Maison Tahité Sel_Vanille Review (David Maruitte) 2020 + “Love you like salt” Draw

 

 Maison Tahite Sel_Vanille review

Maison Tahite Sel_Vanille backround @molnj via unsplash, photo collage by Nicoleta

 

“There was once a king who had several daughters. To the first, he said, “How do you love me?”

“I love you as sugar,” said she.

To the next, he said, “And how do you love me?”

“I love you as honey,” said she.

To the third, he said, “And how do you love me?”

“I love you as sherbet,” said she.

To the last and youngest he said, “And how do you love me?”

“I love you as salt,” said she.

Source: Charles Swynnerton: Folk-Tales from the Upper Indus

 

 

 

Three daughters of King Lear by Gustav Pope painting

Maison Tahité has picked one of the most versatile and complex notes to base its fragrant portfolio on – vanilla. Having sweet, spicy, powdery, balsamic, woody, or floral undertones, this “queen of spices” comes from orchids of the genus Vanilla, (V. planifolia). Its name, derived from “vainilla”, is the diminutive of the Spanish word vaina (meaning a sheath or a pod). This “little pod” of wonders – that can grow up to ten meters – contains the second most expensive spice in the world, after saffron. Even though there are over 100 species of the vanilla genus, distributed from latitudes 27°N to 27°S around the world, only a few varieties are aromatic and useful for spice production, and only 3 cultivated on a larger scale: Vanilla planifolia, also known as V. fragrans (more commonly known as Bourbon vanilla -after the former name of Réunion, Île Bourbon); V. pompona (known as Vanillon, originally found in the West Indies, Central America, and South America, with strong notes of coumarin) and V. tahitensis(French Polynesia, Papua New Guinea). If you want to go more in-depth about vanilla in perfumery, follow this CaFleureBon article.

 

Maison Tahité perfume reviews Vanillade, VanXstasym Floranilla, Vanilla²

Maison Tahité  (Officine Creative Profumi) perfume samples – photo by Nicoleta

Maison Tahité has 5 vanilla “daughters”:

VaneXtasy a.k.a. “love you like caramel”: a milky, coconutty, caramel-infused experience with a sensual sandalwood & cedarwood background

Vanilla² a.k.a. “love you like pralines”: a deep gourmand, with an extra sweet dimension of delicious praline, balanced by a relaxing talcum powder note

Floranilla a k.a. “love you like flowers”: an iris, violet & heliotrope bouquet, laced with myrrh and vetiver

Vanillade a.k.a. “love you like citronade”: citrus peel, coconut flower, musk, patchouli, and benzoin

Offering us both the salt of what we need and the sugar of what we desire, comes Maison Tahité Sel_Vanille, my favorite from the range.

 

Maison Tahité – Officine Creative Profumi Sel_Vanille

Maison Tahité Sel_Vanille, official photo

If I were to have a bespoke perfume created for me, the first choice (without blinking) would be a perfume that smells like the sea. Not just any sea, mind you – but precisely the very specific smellscape of the Black Sea in winter, on a stormy day when the sea is green-dark, and the sky hangs close and heavy as a lead shield. Strangely enough (but not really – as for us, Eastern Europeans, happiness is quite conflictual and complicated) this is the smell of being safe and sound – the salty smell of salt crystals in my windswept hair, head buried in a knitted scarf, shivering, icy sand in my teeth, frozen but happy to be home.

As quarantine is re-rewriting distances and blurs the reachable areas of our maps, I was grateful that Sel_Vanille is as close enough a trip to the sea as I can get right now. The waves in Maison Tahité is calm, green, and cold. The sea salt acts as a magnifying glass, held in the sun, bringing new and surprising facets to light:  the salt crystals mix in the air with the creamy and heady aroma of jasmine, emphasizing its intense and carnal quality. Further on, the wind carries the salt on to the soft vanilla clouds, giving them a new sweet-salty buttery texture; the sage quickly counterbalances the gourmand slide into sugary pleasantness with its herbal bitterness, and keeps the scenery cold,  giving an almost icy -minty prick to the nostrils and an overall sharp cooling presence.  After the long walk on the beach, the fragrance warms slightly, with a cedar and smoky vanilla “welcome home” evening embrace.

