Perfume Review: Vaniglia by Santa Maria Novella
October 4th, 2006
Santa Maria Novella is one of the world’s oldest pharmacies, located in Florence, Italy. Its products are marked by the use of the highest quality natural ingredients in the tradition of its founders. (For more information on the line, please watch this fascinating video). I must say I’m only superficially familiar with the line, and just recently have become more interested in giving their fragrances a proper test. Initially, the ones I tried fell into the category of scents I appreciate for composition only as opposed to both composition and wearibility. As is often the case with me, I come back to the dismissed ones with completely new perception and end up falling head over heels. Such fate befell Vaniglia.
A few weeks ago I wrote about my personal classification of vanilla fragrances. Based on that, Vaniglia falls into the complex vanilla category. It’s not really vanilla the way you know it. Before I go into a more detailed description (short as it may be), I’ll just say it reminds me a lot of Latvian made liqueur - by that I mean these drinks. They’re characterized by a syrupy consistency and rich, dessert-like flavor. Oddly enough, I don’t find Vaniglia particularly gourmand. It does, however, possess this syrupy, boozy quality that immediately makes me think of liqueur. As for the smell, I don’t know the official notes, unfortunately. What I get is a lush, aromatic vanilla with a slight resinous/smoky undertone. It lasts for hours and is ideal for this gloomy fall weather. I simply adore and highly recommend it!
Vaniglia is available at Aedes and Lafcony.
Image source: www.aedes.com
Entry Filed under: Perfume Reviews
14 Comments Add your own
1. Marchlion | October 5th, 2006 at 7:14 am
the store in Florence is wonderful. I spent two days in there on and off (in between stuffing my face and visiting the Uffizi). They sell a lot of scents we can´t get here, for one third the money. I had no idea when I was there, or I would have bought more. Sigh… must go back!
2. Elle | October 5th, 2006 at 7:32 am
I really get the liqueur association. My first thought w/ this scent was of a vanilla martini. Definitely one of the most sophisticated vanilla scents out there, but I still can’t do vanillas.
Although I’m wondering how this would be as a layering scent w/ deep smoke or tobacco scents….
3. Marina | October 5th, 2006 at 7:49 am
Definitely one of the most pleasant SMN. That line just fail to impress me, on the whole. Apart from Citta di Kyito and even thought wasn’t a WOW.
Oh gosh, Ina, Riga Balsam! We used to bring it home from Jurmala. The bottles were different, they were tall brown ones, sealed with…don’t know how to explain, the way letters were sealed in old times. I don’t remember the taste, but I remember the balsam was supposed to work miracles for one’s health.
4. Judith | October 5th, 2006 at 8:17 am
Hmmm. . . Like L, I am not a vanilla girl, but I am getting more into this line lately (confusing, because they have so many scents). So far I really like Nostagia and Acqua di Cuba (great cigar tobacco–maybe L. should layer it with Vaniglia:), and I am looking forward to trying Opoponax. I will make a note to try this one at the sniffa, since we will be at Lafco, but it doesn’t sound like my style (you never know, though:)
5. Kelley | October 5th, 2006 at 9:35 am
Ina, I live in a tiny town in Mexico that thinks scents are for floor cleaners and for soap. I don’t smell fragrance on people (except gringos and gringas). When I walk down the beautiful cobblestone streats here in San Miguel, the smells from the shop keapers mopping their stores can be overwhelming with lavender and green apple and orange.
However, I heard recently that someone has opened up a small Santa Maria Novella boutique! I haven’t been searching yet but after reading your review, I am motivated to search for it!
I am not going to thank you yet because it might be a catastrophy (esepecially to my budget).
6. Cait | October 5th, 2006 at 10:11 am
Wow, Ina, funny you should do a vanilla review because I am not a vanilla girl but yesterday was really enjoying AG Vanille Exquise and loving it. How would you classify that one? As for Mexico, one of my favorite old time perfumeries is in Veracruz. My Mexican in laws love perfume. I always associate trips to visit them with new perfume acquisitions and stories about which scents all of the ten aunts wore over the years. Perfume is a luxury, though, obviously. There are so many gorgeous fragrances just in the air in Mexico– roasting coffee, orange blossoms, chile, and vanilla! to conveniently get back on point.
7. Ina | October 5th, 2006 at 3:51 pm
March, I’d LOVE to go to that store! *drool*
8. Ina | October 5th, 2006 at 3:52 pm
Elle, yeah, I can see the martini comparison, too. This would probably work great for layering.
9. Ina | October 5th, 2006 at 3:52 pm
Marina, right after I looked at that site, I got a major craving for that Balsam!! I used to hate the smell but now it seems oddly appealing. Sigh. Home, sweet home!
10. Ina | October 5th, 2006 at 3:53 pm
Judith, I’ll absolutely have to try Aqua di Cuba! Thanks!
11. Ina | October 5th, 2006 at 3:53 pm
Kelley, do go and search for it and report back!!
12. Ina | October 5th, 2006 at 3:55 pm
Cait, I’d love to go to Mexico! Goutal’s vanilla is probably borderline complex. It smells waxy in a good way.
13. Victoria | October 5th, 2006 at 4:22 pm
I used to like SMN Vaniglia and then I got tired of it, because it started to remind me of Casmir. I should revisit it again.
14. Ina | October 5th, 2006 at 4:51 pm
Vika, I can’t recall what Casmir smells like. Will have to find a sample.
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