Tom Ford

4 Perfumes Similar to Vanilla Sex

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Vanilla Sex is a release which has really caught on for the brand since its release. Not too complicated of a perfume, but one that has a rather unique feel within a space of vanilla scents, that is extremely well covered.

On this page, I want to keep track of other fragrances that I find which either smell similar to or have a close style to or are cheaper alternatives to this popular Tom Ford fragrance.

Fragrances that Smell Like Vanilla Sex by Tom Ford

Vanilla Closeness

Intimate with Vanilla by Dua Brand– Very clever with the wordplay on the Vanilla Sex moniker, but Intimate is the ‘inspired by’ take on this Tom Ford perfume from The Dua Brand.

If you want an option that tries to match what you get with our target fragrance, this release from Dua should be as good as any. I’ve bought over a dozen scents from them and they really do come close to the mark each time.

Vanilla, tonka bean, bitter almond, sandalwood, and the rest are here. I haven’t tried this one out personally, as of now, but the reviews are overwhelmingly positive.  So, it makes the cut.

Another Inspirational Vanilla

Gourmand Vanilla by Dossier– For those who want something that is trying to be as close to smelling like the Tom Ford as it can, Gourmand Vanilla is another option.

I’ve also had good experience with Dossier’s perfumes, the pricing is good and they seem to come close to the designer fragrances, most of the time.

You might want to just see which one is cheaper on any given day. But, here’s a backup choice instead of the Dua.

Tahitian Vanilla

Vanille de Tahiti- This one from Perris isn’t the same as Vanilla Sex, but it is another vanilla perfume with a somewhat similar style and some overlaps.

Vanille de Tahiti has a fairly short-lived stage, in which it has a dirtier and earthy kind of aroma on top of the main vanilla note. Champaca and ylang-ylang. That will clear out and the champaca smells a lot like orange flower.

A floral and tropical kind of fragrance, that becomes dry and more powdery instead of creamy with its vanilla finish. Sandalwood and amber round things out.

I quite enjoyed wearing my sample vial of Vanille de Tahiti. The opening few minutes almost put me off of it, but it gets way better thereafter. This is one that if you like the Tom Ford perfume, you’ll probably like this one too, even if it’s not an exact match.

Deeper Hypnosis

Hypnotic Poison– Another one that’s not the same and probably the most distinct from Vanilla Sex on the list, but has plenty of overlap. Mainly, the vanilla and almond notes being prominent in the mix.

This is also a more complex scent, so, there are more facets to it than in Vanilla.

I get a more noticeable almond here with the Dior than in the Tom Ford, which is much more vanilla centered. The fruity notes also separate it with both apricot and plum making an appearance. The floral heart is also more of a factor, thanks to jasmine, and a sweetish tuberose.

Again, not going to be a near duplicate of the same aroma, but one that should have plenty of fans that are into wearing the Tom Ford scent too. Nice performance and one that’s been popular for a long time.

Tuscan Leather vs Ombre Leather Comparison

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In this head to head comparison, we are going to take a look at two of the Tom Ford leather laden scents, Tuscan Leather vs. Ombre Leather 18. Ombre Leather was released in 2018 and is a variant of a 2016 release with the same name. Which of these unisex fragrances smells best? Which has the better performance? Which is a better buy overall?

Tale of the Tape: Tuscan vs. Ombre Leather

Tuscan Leather

Notes include: leather, suede, raspberry, jasmine, olibanum, saffron, amber

Click here to try: Tom Ford Tuscan Leather Eau De Parfume Spray for Men, 1.7 Ounce

My original Review: Tuscan Leather

Ombre Leather

Notes include: leather, moss, jasmine, amber, patchouli and cardamom

Click here to try: Ombré Leather Eau de Parfum Spray, 1.7-oz.

My review: Ombre Leather

Opening

Tuscan Leather opens up with a fantastic and rich leather note plus saffron. It reminds me a lot of Godolphin by Parfums de Marly. Also, Tuscan features a smooth and familiar black suede note and a bit of juicy raspberry to change things up a bit.