Notes: Sage, Jasmine, Aquatic notes, Marine notes, Vanilla, Cedarwood

Nicoleta Tomsa, Editor

Disclosure: Bottle kindly provided by Maison Tahité, opinions are my own

Editor’s Note: For Maison Tahité – Officine Creative Perfumes sustainability is a main objective, as is respecting the environment: they use recycled cardboard, vegetable glue, and paper made from almond shells. Also, in every package you will find a plantable card: a small gesture to make a flower bloom and offer a symbolic yet concrete contribution to making the planet a better place.

 

Maison Tahite Sel_Vanille perfume review

Maison Tahité Sel_Vanille, photo by Nicoleta

Thanks to the generosity of Maison Tahité Officine Creative Profumi we have 100 ml of Maison Tahité Sel_Vanille for one registered reader in the EU, USA and UK.

OR YOU MAY ENTER FOR THE DISCOVERY SET of all 5. 

To be eligible, please leave a comment saying what sparks your interest based on Nicoleta’s review, if you would like the 100 ml of Maison Tahité Sel_Vanille or the discovery set and where you live. If you haven’t registered do so here. Draw closes 12/7/2020

We announce the winners only on our site and on our Facebook page, so like Çafleurebon and use our blog feed… or your dream prize will be just spilled perfume

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94 comments

  • Gabriel Garcia Leyva says:

    Totally enlightening about the vanilla effects!
    Late in life I became a fan of vanilla, and after a trip to the west indies, I have been looking for a perfect salty scent!
    Thanks
    Las Vegas

  • Alistair Napper says:

    The thing that most sparked my interest in Nicoleta’s review was the way Nicoleta describes the journey that Sel_Vanille seems to take you on, a winters day, cool but hints of aromatic freshness and then the warming vanilla towards the end to remind you, you are home and can get all cosy again. I would like the opportunity to win the 100ml of Maison Tahité Sel_Vanille and I live in the U.K.

  • audesko1 says:

    I like how Nicoleta talked about her love for the Black Sea and her bespoke fragrance being a stormy day at the black Sea. The fragrances of Maison Tahite sound beautiful with all of the different vanillas. I would love a discovery set if I win. Thank you. USA

  • Brad Woolslayer says:

    The idea of an authentic aquatic fragrance that effectively uses vanilla sounds like an interesting concept to check out. I enjoyed Nicoleta’s description of the sea in her review. I would love to have the 100 ml bottle of Sel_Vanille. I live in Maryland USA.

  • phoenixad says:

    nice information about vanilla didnt know it was that expensive ingredient. Since im not a big fan of gourmands id go with the option of sel_vanille. Im in search of aquatics also.
    Im from GREECE

  • AleksCipri says:

    I love Nicoleta’s description of this perfume. I really love discovery sets but since I really like testing several things from the brand before committing to full bottles, but for the purpose of the giveaway I have to pick the full bottle of Maison Tahité Sel_Vanille. I can completely imagine how this perfume can transport us to the sea when we can’t go in real life due to covid. On top of that you add jasmine which I also love and a hint of vanilla…must be a perfect combo!I’m from Illinois US.

  • Mary Ann says:

    I really am impressed that a perfume can make Nicoleta feel like she’s at the sea. I like sweet and salty food so I would like the 100 ml ml bottle please! USA

  • INYA says:

    Nicoleta’s love for the Black Sea was touching. And I also learned about all of the different kinds of vanilla. If lucky, I’d truly enjoy the bottle of Sel_Vanille. Thanks for the opportunity! Mich USA

  • Brian says:

    I appreciated learning more about vanilla. I’ve been to the Black Sea and the Sea of Marmara before; I think that it would be interesting if this fragrance could remind me of the Black Sea. I appreciate learning about this fragrance house. If I win the draw then I might choose the 100 ml. bottle of Sel_Vanille, even though I’d like to see what the discovery set is like. I live in MD., U.S.A.

  • Trinity33 says:

    I’m not a fan of bakery sweet vanilla perfumes so the salt centric Maison Tahite Sel Vanille sounds perfect for me. The bitterness of the sage seems to give it a cooling, melancholy vibe. The cedar and smoky vanilla reminds me of a beach in the Pacific NW. I would love the bottle of Maison Tahite Sel Vanille. Commenting from MD, USA.

  • chatoncharmant says:

    Have also been searching for a salty seaside fragrance for some time, but a vanilla pairing never would have occurred to me! Have also never visited the Black Sea, but hoping the bottle of Sel_Vanille would serve as a placeholder until travel is back on the agenda. Writing from WI USA

  • gtrill says:

    My best friend is on a quest to find the perfect vanilla fragrance for her, this review makes this line sound like such a unique array of vanillas, I can’t think of a better way for her to figure our her spirit vanilla scent than this discovery set! Thanks from California!

