Vanille Noire Yves Rocher for women

now that I've been wearing only Spiritueuse Double Vanille for a while, I feel that VN it's much more like a light version of it! Lke a low coast too, but still nice! It's softer, lighter, more cedar that vanilla, but yet a bit sweet, like a cloud, it gives me a kind of " cotton cloud" feeling; the smoky notes appear sometimes, it depends on weather and also clothes fabrics! It might change a lot depending of what you wear; I advise with this one better use natural fabrics like cotton or linen, or whool, not synthetics!! otherwise it gets smoky- odd, unpleasant! all in all, I like it, also in summer, still quite fresh, soft.

Received this in a wonderful swap with mariamaria - thank you!
From the reviews I wasn't expecting a very noir-esque fragrance, just a simple and realistic vanilla.
But this is very dark to me! My first thought upon application was that it smelled just like HP Eau Sensuelle. But then it takes on a spicy character, that smells very much like anise to my nose which makes me think this must indeed smell like HP L'elixir as listed above.
Most prominent on me is the bourbon vanilla: it's so rich and decadent, with a rum like hint. But then the spiciness I guess is attributable to the Ugandan vanilla. I can't say I smell any mandarin orange at all on my skin and mimosa I can only smell when it's in the bottle.
This is definitely not your happy girl-next-door vanilla fragrance. This is a mysterious and deep woody spicy vanilla, with a gothic character. This actually is like a more intensive and less powdery fresh version of Jo Malone Vanilla & Anise, which I love. Good to swap to this in the evenings. This is really a black pearl from an inexpensive house.

A friend gave this perfume to me as a gift. Usually, I am not a big vanilla fan but I absolutely love this one! wearing it makes me feel like a cake. :) It smells like rum on my skin when I first spray it.

It lasts about 6 hours on me, which is ok by my standards, but what I appreciate the most is the fact that its discreet sweetness is just enough to make me feel happy, without making me nauseous.

This is definitely going to be in my top 10.

Cake n'Cuddles: no it's not your skin that's eating it up; it's the rollerball juice that has low self-esteem. I'm facing the problem too, i think that the main reason is the ratio of alcohol with the oil/perfume? i'm not exactly sure, but all i know is that it's super alcohol-y.

Maybe it's just because I have the roller ball but I have a major problem with vanille noire, because I can barely smell it! Maybe my skins infatuated with it and simply eats this stuff? On me I get the slightest trace of vanilla and smoke. It's kind of nice and makes me think of a cedar tree log soaked in vanilla extract burning in a bonfire. But geez I can hardly smell it! It's been a major chore putting this stuff on because I roll myself everywhere up and down with this to achieve even a light scent. While I like this I am scratching my head as to why this perfume has almost no scent on my skin.

Taking a whiff from the bottle, I get a slight root beer scent somewhat like Hypnotic Poison. But as soon as it goes on my skin there is no resemblance to HP. Vanille Noir is much less sweet than your typical vanilla fragrance. I think this could easily work as a unisex fragrance, and there is indeed a hint of masculinity in this that I quite like. The vanilla is dry and dark, and set on a backdrop of light cedar. I don’t smell the mandarin orange or mimosa here. Basically, this is a light, woodsy vanilla.

It has some resemblance to Kenzo Amour. However, it is much less thick, creamy and peppery than Amour is. Vanille Noir is much lighter and closer to the skin. It is also quite linear. The way it smells on first spray is pretty much how it stays.

Although I do like it, there is one BIG disappointment I have. I can say without hesitation that I own body mists with much better staying power – and Vanille Noir is supposedly an eau de parfum. Even when I spray myself generously, it seems to evaporate into thin air. I can smell it for a few minutes tops; after that, I have to press my nose up to my skin to get even the faintest whiff.

Vanille Noir is a nice scent, but it disappears far too fast for me to really appreciate it.

I didn't enjoy this as much as I wanted to. I like smoky vanillas, but the smokiness also mingled with what I thought was a burning rubber tire smell. It smells like a smoker trying to cover up their scent.

a great Vanilla, classy, elegant; a more grown-up fragrance, powdery -woody scent, very close on skin; not too strong or sweet, almost fresh with the top notes of mandarine, and then very soft,comfortable and easy to wear; sometimes it gets a bit smoky, but still fine, never too much. Not suprising, it was made by Jacques Cavallier! One of th most elegant and chic vanillas ever!

Vanilla, Vanilla, Vanilla! I'm not Vanilla fan but this one is great! received miniature to test and cant stop sniff it! this one not like Body Shop's Vanilla or it brand's Vanilla or any Vanilla's smell.

Longative and great for winter, sadly Thailand has no original size! I want it badly!

it's a nice vanilla scent, but nothing special on me. Smells very similar to BBW Warm Vanilla Sugar, but with a bit more sweet vanilla. I could see the comparison with Kenzo Amour right at the very beginning, but within minutes that was completely gone and it was all-vanilla with just the tiniest bit of spice. I was hoping to get the smokey notes, but that didn't happen. It's okay, but I won't be buying a bottle of it.

