Maison Tahite Carnal Cacao Eau de Parfum is a more floral fragrance with a gourmand leaning, but it was significantly less cocoa-driven compared to other scents from the brand that focus on this note. For me, it was largely floral with tuberose amplifying the strength and longevity of neroli but between mandarine and neroli, the florals seemed more orange blossom-like overall. The drydown saw slight spiced, warmer woodiness but it was still fairly floral and didn’t have massive shifts from opening to drydown.

Carnal Cacao Notes

It is described as “tuberose meets the gourmand sensuality of cocoa.” It includes the notes:

• top notes: mandarine, CO2 LMR Red Pepper
• heart notes: tuberose absolute (India), neroli essential oil (Tunisia)
• base notes: cocoa absolute, ambroxan, mosses

What does Carnal Cacao Smell Like?

It opened with a ripe, juicy burst of mandarin orange, dripping in the heat of late spring with sweet orange blossoms dancing in the background. After 10 minutes, soft tuberose added hazy, diffused white floral facets with the sweetened neroli blossoms. It remained linear from here through the next two hours. The cocoa absolute seemed to add some body and depth but wasn’t really detectable as “cocoa” to my nose.

While the tuberose was clearly there, it worked to support the intensity of the overall floral facets of neroli, which can often weaken over time, but instead, Carnal Cacao’s neroli blossom lingered and lingered, well past the four-hour mark. There was a subtle, darker sweetness–maybe amber, maybe cocoa, too blended for me to pick apart–that weighed down the florals slightly.

After seven hours, the base notes seemed to strengthen and led to a drydown that was lightly spiced, resinous, and woody with more blurred and blended tuberose and neroli floral facets.

Longevity

It lasted for five hours until it was a skin-scent and about eight hours before it was quite difficult to detect on my skin. The sillage and projection were moderate with the sillage dropping faster than the projection within the first hour of wear.

Personal Notes

I was surprised at how the cocoa note translated in this scent, whether it was weak or more supportive, I couldn’t quite put my finger on it, but I definitely expected more of it to come through. Given that I am not drawn to highly floral scents, particularly white florals, this didn’t end up being a winner for me, but it was no hardship to wear by any means.

These are more subjective feelings based on what I like (or don’t like) in a perfume as well as considering the fragrance against other perfumes I own and love.

Testing Methodology

For testing, I used 1/3 of a 0.7ml sample vial dabbed to the underside and topside of my wrist area. I used an unscented moisturizer prior to applying the scent as I found scent did not hold well here otherwise.

I purchased my sample in January 2022; fragrances are known to be reformulated over their lifetime, so be mindful of when a review was made, e.g. a review from 2010 may not reflect what the same-named perfume smells like in 2022.

Availability

Carnal Cacao is available for $120/100ml.

If possible, I highly recommend trying a fragrance before purchasing a full bottle because fragrance can wear differently just because of skin chemistry. Skin chemistry can effect not just the longevity of a fragrance but also what notes are prominent or hidden.

Carnal Cacao Samples

We recommend the following retailers for purchasing decanted samples (typically 0.7ml to 2ml in size). This is a fuller list, so individual availability may depend on inventory.

• Jovoy Paris
• LuckyScent
• Scent Split
• Twisted Lily

Where to Buy

• LuckyScent

Maison Tahite Carnal Cacao Perfume Review

Maison Tahite Carnal Cacao Perfume Review

Maison Tahite VaneXstasy Eau de Parfum was a milky caramel–somewhat coconutty, sort of vanilla–but almost entirely a barely-there cloud of subtle sweetness for its entire duration on my skin. This was a scent I had to test multiple times because it was so short-wearing and hard to detect within minutes of application!

VaneXstasy Notes

It is described as being “immersed in the millennia-old scents of vanilla absolute and precious and sensual sandalwood.” Here are the notes:

• top notes: coconut milk and caramel accord
• heart notes: vanilla absolute, balsam of Peru essential oil
• base notes: sandalwood essential oil, cedarwood essential oil

What does VaneXstasy Smell Like?