Update: Coming back to this one, years later. That raspberry note feels really potent this time around. It’s sweeter and really different. It almost makes me want to change my opinion on the openings here, but still would go with Ombre.

Ombre Leather, is actually closer to Godolphin than is Tuscan Leather. It shares notes of jasmine, leather, moss, and amber with that fragrance. The leather is just like that in Tuscan and better than the Parfums de Marly fragrance.

It is a dark, dry, warm, and supple scent. Much more like a leather jacket and earthier than is Tuscan Leather.

Which do a I prefer? I think that Ombre is the more interesting opening, it doesn’t have that hint of raspberry, but it does have a dry rugged quality that isn’t found in Tuscan Leather. I just like that opening better.

Edge: Ombre

Projection

Both fragrances start out strong and then move into a more moderate scent. However, Ombre Leather, reaches a higher peak in its sillage before moving into the moderate and feels more intense when I have it on than does Tuscan Leather.

Neither of these is a sillage bomb. However, they do both have a good amount of power, and Ombre is the better of them.

Edge: Ombre

Longevity

With the latest batch of Tuscan Leather that I tried, I got about 8-9 hours of wear from it. While Ombre Leather has a bit better sillage, it lasts on my skin from 6-8 hours, and doesn’t quite keep up with its predecessor.

Tuscan is marginally better, but it definitely has the edge on my skin.

I’ve seen some people say that they get a really long wear out of Tuscan Leather, at least more than I do. It seems to be the consensus that it is the longer-lasting perfume from Tom Ford.

Edge: Tuscan Leather

Versatility

Both of these scents are mostly for the autumn and winter months. Both can be unisex. Both can be worn casually or dressed up without problem. I don’t see a real edge in this category. They pretty much assume the same role.

The leather foundation pretty much sets things up that way. They are pretty similar fragrances in a lot of ways.

Edge: Push

Overall Scent

I will start off by saying, that I enjoy both of these scents a lot. They are fantastic examples of leather used in fragrances, both have good performance, and smell great. They have a whole lot in common.

However, I am going to give the edge to Ombre Leather 18, over Tuscan Leather. For me, the newer scent has more going on and isn’t a linear as Tuscan Leather. Yes, they both start close to what Godolphin smells like, but Ombre Leather,

Ombre has a light addition of warm amber, dry moss, and earthy/slightly spicy patchouli. Add to that, a wonderful dry down in which jasmine gets paired with the leather to add a floral element to an already great fragrance.

Tuscan is great, but Ombre Leather has won me over versus that scent, and I’m going to give it the win in the head to head match up.

Update: I still like Ombre Leather more than Tuscan years later. I also personally prefer it to the later Ombre Leather Parfum release. That’s a good one, if you are a fan of violet leaf, as a note. I’m not too keen on it, but some other people like the Parfum version more

Winner: Ombre Leather

11 Best Tom Ford Perfumes for Women

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Tom Ford fragrances fall into the more very expensive designer category of perfumes. They tend to be less synthetic and contain more ‘rare’ notes than other mainstream scents. However, Tom Ford also produces some really great scents for women.

These perfumes tend to stand out and make a statement, which can be a good or bad thing depending on the person wearing it.

The scents on this list will be more along the lines of a signature perfume for the right lady and not all of them will have universal appeal.

Favorite Ladies Fragrances by Tom Ford

Popular Fragrance Choice

Tom Ford Black Orchid By Tom Ford For Women. Eau De Parfum Spray 3.4-Ounces– Dark, rich, and spicy. A loud and sensual gourmand fragrance featuring notes of black truffle, black orchid, plum, and patchouli.

Not quite feminine nor is it over to the masculine side of fragrance either. This one can be loved or hated, but it is bold and sexy, nevertheless.