This my favorite in this line..This is a scent I would wear year round,It's not to light or too heavy.I also like to wear it with other vanilla fragrance's like Cherry Vanilla or Ici.Already used a few bottles. I was very happy with this blind buy.

Mmmm, I love this, it's so easy to wear! Thanks so much to artysmom for generously sending me a lovely little mini and introducing me to this gem!
On me, this is very similar to Boucheron's Trouble [Update: ah, just saw that it's the same 'nose'!]. This is perhaps a little milder than that but the whiff I catch from myself is the same as Trouble. I don't get any orange from it at all and I don't think I get any mimosa, just vanilla and maybe a bit of cedar, which suits me fine.
The price is cheap but the smell is not! Most importantly it doesn't make my airways protest and even more most importantly it is not tested on animals!!
Yves Rocher are doing a half price limited edition VN EDP in a black bottle (although the normal bottle is beautiful too and I may have to get that also!)so I have treated myself to that!
ps. I find this lasts amazingly. Subtle but definitely detectable, and leaving a trail for a long time.

As I first tried it, this perfume also seemed me to resemble Kenzo Amor. But..
No.
No,no,no.
It definitely has this lovely vanilla smell, it's quite warm. Yet, in my opinion, there's also a kind of aquatic note which doesn't seem to be nice. As for me, it smells a bit cheep because of it... :(

it's a nice vanilla fragrance. it really reminds me a bit of kenzo amour, but it is not as strong as amour. the lasting power is average, never the less it is a quite pleasant, not overwhelming vanilla scent.

By now I got this as a gift from YR with one of my orders. It's still quite a pleasant and strong vanilla scent. I received compliments for it. It stays on quite well and therefore has got good staying power. On me the powdery and fruity side comes out more in the drydown . Still I'm not in the mood for vanilla scents and so this is not something I would buy. I also got a major migraine after testing it and somehow I think this might come from vanilla scents or YR scents. I'm not sure. Nice scent but not for me.

Blast of alcohol in the opening and then the smell of soggy cigarette butts and burnt rubber, as in tires. Really horrid on me. Maybe I got a bad sample? Smells like the inside of the Jiffy Lube down the street!

Edit- The dry down got quite a bit nicer but not nice enough to suffer through the Jiffy Lube opening.

i love this vanilla scent and i love the longevity of it. it lasted all night on me until i showered. its a nice sweet vanilla with a little kick from the cedar and the mimosa adds a tiny twist of citrus. 8 out of 10.

When I first tried Vanille Noire, it reminded me of Hypnotic Poison (before reformulation) so I was all determined to try it again and eventually buy it. When I tried for the second time, funny enough, it reminded me of Kenzo Amour, I was like "Ok, still good, I am gonna buy it". Now, I have worn it several times and while it does remind a little bit both previously mentioned fumes (well, I guess vanilla does the trick - who knew:))I wouldn’t buy it as a substitute for neither of them.

This is not sweet, gourmand vanilla. It is little bit on a darker, spicy side. For me, there are two lines in this fume... one is vanilla, and the second is a smokey earthy and a little but damp - like if you are in forest after the storm and a smell of smokey vanilla strangely finds its way into the composition as well. In my humble, not professional view, these two lines are not mixed together very well - I guess the spices are the glue which keeps them so so together. And there is also this strange note that at least for me makes this fume smell/feel a little bit cheap.

However, even though my review does not seem like that I would say it is quite enjoyable fume. It is pleasant woody earthy non-gourmand smokey vanilla with a little bit spices thrown in.

Ah .. Vanille Noire

Opens with strong alcohol fume..sharp but lasts for only a few seconds. Then raw & spicy vanilla kicks in. Mimose and woodsiness follow closely. Mimose softens and powderizes the vanilla while the wood lingers in the background . Mimose becomes stronger with time and is almost as dominant as the vanilla--making this scent very feminine and creamy.

Vanille Noire ... is neither a heavy or smokey. It's a true yet transparent type of vanilla. It does not hover but wrap around you gently like a fluffy white cloud. A Non-gourmand woodsy powdery florally vanilla scent .. likable but not remarkable.

i got this online ebay for $24, a great price in my opinion.
To start of with, this started off quickly with a veryy dark boozy vanilla, reminding me immediately of dior addict's vanilla. The vanilla transcends to a more nutty and creamy vanilla and finally a minimally sweet delicate drydown is ensued. It is not a 'cupcake' nor sugar sweet vanilla, true to it s name "vanille noire" it is a very dark sensual one note fragrance.
Though distinct in its vanilla phases, it is a simple fragrance. Since it s vanilla it is definitely more of a skin scent, with low sillage, perfect for the cozy or sensual moods. Average longevity.
My bottle's brown bottle coating started flaking where the caps rub against it, so im not very pleased with that. The bottle and packaging is really nice though.

