Jo Malone Vanilla Anise : Fragrance Review

Fragrances that can truly go from morning to night are quite rare, especially if one would like a sheer, understated sillage. Either one is wrapped in a thick scent veil all day long, or else there is hardly anything left by the end of the workday. Jo Malone Vanilla Anise is a rare exception, a transparent fragrance with a decent tenacity. Moreover, in contrast to many other Jo Malone fragrances, it has a beautiful body and a memorable drydown, despite being gauzy and light.

The fragrance is sketched out as an oriental composition, with an effervescent top note and a cashmere soft body. The vanilla-anise accord which inspires the fragrance is rendered in pastel shades, with most of the coloring provided by the jasmine and woody notes. The contrast between the crisp citrus and the luscious sweetness of tonka bean and vanilla makes Vanilla Anise not jut memorable, but also alluring. It oscillates between a floral oriental and an abstract gourmand, another aspect that makes it interesting.

Above all, Vanilla Anise is a nice example of a modern linear fragrance that is able to combine a simple, uncluttered composition and an elegant effect. Perhaps, it will not take you on a dramatic ride of a classical grand parfum, but then again, that is not its intention. In short, Vanilla Anise is friendly, unpretentious and girly enough without being puerile.

Jo Malone Vanilla Anise includes notes of neroli, bergamot, wild fennel flower, star anise, oleander, tuberose, frangipani, purple vanilla orchid, clove, white amber, vetiver, vanilla bourbon absolute and tonka bean. It is available from Saks5thAvenue, Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom.