Heya Posse! Yes, Tom Ford has brought out another double entendre that is really a single intender, and not a very friendly one. I can’t imagine telling a friend that I am wearing something called Vanilla Sex. Tawdry. Even though I’m side eyeing Mr Ford hard my curiosity did get the better of me. So in my recent order at Surrender To Chance I grabbed a 3ml decant. Yes, yes, yes, I know! but I love receiving packages and trying new things so grabbed a few samples and decants. My joy is fourfold. The joy of deciding and ordering. The delicious joy of anticipation. Joy in receiving and joy in finally smelling, wearing and writing about the new arrivals.
So, Vanilla Sex? I read somewhere that sex is like pizza, no matter how bad it is you’re still going to want it again soon. HA! Also, I’ve been lauded as vanilla many times and honestly I don’t enjoy sex enough to want to add very many bells or whistles. I’d much rather a cuddle and a chat. So there’s my oversharing done for the year.
Vanilla Sex by Tom Ford 2023
Parfumo gives these featured accords:
Bitter almond, Ultravanil®, Vanilla CO2, Indian vanilla, Vanilla absolute, Sandalwood, Tonka bean absolute, Blossoms
Let’s talk perfume. How does Tom Ford’s vision of Vanilla Sex smell? It starts out dry and has the texture of an almond before you crack the shell open. It smells porous, dense, unsweet but still vanilla. The desiccated coconut version of vanilla with some darkness lurking beneath. One of things I love about vanilla is how multi faceted it is. There is always room to play with its light and shade. Here the Estée Lauder perfume creators have had a good time.
I also love that it says blossoms as a note and while I originally eyerolled at it as we head towards the heart I get that exact feeling through scent. When you touch blossoms, or rub them on your cheek. It’s the feeling of powdery, but described here in scent. Amazing. There is also an unnamed green aspect that helps ground the whole fragrance. I can’t tell you what it puts me in mind of but it’s a softly green and twiggy underwash. Like snapping hawthorn leaves, but not.
It’s been about six hours in late summer Sydney muggy heat and I am still fragrant with a creamy sandalwood and sweet bean tonka with dry underpinnings of a bakery adjacent vanilla. It’s not a simple ending but it is comfortable a very wearable. If only the name wasn’t so douchy I’d definitely be buying a bottle.
Pic from Tom Ford
Up in the Northern Hemisphere you are living the last gasps of winter and heading into spring. Maybe this is the exact moment for Vanilla Sex. I also think as the heat is leeching from Sydney that it’s the perfect time. Shoulder season. Unisex and this Tom Ford perfume is not all top notes that collapse in a banal heap. It has an interesting, wearable middle and base, and the lasting power is good too.
Did you see when Patty went apeshit for Tubereuse Nue?
Vanilla Sex? You down for it?
Would you be if it was called something else?
Portia xx
Screeching stop for the almond note.
Also I really don’t need to tell my adult kids I’m wearing a perfume called vanilla sex ? I’d be the butt of jokes until I’m dead ?
HA! ChrissyNoz,
My Mum wore Anais Anais for years and we teased her mercilessly, Dad got in on it too.
Portia xx
I love a good vanilla, but what is up with these names??? I prefer to wear a scent that I wouldn’t be embarrassed to talk about in Bible Study. I also like to share samples, and I can’t see me calling out across the narthex “I have the Vanilla Sex you wanted to try!”
Or maybe I can see that (snicker) but I’m trying to be a better person.
I wonder when the PR people will realize that these names cost them more sakes than they garner?
I wonder who they are aimed at MaggieCat, we are probably not the audience. One thing Tom Ford has done his whole career is repackaged old ideas and made them modern. We may have 20 more interesting vanillas in our cupboards but maybe the 16-25s don’t have a well done, high brow vanilla. As they make the transition to earning spenders this could have the cachet they need.
Just thinking.
Portia xx
That makes sense, and I expect you’re right. Still, I think such names limit the demographic in a way that can’t be good for the bottom line. Or maybe it is – I’m not a marketing expert, just someone who may be getting crabby as I age like fine wine…
HA! Crabby Is Us.
Your take was similar to mine, including the eye-roll about the names of a number of these. I thought it was perfectly fine but I can live without it, especially at their price point. Back to the names — who DOES that appeal to? People who think they’re being edgy by wearing a fragrance called F’ing Fabulous?