  • zibbyz says:

    Oh i love the idea of a safe haven from a stormy sea! This vanilla sounds so nice and not too sweet! I would love the bottle of sel vanille, and I’m in the us. Theo you fire the draw and the review!

  • NiceVULady says:

    I truly enjoyed the descriptive elements of Nicoleta’s review. I love vanilla in so many aspects. This is a new one for me. I also appreciate the use of sustainable packaging. Many thanks to Nicoleta for a most informative review and many thanks to Maison Tahité Officine Creative Profumi fo making this draw possible. I would love the 100 ml of Maison Tahité Sel_Vanille should I win. I’m in the USA

  • Dami says:

    I loved the description of this fragrance – a scent that evokes a dark, stormy sea that is obscure, yet familiar. I also really like the idea of a salty vanilla scent. Given the option, I’d love to win the 100 ml bottles of Sel_Vanille. I am in the USA.

  • Roberta says:

    What an interesting combo of notes, all of them! I loved your imagery of a wintery Black Sea landscape. It made me home sick for a place I’ve never been! I would love the discovery set. USA

  • wildevoodoo says:

    Although all of the ‘vanilla daughters’ sound interesting to me, Sel_Vanille seems to me to be both the most interesting and the most wearable. The salt mingling with the jasmine sounds absolutely stunning, as does the sage counteracting the buttery gourmand vanilla in the drydown. I’d love to win the 100ml bottle of Sel_Vanille. I am in the US!

  • Claumarchini says:

    I love Nicoleta’s description of a winter day on the Black Sea, and of how Sel_Vanille’s notes unveil and develop! I would like to get to know all the king’s daughters so if I won I’d go for the discovery set. I live in Italy.

  • impromptu1992 says:

    This sounds like an intriguing fragrant journey. I’m intrigued by the balance of herbal bitterness and cool sweetness. 100ml
    From Texas with Love
    Xoxo

  • zacharyari23 says:

    The itch to take a vacation hasn’t really started to hit me until recently, and Nicoleta’s review sounds like this salty vanilla mix of beauty might help take us there. I learned a few things about vanilla today! If I were to pick, I would go for the 100 ml Sel_Vanille. Writing from Colorado. Thanks!

  • Juan_hernan says:

    I really liked how this fragrance is modeled not just after any sea but the smell of the black sea on stormy day in the winter. I really love hearing the raison d’etre behind fragrances. That really piqued my interest. If I won, I would like to receive the 100 ml of Maison Tahité Sel Vanille. I live in the US.

  • chrisskins says:

    Generally I like my vanilla straight up but this sounds dreamy. I’d like people to say, “Hey, who’s that chick who smells like the Black Sea?” This one makes me want to walk straight ahead then abruptly turn to confront my own sillage. I’d like the 100 ml of Maison Tahité Sel_Vanille. I live in NY.

  • Tveta says:

    Hmm, this one seems like a perfect balance between the sugar and the salt, reminiscent of a winter sea with all its’ beauty.
    Please count me in for the bottle as it looks like something one would not get enough of… I am in Europe. Thank you!

  • Amaziz89 says:

    As quarantine is re-rewriting distances and blurs the reachable areas of our maps, I was grateful that Sel_Vanille is as close enough a trip to the sea as I can get right now. The waves in Maison Tahité is calm, green, and cold. The sea salt acts as a magnifying glass, held in the sun, bringing new and surprising facets to light: the salt crystals mix in the air with the creamy and heady aroma of jasmine, emphasizing its intense and carnal quality. Further on, the wind carries the salt on to the soft vanilla clouds, giving them a new sweet-salty buttery texture; the sage quickly counterbalances the gourmand slide into sugary pleasantness with its herbal bitterness, and keeps the scenery cold, giving an almost icy -minty prick to the nostrils and an overall sharp cooling presence. After the long walk on the beach, the fragrance warms slightly, with a cedar and smoky vanilla “welcome home” evening embrace.