Nice vanilla, but in my opinion it lacks of originality since I used a hand sanitizer that smells exactly the same. The lasting power is average.

I think it's a very well done fragrance. Thumbs up for Yves Rocher!

It wears the best in winter. It's kind of addictive. This vanilla has many layers, it's not a boring smell that doesn't change. It's very sweet, thick and long lasting.

I didn't like wearing it during summer, though. It became smokey, somehow dirty on me, it seemed it contained benzoin. But winter and cold days- the scent can warm you up and cause you use it often.

The vanilla isn't as noire as the name says, but it's darker indeed.

Pretty, pretty, give it a chance (I didn't admire it at first).

Mild, not too sweet or heavy vanilla that doesn't smell like dessert. Easy to wear and warms up nicely on my skin. Not the best in this Yves Rocher luxury collection, but still very nice and well worth of the price. Reminds me a lot of Dior Hypnotic Poison Eau Sensuelle. The bottle is very simplistic and lovely.

I received Vanille Noire 5ml bottle as a gift with my YR order: the moment i smelled it i knew it had to go. So I gave it away. I can't understand why would someone want to smell like something as boring as vanilla?

The first 10 seconds remind me of Oriflame Aromadisiac, but after a while this perfume transforms itself to a burned vanilla.
Unfortunatly I cant smell mutch of the fragrance because my skin drinks it. To be honest, this perfume dont live 5 minutes on me, I dont know why.
Maybe its my nose, maybe the perfume was watered, I dont know. What I can smell its a super faint smell of vanilla and woods, nothing else. A pity :(

On me, it smells realy good. The vanilla is verry intensive, and i have a feeling of warmth. It reminds me of Hypnotic Poison.

On me, the floral notes dominate for the first half hour, then it mellows and the soft wood notes appear, followed by a subtle dark vanilla. It reminds me of a lighter, less vibrant version of Alien, and a distant cousin to Hypnotic Poison. I think it might be enjoyed by those who find those two fragrances too loud - I think this has many similar notes but at a lower volume, and unlikely to startle anyone unduly. My search for the perfect dark vanilla continues - for me, sadly this is not it.

I agree - smells similar to Kenzo Amour, but darker.
I like anything noir, and I'm pretty much sold on just "noir" line, but this - I don't like .. too heavy, not very sweet, I hardly smell anything sweet at all! It's just this tobacco-y, suffocating, harsh note .. maybe coming from cedar in combination with mimose? Don't like it .. would't recommend it. And above all, pretty weak as the time goes by ..

This is a classical vision of the dark side of vanilla . Not gourmand like the so famous " Vanille Bourbon " , not sparkling like the " Vanille Cap Nature " , just a more adult , more sultry vanilla . I don't like this one as much as the 2 other ones i've just quoted . Nice still.

This is so nice. Smokey vanilla, but not heavy or overwhelming. Creme brulee but better. I think it doesn't smell like other vanilla-scents, at least not on my skin. It's the smokey vanilla I was looking for! Lasting power isn't all that great, but it's not expensive, so I can spray on and on and on! Have to buy a full bottle first though....

If we are talking about dupes: I agree that Voile d'Ambre gives you a bit of the "Samsara feeling", but I can tell you that a while ago I had Vanille Noire on one arm and Shalimar ode la Vanille on the other - the lack of differences made me laugh.
I don't care much for Vanille Noire as do not care for Shalimar, because I feel the "melody" of both is rather a Polka than a smooth and complex song with all the wood rumbling around in the vanilla ;)
But still this a pleasant fragrance if you are really into vanilla and don't want much more of a scent. I think the perfect situation to wear this is while enjoying a big cappuccino and fruitcake in a cosy cafè on a rainy autumn day.

I had a small tester of this fragrance. I normally don't like vanilla at all, but the black vanilla in this seemed awesome. Not for me though, I wouldn't wear this scent, yet I would buy it to offer to someone else, since I believe it is a masterpiece of its kind.
Very classy and awfully feminine, yet not "womanly".

I managed to get a mini of this on Ebay. I put a little dab on my wrist (in case I hated it) but I didn't hate it so applied more dropping the bottle in the process. Dowsed in it I can say I like it...very much.

Made of 3 different vanillas I can really detect the transition between the 3. The first is quite a pure vanilla which after about 30mins turns sweeter perhaps where the orange/mimosa come into play but not individually detectable, but the third is my favourite..a dusty dark vanilla. Just lovely.

I may HAVE to get a FB. I can imagine this in winter...curled up in front of a roaring fire, Christmas tree twinkling in the background...romantic bliss.

EDIT Day 2 Still loving it. It doesn't have the quality or elegance of Chanel/Dior...but that makes me even more in love with it. The words which come to mind are innocent and adorable. With a very affordable price tag!

