Vanilla Powder by Matière Première is everything I want vanilla to be and none of the things I can’t stand. This is not a cupcake or sugary dessert. This is vanilla draped in ambered warmth, soft and intimate like the scent of skin that’s been resting in sunshine and silk. It’s velvety, woody, gently musky—a golden hour blanket you wear on your body.
I usually struggle with powdery notes, but this isn’t baby-powder or makeup-bag floral. This is clean, grounded, and almost resinous. Like Le Labo’s Labdanum 18 and Heretic Parfum's Dirty Vanilla had a quiet, glowy child and she reads poetry at dusk with incense.
I’ve layered it with Heretic's Dirty Amber, TFs Oud Wood, Serge Lutens La Fille de Berlin—and it never overpowers. It just makes everything feel deeper, quieter, warmer. It’s perfect alone too, especially on overcast days or when I want to feel like I’m in a protective cocoon.
Also: buying from Libertine is always incredible.
Their shipping is fast, their packaging is thoughtful and luxe, and they always spoil you with samples—which I deeply appreciate as someone with a very specific nose. I keep coming back not just for the perfume, but for the care behind it.
This one’s become an instant staple. If you love amber, skin musk, and vanillas that feel more intimate than edible, you’ll fall hard for this.