On The Nose Perfumes Sainte Vanille review

On The Nose Perfumes Sainte Vanille via the brand

Imagine, if you will, that vanilla—the humble hero of the fragrance world, has found its calling, like a wanderer guided by a faint, enchanting light. Sainte Vanille is a natural perfume that feels like a spiritual experience. It’s as though vanilla attended a sacred ceremony, emerging with a depth and personality that transcends the ordinary. Sainte Vanille took me on an aromatic pilgrimage, where lovely, aged Madagascan vanilla tincture sits at the altar, embraced by the sacred companions of Frankincense Rivae and myrrh absolute. This fragrance is truly a hymn that flows through the senses, elevating and grounding at once.

Vanilla via the brand

On The Nose Perfumes Sainte Vanille opens with an aged, handmade Madagascan vanilla tincture; the fragrance welcomes me warmly. It’s rich and inviting; the intoxicating aroma of pure vanilla envelops me. But what takes this journey to sublime heights is the twist of clove-derived vanillin, which adds a touch of creamy, smoky spice that unfurls with the vanilla, lending depth and character through its undertones. The opening is immediate without being performative.

Sainte Vanille Mood Board

Now, let’s get to the heart of Sainte Vanille, which is where things get really intriguing. The inclusion of Frankincense Rivae (aka sweet frankincense) invites a welcome divine aspect, whispering wisdom from ancient lands and guiding my senses through a mélange of spice and warmth. A retreat where incense smoke curls lazily through the air, mingling with the sweetness of myrrh absolute that reflects the school of invocation. But it doesn’t stop there, the addition of the finest ethereal notes of rose and the complex, fruity, leather of osmanthus weaves in delicately alongside iris, sensual jasmine, and bright, tangy kumquat. This exquisitely crafted combination by Gabrielle Durand feels like an artist’s brush on a canvas, creating a picture that is both definitive and serene, nurturing but never overwhelming.

Perfumer Gabrielle Durand via the brand

” I wanted to explore what happens when the warmth of Madagascan vanilla steps into a sacred, incense-filled space and allows itself to be transmuted. The supporting accords (leather, polished wood, altar flowers, citrus glow, and earthy musks) became the ornamentation that carries this inner transformation outward.”

On The Nose Perfumes Sainte Vanille’s earthy base of Cyprian labdanum and Galbanum resin not only grounds the fragrance but also adds a balsamic green snap, reminding me of the beauty found in deep roots, the kind that thrive. A psychological anchor, a fragrant omen to keep my feet on the ground while my spirit aspires to the ethereal. I asked Gabrielle what the trickiest material was to work with while creating Sainte Vanille.

Galbanum via the brand

“The trickiest material was the very green galbanum resinoid. I wanted a vivid blast of green in the incense accord, but I didn’t want it to dominate as the fragrance unfolded.” Gabrielle Durand, Founder/Perfumer at On The Nose Perfumes.

As I wore Sainte Vanille, it felt like a gentle veil, adding to and elevating my own essence. In my mind’s eye, I envisioned serene temples where incense burns and sacred chants fill the air—an invitation to probe deeper into my innermost self, while feeling wrapped in nature’s finest offerings. In the clutter of life, where my senses often drown in the mundane, Sainte Vanille was like a muse for me, a gentle reminder to find beauty in my own daily rituals, to indulge in those sacred moments. Sainte Vanille can transform each day, making every inhale a moment of gratitude.

So, if you catch a whiff of this sacred nectar, welcome it. Let it flow over you and remember: It’s about undertaking a journey of the senses, one that grounds while allowing your spirit to soar. Why not allow yourself to pursue this worship-worthy vanilla into a world of depth, richness, and divine discovery?

Notes: aged Madagascan vanilla tincture, vanillin extracted from cloves, frankincense rivae, myrrh absolute, cyprian labdanum, galbanum resin, kumquat, osmanthus, rose, iris, jasmine, and elemi.

Sandi Lundberg, Senior Contributor

Disclosure: Sandi received a Discovery for review, thoughts and words are her own.

Please visit On The Nose Perfumes Online Shop and support our Artisan Perfumers.

Thanks to the generosity of On The Nose Perfumes, we have a 15 ml bottle (a $140 value) of Sainte Vanille to give away to a lucky, randomly selected registered reader in the Continental USA. You must register for your entry to be counted. To be eligible, please comment on what sparks your interest in Sandi’s review, Draw closes 11/26/2025

Please read Gabrielle Durand’s Profile in American Perfumery. Gabrielle is also a Guest Contributor for Cafleurebon: Notes from the lab. Ida’s review of Thorny Issue, and Honey Trap, Sandi’s review of Solar Flair. Gabrielle is featured in our Natural Perfumery Next Gen Article

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