I tested it today... the scent disappeared quite quickly, but initially it reminded me a little of Alien. Nice scent, no longevity.

I must say thanks to you all. You make me grow up quickly with knowledge and curiosity. Who would have thought a uniscent like Vanille noire wasn't linear? To some it is, but interestingly, to other reviewers it evocates lots of different things...

Thanks for the tip: I got a 5$ small EDP at Yves Rocher and could smell this Cavallier creation in no time. I think VN is a great treat for oblivious vanilla lovers who kind of don't assume themselves, like me!

Vive la diversité des goûts! (Cheers to the diversity of tastes)

I really like it, I think this is very different from Hypnotic Poison (which I love). If anything, it reminds me more of Kenzo Amour. I still think that Vanille Noire is a different fragrance and not a dupe for anything. On my skin, this is a very natural vanilla, very oriental and nothing gourmand or cupcake like. I find it very smokey and earthy. Besides the vanilla, I can't really point out the other notes. It's not overpowering at all, very pleasant and affordable.

Really poor sillage and longevity though.

I really love this perfume. This smells very luxary and nog overwelming. I think it's not really that Vanilla like. Very chique perfume!

Hmmm..I loves me some vanilla so I had high hopes for this one.

Let me just firstly say that there's a whole lot of vanille going on in this scent and not alot of noir!

I put this on at 8.30 this morning, it's now 10.22am and I can barely smell it. It's a close to the skin scent. It wafts gently around you gently. The name and bottle suggests something else than what's inside.

I think putting this in the same league as Hypnotic Poison is...well...not right. They re quite different in my opion.

This is a playful vanilla, ice creamy, light. I wanted HEAVY...thick, gloopy with dark undertones. *pouts* not here I'm afraid.

It's quite simple and pleasant on my chemistry, and vanilla is something I amp like crazy normally.

This oneis a bit of a fail on me!

:)

like maru8862 i also get that beautiful chocolate note on my skin and like some other mentioned, there is also this cappuccino smell!! Lovely!!

this scent makes me dream!
this is like eating a fresh (dark-)chocolate cake while drinking cappuccino sitting in a bakery where the air is filled with the scent of vanilla cookies. before leaving i buy some of those cookies and leave for a little walk into the forest where i sit down on a bench enjoying the scent of the woods while the vanilla cookies smell so delicious and tempting...
and when i open my eyes i find myself again at work and my co-worker asking me, what perfume i'm wearing, i smelled delicious...

This is far from a cheap vanilla frag...it's fresh, earthy, and organic! Nothing cloying or artificial about this vanilla...just pure and sexy.

YR Vanille Noire is very sensual, elegant, woody, soft, and feminine. The vanilla bourbon note is the most prominent IMO and I don't smell any of the claimed citrus or mimosa in the opening and only little of the cedar in the dry down. Has a bit of licorice in the dry down (which I love) and has decent longevity.

4 STARS

Hah! Vanilla overdose! It just smells like a vanilla cake when comes out of oven; hot and fresh. I don't like monotone perfumes too much but not bad at all. Sweet and velvety. Only vanilla and some floral undertone and nothing extra.
If you like vanilla, this is the best vanilla smell I've ever smelled. And long lasting!

This is a strong and good vanilla scent. If I hadn't just finished some La Maison de la Vanilla scents, I would buy this Yves Rocher one. It comes close to their quality. But currently I'm a bit fed up with vanilla :)

Vanilla Noir is very special and surprisingly lovely indeed!
Not just a vanilla scent. Dark, mysterious and fresh at the same time, with a touch of wood and leather: very, very sympathetic.
I have found a new friend!

Edit 12/05/11
Unfortunately Vanilla Noir has a synthetic drydown, makes me cough and gives me a headache...

Dark, clean, and slightly boozy; complex and rich but not syrupy like some fragrances that feature vanilla. Bewitching and hypnotic--I think of deep, dark forests from older Walt Disney movies like Snow White, or old classics stories like Hansel and Gretel.

darkbeauty's review is absolutely poetic and spot on. Reading it while wearing this fragrance is likely to transport you into a gothic Bavarian Forest fairytale.

a dupe for 5.40 in madagascar kenzo
dark, "dough" smelling vanilla

This is a very different kind of fragrance. The opening is the warm comforting scent of vanilla straight from the seed pod. And then, to my surprise, I sense a background of sparkling martini which adds a refreshing twist to the leathery vanilla notes. I love the fact that this vanilla based fragrance (for once) is untouched by the sweet pastry kitchen. It has an impressive staying power and develops to a charming subtle vanilla/citrus veil. I think it is an uplifting alternative in my perfume wardrobe.

Love love love this. I got a 5ml sample and couldn't stop smelling it. Now I bought the 30ml + soap. It's sexy and my boyfriend loves scents with vanilla.

