Jo Malone • Vanilla Anise • Fragrances

*TOP REVIEWER* shazzar on 4/4/2013 9:38:00 PM more reviews by shazzar

Age: 36-43   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair   Hair: Brown, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Hazel    

The first Jo Malone fragrance I have encountered that I would actually consider purchasing. Surprisingly non-sweet and fresh.

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*TOP REVIEWER* Nowheregirl on 1/29/2013 10:49:00 AM more reviews by Nowheregirl

Age: 44-55   Skin: Combination, Fair, Cool   Hair: Red   Eyes: Blue    

I really want to like Jo Malone fragrances but I just can't. The combinations are unusual, and for the most part they just don't work with my body chemistry. Case in point: Vanilla Anise. Two of my favorite things, vanilla and licorice, in one fragrance. But when I spray it, all I get is straight-up Sambuca. No creamy warmth of sweet vanilla to temper the overpowering anise. And this particular scent is so strong it's cloying. I was disappointed.

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*TOP REVIEWER* MaryEllen on 10/5/2012 3:18:00 AM more reviews by MaryEllen

Age: 44-55   Skin: Dry, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Brown, Medium   Eyes: Blue    

I was somewhat surprised that I really like this. It's a very comforting scent on me, opening with true notes of non-foody vanilla and star anise/fennel, which lasted quite a long time. The ultimate drydown was a subtle floral (and I usually hate florals) with a hint of anise and amber. It wears close to the body, which I prefer, and has great staying power (on me). This isn't a gourmand or sexy scent--just pleasant and comforting. I can imagine it being a go-to for fall/winter, especially on casual days. I will repurchase.

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*TOP REVIEWER* myolderbrother on 3/12/2012 2:18:00 PM more reviews by myolderbrother

Age: 36-43   Skin: Oily, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Hazel    

My HG! Will buy forever! I've searched high & low for a fragrance that would knock my socks off & was sadly starting to think that there would be many I liked but none that I positively loved... but, alas, I was wrong! This is soft & intimate enough that I can usually smell it, but it doesn't enter the room before I do. This is a scent than seems to be a natural extension of me & that lingers in the minds of those fortunate enough to hug me! I'm sure I'll wear bigger scents for big events, but for everyday life, this is the winner! I absolutely adore Jo's Orange Blossom, but it has no longevity. I know Jo's sales force encourages purchasing many scents to create a more custom blend, but this gorgeous vanilla anise floral is perfect just as it is! Beautiful :)

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

GalileosDaughter on 3/10/2012 4:11:00 PM more reviews by GalileosDaughter

Age: 36-43   Skin: Sensitive, Fair, Warm   Hair: Brunette, Wavy   Eyes: Brown    

This is a fun, light, "interesting" vanilla. Not foody or creamy or boozy, just sweet vanilla tempered with anise, with a little orange blossom. The orange blossom gives it a little "lift," but the fragrance is not a floral by any means. The anise is not prominent to me, and it's not like a licorice anise, but more like star anise. It is sheer but wafts beautifully. Alone it's great, but layers well with Orange Blossom.

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beth54 on 9/25/2011 8:07:00 PM more reviews by beth54

Age: 56 & Over   Skin: Normal, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Hazel    

This is one of those miraculous moments when you receive a total gem in a swap! A generous fellow MUA'r was sweet enough to enclose a bottle of this gorgeous fragrance in a swap. Granted, there is only about 1/8th of an oz., but a little goes a long way. I put this on my swap list before really trying it as the Anise was off-putting and frankly, I had no idea of what a lovely gift I had received. It was on my list for only a few hours, but the requests poured in! This was the most popular fragrance that I've ever listed-how I went so long without knowing about this, is beyond me. So, off my swap list it went, and when it's gone- I will definitely be replacing it with a large bottle(which BTW is lovely!).

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BeckyJSacto on 8/10/2011 11:03:00 AM more reviews by BeckyJSacto

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brown, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Green    

This smelled heavenly in the bottle and on my wrist when I first tried it, and the absolutely perfect way it was packaged for me at Neiman Marcus made it even more special. Within a few hours, however, it turned on me, then it smelled like old lady perfume.

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swaylikeadancer on 7/12/2011 12:27:00 PM more reviews by swaylikeadancer

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Combination, Medium, Neutral   Hair: Black, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

This perfume is blended greatly and can be used with other perfumes at the same time. It's smell is very subtle and it actually lasts a while on your skin/clothing. I was given this by the shop when by perfumes in the small tube type of thing and I loved it! Refreshing scent.

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shabbus on 6/24/2011 12:52:00 PM more reviews by shabbus

Age: 44-55   Skin: Dry, Fair-Medium   Hair: Black, Curly, Fine   Eyes: Hazel    

I don't wear this by itself, I think that it has a sharp edge, which dries down quickly, but I find it better as a 'mixer' with other Jo Malone scents, to give them a foundation, and some tenacity.

This scent is the very best when combined with Nectarine Blossom and Honey, or with Grapefruit. It also works very well with Orange Blossom (kind of like a Creamsicle!).

I don't really detect the vanilla or the anise for that matter, but whatever, it adds an intriguing, irresistable dimension to the other scents and makes them last from your morning shower to your nightime bath.

