothing like that. I get a boozy, spiced vibe, like a vanilla bathed in incense.

I bought it ages ago in the yellow and white bottle, just like at Fragantica. I repurchased it because it performs brilliantly and I absolutely love turning into a ‘human dessert’. I was looking for an absolute vanilla to layer with delicate florals. The opening is pure dessert: sweet and warm, nothing of that icy synthetic vanilla. It’s high-quality bakery vanilla, almond biscuits, custard, subtle jasmine tea, sponge cake with essence, and more biscuits. All in a little yellow pot. It smells of pure vanilla with details: tonka bean almond and a touch of jasmine that aren’t distant notes but spice and season without losing the sweetness. Conclusion: I adore Vanillary and I love being a human dessert from time to time.

The opening smells of aromatic bergamot, perhaps with a very fleeting spicy note from the back, because vanilla and tonka bean dominate. In the heart, the jasmine appears and transforms the vanilla into floral, but it reminds me of opening something new, resinous wood. It’s sweet, sometimes caramelised and salty, very magical; it’s not classic cake-shop vanilla. Sometimes it feels smoky, like that nuanced caramel. The dry base is airy vanilla butter, slightly ambered, with a musk that gives it lightness. On my skin it changes: tonka bean with dark sweetness, as if the vanilla becomes dense, thinking of a supporting sandalwood (not declared, but that’s my impression). It has a wide trail and brutal projection for the first 2 hours; then that unique floral vanilla middle phase takes over.

The opening hooks you: vanilla and extra coumarin. Sweet but not too much, creamy and balanced, reminiscent of salted caramel. However, after an hour, my skin turns it into plasticine, ruining it (this usually happens with tonka). It’s potent, unisex but leans feminine, lasts all day and projects like crazy. I see it for cool nights, or during the day if it’s cold. Advice: try it first, because it gave me a rash on my wrist. Pleasant: 6/10, Interesting: 3/10, Versatile: 5/10, Original: 5/10.

Vanilla always hides from me 😢. I tried it on my arm and, instead of vanilla, I sensed a nocturnal jasmine: sweet, delicate, elegant and creamy, with a soft trail. It’s such a sensual scent that I can picture a bride wearing it. I’m not lying: I wanted vanilla, but now I’m tempted to buy it.

100% vanilla. It’s like smelling a freshly baked cake, wonderful!!

The liquid version of Lush delivers: pure vanilla. Sweet and indulgent, perfect for sweet lovers. It lasts a treat; don’t overapply in the heat. It smells linear, always vanilla. Ideal for addicts. A cosy scent for cold weather. Plus, Lush doesn’t test on animals and uses natural ingredients, what more could you ask for! <3