The Vanilla Gift Guide
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After mypregnancies, I became ultrasensitive to scents. Everything gave me aheadache. A lifelong MTA girl, I officially quit Ubers and taxis all together because of the air fresheners or, worse, cologne. I avoided the basement of Bergdorf Goodman and literally could not walk past any Abercrombie & Fitch (I’m gagging).
Everything changed a few months ago in an elevator. I was riding up to my WeWork office with a glamorous woman when I noticed how soft and alluring she smelled. After years of extreme hiding from people who wear perfume, I was shocked at the inoffensiveness! I asked what she was wearing. It was Matière Première’sVanilla Powder hair perfume.Vanilla?Had you told me a year ago that I would gush over vanilla perfume, I’d have had a migraine before I could even respond.
So I bought some. Then I fell deeper down theVanilla Powder–phenomenonrabbit hole, and that led me here: a gift guide for all nice things vanilla. For good measure, I even added some vanilla-tonedgifts.
Fragrance
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The hero scent that comes in hair powder, eau de perfume, and a long-lasting extrait de perfume ranges from $50to $450, but it lasts forever. So, in luxury-math, it’s a wise investment. “When it is done well, vanilla feels like softness, with intention,” says aesthetician Carrie Lindsey.
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I wear the hair perfume. In contrast to everything else in the Vanilla Powder line, it’s significantly lighter and breezier … it wears as if you put one vanilla bean in your scent-free laundry detergent. Lovely for anyone perfume-resistant like I was.
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The extrait is more luxurious. It’s not suffocating, not aFuck Youperfume, but definitely a statement. All of them stay on all day, if not days.
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The first spritz for theVanilla Sexname alone. The second spritz for Tom Ford’s stamp of approval.
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This relaxed-vanilla mist is nicer than your tween’s body mists but not intimidating at all.
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Speaking of tweens, the vanilla-scented LoveShackFancy perfume is not the overpowering sugar cookie that one might think. It’s innocent, and airy, with a whisper of sandalwood, and soaesthetic.
Beauty
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Flirty vanilla for your lips, elbows, and feet.
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A shower flex that’s silky and adult, even though it’s my kids who unabashedlysniffme afterwards. It’s unisex too. “The hint of vanilla here is clean and pure,” says my designer friendPatrick Derosier, who has impeccable taste in everything.
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Aspirational deodorant is the only way to gift deodorant. This one is more like a vanilla-light and it actually kind of works.
Home
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With a touch of raspberry, and the fancy glass-blown vessel, it’s a can’t-go-wrong gift. LAFCO products, for me, are also noticeably unaggressive. “When it’s done right, vanilla doesn’t read as sweet — it reads as calm,” says Derosier.
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Sexy room spray that knows the assignment. I find it subtle and hospitable, as does my partner, who hates anythingextra.
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From Paris, inspired by Armenian lore, this is more than a cool, vanilla-forward candle. “It’s one of my favorites because of the mythical and spiritual benzoin resin component,” says Derosier.
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Jenni Kayneiselevated vanilla. This simple ceramic vase, in “vanilla bean,” embodies the whole sensibility.
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MUD Australia’s MILK colorway is pure vanilla porn. “Any and all vanilla toned ceramics, plates or dishes are perfectly chic to me,” says Linsdsey.
[Editor’s note: The Mud Australia website lists the price in Australian dollars. The price listed here reflects the exchange rate at the time of publication.]
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A Mongolian cashmere throw like this one, well-made and devoid of pattern, inarguably belongs under a tree.
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I want this. And I want it to smell like Matière Première. “Deeply luxurious,” co-signs Derosier.
Food
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You can’t have a Vanilla Gift Guide without ice cream.
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Truly the best and freshest vanilla birthday cake I’ve ever tasted, and I’m a former Grub Street editor.
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I don’t know how this spreadable heaven wound up in my pantry, but it’s as feel-good as Justin’s, and almost as addictive as Nutella. The mini-size is a fun under-10-dollars stocking stuffer too.
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Simply the ideal cheap and chic gift for a vanilla person.
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The Strategistis designed to surface useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Every product is independently selected by our team of editors, whom you can read abouthere. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