    Notes: Sage, Jasmine, Aquatic notes, Marine notes, Vanilla, Cedarwood. A beautiful description by Nicoleta takes us on a journey is what fragrance is meant to do. I am intrigued by by the warm and cozy facets of this fragrance especially cedar and vanilla in the basenotes. Just in case I win I would love the 100 ml bottle. Thanks a million from the United Kingdom

  • Ozzyaziz says:

    If I were to have a bespoke perfume created for me, the first choice (without blinking) would be a perfume that smells like the sea. Not just any sea, mind you – but precisely the very specific smellscape of the Black Sea in winter, on a stormy day when the sea is green-dark, and the sky hangs close and heavy as a lead shield. Strangely enough (but not really – as for us, Eastern Europeans, happiness is quite conflictual and complicated) this is the smell of being safe and sound – the salty smell of salt crystals in my windswept hair, head buried in a knitted scarf, shivering, icy sand in my teeth, frozen but happy to be home.

    As quarantine is re-rewriting distances and blurs the reachable areas of our maps, I was grateful that Sel_Vanille is as close enough a trip to the sea as I can get right now. The waves in Maison Tahité is calm, green, and cold. The sea salt acts as a magnifying glass, held in the sun, bringing new and surprising facets to light: the salt crystals mix in the air with the creamy and heady aroma of jasmine, emphasizing its intense and carnal quality. Further on, the wind carries the salt on to the soft vanilla clouds, giving them a new sweet-salty buttery texture; the sage quickly counterbalances the gourmand slide into sugary pleasantness with its herbal bitterness, and keeps the scenery cold, giving an almost icy -minty prick to the nostrils and an overall sharp cooling presence. After the long walk on the beach, the fragrance warms slightly, with a cedar and smoky vanilla “welcome home” evening embrace. I am fascinated by sugar and salt balance in this fragrance and the imagery of the black sea adds extra depth to this concoction. If I am lucky to win I would love the 100 ml bottle. Thanks a lot from the UK

  • RobertQ says:

    What interests me most about the review was the perspective into nicoletas idea if she were to have a bespoke scent and how the scent would smell like , its something we all think about I’m sure. So its interesting to see what others would pick as their choice for a personal scent.

    I’d love to win the 100 ml of Maison Tahité Sel_Vanille

    USA.

  • Niinocka says:

    Great review. As an Eastern European I can very well relate to the concept of happiness as described by Nicoleta. 🙂 Since I love the vanilla scent and being in exploring mood, I would love to get acquainted with all 5 “vanilla” daughters. 🙂 I live in the EU (Slovenija).

  • Bryant Worley says:

    What I liked about Nicoleta’s review was, first,the poem, then the highlighting of the 5 “daughters”, two of which – Floranilla and Vanillade are must trys.

    I would like to win Maison Tahité Sel_Vanille, as it sounds so good.

    I live in Waldorf, MD, USA.

  • Bryant Worley says:

    What I liked about Nicoleta’s review was, first,the poem, then the highlighting of the 5 “daughters”, two of which – Floranilla and Vanillade are must trys. and finally ”
    Maison Tahité Sel_Vanille
    I would like to win Maison Tahité Sel_Vanille, as it sounds so good, and then this: ⁷”
    As quarantine is re-rewriting distances and blurs the reachable areas of our maps, I was grateful that Sel_Vanille is as close enough a trip to the sea as I can get right now. The waves in Maison Tahité is calm, green, and cold. The sea salt acts as a magnifying glass, held in the sun, bringing new and surprising facets to light: the salt crystals mix in the air with the creamy and heady aroma of jasmine, emphasizing its intense and carnal quality. Further on, the wind carries the salt on to the soft vanilla clouds, giving them a new sweet-salty buttery texture; the sage quickly counterbalances the gourmand slide into sugary pleasantness with its herbal bitterness, and keeps the scenery cold, giving an almost icy -minty prick to the nostrils and an overall sharp cooling presence. After the long walk on the beach, the fragrance warms slightly, with a cedar and smoky vanilla “welcome home” evening embrace.

    I live in Waldorf, MD, USA.

  • Sorohan Adriana says:

    I love vanilla! I am addicted to vanilla!
    I like how Nicoleta describes the journey that Sel_Vanille seems to take you on, a winters day, cool but hints of aromatic freshness and then the warming vanilla towards the end to remind you, you are home and can get all cosy again.
    I would like the opportunity to win the 100ml of Maison Tahité Sel_Vanille. I am from Eu Bucharest Romania Europe

  • Sonbahia says:

    Love the sea salt smell… as I lived in northeastern Brazil… there is the mix of this smell with the coconut instead vanilla… Do you know the word vanille comes form the spanish word “vaina” means pod… so “vainilla” is the small pod. I would love the chance to win the 100ml of Maison Tahité Sel_Vanille and I live in Spain.