Black Orchid is not only a top level fragrance with its sillage, but it seemingly lasts forever. Yes, Tom Ford fragrances are priced on the higher end, but you get every penny’s worth with this perfume’s performance.

It’s sweet, it’s dark and dry, it’s smokey, and then powdered. Black Orchid has a lot of personality and the composition has a very well done complexity. Marvelous.

Best Overall

Tom Ford Noir Pour Femme Eau De Parfum, 3.4 Ounce– A more moderate gourmand than Black Orchid. Noir has an alluring vibe created by the smooth vanilla notes, the floral notes like rose, and the sweetness of orange.

A beautiful fragrance that is soaked in amber, has a creamy tone, on top of smooth sandalwood. Noir Pour Femme is much more of a cold weather fragrance and hangs in the air wonderfully without being too in your face about it.

Noir Pour Femme has a lot of overlap with Noir Extreme for Men. Less intense at the start, but that beautfiul dry down is pretty close to one another. Noir Extreme is one of my favorite men’s offerings from this brand, so, it makes sense that I would enjoy this too.

This is probably my personal favorite and what I’d say is the best smelling. That being said, it is a fragrance for the colder months, which isn’t going to work well in heat. So, if that really applies to your living situation, I’d go with something else.

Cherry Delicious

Tom Ford Lost Cherry Unisex EDP Spray 1.7 oz– Lost Cherry has become recently very popular and it’s pretty easy to understand, once you smell it. Well, assuming you like sweet cherry.

The newer releases like Cherry Smoke and Electric Cherry, weren’t nearly as good as this one which kicked off the use of this note.

It starts off with that sweetness, but warm and with a thicker aroma. The cherry at the start, is very much like a liqueur or the syrup from Dr. Pepper’s Cherry flavor.  Amaretto and cherry syrup, yep, really reminds me of that Dr. Pepper.

Then, that will subside and the almond note will move in. The cherry liqueur seemingly gets replaced by a more naturalistic cherry aroma. Less thick, more fresh with some added spices.

The sillage however, is pretty light to moderate. Some folks have had a problem with performance, but it lasts 7-7.5 hours, on my skin. Again, not with a massive projection throughout.

Nonetheless, this one smells delicious, and for sure one to test if it sounds like something you’d like. Lost Cherry Full Review

Best Summer Tom Ford Perfume

Tom Ford Eau de Soleil Blanc Spray, 3.4 Ounce, Eau de Toilette Spray– Soleil Blanc features floral notes: jasmine, ylang-ylang, and tuberose. Also, a unique pistachio, and enough amber to make it inviting.

Soleil opens with that coconut note, and a very juicy bergamot, with an underlying tuberose floral note.

These ingredients pair well and add the sweet creaminess of the perfume, but this is made spicier by the cardamom and just a hint of warm pink pepper.

As it moves along, the floral notes really begin to emerge and blend with a creamier and less sweetened coconut note. A very light warmth and spice is there from the cardamom. It has really good performance and delivers that day at the beach vibe to perfection.

The sillage isn’t super strong, but Soleil Blanc will last for 10+ hours. Eau de Soleil Blanc is the flanker to this. It has more of a citrus opening and sun tan lotion dry down. I only tried that one, once. So, I’m not positive which I prefer, as of this update.  Soleil Blanc Full Review

Most Interesting

Tom Ford Velvet Orchid Eau De Parfum Spray, 3.4 Ounce– Citrus sweet, smooth, and floral at the start. This is a great and seductive perfume which lightens and brightens as a scent during the dry down period.

Similar to Black Orchid? Yes. However, it is less intense, and has a sweeter and boozier profile. Warm rum with thick honey, creamy vanilla, and the floral bouquet led by the orchid note. Quite rich with a dark depth.

Top Woody Perfume

Tom Ford Santal Blush Eau De Parfum, 1.7 Ounce– Woodsy and spicy fragrance that airs towards Oriental. Santal Blush is pretty unisex and a fragrance designed for sandalwood lovers.

