La Maison de la Vanille • Vanille Noire du Mexique • Fragrances
(89 reviews)
| Average Rating. | 4.0 |
| Would buy this product again. | 70% |
| Package Quality | 3.6 |
| Price | 2.5 |
| Ingredients | |
*TOP REVIEWER* TaniaRides on 1/21/2012 11:35:00 AM more reviews by TaniaRides
Age: 19-24 Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium Hair: Brown, Straight, Fine Eyes: Green
"Elegant and refined, this powdery fragrance has sparkling top notes of bergamot soothed with the richness of rose, jasmine, iris and patchouli."
This is my favorite of the La Maison de la Vanille scents. It surprised me, because I thought that it would be my least favorite based on the description. I'm usually not into powder, citrus, or florals, and this blend is all of those things, but in the best way possible.
First on, Vanille Noire du Mexique starts off a bit vanilla-powdery and with lots of the prettiest bergamot I've ever smelled (like a smooth, creamy, sweet lemon candy). As it dries down, the florals come out, but it's jasmine and rose at their best. The rose smells candied and the jasmine is warm and sunny and reminds me of honeysuckle. After about an hour, it settles into a warm, rich amber and marshmallow-y vanilla on my skin. Warm and pleasant in all of its stages <3
I wish it were a bit stronger/longer lasting, but it does last about five hours on me with decent throw.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
*TOP REVIEWER* LNSklnjr on 12/4/2011 6:27:00 PM more reviews by LNSklnjr
Age: 25-29 Skin: Dry, Fair-Medium, Cool Hair: Brown, Wavy, Medium Eyes: Brown
I am a big fan of vanilla in all its forms - from overly sweet and sugary to spicy and oriental. This, on me, was powdery, much to powdery. Its like my chemistry ate up everything else in the fragrance. I did not find it warm and inviting at all, more like old lady after-bath powder (translate: Jean Nate). For reference, my go-to scents include: Lolita Lempicka, Coco Mlle, Hugo Deep Red, BBW warm vanilla sugar, Vanilla Lace...Also, while the container is fun and different and ..shiny (come on ladies, who doesnt love shiny), I dislike that you cannot see usage, especially since this is a scent I quickly put up for swap.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
shinegirl on 8/19/2011 7:24:00 PM more reviews by shinegirl
Age: 25-29 Skin: Sensitive, Fair Hair: Brunette Eyes: Brown
This is the only la maison vanille that I like, and at first I did not love it. All the others were a little old smelling and kind of like rotten fruit with florals. I ordered the sampler. I kept on trying different ones trying to see if I would like them because they are so raved about..and I love vanilla. After trying all of them over and over again I kept on coming back to Vanille Noire du Mexique. I am not a huge fan of the opening notes but the complete dry down is amazing!!! Its warm and inviting with just a touch of a powdery note so it is not too sweet. I love it! YUMMM! I do think this is more of a fall to winter fragrance because of how warm it is.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
dehmorais on 9/10/2010 3:12:00 AM more reviews by dehmorais
Age: 19-24 Skin: Combination, Fair Hair: Brown, Curly, Medium Eyes: Brown
Very unique just like the other vanilles. Itīs an elegant, misterious, dark type of vanila. Itīs more mature, I believe the jasmine note makes it more comfortable, more wearable than the other ones. But I still love Sauvage du Madasgacar. The evolution on the skin is what I find very interesting about these fragrances. Itīs amazing to see how they really change everytime on the skin. So try it out on your skin before you dislike it completely.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
*TOP REVIEWER* Lisaandtheword on 3/16/2010 3:03:00 PM more reviews by Lisaandtheword
Age: 44-55 Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium Hair: Black, Wavy, Fine Eyes: Blue
Liked this at first, the softness & fullness together, but ev'time I wore it it smelled more like vanilla cookies, a bit too sweet.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
*TOP REVIEWER* 52pigtails on 3/23/2009 5:49:00 AM more reviews by 52pigtails
Age: 36-43 Skin: Normal Hair: Brown Eyes: Brown
Mmmm, sultry.