I couldn't wear Vanille Noire amongst people because they would think that a cat has peed on me or on my clothes. On my skin it literally smells like cat pee. And I'm not saying this as though I'd think that Yves Rocher is bad. Not at all. I find that it has some really good creations. But this one is not working with my body chemistry at all.

Vanille Noire is a nice Vanilla scent with woody notes. Soft, warm and pleasant, nonetheless sexy, dark and smoky. I can't smell specific similarities to Hypnotic Poison as well.

At first impression I can smell Cedar, light but smoky Vanilla and something sweet, may be Coconut or Ice Cream. Opening is a bit sharp and artifical, but it's getting softer with time quickly.

After about four hours the woody notes are much weaker and the smoky Vanilla turned more into a silky and warm Bourbon Vanilla. Now Vanilla Noire reminds me of vanilla crescents, sweet however not overpowering.

On my skin it lasts about eight to ten hours.

All in all very different to ordinary Vanilla scents, a welcome change. I'd highly recommend it to Vanilla lovers. For me fine to wear at warm fall days.

The scent opens with extremely strong vanilla - I felt like I was wearing a vanilla cappuccino. After about 1/2 hour it changes, becomes more amber-ish and darker. I like this mid-note. However, the base note opens after about an hour and, again, I'm left with nothing but vanilla. Now, I rather like vanilla, but my husband absolutely hates it, so I guess I won't be adding this one to my collection - I'll stick with my Iris Noir and Rose Absolute.

I sampled this one yesterday, and I'm pretty disappointed. I really liked the smell in the vial, it was beautiful. But on me, it smells like a campfire. There's no vanilla scent at all, it's all just smoke and woods. Definitely NOT what I was going for. I was really looking forward to testing this one out, and I'm sorry it doesn't work with my chemistry. I love vanilla scents, but I don't like smelling like dessert, so dark vanillas are usually my preference. Too bad, it smells lovely on others.

Do you know, Action, I have just the same feeling???? I am not sure where my coffee association comes from (Freud would have said I was sleepy while typing my comment below :-) but I truly have that creamy cappuccino feel :-)
I love Vanille Noire!!! It was more leathery to me today, though. It is funny as I feel that fragrance differently every time I wear it!!!
And just like you - no matter how hard I try, Sister - I cannot feel a slightest resemblance to Hypnotic Poison....
Or is it just us, Sister????
xxxx

Mad-Lainey, you actually smelled this perfume quite the same as I do!! I always found it to be more like Kenzo Amour than HP. And even then it's not really the same. I DO see myself sitting in the Coffee Company wearing this one!
Maybe there is coffee in this perfume as well, who knows??

What I am going to say will to be in complete opposition to the board of critics here, so hear me.
Vanille Noire is a cup of Capuccino in the room full of people sipping Espresso. It is a tiny wild daisy growing between majestic peonies and roses. What I am trying to say is that this fragrance does not necesserely need to smack people around you right in their faces; Vanille Noire is a great fragrance for a change, if you feel temporarily tired of wearing killers, it is delicate but noticeable enough to wrap you in a creamy blanket.
Vanille Noire reminds me Fleur De Noel, I cannot, however, feel any resemblance to Hypnotic Posion.
Vanille Noire is my ''I just want a change'' fragrance if I am too tired of rich florals or oversweetened fruities.
In my opinion, Vanille Noire is a brilliant fragrance - vanilla is presented in a way that does not feel like queueing to get a truckfull of doughnuts at a local bakery, yet it makes me feel I want to get a sip straight from the bottle :-)
It changes on my skin every now and then...one minute bitter, dry and leathery to suddenly turn into warm, sweet and cuddly the next minute...and that symphony lasts for about 6 hours on my skin. Not bad.
Mr Cavallier, unlike the whole crowd below my comment - I take my hat off for you :-)

Vanille Noire is very disappointing. The scent is neither dark and the vanilla is very weak.

Bath and Body Works' Vanilla Noir lives up to it's name more than Yves Rocher's.

I'd give it a 2/10.

Vanille Noire was such a huge disappointment to me. I ordered it unsniffed and it is really not what I have expected, it is light indeed, like a watered down version of some vanilla essence. I like the idea behind the scent but sadly I think it is a wasted chance from YR.
Sillage and longevity are way below average on my skin.
Definitely wouldnt buy it again. :(

With a name like Vanille Noire I, like many reviewers, expected a deep, dark, sultry vanilla. What I got was a light fresh floral one that is just okay. I am not impressed or depressed by the fragrance, it was very inexpensive on ebay, and its a very light vanilla. A vanilla for people who are looking for something light and sweet, a tad predictable and boring, not much lasting power. Not offensive by any means, but I have many better vanillas (jalaine vanilla, tihota, csp vanille extreme ect.) This is an average fragrance that stays very close to the skin, perfect for someone who doesn't want something loud or expensive, maybe a teenager or someone in the healthcare field or any situation that requires you to wear little perfume, but not for me. I like my vanillas loud, sweet, sultry and dark or just downright delicious, not this watered down warm vanilla sugar (my noses first reaction was that exact statement about bath and body works horror of a body spray). I like it better than WVS and they are around the same price, this is def more sophisticated and much less synthetic smelling. If anyone wants to swap for this one send me a msg. I also see the Kenzo comparison but I prefer Kenzo's vanilla based scents to this.