It opened with warm, boozy vanilla–not overly sugary or cake-like–softened with swirls of coconut milk and a diffusion of caramel. There was a lightness to the scent, even in those opening moments, where I wondered if I did not apply enough. The caramel became the most distinctive, slightly ahead of vanilla and coconut milk.

There was little progression from the opening moments through the drydown; the changes were quite minute, and the fragrance itself seemed particularly weak–and less of a preference so much as an objective point to make. I tried it on two separate occasions (totally different days) because the opening was intense for about a minute or two and then so soft and hazy that it made for more challenging work to discern notes and shifts over time. I didn’t find it was any better the second time around with nearly six sprays from the branded sample spray (from their discovery set).

It was primarily milky caramel, slightly sweet and honey-like rather than really dark and caramelly, with wafts of vanilla and a perfume-like facet–enough to prevent it from being photorealistic, which I imagine was the addition of balsam and woods, at best. The drydown was less milky, sort of woodier but so subtle even with my nose pressed up against my skin.

Longevity

It lasted for a half hour until it was a skin-scent and about three hours before it was quite difficult to detect on my skin. The sillage and projection were almost minimal from a few minutes after application!

Personal Notes

I’ve had really lovely wear experiences with other scents from this fragrance house, so the weakness of this scent was unexpected and certainly made for a more forgettable experience!

These are more subjective feelings based on what I like (or don’t like) in a perfume as well as considering the fragrance against other perfumes I own and love.

Testing Methodology

For testing, I tried using three sprays from the discovery set sample vial and then a second test using six sprays from the same vial. I used an unscented moisturizer prior to applying the scent as I found scent did not hold well here otherwise.

I purchased my sample in January 2022; fragrances are known to be reformulated over their lifetime, so be mindful of when a review was made, e.g. a review from 2010 may not reflect what the same-named perfume smells like in 2022.

Availability

VaneXstasy is available for $120/100ml.

If possible, I highly recommend trying a fragrance before purchasing a full bottle because fragrance can wear differently just because of skin chemistry. Skin chemistry can effect not just the longevity of a fragrance but also what notes are prominent or hidden.

VaneXstasy Samples

We recommend the following retailers for purchasing decanted samples (typically 0.7ml to 2ml in size). This is a fuller list, so individual availability may depend on inventory.

• Jovoy Paris
• LuckyScent
• Scent Split
• Twisted Lily

Where to Buy

• LuckyScent

Maison Tahite VaneXstasy Perfume Review

Maison Tahite VaneXstasy Perfume Review

Maison Tahite Vanillade teases with an opening of citrus and almond, but it ends up a mostly linear fragrance that is centered around creamy vanilla; it vacillates between creamier and milkier, sweeter and slightly nutty, and eventually, in the drydown, slightly more of a spiced vanilla.

Vanillade Notes

It is described as a mix of “citrus fruits, sweet flowers, and resins” with “hints of patchouli and benzoin.” These are the notes:

• top notes: citrus peel, almond flower, coconut flower
• heart notes: vanilla flower, vanilla
• base notes: patchouli, benzoin resinoid, vanilla, musks

What does Vanillade Smell Like?

It opened with a touch of acetone mixed with bitter citrus and creamy almond. The acetone facet receded after a minute, which left behind a soft, citrus floral scent that had a creaminess to it. The fragrance became creamier, milkier, and more vanilla over the next 15 minutes with more of a hint of citrus but vanilla was, as expected, the star and the citrus was really just an opening act.

The first two and a half hours were when the vanilla was smooth, creamy, and milky with a hint of citrus that faded and left behind a subtle almondy facet. After that, which was more in the drydown given the short duration this lasted on me, where the almond faded and the vanilla grew slightly darker and sweeter with a subtle spice to it.

Longevity

It lasted for three hours until it was a skin-scent and about six hours before it was quite difficult to detect on my skin. The sillage and projection were quite light from the beginning.

