A truly divisive vanilla that either hits the mark for a 'skin but better' woody vanilla or totally misses it, smelling like bitter pencil shavings or cat litter. If you're after a grown-up, non-cloying vanilla with a spicy kick, this might be your jam - just be ready for the initial pepper blast.

Vanilla Bare matches Phlur Vanilla Skin's soft, skin-like vanilla-musk signature closely, built at 35% extrait for stronger projection than the original's Eau de Parfum. The mandarin-pink pepper opening and cashmere musk base track well, though it reads slightly less diffuse and 'skin scent' than Phlur's minimalist original.