It’s very clean and fresh with powdered elements and the aforementioned spices sitting underneath. Mostly though, Santal Blush is a woody fragrance, first and foremost. At times, it is creamy. Other times, it’s musky. Overall, it is simply great.

Easy to Love Citrus and Floral

Tom Ford Sole di Positano Eau de Parfum Spray, 3.4 oz– The Acqua version is the more recent release. It’s much lighter and slightly different to this one. However, I think the original Sole di Positano is the better of the two.

Zesty citrus blend up top that is dominated by a mix of orange notes. Slight greenish and herbal spice sitting underneath that, but not to the same extent as other Tom Ford citrus offerings.

Jasmine and ylang-ylang really emerge later on. But, with the orange blossom and neroli, this one still retains a balance with its citrus beginnings.

A great spring and summer option with decent, but not amazing performance. Sole di Positano Review

Just Peachy

Tom Ford Bitter Peach by Tom Ford Eau De Parfum Spray (Unisex) 1.7 oz Men– Bitter Peach is a newer edition to the list, but I think that it’s well worth putting on and gives a different experience from the other options.

I was also tempted to put Soleil Neige on, but that while enjoyable, never reaches a higher level.

You get a lot of the peach as expected, early on. However, it is flanked by orange and patchouli notes, as well.

It is a ripe peach, with that bitterness, and a great gourmand package of vanilla and patchouli. The former gives the juicy fruit a creaminess and is joined by floral notes including heliotrope. The peach is the main star and the scent is quite bold and provides a very long lasting wear.

Top Floral Perfume

Tom Ford Jasmin Rouge eau de parfum for women 1.7 oz– Jasmin Rouge is a jasmine sambac led floral perfume with warmth and underlying spices from notes like cinnamon, ginger, and sage.

The jasmine is mostly paired with ylang-ylang and this is wrapped up in a nice amber on top of smooth wood.

Jasmin Rouge has a moderate and refined sillage, which won’t overpower, but does have a terrific modern floral aroma. This Tom Ford is very well blended and at times the supporting notes won’t really stand out from one another.

Though, this is one of the top fragrances for those who love jasmine. Jasmin Rouge Review

Sweet Wintertime Scent

TOM FORD Tobacco Vanille Eau de Parfum 50 ML(1.7 OZ)– One of the absolute classic presentations of a fully developed tobacco note blended with sweet elements, like the namesake, vanilla. It’s warm and bold and extremely pleasant to wear.

Tonka bean, dried fruits, and cacao join some spices to help round out the main tobacco/vanilla combination.

Tobacco Vanille is another beast performer by Tom Ford. It will last all day and doesn’t take much to have it be noticed.

I used to enjoy this one more, in the past. It’s still good, but doesn’t capture my attention in the same way it once did. Very worth checking out, though. Tobacco Vanille Review

Best Leather Fragrance

Ombré Leather Eau de Parfum Spray, 1.7-oz.– Ombre Leather is a new 2018 release, but one that I’m really enjoying. It is unisex, maybe slightly masculine, but from online store reviews plenty of women are wearing this one.

This fragrance is very dry and warm, with leather being the main star.

However, it is joined by amber and moss, that play the background. Jasmine is quite noticeable and plays amazingly off of the leather note.

I do personally like this Ombre Leather more than the Parfum version. That edition utilizes a violet leaf note, giving things a slightly different vibe. It is still very good, though.

Super smooth and rich leather, like an enveloping jacket. A moderate wear with an overall clean aroma, but with an earthy dirtiness underneath. Awesome. Ombre Leather Review

Neroli Portofino by Tom Ford

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Continuing on with my Tom Ford fragrance reviews, today we have a citrusy-floral perfume from the designer. This is a 2011 release entitled, Neroli Portofino. It is actually one of the more popular scents from the lineup, but what makes that so? How does it smell? What’s inside? Is Neroli Portofino even worth it?

