Vanille 44 stems from the city exclusives collection by Le Labo. It denotes the eternal grace and spirit of Paris, where each corner has a zealful story to tell.
Except for Paris, it remains available online to purchase worldwide for a short time, and some selected Le Labo labs only.
I finally received a sample of this rich and soul-grasping vanilla sensation last August.
Due to its limited availability, I have picked and used some amazing alternatives to Vanille 44. If you want to know about them, stay till the end of this article.
What Does Le Labo Vanille 44 Smell Like?
Vanille 44 by Le Labo has a sweet, powdery, and dry vanilla sensation complemented by the smoky twist of incense and citrusy edge. Plus, a warm kiss of amber and the timbering hint of guaiac wood will give your skin a sexy yet comforting touch.
Vanille 44 is a marvelous composition by the creative hands of a legendary perfumer, Alberto Morillas. It was launched in 2007.
Now, let’s take a look at the notes pyramid of Le Labo Vanille 44:
Notes: Vanilla, Guaiac Wood, Incense, Mandarin Orange, Aldehydes, Bergamot
As I spray Vanille 44, it unfolds a natural and aromatic citrusy hint of Mandarin orange. Also, the opening definitely gives a rich vanilla smell. However, I feel this perfume consists of bourbon vanilla as it gives more of a smoky-tobacco vibe rather than a sweet-gourmand touch.
Immediately, I can perceive a subtle sweetness of vanilla paired with the smoky and earthy edge of incense.
At this stage, the scent offers a similar sensation as you enter the church; you will get the known earthy and burning aroma of incense and a waxy whiff of candles. Plus, I get the same tinge as the blown-out candle release.
A few hours ahead, as the perfume dries down, it radiates a woody-vanilla aura in the ambiance.
Although Vanille 44 has an enriched vanillic smell, which we usually prefer during the winter, you can use it all year since the vanilla gives an airy and earthy tint. Also, it’s a unisex fragrance with a decent performance.
What Perfumes Are Similar To Le Labo Vanille 44?
Vanille 44 Paris Le Labo from the city exclusive collection comes with a heftier price tag than the usual high-end perfumes. Due to its exclusivity, many users are unable to use this head-turner fragrance, and the price tag might not suffice for everyone.
For this reason, I have tried to recommend the best alternatives to it. I will elaborately discuss them below.
Here are the top 5 Vanille 44 Paris Le Labo dupes:
1. 44 Shades of Vanilla The Dua Brand
44 Shades of Vanilla by The Dua Brand is a clone of Le Labo Vanille 44. They created an inspired creation of this timeless masterpiece.
From the first splash of 44 Shades of Vanilla, I received a stimulating, tangy sensation of Sicilian bergamot. The innate citrusy aroma gave me a feeling of luxury.
Immediately, an earthy, spicy, and sweet sensation of vanilla loaded the scent with a captivating vibe. Plus, a smoky and earthy twist of incense truly complements its smell.
In the dry-down of this perfume, I got a timbering hint of guaiac wood, and the sweet edge of musky notes is enchanting.
Even before getting Vanille 44, I used 44 Shades of Vanilla. Both of their profound similarities have really surprised me. I even gave my sister a test strip of the two fragrances without mentioning their names, and she couldn’t distinguish one from the other.
It lasts over 8 hours on my skin and leaves a scent trail for around an arm’s length distance.
When to Wear
This wonderful perfume is suitable for all year. You can choose this versatile piece for any occasion, from day to night.
Why Should You Buy
- Exact Le Labo Vanille 44 dupe.
- Affordable price.
- Versatile fragrance.
- Excellent projection.
- Compliment gainer.
- Formal attire friendly.
- Calming and comforting vibe.
2. Eau Duelle Eau de Toilette Diptyque
Eau Duelle Eau de Toilette by Diptyque is one of the potent substitutes for Vanille 44. In fact, by this time, you have probably seen many reviewers comparing Vanille 44 with it.
Eau Duelle starts with a refreshing citrusy aroma of bergamot. Plus, a sharp and enticing spicy sensation of cardamom and pink pepper gives the fragrance a mind-evoking edge from the beginning.
In moments, it infuses an intense balsamic hint from elemi and olibanum. Then, a green and herbaceous touch of black tea and juniper enhances the overall vibe. Gradually, an earthy and floral twist from the smell of saffron comes to light.
My elder sister has been using Eau Duelle for a long time, and I never tried it until she asked me once. Honestly, I learned about Vanille 44 through this since I liked it so much, and both are very similar.
After drying, it radiates a musky and woody aura alongside the potent touch of vanilla.
This popular perfume gives decent longevity, and I am greatly pleased with its projection. It’s truly very engaging and draws lots of attention.
When to Wear
It’s an excellent pick for the winter and fall, but I think you can use this fragrance in warmer weather, too. I like to apply this before date nights.