I must confess I'm drawn to La Maison de la Vanille fragrances by the exotic French names evoking faraway warm places, and by the lovely aluminium bottles. About the scents, well, they all have those festive, brilliant opening notes but sadly they all end smelling the same to my nose.
About this one, in particular: well, this is a "different" vanilla, in that it won't convey that peculiar foody note so many vanillas have. Mexique tones down the vanilla beans among meaty petals of rich flowers like rose, jasmine and iris, thus giving the fragrance a sophisticated, rich and elegant edge. The rose, the most prominent flower here, also creates a light smokey effect to my nose.
It's an enveloping charming fragrance, one that won't cloy or ennoy anyone. In fact, it's lovely. About the staying power, well I don't smell much after one hour, but I had people comment on my scent (which happens rarely) well after 3 hours, so it must have sillage.
One lippie off because, anyway, La Maison doesn't use real vanilla beans but prefers the cheaper synthetic version, and my nose recognizes that from a distance.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
*TOP REVIEWER* elfriede on 12/27/2008 12:17:00 PM more reviews by elfriede
Age: 36-43 Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium Hair: Brunette Eyes: Hazel
I agree that this smells a bit like a light version of Shalimar, which isn't a bad thing--no funky leather or mysterious balsams to challenge you, just the powdery-sweet bits. Perfume should sometimes be easy and comfortable. I also agree with the review at 1000scents that the opening is reminiscent of Tocade--sweet rose-vanilla brightened by bergamot. Powder-haters be warned, but otherwise, this is easy to love. Not too sweet, just hints at foodiness, perhaps a bit more strongly than the vanillic Guerlains, but still grown-up enough for me to wear unhesitatingly.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
george3b on 10/1/2008 7:16:00 AM more reviews by george3b
Age: 30-35 Skin: Combination, Olive, Neutral Hair: Brunette, Curly, Medium Eyes: Black
I spray this on as I'm getting dressed for work. At work I sit quietly in my office and hear most people at the corridor discussing on what that nice smell is. One of them eventually comes in to my office and says "so this is where that nice smell is coming from".
Yes, Vanille Noire du Mexique's sillage is MASSIVE. There is not a day when I have this on that no one asks me what I'm wearing. It is a lovely vanilla scent, sweet and spicy and one that everyone will agree on as being a pleasant scent.
Vanilla's are usually warm and are better worn in cooler weather but this has got something refreshing about it at the same time. It starts off with some spice, reminiscent of Zenzero to my nose but in a friendlier way, then all the spice smooths out and turns in to a light sweet vanilla. The fragrance is generally light, bright and quite transparent despite the massive sillage.
Downside is that it's a little too clean and feminine for me. After wearing this for a day, I dont feel quite myself. I come home and start rummaging through my fragrances looking for something with a bit more "kick" or "edge" to it. I also dont like the usual comment I get which is "I smell chocolate". Chocolate is nice but I dont want to smell like it (and to my nose it does not smell like chocolate!).
Others seem to have commented that this does not last but it does indeed on me. It last better than my Passage d'Enfer, Hiris and Le Chevrefeuille. Sprayed on before work it last until about lunch time.
Update: I dont really reach for this anymore. It's too sweet and feminine for my liking. It's not "me".