Personal Notes

It was a more linear, straight-forward scent that was mostly vanilla and cream with a hint of resinous sweetness that kept it from being sugary-sweet, though it was quite gourmand and a bit like vanilla ice cream at times. For me, the lack of longevity on my skin, even as a skin scent, was a deal-breaker, and for vanilla fragrances, I still prefer Loree Rodkin’s Gothic I and Diptyque’s Eau Duelle.

These are more subjective feelings based on what I like (or don’t like) in a perfume as well as considering the fragrance against other perfumes I own and love.

Testing Methodology

For testing, I used three sprays from the sample vial (from the brand’s discovery set) applied to underside and topside of my wrist area. I used an unscented moisturizer prior to applying the scent as I found scent did not hold well here otherwise.

I purchased my sample in January 2022; fragrances are known to be reformulated over their lifetime, so be mindful of when a review was made, e.g. a review from 2010 may not reflect what the same-named perfume smells like in 2022.

Availability

Vanillade is available for $120/100ml.

If possible, I highly recommend trying a fragrance before purchasing a full bottle because fragrance can wear differently just because of skin chemistry. Skin chemistry can effect not just the longevity of a fragrance but also what notes are prominent or hidden.

Vanillade Samples

We recommend the following retailers for purchasing decanted samples (typically 0.7ml to 2ml in size). This is a fuller list, so individual availability may depend on inventory.

• Jovoy Paris
• LuckyScent
• Scent Split
• Twisted Lily

Where to Buy

• LuckyScent

Maison Tahite Vanillade Perfume Review

Maison Tahite Vanillade Perfume Review

Maison Tahite Vicious Cacao is a well-blended mix of gourmand, chocolate, booze, and sugar that evokes warm, boozy cake, then caramel-drizzled cake, and then something slightly fruity and floral, not quite so photo-realistic, and sweeter from benzoin than pure sugar. The cocoa was the star throughout the different phases of the perfume, and while there were parts that were sort of cake-like, it did feel more like a perfume inspired by cocoa than literal cocoa (which may or may not be what you’re looking for).

Vicious Cacao Notes

It is described as a being reminiscent of “cake” that is “enhanced by noble flowers and enveloping resins.” These are the listed notes:

• top notes: raspberry, rose pepper, rum
• heart notes: amber, narcissus, cocoa absolute, jasmine
• base notes: salty caramel, sandalwood, saffron, oak moss, benzoin

What does Vicious Cacao Smell Like?

It opened with a soupcon of vanilla cake, pepper, boozy rum, and cocoa. It soon became salty, chewy, and darkly sweet with less noticeable vanillic tones. There were subtle hints of florals, possibly jasmine within the first 15 minutes. I was taken aback by how multi-faceted the structure was; it was sweet and gourmand, boozy and chocolaty, but it was also subtly floral and had a jam-like sweetness (perhaps the raspberry and narcissus coming together). The salty caramel note seemed to tie everything together and kept the perfume from being overly sweet.

The composition got ore gourmand after the first hour of wear; the salty-sweet, dark caramel mixed with smooth cocoa was full of depth and richness, still alluding to a booziness, though the rum had dissipated for sure by this point. It had a more linear progression until nearer to the drydown (about six hours in), which was when it was slightly woodier, smoother, and less caramel and more resinous but the cocoa remained a star even in the drydown.

Longevity

It lasted for 10 hours until it was a skin-scent and about 16 hours before it was quite difficult to detect on my skin. The sillage and projection were moderate and dropped closer after three hours of wear.

Testing Methodology

For testing, I used 1/3 of a 0.7ml sample vial dabbed to the underside and topside of my wrist area. I used an unscented moisturizer prior to applying the scent as I found scent did not hold well here otherwise.

I purchased my sample in January 2022; fragrances are known to be reformulated over their lifetime, so be mindful of when a review was made, e.g. a review from 2010 may not reflect what the same-named perfume smells like in 2022.

Availability

Vicious Cacao is available for $120/100ml.

If possible, I highly recommend trying a fragrance before purchasing a full bottle because fragrance can wear differently just because of skin chemistry. Skin chemistry can effect not just the longevity of a fragrance but also what notes are prominent or hidden.