  • Loredana Ciuperca says:

    I’d love to try a unique fragrance like Sel Vanille! Nicoleta’s review and the comparison with a stormy day at black sea bring back memories of my childhood!
    Dublin

  • Camelcutza says:

    I am very interested in smelling this perfume because I too have very fond childhood memories of the scent surrounding the Black Sea. Although I think Nicoleta left out one very important note, the one of fried fish that was everywhere
    I would love to win Sel_Vanille and I live in Romania, Europe.

  • Vahagn says:

    Thanks for review, Nicoleta!!
    Sounds amazing vanilla with salty notes!! I am fun of vanilla, but if it not pure confectionery vanilla.
    USA

  • Corina R says:

    This is a complete article that stimulates all senses. Sweet and sour in a perfume,what should I want more as a gourmand?

  • Pop Tamara Dolores says:

    Very intresting articole,i love vanilie,i am curiosi about it various interpretation.I gould like the oportunități to win the 100ml of Maison Tavita Sel_Vanille and i live in Romania.

  • Vanillander65 says:

    She definitely had me at “this is the smell of being safe and sound”. In this uncertain time, we need to feel safe, so vanilla will be the hug that helps us heal our pain and the sea with the salty air will always give us the feeling of freedom and calm our minds.
    I would like the 100 ml of Maison Tahité Sel_Vanille. Thank you for this review! EU here.

  • Joleene says:

    Given the fact that I originate from a city very close to the Black Sea, I would love to try Sel Vanille and compare it with the sea scent I know and love. I am also intrigued by a combination of such differing notes – salt and vanilla. Maybe this one will make me incorporate vanilla more in my perfume wardrobe. ^^

    Bucharest, Romania

  • Alexandra says:

    As always cafleurbon’s writers provide us beautiful reviews. Nicoleta and I both have in common the love of Black Sea on a windy winter day. This thing really makes me courious about this specific scent. I would love to win Maison Tahité Sel_Vanille. I live in Romania.

  • Chivu Leila says:

    I am hooked. I would love a bottle of this Sel_Vanille, I would like to see if I get that safe and sound sensation that you describe so nice. And the vanilla, which I adore, always gives me an intimate feeling

  • GabrielaL says:

    “the salty smell of salt crystals in my windswept hair, head buried in a knitted scarf, shivering, icy sand in my teeth”: being Romanian and loving the sea, that sounds wonderful, interesting and makes me wanna try this fragrance. Thank you, Nicoleta, for this review! I would like the 100 ml of Maison Tahité Sel_Vanille.

  • chrystyna says:

    When I first read the name of the fragrance, and also the lines from the story, I thought about something very sweet and gourmand, but when I continued to read the whole review, everything turned upside down. I am very curious how can a vanilla salted fragrance smell like Black Sea in the winter. Congratulations for the review, Nicoleta! I live in Romania, and I’d like the 100 ml bottle. Thanks for the draw!

  • Jonpierce says:

    This fragrance sounds right up my alley! I am a retired Coast Guardsman and I would like a chance to win the 100ml Masion Tahite Sel_Vanille. I am a sucker for sea fragrances. After spending years on the ocean doing patrols I appreciate the fragrant smells the ocean brings. I am very intrigued by this fragrance and the description above talking about the green ocean on a stormy day is all to familiar to me. I was stationed in Astoria Oregon and we were in stormy conditions quite a bit. I am thankful for the opportunity to potential win the fragrance. Thank you.

  • Steve A. says:

    Always interested in any new vanilla fragrance and to have this be married to salt in some way, it’s exciting. I would like the bottle of Maison Tahite Sel Vanille if chosen. US

  • gianluca says:

    Rarely do I fall in love a vanilla scent (the only absolute exception for now is Kafka on the Shore). But with salt and vanilla from its origin? Oh how can I do away with my curiosity? (US)

  • marcopietro says:

    I love the sea in winter too and I find exciting to discover that there is a fragrance that can effectively evoke a walk on the beach on one of the current days. Clean and fresh air, the breeze and the salt duet while one walk comforted by a warm embrace of wool and vanilla. invigorating freedom and comfortable safety. Nice!
    I live in Italy, EU
    Thanks!

  • marcopietro says:

    Sorry, I forget an important part, my choice would be the Sel_Vanille full notte. Thanks!

