Kiehls • Vanilla Essence • Fragrances

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Kalima123 on 10/17/2011 7:53:00 PM more reviews by Kalima123

Age: 36-43   Skin: Sensitive, Fair, Cool   Hair: Blond, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Hazel    

Horrible topnote which ruins the entire fragrance as that's all you smell. Like a cheap bourban vanilla food extract that's turned. Definitely one you want to sample a few times before committing your wallet.

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*TOP REVIEWER* FeeFee34 on 1/31/2011 12:02:00 AM more reviews by FeeFee34

Age: 19-24   Skin: Dry, Fair, Warm   Hair: Brunette, Curly, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

I'm not the biggest Kiehl's fan, since I think they market themselves as being high-quality, luxe, and gentle, when I usually struggle to find products in their line that are free of cheap ingredients such as petroleum and mineral oil, or harsh/questionable ingredients like silicones and parabens. However, I find this scent beautiful and have no problem repurchasing, even if it is from Kiehl's. I'm a long, long, longtime vanilla lover and fragrance searcher, and this is probably my favorite rendition. It's a simple, slightly nutty and very lightly sweetened vanilla quite similar to pure extrait. I love that it's neither syruppy or cloying. I think the $22 pricetag is a bit high, since similar oils are usually priced in the $5-$15 range, but I do find that this product has great lasting power and moderate sillage for a fragrance oil. I highly recommend it to vanilla fans.

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*TOP REVIEWER* reikigoddess on 7/21/2009 8:34:00 PM more reviews by reikigoddess

Age: 36-43   Skin: Sensitive, Fair, Neutral   Hair: Blond, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Blue    

Pretty boring but okay I guess for a basic vanilla scent. No irritation for me from one try/wearing. Thought the amber oil was FAB though (I'm not sure about the dry down however but that may be due to the fact that it's hot as h@ll here right now)!

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*TOP REVIEWER* Cherub573 on 6/25/2009 12:12:00 AM more reviews by Cherub573

Age: 30-35   Skin: Oily, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Brown, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

A little bit powdery and spicy, but definitely vanilla. When I first applied it, it actually reminded me of potpourri. It's not unpleasant though, and I can see layering possibilities with this, but it's not something I can see myself wearing right now. I like the rollerball bottles, they're conveniently sized and dispense the oil well. The lasting power is pretty good- 6 hrs on me.


Also, since I saw some other people had a problem with skin irritation, I just wanted to add that I DIDN'T have any reaction- no stinging or redness, but I only applied it to my wrist.

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devildoll77 on 12/23/2008 12:10:00 PM more reviews by devildoll77

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

after being disappointed by the musk oil, i ordered the vanilla and was pleasantly surprised by the soft powdery scent it leaves after application. only issue is that after awhile it caused my skin to turn horribly red and itchy!!! i didn't mind this scent but sadly can't wear it after a few times of using it!
sigh....
oh well.

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belledivine67 on 9/2/2008 2:49:00 PM more reviews by belledivine67

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

I have searched high and low for a vanilla scent that mimicked bath and body's vanilla oil of the 1980s, which was discontinued. This is even BETTER. It is deeply, authentically vanilla, with awesome tobacco and cookie dough notes. It dries down to a unique, tobacco essence, which is wonderful. Try it with Kiehls musk for a really unique, sexy scent. The only drawback is that it stings the skin upon application. I put it on my neck, which reddened for about an hour, and than disappeared. It did not seem to bother the skin on my pulse points, which is heartier. This is the only drawback about this formula, which I will ignore, since I LOVE the scent. I will just apply in less sensitive areas.

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

Redmosaic on 8/5/2008 9:38:00 PM more reviews by Redmosaic

Age: 44-55   Skin: Normal, Fair   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

Nice sort of plain vanilla, but not much lasting power. I used a lot and my friends who love vanilla never even commented. But as a scent, it is very nice, buttery and ice creamy...I had a sample of Kiehls musk spray and layered this vanilla over it and man! Fantastic! The musk deepens the sweet so it's like biting into extra dark bitter chocolate that had been dipped into marshmallow paste.
I think I will HAVE to go buy both of these oils immediately...which: Update: I did and I had a little bottle in which I mixed some of the vanilla and musk ( more musk as the vanilla is very powerful) ...Fantastic! Absolutely luscious.

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alal on 11/23/2007 1:24:00 AM more reviews by alal

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

I bought this to play w/ and layer with the Kiehls Musk Essence.


This is a VERY strong vanilla; 'fuzzy', hot, with a strong cherry note to it, drys down VERY powdery. Not for the faint of heart or someone looking for a subtle fragrance oil. A touch 'dough-like'/ I could see how someone's chemistry might turn this into Play-doh.


When I layered this w/the Musk, it completely obliterated the musk scent. I feel very self conscious wearing this since its so strong.


I have since tried L'Aromarine Vanille Extrait and found it far more subtle and complex, so while I like Kiehls Musk very much I will pass on their Vanilla.

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tasha1977 on 7/19/2007 10:16:00 AM more reviews by tasha1977

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

EEEWWWW! Very sweet...syrupy sweet. Almost smells like a combination of vanilla and that very sweet, fake almond scent. Reminded me of bathroom or car air freshner.