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
*TOP REVIEWER* Shwets on 9/22/2008 3:46:00 PM more reviews by Shwets
Age: 30-35 Skin: Normal, Olive Hair: Brunette Eyes: Hazel
One of the finest vanillas i have smelt so far. This is refined and not musky. Delicately sweet and spicy without being cloying. It is a better version of Allysa Ashley's Vanilla. One of the fewest vanillas that doesn't give me a headache. It is yummy without being too foody. I prefer this to Lavanila's Pure Vanilla which is a floral vanilla to my nose.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
*TOP REVIEWER* tessture on 8/2/2008 10:22:00 AM more reviews by tessture
Age: 36-43 Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium Hair: Brunette Eyes: Brown
So very like my beloved Vanille del Madagascar that I had to try them side by side. Madagascar has more smoke than this, but both are a touch smokey and both are just gorgeous. As other reviewers has stated, it's not a foody vanilla, as far as vanilla can be not foody. The added notes aren't obvious, nor can you separate them out, but what you end up with is a velvety, dark vanilla with some indefinable elegance, some feeling of mystery and comfort in the same song. Gorgeous.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
*TOP REVIEWER* tempest322 on 7/10/2008 7:17:00 PM more reviews by tempest322
Age: 36-43 Skin: Sensitive, Fair Hair: Brown Eyes: Green
I LOVE this fragrance. Gourmand without being foody, it goes on dark, rich and spicy, and the drydown is powdery, creamy vanilla but still retains a hint of the opening spicy kick. On me the lasting power is very good. This was much more wearable in winter when I purchased it, though; it's a little too overbearing in summer for me. Makes me think of thick, rich, bittersweet Aztec chocolate and dark, mysterious nights. I get lost in the richness of this scent. I love the bottle too.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Casafras on 6/6/2008 2:16:00 PM more reviews by Casafras
Age: 36-43 Skin: Normal, Fair Hair: Brunette Eyes: Blue
This is by far one of the sexiest vanilla fragrances around. But, this ain't your cupcake vanilla, this is spicy vanilla! It's a little chocolatey with a dry-musk note, both of which are smoothed out by the creamy vanilla. I'd wear this in summer, fall or winter.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
*TOP REVIEWER* Aeternitas on 6/2/2008 10:19:00 PM more reviews by Aeternitas
Age: 18 & Under Skin: Acne-prone, Fair-Medium, Warm Hair: Brown, Wavy, Medium Eyes: Blue
I love Mexique, just as well as I love all of the others in the La Maison de la Vanille line. It's an incredibly unique interpretation of vanilla. The entire line is a vanilla-lovers dream. At least, it is on my part ;). Strangely enough, Mexique smelled like citrus dish-washing soap mixed with vanilla shampoo at first spray. I instantly hated it. After a while, I kept getting wafts of something smoky and rich. The dry down of Mexique took me away! It's deep and soft, full of delicious vanilla. I get the most out of the bergamot at first, and then after a few minutes I can pick out a beautifully blended aura of rose, iris, and patchouli and what must be the opoponax that makes it smell so smoky. I can't really detect any jasmine note, unfortunately, because I do love jasmine. I usually consider fragrances with a lot of vanilla to be too heavy for summer, but this one can be worn through summer during the day or even the night. I'd buy this over and over again!
Notes as mentioned on Sephora:
Bergamot, Rose, Jasmine, Vanilla, Iris, Opoponax, Patchouli.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
*TOP REVIEWER* dbp1515 on 5/31/2008 12:43:00 AM more reviews by dbp1515
Age: 19-24 Skin: Combination, Medium Hair: Black Eyes: Brown
LOVE this! I bought it untested when Sephora had it on clearance so it was really cheap and when I first smelled it, it was fine, but nothing exciting. If you smell the bottle, it smells like soap, but once it starts to meld with the skin the warmth of the vanilla comes out. This is not as sweet as other perfumes from this line (Madagascar and Tropiques) and there is a spicy, woodsy scent that tames it. Makes me feel like I'm wrapped in a cozy blanket. If you are a fan of gourmand/foody fragrances, definitely give this a try!
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
alabasterkitten on 5/20/2008 3:49:00 PM more reviews by alabasterkitten
Age: 19-24 Skin: Acne-prone, Fair Hair: Black Eyes: Other
About the sweetest vanilla that I can stand without feeling ill, it has a touch of spice and slight creaminess that tames it, but I still find it overwhelmingly strong.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
*TOP REVIEWER* ccmadamoiselle on 5/8/2008 9:05:00 PM more reviews by ccmadamoiselle
Age: 25-29 Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium Hair: Black Eyes: Brown
Woot! Scored one from Sephora online sale for $5. I am not a fan of patchouli, but it actually gives Vanille Noire du Mexique a nice smokey, bittersweet quality. Love it! Of all the LMDV fragrances, Noire is my favorite. Lasting power is about 3 hours. UPDATE: I have to up this to five lippies. This is the kind of scent that I want to trail me in a room.