  • mistabooker says:

    Vanilla is one of my favorite smells. I love the reference to the sea. It seems like it’s something that could help take away the winter blues her in NYC

  • Marina says:

    I love Nicoleta’s review. I like so much the beginning, that part from the Tales from the Upper Indus. It “sound” like the smell itself, u can imagine it from the story. Also I love vanilla fragrances, I’m so curious about that salty vanilla. Best regards from Bucharest! P.S. I would like the 100 ml of Maison Tahité Sel_Vanille ☺

  • Michael Lynady says:

    Wow, such a great description and a tough choice between the bottle or discovery set.
    The scent profile of Sel_Vanille and the mood it invokes would make me choose it if lucky enough to win.
    Pennsylvania USA

  • jundaasian says:

    The combination of the salty sea smell mixed with vanilla is a combination that I would really like to try for myself. I thought that that was very interesting to me. If I win, I would like the 100 ml of Maison Tahité Sel_Vanille. I live in Florida, US.

  • BostonScentGuy says:

    Salt meets vanilla sounds wonderful! I also love sage as well, so the idea that this balances sweet, salty, aromatic, and oceanic sounds good. Calone overload is one thing, but a well done, atmospheric “water” scent (i.e. Route de Quai by Monsillage) can be really affecting! I’d love to win the sample set, as a couple of these sound great. Thanks for the draw–I’m in the US.

  • WeAreScentient says:

    I’d love to smell this as I think/hope it will remind me of walks by the sea eating ice cream as a child, that salty sea air plus the creaminess of vanilla sounds beautiful! I also love the fact that they are being environmentally friendly with their packing. I’m in Dublin, Ireland & I would love the 100 ml of Maison Tahité Sel Vanille Bottle

  • jasubo says:

    Wow, loved the imagery evoked by her experience with this review. I know I would not get the same sensation, lacking experience and Dead Sea knowledge, but I would really like to try her favorite fragrance and see if it evokes any memories of past experiences as well.

    Personally, I’d be interested in trying for Maison Tahité Sel_Vanille. I live in Arizona, in the USA.

    Thank you for the opportunity.

  • CristinaMB says:

    Vanilla and salt sound like an unlikely couple and that is what makes it intriguing
    The full bottle would be lovely
    Europe/ Italy
    Thanks

  • supima says:

    “Smellscape of the Black Sea in winter, on a stormy day when the sea is green-dark, and the sky hangs close and heavy as a lead shield” Wow what a description! It really intrigued me!
    Would like the 100ml bottle!
    Florida, USA

  • patrick_348 says:

    What sparks my interest most is the opportunity to explore a fragrance that has only six listed notes, but apparently has an incredible complexity and nuance. I would take the 100 ml of Maison Tahite Sel_Vanille. I usually associate marine fragrances with summer, but this sounds like an autumn-winter-spring scent, and the countering of the sweetness of the vanilla with the sage sounds perfect. I live in the US, in North Carolina/

  • mila says:

    The story of my chidhood and the sea i love most. vanilla my love. wonderfully put together by Nicoleta.

  • Laurel says:

    I love vanilla and to use it and create something like a salty vanilla, it’s a step further, in my opinion. I have experienced salted caramel before, but salted vanilla it’s a first for me.

    European reader. Thank you!

  • ElenaChiss says:

    I see that this house is specialised in vanilla representations, having this note as the main one and everything moves around it. I think it’s a cool concept and my guess is that you can’t go wrong with either of them.

    I would love to win the bottle as I feel that combining the lush vanilla note with the salty watery notes, will offer a getaway fragrance!

    Europe

  • Osman says:

    Marine salty notes together with sweet vanilla sounds very intriguing.
    I would go for the bottle if I were the lucky winner. I am in Europe. Thank you very much!

  • Salem says:

    This dark, heavy, wintery “seascape” sounds really fantastic and Nicoleta described it in images that spark interest.
    I admire how balanced this fragrance seems to be. Not too harsh, but not sweet. Austere, but not depressing. I find the salt – vanilla duo is a great combo, while the jasmine and the cedar seem like a great addition.
    I am in the EU and would love to win the bottle.
    Thanks for the chance!

  • Jake Dauod says:

    I really enjoyed this review! The part that won me over was comparing this fragrance to the Black Sea on a stormy winters day. I quite like envisioning that scene and I can get a faint idea of what the perfume smells like from that. If I am lucky enough to win, I would love to try the 100ml bottle as it is the most intriguing of the fragrances from the line. Kind regards from Illinois, USA.

  • Flory89 says:

    Vanilla is such an interesting ingredient in perfumes and it has made history! Who doesn’t know Shalimar? I like how versatile this note is and, now, it is used together with salty marine aquatic notes to have a sweet and salty concoction.
    I would choose to bottle if I were to win.