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catethirsty on 8/22/2006 9:22:00 PM more reviews by catethirsty

Age: 19-24   Skin: Acne-prone   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Green    

Imagine Aqualina pink sugar mixed with vomit, this oil is foul in more ways than one and so over powering people move away from you on the subway. My mom refused to sit next to me untill I washed it off myself. When I first applied this oil, my skin which IS NOT SENSITIVE started to burn and turned my entire neck red, very attractive. I really, really wanted to like this, I love vanilla scents and the Kiehls essence it is cheap and lasts forever. Unfortunately if you are both allergic to the oil and find the smell repulsing its long last quality is not a selling point. I love Kiehls musk EDT and oil, so I thought I would give this one a go, I like the smell of my B.O more than this.

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*TOP REVIEWER* SpinDiva on 7/21/2006 7:56:00 PM more reviews by SpinDiva

Age: 44-55   Skin: Combination   Hair: Other   Eyes: Brown    

Im not a lover of sweet vanilla's so I always proceed with caution. I swapped for this unsniffed thinking I might use it a as mixer to other scents.

Hmmm... nice.... Smells a lot like Etro Heliotrope. Touch of dough (which I am find of)... I think this vanilla and I will be friends!

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*TOP REVIEWER* SuburbanSue on 1/25/2006 8:04:00 PM more reviews by SuburbanSue

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination, Fair   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Brown    

Bleh! It smells just like artificial vanilla extract used in cooking. What a disappointment.

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joyloot on 8/11/2005 6:31:00 PM more reviews by joyloot

Age: 30-35   Skin: Dry   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Blue    

I didn't buy this because I obviously didn't care for it on my skin. In a matter of seconds, it went from a deep cherry vanilla to up-my-nose powder. Not pretty at all. Oddly, it reminds me a bit of Ecco Bella vanilla lotion but with a lot more powder.

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*TOP REVIEWER* dreamstorm on 3/22/2005 8:30:00 AM more reviews by dreamstorm

Age: 19-24   Skin: Normal   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

Kiehl's Vanilla Essence oil is a stunning take on vanilla -- its a deep, smokey, tobaccoish bourbon vanilla that simmers and smoulders on the skin and has just a hint of almond/cherry to it. However, it does have a tendency to smell a little "flat" at times -- a characteristic it shares in common with vanilla (or vanilla-containing) fragrances like Lady Evangeline or Etro Heliotrope (though not as far to the same extent). Still, nevertheless, it remains one of my favorite vanillas. But there is another caveat -- although I do like it a lot, I never, EVER find myself wearing this, just because its in oil form: not only do I find oils icky in general to apply, but this one in particular burns if you get it close to any delicate skin -- like say anywhere on your face! (You wouldn't think that would be a problem, but be careful of sniffing too close to your wrists while wearing this one is all I can say! You have been warned.) Kiehl's really needs to treat this like their Musk oil and make it into an EDT spray.

4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

lisat on 11/28/2004 11:21:00 PM more reviews by lisat

Age: 36-43   Skin: Dry   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Blue    

Yuck!!!! This is awful on me. It smells like plastic and play dough. I couldn't wait to wash this stuff off. I see nothing to even equate it with vanilla.

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skinnymini on 9/30/2004 12:01:00 PM more reviews by skinnymini

Age: 36-43   Skin: Normal   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

I absolutely LOVE the smell of this vanilla! I cannot stop smelling myself when I have this on! Deep, rich, and sensual. A must have!

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*TOP REVIEWER* Araindrop5 on 9/24/2004 10:13:00 PM more reviews by Araindrop5

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

My goodness! This stuff is DIVINE! Definitely one of the best vanillas I have ever tried. And I've tried quite a few! This one is rich, deep and long lasting. I smell a bit of cake and wee bit of almond in there. There is absolutely no plasticy undertone to this and the drydown is simply DELISH! So happy to have discovered a sexy, foody vanilla which won't make me smell like I just came out of the kitchen covered in cake batter.

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*TOP REVIEWER* tmarie78 on 6/23/2004 9:00:00 AM more reviews by tmarie78

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

This is simply divine! A rich, lasting vanilla fragrance that is not overly sweet, and has such a natural smell. Unfortunately, you can't get Kiehl's essences in Europe, so I try to stock up when I'm back home in the States--but the good news is that these are so potent a few dabs will last you all day, and a tiny vial has lasted me over a year now!

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*TOP REVIEWER* carlybabes on 5/9/2004 12:47:00 PM more reviews by carlybabes

Age: 19-24   Skin: Dry, Fair-Medium, Cool   Hair: Brunette, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Hazel    

I smell vanilla and almond in this fragrance, and it's WONDERFUL. It isn't artificial smelling, and the vanilla doesn't have that buttery note that I cannot stand. Best of all, this stuff lasts on the skin forever! I never want to be without this fragrance.

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marylizette on 4/28/2004 10:50:00 AM more reviews by marylizette

Age: 30-35   Skin: Oily   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Green    

I am really surprised that there are not more reviews of this oil here so I am adding my two cents worth. Kiehl's vanilla oil is one of the best ever made. It is very deep and rich. Doesn't smell cheap or like chemicals.
Edit: STILL wearing this. It is still my favorite vanilla oil.

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