Parfums De Nicolai • vanille tonka • Fragrances

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*TOP REVIEWER* GlamDiva on 9/8/2012 6:08:00 PM more reviews by GlamDiva

Age: 56 & Over   Skin: Dry, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Other, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Hazel    

Vanille Tonka is a very incensy vanilla, like a much-simplified Shalimar or Youth Dew in that regard. The incense is very pronounced in VT. A little bit of frankincense goes a long way with me and can easily become off-putting.

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*TOP REVIEWER* SNIFFMEALLOVER on 1/3/2012 3:55:00 AM more reviews by SNIFFMEALLOVER

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Blue    

This really reminds me of Jicky but without the lavender. I will keep testing it before I write a full review.

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*TOP REVIEWER* missvox2 on 11/28/2010 8:59:00 PM more reviews by missvox2

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination, Medium, Warm   Hair: Brunette, Straight   Eyes: Brown    

This is a warm, spicy skin scent. Lasting power is great, and can be layered with other fragrance. Initially I get mostly sweet pine and licorice. Then it settles down to a lovely vanilla tonka. Cozy and cuddly.

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TheEmpress on 5/29/2010 11:21:00 AM more reviews by TheEmpress

Age: 44-55   Skin: Combination, Medium, Warm   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

I sniffed this one morning before breakfast, on an empty stomach and I cannot tell you how sickening this was. Not what I expected in a Vanilla. This is definatley a masculine fragrance.There's something very sharp, bitter and almost sour. I tried it again on a full stomache and got the very same thing.

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*TOP REVIEWER* fpih on 2/8/2010 5:01:00 AM more reviews by fpih

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

I think this is coming to be my favorite PdN perfume after all, although I can't say this line has awed me so far. The more I put this on, the more I like it. It's a smoky vanilla, a sweet one to be sure, but without any notes of caramel or burnt sugar. The incense makes it somewhat dark and less girly than the usual vanilla scents -like the Body Shop type- and more interesting. Lasting power is mediocre, 4-6 hours max, and without great sillage. But, as I said, it's quite addictive; everytime I wear it I like it more and more. Would consider buying it, if I didn't already have a vanilla perfume in my collection. When it's over, I'll probably come back to test this one.

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*TOP REVIEWER* TwoBostons on 10/19/2009 1:22:00 AM more reviews by TwoBostons

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination, Fair, Warm   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Hazel    

Took me a few wearings to figure out what the initial scent was on me. Finally got it—it’s camphor. As in mothballs. That does fade out, it was just a bit suprising at first. On drydown (about 20 minutes), it loses the straight camphor, and becomes a subtle incense with an undercurrent of vanilla. Definitely an adult vanilla based perfume, which is pretty difficult to find. Has an ‘I live in Marin and own a rare bookstore’ vibe to it. I don't care for incense at all, but if I was going to wear an incense-y perfume, it would be this one. Lasted about 4-5 hours.

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*TOP REVIEWER* eurodivas on 8/10/2009 3:07:00 PM more reviews by eurodivas

Age: 36-43   Skin: Acne-prone, Dark, Warm   Hair: Brown, Relaxed, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

This fragrance starts off really great. Actually I made the same experience as the reviewer who came before me. The citrus note was exquisite upon application as the tangerine note is so dominant. However when the fragrance settles down I am bombarded with the aroma of burned vanilla which turned bitter as the day wore on.


For lovers of Tonka Bean and Incense I think this would be a keeper. This is still a very fun fragrance but not for everyone. Definitely worth sampling first and not something to buy blind. For those wanting to have more of a sophisticated Vanilla scent , Vanilla Intense also from Nicolai is the way to go. Considering the fact that my boss told me that Monyette Paris (which is a lot less smoky than this one) smelled like something was burning , I think I will leave this one alone. Could be career limiting indeed!


Notes - vanilla, frankincense, tonka bean, tangerine, lime

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*TOP REVIEWER* 9154mf on 5/17/2009 7:49:00 AM more reviews by 9154mf

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Hazel    

This opens with a burst of the tangerine and lime (as per Luckyscent's note list) which just smelt like lemon to me and I immediately thought WHY?? It only lasts like 2 minutes so really i repeat - why? why bother? once the citrus is gone it disappears for good, but i dont really want to have my vanilla with a side of citrus anyway so thumbs down to that! The vanilla that comes out is smokey like faint incense, and only very faintly sweet. It is really more an oriental fragrance - not gourmand in the least and not a sweet creamy foody vanilla if thats what youre after. In fact if you bother to read all the reviews here you will note that most people who love this state that they normally arent a fan of vanilla!! And that's spot on - if youre a vanilla freak like me, theres every chance you wont actually like this. Actually, I think this should not have been named vanille tonka - its really a misleading name, so if youre thinking of buying this because of the name, definitely try a sample first! Not really what i was looking for, its not offensive and it is probably a nice sophisticated scent but not FBW for me.

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*TOP REVIEWER* Melloney on 4/8/2009 10:16:00 PM more reviews by Melloney

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination, Medium   Hair: Other   Eyes: Blue    

I sampled this recently and I did like it. It was close to love but it's a bit quirky for me with the twist re. the incense . Maybe later ! Definitely a good quality fragrance from a talented perfumer.

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Rydenfan3 on 10/28/2008 2:00:00 PM more reviews by Rydenfan3

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination   Hair: Red   Eyes: Blue    

An incensey vanilla fragrance. Sounds odd but to me this is like an incense version of Juicy Fruit gum. That is what I think of when I wear it anyway. Tons of sillage and long lasting. Great fragrance for fall/winter.

