Vanisia (1987)
by Creed

Wow … I had no idea Creed could make scents like this… I am totally impressed by its accords and its movement. Smooth and sensual! A rich and delicately warm texture on the surface, but a brooding, sexy, mystical, profound ecstasy underneath. The florals and vanilla don’t come through at first: they wait while the sandalwood and some sort of spicy glutinousness – ambergris, perhaps – establish a light, dry base which temporarily masks the mysteries that are going on under the surface. Then the rose and jasmine emerge into the textured opening, but they are not pure floral notes: They are accompanied by a smokiness and a dry vanilla “sweetness” that make the accord and the movement absolutely stunning. And yes, I get the occasional indoles from the jasmine and they contribute enormously to the sensuality of the depth. Unfortunately, like most miracles, this blossoming within the dry Orientalism is so very short lived. Vanisia dries down to a soft, translucent, dry sandalwood, dry vanilla, dry ambergris skin scent – quite catching, but very light. At first I get only the lightest dusting of powder, which, unfortunately, gradually grows to overshadow the delicate sandalwood vanilla drydown. I wouldn’t argue the point, but I think this scent is more feminine than unisex. I will say explicitly, though, that it is a fragrance that it demands a certain level of maturity in order to be carried off successfully.

Vanisia IS clearly unisex - thanks for the heads up RUGGLES! No doubt a classic oriental! In the same vein as Caron's Parfum Sacre...although Caron's juice is far superior!

Another sublime Creed that is mistakenly marketed as a woman's fragrance. Vanisia is clearly unisex. Some similiarity to one of the early CdG's - a cinammon note? Of course, it being a Creed, it's much more natural and luxurious. Opening with jasmine and a very spicey rose, then on to vanilla and sandalwood. It envelopes you in a warm aura, but works well in the summer heat.

I like Vanisia a lot after it's on a while. Very sweet and old fashioned on me at first...but then it gets very sultry and sexy. Good tillage too, enough to make a statement. I am glad I bought it blind simpy because I liked the descriptions I found on various webpages and the name. Definitaely a fragrance for women and not little girls though. You probably have to remember perfumes from the 50's and 60's to love this one :)

Hmm. Not a classic vanilla; it's dry, even some sharpness to it. Not sure if it's a keeper, but i'm considering it. Nice option.

Vanisia's opening is pure Ivory brand soap, and terribly undistinguished. There's a load of powder on top of the generic soap, plus some rather harsh lavender, and not much else.

Surprisingly, the vanilla takes its time emerging, and is kept from getting too cloyingly sweet by floral notes and what might even be a bit of iris.

Ultimately though, Vanisia is very bland, and that generic soap note never really goes away. Feh.