What does Neroli Portofino Smell Like?

Notes include: neroli, orange flower, amber, mandarin, bergamot, jasmine, lavender, lemon

Click here to try: Tom Ford Neroli Portofino 1.7 oz Eau de Parfum Spray

My Full Wear Review

The opening of Neroli Portofino presents my nose with a citrus burst, mainly comprised of lemon, and a mix of floral notes particularly orange blossom at first and then the neroli.

The neroli will come into its own, later in the wear. But, initially I get a lot more orange blossom than the namesake of the perfume.

It’s juicy citrus with floral undertones and a noticeable soapy quality. It actually feels quite similar to other scents that I have tried, so this isn’t one that I can say is wholly unique.

Is there a spiciness here? Sure, neroli and the rosemary briefly give Neroli Portofino some kick, but it’s not to the same extent as some of the other Tom Ford releases, that share this same sort of style.

There is a nice amber note within the composition which adds a different aspect to this fragrance besides really clean citrus-flower. It creates a warm heart and adds to the inviting soapy vibe, though it isn’t very powerful.

As it dries down, I begin to get more of the neroli, less of the lemon and orange notes and the jasmine peaks through also. Neroli Portofino is admittedly pretty darn linear in its presentation.

Sure, the citrus subsides more, but it never really goes away to become just a floral fragrance. The only further development to my nose from here, is some lavender, entering the picture.

Neroli, jasmine, lavender, and some amber for the rest of the wear. Citrusy white floral, when boiled down.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Projection wise, the sillage of Neroli Portofino is pretty light to moderate. It’s by no means a bomb, but you’ll notice it for the first couple of hours with a decent amount of application. After that, this Tom Ford perfume, sits quite close to the skin.

If you want any sort of real projection with it, you’re going to have to spray heavy.

The longevity isn’t great, but I get about 5-6 hours of wear from it. It doesn’t seem like it lasts very long, because it isn’t one that projects itself very well, but it is still there.

Even still, 5 or 6 hours of wear at this price, is pretty bad. The performance takes Neroli Portofino down a few notches, in my book.

Seasonally, this is one for the spring and summer months. I’d lean more toward wearing it in the summertime, due to the great citrus elements. That’s actually my favorite aspect of this scent, the lemon and orange zesty element that hangs around during the wear.

Neroli Portofino is listed as a unisex perfume and it is. I’d say that it leans more toward the female side of things, since it is pretty flowery, but it isn’t overly so and not feminine enough to take away the unisex aspect.

Overall Impressions of Neroli Portofino

Overall, do I like it? I do enjoy the scent of Neroli Portofino, but I wouldn’t buy it for myself. It smells very nice, but the longevity and sillage isn’t great enough for me to justify paying Tom Ford prices for it.

Plus, there are many other scents that have a similar or almost exactly the same aroma for a better price. Good fragrance? Absolutely. Worth it? Ehhh, not for me at least.

I like the citrus notes and the opening act. The floral dry down is nice, but it gets a little too soapy. I prefer the fruits to the floral notes. Forte goes too hard with the citrus notes and is nicer, when it dries down.

The citrus and orange blossom, I usually prefer over neroli anyway. That being said, the neroli note in this is spectacular in its quality. Very fine stuff, if it’s a scent that you personally enjoy. Though, it’s not really a fragrance that everyone needs in their collection.

Lost Cherry by Tom Ford

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Lost Cherry by Tom Ford has pretty quickly become a best seller for the designer. It came out in 2018 and has been one that people seem to enjoy. Maybe it’s the unique use of cherry or the great looking bottle, that it comes in. I recently bought a decant of this perfume to test out. How does it smell? When should it be worn? Is it worth a try?

What does Lost Cherry by Tom Ford Smell Like?