    I am in Austria, Europe. Thanks!

  • Aura says:

    Nice review, I really appreciate that this brand uses sustainable materials! An aquatic salty vanilla fragrance is such a dream, it would take me to an imaginary trip to the North Sea.
    I would like to win the 100 ml of Maison Tahité Sel_Vanille.
    Greetings from the UK.

  • Valentina G says:

    Salt. So amazingly important. Think about it, it is the main character in the salty stuff, but also you need a touch of salt in the composition of almost all sweets. I adore gurmande perfumes and this one sounds like my type of pleasure 🙂 I would certainly want the whole bottle. Thank you, I am writing from Romania, EU

  • Dumi says:

    Nice to have a house that focuses on vanilla. I think that this note is a pillar in the fragrance game and many things can be built around it.
    If I were to win, I would choose the bottle. Europe. Thank you!

  • immortano26 says:

    I am just grateful, that Nicoleta reminded me how beautiful world was before this madness. I am Eastern European like Nicoleta, and sea is extremely important to as well. The sea is serenity, and that is something we all miss today. The notes of Sel Vanille are quite interesting, ould be nice to test it, maybe i’d have my own sea in a bottle. Poland, EU

  • ancarapcea says:

    I had the opportunity to smell this perfume and I can say that there is something familiar and warm in it;
    Tanks, (EU)

  • C K says:

    I enjoyed reading about the different types of vanilla as well as the 5 fragrances from the house using vanilla in different ways. I love vanilla and a number of the offerings sound great to me but when I went to the site I didn’t see U.S. shipping or the discovery set but perhaps I’m wrong? If I was to win I’d love the 100ml bottle of Sel_Vanille. It sounds like it may even be a nice vanilla in warmer weather and the contrasts are interesting as well. Thanks from CT USA for the generous draw.

  • elsaram says:

    I come from a country where there’s sea everywhere and access to the beach is really easy. Nicoleta’s description of the Black Sea brought to mind images of days and nights at the beach in the winter , when the weather is cold and there are black clouds looming over the waters but at the same time there’s something sweet in the air , like the candy floss that street vendors sell. Beautifully described indeed.

    If I win, I would like to get the 100ml bottle of Sel_Vanille.

    I am in Greece

  • ll grhm says:

    This drew me to Maison Tahité Sel_Vanille;”the salt crystals mix in the air with the creamy and heady aroma of jasmine, emphasizing its intense and carnal quality. Further on, the wind carries the salt on to the soft vanilla clouds, giving them a new sweet-salty buttery texture; the sage quickly counterbalances the gourmand slide into sugary pleasantness with its herbal bitterness, and keeps the scenery cold, giving an almost icy -minty prick to the nostrils and an overall sharp cooling presence. After the long walk on the beach, the fragrance warms slightly, with a cedar and smoky vanilla “welcome home” evening embrace.” If I won, I would chose the bottle of Maison Tahité Sel_Vanille over the discovery set, it does sound the more intriguing. I am in the US, thanks for the draw.

  • seanchen says:

    I really like the inspiration behind the fragrance. The stormy black sea sounds like something that would be really interesting to smell. Mixing that with vanilla sounds really really interesting. I would like to win the 100 ml of Maison Tahité Sel Vanille. I live in the US.

  • wallygator88 says:

    Thanks for the great review Nicoleta.

    Reading your review evoked memories of our weekend trips to the beach, where we would stop at the local McDonald’s to pick up a vanilla soft serve.
    Given, that this scent is not a gourmand, but the combination of these notes and your writeup just brought those fun memories to the front of my mind.

    I’m also deeply appreicative of the sustainable nature of this company.

    I would love to win the 100ml bottle of the Tahite Sel Vanille.

    Cheers from WI, USA

  • recursivemask says:

    Nicoleta does such a good job blending the history, biology, and scent of perfume together into one coherent whole. I’m in the US and I’d like the 100 ml.

  • Diana D says:

    How can you not love vanilla formulations? This one sounds so interesting with the marine/salty notes. I absolutely love this quote – Further on, the wind carries the salt on to the soft vanilla clouds, giving them a new sweet-salty buttery texture.
    If I win, I would definitely choose the full size bottle. It sounds incredible!
    I live in the USA.

  • GeoKan says:

    Beautiful tale in the beginning of the article, and Nicoleta’s review is very vivid and picturesque. I don’t like sweet fragrances, but I do like the salty, green, woody and smoky ones. This blend seems divine, and I would love to try Maison Tahité Sel_Vanille. Thank you for this draw. Greetings from Athens-Greece.