I like Yves Rocher fragrances : always nice to wear and feminine, and sometimes among these "nice pearls" you can find "diamonds".
When Vanille Noire was launched I was excited and I purchased it without test because I was sure it was a "diamond"...But...This perfume is lasting 5 minutes, more or less. And it's such a pity when you know Yves Rocher can do better than this. It smells vanilla but it's impossible to learn more about this perfume : it doesn't last enough.
It's too bad but I'll keep it in my collection.

I have the edp roll-on bottle of this perfume. It's a nice light vanilla, quite pretty and not too sweet. it reminds me of the now discontinued l'occitane vanilla, which is exactly what I was hoping. I agree with the other reviewers that it is not at all 'noir'.

I don't think I will use it a lot by itself, but I do find vanilla (and amber) useful for layering with other scents, so I'll be hanging in to this.

Pretty vanilla for those who don't like theirs too sweet. It's not a "dark" vanilla as the name suggests; at least it's not a candy vanilla, but very powdery - and more sophisticated. There are definitely similarities to Kenzo Amour in the drydown, not at the start. This has a strong paper note to my nose - I got Smell Bents's Anniversary perfume ONE which is supposed to be the scent of "vanilla" and "aging paperbacks" and this has the exact same crumbling paper smell, though this is more delicate. Nice frag, although I'm more a fan of B&BW's now discontinued Vanilla Noir, which is far more interesting (bummer.)

A forest beckons me to enter under its canopy. The dense floor is a cushion beneath my feet, and the smell of earth, rich wood, and truffles wafts up from under me. I close my eyes, overwhelmed by the forest's hauntingly beautiful charm, and inhale the combination of scents surrounding me in mystery. I continue on, lost and beguiled by the forest's trickery. I pause and reach for a tree, its bark rough and warm beneath my touch. My knees give way and I sink down to a lush carpet of moss, completely enchanted.


Dark, deep black earth, truffles, vanilla bean, woods and.... coconut???

Yep, I even get some coconut. But it's a good thing. More like coconut husks.

This is a true vanilla. Not a sweet, gourmand vanilla. The silage is good and it blends into your skin nicely.

I like it a lot, but personally I feel it needs to be layered several times to get more intensity. It's yummy, richer and earthier than a lot of vanillas out there, yet always remains fresh and crisp.

A must have for vanilla lovers!

Unfortunately I do not detect it. The fragrance actually vanishes into thin air once sprayed. What a pity. I envy those for whom the scent lasts and lasts, because the fume is really nice with the soft and warm vanillic accord, although not that "noir" as the name suggests. This is not very expensive, though for a comparable price you can get a definitely stronger perfume, so I will not buy it. Neither do I find any similarities to HP as some of fragraticians pinpointed. Je suis desolee...

Of this perfum I only like the drydown, a very nice vanilla to me. The opening, with that strong citrus/wood composition, is definitely too much for me, it's not sweet, not even pleasant. It becomes better after a while, I enjoy myself sniffing it from the bottle but I'm not tempted to spray it on my skin and that's not what a perfum should inspire to a woman.
The idea is good, three different pods of vanilla, citruses and mimosa, but the result is too sharp and unpleasant for me.

This was a blind buy. After first spray, I definitely smell some weak form of Hypnotic Poison, but where HP is bold and rich, this is very light and something is missing. It's like vanilla in the wind, airy vanilla? Well..can't even explain it, just don't like it.
Too bad for me as I got 50ml bottle. I’ve been wearing it past couple of days and without any success, it just doesn’t feel right.
I'll give it another try, but it might end up being exchanged or given to someone else.

I love anyting with vanilla in it, I always did. Maybe my father got me used to it since he used to put vanilla powder anywhere, even in his car when I was a kid :) Therefore this beautiul scent is like heaven for me. It's pure vanilla but contrary to usual, it's not suffocating nor heavy. It is a bit overpowering, it drowned my own perfume but didn't make me feel like I cannot breath. There's a nice fresh tingle to it, which never really fades, and the fruity sweetness makes the fragrance a graceful and sensual one. Doesn't shout out "I'm sexy!!" but it wraps around you. There is also a rich dark feeling and I liked it a lot. It lives up to its name Noire. The drydown is cedar and sweet vanilla and very lovely, though not strong. Another great fragrance of Secrets d'Essences.

it smells very natural and sweet.. it almost smells like vanilla extract you use for baking with a fresh woody scent lurking in the background when you sniff if from the bottle. unfortunately, the woody, sweet warmth doesn't really work for me. Nice scent, just not for me

I cannot be the only inquiring perfumista mind around town to have noticed the simultaneous discontinuation of BBW VANILLA NOIR and appearance of Yves Rocher VANILLE NOIRE. Coincidence or connected? every worthy conspiracy theorist will spontaneously inquire.

