Vanille Givree de Antilles La Maison de la Vanille for women

I sort of wish I got the other notes too, but mostly what I smell here is a rich, lovely vanilla/tonka scent. It's very well executed, but it isn't terribly different from vanillas I already own. Won't be buying this, but I might use up my sample. Lasts very well.

La Maison de la Vanille showcases the world's greatest vanillas, from Madagascar, Tahiti, Mexico, Réunion, and the Caribbean. I've used up several bottles of Givree and I may just buy another one of these days. Vanille Givrée is a type of cured vanilla pods(in this case "Caribbean" vanilla) used for spice and fragrance. When dry vanilla pods are stored properly in arid conditions at the right temperature, vanilla is exuded from the pod, and it crystallizes. The crystallization is called Givrée"(or "cristallisée"), and it indicates that there is enough moisture to keep flavor in the preserved pods. These pods are considered to be the most outstanding of commercially preserved vanillas for scent and appearance, because they retain the most intense, and delicate fragrance. They don't necessarily have the best flavor, and are usually used by chefs for garnish. On me, Givree, as a perfume, is the heaviest of all LMvlVs, it has the most sillage, and it's the deepest. I was surprised to see that patchouli isn't mentioned in the notes here on Fragrantica, because I think the patchouli in Givree is nearly as potent as the vanilla! For me this is all about vanilla-patchouli, and I don't notice any mainline floral notes, such as are in Tahiti and Tropiques. The Maison-de-la-Vanille website lists Givree's notes as Bergamot, Tangerine, Lavender, Rose, Tuberose, Vanilla, Patchouli, Oppoponax, and Tonka Bean, so there must be a little patchouli in there. I notice heavy Tonka in Mexique, but I notice only hints of Patchouli in Mexique, but the fragrances have several notes in common. I feel Givree des Antilles is the least "gourmand" of the 5 vanillas, and the most Oriental. I can see why people notice similarities to Angel, because the vanilla and patchouli are prominent, but the rest of the fragrances is milder, warmer, and much creamier than Angel. Givree stays sweet on me, but Angel definitely does not. Givree is a feminine, womanly, alluring fragrance that radiates a boldness not found in the others from this line. With all that patchouli, this is a "sexy" type scent for me. If my husband liked vanilla fragrances, I'd be happy to wear it on date nights, but NOooo, he likes violet and jasmine...sigh.

This is a surprisingly elegant and non-foody vanilla. It's sweet but not overly so, more in a cuddly, comforting way that feels perfect for cold weather but I assume would not feel out of place in summer either. It smells feminine and pretty rather than girly or cookie-like and I definitely consider a FB purchase. The lasting power however is not good at all, 3-4 hours at most.

As to the Angel comparisons, I don't really see the similarity. Yes, they are both heavy on the vanilla but this is much more elegant and much less sweet than Angel which is a scrubber for me.

It is odd how frequently the nose smells something that doesn't feature in the notes.

To me, one word comes to mind: Honey.

It's not a sweet and cloying one, but a very natural and vivid representation of what greets you upon opening a jar of the golden nectar.

Delicious, very wearable, soft, gentle, and comforting.

The only negative as already mentioned, is that it doesn't last very long, but it's certainly yum while it does, and a good excuse to reapply.

I'd have to agree with those who think this smells like Angel. There is no denying it, but having said that, I really think that Vanille Givree has a more pleasant and natural smell about it. Less synthetic and less dirty smelling (sometimes Angel smells extremely of dirty sweat to me). It begins with heavy patch, but almost immediately sweetens up. It is a great balance of tonka, vanilla, and sweet mhyrr - a borderline delicious combination but the incense vibe keeps it from becoming edible . The patch earthens it up just a bit, and keeps it from becoming sickly sweet. It is sweet though, and a simple, soft, and lovely vanilla. I don't detect any florals. The sillage is quite good for the first hour, but quickly quiets down after that. It becomes a skin scent then, and lasts a few hours at best.

thanks to Agent Provocateur 101 sending me a sample :) woop woop

this is really nice! this is not the throat drying patchouli nightmare, smells divine. Similar to Angel - which I hate due to that nasty chemical smell.

Only downside is - it does not last long. I have it on my wrist for 2 hours now but like the La Maisons , fading quickly.

A wonderfully comforting scent for winter - I get compliments whenever I wear this one. I don't normally care for gourmandes, but the vanilla is boozy and the patchouli, lavender and bergamot give this some buzz, like a cat curled up and purring in your lap. I find it much smoother and softer than Angel, without the loud red currant/camphorous cacophony that frightens me so.

Despite the fact that Vanille Givree de Antilles does smell a little similar to Angel, I wouldn't agree that people who bitterly dislike the latter will run screaming from this pretty little scent.

I'll start off by saying that Vanille Givree de Antilles, while indefinitely an Angel dupe when smelt from the bottle, is much softer and more vanillary on the skin.

It opens strongly, almost masculine, however once settled, this scent is warm and cuddly. Incredibly mysterious and sexy, this is vanilla minus the candy-like sweetness. The vanilla is sweet, but naturally so.

I can almost sense vanilla icecream here. The vanilla, tonka bean, tuberose and aromatic lavender make for a very delicious, almost foody scent.

The sillage of this fragrance is rather intimate, however it lasts really well. I have recently used up all of my Angel perfume, which I previously wore as my bed time scent. Vanille Givree de Antilles could be a good replacement, however it is much too good to be just worn to bed. I intend to wear this fragrance a lot.

This one is a nice vanilla for everyday, but for me it is not one to write home about. I much prefer the Lavanila (and sometimes the Comptoir) fragrances.

I've yet to try one that I didn't adore! Fabulous scents. Antilles is my favorite..sweet and vanilla but not sickening..love love!

Doesn't smell remotely like Angel to me. A simple straight forward vanilla with smoky sweet notes on dry down. I can detect no other notes. Very nice, but nothing like Angel, which is much more complex, heavy and in-your-face.

Divine...gorgeous...divine...did I say this was divine? Givrée des Antilles is hard to describe for me, it's a slightly spicy Vanilla...can I smell spicy coconut and caramelised bananas? I'm not sure, but I do, strangely, think of that when I smell it! Although, it's not foody or sweet (though, I love foody so wouldn't mind if it was), but this is more refined. And it reminds me, just a touch, of TM Angel too! A floral oriental, it has in it, Vanilla (of course), patchouli, rose, tuberose, oppoponax and tonka bean. I would like it if it lasted longer, but I don't mind reapplying.

Yes I also saw the similarities to Angel. Nice patchouli-chocolate combination but sillage is not nearly as strong as sillage monster Angel.

Strikingly similar to Angel! This one is very sweet, uplifting, and outgoing. Of course the main note is vanilla, tied along with tangerine, tuberose and tonka bean. It's delightful and it almost makes my mouth water :) This one and Tropiques are my favorites out of the 5. Antilles is so perfect for summer on days you just want to be happy and feel good. It's a very interesting and different way to approach vanilla perfumes! Antilles, and the entire line of La Maison vanillas last forever, great staying power. Wonderful! If you love vanilla, you will love this.