  • Princess Anna says:

    Salt in fragrances is a new developing obsession for me and the combination between sweet and salty in a fragrance sounds fantastic. Vanilla and sea sounds like a vacation on an exotic island, after a year of ordeal, a perfect scenery for clearing ones mind and if the travel ban doesn’t allow us to go on a trip, the imagination is unstoppable, with the right aroma. I currently live in Bucharest, Romania, and I would love the discovery set.

  • Southirina says:

    “Sarea-n bucate” is my favourite folktale since I was a kid. It always made me think of modesty and simplicity of life and what is really important.
    I would love to win a discovery set.
    Hugs from Romania

  • Linda says:

    Vanilla, which I love, in all its forms.
    Nice idea !!! I asked the maison if the samples set was available, but I received no response.
    Too bad, because I love discovering new scents.
    Linda – EU

  • jayne_nalanga says:

    -What sparks my interest is the many facets of vanilla! I have recently just discovered a LOVE for this note in fragrances and this article beckons to dig deeper into this love.
    -would love to own the discovery set!
    -in WA, USA this December

  • Sherin Thomas says:

    Lovely take on calming Vanilla note.
    I love to check out the discovery set. Thanks for the opportunity ! From PA, USA

  • xoe says:

    I love the way salt can modify a scent and a flavor. The whole vanilla line sounds really interesting, but I’m with Nicoleta on this salt one. So, if I win, I would like the 100 ml. I am in Kansas, USA.

  • doveskylark says:

    Nicoletta’s review made me think of the Black Sea. How magnificent it must be to walk along the shore in winter. I love that Maison Tahité Sel_Vanille refreshes and, at the end, warms us.
    I would choose the discovery set.
    I live in the USA.

  • wandering_nose says:

    What an amazing review by Nicoleta! Coming from a place on the sea I can much relate to the calm and so precious feeling of being home when sea breeze touches the face and the unmistakable scent of the sea reaches the nostrils. I have come to appreciate the beauty and depth of vanilla and love the idea of it being combined with aquatic and marine notes, therefore I would be delighted to win the 100ml bottle of Maison Tahité Sel_Vanille. Based in Ireland

  • kagent777 says:

    I also grew up near the sea, in Florida. I am certain this would be a very different sea scent than the beaches of Florida, color me interested. There are no beaches in Utah, where I am now.

  • alangordon says:

    What a poetic review of Sel_Vanille! A scent that conjures up the Black Sea sounds fascinating. Would like to try it with the others in the discovery set. California, USA

  • Shibics says:

    straight to the point, or should I say vanilla? :))
    I love Nicoleta’s reviews, as they are offer context [but not stuffy and long and complicated, so you’re never bored] and she speaks her mind about the fragrances she’s reviewing. Very beautiful the imagery of the sea in the winter – really curious about the smell, as I am not a lover of the seas.
    I’d like the whole 100 ml of saltiness vanilliness 🙂
    I live in Europe.

  • smm13 says:

    I liked how Nicoleta described each of the different takes on Vanilla, but how she described her love for the Black Sea at a particular moment was most fascinating to me having never seen it myself. I’d love to win the 100ml bottle of Maison Tahité Sel_Vanille to get a small taste for myself. I live in the USA.

  • vickalicious says:

    What a fantastic introduction to Maison Tahite! Vanilla is my favorite note in fragrance, and it’s great to know about these different takes on vanilla. Honestly, they all sound amazing! If I were to win I would choose the discovery set to experience them all. Thank you for the giveaway. USA.

  • theEfat7 says:

    Vanilla is a fascinating ingredient, even if we don’t take into account it’s long and interesting history, which Nicoleta was kind enough to introduce us to! The chemical complexity makes it incredibly versatile in fragrance, and yet it seems there is a neverending litany of trite gourmand vanillas. Sel_Vanille sounds like a unusual and interesting take on an age-old ingredient, and o would love to have a chance to test it out. I think it would work exceptionally well in the cold New York days where I live!

  • drjedi says:

    Maison Tahite Sel_Vanille seems to be a very different kind of fragrance, with aquatic notes, sage, jasmine, vanilla, and cedarwood. Enjoyed the tale of king and his four daughters, and the information about vanilla varieties. Thanks for the review and the draw. If I win the draw, I’d like to get the 100 ml bottle of Maison Tahite Sel_Vanille. I am writing from the USA.