Why Xplicit Vanilla Fell Flat on My Skin

Hello there!

It's crazy how differently we all perceive things, including scents and the associations they evoke, and the situations where we'd wear them!When I started coming across the Xplicit Vanilla scent in various reviews, especially 'New Year's Eve roundups' and as 'the best scent for New Year's Eve' – I was genuinely intrigued, especially since I'm a huge fan of vanilla, and here, judging by the pyramid, vanilla is wrapped in a beautiful package, and even before trying it, I wanted to call it a serious contender.But first and foremost, I was on the hunt for the perfect vanilla scent, and I've heard from many perfume bloggers on YouTube that this one features ideal vanilla and cedar, it's smoky, interesting, and when combined with the other notes, this fragrance plays really well, it's not overdone, and many people have raved about it!I first encountered Xplicit Vanilla at the Golden Apple, but it was a brief introduction: I listened to Amore café and this scent on different hands at the same time, and, apparently, my perception of one scent overlapped with the other, so I liked Xplicit Vanilla.But I decided not to rush into it, even though I was choosing a perfect scent for myself, maybe as a New Year's gift, and I ended up ordering a sample instead.

I'm glad I did, or I would've really regretted it.Description from the manufacturer:

Xplicit Vanilla Mancera is a fragrance for men and women, belonging to the Eastern gourmand group.This is a new edition: Xplicit Vanilla was released in 2025.Perfumer: Pierre Montale.Top notes: Mexican vanilla and Dark chocolate;middle notes: Cambodian oud, Sugarcane, Australian sandalwood, and Cedar;base notes: Tonka beans, Amber, and Benzoin.

I have the 2ml fragrance, which is the original sample, and it looks really sleek, I love the minimalist design.

I've got to say, I'm a huge fan of Mancera's samples - their sprays are seriously impressive, giving me a good amount of fragrance to work with for a surprisingly long time, even though the amount is so small. It's always been a bit of a mystery to me, but when I buy samples from Mancera, I find that the amount is more than enough to fully test the scent, and I can even leave it for a while and come back to it later, maybe even try it in a different season.

So, when I was standing in the 'Golden Apple', I realized I really loved this fragrance - the vanilla was just right, exactly the kind I love. I still don't get why I perceived it differently back then, but that's beside the point.

When I finally got my hands on the sample, I started testing it out - and I was shocked!

For the first two weeks, this fragrance gave me a church incense vibe, so thick that I actually thought I was standing at a funeral, it was so immersive and somber that I didn't want to get close to it, didn't want to test it out or try it in any way, and I couldn't understand why it smelled completely different in the store.

But, funnily enough, this scent turned out to be super long-lasting, and I could smell it for a long time - I've never had a reaction like that before, where I wanted to wash it off immediately

However, as time went on, I experimented with different approaches to this scent, and about a month in, it started to take on a different tone

The scent still reveals itself on my skin like church incense, but now it's a bit more rounded, more put-together, and the overall sound is more cohesive

Initially, it seemed like the scent was falling apart, like I was hearing different notes that were really far apart, maybe even incompatible

Now, though, it sounds more linear, more whole, and I'm even starting to pick up on some other nuances

I'm picking up on chocolate notes, and when combined with the smoke, it takes on this completely unrecognizable tone, like a hot chocolate with spices and a bit of bitterness - I'd never have guessed there was chocolate and vanilla in there if I didn't know it was part of the pyramid

When the scent settles down, I start to notice more of the wood notes, and it's really varied – I can hear cedar, for example, depending on whether I'm wearing it at home or outside. I've come to recognize this note in other fragrances, probably because of its distinctive sound. But let me repeat: this scent can be quite different, sometimes drier, sometimes more humid, but the plus and minus is that it's really smooth, especially towards the base, when the initial notes have faded away, I don't pick up on any church incense.

It's not until about 5-6 hours after applying that I finally start to pick up on the vanilla, but I'm not a fan of waiting that long, and after using this fragrance for a month and a half, I've decided that I wouldn't repurchase it in large quantities, simply because it just doesn't resonate with me.

To be honest, I haven't come across similar reviews, and I haven't seen anyone else mention the same association that I have, on the contrary, people have been raving about this fragrance, with some even saying that it took time to grow on them, which is what I was expecting. As for the technical specs, I can say that they're top-notch, because when a fragrance doesn't agree with you, you can smell it for ages, even if it's not particularly strong, but in this case, everything is dialed in perfectly.

I'm having a hard time describing this fragrance as any particular type, though.

For me, this fragrance is a bittersweet one, an aroma that fills me with a sense of wonder, and yet, it's also a reminder of the transience of life. When I want to connect with the world around me, think about the bigger picture, and maybe even get a little melancholic, this scent takes me on a journey to a quiet park, where I can walk alone and clear my mind.

I've learned time and time again that it's crucial to test fragrances exclusively on your own skin, and only trust your instincts after that experience. Don't buy a scent blindly, or you might end up regretting it! There have been times when I thought a fragrance was going to be amazing, only to struggle with how to use it. I've had my fair share of those experiences, which is why I always emphasize the importance of testing a scent on your own skin before committing to a full-size purchase!

Of course, I'd be remiss not to recommend this fragrance, as it resonates with me on a deep level. It's possible that I've become too accustomed to it, but that doesn't mean it's not a great choice for others. Many perfume bloggers have praised its uniqueness and interest, and I think it's definitely worth exploring!

On one hand, I think this fragrance could really appeal to many people, thanks to its beautiful, wintery notes. When I looked at the pyramid, I was struck by how well-crafted it is. It's a really impressive fragrance. Now that I've tried the office-friendly version, I get why this scent might sound different on different skin types and chemistries. It could be the perfect celebratory fragrance for some, while others might prefer it for a mood-based vibe.

I hope that was helpful!