Description from Sephora is below, since I am inept at describing fragrances. :)
Vanille Noire du Mexique
Elegant and refined, this powdery fragrance has sparkling top notes of bergamot soothed with the richness of rose, jasmine, iris, and patchouli.
Notes:
Bergamot, Rose, Jasmine, Vanilla, Iris, Opoponax, Patchouli.
Style:
Mysterious. Refined. Seductive.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
*TOP REVIEWER* Shadow_Witch on 5/1/2008 8:38:00 PM more reviews by Shadow_Witch
Age: 36-43 Skin: Normal, Fair-Medium, Cool Hair: Brown, Wavy, Fine Eyes: Hazel
I love the scent of vanilla and I have many vanilla fragrances but this is one is terribly off-putting. It smells exactly like Glade air freshener in the plain blue can sold in Canada in the early nineties. I don't even know if the Glade product is still sold. All I know is my ex-boyfriend used to spray it all over his home after doing his weekly housekeeping. I can't wear this. Oh, and it smells remarkably like Lavanila Pure Vanilla.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
luv_bug on 4/27/2008 8:54:00 PM more reviews by luv_bug
Age: 25-29 Skin: Combination Hair: Brunette Eyes: Brown
I picked this up on a whim, because it was just too cheap to resist at Sephora. ($10) I'd actually sniffed it a few years ago, before I got into perfumes. At the time, I thought, "This is pretty, but it's too weird to really wear." What was I thinking? This is one of the mellowest, prettiest, kitten-soft vanillas I've ever sniffed. It doesn't seem like anything special until you compare it to other vanilla scents; everything else is too sour or sugary-sweet next to Mexique Noire. It's really converted this former-gourmand-hater. I've worn it every day this week (quite a feat for me), and it's great as a base layer if you like to mix your perfumes. EDIT: Try layering this with Narciso Rodriguez for Her. You won't be sorry.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
*TOP REVIEWER* reihasama on 3/30/2008 3:23:00 AM more reviews by reihasama
Age: 19-24 Skin: Combination Hair: Black Eyes: Black
This reminds me of BPAL Snake Oil, only not as sweet and less of the "cola" note. It's powdery and spicy, and I have to admit, it takes awhile to love. I got it expecting a Pink Sugar dupe. Upon first sniff, I was horrified at the amount of spice and powder, I liked both notes, but I wanted my vanilla perfume to smell like...vanilla. As in the extract. There's a reason I'm hopelessly in love with the CSP line and iPDF Vaniglia del Madagascar. I like my vanillas uncomplicated and sweet.
While it shocked me at first, I grew to love it. After a few wearings, I was hooked. This is not too spicy, the powdery note is bearable, and everything just works together. It's not a boring vanilla by any means. It's dry and complex enough to not be generic but might be a tad too sweet and powdery for a man. I do wish the bottle wasn't opaque, though. It's as if CSP and La Maison de Vanille both got together and conspired to drive me nuts not knowing how much of their precious juice is left in my bottles.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
*TOP REVIEWER* ArizonaAngel on 3/28/2008 10:57:00 AM more reviews by ArizonaAngel
Age: 30-35 Skin: Normal, Medium, Cool Hair: Blond, Straight, Fine Eyes: Hazel
I got this fragrance from Sephora and it has turned into one of my favorites! Definite vanilla, with a bit of a chocolate musk. It's warm and sensual, slightly sweet but not sickenly so. Stays on for hours and doesn't give me that 'perfume headache. Light enough for day use and sexy enough for evening use. Pretty cheap for 10 bucks a bottle. Will repurchase!!