Vicious Cacao Samples

We recommend the following retailers for purchasing decanted samples (typically 0.7ml to 2ml in size). This is a fuller list, so individual availability may depend on inventory.

• Jovoy Paris
• LuckyScent
• Scent Split
• Twisted Lily

Where to Buy

• LuckyScent

Maison Tahite Vicious Cacao Perfume Review

Maison Tahite Vicious Cacao Perfume Review

Maison Tahite Cacao2 Eau de Parfum is a spiced, toasted cocoa that’s smooth, nutty, and luscious with vanillic and ambery sweetness that is supported by aromatic cedar. The cocoa lasts and lasts, even in the drydown where it’s more of a supportive note and the amber starts to take over.

Cacao2 Notes

It is described as using “cinnamon” to reveal cocoa’s “spicy side” along with toasted notes, cedar, and vetiver to evoke “biting a bar of extra dark chocolate.”

• top notes: cinnamon
• heart notes: labdanum, toasted notes
• base notes: cocoa, vanilla, cedar, vetiver, benzoin, ambery notes, amber

What does Cacao2 Smell Like?

In the first few seconds, unadulterated, dark chocolate blasted through but then it was doused with intense cinnamon–spicy and so aromatic I could almost taste it. The cocoa was there, slightly dusty and dark, and gradually warmed up, almost like it was melting, as it became somewhat nutty and toasted. The cinnamon was no longer as brash as it had been given about five minutes to settle down.

It managed to be sweet without losing its dark, chocolaty depth; it was spiced without tickling my nose; the cinnamon did, in fact, bring out the “spicy side” of chocolate. There was a vanilla veil that brought out the sweetness of the chocolate but not enough to turn it milk chocolate. There was some photorealism to the cocoa note, but there was definitely facets of cedar and amber that were mere whispers in the first hour that made the whole composition a little more surreal.

The changes from that point were slow and more minor as Cacao2 drifted into warmer, more resinous territory with the cedar becoming more aromatic and distinctive, but it remained mostly cinnamon-cocoa with vanillic sweetness. It smelled like the taste of warm, Mexican hot chocolate–thick, smooth, and spiced rich cocoa. It wasn’t until the third hour that it felt like the cocoa was drizzled with golden amber over subtle aromatic cedar.

Over the next four hours, the amber and benzoin added a more caramelized aspect, darker, gooey sweetness and made the cocoa softer, woodier without dropping its spice. The cocoa started to become a more minor player after seven hours of wear, but it lingered in the background as the amber and cedar came forward in the drydown.

Longevity

It lasted for five hours until it was a skin-scent and about eight hours before it was quite difficult to detect on my skin. The sillage and projection were moderate with the sillage dropping faster than the projection within the first hour of wear.

Personal Notes

After testing this scent, it really hit home just how much I’ve come to enjoy chocolate as a prominent note in perfume; I found the gourmand style that calls to me. Each time I try a chocolaty fragrance, I am swept up by it, so I am now having to be a little more measured about how many I purchase and have in my collection at a single point, but this is definitely one I am considering.

Testing Methodology

For testing, I used 1/3 of a 0.7ml sample vial dabbed to the underside and topside of my wrist area . I used an unscented moisturizer prior to applying the scent as I found scent did not hold well here otherwise.

I purchased my sample in February 2022; fragrances are known to be reformulated over their lifetime , so be mindful of when a review was made, e.g. a review from 2010 may not reflect what the same-named perfume smells like in 2022.

Availability

Cacao2 is available for $120/100ml. If possible, I highly recommend trying a fragrance before purchasing a full bottle because fragrance can wear differently just because of skin chemistry. Skin chemistry can effect not just the longevity of a fragrance but also what notes are prominent or hidden.

Cacao2 Samples

We recommend the following retailers for purchasing decanted samples (typically 0.7ml to 2ml in size). This is a fuller list, so individual availability may depend on inventory.

• Jovoy Paris
• LuckyScent
• Scent Split
• Twisted Lily

Where to Buy

• LuckyScent
• Maison Tahite

Maison Tahite Cacao2 Perfume Review

Maison Tahite Cacao2 Perfume Review