Why Should You Buy
- Soft and refined aroma.
- Delicate and airy vanilla notes.
- Has a pleasing gourmand hint.
- Long-lasting.
- Decent projection.
- Unisex.
3. Opulent Vanilla Angel Schlesser
Top Notes: Myrrh, Salt, Lime, Saffron
Middle Notes: Plum, Coffee, Narcissus
Base Notes: Vanilla, Honey, Tobacco, Violet
Opulent Vanilla by Angel Schlesser is another outstanding substitute for Vanille 44 Paris La Lebo.
The opening of Opulent Vanilla gives a unique twist of citrusy lime, earthy-spicy saffron, and the balsamic hint of myrrh.
After a while, the perfume infuses a lovely sweet, and fruity aroma of plum alongside a bittery-gourmet smell of coffee. Plus, the floral opulence of narcissus is attention-grabbing.
In the dry-down, it radiates a sweet and smoky aura of vanilla with a reinforcing tobacco note. Also, the dewy-floral twist of violet makes a captivating base.
I initially bought Opulent Vanilla as it’s a cheap dupe, but I didn’t expect anything groundbreaking from this. Proving myself wrong, it gave a fantastic performance.
Its lasting power is excellent. Plus, the sillage and projection are the main reasons to buy this beauty.
When to Wear
Opulent Vanilla is the type of perfume that you can rock in any season and from dawn to dusk. In my opinion, it’s an ideal choice for intimate family gatherings or outings with friends.
Why Should You Buy
- Affordable dupe of Vanille 44.
- Tremendous projection.
- Sleek flacon.
- Detectable notes.
4. Tabacco Toscano Santa Maria Novella
Top Notes: Tobacco Leaf, Bergamot
Middle Notes: Amber, Birch, Leather
Base Notes: Vanilla, Sandalwood, Guaiac Wood, Cedar, Musk
If you want a bold and seductive alternative to Vanille 44 I suggest you try Tabacco Toscano by Santa Maria Novella. Moreover, I think it can be an amazing gift for your partner.
Tabacco Toscano opens with a warm, rich, and smoky hint of tobacco, and the citrusy aura of bergamot gives a unique touch.
In the middle, it radiates a lovely and softening vibe of amber. Plus, I could smell the woody aroma of birch, which adds a virile touch to the scent.
As it dries down, the fragrance base flourishes with the vanilla sensation, and a creamy- wooded sandalwood edge complements it. Later, guaiac wood and cedar gradually came to light. However, I couldn’t find any musky whiff at this stage.
It’s not wise to verdict on how long a perfume lasts without using it for a while. I rarely use Tabacco Toscano, but my brother mostly uses it. So, from his experience, it lasts for a moderate amount of time, and the projection is generous.
When to Wear
The dark aura of Tabaco Toscano greatly fits the freezing temperatures. It suits the night ambiance well and can be your viable option for a romantic getaway.
Why Should You Buy
- Warm and sensual vibe.
- Over 6+ hours of longevity.
- Satisfactory price point.
- Lovely blend of tobacco, vanilla, and smoky notes.
- Complex and interesting dry-down.
5. Bo Liis
Top Notes: Elemi, Tobacco Leaves
Middle Notes: Redwood Pine, Incense
Base Notes: Guaiac Wood, Cedar, Vanilla Beans
In my view, Bo by Liis is a clone of Vanille 44. After using them, I could barely differentiate one from the other.
Bo infuses a balsamic and earthy tobacco smell at the top. You might wonder how it is a Le Labo Vanille 44 dupe if the opening isn’t the same as the citrusy notes aren’t present here. The tangy hint of the original is relatively short-lived, which I think is ignorable.
In moments, in the core, redwood pine and incense collaborate to release a smoky and woody sensation. I find the heart aroma incredible.
Finally, in the dry-down, the perfume amplifies the timbering aura due to having guaiac wood and cedar in the base. Plus, an airy and delicate touch of vanilla becomes very prominent over time.
It stays over 10 hours for me, and the sillage is massive. Also, the projection of this eternal beauty always gets me many compliments from strangers.
When to Wear
In my view, Bo by Liis suffices for any season. Plus, you can pull off this beauty from morning to midnight effortlessly.
Why Should You Buy
- Closest replica of Vanille 44.
- Excellent longevity.
- Room-filling projection.
- Impressive sillage.
- Ideal for both male and female.
- Beautiful ivory flacon.
- Flattering sensation.
- Woody and mystic dry-down.
Final Remarks
Vanille 44 is one of the iconic perfumes by Le Labo. However, the brand didn’t disclose the notes breakdown of this soul-seizing unique aura. Hence, finding the appropriate Substitutes for it was significantly demanding.
Thus, I did a focused analysis and included some outstanding alternatives to Vanille 44 Paris Le Labo, and I am confident that you will be satisfied with their performances.
Sayonara!