Does Jacques Cavallier work under an assumed name for BBW, and did he sell his formula to the highest bidder? Is there any difference between these two perfumes, beyond the translation of the English name into hoity-toity French?

Even more suspiciously, both BBW and YR market to more or less the same sector: people who like to "smell good" and are either unable or unwilling to pay very much to do so. This fact alone, that the two companies cover the same market niche makes it seem very suspicious indeed, to this inquiring mind, for the results of the surveys of one company would have been similar if not identical (assuming they access the same data sets) to those of the other! If BBW therefore had decided that VANILLA NOIR was not in demand, how and why would YR not have learned from their mistake, and scrapped their VANILLE NOIRE project before it got out of the lab?

Tonight I set out to put these hypotheses to the test, and I'm afraid that, once again, coincidence has won out, proving the would-have-been triumphant conspiracy theorist to be no more than paranoid, once again. VANILLE NOIRE is not VANILLA NOIR, despite the overwhelming evidence pointing in the conspiracy theorist's favor. VANILLE NOIRE really smells like Jacques Cavallier--it contains that je ne sais quoi component that he includes in so many of his compositions as a sort of fingerprint. And BBW VANILLA NOIR, sad to say, smells richer, darker, and more complex. Désolée.

I agree with Jillzilla. To me it's just too weak, like a black vanilla body oil would smell. Soft and comfortable vanilla scent, very good for a cold weather.

A soft "fuzzy" sort of vanilla. Good for those who don't like sticky-sweet or heavy scents. I wanted to feel something darker in the notes although it just wasn't there.

I can't get enough of it! It is warm, enveloping, welcoming, discrete, sweet yet not cloying. I want to bathe in it; drink it; eat it; breathe it... and want to have countless back-up bottles. Love so much! This is it! A perfume that I shall always have in my collection and go back to. It's just me!

Imitation of Hypnotic Poison, but with less staying power. Not bad at all. The new Hypnotic Poison "Legere" version is quite similar and much more expensive.
Nevertheless, I had hoped for something more original, since the other Secrets D'Essence Scents are independent creations which stand on their own.

I got it two days ago. Nice, vanilla, soft and warm. It works long.

Very much alike with HP, but more transparent and does not overwhelm. I don`t feel that it is a gourmand type of scent...oriental is good enough, and even if you want to automatically add "vanilla" just because of the insane amount of different vanilla types in it, don`t do it just yet.It DOES smell vanilli-ish, but more like a dried beans than an essence - a little bitter and peppery...
The staying power is good, and the drydown is similar to YR`s Voile d`Ambre.

Vanille Noir definitely has a dark side. When I spray it in the air, it seems to have this deep rich vanilla scent with woodsy accent. When it goes on my skin, I get very strong leather accent. It almost feels like I am wearing a new leather jacket. I see that other reviewers did not detect any leather so it must be my skin chemistry with the scent. The scent stays leathery with a hint of vanilla for about 2 hours, then the leather accent softens and this deep woodsy scent of vanilla comes through. The staying power is great. It lasted on me pretty much all day without re-applying.

When I think about this scent, I picture myself sitting in a stylish cabinet with leather chairs and expensive wood furniture. I am alone with a handsome politician or perhaps a famous writer. We are drinking an expensive French cognac and having an intense conversation. Perhaps I am a journalist doing an interview. The conversation is provocative, witty, sharp and with a sexual tension. I feel bold, smart and sophisticated.

This perfume is not for young and sweet. It has this twisted site that is quite strong and daring. Again, it could be my skin chemistry but I detect a lot of darkness in this scent.

Soft floral vanilla. Pretty and pleasant, but no leather and no "noire" anything. I think it is a nice alternative to gourmand, sticky, overly sweet vanilla fragrances that are coming out like every week. But it doesn't move me personally. It's pretty, I don't love it, that's all.

I got my bottle and roll-on today. It is kinda like hypnotic poison but it isn't as loud. It's a lot more subdued and I was looking for a less intense version on H.P to wear in the summer months. H.P worn in the summer would off the world!

