Velvet Vanilla

Tuberose, vanilla, and an unexpected subtle hint of bubblegum delight me! I'm deeply grateful to Mancera for crafting one of my all-time favorite perfumes that masterfully captures the essence of bubblegum. The name "Velvet Vanilla" piqued my interest and led me to reviews, which otherwise wouldn't have revealed this perfume's unique character. It's astonishing to find a scent like this. I appreciate Mancera's bold approach in creating distinctive fragrances that evoke strong reactions - some people will adore them while others might be deterred. Nevertheless, their brand offers something for everyone. Once you discover a fragrance from this house, it's challenging to find similar ones that resonate with you as strongly. This perfume has become one of my top three favorites and a new signature scent for personal reasons.

I'm not impressed with the scent's sweet, playful quality. Upon application, I detect a strong, herbal presence that I attribute to the angelica note. Unfortunately, this perfume doesn't deliver the youthful, well-balanced tuberose I was expecting, à la Armani My Way - instead, it yields an overpowering, artificial bubblegum aroma that feels immature and unrefined.

I wish fragrance enthusiasts would cease drawing parallels between this perfume and Love, Don't Be Shy, as I believe its true kinship lies with Watch by Micallef. In my view, this scent does not aspire to emulate LDBS and instead boasts a robust character marked by a pronounced soapy accord.

I'm surprised by the unconventional approach taken with Velvet Vanilla's name. Those expecting a comforting, traditional vanilla scent might be disappointed, as this perfume starts with a vibrant white floral accord, accompanied by crushed leaves and citrus notes that caught me off guard in a delightful way. The tuberose used is well-suited for fragrance, making it easy to appreciate and wear. While the vanilla isn't overpowering, I do detect some spices present. Notably, I don't pick up on any bubblegum undertones, which might have been expected. Perfumer Pierre Montale deserves praise for creating a versatile scent suitable for both daytime and evening wear. Overall, Velvet Vanilla is an enjoyable fragrance, although its dry down sometimes veers into a sweet, plasticky quality on my skin that I find less appealing.

When I tried this perfume, it had a surprisingly sweet and fruity scent reminiscent of pink peppermint bubblegum. While I wasn't initially a fan, upon further reflection, I was impressed by how accurately the fragrance captures the essence of pink bubblegum. However, if you're looking for a scent that embodies the classic taste of pink bubblegum, this might be an excellent choice!