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*TOP REVIEWER* BasiaS on 5/15/2008 1:56:00 PM more reviews by BasiaS

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination   Hair: Other   Eyes: Other    

An unusual take on vanilla, VT is a combination of rich vanilla and ambery tonka mixed in with resinous incense that is tinged with citrus. This is one vanilla you don't want to eat, and in my book, that's a good thing. There is a strong lime note in the beginning that quickly dissipates to reveal a warm, ambery middle and a lovely, bright incense note. Nice!

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*TOP REVIEWER* rosarita on 5/4/2008 7:19:00 AM more reviews by rosarita

Age: 44-55   Skin: Dry, Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

This is one of those scents that I fell head over heels in love with at the first whiff. The best vanilla scent I have ever experienced, it is mixed with incense, which I love, and has a quirky lime note in the opening that elevates this scent to a new level of interesting. I wear it year round, although a little goes a long way. Every time I let some time pass between wearings, I'll spray it on and wonder why on earth I don't wear it all the time. Lasting power is excellent, too.

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*TOP REVIEWER* TRKK on 2/26/2008 3:51:00 PM more reviews by TRKK

Age: 25-29   Skin: Other   Hair: Other   Eyes: Other    

First impressions :
I must say I was totally not expecting this. The frankincense makes it rather masculine, but that note is not as sharp and annoying as in other fragrances. This seems perfect for the days whe you need to feel in control and confident. I actually see this working on guys. This is NOT a girly/feminine scent. Good lasting power. Lovely drydown because the sharpness of the frankincense is muted and blends in more. I think this also would be a great wake-me-up fragrance when you're feeling lethargic.

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spring_pansy on 4/2/2007 9:51:00 AM more reviews by spring_pansy

Age: 44-55   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brown, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Hazel    

This is a cool weather staple for me. I love vanilla, but prefer my vanilla scents with a twist. This fragrance has a lovely frankincense twist with just a bit of lime for further interest - love the tangy beginning, love the smooth drydown. I'll try it in warm weather sometime, but I think I'll mostly save it for cool -- it's also great over the holidays, definitely could be thought of as a Christmassy scent.

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blowfish on 12/30/2006 1:01:00 PM more reviews by blowfish

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

Incense, not much vanilla at all, and not sweet. I was expecting something richer and creamier from the name, but it’s more austere – I was disappointed because it wasn’t what I expected. But, it is really nice. Lasting power is OK but not excellent like the Sacre Blue. Some bit of bitterness in the incense bugged me a little.

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*TOP REVIEWER* potionsandlotions on 7/31/2006 7:54:00 PM more reviews by potionsandlotions

Age: Unknown   Skin: Combination   Hair: Other   Eyes: Brown    

I did not buy a bottle of this, I bought a sample. This is Vanilla and Spice and no sugar --so it is VERY NICE. I got the frankincence and some citrus. I liked sampling it, but I wouln't buy a full bottle of it - just yet. I would like to try this when the weather gets colder. This is different and a bit masculine, so it's not for those looking for a sweet girly vanille. I kept sniffing my wrist, so I must have liked it a lot.

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*TOP REVIEWER* ECMac25 on 1/30/2006 10:56:00 PM more reviews by ECMac25

Age: 25-29   Skin: Normal, Medium, Warm   Hair: Black, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Black    

I am in a love/hate relationship with Vanille Tonka. On some days it wears beautifully. A lighter version of Sacre Bleu with a stronger incense (frankincense?) base. And then at other times (particularly in warmer weather), I'm reminded of the smell of wet dog (LOL!!!!). Perhaps it's the tonka bean...which can either smell like caramel and tobacco flower (delicious), or strangely sweet like glazed honey ham :P (Not what I would like to wear as a perfume!) In any case, whenever it's present in a fragrance that does weird transformations with my skin chemistry, I always blame the tonka bean.

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*TOP REVIEWER* LipstickLil on 12/20/2005 12:59:00 PM more reviews by LipstickLil

Age: Unknown   Skin: Normal, Medium, Cool   Hair: Blond, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

I don't normally wear vanilla fragrances, but I quite like this one! There is a slightly acrid topnote that disappears within minutes on me, and then I can smell a warm rich vanilla that has a smoky note to it. As it dries down it turns very chocolatey and there is definitely some cinammon in there too. I can't detect any incense at all though! Not bad!

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Bagfish on 12/6/2005 1:52:00 PM more reviews by Bagfish

Age: 30-35   Skin: Dry   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Green    

I just received a decant of Vanille Tonka. When I opened the envelope this lovely sweet spicy smell greeted me. I love frankincense mixed with sweeter scents and thought, "wow this will be an HG for me". But no. On my skin I get a sharp, bitter scent, as someone said earlier on the posts, it smells like the pith of a citrus fruit, possibly bergamot as it has a bit of an "Earl Grey Tea" accord. Its not good on me, it really doesn't sit well. Underneath the sharp bitterness, I can smell hints of that lovely sweet spicy smell, but only hints. Gutted! Looks like my decant will be up for swap!

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*TOP REVIEWER* gumibear08 on 10/19/2005 7:34:00 PM more reviews by gumibear08

Age: Unknown   Skin: Acne-prone   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

I didn't get any citrus, but I smell vanilla and frankincense, which then develops into a rich vanilla-chocolate scent with hints of spice. Cozy and rich. I couldn't see myself wearing this in anything but cold weather, because it would be too heavy and sweet (due to the chocolate note that I get on my skin).

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