Notes include: cherry, almond, tonka bean, Turkish rose, jasmine, cinnamon, cedar, and more

Click here to try: Tom Ford LOST CHERRY 3.4OZ / 100ML

My Full Review

Before we get into my review of Lost Cherry, let’s see what Tom Ford has to say about it: “LIKE THE PLUMP FRUIT WAITING TO BE EATEN, LOST CHERRY IS POWERFUL AND INSATIABLE. NOTES OF CHERRY LIQUEUR AND A TOUCH OF BITTER ALMOND DRIP INTO ITS HEART, GLOSSING IT WITH CANDY-LIKE GLEAM.”

The opening of Lost Cherry immediately reveals a warm and sweet blend, naturally led by the cherry note. This opening is very much like a cherry liqueur, but, when combined with the other notes it reminds me of Cherry Dr. Pepper in the syrup form.

Like if you took that soda syrup and then ramped up the cherry aroma, you’d have the start of this perfume. Better yet, like that amaretto mixed drink that mimics the taste and character of Dr. Pepper. But loaded with cherry.

Personally, I dig it. Very sweet and has that gourmand appeal. That will fade away and more of the almond nuttiness will come through, eventually.

The cherry seems to come across in two waves. First, the cherry liqueur. Then, a more naturalistic smelling cherry note. Less overtly sugary sweet and fresher.

This is somewhat different from Lost Cherry, but the La Petite Robe Noire fragrances have a similar aroma to this one, as well. I can’t remember which perfume is the closest to Lost Cherry, but one of them is pretty darn close.

As it dries down, you will be able to better detect the other ingredients beyond cherry. Tonka bean, almond, and some spiciness (cinnamon, mostly) are there and create a delicious aroma. It feels powdery, warm, and with a sweet booziness present throughout.

It stays in that soft and gentle mode from the remainder. Yes, there are some light floral touches from jasmine, and a detectable smokiness…it just doesn’t develop into numerous phases beyond that, on my skin.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

The sillage here is pretty light to moderate. It seems like it’s going to have a strong projecting ability at first, then it quickly falls in line as a lighter scent.

Don’t expect a bomb, like so many other Tom Ford scents can be, Lost Cherry is pretty subtle.

For me, it does still seem to hang around in the air. Not reaching across the room, but Lost Cherry has a bit more projection than it gets credit for.

The longevity actually isn’t bad on my skin. I’ve read some reviews, where people said it doesn’t last. For me, it lasts pretty well, just not at a strong level. I can get 7-7.5 hours of use out of this one. Great? No, but not a complete joke, by any means.

Seasonally, I’d stick to autumn and winter. It will be great in colder weather, probably up to something more temperate. Anything hotter, I’d pass.

It is a unisex fragrance, but has more of a feminine quality. I mean, one of its strongest comparable scents is a Guerlain perfume for women. But, I’ll still wear it without issue, and it is fine for almost anybody.

Lost Cherry actually has a sexy quality to it. It does grab attention when initially sprayed and is very appealing up close, when it settles. Great for nightlife and casual situations, but not too out of place for something like the workplace. 

 

Overall Impressions of Lost Cherry

Do I like this scent? I do enjoy the smell a lot. Sure, it leans more feminine than most of the fragrances that I usually wear, but it still sits in that unisex category.

I love the smell of cherry and that sort of Dr. Pepper and amaretto aroma, that comes out of the base here. The performance could be better, than what it is. Again, it’s not atrocious, just not a marathon runner.

The question really comes down to price. At $300+ per bottle, is it worthwhile? That’s going to depend on your personal preference. I’d want a bit more strength, if I were going to splurge on a bottle of this.

Update: Instead of Lost Cherry, I went with the ‘inspired by’ Popped Cherry from the Dua Brand, which is a lot less expensive. A very good take, on this fragrance, I reviewed it here: Popped Cherry Review

Plus, this isn’t one I’d wear on the daily. So, I’d have an expensive perfume, with middle of the road performance, and limited use for me personally.

Your case may vary, but I couldn’t justify it. I do enjoy this Tom Ford fragrance, it’s just a bit too much money for one bottle.