September 26, 2016

Perfume review: Aerin Tangier Vanille

Aerin Lauder latest fragrance has a sophisticated, sultry Boho vibe.

I have yet to meet a person who doesn’t like the smell of vanilla. It may not be your favourite scent, but most people admit to liking its rich, sweet signature smell. In perfume, vanilla is often paired with other sweet notes (think chocolate, caramel, toffee), or it can be used to counter darker spices in Oriental spritzes. Given vanilla’s popularity in mass-market products, it’s often a challenge to find a vanilla that smells truly luxurious and above the ordinary. It’s no surprise that Aerin Lauder has delivered. Say hello to Tangier Vanille.

First impression

Aerin Tangier Vanille is a vanilla fragrance that’s all-grown up. Forget the sweet vanilla essence that permeates today’s typical shopping mall and that is favoured by many a teenage girl.

Warm, spicy, sensual—Lauder’s vanilla wraps the skin like gold silk: smooth but luxe, bold but refined. As Tangier Vanille’s sweetness dissipates, a warm, musky dry-down lingers.

The facts

Inspired by Tangier (the doorway to Morocco) and its modern-meets-Old World character, Aerin Tangier Vanille pairs vanilla with bergamot for a warm yet crisp opening that is tempered with the familiarity of Bulgarian rose. Tonka bean, benzoin, amber, sandalwood and musk combine here: The result is warmth with a hint of smoke. If the colour amber was a scent, it would be Tangier Vanille.

The verdict? This is a wearable perfume that takes vanilla and aims to give it a grown-up spin. It largely succeeds, though I would have loved for something even darker and bolder—but perhaps that would be a little too niche. We imagine this perfume would appeal to those who lean to light but spicy fragrances, but who also love the idea of a floral perfume with a Bohemian heart.

The rating: ★★★/★★★★★