Maybe it’s for trust fund teens and Only Fans young adults who want to shock parents and teachers March. We call them CUBY, Cashed Up Bogan Youth.
Portia x
Ever since Feckin Fab I’ve been bah humbugging the names & not trying on principle. Utter lack of imagination
It’s a very fair call Alityke,
Portia xx
Do you remember the Austin Powers movie where Starbucks had essentially taken over the world? (Lordt – I hope that’s the right film)
That’s how I feel about Lauder.
Also… Tom Ford tries too damb hard, imo
I do not remember Musette but amusingly in the NCIS series (I’m watching them all from day one right now. 10 series in and loving it. Never watched it before) the lead guy considers himself a coffee aficionado and always has a Starbucks in his hand.
Tom did but now he’s not even affiliated.
Portia xx
I think I might have a decant of this one running around somewhere but wouldn’t know where. I do enjoy Tobacco Vanille and have the travel spray.
Hey Eldarwen22,
Tobacco Vanille was such a masterpiece of commercialism and smelled wonderful to me too. They were the TF glory days.
Portia xx
Oh Portia, Only Vanilla Fans would have been so much better! They should be paying you for these.
HA HA HA HA HA! At least it would have been timely Tara+Mc. I’d take a job naming things any day.
Portia xx
It was a dreadful suffocating plasticky lump of play-dough on me, not even really vanilla. I’m guessing lots of tonka and heliotrope. Money saved, although at TF prices even if I liked it I wouldn’t have bought it. Too many other great vanillas available.
Hey TaraC,
I’m hearing this from a few perfumistas. Fortunately it didn’t have that vibe for me at all.
Portia xx
I’ve read a lot of complaints about how Tom Ford’s scents have gone down hill since Estee Lauder bought them out. It’s not a house I venture into usually, so I wouldn’t know. Loved your beautifully descriptive review.
Ah, so Ester Lauder bought the brand rather than private equity. Didn’t know that. Yes, might explain a lot.
Cinnamon,
TF was always part of the Lauder group but they bought him out a few years ago.
Thanks DinaC,
It’s like they lost their sense of fun and whimsy and are trying too hard for shock and titilation.
Vanilla sex is not a bad perfume though. Had it been called Pure Vanilla or Vanilla Kiss or anything else. Only Vanilla Fans would have at least made me snort my coffee.
Portia xx
I love the name Vanilla Kiss! I remember a vanilla kiss from long ago. It was soft and warm and somehow sensual. I would love a good perfume with that name. 😉
Tom Ford lost me with those silly-stupid names. Now, even if I want to buy an older TF perfume decant, I have to sample it first to find out if I like the probable reformulation. It’s sad.
From your lips to..
Sadly this is true of almost all perfumes Maya. The dreaded reformulation has been an ongoing disaster for decades.
Portia xx
I have a lifetime of vanilla perfumes and am somewhat opposed to paying Tom Ford prices. And the names, yeesh. I just don’t understand the appeal. This one sounds fine, I’m glad you tried it so I don’t have to!
All of the above MMKinPA,
I’m really glad I got to try it and the decant has gone into my swim bag, so will get used after exercise.
Portia xx
It seems nice Mr Ford’s stuff has sort of gone the way of the Miller Harris brand. I wonder if the perfume end of things is now owned by private equity. That’s vanilla overload, to my mind — at least in the notes list — and not hugely compelling. I would certainly try it if somewhere which stocks TF. Wonder what he’s doing with himself currently…
Let’s hope Tom Ford is living the life he most wants. He certainly made enough money for the companies he worked with, I hope he got his fair share and now has no real worries at all.
Portia xx
I’m thinking no. I have vanilla covered, thanks, even just dabbing some of my friend Sue’shomemade vanilla extract behind the ears.
As for the name, I’m kind of waaaayyyyy over the double entendre portion of the TF oeuvre. Even more so since I think he doesn’t have anything to do with it.
As far as the actual act, I’ll stick with “vanilla.” I don’t need to add in expensive accoutrements, uncomfortable outfits, or more messy cleanup than is absolutely necessary.
Yeah Tom,
I too have enough vanilla to last three lifetimes, even if I only wore vanilla for ALL the days.
Gah! I always forget he sold the brand back. This is why the entendre has hit rock bottom. At least Tom was mildly amusing.
Ditto.
Portia xx