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Jstar2009 on 4/23/2011 9:52:00 PM more reviews by Jstar2009

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

This scent is gorgeous! Very classy and subtle. One of my staples from Jo Malone. Very sexy! :)

Love Pomegranate Noir too.

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*TOP REVIEWER* msm4slm on 10/17/2010 8:16:00 PM more reviews by msm4slm

Age: 44-55   Skin: Oily, Fair   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

Definitely not what I was expecting (maybe something like Apres L'ondee with more vanille). Fruity floral. I get the resemblence to Marc Jacobs Blush. Where's the vanilla? This smells like many standard issue department store fragrances.

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regenton on 9/16/2010 6:42:00 PM more reviews by regenton

Age: 30-35   Skin: Dry, Fair-Medium   Hair: Blond, Curly, Fine   Eyes: Blue    

I'm suprised as to why this fragrance doesn't get a higher rating! Vanilla Anise has been my first foray into the Jo Malone brand.
I purchased this around 3 weeks ago - I had just arrived back on a long flight, leaving friends and sunshine behind and returning to rain and cold.... wandering through a department store I wanted something that would evoke a warm, comforting fragrance so I could look more positively to the wintery months ahead. I had wanted to try Jo Malone before, and I tried several fragrances (great idea to have coffee beans nearby to sniff in between!). This one just grabbed me and envelopped me, the vanilla and soft flowers evoking late summer days baking in the kitchen, and I can imagine wearing this going into Christmas. As this was more for "me days" than for a perfume, I got the body creme and body oil. Pricey but for the occassional treat.
Turns out I love it. I put on the body creme most mornings (sometimes mix with an unscented cream to try to get some mileage out of it!). It's perfect for the office as it has a soft scent but lasts the day. The staying power is excellent, a few days later I took out a shirt I had worn while I had the body creme on and I could still smell it. And the body oil is lovely for a hot soak in the tub on a cold wet evening.
Sorry if my review isn't chemically anatomical, I just relate fragrance to my everyday life - this one is like a lovely soft cashmere shawl for me, and I'm looking forward to trying more of the Jo Malone range....

9 out of 9 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

sunnyonne1 on 8/27/2010 8:37:00 PM more reviews by sunnyonne1

Age: 56 & Over   Skin: Dry   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Blue    

Smells EXACTLY like Dior Hypnotic Poison, which I love

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*TOP REVIEWER* Noboho on 8/9/2010 4:31:00 PM more reviews by Noboho

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Medium Brown, Warm   Hair: Brunette, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

I found this fragrance to be really lovely. Within a few moments of it being on the skin, I found it strongly resembled Blush by Marc Jacobs in scent. Upon drydown, it becomes more of a fruity floral with a strong Vanilla base. I really smell the orange blossom, however the Vanilla makes it very, very creamy and prevents it from being too sharp. the lasting power is decent, hardly impressive. However it's an excellent, light warm weather scent. Very Pretty.

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bekah54 on 7/31/2010 5:56:00 PM more reviews by bekah54

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Brown, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Green    

nauseating

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coastfansocal on 6/29/2010 3:44:00 PM more reviews by coastfansocal

Age: 25-29   Skin: Acne-prone   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Blue    

This is a nice warm vanilla and spicy floral scent.

It has orange blossom, vanilla, anise seed, some amber and sandalwood.

Not a bad scent, but doens't last long.

To me it smells EXACTLY like Jean Paul Gautier "classique" perfume.
The pink bottle in the shape of a bustier.

This is not a bad scent, but for the lasting power, price and longevity, you should buy "Le Classique" by Jean Paul instead.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

AnnieLen on 6/12/2010 11:51:00 PM more reviews by AnnieLen

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

I love vanilla and when I told the Nordstrom Jo Malone sales person this, she immediately offered a sample of Vanilla Anise. Unfortunately, I get next to no vanilla from the sample. It also does not seem to have much lasting power and after a few hours, starts to smell sort of cheap, at least on my skin. Will not purchase.

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*TOP REVIEWER* Lisaandtheword on 12/11/2009 2:00:00 AM more reviews by Lisaandtheword

Age: 44-55   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Black, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Blue    

On me this opened pale green herbal & light, then a smell of plastic.. dried to cool plastic vanilla. I like vanilla & I like anise, but in this creation they seem to change each other too much, not liking the outcome.

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mirandajulian on 11/3/2009 11:15:00 PM more reviews by mirandajulian

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

Mmmmmmm - I love this scent. I am typically a leather, woodsy, musky girl - who prefers more masculine scents. This scent is sweet to me which is great because I feel it expands my repetoire and I love that it does not give me a headache - the way most sweet perfumes do. This also has great staying power!

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lipstickgirl8 on 10/1/2009 2:36:00 PM more reviews by lipstickgirl8

Age: 44-55   Skin: Dry   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Blue    

I just bought this after sampling it and continuing to sniff my wrist all afternoon. I have an embarrassing number of JM colognes, so I admit to being a fan, but this is really nice! A nice warm oriental, with great staying power. I have only worn it alone so far but am looking forward to trying it layered. Give it a try - it's really lovely.

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