If you liked Hypnotic Poison but you didn't like how heavy it was or the Rootbeer/Playdough smell, both of which I love, get Vanille Noire

It starts off smelling like a nice vanillish smell and about 10 minutes later I can sense the Mandarin Oranges. It plays Peek-A-Boo every now and then but it's definitely there. This smells wonderful. My first Un-sniffed purchase was a success (Thank Goodness!). I had to get it since it was on sale and the sale price kinda scared me. I thought it would be like an Avon body spray but the lasting power is incredible! I honestly couldn't believe I got the 1.7 and the 10 ml roll-on for 42 bucks FREE SHIPPING! Get this now from Yves Rocher! I hope you all love it like I love it

Wonderful vanilla fragrance! Vanilla is unusually fresh, floral and woody, fluffy and so easy. Very different from what I know, and I love the subtle combination of woody and spicy notes in this delicious fragrance. I prefer it in roll-on ;o)

I got this home today and it really smells like good vanilla icecream:) A little bit to overpowering though.But i like it. I dont think that it smells lika Hypnotic Poison at all or like Lolita lempicka,this is a uniq perfume with its own smell.

I got a sample of it today. And after aplying it really reminds me of Diors HP.
That same powdery vanilla.But the opening is more fruity coz of the mandarin. I can smell that really good for a while and then it settels in that warm vanilla scent that I like. Great perfume to buy

I bought it and also the bodyproducts.......lovely

After the alcohol blast, it's settles to a nice vanilla scent. It's not that sweet and it's not smoky. Yves Rocher's Organic Vanilla had a smoky aura, which I didn't like in that particular perfume. After smelling Van Cleef & Arpels Orchidee Vanille first, I prefer that vanilla fragrance. This would be my second option. Vanille Noire and Rose Absolue are the only two from the Secrets d'Essences line that I like.

I got a 5ml bottle today and I don´t like it at all. It smells like Oriflames Amber Elixir on me. It is to strong and sweet, I get headache from it.I am a little disapointed because I thought that I would like this perfume but I collect mini bottles so the little bottle goes to my collection.

To my delight a got a little sample from YR with the post today! This is a lovely vanilla fragrance. I wouldn´t say that it´s similiar to Lolita L, no, it´s not a foody vanilla like L, more like a combo of Hannae Mori, Hugo Boss Deep Red and Kenzo Amour. I know that sounds crazy. Wonderful fragrance! I simply must have a bottle.
Imo Yves Rocher have a very humble attitude towards the outside world. No overwhelming advertising for their scents although they have famous noses like Jaques Cavallier and Christine Nagel behind some of their fragrances.

Good job by YR,got a mini bottle of it with a purchase.Yes it smells a bit like hypnotic poison and kenzo amour.Soft and comfortable vanilla scent,i think it will be very good for the winter.

Yesterday I got my minis and have tested this on paper so far, not my wrist as it's currently too hot to bear such a heavy scent, at least for my liking.

What my beginner's nose can say is that I find the comparison to Amour and Hypnotic Poison to totally hit the nail on the head.

In the opening it particularly reminds me op HP and I sense licorice, but not as strong as in HP and it's a good bit lighter in general, especially as it dries down after a little while.
That is where I totally see the similarities to Kenzo Amour, and when I sense more floral I even get some totally unexpected ozone-like freshness. Huh?!
That still doesn't make the fragrance any less heavy or rich I find.

The vanilla in here is unsynthetic, natural and woody, but soft overall.
No olfactory climaxes here so far, but I'm very curious how this scent behaves when I wear it on my skin for a longer while in the winter.
Edit: Ive had it for a few months now and it's the middle of winter, so do I like it?
Nah, the overall composition happens to make me nautious. HP and Amour individually are finde with me, but mixed with this dash of aquatic ozone something.. make my stomach turn, what a pity.

I recently got a tiny sample bottle of Vanille Noire and, based on trying and testing it, the fragrance is clearly aimed at mature, self-confident women with sophisticated taste for rich, sensual and elegant vanilla-based perfumes. Mimose and mandarin orange blend nicely together with black vanilla while cedar adds some deep spicyish undertones in order to give this fragrance multi-layer feelings.

I'm not that fond of strong vanilla fragrances, but this one is great. Calm and sensual, not overly sweet as most vanilla fragrances tend to be. Woody and a bit dry. Very natural vanilla scent, not at all chemical. Great staying power. This is so far my favorite from the Secret D'essenses collection. Sophisticated is the right word to describe Vanille Noire.

I have tested it yesterday. And basically its a well made mix-up of two of the most known Vanilla fragrances out there. On the one side its like Hypnotic Poision but not as strong and offensiv and on the other side its like Kenzo Amour but more spicy. But it still has somthing own, because the base is unique and reminds me of natural dark vanillabean but not as spicy rather soft, sensual and woody.

I just had it on a teststrip, but im very curious how it develops on the skin. In the next weeks it should be available in the YR-stores.

YR Secrets d'Esences are phenomononal! I have the other four and they are rich, long-lasting and superb without being overpowering. Even though this one has only four "notes" I am sure the richness of the ingredients, including the black vanilla, will more than make up for it...

Please read the Fragrantica article for more info on this lovely luxe scent!!